JP2000358226A - Video integrated telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit an operator who utilizes a video telephone system to easily view pictures and documents on the screen of a display part by operating a switch when a camera is tilted this side and rotated downward and reading picture data from a frame memory in a scanning direction from an end point to a start point, which is the inverted one compared with a normal one. SOLUTION: A mobile camera part 42 storing a small color camera is set to be vertically downward by tilting it this side independently of the display part 41 and a camera position detecting switch for detecting a camera position is arranged in the sliding part of the camera part 42. Then the switch is closed at the point of time when the camera part 42 starts to be singly inclined. The data output of the frame memory in the picture encoding circuit of a picture CODEC part 43 is controlled by the state change signal of the switch to permit the scanning direction which is normally from upper left to lower right to be the inverted one from lower right to upper left. Besides, the signal outputted in the reverse scanning direction is distributed and outputted to the display part 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone which uses a high-speed digital communication network to simultaneously communicate voice, moving picture and data in real time, and more particularly, to a video telephone, an image codec (CODEC), and a communication system. The present invention relates to an integrated videophone device suitable for being applied to a videophone having a control circuit integrally formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional videophone device, there is one described in, for example, JP-A-2-63393. In this videophone device, the camera and the display unit are fixed to the telephone body. Also, the camera provided in this videophone device is
The imaged subject is inverted left and right and output, and the captured image output left and right inverted is written into the memory in the videophone, then left and right inverted again and read out, and the telephone line is connected. Transmitted to the other party's videophone device via the Internet. The display provided on the videophone main body displays an image sent from the videophone device of the other party via the telephone line or a captured image of the user himself that has been inverted left and right and written in the memory. At this time, only one of the images is displayed at a time.

Although the above-mentioned video telephone apparatus does not have the image CODEC, some of the video telephone apparatuses have the image COD.
There is also a configuration that has an EC unit and transmits and receives a compressed image signal. Image compression technology is a technology that uses the temporal and spatial correlation of image signals to reduce the amount of information while maintaining image quality. With the advancement of digital signal processing technology, it is also applied to videophones It has become. However, the image CODEC unit handles digital image signals and performs complicated compression / decompression processing.
The amount of hardware increases. Therefore, in the conventional videophone device, the image CODEC unit and the videophone main body are separately provided, and both are connected by a cable. Therefore, there is no need to worry about adverse effects (deterioration in quality) due to heat release due to consumption of the image CODEC part, and there is no need for such a problem.

[0004] It is to be noted that related devices of this type include, for example, Fujitsu Technical Report 41.3, PP. 243-247
(May 1990 version), JP-A-2-39790 and JP-A-2-22989.

[0005]

In the conventional video telephone apparatus, since the camera and the display are fixed to the main body, it is directed only in a fixed direction, and the direction can not be freely adjusted.

[0006] Further, the camera does not correspond to a special application such as transmission of a document, and the camera is usually applied to photograph a person. When photographing a person other than a person, the camera is detachable by itself, but is not structured to support the camera such as a stand. In addition, there is a structure in which a plane mirror is mounted in front of a camera for photographing a document and a document can be set on a base (bottom portion). However, the camera has an integral structure with a display.

In the above prior art, no consideration is given to the movability and portability, the installation location of the device is limited, or the device is difficult to move, and many cables are connected to the main body. There is a problem that usability as a terminal device is poor.

[0008] Further, a conventional video telephone apparatus has an image CO.
Since the DEC unit is configured separately from the main body, a new problem that occurs with integration, that is, the image CODEC
No particular consideration is given to problems caused by the heat generated.

Also, when transferring document information such as documents and photographs, in the setting of the camera direction at the time of dialogue, the document is lifted up by hand in front of the camera and a motion such as a shaking hand comes out, so that characters are displayed. Cannot send stably with good definition.
In addition, in the case of a videophone having a tiltable structure in the camera section, the document must be set upside down with respect to the sender's viewing direction in order to simply point the camera section downward. At the same time, there is a problem that the calligraphy cannot be checked naturally.

[0010] Further, the camera section is always facing the user side, so that even if the user does not want to send an image (for example, used as a digital telephone), the camera is conscious of the camera, and the monitored image cannot be excluded. There is such a problem.

[0011] Further, in the conventional video telephone apparatus, there is no one considering the scalability of the use by the combination with another apparatus.

