JPH04286263A - Video telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take an appropriate connection form, to transmit sound and a picture only to a party desired to transmit the information from an addressee or the circumstances of the addressee and to appropriately correspond in such a way that voice and the picture only from the party desired to receive information and the circumstances from an originator are sound-recorded and video- recorded. CONSTITUTION:A user previously registers the transmission form and soundrecording and video-recording forms of voice and the picture by every originator number in a storage device 10. The transmission form and sound- recording and video-recording forms of voice and the picture, which are informed from a network and corresponding to the originator number added to a message are read from the storage device 10, voice and the picture are selectively and automatically responded in accordance with the read contents and voice and the picture are selectively sound-recorded and video-recorded in accordance with the read contents.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone with an answering machine function using an ISDN network.

0002

[Background Art] In recent years, the demand for communication has increased both in quality and quantity, and the demand for communication has increased in both quality and quantity.
Communication networks represented by digital networks (integrated service digital networks) are being expanded more and more. Furthermore, communication devices are becoming increasingly diverse, including telephones, fax machines, data communication devices, and videophones.

[0003] ISDN provides various services provided by the network. For example, there is a caller ID notification service that notifies the caller's identification number, that is, the caller number, so that the called party can know the caller before responding. In addition, in the call setting procedure, it is possible to determine whether the calling user and the called user can communicate, the voice and unrestricted digital transmission capabilities, and the compatibility of the terminal, and to know the attributes of the calling terminal.

[0004]Currently, there are telephones equipped with an answering machine function.
When you are unable to answer the phone, such as when you are absent, the voice responds from a pre-prepared transmission tape, and the requirements of the other party are recorded on the tape, and the called user can later listen to the recorded tape and discuss the requirements with the other party. You can know.

[0005] This answering machine function is not limited to telephones; videophones can also be provided with the answering machine function. Images and audio are played back from a videotape prepared in advance for transmission, and the images and audio from the other party are recorded and recorded on the videotape for reception, and the called user can later view the recording and listen to the audio. By playing it, you can know the opponent and their requirements.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the videophone equipped with an answering machine function according to the above-mentioned prior art, when a call arrives while the other party is away, the prepared voice and image are sent, and the voice from the other party is sent. and records the image. Therefore, even in cases where you do not want to send or receive images, such as pranks or solicitations, images are sent and recorded. If you are at home, you can disconnect, but if you are not at home, recording will continue until the other party disconnects.

[0007] In addition, in the case of a videophone call in which call setting is performed using both audio and images, if only the audio is sufficient to record the absence, the use of the recording line will be wasted, and if only the images are sufficient. , audio line usage is wasted.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to be able to take an appropriate connection form, to transmit sound and images only to the recipient who wants to convey information from the recipient or the condition of the recipient, and to transmit information and information from the sender. To enable appropriate measures to be taken to record and record voices and images only from a person who wants to receive information about a caller.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The video telephone of the present invention includes an imaging display means for capturing images and displaying images, and transmitting an image captured by the imaging display means and displaying the image on the imaging display means. A first transmitting/receiving means for receiving images for the purpose of communication, a transmitting/receiving means for inputting and outputting audio, a second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting audio from the transmitting/receiving means and receiving audio to the transmitting/receiving means, and a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting/receiving sound. A third terminal that receives communication control information including side identification information and transmits communication control information.
a first storage means in which conditions such as a transmitting/receiving means, a connection form for each caller identification information, contents of transmitted information, contents of received information, etc. are stored in advance, transmitted audio and transmitted images are stored; a second storage means for storing images and sounds received by the first and second transmitting/receiving means; an instructing means for instructing an at-home state; and in a state where the at-home state is instructed by the instructing means, the third transmitting/receiving means; reading means for reading out conditions such as a connection form, contents of transmitted information, contents of received information, etc. according to the calling side identification information included in the information received by the means, from the storage means; call setting means for setting up a call for transmission and reception by the first and second transmitting/receiving means;
a first processing means for reading the transmitted audio, the transmitted image, or both from the second storage means and transmitting the read by the first and second transmitting/receiving means; It is comprised of a second processing means for storing, in the second storage means, audio, images, or both received by the first and second transmitting/receiving means, depending on the contents of the received information.

