JP3137348B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device using an ISDN network, and more particularly to a television telephone having an answering machine function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, demand for communication has increased in both quality and quantity, and ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network;
Communication networks represented by integrated service digital networks are being expanded more and more. In addition, communication devices are becoming more and more diversified, such as telephones, faxes, data communication devices, and videophones.

[0003] In the ISDN, various services provided from the network are prepared. For example, there is a caller ID notification service for notifying the caller's identification number, that is, the caller ID, so that the callee can know the caller before responding.
Also, it is possible to determine whether the calling user and the called user can communicate in the call setting procedure, determine the transmission capability of voice and unrestricted digital communication, and the consistency of the terminal, and to know the attributes of the calling terminal.

At present, there is a telephone having an answering machine function,
When you can't answer the phone when you are out of the office, the voice responds from the prepared transmission tape, records the other party's requirements on a recording tape, and the called user listens to the tape that was recorded later and talks with the other party. You can know.

[0005] The answering machine function is not limited to a telephone, and a videophone phone can also have an answering machine function. The images and sounds played from the prepared transmission videotape correspond to each other, and the images and sounds from the other party are recorded and recorded on the receiving videotape. By playing back, you can know the other party and the requirements.

[0006]

By the way, in a videophone with an answering machine function according to the above-mentioned prior art, a prepared voice and image are sent upon receiving an incoming call regardless of who the other party is, and the voice from the other party is transmitted. And record the image. Therefore, the image is transmitted and recorded even when the user does not want to transmit and receive the image such as a prank or a solicitation. If you are at home, you can disconnect, but if you are away, recording will continue until the other party disconnects.

[0007] In a videophone call in which call setting is performed by voice and image, if voice recording is sufficient when absent, use of the recording line is wasted and video is sufficient. The use of voice lines is wasted.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to enable communication by selectively using an appropriate connection mode and transmission mode for each communication partner. A second object of the present invention is to perform communication by selectively using an appropriate connection mode and transmission mode for each communication partner,
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform a recording and a recording operation by selecting an appropriate recording and recording mode for each communication partner at the time of absence setting.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, a communication apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an image information acquiring means for acquiring image information; a display means for displaying image information; A first communication unit for transmitting the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and receiving the image information and displaying the image information on the display unit; an input / output unit for inputting / outputting sound information;
A second transmitting and receiving sound information to be input and output by the input and output means;
Communication means, and third communication means for receiving communication control information including caller identification information, and for each of the caller identification information,
Storage means for respectively storing a connection form of a communication line with a communication partner and a transmission form of information to the communication partner, and a connection form corresponding to the calling side identification information received by the third communication means; A transmission mode is read from the storage unit, and a communication line is set up with a communication partner according to the read connection mode, and image information and audio information are selected for the communication partner according to the read transmission mode. It is characterized in that it is transmitted in a targeted manner. The second
In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention provides an image acquisition unit for acquiring image information, a display unit for displaying image information, and transmitting the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. First communication means for receiving image information and displaying it on the display means, input / output means for inputting / outputting sound information, and second communication means for transmitting / receiving sound information input / output by the input / output means And third communication means for receiving or transmitting communication control information including caller identification information; connection form of a communication line with a communication partner for each of the caller identification information; transmission of information to the communication partner. A first storage unit for storing a form and a recording mode of information, and a second storage unit for storing sound information or image information to be transmitted, and storing the image information or sound information received by the first or second communication unit. 2 storage means and answering machine An instructing means for instructing a state of the answering machine, and, when the answering machine state is instructed by the instructing means, changing the connection form according to the transmitting side identification information included in the communication control information received by the third communicating means. From the storage means, and the first or the second according to the connection form.
A call setting means for making a call setting for performing communication by the communication means or both; and sound information or image information transmitted from the second storage means in accordance with the transmission mode read from the first storage means. Or, according to the first processing means for reading out both of them and transmitting the read out information by the first or second communication means or both, and the recording mode read out from the first storage means, 1st or 2nd
Storing the sound information or the image information or both received by the communication means or both in the second storage means.
And a processing means.

