JPH11146371A - Automatic operation video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video telephone system booted automatically at a low cost. SOLUTION: The video telephone system is provided with a communication controller 2 that sends a video signal from a video camera 3 to a communication opposite party selected and connected by a telephone number via a telephone line C and a received video signal from the communication opposite party is displayed on a video monitor 4 as an image and with a conventional telephone set 1. In this case, when number of times of call signals received via the telephone line C or a call time reaches a prescribed amount, the communication controller 2 boots automatically the video telephone set in a transmission reception available state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone capable of performing voice communication with a telephone and image communication with a video camera, a video monitor, and a communication control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a video telephone apparatus for mutually performing audio and video communication using a telephone line, a telephone connected to a line terminal of the telephone line and a line terminal connected to the telephone are connected. Communication control for transmitting a video signal from a video camera to a communication partner selectively connected by a telephone number via a telephone line, and displaying a video signal from the communication partner received via the telephone line as a video on a video monitor. An apparatus having a device is known.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned video telephone device, video communication is usually performed by a communication control device, a video monitor, or the like.
It is configured to be operated by manually operating a video camera etc., and if the other party of the videophone was not available or could not answer the call, video communication was not possible . For this reason, for example, when monitoring the state of a patient or a cared person at a position away from a nursing or care center at a hospital, a nursing facility, or the home of a patient or a cared person, the state of the patient or the like is monitored. It was difficult to arbitrarily check the image and sound from the visual center side, which caused unexpected results in treatment and care, and inevitable emergency dispatch due to mistakes.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic operation video telephone apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a telephone 1 connected to a line terminal T of a telephone line C; A video camera 3 for outputting a video signal, and a video monitor 4 for displaying a video signal as a video, transmitting a video signal from the video camera 3 to a communication partner selectively connected by a telephone number via a telephone line C, A video telephone device provided with a communication control device 2 for displaying a video signal from the communication partner received via the line C on the video monitor 4 as a video, wherein the communication control device 2 comprises:
Receiving a call signal input via the telephone line C,
A first feature is that an automatic operation device is provided which automatically starts up and operates the videophone device in a state capable of transmitting and receiving when the number of times of the call signal or the call time reaches a predetermined amount.

A second feature of the automatic operation device is that the video telephone device is automatically switched to a state in which transmission and reception cannot be performed when the telephone line C communicably connected is disconnected. I have.

Further, the automatic operation device is automatically started up and operated in a state in which the video telephone device can be transmitted and received due to the reception of the specified control signal transmitted from the communication partner via the telephone line C. Is a third feature.

A fourth feature is that the control signal is composed of a password formed by a combination of tone signals transmitted by a push phone.

A fifth feature is that the video camera 3 and the communication control device 2 are integrally formed.

A sixth feature is that the video monitor 4 is a television receiver for receiving a television broadcast.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A video telephone apparatus S according to the present invention comprises a telephone 1 connected to a terminal (line terminal) T of a telephone line C as shown in FIG. An image communication device 2 which is a communication control device connected to T, and an image communication device connected to the image communication device 2,
It comprises a video camera 3 for outputting a video signal of the video to the video communication device 2, a video monitor 4 connected to the video communication device 2 and displaying the video signal as video.

The video telephone apparatus S has the same function or the same video telephone apparatus S, and has a telephone 1 conversation with a communication partner selectively connected by a telephone number via a telephone line C. Via the telephone line C, the video communication from the video camera 3 by the image communication device 2 to the communication partner and the video signal transmitted from the communication partner to be displayed on the video monitor 4 as an image. It has a structure that allows you to make videophone calls.

For this reason, the image communication apparatus 2 processes the video signal from the video camera 3 so as to enable communication via the telephone line C to realize the image communication. It has an image communication function of transmitting to the line C, processing the video signal received from the line terminal T via the telephone line C so that the video signal can be displayed on the video monitor 4, and outputting the processed signal to the video monitor 4 side. I have.

On the other hand, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the image communication device 2 includes a control device 6 for realizing the image communication function as described later, and an image communication device connected to the control device 6 side. It has a structure in which the video camera 3 connected to the two sides is integrally packaged,
The control device 6 is provided with an automatic operating device configured as described below for automatically starting up, operating, and stopping the videophone device S in a state in which image communication is possible.