0010

[Operation] This invention allows the user to register in advance the transmission format and recording format of audio and images for each caller identification information in a storage device, and the caller's information included in the communication control information notified by the network at the time of an incoming call. The transmission mode and recording mode of audio and images corresponding to the identification information are read from the storage device, and the system automatically responds with audio and images selectively according to the read contents.
Also, it is designed to selectively record sounds and images depending on the read contents.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a video telephone with an answering function to which the present invention is applied. This video telephone includes a camera 1 for capturing images, a display 2 such as a CRT for displaying images, and an image C for encoding and decoding image data.
ODEC 3, ISDN interface section 4, information channel 5 for transferring information between terminals, signal channel 6 for transferring call control information between terminals and exchange,
Video device 7, CCIT that plays the corresponding images and sounds when absent or temporarily, and records images and sounds during communication.
A voice CODEC 8 that encodes and decodes voice data in accordance with the μ-law PCM encoding method recommended by T Recommendation, a handset 9 for voice calls, and a caller number (phone number of the calling user) as calling party identification information. It is comprised of a storage device 10 in which various formats are stored, a keyboard 12 comprised of a numeric keypad, etc., and a control device 11 that controls all of these.

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

[0014] On the signaling channel 6, a call setup message containing calling party identification information is transmitted. As shown in FIG. 2, this call setup message consists of call setup, transmission capability, channel identifier, calling number, calling subaddress, and called number. Layer 3 signals and message types are set for call settings, transfer capability (voice, unrestricted digital) and transfer mode (circuit switching) are set for transfer capabilities, and channel designation (B channel designation) is set for channel identifiers. The calling user's phone number (calling party identification information) is set as the calling number, the calling user's identification information is set as the calling subaddress, and the called user's phone number is set as the called party number. It has become.

The video device 7 shown in FIG. 1 uses a semiconductor memory device with a large storage capacity, and has an area 7a where images and audio for transmission are recorded and recorded in advance, and an area 7a where images and audio for reception are recorded. It is separated into a storage area 7b. Images for transmission are prepared in advance in area 7a using camera 1.
The audio for transmission is recorded in advance in the area 7a using the handset 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 10 stores audio and image connection configuration settings, audio and image information, corresponding to the caller number (phone number of the calling user) as the calling party identification information. The settings for the transmission format, audio and image recording, and the recording format are stored. The caller number allows the caller's telephone number to be determined and the caller to be identified.

[0017] The connection mode for voice and image is set to reject incoming calls, voice communication only, image communication only, and both voice and image communication, and the voice and image transmission mode is set to voice only. , image only, audio, and image are both set, and the recording format for audio and images is audio recording only, image recording only, recording,
Both recordings are now set.

The caller number and various setting contents are set in advance using the keyboard 12. Even if the keyboard 12 is provided with keys corresponding to each setting and those keys are used to instruct the settings, the keyboard 12
Settings may be instructed by a combination of keys on a numeric keypad. The keyboard 12 is also provided with an answering key for instructing the answering state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, for the caller number "11-1111", the connection mode is "voice".
, "Voice" is stored as the transmission format, "Recording" is stored as the recording format, and "Image" is the connection format and "Image" is the transmission format for the caller number "22-2222".
, "Record" is stored as the recording and recording format, and for the caller number "33-3333,""Audio and image" is the connection format, "Audio" is the transmission format, and "Audio and recording" is recorded as the recording format. " is memorized and the caller number "44-4" is stored.
444", the connection mode is "Reject call," and nothing is stored as the transmission mode, recording, or recording mode. For the caller number "55-5555," the connection mode is "Voice and image," and the transmission is "Audio and image" as the format, "recording" and "recording" as the recording format are stored, and for others, "audio" as the connection format, "audio" as the transmission format, recording,
"Recording" is stored as the recording format.

[0020] For example, if the above caller number is "11-111"
1" is the telephone number of a friend whom I meet every day and who does not need to handle images, and the caller number "55-5555" is the telephone number of a relative who does not need to be recorded. The main control unit 11 performs ISDN call origination/reception control for managing call control on the signal channel 6, collating caller information, determining a connection form, and controlling connection.

Next, a typical usage example of a video telephone with an answering machine function will be explained using the sequence shown in FIG. That is, a voice and image call setup message from the video phone of the originating terminal is notified to the video phone of the receiving terminal. Then, the videophone of the incoming terminal sends a call setup acceptance and response message in audio and video format, respectively.
A voice and video call is set up and communication is possible. During communication, the video phone of the receiving terminal transmits the audio and images prepared in the video device 7 of its own terminal, and records the audio and images from the video phone of the calling terminal in the video device 7. When the video telephone of the originating terminal is notified of disconnection for call release processing, the video telephone of the receiving terminal sends a release message, then receives a release completion message and completes the release of the call. Next, in the above-described configuration, the operation when the user is away from home will be explained. That is, an answer key (not shown) on the keyboard 12
By inputting , the control device 10 is set to the answering mode.

