JPH10271241A - Videophone equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a videophone device using an ISDN line which is capable of high-quality image transmission, is small and lightweight, and is highly expandable. An analog public line (87) is connected between a video telephone (41) having a data input / output terminal connected to a personal computer (88) and a video telephone (41) having a data input / output terminal connected to a camera (88).
And transmits a command from the personal computer 88 to the other videophone device 41 'via the videophone device 41 or the analog public line 87, and the videophone device 41, 41'
Execute the command with.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone apparatus and system for transmitting and receiving image data simultaneously with audio data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of a highly information-oriented society, a demand for a communication medium for transmitting a large amount of various kinds of information at a high speed is increasing more and more.

[0003] In order to respond to such demands,
In 988, TTC (Telecommunication)
n Technology Committee: (company)
JJ-4 as the standard communication system of the Telegraph and Telephone Technical Committee
0.10 "Analog Telephone Band Still Image Communication System" was enacted, whereby black-and-white image data could be exchanged with each other via a communication line. In 1989, the TTC standard communication system was revised. It is also possible to transmit and receive not only black and white image data but also color image data, and various videophone devices have been developed in accordance with these TTC standard communication systems.

By the way, such a video telephone device is
Since it is possible to transmit information that is difficult to be conveyed to the other party only by audio description as information that appeals to the eyes, it is expected to spread further, and the type of communication network to connect and the type of image and audio Depending on the type of transmission function, for example, there are a type that connects to an analog public line to transmit a black-and-white still image and a color still image, and a type that transmits a color moving image.

For example, a black-and-white still picture TV telephone apparatus for transmitting a black-and-white still picture by connecting to an analog public line employs a method of transmitting image data without compression, for example, one screen. When handling monochrome image data of 64 gradations (6 bits) with 100 × 160 pixels, data of 100 × 160 × 6 = 96,000 bits is approximately 8,740 bps (Bit Per Second).
Since the data was transmitted at a transmission speed of about 1, it took about 11 seconds to transmit image data for one screen.

However, as described above, the image data has a large amount of information, and it is not practical to process the image data as it is, except for the purpose of the storage type, because of the memory capacity and the communication speed.

Therefore, the image data and the audio data to be transmitted are compressed to, for example, about 1/20 to 1/100, and are transmitted.
2. Description of the Related Art A moving picture videophone device capable of transmitting / receiving a color moving image of about 10 sheets / second has been put to practical use.

[0008] Since the compressed transmission of image data transmits an extremely large amount of data, a variable length coding system (for example, CCITT) which does not greatly affect the progress of a call even if a slight transmission delay occurs. A variable-length coding method based on Recommendation H.261, etc.) is generally used.

On the other hand, in the compression transmission of audio data, the average generated bit length can be compressed by digitizing the audio data. However, in general, entropy compression (for example, Huffman coding or the like) for which the maximum bit length is not guaranteed is possible. ) Applied to the audio signal, if entropy compression produces a long audio signal,
Since a large transmission delay occurs in the audio signal and the influence on the progress of the call becomes large, the audio signal is encoded with a fixed bit length and transmitted.

[0010] The video telephone apparatus connected to such an analog communication network has a communication function of multiplexing image data and audio data for transmission and reception. The encoding processing of image data and audio data transmitted and received by being added to a communication signal based on the communication procedure is defined for each type of communication network by ITU-T recommendations and the like.

Further, image and voice communication using the ISDN line is based on H.264 of ITU-T. 320. Video phones that comply with this standard include LCDs, telephones, cameras,
A videophone device having a built-in image input / output terminal. 261 compliant (motion compensation +
DCT), and speech encoding is performed according to ITU-T G.264. 71
1 and ADPCM at 24 kbps.
The communication speed on the SDN line is 64 kbps, 128 kb
This is done in ps.

[0012]

However, in a video telephone apparatus for transmitting a still image using an analog general line, an enormous amount of image data is dedicated to the line during data transmission. In an analog general line having a low transmission speed, the interval between image update times becomes long.

Therefore, in order to shorten the image update interval,
Although it is conceivable to reduce the data amount by the still image compression technique, the image quality is remarkably deteriorated if the data compression is performed to a certain degree or more. Further, even when the image is updated smoothly by using the moving image compression technique, the amount of data that can be transmitted on the analog general line is limited, so that the deterioration of the image quality still becomes a problem.

In the case of transmitting image data and audio data by compressing them, a camera as an image input unit, a CRT or LCD as an image display unit, and a telephone as an audio input unit are integrally formed. There are problems that it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the device and that existing telephones cannot be used. In such a videophone device, data is exchanged with another AV device because image input is determined by a built-in camera, image output is determined by a built-in CRT or LCD, and audio output is determined by a built-in telephone. Lacked the extensibility to do so.

Further, a videophone device using an ISDN line also has a built-in image display means such as a CRT or an LCD and a telephone, which is expensive in price and uses a conventional analog telephone. There was a problem that it was not possible. In addition, since the interface with the external device is only the image and audio input / output terminals, various uses such as control of the videophone device from the external device and control of the videophone device to the external device cannot be performed. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a videophone device that enables high-quality image transmission and uses a digital line with high expandability.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a videophone device connected to a digital communication line, a connection means for connecting a telephone connected to an analog communication line, hook detection means for detecting off-hook or on-hook of the telephone via the connection means, and input of a dial number And a call setting means for setting a call to the digital communication line when a dial number is inputted by the input means after an off-hook is detected by the hook detection means.

With this configuration, high-quality image transmission can be realized by efficiently transmitting image and voice data using a digital line while using an existing telephone connected to an analog communication line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the input means converts a dial tone from a telephone input through the connection means into data and outputs the data as a dial number. It is characterized by having conversion means.

With such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use an existing telephone connected to an analog communication line and enhance the expandability of the apparatus. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output unit for outputting the dial number input by the input unit to an external display device.

With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, a DTMF (Dual Ton) is provided.
e Multi-Frequency: a push-button dial signal) can be displayed on a television screen for confirmation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a videophone device connected to a communication line, a connecting means for connecting the data processing device, and a receiving means for receiving an instruction command from the data processing device via the connecting means. And control means for controlling the videophone device based on the instruction command received by the receiving means.

With this configuration, the operation of the video telephone can be controlled by a data processing device such as a personal computer externally connected to the video telephone connected to the communication line. In addition to being able to automate according to arbitrary settings, it is also possible to create / process image data and audio data to be transmitted / received, so that a wide variety of usage methods can be constructed, and the system can be highly developed. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the instruction command is a call setting instruction, and when a dial number is input after the call setting instruction, the communication line And a call setting means for setting a call.

With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention described in the fourth aspect, the call setting can be performed based on the call setting instruction from the data processing device, and the call setting can be performed on the video telephone apparatus side by side. There is no need to do it.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a line control means for controlling connection to the communication line, and a storage means for storing a telephone number and a sub-address rewritable by the data processing device. And the line control means controls intermittent connection with the communication line based on the contents stored in the storage means.