[0010]

According to the first aspect, if an appropriate connection mode and a transmission mode are set in advance for each communication partner, a communication line is set in an appropriate connection mode for each communication partner during communication. In addition to this connection mode, image information and audio information are selectively transmitted according to an appropriate transmission mode for each communication partner. On the other hand, according to the second aspect, if an appropriate connection mode and a transmission mode are set in advance for each communication partner, and if a recording / recording mode is set, an appropriate connection mode is set for each communication partner during communication. A communication line is set, and image information and audio information are selectively transmitted in accordance with an appropriate transmission mode for each communication partner separately from the connection mode. In the absence setting, recording and recording are selectively performed for each communication partner.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a videophone with an answering machine function to which the present invention is applied. This videophone includes a camera 1 for capturing images, a display 2 such as a CRT for displaying images, an image CODEC 3 for encoding and decoding image data, an ISDN interface unit 4, a terminal
Information channel 5 for transferring information between terminals,
A signal channel 6 for transferring call control information between exchanges, a video device 7 for playing back images and sounds corresponding to absence or provisional correspondence, and recording and recording images and sounds during communication, CC
Voice codec 8 for coding and decoding voice data in accordance with the μ-law PCM coding method recommended by the ITT, a handset 9 for voice communication, and a caller number (calling user telephone number) as calling side identification information It comprises a storage device 10 in which various forms are stored, a keyboard 12 composed of numeric keys and the like, and a control device 11 for controlling the whole.

The ISDN interface unit 4 uses the D channel to perform CCITT Recommendation Q. 931, a layer 3 protocol control function for managing the transfer of layer 3 messages, and CCITT Recommendation Q.931. D specified in 921
Channel layer 2 (LAPD) frame transfer control function,
CCITT Recommendation I. It is composed of a layer 1 function for performing multiplexing and demultiplexing of 2B + D specified in 430, and is a connection part to a line, that is, an information channel 5 and a signal channel 6. The information channel 5 includes a first information channel 5a for audio and a second information channel 5b for image.

A call setup message including calling side identification information is transmitted to signaling channel 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the call setting message includes a call setting, a transmission capability, a channel identifier, a calling number, a calling subaddress, and a called number. As the call setting, a layer 3 signal and a message type are set, as the transmission capability, a transfer capability (voice, unrestricted digital) and a transfer mode (circuit switching) are set, and as a channel identifier, a channel designation (B channel designation) is set. The calling party number is set as the calling party number (calling party identification information), the calling party's identification information is set as the calling party sub-address, and the called party's phone number is set as the called party number. Has become.

The video device 7 shown in FIG. 1 uses a semiconductor memory device having a large storage capacity. The video device 7 has an area 7a in which images and sounds for transmission are recorded and recorded in advance, and images and sounds for reception are stored in the area 7a. It is divided into a storage area 7b. The image for transmission is stored in the area 7 in advance using the camera 1.
The sound for transmission is recorded in the area 7a in advance using the handset 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 10 stores the setting contents of the voice and image connection mode, the voice and the image in accordance with the caller number (caller's telephone number) as the caller identification information. The setting contents of the transmission form, sound and image recording, and the setting contents of the recording form are stored. The caller number allows the caller's telephone number to be known so that the caller can be identified.

The connection form of voice and image is set to reject incoming call, only voice communication, only image communication, and both voice and image communication. , Image only, sound, and image are both set. As the sound, image recording, and recording mode, both sound recording only, image recording only, recording, and recording are set. become

The caller number and each setting content are set in advance by using the keyboard 12.
Even if keys corresponding to each setting are provided on the keyboard 12 and the setting is instructed with these keys, the keyboard 12
The setting may be instructed by a combination of ten-keys. The keyboard 12 is also provided with an answering machine key for indicating an answering machine state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, for the caller number "11-1111", "sound" is stored as the connection form, "speech" as the transmission form, and "sound recording" as the recording and recording forms. For the caller number “22-2222”, “image” as the connection form, “image” as the transmission form, and “recording” as the recording and recording form are stored, and for the caller number “33-3333”, "Voice and image" is stored as the connection mode, "Voice" is transmitted as the transmission mode, "Recording and video recording" is stored as the recording mode, and the caller ID "4" is stored.
Nothing is stored as "connection rejection" as the connection form for "4-4444", and "sound and image" as the connection form for the caller number "55-5555". In addition, “sound and image” as a transmission form, “sound” as a recording and recording form are stored, and “sound” as a connection form, “sound” as a transmission form, and “sound” as a recording and recording form are stored. It is remembered.

