JPH07131765A - Picture communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a required function with simple configuration by switching and selecting a video signal displayed on a concerned terminal equipment in the case of transmission of an automatic answering message as a video signal displayed on a destination terminal equipment so as to halve the capacity of a plotting memory. CONSTITUTION:In the case of usual communication, a content of its own picture plotting memory 14 is superimposed and the resulting picture is displayed on a monitor 1. A control section 20 switches a switch 19 to select an output of a video signal received from a camera 2. The usual picture communication is conducted in this way. In the case of transmission of an automatic answering message, a control section 4 commands the setting of the automatic answering message transmission mode to a plotting control section 16 and a changeover control section 20. The control section 16 writes picture data for the automatic answering message in the memory 14. A control section 20 switches the switch 19 to select a monitor output video signal and sends an automatic answering message picture to the destination terminal equipment. When the concerned monitor 1 displays a picture, picture data the same as picture data sent to the destination terminal equipment is displayed.

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 for displaying a drawn image or a character on an image communication own terminal and a partner terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the function of an example of a conventional image communication apparatus. In the figure, 1 is a monitor that displays an image, 2 is a camera that captures an image and outputs an analog video signal, 3 is a key input unit, 4 is an overall control unit that controls the entire terminal according to an input from the key input unit 3, 5 is an incoming / outgoing call,
A call control processor for managing calls such as continuous disconnection, 6 is a line interface for connecting to a line, 7 is a line network, 8
Is an A / D section for converting an analog video signal into digital video data, 9 is a D / A section for converting digital video data into an analog video signal, and 10 is multiplexing and separation of moving image data, audio data and other data. A multiplexer / demultiplexer 11 performs compression / encoding and extension / compression of moving image data, and a decoder frame memory 12 for storing decompressed / decoded video data.
3 is an encoder frame memory that stores video data for compression encoding, 14 is a self-drawing memory that stores image data of characters and drawings to be displayed on the own terminal, and 15 is image data of characters and drawing to be displayed on the other terminal. An image drawing memory to be stored, 16 is a drawing control unit for controlling data writing to the image drawing memory 14 and the image drawing memory 15, and 17 is a video signal output from the decoder frame memory 12 to a video signal of the image drawing memory 14. Is a self-picture superimposing section for synthesizing the video signal output from the A / D section with the video signal of the video-drawing memory 15 for other picture.

The conventional image communication apparatus configured as described above operates as follows.

When the telephone number of the partner terminal is set in the key input unit 3 and the call key is pressed, the overall control unit 4 notifies the call control processing unit 5, and the call control processing unit 5 sends a notification through the line interface 6 based on the notification. Connect the line to the other terminal.

When the line is connected and the communication with the partner terminal is started, the overall control unit 4 exchanges the communication capability with the partner terminal, and the moving picture, voice, and other data are transferred to the multiplexing / separating unit 10 as determined by the communication. To assign a communication rate for. The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 10 includes moving image data input to and output from the moving image codec unit 11, audio data,
Other data is multiplexed and demultiplexed and communicated with the other terminal through the line interface 6 and the line network 7 as one data.

The overall control unit 4 analyzes the drawing contents input by the user through the input means such as the key input unit 3 and instructs the drawing control unit 16 to write the drawing data. Drawing control unit 1
Reference numeral 6 writes data in the self-drawing drawing memory 14 or the partner-drawing drawing memory 15.

The moving picture codec section 11 decodes the moving picture data received from the partner terminal to decode the decoder frame memory 1
Write to 2. The self-portrait superimposing unit 17 analyzes, for each pixel, whether or not there is video data in the self-portrait drawing memory 14, and if there is, the decoder frame memory 1
Image combining processing is performed by outputting the video data of the self-drawing drawing memory 14 instead of the video data of 2.
The D / A unit 9 digital-analog converts the video data output from the self-portrait superimposing unit 17 and outputs it to the monitor 1.