In view of the above, a first object of the present invention is to store an image CODEC in a videophone device and integrate the two, thereby improving convenience, mobility and usability, and improving the power consumption of the image CODEC. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-quality integrated videophone device capable of efficiently dissipating heat and suppressing adverse effects due to power consumption of an image CODEC.

A second object of the present invention is to rotate a camera to capture a document and display a document image from the camera on a display unit of the own videophone device or a videophone device of a communication partner. It is another object of the present invention to provide an integrated video telephone which enables an operator using the video telephone to easily view the book image on a display unit.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an integrated video telephone which can be used in combination with other devices.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a movable image input / output having image input means for inputting an image and display means for displaying an image signal;
A communication control unit having communication control means for multiplexing coded information of voice and image and transmitting / receiving the communication network, a power supply means, a telephone control means for controlling a transmission / reception function and a key panel unit, and a video input signal Having an image encoding circuit that encodes an image encoding circuit and an image decoding circuit that decodes a received image signal, the image encoding and decoding unit including the communication control unit and the image input / output unit. The arrangement is made in consideration of the heat radiation accompanying the power consumption of the image encoding / decoding unit.

Further, in order to achieve the object, the present invention provides:
Means are provided for detecting that the camera has rotated when the camera is tilted and photographing a document, and for displaying the document image photographed by the camera on the display in 180-degree point symmetry when the rotation of the camera is detected. It is a thing.

Further, in order to achieve the object, the present invention provides:
An external connection terminal is provided.

As described above, according to the paired videophone of the present invention, a digital communication line is applied, and two-way simultaneous communication by voice, video, and data can be performed.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an integrated video telephone according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an overall structure of an embodiment of an integrated video telephone according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the entire structure is L-shaped. In FIG. 1, 11 is a display unit, and 12 is a camera unit. Further, the support portion, that is, the L-shaped vertical side portion 13
Denotes an image CODEC unit including an image encoding / decoding circuit, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes an image CODEC substrate. Further, the bottom (pedestal), ie, the bottom 15 of the L-shaped communication device control board including the communication control circuit and the telephone control circuit, and the reference numeral 16 include the telephone function key, the control key for the videophone, and the indicator light. A key panel unit 17 is a power supply unit, and 18 is a main unit. The main unit includes an external input / output terminal including the communication control board 15, the key panel unit 16 and the power supply unit 17. 19 is a handset.

The image CODEC has a system
It is located between the camera, the display unit, and the communication control unit, and is configured to be mounted on, for example, a vertical side of an L-shaped structure as described above, thereby simplifying wiring between boards. And can be integrated.

That is, a movable head having a camera section 12 for inputting an image and a display section 11 for displaying an image signal, and a communication control board for multiplexing coded information of voice and image and transmitting / receiving the coded information to / from a communication network. 15, a power supply unit 15, a base unit having a telephone control unit for controlling a transmission / reception function and a key panel unit 16, and an image CODEC unit 13 for encoding a video input signal and decoding a received image signal. It is configured to include a support portion that connects and supports the head portion and the bottom portion.

Further, in order to integrate the image CODEC unit 13 into the apparatus, and to efficiently radiate heat generated by power consumption of the image CODEC unit, the image CODEC unit 13 is connected between the communication control unit and the display unit 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, by mounting on the vertical side of the L-shaped structure, air flows from the lower side to the upper side of the vertically mounted substrate in the plane direction, and the heat radiation effect is obtained. Can be increased.

Next, an overall configuration of an embodiment of the circuit configuration of the integrated videophone of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 21a denotes a camera unit, 21b denotes a display unit, 21 denotes a camera display unit including 21a and 21b, and 22 denotes an image CODEC unit.
It consists of 22g. 22a is a character superimposing circuit, 22b
Is a video switch circuit 22c is a video output circuit, 22d is a display processing circuit for controlling a display method of a display unit display screen, 22e is a video input circuit, 22f is an image decoding circuit for reproducing a received digital image signal as a video signal, Reference numeral 22g denotes an image encoding circuit for converting the video signal output from the signal 22e into a digital signal for the communication control unit.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a key panel unit, which has the following 23a to 2a.
3c. 23a is an LED display control circuit, 2
3b is a videophone function key control circuit, and 23c is a dial key control circuit.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a communication control unit which includes the following 24a to 24
i. 24a is a signal demultiplexing control circuit, 2
4b is an ISDN user network interface control circuit, 24
c is a microprocessor for controlling each part in the apparatus, 24d
Is a transmission / reception control circuit, 24e is a hold function control circuit, 24f
Is a clock circuit, 24g is a speaker, 24h is a sounder for generating a signal sound, and 24i is an analog switch circuit.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a power supply unit, which receives a commercial power from a commercial power plug 20 from the outside and supplies a constant voltage to the camera display unit 21, the image CODEC unit 22, and the communication control unit 24. Reference numeral 26 denotes a handset for connecting a cable to the main body. 27 is an ISDN user network interface line connection unit, 28 is a parallel data input / output terminal, and 29 is a serial data input / output terminal, which is mounted on the main unit as an input / output connector.