With such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to connect a videophone based on a plurality of telephone numbers and subaddresses with one communication line.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the control state of the video telephone apparatus or information obtained from the communication line is transmitted to the data processing apparatus via the connection means. The transmission means is further provided.

According to this structure, in addition to the operation of the invention described in the fourth aspect, the control state of the video telephone apparatus,
For example, the call status, etc. or sent from the communication line,
For example, display information for displaying a call state, information on a call fee, and the like are transmitted to the data processing device and displayed on the display unit, or the videophone device or the data processing device is used based on information transmitted from a communication line. The control operation of the device can be remotely controlled.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of a video telephone according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a videophone device 41 according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) is a rear view of the videophone device 41, FIG. 2 (b) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 2C is a front view, FIG. 2D is a side view, and FIG. 2E is a bottom view.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
1 includes a cylindrical camera block 42 for capturing an image on the front surface thereof. The camera block 42 includes a focus adjustment lever 43 for adjusting an input image capture, a lens switching lever 44 for adjusting an angle of view, The camera includes a lens cover lever 45 for inhibiting image capture and a camera lens unit 46 for capturing an image.

In addition to the above, a start / stop button 47 used at the start and end of the videophone, and an LED (integrated in the start / stop button 47) for indicating a use state are provided on the front of the apparatus. Light Em
Itting Diode) 48, Videophone 41
Is provided with a remote control light-receiving unit 49 for controlling the control by a signal from a remote control described later.

Further, the video telephone device 41 of the present embodiment
On the back of the ISDN line as shown in FIG.
A connection terminal (8 poles, 8 cores) 51 to an SU (Data Service Unit) device, a connection terminal (4 poles, 4 cores) 52 to an existing analog telephone, a video input terminal for taking in external images and sounds 53, an audio input terminal 54, a microphone input terminal 55, a video output terminal 56 for outputting an image / audio to the outside, an audio output terminal 57, and a data input / output terminal 571 are provided.

In addition, a microphone input level adjustment knob 58 and a line input level adjustment knob 59 for controlling the volume of the microphone input and the voice input are provided. Further, regarding the power supply, the AC power input terminal 60
And a main power switch 61.

Further, a dip switch 611 for initial setting of the operation of the video telephone 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the video telephone 41 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a remote controller 62 for controlling the video telephone 41 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 (a) is a top view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a front view. is there. In FIG. 3A, a videophone device 4 is provided on the upper surface.
1 is provided with a remote control transmitting unit 63 that emits a remote control signal that modulates infrared rays for controlling the remote controller 1.

The remote controller 62 shown in FIG. 3 (b) has various operation keys arranged therein, and a function key 64 for switching the functions of the keyboard to perform operations more than the number of keys. Or "YES"
, A multi-screen / YES selection key 65 for selecting a sub-screen, a sub-screen / NO selection key 66 for selecting a sub-screen or "NO", a save key 67 for storing data, image data, etc. Key 68, a screen selection key 69 for selecting each screen when a multi-screen is selected, a delete key 7 for deleting stored image data and the like.
0, a camera / video selection key 71 for switching between an image captured from the camera block 42 and an image input from the video input terminal 53, a transmission key 72 for transmitting image data captured by a camera or the like, a videophone call A call key 73 for calling the other party, a start / stop key 74 for starting or stopping a predetermined operation of the videophone device 41, and the like are provided.

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) show the above-structured video telephone device as an existing telephone, a television receiver (hereinafter, abbreviated as a television), a communication line (in this case, a digital line ISDN). FIG. 2 is a connection configuration diagram connected to a (line).

FIG. 4A shows a state before a videophone connection is established, and a DSU (Digital Service U) is shown.
nit) device 80 via connection cable 831
Connected to N line 82. Reference numeral 81 denotes a television before connection, reference numeral 84 denotes a base unit of the telephone set, and reference numeral 85 denotes a slave unit which communicates with the base unit 84.

FIG. 4B is a view showing a state after the videophone connection, and the telephone (master) 84 is connected to the connection cable 832.
Connection terminal (4 poles 4 cores) 5 of the videophone device 41 through
2 and the DSU device 80 is connected to the ISDN line connection terminal (8 poles, 8 cores) 51 of the video telephone device 41 via the connection cable 833. Further, the AV code 81a
The television 81 is connected to the video output terminal 56 and the audio output terminal 57 of the video telephone device 41 via the. An AC cord is connected to the power input terminal 60 to supply power.

In such a connection state, when the main power switch 61 on the back of the main body shown in FIG. 2 is turned on, initialization is executed and connection is completed.

FIG. 4C shows that the videophone device 41 has
In addition to the television 81 and the telephone 86, an external device, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC") 88 is connected. In addition to this, a personal computer 88 ′ is connected as an external device, and these video telephone devices 41, 41 ′ are connected to the DSU device 80, respectively.
It is connected to an ISDN line 87 via 80 'to transmit and receive image data, audio data, and the like.

In this case, the connection cable 833 from the DSU 80 is connected to the ISDN line connection terminal 51 of the video telephone 41, and the telephone 86 is connected to the telephone connection 52 of the video telephone 41 via the connection cable 81b. The TV 81 is connected to the video output terminal 56 and the audio output terminal 57 of the video telephone device 41 via the AV code 81a, and further to the data input / output terminal 571 of the video telephone device 41 via the cable (RS-232C) 81c. A personal computer 88 is connected. The power input terminal 60 has A
The C code is connected and power is supplied.

The same applies to the video telephone device 41 'side, and the description thereof is omitted, but the same reference numerals as those of the video telephone device 41 side are added with dashes "'".

Next, referring to FIG.
The circuit configuration inside will be described. As shown in the figure, the videophone device 41 includes a telephone control unit 90, a camera unit 91, a video circuit unit 92, a video processing unit 93, and a video display unit 9.
4. NCU (Network Control Uni)
t) unit 95, audio processing unit 96, CPU (Central)
Processing Unit) 97, ISDN processing unit 98, interface 100, key / LED 99,
It comprises a dip switch 611 and a remote controller 62.

The camera section 91 is for taking in the surrounding image into the video telephone apparatus 41, and includes a lens 911, a CCD, and the like.
(Charge Coupled Device) 91
2. Analog LSI (CCD driver 913, A / D converter, D / A converter, filter, etc.)
/ DA) 914, a DSP (Di for color processing)
digital Signal Processor) 91
5.

Here, the lens 911 is an optical lens made of glass or plastic.
Generates an electric signal based on the intensity of light formed by the lens 911. Then, the generated electric signal is amplified by the driver 913, and the analog LS
The A / D-converted image digital data is subjected to color processing by the DSP 915, then D / A-converted by the analog LSI 914 again, and output as a video signal. ing.