The video signal input by the camera 2 is
Analog-to-digital conversion is performed by the A / D unit 8 and output to the partner image superimposing unit 18. In addition, the partner image superimposing unit 18 uses the partner image drawing memory 15
Analyzes for each pixel whether there is video data inside,
If there is, an image synthesizing process for outputting the video data of the partner image drawing memory 15 to the encoder frame memory 13 instead of the video data of the A / D unit 8 is performed. The moving image codec unit 11 compresses and encodes the video data after the superimpose image synthesis stored in the encoder frame memory 13 and sends the video data to the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 10.

By the above operation, in the conventional image communication terminal, it is possible to display a composite image of a character and a drawn image on the image received from the other party, and to display only the character and the drawn image such as a menu screen. Moreover, it is possible to send an image obtained by combining a character and a drawn image on the image input from the camera 2 on the self side, and an image such as a menu screen having only the character and the drawn image to the other side. Therefore,
The character and the drawn image can be displayed on the partner terminal without any special procedure and processing (only by the compression / expansion procedure of the same moving image).

When a drawn image or an image of only a character is displayed or sent to the partner terminal like the menu screen, the self-portrait superimposing unit 17 and the partner-portrait superimposing unit 18 of the overall control unit 4 are displayed. These are realized by selecting the images in the self-drawing drawing memory 14 and the partner-drawing drawing memory 15, respectively. Using this function, if there is an incoming call from the other party's terminal and there is no response from the user for a certain period of time, it is judged to be absent, and the own terminal automatically responds and realizes an answering machine message function that sends a message image to the other party. be able to. The answering machine message function is a function that automatically responds to an incoming call and sends a message image registered in advance by the user to the partner terminal when there is no responder of the terminal on the other side when the call is received from the partner terminal. is there.

[0011]

However, it is not necessary to display the partner image, the character or the drawn image (menu screen) at the time of sending the answering machine message, and the self-drawing memory is not used. If the character or drawn image is not sent to the other party than the answering machine message, the other party drawing memory is not used. That is,
It means that the partner drawing memory and the self drawing memory are not used at the same time. Therefore, when it is only necessary to realize the answering machine message function, the memory for accumulating characters and drawn images is wastefully used in the configuration of the above-mentioned conventional image communication device, and the two memories are controlled. However, there is a problem in that the hardware and software of the drawing control unit are complicated.

The present invention intends to solve the above conventional problems, and provides an image communication apparatus capable of reducing the required number of memories and realizing the required functions with a simple structure. The purpose is to

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the image communication apparatus of the first invention of the present invention comprises a line interface for controlling communication through a line and a partner terminal through the line interface. A call control processing unit that controls a call, an overall control unit that manages and controls the entire terminal according to an instruction input by a user, and data that is communicated through the line interface is multiplexed and separated into video data, audio data, and other data. Multiplexer / demultiplexer, a moving image codec section for compressing / decompressing video data input / output to / from the multiplexer / demultiplexer, and an A / A converter for converting an analog video signal input from a video input means such as a camera into a digital video signal. The D section and the video data output from the A / D section are accumulated, and the video data is output to the moving picture codec section. An encoder frame memory for,
A decoder frame memory for accumulating digital video data output from the moving picture codec section, a self-drawing memory for accumulating image data such as drawing and characters, and writing data into the self-drawing memory according to an instruction from the overall control section. A drawing control unit for performing, a self-portrait superimposing unit for synthesizing the video data output from the decoder frame memory with the image data output from the self-portrait drawing memory, and an image for a monitor or the like by converting the video data into an analog video signal. In an image communication apparatus comprising a D / A section for outputting to an output means, the A / A selected by selecting from a video signal output from the D / A section and a video signal input from a video input means such as a camera. An analog video switch that can be output to the D section, and the analog video switch according to the instruction of the general control section. Is provided with a analog video signal switching controller that performs switching control of the video switch.

The image communication apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the self-portrait superintegrator is used instead of the analog video switch and the analog video signal switching controller. A digital video switch capable of selecting or synthesizing the video data output from the pause section and the video data output from the A / D section and outputting the synthesized data to the encoder frame memory;
And a digital video signal switching control unit for controlling switching of the digital video switch in accordance with an instruction from the overall control unit.