Next, the configuration of the control device 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 6 includes a bell signal detection unit 7, a terminal connection unit 8, a transmission / reception conversion unit 9, and a switching unit 1.
1, the processing unit 12 and the like, and the operation of these units realizes the image communication function and the automatic operation device. The video signal from the video camera 3 and the video signal to the video monitor 4 are input to the processing unit 12 and output from the processing unit 12. The image communication device 2 has a home power supply (AC100).
An outlet 10 to which V) is supplied is provided, and the video monitor 4 is supplied with power by inserting a power plug into the outlet 10.

On the other hand, the bell signal detecting section 7 is connected to the line terminal T, and detects a ringing signal (bell signal) from a communication partner for generating a ringing sound (bell) of the telephone 1,
The processing unit 12 is hardware or software for inputting data for calculating the number of bells (number of bell signals) to the processing unit 12, and the terminal connection unit 8 connects the telephone 1 and the control device 6 in parallel. Connects to the terminal T, and opens the line terminal T in response to an instruction from the processing unit 12 based on the data from the bell signal detecting unit 7 (the communication device connected to the line terminal T (Switches the line terminal T so that it can communicate with a communication device connected to the line terminal).

In the telephone 1 used in the present invention, when the receiver is picked up, the line terminal T is opened (opened), a telephone number can be designated by a button or dial, and the telephone number corresponding to the designated telephone number can be designated. When the line terminal is opened, the telephone line C is opened between the two line terminals (the two line terminals T are opened, and the telephone line C becomes communicable by the communication device connected to both line terminals T. This is a generally known telephone which is generally used and capable of performing voice communication (call) with the telephone on the other line terminal side.

However, the telephone 1 can transmit a tone signal corresponding to each number to the communication partner side by pressing a button corresponding to each number or turning a dial (for example, pressing the button 1 with a tone signal). When pressed or dialed, a chord of two sounds of 697 Hz and 1209 Hz is transmitted.) This is a so-called push phone or a telephone configured to transmit a tone signal.

That is, when the receiver of the telephone 1 is picked up, the line terminal T is opened regardless of the operation of the terminal connection unit 8,
By opening (opening) the telephone line C with a necessary communication partner as in the past, conversation with the communication partner becomes possible,
Also, when the receiver is picked up while the telephone line C is opened by the terminal connection unit 8, it is possible to have a conversation with the communication partner. The terminal connection unit 8 is also set to close (close) the line terminal T when the telephone line C is switched from open to closed (closed).

On the other hand, the transmission / reception conversion unit 9 includes a terminal connection unit 8
Telephone line C via terminal connection unit 8 from I / O connected to
The signal input from the side is output from OUT,
Hardware or software for outputting a signal input to IN from the I / O to the telephone line C via the terminal connection unit 8, and OUT and IN are the interface 13, respectively.
It is connected to the processing unit 12 via. And OU
The signal output from T is divided into a control signal (control signal) such as a tone signal transmitted from the communication partner via the interface 13 and a communication data signal (video signal or the like) and input to the processing unit 12. .

Note that the processing unit 12 includes the interface 1
Signal input / output is connected to the video camera 3 and the video monitor 4 through the video monitors 6 and 17. The video signal from the communication partner input from the OUT side (interface 13) of the transmission / reception converter 9 is displayed on the video monitor 4. And output it to the video monitor 4 side,
The video signal input from the video camera 3 is transmitted to the telephone line C
The transmission / reception conversion unit 9 is configured to process the data so as to be able to transmit the data to the IN side (interface 14).

That is, the above-described image communication function, that is, the video signal from the communication partner input to the processing unit 12 can be displayed on the monitor by the terminal connection unit 8, the transmission / reception conversion unit 9, the interfaces 12, 13 and the processing unit 12. The video signal is processed and output from the processing unit 12 to the video monitor 4, and the video signal from the video camera 3 input to the processing unit 12 is processed so that it can be transmitted via the telephone line C. The function to output to the side is formed.

On the other hand, the switching unit 11 is connected to a household power supply (AC 100 V), a video camera 3, a video monitor 4, and a processing unit 12, and receives an instruction signal from the processing unit 12 issued under the conditions described later, and 3, whether the output of the video signal from the processor 3 or the input of the video signal by the processing unit 12 is acceptable, the output of the video signal from the processor 12 to the video monitor 4, or the input of the video signal by the video monitor 4 Hardware or software that can be switched between ON operation and OFF operation for controlling the video camera 3, the video monitor 4, and the control device 6 so as to control the start / stop of the image communication function, whether or not to accept the image communication function. I have.