The video circuit section 92 is a discrete circuit such as a sync separation, a filter and the like, and switches between these two inputs under the control of the remote controller 62 when there is an input from both the camera section 91 and the image input terminal. I do it. Then, the video signal input-processed by the video circuit unit 92 is provided as an input signal to the video processing unit 93.

The video processing unit 93 has an A / D converter, a D /
An analog LSI 931 including an A converter, a PLL circuit, a filter circuit, etc., an image input control circuit 932, a RAM (R
and an image access / memory 933, and an image compression / decompression circuit 934.

After synchronization separation by the video circuit section 92, the luminance and color difference signals are A / D-converted by the analog LSI 931 and converted into digital data under the control of the image input control circuit 932.
33 is temporarily stored. The input image data temporarily stored in the RAM 933 is sequentially read from the image input control circuit 932 in accordance with a command from a CPU 97 described later,
It is sent to the image compression / decompression circuit 934.

The image compression / decompression circuit 934 converts the input image into a predetermined encoding method, that is, a JPEG (Joint) in accordance with the type of image to be handled (in this case, a still image).
Photographic Coding Explorer
ts Group algorithm, DCT (Discrete CosineTr) for each 8 × 8 pixel block
(comform: discrete cosine transform) A compression / encoding process is executed by quantization, Huffman encoding, or the like, and the processed data is sequentially written to the RAM 933.

The image compression / expansion circuit 934 performs compression / expansion.
It also has a function of decoding and decompressing encoded image data in the opposite way to the above, and sequentially reads out image compression / quantization and encoded data in the RAM 933 to perform decoding, dequantization, and decompression processing. Then, the data is sequentially written to the RAM 933. Thereby, the RAM 933 stores the input image data,
Compressed image data and decompressed image data are stored in respective storage areas, and each area is controlled by an image input control circuit 932.

The video display unit 94 includes a display control circuit 94
1, RAM 942, OSDC (OnScreen Di)
(Spray Controller) 943. The display control circuit 941 sequentially transfers the input image or the decompressed image temporarily stored in the RAM 933 to the RAM 942 according to an instruction from the CPU unit 97 described later, and performs interpolation and thinning of these images according to the display specification. An output image signal is generated and temporarily stored in the RAM 942. Also, according to a command from the CPU unit 97, O
The character ROM (Read
Only Memory) is read out, combined with the output image signal temporarily stored in the RAM 942, and the analog LS
It is also sent to I931. Analog LSI
Reference numeral 931 converts the digital signal from digital to analog and outputs the digital signal to the image output terminal as a video output signal.

The NCU unit 95 includes an ISDN processing unit and an ISD
It is a discrete circuit including an interface with the N-line DSU, a circuit for simultaneously outputting an audio output signal to the telephone to the outside, a circuit for synthesizing the audio input signal from the telephone, the external audio input, and the microphone input signal. Then, the voice input signal from the telephone, the voice input signal from the outside, and the voice input signal from the external microphone input terminal are sent to the voice processing unit 96 for processing by synthesis. Conversely, the output signal from the audio processing unit 96 is output to the telephone and the audio output terminal.

The telephone control unit 90 includes the telephone signal generator 9
01, a DTMF receiver 902, and a speaker 903. The telephone signal generator 901 is for outputting a ringing signal or the like to the telephone by a ringer sound, and is output from the speaker 903 and to the telephone via the NCU unit 95. DTMF receiver 9
02 is for receiving the multi-frequency dial signal transmitted via the NCU unit 95.

The audio processing unit 96 has a CODEC 961, R
It comprises an AM 962 and an audio compression / expansion circuit 963. CODEC 961 includes a filter, an A / D converter,
A / D converter which A / D converts the audio signal (analog signal) from the NCU unit 93 and sequentially converts the audio signal
62 is temporarily stored. The audio compression / expansion circuit 963 converts the digital audio data temporarily stored in the RAM 962 into, for example, CELP (Code-Excit).
(ed Linear Prediction) algorithm, means for analyzing input data for a certain period of time, means for synthesizing waveforms based on analyzed parameters,
A compression / encoding process is performed by a predetermined encoding method using an error calculator for the input waveform and the composite waveform, and the compressed audio data is temporarily stored in the RAM 962.

Conversely, the compressed audio data compressed and encoded in the RAM 962 is decoded and decompressed by an audio compression / expansion circuit 963, sequentially D / A-converted by a CODEC 961, passed through an NCU 95, and transmitted to a telephone. It is also output to an output or audio output terminal.

The CPU 97 includes a CPU 971 and a RAM 9
72, a GA (Gate Array) 973 and a flash memory 974. CPU971
Is for outputting various control signals for controlling each unit in the videophone device 41 to each unit via the bus B and executing a communication control program corresponding to the connection of the communication line to be connected. Further, a key / LED 99 comprising a key input section and a display section and a dip switch 611 for performing initial setting such as operation setting of the videophone apparatus are connected.

Further, the CPU 971 performs compression / encoding of the image input from the camera unit 91 or the external image input terminal and temporarily stores the image compression data in the RAM 933 and the image data from the telephone, the external audio input, and the microphone input. The audio signal is compressed / encoded and multiplexed with audio compression data temporarily stored in the RAM 962, and is output to the ISDN processing unit 98 via the bus B as image / audio compression data.

Conversely, the CPU 971 receives the image / audio data multiplexed and transmitted from the video telephone device (41 ') on the other side of the communication, and is demodulated by the ISDN processing unit 98 when it is demodulated and input. The video / audio data is separated from the compressed image data and the RA
M933, and outputs compressed audio data to bus B.
Is output to the RAM 962 via the.

The RAM 972 is a semiconductor memory for storing program data used in the program processing executed by the CPU 971, compressed image and audio data, and the like. The GA 973 is a collection of random logic around the CPU 971 and has, for example, a circuit for receiving an input signal from the remote controller 62 that controls the videophone device. The flash memory 974 includes the CPU 9
This is a semiconductor memory for storing an extension program 71 and the like.

The ISDN processing unit 98 controls the ISDN protocol and performs an interface with the CPU 971.
SP981, DLC (Data Link Control) for modulating and demodulating data with CPU 971
r) 982, ROM 983, and RAM 984.

The DSP 981 and DLC 982 have a CPU
The multiplexed compressed video and audio data sent from the 971 is converted to an ISDN line B1 channel (64 kbps).
A function as a modulator (modulator) for converting into a transmission signal to be transmitted using circuit switching, and a B1 channel (64
kbps) is transmitted to the CPU 9 again.
It has a function as a demodulator (demodulator) for returning to a digital signal that can be decoded by 71, and can be used on a line of the ISDN basic interface (2B + D) as a communication line used by the NCU unit 95. I have.

The ROM 983 is a semiconductor memory for storing programs, data, and the like used by the DSP 981. R
AM984 uses the program executed by the DSP 981 as R
This is a semiconductor memory that is booted and stored by the OM 983, temporarily stores various program data used in the program processing executed by the DSP 981, and is also used as a transmission / reception data buffer or the like.