For example, the caller number "11-111"
"1" is the phone number of a friend who meets every day who does not need to handle images, and the caller number "55-5555" is a relative phone number that does not need to be recorded. The main control unit 11 performs ISDN outgoing / incoming / outgoing control for performing call control and management on the signal channel 6, and performs control for collating the transmitting side information to determine the connection form and perform connection.

Next, a general use example of a videophone having an answering machine function will be described with reference to a sequence shown in FIG. That is, the call setting message of the voice and image from the video phone of the calling terminal is notified to the video phone of the called terminal. Then, the videophone of the terminating terminal sends a call setting acceptance and response message for voice and image, respectively, and a voice and image call is set and communication becomes possible. During communication, the videophone of the receiving terminal transmits the voice and image prepared in the video device 7 of the terminal itself, and the voice and image from the videophone of the calling terminal are recorded in the video device 7. When the disconnection for the call release processing is notified from the video terminal of the calling terminal, the video telephone of the called terminal sends a release message, and thereafter receives the release completion message, and terminates the release of the call. Next, an operation at the time of answering machine in the above configuration will be described.
That is, an answering key of the keyboard 12 (not shown)
Is input, the control device 10 is set to the answering machine mode.

In such a state, a call setup message from the caller is transmitted to the ISDN interface unit 4 via the signal channel 6. The ISDN interface unit 4 performs a series of processes related to the call setup message, and simultaneously sends the caller number notified by the message to the control device 11. The control device 11 stores the caller number received by the ISDN interface unit 4 in the storage device 10.
It is determined whether or not it has been registered. If registered, the control device 11 reads out the connection mode, transmission mode, recording, and recording mode corresponding to the caller number from the storage device 10, and performs voice / image transmission / reception processing, recording, and recording according to those modes. Perform processing.

When the call originating terminal notifies the ISDN interface unit 4 of the disconnection for releasing the call, the control unit 11 sends a release message through the ISDN interface unit 4. Then, the control device 11
When the ISDN interface unit 4 receives the release completion message, it determines release of the call and ends the processing. The processing performed by the control device 11 according to various modes will be specifically described.

For example, "11-11" is used as the caller number.
When “11” is received, the control device 11 reads “sound” as the connection form, “sound” as the transmission form, and “sound recording” as the recording and recording forms from the storage device 10. As a result, the control device 11 sends a message of voice call setting acceptance and response by the ISDN interface unit 4. Thus, a voice call using the first information channel 5a is set, and voice communication is enabled.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the transmission sound recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7. This read voice is encoded by voice CODEC8, and
DN interface unit 4 and first information channel 5
is transmitted to the calling terminal via a.

When the ISDN interface unit 4 receives a voice from the calling terminal (via the first information channel 5a), the ISDN interface unit 4 outputs the received voice to the voice CODEC 8. This voice C
The ODEC 8 decodes the supplied audio and converts the decoded
Output to Thereby, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded audio data in the area 7b. The sequence in this case is as shown in FIG.

The caller ID is "22-222".
When “2” is received, the control device 11 causes the storage device 1
From "0", "image" is read as the connection mode, "image" as the transmission mode, and "recording" as the recording and recording mode. As a result, the control device 11 sends out a message of image call setting acceptance and response by the ISDN interface unit 4. As a result, an image call using the second information channel 5b is set, and image communication becomes possible.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the transmission image recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7. This read image is encoded with the image CODEC3, and
DN interface unit 4 and second information channel 5
b to the calling terminal.

When an image is received by the ISDN interface unit 4 from the transmitting terminal (via the second information channel 5b), the ISDN interface unit 4 outputs the received image to the image CODEC3. This image C
The ODEC 3 decodes the supplied image, and
Output to Thus, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded image data in the area 7b.