That is, a communication control section 24 for controlling demultiplexing of voice, image and digital data and a communication control of a digital communication line, a key panel section 23 for inputting a dial or other function selection, a handset function and the above-mentioned functions. A transmission / reception control circuit 24d (telephone control unit) for controlling the key panel unit, a camera unit 21a for inputting a video input signal,
An image CODEC comprising a display unit 21b for outputting an image, an image encoding circuit 22g for encoding a video input signal, an image decoding circuit for decoding a received image signal, and an image decoding circuit 22f for decoding a received image signal. A communication control unit 24, a key panel unit 23,
Telephone control unit 24d, camera unit 21a, display unit 2
1b and the respective components of the image CODEC unit 22 are integrated,
In the integrated device, connection wiring between the components is performed, and the connection wiring outside the integrated device is reduced to a digital communication line cord.

Here, for integration, for example, in the image CODEC part, the image encoding circuit and the image decoding circuit are each formed as a one-chip LSI, so that the image processing function is performed on a circuit board (for example, A4 size). It is housed in one,
As for the communication control unit, the digital line interface control circuit and the telephone control circuit are integrated into an LSI, and the data demultiplexing circuit and the microprocessor interface control circuit are integrated into a one-chip LSI. (For example, A4 size) is accommodated in one sheet, so that the device accommodates a power supply unit and two circuit boards, a key panel, a camera, a display, and a cable connecting them, without providing the unit outside. Thus, an integrated small TV phone is formed. The device structure is L-shaped, the camera unit and the display unit are attached to the upper part of the L-shape, the joint is made movable, and the L
The bottom side and the vertical side of the character-shaped device are made movable, and the connection between the units mounted in each part uses a flexible cable.

Next, an image processing operation in the videophone of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The color video signal obtained from the camera section 21a is output to the video switch 22b of the image CODEC section 22. The video switch 22b is controlled by the microprocessor 24c, selects an external video signal from the video input terminal 29d or a video signal from the camera unit 21a, and outputs it to the video input circuit 22e.

The video input circuit 22e distributes and outputs the output video signal to the display processing circuit 22d and the image encoding circuit 22g. Note that the image encoding circuit 22g uses the CCIT
Recommendation T. H. In accordance with an image coding method conforming to H.261, the image data is encoded into a digital image signal compressed to a data transfer rate suitable for the transmission band of the communication line.

The image encoding circuit 22g complies with CCITT Recommendation H.264. In accordance with an image coding method conforming to H.261, the amount of information is compressed from the following three aspects by using the characteristics of an image signal.

On the other hand, the other video signal distributed from the video input circuit 22e is subjected to various switching (mirror, document transfer, etc.), which will be described in detail later, in the display processing circuit 22d, and the video output circuit 22c and the character superimposition. A desired image is output from the display unit 21b via the circuit 22a.

That is, a video signal to be output to the outside is converted into a digital image signal via a signal demultiplexing circuit 24a and a digital image signal received via an ISDN user network interface 24b and a signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a. In the circuit 22f, contrary to the above-described image coding circuit 22g, the CCITT Recommendation H.264 is used. 261 and decodes it into an analog video signal and outputs it to the video output circuit 22c.

The display processing circuit 22d includes a video input circuit 22e.
The output video signal (transmitted video signal) is converted into a mirror image or a point-symmetrical screen inverted by 180 ° and output to the video output circuit 22c. The display processing circuit 22d is controlled by the microprocessor 24c and selects the type of screen conversion.

The microprocessor 22c receives the video signal output from the image decoding circuit 22f, outputs the video signal to the character superimposing circuit 22a, and outputs the video signal to the microprocessor 24c.
And selects and outputs the small-screen display and the normal full-screen display.

The image output to the small screen area is the output signal of the display processing circuit 22d.

