JP2001238188A - Image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem such that a conventional video phone speech causes an opposite party to be bored because a hold image pattern such as a blue background image pattern is outputted to the opposite party when one party holds an image, which results in that the opposite party has to see the holding image pattern outputted from the one party until the one party releases the holding. SOLUTION: An image storage section 304 of one party stores images corresponding to the holding state, and when the operator of one party uses an operation section 309 to set the holding state, a CPU 310 outputs any of a plurality of the images to an opposite party as a holding image pattern. When the operator of the opposite party uses an operation section 109 to select the holding image pattern of one party, a PB tone transmission reception section 311 converts a selected image number into a PB tone and outputs the tone to the one party via a voice CODEC section 301. Thus, the one party extracts the holding image selected by the PB tone received from the opposite party from the image storage section 304 and outputs the image to the opposite party. Thus, the opposite party can select the holding image outputted from the one party and the opposite party can see a plurality of the holding images while selecting the holding image from the one party and the opposite party gets hardly bored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus used for a videophone or a video conference, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus capable of selecting one of a plurality of images stored in a partner apparatus by its own apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a video telephone apparatus as a conventional image communication apparatus. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a video telephone apparatus; 101, a voice input / output unit for controlling voice input / output; 103 is an image input / output unit that controls an input image from a camera or the like or an output image to a monitor or the like, 104 is an image storage unit that stores a plurality of moving images and still images, and 105 is an image codec unit. An image selecting unit for selecting a transmission image; 106, an image codec unit for encoding / decoding an image; 107, a demultiplexing unit for demultiplexing audio and images; 108, a line corresponding unit for interfacing with a line; Operation unit operated by the user
A CPU 110 controls the entire apparatus.

Next, the operation of the video telephone 100 will be described. When the operator selects an input image from a camera or the like as an image to be transmitted to the partner device via the operation unit 109,
The control signal enters the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 performs the following control.

An image input from a camera is selected by an image selection unit 105 via an image input / output unit 103, input to an image codec unit 106, encoded, and output to a demultiplexing unit 107. The audio input from a microphone or the like is input to the audio codec unit 102 via the audio input / output unit 101, and is output to the demultiplexing unit 107 after being encoded. The demultiplexing unit 107 outputs multiplexed data of the input coded image signal and audio signal. Thus, the multiplexed data from the demultiplexing unit 107 is transmitted to the connected partner device via the line corresponding unit 108 and the line.

[0005] The multiplexed data received from the partner device is input to a demultiplexing unit 107 via a line corresponding unit 108 and separated into an image signal and an audio signal. Output to The image signal input to the image codec unit 106 is decoded and output to a monitor or the like via the image input / output unit 103. The audio signal input to the audio codec unit 102 is decoded and output to a speaker or the like via the audio input / output unit 101.

When the operator selects one of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 104 as a transmission image via the operation unit 109,
The control signal enters the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 performs the following control.

[0007] One of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 104 is selected by the image selection unit 105, input to the image codec unit 106, encoded, and then transmitted to the demultiplexing unit 107. Is output. Also,
Audio input from a microphone or the like is input to the audio codec unit 102 via the audio input / output unit 101, and is output to the demultiplexing unit 107 after being encoded. The demultiplexing unit 107 outputs multiplexed data of the input coded image signal and audio signal. Thereby, the demultiplexing unit 1
The multiplexed data from 07 is transmitted to the connected partner device via the line corresponding unit 108 and the line. It is assumed that a plurality of moving images and still images can be stored in the image storage unit 104, and the selection can be performed by the operator on the own side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation using the video telephone shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 (1) shows a normal state, and FIG. 4 (2) shows an operation of the video telephone 201 at point A. This shows the state when the person puts on hold. In the figure, 201
And 202 are videophone devices equivalent to the videophone device 100 shown in FIG.
2 is a line connecting the two.

Next, the operation will be described. For example, FIG.
In a normal state in which a call is made between point A and point B as shown in FIG. 3, the operator at point A operates the operation unit 1 shown in FIG.
When a hold operation is performed in step 09, any one of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 104 shown in FIG. 3 is selected and output to the point B as described above. As a result, the image selected as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the screen of the videophone device 202 at the point B, and the image of the operator at the point A is reserved.

[0010]

In such a communication operation using a videophone device, when the operator of the own device selects an image from the image storage unit by holding, the operation of the other device is performed. The user must keep looking at the same image unless the selected image is changed, and there is a problem that the user becomes bored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to prevent an operator of a partner device from being bored even when the image of the image storage unit is being output to the partner device due to a hold or the like. It is an object to provide a communication device.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus comprising: an operation unit for outputting a selection signal for selecting any one of a plurality of images stored by a counterpart; and a selection signal output by the operation unit through a line. And a selection signal output section for outputting to the other party.

