JPH0324890A - Still picture video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the remote control operation of a still picture video telephone system by providing a signal detection circuit and an image data control circuit, and automatically transmitting image data to a speech opponent based on a polling signal transmitted from a speech destination. CONSTITUTION:The polling signal sent from the speech opponent is detected with the signal detection circuit 11 via a telephone line, and a control signal to transmit an image signal is outputted. The image data control circuit 3 inputs the control signal, and an image pickup signal photographed with a television camera or the image data of a stored image signal is transmitted to an opponent. Thereby, it is possible to automatically transmit the image data replying to the request of the speech opponent based on the polling signal transmitted from the speech destination, and also, to request the image data from a visiting site with the remote control operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a still image video telephone device that transmits and receives still images photographed with a television camera through a telephone line, and particularly to a still image video telephone device that has an answering machine function.

[Conventional technology] Still image video telephones, which are a visual communication tool that combines a television and a telephone, use analog telephone lines with low communication costs as a communication medium, and can be easily dialed both domestically and overseas. It has become very convenient because it allows information to be exchanged over the Internet, and it is beginning to become widely used for consumer and business purposes as a general process.

This type of still image videophone device uses the analog telephone band still image video system (TTC standard), which is the standard transmission method.
Based on this, black-and-white still images are transmitted over a voiceband telephone network.

In such a still image videophone device,
It has the advantage of being able to use a normal telephone line, and the protocol, modulation method, etc. can be configured very easily, making it relatively inexpensive.

FIG. 2 shows a still image video telephone device that combines the conventional still image video telephone function with an answering machine function that is commonly used in stores.

That is, FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a conventional still picture video telephone device with an answering machine function. A circuit configuration connected via a telephone line is shown. The still image videophone device (1) shown in FIG. 2 has a CPU (3) and an image processing unit (4).
A camera (5), memory (6), and monitor (7) are connected via.

In the figure, a camera (5) provided in the main body of the apparatus outputs the captured image, which is input to an image processing section (4) that converts the captured image into image data.

This image processing unit (4) stores the image data in an image memory (
6) and outputs the image data to a monitor (7) for displaying the image, for example, a television monitor.

For example, when making a telephone call and transmitting image data to the other party, the CPU (3) transmits the image data in the memory (6) via the image processing section (4) by inputting the operation switch (8). is transmitted to the other party via the modem and line interface.

This CPU (3) is a control device that performs central control of the videophone device (1) connected to the telephone line, and conversely, when a received image signal is transmitted from the other party, it is transmitted via the line interface and modem. The CPUI (
The received image signal is input to 3), and the operation switch (8
) is input to the image memory (6) as image data via the image processing section (4). And the monitor (
7) The image is displayed.

On the other hand, in the answering machine (2), a signal detection circuit (11) is connected to the CPUn (9), and a tape recorder (1.0) and memory (12) are connected to the voice control 1.
(1 3), IC recording/playback (1 4), speech synthesis section (15
) are connected through.

That is, in the figure, the incoming call detection circuit (16) connected to the telephone line detects whether or not the other party is calling and outputs a detection signal (16a), and the loop detection circuit (17) , detects the off-hook state of the other party, and sends each detection signal (16a), (17a) manually to the CPU (9), which is a control device that performs central control of the answering machine connected to the telephone line. ing.

The CPU II (9), which manually generates each detection signal, detects, for example, a polling signal (16x) sent from the other party using the signal detection circuit (1l), and thereby detects the voice from the other party when the other party is away. Recording of the signal on the table recorder (10) is controlled via the audio control section.

In addition, when you are at home, the audio signal from the other party is detected via the loop detection circuit (17), and is further detected by the 2/4 wire converter (17).
The CPUn (9) is connected to the audio switch (19) via the audio switch (18).
) and the other party's voice is output to the speaker (20).

Of course, the audio signal on the receiving side is transmitted using the microphone (21).
According to the voice switch (1 9), 2/4 wire conversion (1
8).

Thereby, voice transmission and reception is performed with the other party.

Here, of course, as shown, the still image video telephone device (1) and the answering machine (2) are connected to a telephone line via a line interface, and for example, transmit audio signals to the other party. Transmission and reception are performed by the answering machine (2) as before, and image signals are transmitted and received by the still image videophone device (1).

When image data is to be transmitted to the called party using the answering machine function of the answering machine (2), the image data is transmitted to the answering machine (2) via the telephone line and stored in the memory (12) in advance. This can be done by keeping it.

Next, a specific control operation when transmitting image data to the other party using the answering machine function in such a conventional still picture video telephone device will be explained.