Further, "33-333" is used as the caller number.
If “3” is received, the control device 11 causes the storage device 1
From "0", "sound and image" is read as the connection form, "sound" as the transmission form, and "sound and recording" as the recording and recording forms. As a result, the control device 11 uses the ISDN interface unit 4 to send a message for accepting a call setting for voice and image and a response. As a result, a voice call using the first information channel 5a and an image call using the second information channel 5b are set, and voice and image communication can be performed.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the transmission sound recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7. This read voice is encoded by voice CODEC8, and
DN interface unit 4 and first information channel 5
is transmitted to the calling terminal via a.

When the ISDN interface unit 4 receives a voice and an image from the transmitting terminal (via the first and second information channels 5a and 5b), the ISDN interface unit 4 converts the received voice into a voice CODEC 8 And the received image is output to the image CODEC3. Then, the audio CODEC 8 decodes the supplied audio and outputs it to the video device 7, and the image CODEC 3 decodes the supplied image and outputs it to the video device 7. Thereby, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded audio data in the area 7b, and also records the supplied decoded image data in the area 7b.

In addition, "44-444"
When “4” is received, the control device 11 causes the storage device 1
From "0", "call rejection" is read as the connection form. As a result, the control device 11 makes the ISDN interface unit 4
Sends a message indicating that the call is rejected.

Further, as the caller number, "55-555"
When “5” is received, the control device 11 causes the storage device 1
From "0", "voice and image" is read as the connection mode, "voice and image" as the transmission mode, and "recording" as the recording and recording mode. As a result, the control device 11 uses the ISDN interface unit 4 to send a message for accepting a call setting for voice and image and a response. As a result, a voice call using the first information channel 5a and an image call using the second information channel 5b are set, and voice and image communication can be performed.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the transmission sound recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7 and the recorded transmission image. The read audio is encoded by the audio CODEC 8 and output to the ISDN interface unit 4. The read image is the image CODE.
The data is encoded by C3 and output to the ISDN interface unit 4. Thereby, the ISDN interface unit 4
Transmits a voice to the transmitting terminal via the first information channel 5a and transmits an image to the transmitting terminal via the second information channel 5b.

When the ISDN interface unit 4 receives a voice from the transmitting terminal (via the first information channel 5a), the ISDN interface unit 4 outputs the received voice to the voice CODEC 8. Then, the audio CODEC 8 decodes the supplied audio and outputs it to the video device 7. Thereby, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded audio data in the area 7b. At this time, recording of the image is not performed.

Also, the matching calling number is stored in the storage device 10.
Is not registered in the storage device 10, the control device 11 reads out a form corresponding to the other form from the storage device 10 and performs a process corresponding to the read form. For example, correspondingly, “sound” is read as the connection form, “sound” as the transmission form, and “sound recording” as the recording and recording forms. As a result, the same processing as in the case of the caller number “11-1111” is performed.

As described above, the user registers in advance the transmission format of voice and image, the recording format, and the recording format for each caller number in the storage device, and responds to the incoming call when the user is out of the office (answering machine). The notified voice corresponding to the caller number included in the message, the transmission form and recording of the image, and the recording form are read out from the storage device, and the voice and the image are automatically responded selectively according to the read contents, and Sound and images are selectively recorded in accordance with the read contents.

By this means, it is possible to take an appropriate connection form, transmit sound or images only to the person who wants to convey information from the receiver or the state of the receiver, and display information from the caller and the state of the caller. Appropriate measures can be taken to record and record audio and images only from the party that wants to receive it.

As a result, depending on the communication terminal or the caller on the calling side, the connection form of the voice or image call, the transmission and recording of either or both of the voice and the image after the call is set up,
By being able to change the recording, appropriate measures can be taken, and unnecessary line connections can be eliminated.

Even if the matching caller number is not registered in the storage device, the processing according to the registered form is performed since each form in the case of mismatch (other) is registered. .

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which both types of transmission voice and image are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of types of transmission voice and image may be used. . In this case, a number is assigned to each of the transmission voices and images so that they can be selected.