[0013] Further, an image communication apparatus according to the following invention is provided.
A selection signal output unit configured to convert a selection signal into a PB sound; a PB sound transmission / reception unit; a sound codec unit configured to convert the PB sound into a coded sound signal; And an output demultiplexing unit.

[0014] The image communication apparatus according to the next invention is:
An image storage unit for storing a plurality of images to be output to the other party;
A selection signal input unit for inputting a selection signal indicating an image selected by the other party through a line, and a control unit for outputting the selected image of the image storage unit to the other party based on the selection signal. .

Further, an image communication apparatus according to the following invention is provided.
A selection signal input unit for inputting a selection signal converted into a PB signal included in the coded audio signal multiplexed on the line, a demultiplexing unit for separating the coded audio signal from the line, And a PB sound transmission / reception unit that inversely converts the included PB signal into a selection signal.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a videophone device serving as the image communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 300 denotes a videophone device, 301 denotes a voice input / output unit that controls voice input / output, and 3
02 is an audio codec unit for encoding / decoding audio, 3
Reference numeral 03 denotes an image input / output unit that controls an input image from a camera or the like or an output image to a monitor or the like; 304, an image storage unit that stores a plurality of moving images and still images; 305, an image selection unit that selects a transmission image; An image codec unit for encoding / decoding an image; 307, a demultiplexing unit for demultiplexing audio and images; 308, a line corresponding unit for interfacing with a line; 309, an operation unit operated by an operator;
Is a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, and 311 is a PB sound transmitting / receiving unit for adding or extracting PB sound to / from the sound and transmitting / receiving the sound.

Next, the operation of the videophone device 300 will be described. When the operator selects an input image from a camera or the like as an image to be transmitted to the partner device via the operation unit 309,
The control signal is input to the CPU 310, and the CPU 310 performs the following control.

An image input from the camera is selected by an image selection unit 305 via an image input / output unit 303, input to an image codec unit 306, encoded, and output to a demultiplexing unit 307. The audio input from a microphone or the like is input to the audio codec unit 302 via the audio input / output unit 301, and is output to the demultiplexing unit 307 after being encoded. The demultiplexer 307 outputs multiplexed data of the input coded image signal and audio signal. Thereby, the multiplexed data from the demultiplexing unit 307 is transmitted to the connected partner device via the line corresponding unit 308 and the line.

The multiplexed data received from the partner device is input to a demultiplexing unit 307 via a line corresponding unit 308 and separated into an image signal and an audio signal. Output to The image signal input to the image codec unit 306 is decoded and output to a monitor or the like via the image input / output unit 303. The audio signal input to the audio codec 302 is decoded and output from a speaker or the like via the audio input / output unit 301.

When the operator selects one of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 304 as a transmission image via the operation unit 309,
The control signal is input to the CPU 310, and the CPU 310 performs the following control.

Any one of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 304 is selected by the image selection unit 305, input to the image codec unit 306, encoded, and then transmitted to the demultiplexing unit 307. Is output. Also,
Audio input from a microphone or the like is input to the audio codec unit 302 via the audio input / output unit 301, and is output to the demultiplexing unit 307 after being encoded. The demultiplexer 307 outputs multiplexed data of the input coded image signal and audio signal. Thereby, the demultiplexing unit 3
The multiplexed data from 07 is transmitted to the connected partner device via the line corresponding unit 308 and the line.

The PB sound transmitting / receiving unit 30 is operated by operating the operation unit 309 on the sound input from the sound input / output unit 301.
9, the PB sound is mixed and transmitted to the partner device via the audio codec unit 302, the demultiplexing unit 307, and the line corresponding unit 308, and further included in the multiplexed data received from the partner device. The received PB sound is input to the audio input / output unit 301 and the PB sound transmitting / receiving unit 309 via the line corresponding unit 308, the demultiplexing unit 307, and the audio codec unit 302, and is detected by the PB sound transmitting / receiving unit 309.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation using the video telephone shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 (1) shows a normal state, and FIG. 2 (2) shows an operation of the video telephone 401 at a point A. 2 (3) shows a state when the operator puts on hold, and FIG. 2 (3) shows a state when the operator of the videophone device 402 at the point B selects the sixth image. In the figure, reference numerals 401 and 402 denote videophone devices equivalent to the videophone device 300 shown in FIG.
A line 03 connects the videophone devices 401 and 402.

Next, the operation will be described. For example, FIG.
In a normal state in which a call is made between point A and point B as shown in FIG. 1, the operator at point A operates the operation unit 3 shown in FIG.
When a hold operation is performed in step 09, any one of a plurality of moving images or still images stored in the image storage unit 304 shown in FIG. 1 is selected and output to the point B as described above. As a result, the image selected as shown in FIG. 2B is displayed on the screen of the videophone device 402 at the point B, and the image of the operator at the point A is reserved.

