
Aiphone IMU Series – Counter, Desk, and Service Window Intercom System
Service window intercom family facilitating voice communication between staff and visitors separated by security glass.
NOVEL · Technical Expertise and Company Information
Cashier, counter, and ticket window intercom systems facilitate intelligible speech between staff and visitors through barrier glass. NOVEL supplies Aiphone solutions configured for service points, ambient noise levels, and mounting layouts.
Manufacturing communication systems since 1948, Aiphone was awarded the Deming Prize in 1981 and 2018. NOVEL's focus is on selecting the right system for reliable communication and long-term operation.

Service window intercom family facilitating voice communication between staff and visitors separated by security glass.
The right system is selected by evaluating call flows, users, site conditions, and existing infrastructure together. The topics below provide a general guide for product selection and project planning.
Glass construction, apertures, and the positioning of staff and visitors must be evaluated jointly. Communication components are positioned to facilitate conversation. Banks, ticket windows, and information desks may present differing acoustic environments; installations must be selected according to on-site acoustic requirements.
Crowds, reverberation, and speech from adjacent service points must be taken into account. Microphone and speaker placement is integral to intelligibility. Maximum volume does not invariably yield the optimum result; speech between staff and visitors should be verified under actual site conditions.
Counter construction, cable routing, and component mounting must be planned. Power supplies and wiring are prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's relevant instructions. The installation must not impede the function of the barrier; the feasibility of work on existing glass or counters should be reviewed with project managers.
Staff shift handovers, instrument ease of use, and cleaning regimes are evaluated. Audio checks and functional testing should be incorporated into the maintenance schedule. Service continuity procedures and alternative communication methods in the event of a fault should be defined; mounting and maintenance access must be considered together for sustained operation.
Founded in 1948, Aiphone is a communication systems manufacturer awarded the Deming Prize in 1981 and 2018. The brand's quality approach addresses design, manufacturing, and product inspection collectively. For NOVEL, the priority is planning visitor and internal communication properly for clear, reliable, and long-term operation.
It facilitates voice communication between two individuals separated by barrier glass, aiming to ensure intelligible dialogue between staff and visitors. The physical characteristics or access control properties of security glazing remain separate engineering considerations.
The intercom provides voice communication; it does not determine the resistance class of the barrier. The compliance of any mounting carried out on the glass or counter with existing security requirements must be verified separately. The presence of a communication device does not automatically verify physical barrier compliance.
The operational arrangement and independent conversation requirements of each service position must be defined. Capacity and components are matched to the product configuration. Potential acoustic interference between adjacent counters must also be evaluated on site.
A ticket window intercom is engineered specifically for two-way conversation through a partition. A general public address or audio amplifier may not address the same mounting and bidirectional communication requirements. Product selection is carried out in conjunction with the barrier structure and the acoustic conditions of the service point.
A recording function should not be assumed for this category. Whether the required function is supported by the specific model and supplementary systems must be verified separately. If recording is required, the organisation's notification, access, and retention policies should be incorporated into the project scope.
The number of counters, barrier construction, communication positions, ambient noise, counter dimensions and power supply specifications should be provided. Staff workflows and installation constraints should also be indicated. This allows an appropriate communication arrangement to be evaluated for the specific point of use.
Aiphone publishes a product security policy. Access permissions, network topology, and supported firmware versions must be evaluated together in the project. Security features vary by model; no device should be assumed to be unconditionally "unhackable", and manufacturer updates and technical guidelines must be followed.
Aiphone outlines a quality and durability approach geared towards long-term operation. Actual service life depends on environment, installation quality, maintenance, and spares availability. The status of existing components and current support scope must be reviewed; an invariable 10, 20, or 30-year performance guarantee must not be assumed for all models.