In the case of this embodiment, the data (signal) communication circuit between the processing unit 12 and the video camera 3 and the video monitor 4 is always open. 3 is turned on, a household power supply is connected (supplied) to the outlet 10 into which the power plug of the video monitor 4 is inserted, the video monitor 4 is turned on, the image communication function is operated, and the power is turned off. Then, the power of the video camera 3 and the video monitor 4 (outlet 10) is turned off and only the image communication function of the control device 6 is stopped.

At this time, the ON operation and OFF operation instruction signals output from the processing unit 12 to the switching unit 11 are as follows:
Automatically connected to the processing unit 12 when the line terminal T or the telephone line C is opened or closed based on the data (control signal) from the bell signal detection unit 7 and the terminal connection unit 8 side. It is output manually by turning on and off the switch 18.

In this embodiment, when the switch 18 is turned on, a start-up signal, which is a control signal specified to the processing unit 12, is input, and the start-up signal is transmitted to the telephone line C.
Is transmitted to the communication partner (line terminal) via the
Is an ON instruction to turn on the switching unit 11 by inputting a startup signal generated by turning on the switch 18 or a startup signal transmitted from a communication partner via the telephone line C directly or via the interface 13. It is configured to output a signal to the switching unit 11.

That is, the bell signal detecting unit 7, the terminal connecting unit 8,
The telephone line C is opened by the switch 18, the processing unit 12, the switching unit 11, etc. at the above-mentioned automatic operation device, that is, at a predetermined timing (depending on data from the bell signal detection unit 7, the terminal processing unit 8, the switch 18, etc.) At the same time, the video camera 3, the video monitor 4, and the image communication function are operated, and the telephone line C is closed at a predetermined timing, and the video camera 3, the video monitor 4, and the image communication function are stopped.

The video communication device 2 operates with the video camera 3, the video monitor 4, and the video communication function while the telephone line C is open. In addition to displaying the image to be captured, image communication for transmitting the image captured by the video camera 3 to the communication partner becomes possible, and image communication by the image communication device 2 and voice communication (conversation) by the telephone 1 become possible. .

In the case of this embodiment, the video monitor 4 is a general television receiver for receiving a television broadcast, and the processing unit 12 can reproduce a video signal from the telephone line C side as an image by the television receiver. The data is output as simple data. The power supply of the image communication apparatus 2 is a telephone line C (line terminal T) side or a home power supply (AC100).
V).

Next, the operation of the control device 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described according to the flowchart of the image communication device. The controller 6 first checks whether or not the line terminal T to which the controller 6 is connected is closed. If the line terminal T is closed, the processing unit 12 outputs the bell signal based on the data from the bell signal detection unit 7. When the bell signal is input, the processing unit 12 calculates the number of times of the bell signal,
When there are calls (bells) equal to or more than a predetermined number of times (10 times in the present embodiment), an instruction to open the line terminal T is issued to the terminal connection unit 8 to open the line terminal T.

Thereafter, when a tone signal transmitted from a communication partner via the line terminal T (telephone line C) is input from the transmission / reception conversion unit 9 to the processing unit 12 via the interface 13, the processing unit 12 performs predetermined processing. The combination of the tone signals is stored as a password, and it is checked whether the input tone signal matches the password,
Turns on switching unit 11 when passwords match
An instruction signal is output, and the switching unit 11 is turned on. When the tone signal (password) is not transmitted from the communication partner or when the password is wrong, the line terminal T is closed.

After the switching section 11 is turned on as described above, the processing section 12 checks whether or not the telephone line C is closed. When the telephone line C is closed, the processing section 12 instructs the switching section 11 to turn off. A signal is issued, and the switching unit 11 is turned off. Note that while the telephone line C is open (not closed), the close check of the telephone line C is repeated, and during this time, the ON operation of the switching unit 11 is continued.

On the other hand, if there is no call more than 10 times by picking up the handset of the telephone 1 within a predetermined number of calls (10 times), the processing unit receiver 12 checks the presence or absence of the ON instruction signal, and Is input to the processing unit 12 side, that is, when the switch 18 is turned on, or when the switch 18 on the communication partner side is turned on,
An ON instruction signal is output to the switching unit 11, the switching unit 11 is turned ON, and then the close check of the telephone line C is performed. When the telephone line C is closed, the switching unit 11 is turned OFF.