[0015]

In the image communication apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, when the answering machine message is sent to the other terminal, the analog video signal switching control section causes the analog video signal switching control section to operate in accordance with the instruction of the overall control section. The switch is instructed to select the video signal for output to the monitor, and the analog video switch selects the video signal for output to the monitor and outputs to the A / D section.

Further, in the image communication apparatus of the second invention, when the answering machine message is sent to the partner terminal, the digital video signal switching control unit is instructed to the digital video switch and the D / A unit is instructed by the general control unit. The digital video switch instructs the D / A section to select the output video data, and outputs it to the encoder frame memory.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 3 showing the functions of the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the image communication apparatus of the first invention of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a monitor for displaying images, 2 is a camera for inputting video, 3 is a key input section, 7 is a line network, and a book is operated by inputting / outputting signals to / from these external devices. The image communication apparatus of the embodiment includes the line interface 6, the call control processing unit 5, the overall control unit 4, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 10, the moving image codec unit 11, the A / D unit 8, which are the same elements as those of the conventional example. The encoder frame memory 13, the decoder frame memory 12, the self-portrait drawing memory 14, the rendering control unit 16, the self-portrait superimposing unit 17, and the D / A unit 9 are provided. The functions of these common elements are the same as in the case of the conventional example, but in the present example, the partner image drawing memory 15 and the partner image superimposing unit 18 in the conventional example are used.
Not equipped. In this embodiment, D / A
Video signal for output from the section 9 to the monitor 1 and the camera 2
Select either of the input signals from the A / D section 8
There is provided an analog video switch 19 for outputting the output of the analog video switch 19 and an analog video signal switching controller 20 for switching and controlling the input source of the analog video switch 19 in accordance with an instruction from the overall controller 4.

The operation of the image communication apparatus of the first invention of the present invention configured as described above is carried out as follows.

In the case of normal communication, the contents of the self-drawing drawing memory 14 are superimposed and displayed on the monitor 1 as in the case of the conventional example. At this time, the analog video signal switching control unit 20 switches the analog video switch 19 so as to output the video signal input from the camera 2. In this way, normal image communication is possible.

In the case of sending the answering machine message, the general control section 4 instructs the drawing control section 16 and the analog video signal switching control section 20 to be in the answering machine message sending mode. The drawing control unit 16 writes the image data for the answering machine message in the self-drawing drawing memory 14. The analog video signal switching control unit 20 switches the analog video switch 19 so as to select a video signal for monitor output. In this way, the answering machine message image is sent to the partner terminal. If the own monitor 1 is displayed, the same image data as the image data transmitted to the other terminal is displayed. If necessary, the drawing control unit 1
Reference numeral 6 instructs the self-portrait superimposing unit 17 to display only the drawn image, and causes the self-portrait superimposing unit 17 to select only the image in the self-portrait drawing memory 14, so that the image of only the drawn image is used as the answering machine message image. It is also possible to send to.

Next, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the image communication apparatus of the second invention of the present invention. The configuration of the apparatus of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the previous example of FIG. 1, but instead of the analog video switch 19 and the analog video signal switching control section 20 in the previous example, the D / D from the self-portrait superimposing section 17 is used. In the encoder frame memory 13, either one of the video data for output to the monitor 1 output to the A section 9 and the input video data from the camera 2 output from the A / D section 8 is selected or combined. Digital video switch 21 for output and overall control unit 4
Digital video signal switching control section 2 for switching the input source of the digital video switch 21 according to the instruction
2 and are provided.

The operation of the image communication apparatus of the second invention of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

At the time of normal communication, the contents of the self-drawing memory 14 are superimposed and displayed on the monitor 1 in the same manner as in the conventional example and the previous example. The digital video signal switching controller 22 controls the digital video switch 21 to output the video data input from the camera 2.
Switch. In this way, normal image communication is performed.