The ISDN processing unit 98 and the NCU unit 95 in the present embodiment can transmit data on one channel of a 1B (64 kbps) line of the ISDN basic interface (2B + D). Data, audio data, or control data are transmitted in a time-division manner with each packet configuration, and one screen (normal) of image data is transmitted as an intermittent moving image at a rate of one frame per 0.9 seconds. In the case of fine image data, transmission is made at a rate of one frame per 7.5 seconds.

The interface 100 is an RS-232C
A driver receiver circuit having an RS-232C connector and connecting a personal computer 88 (88 ').
It inputs and outputs input data to the CPU 971 such as AT commands, input data of the extension program of the CPU 971 to the flash memory, and data such as image data from the CPU 971 and the video processing unit 93.

Next, transmission and reception of image data and audio data by the videophone device 41 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, as the transmission data and the reception data, the image data, the audio data, and the control data are time-divisionally transmitted in a packet configuration. Each data has a header and a CRC (Cyclic Redundant).
(Ancy Check: redundancy code check method) Since a code is added, the effective image data actually transmitted is about 28000 bps, and the audio data is also about 7000 bps.

That is, for example, when one screen handles 112 × 128 pixels and 4096 colors (12 bits) of color image data, the image data amount of one screen is 112 × 128 × 12 = 172,032 bits ( =
About 21.5 kilobytes), and by image compression processing,
By compressing the data to about 1/7, image data of 24,500 bits is obtained, and the time obtained by dividing the 24,500 bits by the number of bits that can be transmitted per second (about 28,000 bits), that is, 24,500 ÷ An intermittent moving image is transmitted at a rate of one frame every 28,000 = 0.9 seconds. Therefore, actually, 49,152-bit image data obtained by dividing 172,032 bits by 3.5 is compressed to about 1/7 and transmitted as about 7,000-bit image data.

On the other hand, audio data is treated as digital data obtained by sampling a quantization bit number of 12 bits at a sampling frequency of 8 KHz.
96,000-bit audio data is compressed to about 1/14 and transmitted as about 7,000-bit audio.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of a multiplexing code. Since it is a 32bis modem, multiplexing codes are transmitted and received.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 7, first, the operator picks up the receiver of the externally connected telephone 86 connected to the video telephone 41, and goes off-hook (step 70).
1), the CPU 971 detects this off-hook via the NCU unit 95 (step 702).

When the CPU 971 detects the off-hook of the telephone 86, the CPU 971 turns on the power of the video circuit 92, which is always off, and operates image input and image output. The output of the self-portrait at this time is displayed on the television 81 as a 1/16 small screen, characters for inputting the telephone number to be transmitted are displayed, and the telephone signal generator 901 of the telephone control unit 90 sends the telephone 86 to the telephone 86. A dial tone is output (step 703).

FIG. 8A shows a telephone number input screen in which a telephone number and a sub address can be input up to 19 digits.

In this case, the same operation can be performed by operating the start / stop key 47 on the front of the videophone device 41 or the start / stop key 74 of the remote controller 62 by the operator.

Next, the operator inputs the telephone number of the other party,
A dial is operated by operating a push button from the telephone 86 (step 704). Then, DT generated at this time
The MF signal is transmitted through the NCU 95 to the D
The number is decoded by the TMF receiver 902 and the
In addition to being sent to and stored in the memory 71, character conversion and image data synthesis are performed, and a screen shown in FIG.
It is displayed as an input number (step 705). In this case, the CPU 971 receives the first DTMF signal,
DTM from telephone signal generator 901 of telephone control unit 90
The output of the F sound is stopped.

The input of the telephone number can also be performed from the remote controller 62 or the personal computer 88. When the remote controller 62 is used, when an operator presses a key of the remote controller 62, the key is output as an infrared code corresponding to the pressed key.

Then, the GA 973 converts the infrared code into key data, stores it in the RAM 972, and displays it on the screen. When using the personal computer 88,
By operating the keys of the personal computer 88, the telephone number is input via the interface 100 and the RAM 972 is input.
And store it on the screen.

When the operator presses the key corresponding to the start upon completion of the input of the telephone number (step 70)
6) Or, if there is no next telephone number input for 5 seconds from the input of the telephone number, the CPU 971
DSP981 for information and control data for calling
From the DSP 981 via the NCU 95.
Transmission information is transmitted to the SDN line 87 (step 70).
7).

The outgoing call information is sent to the other party's video telephone 41 'via the ISDN line 87, and received by the DSP 981 via the NCU 95 of the video telephone 41'. The DSP 981 transmits this information to the CPU 971. When receiving the calling information, the CPU 971 causes the telephone signal generator 901 of the telephone control unit 90 to output the speaker 90.
A ringing tone is generated from step 3, and the power of the video circuit 92, which is normally turned off, is turned on, image input and image output are performed, and an incoming image is displayed (step 708).

FIG. 8 (b) shows an incoming call screen on the video telephone 41 'side, in which a self-portrait is displayed on a 1/16 small screen a of the TV 81 and an IS is displayed on the remaining screen b.
A caller's telephone number and the like included in the DN incoming data are displayed.

The call information of the video telephone 41 'is transmitted to the video telephone 4 via the ISDN line 87.
When the CPU 971 receives this call information, the telephone signal generator 901 of the telephone control unit 90 causes the speaker 903 to generate a CALL sound and simultaneously displays a ringing image (step 709).

FIG. 8 (c) shows an image being called on the videophone device 41 side, in which a self-portrait is displayed on a 1/16 small screen a of the TV 81 and a call is being displayed on the remaining screen b. Is displayed.

In this state, when the video telephone 41 'goes off-hook (step 710), the CPU 971 detects this and causes the DSP 981 to perform control for connection processing with the ISDN line 87. As shown in FIG. 8D, the self-portrait is displayed on the 1/16 small screen a, and the fact that the connection is being made is displayed on the remaining screen b (step 711).

At this time, the video telephone unit 41 also transmits the response information from the video telephone unit 41 'to the NCU unit 9.
5, the CPU 971 detects the ISDN line 8
7 is controlled by the DISP 981. During this time, the television 81 displays the self-portrait on a 1/16 small screen a as shown in FIG. 8D and connects to the remaining screen b. Is displayed (step 71
2).

Thereafter, when the connection via the ISDN line 87 is completed, the transmission and reception of image data and audio data as described below are executed between the video telephone 41 and the video telephone 41 '. At the same time, an image during videophone communication is displayed.

FIG. 9 (a) shows an image during videophone communication between the videophone device 41 and the videophone device 41 '. The screen of the television 81 is divided into four parts. The other party's high-definition screen b as needed
In the lower right, the user's own normal screen c is displayed, and in the upper right, his own high-definition screen d is displayed as necessary.