When the line terminal T is closed by first checking the line terminal T from the start by picking up the receiver of the telephone 1 to make a call to the communication partner, if the line terminal T is open, the telephone line C is opened next. , That is, whether the line terminal of the communication partner has been opened (whether or not the telephone has been connected). If it is open, that is, if the telephone has been connected, then the above-mentioned ON instruction signal , And then the flow is the same as above. At this time, in the above-mentioned open check of the telephone line C, if the telephone line C is closed (the telephone cannot be connected), the line terminal T
The check is repeated until is closed (for example, stop calling).

In the above-mentioned bell signal input check, if no bell signal is input, that is, if there is no incoming call, and if there is no ON instruction signal in the ON instruction signal check, that is, if the image communication device 2 is used. Don't make regular (conversation only) phone calls (voice communications)
When the line terminal T is closed by the password check, and when the switching unit 11 is turned off as described above, the process returns to the start again and repeats the above operations.

As described above, since the image communication device 2 is configured and the operation of the control device 6 is controlled, the videophone device S of the present invention can communicate with the voice communication (conversation) by the telephone 1. An automatic videophone device that can be set up or operated automatically by a user or automatically in a state in which video communication with the image communication device 2 is possible, that is, a state in which videophone conversation can be performed (a state in which transmission and reception are possible). The specific operation of making a call to another communication partner using the automatically operated videophone device S will be described for each of the following cases.

1. When making a call to a communication partner equipped with the automatic operation videophone device S of the present invention, raising the handset of the telephone 1 opens the line terminal T, so that "line terminal close?" When the line terminal is opened (the telephone is connected), the switch 18 of the automatic operation video telephone S on the calling side or the switch 18 of the automatic operation video telephone S on the receiving (communication partner) side is turned on. Then, the automatically operated videophone device S is in a state capable of transmitting and receiving, and can communicate with the communication partner by conversation and video. Then, when the calling side or the receiving side puts down the receiver and the telephone line C is closed, the image communication device 2 is in a state where image communication is not possible, that is, the automatic operation videophone device S stops operating.

2. When making a telephone call for conversation only, raising the handset of the telephone 1 opens the line terminal T, so "line terminal closed?" Becomes N. However, even if the telephone is connected, the communication partner or the calling side is automatically operated. Since the S switch 18 is not turned on, the image communication device 2 does not enter a state in which image communication is possible, and only conversation with the telephone 1 is possible.

3. When receiving a call from a communication partner equipped with the automatic operation videophone device S of the present invention (1) When answering a call within 10 calls The line terminal T is closed until the handset of the telephone 1 is picked up. Is "Y" (YES), the telephone receiver C is opened, the telephone line C is opened, and the switch 18 of the automatically operated video telephone S on the receiving side is turned on or the automatically operated video telephone on the transmitting (communication partner) side is turned on. S
By turning on the switch 18, the automatically operated video telephone set S on the receiving side is in a state capable of transmitting and receiving, and it is possible to communicate with a communication partner by conversation and video. Then, when the calling side or the receiving side puts down the receiver and the telephone line C is closed, the image communication device 2 is in a state where image communication is not possible, that is, the automatic operation videophone device S stops operating. (2) When the call is not made after calling 10 times The line terminal T is closed until the handset of the telephone 1 is picked up, so "line terminal closed?" Becomes Y, and then the line terminal T is automatically opened and transmitted (communicated). With the password from the (other party) side, the automatic operation videophone device S is in a state of being able to transmit and receive, and it is possible to communicate with the other party by conversation and video. Then, when the transmitting (communication partner) hangs up the receiver and the telephone line C is closed, the image communication device 2 is in a state where image communication is not possible, that is, the automatically operating videophone device S stops operating.