The character superimposing circuit 22a includes a video input circuit 22
c, input the video signal output from the
b to display the screen, and under the control of the microprocessor 24c, superimpose registered graphics, characters, and the like on the output video signal of the video input circuit 22c to display the screen.

As a result, the received digital image signal can be decoded, reproduced as an analog video signal, and a moving image can be displayed on the display unit. Further, in the screen display, it is possible to display a monitor or a figure / character on a small screen.

The signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a has three digital signal input / output functions of audio, video, and data, and multiplexes these three digital signals to form a 2B (2
× 64 kbps) equivalent to a digital signal,
It also receives a 2B-equivalent digital signal and separates it into the three destination digital signals.

Further, under the control of the microprocessor 24c, the function control of the image CODEC unit 22 and the LED
Lighting control of display control circuit 23a and video switch 22
b. Perform switch control of the analog switch circuit 24i.

The ISDN user network interface control circuit 24b of the communication control unit 24 includes a signal demultiplexing control circuit 24.
It has an input / output signal terminal for an input / output terminal corresponding to 2B, and an input / output terminal for an ISDN user network interface, and is equivalent to 2B including audio, image, and data signals multiplexed by the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a. Digital signal is input, and a D-channel (16
kbps) signal, outputs a signal equivalent to the ISDN basic interface 2B + D to the network, and outputs 2B from the network.
A signal equivalent to + D is input, a signal equivalent to 2B is separated, and output to the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a. Communication control such as calling, connection, and release with a partner terminal connected via a network is controlled by an ISDN user network interface control circuit 24b by applying a D channel signal.

The microprocessor 24c controls the function of the image CODEC unit 22 via the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a, controls the input / output of the key panel unit 23, and multiplexes three signals of voice and image data by the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a. It performs hardware control such as setting and confirmation of separation control, and also performs man-machine interface control such as output of messages on the screen.

The transmission / reception control circuit 24d receives the audio signal from the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a, decodes the analog audio signal and outputs it to the analog switch circuit 24i. It is also an audio signal processing circuit that outputs an audio signal to the signal demultiplexing control circuit 24a.

When the hold state is set during communication, the hold function control circuit 24e outputs a hold tone to the own terminal receiver and the other terminal receiver.

The clock circuit 24f is a circuit that outputs the current month, day, and hour and minute data as a clock, notifies the microprocessor 24c of a parameter indicating the time, and displays the current time and the communication time. When the speaker key provided on the key panel is pressed, the transmission / reception control circuit 24d sets the audio signal output path to the speaker output under the control of the processor 24c, and sets the reception sound to the speaker 2.
Output to 4g.

The sounder 24h generates a ringing tone. The analog switch circuit 24i switches between a transmission signal and an external audio input signal under the control of 24c by pressing an audio switching key provided on the key panel, selects a signal source, and sends the signal to the transmission / reception control circuit 24d. Output.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a communication procedure and each functional operation for performing audio / video communication by using two integrated video telephones of the present invention.

The video telephone A is a transmitting end and the video telephone B is a receiving terminal. The video telephones A and B are connected to an ISDN user network interface, and communicate with each other via a network.

A thin arrow indicates communication control by a D channel signal, and a thick arrow indicates communication control by a B channel signal.

First, on the videophone A, the user picks up the handset, goes off-hook, dials the videophone B, and starts a connection between the two via the network. IS
The call setup control is performed by the D channel signal in the DN user network interface, the call control of the video telephone B is performed from the network, and a ring tone for the video telephone A is output to the receiver. The user picks up the handset at the B side, and sends a response signal from the B side to the network and from the network to the A side by going off-hook, connecting the first B channel,
Control to enable voice communication.

Then, in order to perform image communication, the camera key provided on the key panel is depressed on the A side, and after the procedure based on the D channel signal similar to the above first B channel connection, the second B channel is set. Connecting. In this state, on the second B channel, the image coding of each of the A and B terminals,
Set and confirm the terminal capabilities such as decryption capability,
The image signal is transferred from the A side to the B side, and the received image signal is decoded on the B side and displayed on the display unit. By pressing the camera key on the B side in the same way,
The image signal obtained by encoding the camera video signal on the B side is
Transfer by channel. As a result, audio-video communication using moving images is realized simultaneously between the videophones A and B.

In each videophone, registration is set by a microprogram so that image transmission can be automatically connected to the second B channel without key operation, so that there is no control key operation until the audio / video communication state. Then you can start up.