In the video telephone of the present embodiment, image data processing and audio data processing are simultaneously performed in parallel in the transmission processing and the reception processing. The transmission process will be described separately, and the reception process will be described separately as an image reception process and an audio reception process.

In the image transmission processing, when an image is picked up by the camera section 91, the image data is transferred to the video circuit 9.
2. The data is stored in the RAM 933 through the analog LSI 931 and the image input control circuit 932. The image data stored in the RAM 933 is compressed by a predetermined compression process by an image compression / decompression circuit 934. The compressed image data is read by the CPU 971 via the bus. C
The PU 971 attaches an image header to the read image data, and sends the read image data to the ISDN processing unit 98 via the bus. As a result, the image data modulated with the CRC added is sent from the ISDN processing unit 98 to the other party's videophone device 41 'via the public line 87.

In the voice transmission process, the externally connected telephone 86
Is input to the audio processing unit 96 via the NCU unit 95, the audio processing unit 9
6, the input voice data is compressed by a predetermined compression process. The compressed input audio data is read by the CPU 971 via the bus. The CPU 971 attaches an audio header to the read data, and
Send to Thus, the ISDN processing unit 98 sends the voice data to which the CRC has been added and modulated via the ISDN line 87 to the videophone device 41 ′ of the other party.

In the image receiving process, modulated data sent from the other party's videophone 41 'via the ISDN line 87 is taken into the ISDN processing unit 98 via the NCU unit 95 and demodulated. Then, the demodulated received data is read by the CPU 971 via the bus. CPU 9
At 71, the image header of the read received data is discriminated, and if it is image data, it is sent to the image compression / expansion circuit 934 via the bus and expanded. The decompressed image data is sent to the display control circuit 941 via the bus, and is output as a video signal via the analog LSI 931 and the video circuit 92.

In the voice receiving process, the modulated data sent from the other party's video telephone 41 'via the ISDN line 87 is taken into the ISDN processing unit 98 via the NCU 95 and demodulated. Then, the demodulated received data is read by the CPU 971 via the bus. CPU 9
At 71, the audio header of the read received data is determined, and if it is audio data, it is expanded by the audio compression / expansion circuit 963 via the bus. The expanded audio data is D / A-converted by the CODEC 961 and output to the externally connected telephone 86 through the NCU 95.

Hereinafter, such transmission processing and reception processing are repeatedly executed until it is detected that the externally connected telephone 86 goes on-hook.

Thereafter, when the externally connected telephone 86 goes on-hook (step 713), the video telephone 41
The PU 971 detects this, and the disconnection information is transmitted to the videophone device 41 '. Then, when this disconnection information is detected by the CPU 971 via the NCU 95 of the videophone 41 ', the telephone signal generator 90 of the telephone controller 90
1 generates a busy sound from the speaker 903, and further releases information is transmitted to the videophone device 41 (step 714). Then, in the videophone device 41, when the CPU 971 detects the release information via the NCU unit 95, the call charge is displayed, the release completion information is transmitted (step 715), the ISDN line 87 is released, and the processing is performed. finish. On the other hand, the videophone device 41 '
However, when on-hook, the busy sound is stopped (step 716), and the process ends.

FIG. 9 (b) shows a charge display screen on the videophone device 41. The videophone charge is displayed on the television 81 together with a reason display (for example, normal).

Next, flowcharts of the CPU 971 used for the above series of processes will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be further described below.

First, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, the flowchart of the main routine shown in FIG. 10 is executed. In this case, first, the CPU 971 initializes the internal RAM,
The external RAM is cleared together, and each device is reset (step 1001). Next, the setting state of the dip switch 611 is read, and the value of each variable is determined (step 1002).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the mode is the local mode or the videophone mode according to a value (hereinafter, mode) that changes according to the state of the videophone device 41 (step 1003).

In this case, the mode in the initial state is the local mode, but each mode takes the form of a subroutine and always returns to the main routine.

That is, when it is determined that the mode is the local mode (step 1004), the subroutine shown in FIG. 11 is executed as a process in the local mode (step 1004). This local mode is a mode that enables a single operation before operating as a videophone.

First, processing is performed on the data input / output terminal 571 connected to the personal computer 88 (step 110).
1). Here, the process for the RS-232C port is performed, and then the task process in the local mode is performed (step 1102). As this task processing, for example, there is a case where image data captured by the camera unit 91 is taken into the video circuit 92, transferred to the video display unit 94, converted into a video output signal, and then displayed on the television 81.

Next, the command sent from the ISDN line 87 is monitored, and the reception of the ISDN command is waited for (step 1103). When the command is received, processing corresponding to the received command is performed (step 1104). . Then, it waits for the telephone 86 to go off-hook (step 1105), and when it is determined that the telephone 86 goes off-hook, shifts to the videophone mode (step 110).
6) The communication processing in the sum mode is actually performed on the television (step 1107), and the standby processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1103 that no ISDN command has been received,
Is monitored (step 1108), and if it remains on-hook, a process of reading the state of key operation on the videophone device 41 or the remote controller 62 is performed (step 1108).
109) Then, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. If it is determined in step 1108 that the telephone is off-hook, the telephone number of the other party is acquired using the DTMF signal of the telephone number (step 1110), and then the ISDN transmission processing is performed (step 111).
1), the process ends after waiting for the connection with the other party to be completed (step 1112).

Next, in the videophone mode, a subroutine shown in FIG. 12 is executed.

In this case, first, processing for the RS-232C port is performed (step 1201), and then data reception processing is performed (step 1202). In this case, it is necessary to perform the receiving process so that the process related to the data received from the other party does not delay the communication speed at that time. Next, creation of image data to be sent to the other party and processing of image data sent from the other party are performed (step 12).
03). Similarly, processing is performed on voice (step 1204), and processing for transmitting data on a line is performed (step 1205).

Then, the task processing is performed in the same manner as in the local mode (step 1206), and the hook state of the telephone set 86 is monitored (step 1207). After setting (Step 1208), the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

If it is determined in step 1207 that the hook state has gone off-hook, a process of reading the state of key operation on the videophone 41 is performed (step 1209), and then the process returns to the main routine of FIG. I do.

Therefore, by operating as described above, image data and audio data exchanged during a videophone call are compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 93 and the audio compression / expansion circuit 96, and modulated and demodulated by the ISDN processing section 98. However, since these can be transmitted at the same time, it is possible to efficiently transmit these image data and audio data to realize high-quality image transmission.

The video telephone 41 has a video input terminal 53, an audio input terminal 54, a microphone input terminal 55 for taking in images and sounds from the outside, and an image / audio output to the outside. Video output terminal 56, audio output terminal 5
7 has an external input / output terminal for an AV device, such as a home television, so that an external AV device can be connected. In addition, an existing telephone 86 can be connected to the telephone connection terminal 52. Therefore, the expandability of the device can be enhanced, the built-in CRT and LCD can be omitted, and the device can be reduced in size and weight.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the existing telephone, television, personal computer, and communication line are connected to the video telephone device 41. However, the existing telephone is not connected, and the video telephone device 41 is connected to the video telephone device 41. A function may be added.