4. When receiving a telephone call only for conversation (1) When answering within 10 calls The line terminal T is closed until the receiver of the telephone 1 is picked up, so "line terminal closed?" Is opened, the telephone line C is opened, but the calling side (communication partner) or the receiving side does not turn on the switch 18 of the automatically operated videophone device S, so that the image communication device 2 is in a state where image communication is possible. Instead, only conversation with the telephone 1 is possible. (2) When the call is not made after calling 10 times The line terminal T is closed until the handset of the telephone 1 is picked up, so "line terminal closed?" Becomes Y, and then the line terminal T is automatically opened, and the telephone line is once opened. Although C is opened, since the calling side (communication partner) does not turn on the switch 18 of the automatically operated videophone device S, the image communication device 2 on the receiving side does not enter a state in which image communication can be performed.
The line terminal T is closed again, and the call cannot be made.

After the telephone line C is opened after the call has been made 10 times or more and the telephone line C is kept open, the receiver always talks with the sender by the telephone 1 if the receiver is removed. This allows the recipient to enter into a conversation with the sender (videophone conversation) with the automatic videophone of the present invention even if for some reason it is delayed to pick up the receiver.

As described above, the automatically operated video telephone apparatus of the present invention can perform a so-called ordinary telephone which can only perform a conversation and a so-called video telephone which can perform a conversation and an image communication by one telephone 1. In addition, if the transmitting side knows the password in advance, the transmitting side can display the image from the video camera of the receiving side on the video monitor 4 if necessary when the receiving side does not answer the telephone (when calling 10 or more times). The user can see the situation on the receiving side (in the range of the image from the video camera 3).

At this time, the sender can monitor the status of the receiver only when the sender knows the password.
Security is preserved. Since the password can be transmitted by a tone signal, the password can be easily transmitted by using the telephone 1 as a so-called push phone or a telephone capable of transmitting a tone signal transmitted by the push phone to the telephone line C side. .

On the other hand, when the telephone line C is closed, that is, when the transmission side or the reception side puts down (hangs up) the handset, the switching unit 11 is turned off to disable image communication. 3, video monitor 4
Is turned off, and the control device 6 stops only the image communication function, so that the video camera 3, the video monitor 4, and the control device 6 do not consume more power than necessary. The disadvantage that the household power supply (AC100V) is continuously supplied is also prevented.

Further, the switching section 11 is provided with an outlet 10 provided in the image communication apparatus 2 to which a household power supply is supplied.
In order to control ON and OFF of the power supply, the outlet 10 is connected to the indoor lighting or the automatically operated videophone device S of the present invention.
A lighting (not shown) for illuminating the periphery where the camera is installed is connected, and the lighting is turned on and off simultaneously with the power supply of the video monitor 4.
With the structure in which F is also controlled, the video camera 3 can easily capture an image with the illumination even when the periphery of the automatically operated video telephone S is relatively dark at night or the like.

As described above, a normal television receiver is used for the image monitor 4, and more specifically, a video signal is input to an AV (video) input or an empty channel of the television receiver to display an image on a screen. Is configured to
In other words, the automatically operated video telephone apparatus S of the present invention uses a generally used television receiver and telephone (however, the telephone is limited to a model capable of transmitting a tone signal like a so-called push phone), and a video camera is separately provided. Since there is no need to purchase, a videophone can be introduced relatively easily and inexpensively (there is no need to purchase a special monitor or telephone).

However, the video monitor 4 has at least
Since the FF is linked to the image communication device 2, the following inconveniences may occur if a commonly used television receiver (to watch a television program) is also used as the video monitor 4. For example, it is necessary to switch the channel or the like of the TV receiver when performing communication by the video phone. When the receiver of the telephone 1 is put up (turned off) at the end of the communication by the video phone, the power of the TV receiver is turned off. When the power for the television receiver is taken from another (normal) outlet to avoid turning off the power, the power is not turned off when only the videophone is used.

For this reason, when the operation of the TV receiver is troublesome, a TV receiver dedicated to a TV phone may be installed in addition to the TV receiver normally used. However, when the remote control operation of the television receiver can be performed by infrared rays, radio waves, or the like, the switching unit 11 is configured to transmit infrared rays or the like for the remote control operation of the television receiver. ON and O of channel and power supply
By automatically performing the FF operation or the like from the switching unit 11, a television receiver that is normally used can also be used as the video monitor 4.

It should be noted that a signal for controlling the operation of the video camera 3 such as zooming can be input to the video camera 3 side. For example, when a communication partner transmits a predetermined tone signal, the operation of the video camera 3 can be controlled. The processing unit 12 may process the transmission / reception of the tone signal as the transmission / reception of the control signal in the remote control of the videophone device S on the communication partner side. Further, with the above configuration, video recording (recording) can be easily performed by a conventionally known home video recorder or the like.