The videophone device 402 shown in FIG.
"Selection: 1 to 6" in the screen output to the videophone device 401 is a part of a moving image or a still image stored in the image storage unit 304 of the videophone device 401, and is provided to the operator of the videophone device 402 by another image. This is to make sure that you can send Here, it is assumed that when the videophone device 401 receives “6” of the PB sound from the videophone device 402, another moving image or still image stored in the image storage unit 304 is transmitted. In this state, when “6” is transmitted by the PB sound from the videophone device 402, the videophone device 401 receives it via the transmission path 403.

Thus, inside the video telephone 401, the signal is input to the audio input / output unit 301 and the PB sound transmission / reception unit 309 via the line correspondence unit 308, the demultiplexing unit 307, and the audio codec unit 302, and the PB sound transmission / reception is performed. The unit 309 recognizes that the PB sound “6” has been received. Accordingly, another image corresponding to “6” stored in the image storage unit 304 is selected by the image selection unit 305, input to the image codec unit 306, encoded, and output to the demultiplexing unit 307. The data is multiplexed by the demultiplexing unit 307 and sent to the videophone device 402 via the line corresponding unit 308 and the transmission path 403.

Thus, an image as shown in FIG. 4C is output on the screen of the videophone device 402. In other words, since the image at the time of holding from the videophone device 401 can be selected on the videophone device 402 side,
02 operator will not be bored. Further, since the PB sound transmission / reception unit 311 is used as the image selecting means, the scale of the software used can be made smaller than when the image selecting means is configured using a data port, for example, and the configuration can be made relatively easily.

[0028]

According to the present invention, in the image communication apparatus, the operation section outputs a selection signal for selecting any of a plurality of images stored by the other party, and the selection signal output section outputs the selection signal output by the operation section. Since the signal is output to the other party through the line, for example, when the other party is on hold, it is possible to wait while selecting a plurality of images to be stored by the other party.

Further, according to the next invention, in the image communication apparatus, the selection signal output unit converts the selection signal into a PB sound.
Since it includes a B sound transmitting / receiving unit, a sound codec unit for converting the PB sound into a coded sound signal, and a demultiplexing unit for multiplexing the coded sound signal on a line and outputting the multiplexed sound signal to the other party,
Since the configuration is such that the selection signal using sound is output, there is an effect that the configuration can be made relatively easily.

According to the next invention, the image communication apparatus stores a plurality of images to be output to the other party in the image storage unit, and the selection signal input unit sends a selection signal indicating the image selected by the other party. Input through a line, and the control unit outputs the image selected by the image storage unit to the other party based on the selection signal. For example, when the own apparatus is on hold, the image selected by the other apparatus is output. This has the effect that the side is less likely to be bored.

Further, according to the next invention, in the image communication apparatus, the selection signal input section for inputting the selection signal converted into the PB signal included in the encoded voice signal multiplexed on the line,
A demultiplexing unit that separates an encoded voice signal from the line,
Since it includes a PB sound transmission / reception unit that inversely converts a PB signal included in the coded audio signal into a selection signal, the configuration is such that a selection signal using a PB sound is input, so that there is an advantage that the configuration can be made relatively easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a videophone device serving as an image communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation using the videophone device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 (1) shows a normal state, and FIG. 2 (3) shows a state when the operator of the videophone device at the point B selects the sixth image.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a videophone device serving as a conventional image communication device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation using the videophone device shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4A shows a normal state, and FIG. The state at the time is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

 300 Videophone device 301 Audio input / output unit 302 Audio codec unit 303 Image input / output unit 304 Image storage unit 305 Image selection unit 306 Image codec unit 307 Demultiplexing unit 308 Line handling unit 309 Operation unit 310 CPU

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit for outputting a selection signal for selecting any one of a plurality of images stored by a partner, and a selection signal output unit for outputting the selection signal output by the operation unit to the partner through a line. An image communication device, comprising: 2. A selection signal output unit, a PB sound transmission / reception unit for converting a selection signal into a PB sound, a sound codec unit for converting the PB sound into a coded sound signal, and multiplexing the coded sound signal on a line. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a demultiplexing unit that outputs the signal to a partner. 3. An image storage unit for storing a plurality of images to be output to the other party, a selection signal input unit for inputting a selection signal indicating an image selected by the other party through a line, and storing an image based on the selection signal. An image communication device, comprising: a control unit that outputs an image selected by the unit to the other party. 4. A selection signal input unit for inputting a selection signal converted into a PB signal included in an encoded audio signal multiplexed on a line, a demultiplexing unit for separating an encoded audio signal from the line, 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a PB sound transmission / reception unit that inversely converts a PB signal included in the encoded audio signal into a selection signal.