In this state, a call setup message from the caller is sent to the ISDN interface unit 4 via the signaling channel 6. The ISDN interface section 4 performs a series of processes related to the call setup message, and at the same time sends the caller number notified in the message to the control device 11. The control device 11 determines whether the caller number received by the ISDN interface unit 4 is registered in the storage device 10. If registered, the control device 11 reads the connection mode, transmission mode, recording mode, and recording mode corresponding to the caller number from the storage device 10, and performs audio and image transmission/reception processing, recording, and recording mode according to those modes.
Performs recording processing.

When the calling terminal notifies the ISDN interface section 4 of disconnection for call release processing, the control device 11 sends a release message through the ISDN interface section 4. After that, the control device 11
When the ISDN interface unit 4 receives the release completion message, it determines that the call should be released and ends the process. Processing performed by the control device 11 according to various embodiments will be specifically explained.

For example, "11-11" is the caller number.
11'' is received, the control device 11 reads out from the storage device 10 "audio" as the connection mode, "audio" as the transmission mode, and "recording" as the recording mode. Thereby, the control device 11 sends a voice call setting acceptance and response message through the ISDN interface unit 4. As a result, a voice call using the first information channel 5a is set up, and voice communication becomes possible.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the audio for transmission recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7. This read audio is encoded with audio CODEC8 and IS
DN interface unit 4 and first information channel 5
a to the originating terminal.

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

[0027] Also, the caller number is "22-2222".
” is received, the control device 11 sends the storage device 10
``Image'' as the connection type and ``Image'' as the transmission type.
, recording, and “recording” is read as the recording format. As a result, the control device 11 uses the ISDN interface unit 4 to send out messages for accepting and responding to image call settings. As a result, a video call using the second information channel 5b is set up, and video communication becomes possible.

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

Further, when the ISDN interface section 4 receives an image from the originating terminal (via the second information channel 5b), the ISDN interface section 4 outputs the received image to the image CODEC 3. This image C
The ODEC 3 decodes the supplied image and sends it to the video device 7.
Output to. As a result, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded image data in the area 7b.

[0030] Also, "33-3333" is used as the caller number.
” is received, the control device 11 sends the storage device 10
``Voice and image'' as the connection mode and ``as the transmission mode''
``Audio'', recording, and ``recording'' are read as the recording format. As a result, the control device 11 uses the ISDN interface section 4 to send out messages for accepting and responding to voice and video call settings. As a result, a voice call using the first information channel 5a and a video call using the second information channel 5b are set, and voice and image communication becomes possible.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the audio for transmission recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7. This read audio is encoded with audio CODEC8 and IS
DN interface unit 4 and first information channel 5
a to the originating terminal.

Further, when the ISDN interface unit 4 receives audio and images from the calling terminal (via the first and second information channels 5a and 5b), the ISDN interface unit 4 converts the received audio into the audio CODEC 8. 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. As a result, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded audio data in the area 7b, and records the supplied decoded image data in the area 7b.

[0033] Also, the caller number is ``44-4444''.
” is received, the control device 11 sends the storage device 10
``Call Rejection'' is read out as the connection mode. As a result, the control device 11 sends a response message rejecting the incoming call via the ISDN interface section 4.

[0034] Also, the caller number is "55-5555".
” is received, the control device 11 sends the storage device 10
``Voice and image'' as the connection mode and ``as the transmission mode''
``Audio and images'', recording, and ``recording'' as the recording format are read out. As a result, the control device 11 uses the ISDN interface section 4 to send out messages for accepting and responding to audio and video call settings. This allows the first information channel 5
A voice call using channel a and a video call using second information channel 5b are set up, and voice and image communication becomes possible.

Next, the control device 11 reads out the audio for transmission recorded in the area 7a of the video device 7 and the recorded image for transmission. The read audio is encoded by the audio CODEC 8 and output to the ISDN interface section 4, and the read image is encoded by the audio CODEC 8.
C3 and output to the ISDN interface section 4. As a result, the ISDN interface unit 4
transmits audio to the originating terminal through the first information channel 5a, and transmits images to the originating terminal through the second information channel 5b.

Further, when the ISDN interface unit 4 receives audio from the calling terminal (via the first information channel 5a), the ISDN interface unit 4 outputs the received audio to the audio CODEC 8. Then, the audio CODEC 8 decodes the supplied audio and outputs it to the video device 7. As a result, the video device 7 records the supplied decoded audio data in the area 7b. At this time, the image is not recorded.

[0037] Also, the matching caller number is stored in the storage device 10.
If the format is not registered in the storage device 10, the control device 11 reads the other corresponding format from the storage device 10, and performs processing corresponding to the read format. For example, in response to others, "audio" is the connection mode and "audio" is the transmission mode.
, recording, and "recording" is read out as the recording format. As a result, the same process as in the case of the above caller number "11-1111" is performed.