For example, a plurality of recorded images and recorded voices are prepared in advance in the area 7a of the video device 7, and a number (transmission data number) corresponding to each recording is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission data number is stored in correspondence with the caller number in the storage device 10, and at the time of transmission, the recorded image and the recorded voice corresponding to the transmission data number are stored in the video device. 7 and is transmitted to the other party. This makes it possible to switch the transmission image and the sound by the other party.

The transmission image is stored in the area 7 of the video device 7.
a, which is recorded in advance, but is not limited to this. It is set whether an image recorded in the video device 7 is a transmission image or an image captured by the camera 1 is a transmission image. You may be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the transmission image can be set to a video or a camera in accordance with the caller number in the storage device 10.

Thus, when the receiving user identifies the telephone number of the destination, the user registers to transmit the image of the camera 1 and can transmit the image from the destination to see the state of the room.

Also, the case where the video device is built in the answering machine videophone has been described. However, the video device may be external, and the built-in video device and the external video device are selectively used according to identification information. It is also possible.

The case where a semiconductor memory device having a large storage capacity is used as a video device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a magnetic tape device, a CD-ROM device, a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, an IC card device Or other storage devices.

Although the caller number is used as the caller identification information, the present invention is not limited to this.
A user, user information, or the like may be used, and information that can be statistically processed and sent from a partner terminal or a network may be used. Further, the present invention may be used in a wideband ISDN.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The caller's communication terminal or caller can change the connection mode of the call of sound information and image information, and the recording of either or both of the sound information and image information after setting the call, It is possible to deal with it, and it is possible to eliminate unnecessary line connection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a call setup message received by the ISDN interface unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a storage example of the storage device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining an operation sequence of the videophone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining an operation sequence according to registration of a caller number of the videophone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of a storage device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... camera, 2 ... display, 3 ... image CODEC,
4 ISDN interface unit 5 Information channel
5a: first information channel, 5b: second information channel, 6: signal channel, 7: video device, 7a, 7b ...
Area, 8: Voice CODEC, 9: Handset, 10 ...
Storage device, 11: control device, 12: numeric keypad.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 H04M 1/65 H04N 7/14

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An image information acquisition unit for acquiring image information; a display unit for displaying image information; and transmitting the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit .
First communication means for receiving image information and displaying the image information on the display means ; input / output means for inputting / outputting sound information; and second input / output means for transmitting / receiving sound information input / output by the input / output means.
Communication means for receiving communication control information including caller identification information ; and a communication line between the caller and a communication partner for each of the caller identification information.
Storage means for respectively storing the connection form and the transmission form of the information to the communication partner , wherein the connection form and the transmission form corresponding to the caller identification information received by the third communication means are Read from storage means,
Communicate with the communication partner according to this read connection mode
Set the line and according to the read transmission format
To selectively send image information and audio information
Communication device, characterized in that the signal. 2. An image acquisition unit for acquiring image information, a display unit for displaying image information, and transmitting the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit .
First communication means for receiving image information and displaying the image information on the display means ; input / output means for inputting / outputting sound information; and second input / output means for transmitting / receiving sound information input / output by the input / output means.
Communication means for receiving or transmitting communication control information including transmission-side identification information ; and a communication line between the communication destination and each of the transmission-side identification information.
Connection form, information transmission form to communication partner, and information recording
A first storage unit for storing a sound recording mode, and a second storage unit for storing sound information or image information to be transmitted and storing the image information or sound information received by the first or second communication unit. Instruction means for instructing the answering machine state; and, when the answering machine state is instructed by the instruction means, a connection form corresponding to the transmitting side identification information included in the communication control information received by the third communication means. The data is read from the first storage means, and the first data is read in accordance with the connection form .
Or call setting means for performing call setting for performing communication with the second communication means or both, and according to the transmission form read from the first storage means,
Reading the sound information or image information, or both transmitting from said second storage means, a first processing means for transmitting the information readout in the first or second communication means, or both, the first According to the recording format read from the storage means
And a second processing means for storing the sound information and / or image information received by the first and / or second communication means in the second storage means. apparatus.