The CPU (3) stores the subject photographed by the television camera (5), such as a self-portrait of the caller, and image data transmitted through the telephone line in the image memory (6), and operates it as an image selection device. switch (8)
The image data selected in is read from the image memory (6) and displayed on a monitor (7) which is a display device via an image processing section (4).

Here, press the operation switch (22) to operate the answering machine (2).
, the image data displayed on the monitor (7) is transmitted from the CPU 1 (3) to the answering machine (2) via the telephone line, which is detected by the loop detection section (17), and the detection signal ( 17a)
Control is performed by (9). That is, the image data is stored in the tape recorder (10) via the 274-line converter (18) and the audio control section (13).

In this way, for example, when you are away and a received image signal containing control information is received from the other party, the answering machine function sends a detection signal (16a) to the incoming call detector (16).
) is manually input to the CPU II (9), and thereby,
The received image signal from the loop detection (17) is sent to the signal detection circuit (
11).

Then, a polling signal requesting transmission of image data is detected, and under the control of the CPU II (9), the image data stored in the tape recorder (10) or the memory (12) is transmitted to the other party via voice control (13). and 274-line conversion (18).

As described above, in the conventional video telephone device, image data is transmitted using the conventional answering machine function.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in the conventional still image videophone device configured as shown in FIG. 2, the still image videophone device main body (1) and the answering machine (2) are electrically configured separately and independently via telephone lines.

Therefore, in order to send a still image to the other party using the answering machine function, the image data of the still image must be transmitted in advance to the tape recorder (10) to the answering machine, memory (12), etc. via the telephone line. However, the information had to be recorded or memorized, making operation time-consuming.

In addition, in the past, since the videophone side did not have an answering machine function, the stored or recorded image data was simply sent to the other party, and when a call was received from the other party, It was not possible to operate the television camera (5) and send the captured image to the other party.

That is, as an example of this, by making a telephone call from outside, it was not possible to monitor one's own room or the room of the other party while the user was away.

Furthermore, the conventional Seizo Toga video telephone device with an answering machine function is mechanically constructed separately and independently as shown in Fig. 2, so for example, the installation space for two devices is required (7. ,
Its handling and operability were very troublesome.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to automatically convert captured images or stored image data based on a polling signal transmitted from the other party via a telephone line. To provide a still image video telephone device that can transmit a still image to a called party.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the circuit configuration of the present invention detects a polling signal requesting image data sent from the other party and transmits the image signal. a signal detection circuit that outputs a control signal, stores image data as a photographed image signal taken by a television camera in a storage device or displays it on a display device, and inputs a control signal when the polling signal is detected. and an image data control circuit that controls transmission of the image data to the other party in response to a request from the other party. Accordingly, image data is automatically transmitted to the other party on the basis of the polling signal.

[Function] With the above-described structure, the still image videophone device according to the present invention detects a polling signal sent from the other party via the telephone line by the signal detection circuit, and This outputs a control signal for transmitting an image signal.

Then, the image data control circuit inputs the control signal and controls the image data of the photographed image signal taken by the television camera or the stored image signal to be transmitted to the other party.

As a result, it is possible to automatically send image data in response to a request from the other party based on the polling signal transmitted from the other party, and this also makes it possible to request image data by remote control from outside. It can be performed.

Moreover, by having such a function as an answering machine, it is possible to improve the operability of the main body of the apparatus.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a still picture television 711-channel device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same members as those in FIG. Explanation of the configuration and operation will be omitted.

The characteristic feature of the present invention is that the polling signal sent from the other party is detected 7, and based on this, the image signal taken by the television camera and the image data of the stored image signal are sent to the other party. The purpose is to send it automatically.

Based on FIG. 1, the still picture videophone device shown in the diagrams below for explaining the characteristic circuit configuration of this embodiment is a device incorporating the functions of the answering machine (2) shown in FIG. 2. It is.

Therefore, in the figure, for example, a polling signal (16
The signal detection circuit (11) that detects the DT detector (
IIA) poor BT detector CIIB) and DTMF detector (I
IC). When a received image signal is input via the line interface, the signal detection circuit (11) detects a control signal (lla) when the polling signal (16X) is received. (llb), (
ie) is output.

Here, the DT detector (IIA) is a dual tone detection circuit for detecting a trigger signal to switch the audio mode to the image mode, and the DT detector (IIB) is a busy tone detection circuit for detecting hook on/off. The circuit detects the on/off status of the TV and camera.