Next, an example in which the automatically operated videophone device S of the present invention is applied to care support (viewing, etc.) for the elderly at home will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the automatic operation videophone devices S are arranged in a care center 21 for providing nursing care support and the home 22 of the elderly at home receiving the nursing care support. Set a unique password for the active device. As a result, a videophone conversation (video conversation) can be performed between the care center 21 and the home-resident elderly person 22, and care assistance more suitable for each home-resident elderly person can be performed by the image.

In particular, since the automatic operation videophone device S has the above-described automatic operation device, the home-bound elderly who is provided with nursing care cannot pick up the telephone handset 1 (cannot answer the telephone). In this case, it is possible to monitor the status of the home-based elderly person 22 and to grasp the status of the home-based elderly person in real time, so that appropriate measures can be taken according to the situation.

At this time, since the automatically operated video telephone set S in the home for the elderly at home 22 is automatically started up and operated by the operation of the care center 21 so as to be able to transmit and receive, the elderly at home are relatively weak in mechanical operations. In addition to this, the videophone can be used easily, and the care center 21 hangs up (hangs up) the telephone 1 so that the elderly home 2
As described above, since the power of the video monitor 4 and the video camera 3 is turned off and the image communication function is stopped, the power of the video monitor 4 and the video camera 3 is turned on more than necessary. It does not become.

When the elderly at home has a family or the like, the automatic operation videophone device S is also provided at the family home 23 so that a family or the like at a relatively distant place can provide more suitable care. In addition to this, the automatic operation videophone device S has a wider application range than conventional videophone devices, for example, by arranging the automatic operation videophone device S in each household of separated family members for communication.

[0053]

According to the structure of the present invention constructed as described above, when the number of call signals or the call time reaches a predetermined amount, the automatic operation device automatically sets the video telephone device to a state in which transmission / reception is possible. Since it can be started up, if the other party (videophone receiver) is away or unable to answer the call, the sender can confirm the receiver's status at least with the videophone image. In particular, security can be ensured by automatically starting up and operating the videophone device in a state where transmission and reception can be performed using a password or the like based on a tone signal from the sender side.

Also, in this case, the telephone line is disconnected when the sender or the receiver hangs up (hangs up) the telephone, and as a result, the video telephone is automatically switched to a state in which transmission and reception cannot be performed. This has the advantage that the device is prevented from running unnecessarily.

Further, since the video camera is integrated with the communication control device, there is no need to purchase a special video camera, and the introduction cost of the video telephone device does not become unnecessarily high. The use of the television receiver for receiving the John Broadcasting has the effect that the videophone device can be introduced at a lower cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an automatic operation videophone device.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an image communication device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image communication device.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of a control device.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which the automatically operated videophone device is used in a home care system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 telephone 2 image communication device (communication control device) 3 video camera 4 video monitor C telephone line T line terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A telephone (1) connected to a line terminal (T) of a telephone line (C), a video camera (3) for photographing a video and outputting it as a video signal, and displaying the video signal as a video. A video monitor (4) for transmitting a video signal from the video camera (3) to a communication partner selectively connected by a telephone number via a telephone line (C);
A communication control device (2) for displaying a video signal from the communication partner received via the telephone line (C) as a video on a video monitor (4), wherein the communication control device (2) Receives a call signal input via the telephone line (C), and when the number of times of the call signal or the call time reaches a predetermined amount, the videophone device automatically enters a state capable of transmitting and receiving. Automatically operated videophone device with automatic operation device to be up and running. 2. The automatic operation device according to claim 1, wherein the video telephone device is automatically switched to a state in which transmission and reception cannot be performed when the telephone line (C) communicably connected is disconnected. Automatically operated videophone device. 3. An automatic operating device is automatically started up in a state in which a video telephone device can be transmitted and received due to reception of a specified control signal transmitted from a communication partner via a telephone line (C). 3. The video telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said video telephone apparatus is operated. 4. The videophone apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control signal comprises a password based on a combination of tone signals transmitted by a touch phone. 5. The videophone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video camera and the communication control device are integrally formed. 6. The video monitor (4) is a television receiver for receiving television broadcasts.
Or 5 automatically operated videophone device.