When sending the answering machine message, the overall control unit 4 instructs the drawing control unit 16 and the digital video signal switching control unit 22 to be in the answering machine message sending mode. The drawing control unit 16 uses the self-drawing drawing memory 1
The image data for the answering machine message is written in 4. The digital video signal switching control unit 22 switches the digital video switch 21 so as to select video data for monitor output. In this way, the answering machine message image is sent to the partner terminal. If your own monitor 1
When is displayed, the same image data as the image data transmitted to the partner terminal is displayed. Also, if necessary,
The drawing control unit 16 instructs the self-portrait superimposing unit 17 to display only the drawn image.
It is also possible to send an image containing only the drawn image to the partner terminal as an answering machine message image by causing the user to select only the image in the self-drawing drawing memory 14.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the video signal displayed on the local terminal is switched to the video signal displayed on the remote terminal when the answering machine message is transmitted. It is possible to provide an excellent image communication device which can be reduced in number and can realize required functions by simplifying hardware and software for controlling drawing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of an embodiment of an image communication apparatus according to a first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an embodiment of an image communication device according to a second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of an example of a conventional image communication apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 monitor 2 camera 3 key input unit 4 overall control unit 5 call control processing unit 6 line interface 7 line network 8 A / D unit 9 D / A unit 10 multiplex / separation unit 11 video codec unit 12 decoder frame memory 13 encoder frame memory 14 self-drawing memory 15 partner image drawing memory 16 drawing control unit 17 self-imposing superimposing unit 18 partner image superimposing unit 19 analog video switch 20 analog video signal switching control unit 21 digital video switch 22 digital video signal switching control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A line interface for controlling communication through a line, a call control processing unit for controlling a call with a partner terminal through the line interface, and an overall control unit for managing and controlling the entire terminal according to an instruction input by a user. And a multiplexer / demultiplexer that multiplexes and demultiplexes data to be communicated through the line interface into video data, audio data, and other data, and a moving image codec section that compresses and expands video data input to and output from the multiplexer / demultiplexer. When,
An A / D section for converting an analog video signal input from a video input means such as a camera into a digital video signal, video data output from the A / D section are accumulated, and the video data is stored in the moving picture codec section. An encoder frame memory for outputting, a decoder frame memory for storing digital video data output from the image codec section, a self-portrait drawing memory for accumulating image data such as drawing and characters, and the self-portrait according to an instruction from the overall control unit. A drawing control unit that writes data to the drawing memory, a self-portrait superimposing unit that synthesizes image data output from the self-portrait drawing memory with video data output from the decoder frame memory, and an analog video signal for the video data. D / A that is converted into a video and output to a video output means such as a monitor And an analog video switch capable of selecting from a video signal output from the D / A section and a video signal input from a video input means such as a camera and outputting to the A / D section. When,
An image communication device, comprising: an analog video signal switching control unit that controls switching of the analog video switch in accordance with an instruction from the overall control unit. 2. A line interface for controlling communication through a line, a call control processing unit for controlling a call with a partner terminal through the line interface, and an overall control unit for managing and controlling the entire terminal according to an instruction input by a user. And a multiplexer / demultiplexer that multiplexes and demultiplexes data to be communicated through the line interface into video data, audio data, and other data, and a moving image codec section that compresses and expands video data input to and output from the multiplexer / demultiplexer. When,
An A / D section for converting an analog video signal input from a video input means such as a camera into a digital video signal, video data output from the A / D section are accumulated, and the video data is stored in the moving picture codec section. An encoder frame memory for outputting, a decoder frame memory for storing digital video data output from the moving picture codec section, a self-portrait drawing memory for accumulating image data such as drawing and characters, and the self-portrait according to an instruction from the overall control unit. A drawing control unit for writing data to the drawing memory, a self-portrait superimposing unit for synthesizing image data output from the self-drawing drawing memory with video data output from the decoder frame memory, and an analog video signal for video data. D / A that is converted into a video and output to a video output means such as a monitor In an image communication apparatus comprising: a digital video capable of being selected or combined from video data output from the self-portrait superimposing section and video data output from the A / D section and output to the encoder frame memory. An image communication apparatus comprising: a switch; and a digital video signal switching control unit that controls switching of the digital video switch according to an instruction from the overall control unit.