Further, the DTMF detection W (IIC) is a dual tone multi-frequency detection circuit, and detects oscillation sounds from dial switches θ to 9 of the operation switches.

Each of these control signals (1 1 a) . (
1lb) and (llc) are manually inputted to the CPUU (9) as an image data control circuit, and thereby the CPUU (9) serves as an image data control circuit.
Un (9) determines the presence or absence of a polling signal, and
A CPU control signal (9a) is output to the UI (3).

Therefore, each of the control signals (lla). (llb)(
llc), the CPUn (9) receives the CPUl(5
) can be controlled to operate the camera (4) via the image processing section (4). Then, it sends the photographed image to the other party, and also sends the image data stored in the memory (6), and also sends it to the tape recorder (1).
0) and memory (12) are stored and controlled via an IC recording/playback (14), a voice synthesis section (15), and a voice switch (13).

Next, the control operation at the time of answering will be explained in detail using FIG. 1.

Image data is stored in the memory (6), and the monitor (
7) is the same as the conventional device shown in FIG.
The difference from the conventional method is that the CPUn (9) is controlled by the control signal (9a).

That is, a polling signal (16x) is transmitted through the telephone line.
When the signal is transmitted, the signal detection circuit (11) reads the signal and makes a judgment, and the CPUll (9)
The operation of the UI (3) is controlled by the CPU control signal (9a).

That is, when this CPU (3) is in operation, image data can be sent to the other party. Specifically, for example, this can be done by directly controlling the drive of the television camera (5) and transmitting the photographed image signal through the image processing section (4), or by directly controlling the drive of the television camera (5), transmitting the photographed image signal through the image processing section (4), or using a pre-stored memory, image controller 1, roller, etc. It is also possible to transmit image data.

Then, these image data are transmitted to the other party via the CPUI (3) and the modem, and then via the telephone line via the same line interface, and can be input to the still image videophone device of the other party. It can be displayed on a monitor.

On the other hand, the message as a voice signal transmitted through the telephone line is of course stored in the tape recorder (10) as shown in the figure as an answering machine function ε, and the polling signal (16x) is When the polling signal (16x) is sent, the signal detection circuit (11) detects the polling signal (16x), and as described above, the CPU
A detection control signal (9a) is sent from II (9) to CPUI (3).
) and activate the CPUI (3) to transmit the desired image data.

In other words, when you are away, messages in the form of voice signals are recorded in the memory (6) via the IC recording/playback (14) as an answering machine function as before, and can also be recorded by the remote control function, which is an answering machine function. It can control the tape recorder (10), memory (12), and audio switch (19).

Therefore, the polling signal (16x) can be used to control the functions of the still image video telephone device, for example, to monitor the room when the user is away.

Furthermore, although it has been explained that the control operation of the still image videophone device in this embodiment involves detecting a polling signal (16x) from the other party and transmitting image data based on this, it goes without saying that the image data is transmitted from the other party. It is also possible to automatically store incoming image data in the tape recorder (10) and memory (12) using the absentee recording function when the user is away.

As described above, according to the still image videophone device according to the present invention, polling is enabled by the remote control function in the answering machine, which makes it extremely easy to record image data and improves the handling and operability of the device itself. improves.

In addition to improving convenience by using the polling function, it also has a built-in answering machine function! This makes it possible to downsize the device itself.

Furthermore, there is an effect that the still image video telephone device and the answering machine, which were conventionally separate devices, can be integrated into the same housing.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the still image videophone device according to the present invention, by detecting the polling signal, the image data of the photographed image photographed by the television camera and the stored image signal can be converted to the conventional image data. It is possible to automatically send the data to the destination without having to transmit it to a tape recorder or other memory in advance.

As a result, the answering machine function makes it possible to transmit image data in response to a request from the other party, and it becomes possible to remotely control the still image videophone device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a still picture video telephone device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a conventional still picture video telephone device. In the figure, (3) is CPUI, (9) is cpUII,
(11) is a signal detection circuit, (16) is an incoming call detector, (1
6x) is a polling signal, and (17) is a loop detector. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In a still image video telephone device that transmits and receives audio signals and image signals taken by a television camera to and from the other party via a telephone line, a polling signal sent from the other party is transmitted. a signal detection circuit that detects and outputs a control signal for transmitting an image signal; and a signal detection circuit that stores and displays image data as a photographed image signal taken by a television camera, and that outputs a control signal when the polling signal is detected. an image data control circuit that inputs a signal and controls transmission of the image data to the other party, and automatically transmits the image data to the other party based on a polling signal transmitted from the other party. Still image videophone device.