Further, instead of the personal computer 88, another external device, for example, a data processing device such as a portable information terminal can be connected.

The compression method of the image data is not limited to the JPEG algorithm described above, but may be, for example, a block coding method, a predictive coding method, or the like. Further, the compression method of the audio data is not limited to the CELP algorithm, but may be, for example, ADPCM (Adaptire).
Differential Card Modula
TSEL) method or VSELP (Vector Sum)
(ExcitedLiner Prediction) method.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the caller telephone number included in the ISDN incoming data is displayed on the television screen. Addresses and sub-addresses are included, and these are read out by the DSP 981 and output as images by the CPU 971 via the video control unit 94, the video processing unit 93, and the video circuit 92.
The caller's address and subaddress can be displayed on the TV screen. Further, these transmission addresses and subaddresses are transmitted from the interface 100 to the data input / output terminals 57.
1 to the personal computer 88.

Further, the personal computer 88 connected to the data input / output terminal 571 can be controlled by the DTMF sound input from the telephone 86 connected to the videophone device 41. In this case, the DTMF sound input from the telephone 86 is recognized by the DTMF receiver 902 in the telephone control unit 90, converted into character data, and
71. In the CPU 971, this character data is transmitted from the interface 100 to the data input / output terminal 57.
1 to control the personal computer 88.

On the other hand, the DTMF sound input from the telephone 86 'of the video telephone 41' of the communication partner is transmitted as voice data. This audio data has its data portion cut out by the DLC 982 of the ISDN processing unit 98 and the CPU 9
It is sent to 71. The CPU 971 sends the audio data to the audio processing unit 96 and expands the audio data by the audio compression / expansion circuit 962.
The signal is demodulated into an analog voice by the CODEC 961 and input to the DTMF receiver 902 where it is recognized and converted into character data and transmitted to the CPU 971. And CP
U971 is output to the personal computer 88 via the data input / output terminal 571 by the interface 100, and the personal computer 88 is controlled by the character data.

Similarly, it is also possible to recognize the DTMF sound input from the telephone set 86 (86 ') connected to both the self side and the communication partner side, and use it for a command for controlling the CPU 971 processing.

(Second Embodiment) A videophone apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 for the external configuration of the video telephone, and FIG. 3 for the external configuration of the remote control for controlling the video telephone. For the configuration connected to the receiver, personal computer, and communication line, see FIG.
The circuit configuration in the videophone device is the same as that in FIG. 5 described above, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

Further, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the multiplexing code used in the transmission and reception of image data and audio data by the videophone device 41, and FIG. 7 shows the entire processing during a call operation, and a series of processing. The flowchart in the CPU 971 used for the
0 to FIG. 12, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their illustration and description are omitted.

That is, in the present embodiment, the data input / output terminal 5 of the videophone 41 is used as an external control device.
The videophone device 41 is connected to a personal computer 88 connected to
Is automatically controlled.

The initial setting of the operation is as shown in FIG.
In step 1001, the telephone number of the job and, if necessary, the number of the sub-address are registered in the video telephone 41 main body. This number is written in a predetermined address position of the RAM 972 of the CPU unit 97, and is also written in the flash memory 974, and is retained even when the power of the videophone device 41 is turned off.
Once the number is written to the flash memory 974,
When the videophone device 41 is powered on, the number stored in the flash memory 974 is read out and the
It is assumed that writing is set at the predetermined address position 972.

Further, the predetermined address position of the RAM 972 and the number written in the flash memory 974 are as follows:
Read as needed by externally connected PC 88,
Alternatively, an erasing process can be performed.
In particular, when performing the erasing process, the personal computer 88 stores the RAM 9
The CPU 971 controls to erase not only 72 but also the memory area including the address position where the number is written in the flash memory 974.

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation when the 971 receives some command from the personal computer 88 and executes system control according to the command will be described.

First, the CPU 971 waits for a command to be input from the personal computer (PC) 88 at the beginning of the process (step 1301). When it is determined that the command has been input, the CPU 971 executes the input command as an interrupt process for another operation. (Step 1302).

Next, it is determined whether or not the received command is a preset normal command (step 1303). If it is determined that the received command is not normal and cannot be executed, At that time, an error notification indicating that execution of the command transmitted to the personal computer 88 has failed is given (step 1304).
Thus, the process is terminated, and the process shifts to the process from the step 1301 for waiting for the next command from the personal computer 88 again.

If it is determined in step 1303 that the received command is a normal command set in advance, then the command is transmitted to the other party's videophone 41 'to execute the control. Then, it is determined whether or not transmission to the other party is required (step 1305).

Here, if it is determined that transmission to the other party is not required, the command is executed in the own system, and then the command is executed from various operating environments at that time. It is determined whether or not it is possible to perform (step 1306).

If it is determined that it is possible, the command is actually executed (step 1307), and the personal computer 8
Then, a notification indicating that execution of the command transmitted to the personal computer 88 has been completed is given (step 1308), and this processing is ended as described above, and the processing from the above-mentioned step 1301 to wait for a command from the next personal computer 88 again. Move to

If it is determined in step 1306 that the command received from the various operating environments cannot be executed, the command that is currently busy and transmitted to the personal computer 88 is executed. A notification indicating that it is not possible is sent (step 130).
9) The above process is completed and the next personal computer 8
Then, the processing shifts to the processing from the above step 1301 in which the command from step 8 is waited.

Further, when it is determined in step 1305 that the command received from the personal computer 88 is of a type that requires control of the video telephone device 41 'of the communication partner to be transmitted to the communication partner. Then, it is determined whether or not the operation in the videophone mode described above with reference to FIG. 12 is being performed at that time and a command can be transmitted (step 1310).

Here, if it is determined that the operation in the videophone mode is being executed, the command is sent to the DSP 981 via the bus B, and the DSP 981 sends N to the DSP 981.
The communication is transmitted from the ISDN line 87 to the other party to which the call connection is secured via the CU unit 95 (step 1311).

Then, it waits for a response from the other party in response to the transmitted command (step 1312).
When there is a response, it is determined from the content of the response whether the transmitted command has been normally executed and terminated (step 1313).

If the contents of the response indicate that the transmitted command has been normally executed and the processing has ended, a notification indicating that the execution of the command transmitted to the personal computer 88 has been completed is sent again. (Step 130
8) The above process is completed and the next personal computer 8
Then, the processing shifts to the processing from the above step 1301 in which the command from step 8 is waited.