[0038] As described above, the user registers in advance the voice and image transmission format and the recording format for each caller number in the storage device, and when answering an incoming call when the user is not at home (answering machine), The system reads the transmission format and recording format of audio and images corresponding to the notified caller number included in the message from the storage device, selectively responds automatically with audio and images according to the read contents, and Sound and images are selectively recorded according to the read contents.

[0039] As a result, an appropriate connection form can be established, and sound and images can be sent only to the recipient to whom information from the receiver or the state of the receiver is to be conveyed, and information from the sender or the state of the sender can be transmitted to the other party. You can take appropriate measures to record audio and images only from the person you want to receive.

As a result, depending on the communication terminal on the calling side or the caller, the connection form of voice and image calls, the transmission and recording of either voice or image or both after call setup,
By being able to change the recording mode, appropriate responses can be made and unnecessary line connections can be avoided.

[0041] Furthermore, even if a matching caller number is not registered in the storage device, each form of mismatch (other) is registered, so processing is performed according to the registered form. .

[0042] In the above embodiment, a case was explained in which there is only one type of audio and image for transmission, but the invention is not limited to this, and multiple types of audio and images for transmission may be used. . In this case, by assigning numbers to each of the sounds and images for transmission, it is possible to select them.

For example, a plurality of recorded images and recorded sounds are prepared in advance in the area 7a of the video device 7, and a corresponding number (transmission data number) is assigned to each recording. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission data number is stored in correspondence with the caller number in the storage device 10, and when transmitting, the recorded image and recorded audio corresponding to the transmission data number are transferred to the video device. 7 and transmit it to the other party. This allows the transmitted image and sound to be switched depending on the other party.

[0044] Furthermore, the transmitted image is transmitted to the area 7 of the video device 7.
Although the image is pre-recorded in a, the setting is not limited to this, and it is possible to set whether to use the image recorded on the video device 7 as the transmission image or the image captured by the camera 1 as the transmission image. It may be possible to do so. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that it is possible to set whether the transmitted image is a video or a camera according to the caller number of the storage device 10.

[0045] With this, when the receiving user identifies the telephone number of a person outside the home, he or she can register the image of the camera 1 to be sent and see what is going on inside the room by making a call from the outside home.

[0046] In addition, although the case where the video device is built into the answering video telephone has been described, it may also be an external one, and the built-in video device and the external video device can be used depending on the identification information. It is also possible.

Further, although the case where a semiconductor memory device with a large storage capacity is used as a video device has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a magnetic tape device, a CD-ROM device,
Other storage devices such as magnetic disk devices, optical disk devices, and IC card devices may also be used.

[0048]Although the caller number is used as the caller identification information, it is not limited to this, but it is also possible to use other information such as transmission ability, layer consistency,
It may be a user, user information, etc., and it is sufficient to use statistically processable information sent from the other party's terminal or the network. The invention may also be adapted to be used in broadband ISDN.

[0049]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
Appropriate responses can be taken by changing the connection format for audio and video calls, and the transmission and recording of either or both audio and video after the call is set up, depending on the communication terminal on the calling side and the caller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a video phone that can eliminate unnecessary line connections.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation sequence of the video phone shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation sequence according to the registration of a caller number of the video phone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage example of a storage device in 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...audio CODEC, 9...handset, 10...storage device, 11...control device , 12...numeric keypad.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: An image capturing and displaying means for capturing images and displaying images, and a first transmitting/receiving device for transmitting images captured by the image capturing and displaying means and receiving images to be displayed on the image capturing and displaying means. a transmitting/receiving means for inputting and outputting audio, a second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting audio from the transmitting/receiving means and receiving audio to the transmitting/receiving means, and communication control including caller identification information. A third transmitting/receiving means for receiving information and transmitting communication control information, and a first memory in which conditions such as connection form, content of transmitted information, content of received information, etc. for each sender identification information are stored in advance. means, transmitted audio and transmitted images are stored, and the above-mentioned first
, a second storage means for storing images and sounds received by the second transmitting/receiving means; an instructing means for instructing an absentee state; reading means for reading out conditions such as a connection form, contents of transmitted information, contents of received information, etc. according to caller identification information included in the communication control information received by the means, from the storage means; A call setting means for setting up a call for transmission/reception by the first and second transmitting/receiving means according to the connection form; a first processing means for reading a transmitted voice, a transmitted image, or both from a storage means and transmitting the readout by the first and second transmitting/receiving means; and contents of the received information read by the reading means. and second processing means for storing, in the second storage means, audio, images, or both received by the first and second transmitting/receiving means in accordance with the above. .