Also, in step 1310, the personal computer 8
Although the command received from the communication device 8 is of a type requiring control to be executed by the videophone device 41 'on the communication partner side and requiring transmission to the communication partner device, the operation in the videophone mode is executed at that time. If it is determined that the command cannot be transmitted, or from the content of the response sent from the other party in response to the command transmitted in step 1313, the transmitted command is executed normally and the processing ends. If it is determined that the command has not been executed, an error notification indicating that execution of the command transmitted to the personal computer 88 has failed is issued (step 130).
4) This process is completed as described above, and the next personal computer 88
Then, the processing shifts to the processing from step 1301 for waiting for a command from the above.

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation in the case where the computer 71 receives some command from the personal computer 88 'of the communication partner via the videophone device 41' and executes the system control in accordance with the command will be described.

In this case, during a videophone call, CPU 971 waits for a command to be input from videophone device 41 'of the other party (step 140).
1) When it is determined that the command has been input, a process of receiving the input command is executed as an interrupt process for another operation (step 1402).

Next, it is determined whether or not the received command is a normal command set in advance (step 1403). If it is determined that the received command is not normal and cannot be executed, At that time, an error notification indicating that execution of the command transmitted to the personal computer 88 'via the other party's videophone device 41' has failed is returned as a response (step 1404). Then, the flow shifts to the processing from step 1401 for waiting for the next command from the other party again.

If it is determined in step 1403 that the command received from the other party is a preset normal command, then it is possible to execute the command from various operating environments at that time. It waits for it (step 1405).

Then, when it becomes possible to execute the command, this is determined in step 1405, and then the command is actually executed (step 1406).
A personal computer 88 'via the other party's video telephone 41'
A notification indicating that execution of the transmitted command has been completed is sent as a response (step 1407), and this processing is completed as described above, and the process returns from step 1401 to wait for the next command from the partner. Move on to processing.

Although FIGS. 13 and 14 have been described on the premise that the video telephones of the own side and the other side are in the video telephone mode, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when the videophone device of the own side or the other party is not in the videophone mode or the communication path is not connected, the mode is automatically shifted to the videophone mode, or the videophone device is started up. That is, when the communication path is connected but not in the videophone mode, a command to shift to the videophone mode is sent to the own or the other videophone apparatus, and the communication path is connected to the other videophone apparatus. If not, when a connection with the partner device is not established, a command is input to a user information area such as a sub address of a call setting message to make a call and the partner videophone device is set in an operating state.

Next, referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the CP of the CPU unit 97 when the personal computer 88 controls the operation of the video telephone mode in the video telephone mode in the video telephone apparatus 41.
The processing contents by U971 will be described.

First, the operation at the time of receiving a call will be described.

When an incoming call is made to the video telephone 41 via the ISDN line 87, the CPU 971
After confirming that the telephone number and the sub address are registered in the flash memory 72 and the flash memory 974 (step 15).
01), it is determined whether or not the incoming call is addressed to its own device based on whether or not any of the registered numbers match the called number (step 1502).

This is a process performed to enable a plurality of telephone numbers and subaddresses to be set in one ISDN line 87 and to allow the video telephone device 41 to identify its own telephone number. If the called number does not match any of the registered numbers, the process is terminated assuming that the incoming call is invalid. If any one of them matches the called number, it is determined that there is an incoming call, a ringer sound is generated by the telephone signal generator 901 and the speaker 903 of the telephone control unit 90, and the same is applied to the existing telephone 86. Sound a ringer sound to notify that there is an incoming call (step 150).
3).

In the above step 1501, the RAM 97
If it is determined that the telephone number and the sub-address are not registered in the flash memory 2 and the flash memory 974, the ringer tone is sounded in the same manner as described above when the number transmitted by the incoming call is only the telephone number, and the incoming call is received. However, if the subaddress is also transmitted, it is regarded that the call is not addressed to the own device, and the called number does not match any of the above registered numbers. In the same manner as in the case where the incoming call is invalid, the process is terminated.

After the ringer sound, the personal computer 88 is notified that there is an incoming call (step 1504), and the setting of the personal computer 88 displays the calling party's telephone number and the like. It is determined whether or not the telephone number and the sub-address of the calling side transmitted via the ISDN line 87 are present (step 1505). The data is transmitted to the personal computer 88 and displayed on the display unit (step 1506).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the incoming call is received based on whether or not an off-hook command is input from the personal computer 88 (step 1507). If the command is not input, the line is connected via the ISDN line 87. By repeatedly and alternately executing the process of determining whether or not the connection has been disconnected (step 1508), the process waits until an off-hook command is input or the line is disconnected.

If it is determined that the line has been disconnected without the off-hook command being input from the personal computer 88, this processing is terminated at that point.
If it is determined that an off-hook command has been input from the terminal, the mobile telephone goes off-hook assuming that the incoming call is received and a telephone call is made (step 1509), and a telephone call is started with a videophone for transmitting and receiving image data and audio data. (Step 1510), the connection state of the corresponding B1 channel or B2 channel of the ISDN line 87 is changed from non-connection to the connection state of a videophone for transmitting and receiving image data and audio data. Then, a telephone call is started (step 1511).

As the connection state of the line, there is a normal voice telephone connection for transmitting and receiving only voice data, in addition to the above-mentioned non-connection and videophone connection.

Then, in the videophone connection state,
ISDN line 8 not set for videophone connection
7 whether the connection state of the other B2 channel or B1 channel has changed (step 1512),
Whether the reason display information has been received from the N line 87 (step 1513), whether a request command for reading the information of the connection state at that time has been received from the personal computer 88 (step 1514), and the reason Whether a request command for reading information has been received (step 1515)
Continue to judge.

If it is determined that there is none, a process corresponding to a command from the personal computer 88 is performed (step 1520), and a process of transmitting and receiving image data and audio data relating to the videophone is performed (step 1521). ), It is determined whether or not the connection with the ISDN line 87 has been disconnected, that is, whether or not the call has ended (step 1522). If the connection has not been disconnected, the flow returns to step 1512 again.

Thus, steps 1512-1515,
The call by the videophone is continued while the processes of 1520 to 1522 are repeatedly executed.

When it is determined in step 1512 that the other B2 channel or B1 channel of the ISDN line 87 not set to the videophone connection state has changed, the change has occurred. After the connection state of the B2 channel or the B1 channel is updated and set (step 1516), the process proceeds to step 1513.

In step 1513, the ISDN line 87
If it is determined that the reason display information has been received, the received reason information is updated and set in the RAM 972 (step 1517), and the process proceeds to step 1514.

If it is determined in step 1514 that a request command for reading the current connection state information has been received from the personal computer 88, the connection state information is transmitted to the personal computer 88 in response to the request command. Send,
After confirming the current connection state of the videophone device 41 (step 1518), the process proceeds to step 1515.

If it is determined in step 1515 that a request command for reading the reason information has been received from the personal computer 88, the personal computer 88 is used for reference when a certain event occurs in the videophone device 41 in order to grasp the cause. 88 has transmitted the request command, R
After transmitting the reason information held in the AM 972 to the personal computer 88 (step 1519), the above step 1
515.

Then, in step 1522, the ISDN
If it is determined that the connection with the line 87 has been disconnected, at least one of the videophone device 41 and the videophone device 41 'on the other side of the call is on-hook and the call is terminated. It is determined whether or not the device 41 is the calling side (step 1523).

If it is determined that the callee is not the caller, the process ends.

Next, the personal computer 8 is connected to the video telephone 41.
The operation when making a call under the control of No. 8 will be described.

When a call is made via the ISDN line 87 by the video telephone 41 under the control of the personal computer 88, C
The PU 971 first waits for a call command from the personal computer 88 to be input (step 1524), and when it is determined that the call command has been input, if there is a telephone number and a sub-address of the other party sent following the command, Using the subaddress, the user goes off-hook and executes a calling process (step 1525).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the other party receives a telephone call by being off-hook by the other party's video telephone 41 '(step 1526), or whether or not the other party has disconnected without receiving the telephone call (step 1526). 1527) is repeatedly executed to wait for these. If it is determined that the other party has disconnected without receiving a call, this call is invalidated, the process is terminated, and the process returns to step 1524 again. Return, the other party's videophone device 4
If it is determined in step 1 'that the user has been off-hook and the other party has received the call, the process proceeds to step 1510 to execute a negotiation process for starting a videophone call for transmitting and receiving image data and audio data. Performs the same processing as the above-described operation at the time of incoming call.

Then, in step 1522, the ISDN
If it is determined that the connection with the line 87 has been disconnected, and if it is determined in the following step 1523 that the videophone device 41 is the calling side, it is determined whether the personal computer 88 is set to transmit call charge data. Judgment (Step 1
528) Only when it is determined that the
The data of the call charge received via the DN line 87 is transmitted to the personal computer 88 and displayed on its display unit (step 1).
529), and this process ends here.

As described above, the operation of the video telephone 41 can be automatically controlled by the externally connected personal computer 88, and various operations of the video telephone 41 and the video telephone 41 'of the other party can be performed by the personal computer 88.
In addition to remote control at (88 '), for example, an answering machine function by videophone connection by connecting a video tape recorder to the personal computer 88, an incoming call response based on the personal address book data of the operator stored in the personal computer 88, etc. , And transmission / reception of image data and audio data created or processed by the personal computer 88.

[0166]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, while using an existing telephone connected to an analog communication line, high-quality image transmission by efficiently transmitting image and voice data using a digital line. realizable.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use an existing telephone connected to an analog communication line to enhance the expandability of the apparatus. Can be.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention, DTMF (Dual T
One Multi-Frequency: a push-button dial signal) can be displayed on a television screen for confirmation.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the operation of the video telephone can be controlled by a data processing device such as a personal computer externally connected to the video telephone connected to the communication line. In addition to being able to automate operations according to arbitrary settings, it is also possible to create / process image data and audio data to be transmitted / received, so that a wide variety of usage methods can be constructed and the development is extremely rich. be able to.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a call can be set based on a call setting instruction from the data processing apparatus, and the call can be made on the video telephone apparatus side by side. No need to set.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5, it is possible to connect a videophone based on a plurality of telephone numbers and subaddresses with one communication line.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control state of the video telephone apparatus, for example, the call state or the like, or the call state transmitted from the communication line, for example, the call state is transmitted. Display information to be displayed, information on call charges, and the like are transmitted to the data processing device and displayed on the display unit, or the control operation of the videophone device or the data processing device based on information transmitted from the communication line. Can be remotely controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a videophone device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a back surface, a flat surface, a front surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface of the videophone device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an external configuration of a remote controller according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of the videophone device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the videophone device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multiplexing code according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining an operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing a display example of a television screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing a display example of a television screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 41, 41 '... videophone device 42 ... camera block 43 ... focus adjustment lever 44 ... lens switching lever 45 ... lens cover lever 46 ... camera lens unit 47 ... start / stop button 48 ... LED 49 ... remote control light receiving unit 51 ... telephone line Connection terminal 52 ... Phone connection terminal 53 ... Video input terminal 54 ... Audio input terminal 55 ... Microphone input terminal 56 ... Video output terminal 57 ... Audio output terminal 571 ... Data input / output terminal 58 ... Microphone input level adjustment knob 59 ... Line input level Adjustment knob 60 ... AC power input terminal 61 ... Main power switch 611 ... Dip switch 62 ... Remote control 63 ... Remote control transmitter 64 ... Function key 65 ... Multi screen / YES selection key 66 ... Sub screen / NO selection key 67 ... Save key 68 … Import key 69… Screen selection Key 70: Delete key 71: Camera / video selection key 72: Send key 73: Call key 74: Start / stop key 80, 80 'DSU unit 81, 81': Television receiver 81a: AV code 81b, 83 ... Connection cable 81c Cable (RS-232C) 82 Telephone line 84 Parent device 85 Child device 86, 86 'Telephone 87 General analog public telephone line (PSTN) 88, 88' Personal computer 91 Camera section 92 Video circuit section 93 Video processing section 94 Video display section 95 NCU section 96 Audio processing section 97 CPU section 98 ISDN processing section 99 Key / LED 911 Lens 912 CCD 913 CCD driver 914, 931 Analog LSI (AD / DA) 915 ... DSP 932 ... Image input control circuit 933, 942, 962, 972, 984 RAM 934 Image compression / expansion circuit 941 Display control circuit 943 OSDC 961 CODEC 963 Audio compression / expansion circuit 971 CPU 972 RAM 973 GA 974 Flash memory 981 ... DSP 982 ... AFE 983 ... ROM 100 ... Interface

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A video telephone apparatus connected to a digital communication line, comprising: a connection means for connecting a telephone connected to an analog communication line; and a hook detection means for detecting off-hook or on-hook of the telephone via the connection means. Input means for inputting a dial number, and after the off-hook is detected by the hook detecting means,
A video setting device for setting a call to the digital communication line when a dial number is input by the input device. 2. The input means converts a dial tone from a telephone input through the connection means into data,
2. The videophone device according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit that outputs the number as a dial number. 3. The videophone apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting the dial number input by said input means to an external display device. 4. A videophone device connected to a communication line, a connection means for connecting a data processing device, a receiving means for receiving an instruction command from the data processing device via the connection means, Control means for controlling the video telephone device based on the received instruction command. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said instruction command is a call setting instruction, and further comprises a call setting means for setting a call to said communication line when a dial number is inputted following said call setting instruction. The videophone device according to claim 4. 6. A line control means for controlling connection to and disconnection from the communication line, and a storage means for storing a telephone number and a subaddress rewritable by the data processing device, wherein the line control means 6. The videophone device according to claim 5, wherein the connection to the communication line is controlled based on the storage contents of the means. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising information transmitting means for transmitting control status of said video telephone apparatus or information obtained from said communication line to said data processing apparatus via said connecting means. Video phone equipment.