When the camera key is pressed again during the audio / video communication, the transmission of the camera video signal is stopped from that point, and the operation is performed so that the screen is not displayed on the display unit of the other party's videophone.

When the hold key provided on the key panel is pressed during the audio / video communication, the hold sound is provided by the first B channel, and the hold screen (the stop image when the hold key is turned on) is provided by the second B channel. Each of the videophones that send the call to the other videophone and perform the hold operation outputs a hold sound to the receiver and outputs and displays a hold screen on the display unit.

By depressing the hold key again in the hold state, the audio / video communication state before the hold operation is restored.

During the audio / video communication, when the high-speed mode key provided on the key panel is pressed, the image COD is
It is possible to select two types of pre-registered image quality (coarse-quality high-speed moving image, high-quality low-speed moving image, etc.) and switch the image quality to be transmitted, using the screen definition and the coding conversion speed as parameters in the EC unit coding circuit. it can.

When the freeze key provided on the key panel is pressed during the audio / video communication, the transmission image is stopped when the freeze key is operated, and the image in that state is transmitted as a still image (still image). I do. At this time, the videophone B outputs the same image to the image encoding circuit 22g by stopping updating the image in the first frame memory under the control of the processor 24c. Therefore, the data output to the image encoding circuit 22g is the image stored in the second frame memory, so that a still image can be obtained.

Further, when the self image freeze key is pressed again, the updating of the image in the first frame memory is restarted, and the audio / video communication state of the moving image before the self image freeze key is pressed is restored. Therefore, when you want to send a still image, for example, when you want to send a document as a still image,
The image can be arbitrarily frozen. Further, the image stored in the frame memory is not updated, and the same image is continuously input to the image encoding circuit 22e. Then, the difference between the current frame and the decoded image of the previous frame gradually disappears in the encoding circuit.
Recommendation T. H. In the image coding method conforming to H.261, the bit rate that has been allocated to represent the time component can also be allocated to the spatial component, so that the resolution of the decoded image increases with time.

Also, during the audio / video communication, the videophone A
Alternatively, when B returns the handset to the main body and goes on-hook, the communication channel is disconnected and released in the D channel, and the communication is terminated. At the end of the communication, a screen is displayed on the A-side and B-side displays to indicate the end, and the display returns to the initial state.

The communication termination procedure is automatically performed by on-hook to either the A side or the B side.

FIG. 4 shows the document transfer mode. In FIG. 4, while keeping the positions of the main body 44 and the display unit 41 constant, the camera unit 42 is tilted forward with the joint portion with the main body 44 as an axis, and the camera direction is set downward.
The document transmission mode is automatically set, and the sending screen and monitor screen are set as screens that are rotated 180 ° point symmetrically, so that the sender can set the document naturally under the camera section on the main unit without turning it upside down. Just by placing it in a direction that can be checked, the other party can also see the screen in a natural direction that is not upside down. In addition, since the sender's document screen is displayed in the sub-screen area superimposed on a part of the other party's image, the user's own screen can be simultaneously monitored while viewing the received image from the other party. A block diagram is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an operation sequence.

When the camera unit 51 is moved down to the front of the apparatus and the camera orientation is set vertically downward, the switch mounted on the camera unit support unit is turned on and the camera position is set to the document transmission mode. Notify 53,
The readout (data transmission) direction of the frame memory in the image CODEC encoding circuit 56c is set so as to be 180 ° point symmetrical with the normal on the screen and transmitted, and the child screen display is automatically displayed on the display. The sub-screen display is controlled to be 180 ° point symmetric and the display 5
7 is output.

FIG. 7 shows the normal reading direction of the frame memory and the reading direction of the frame memory at the time of 180 ° point symmetric transmission of the image at the time of the picture transfer. 621 is a camera image 622
Indicates the start point of the video signal, and 623 indicates the end point. A frame memory 624 stores a digital signal obtained by A / D converting a video signal. The camera image 621 is the starting point 62
Scanning is performed in the order from the end point 623 to the frame memory 62.
4 are sequentially written.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the movable camera unit 42 accommodating the small color camera is tilted toward the front independently of the display unit 41 so that the camera direction can be set vertically downward, as shown in FIG. A camera position detection switch 52 for detecting a camera position is provided on a sliding portion of the camera section 51 (corresponding to the camera section 42 in FIG. 4), and the switch is closed when the camera section starts to fall alone. An image CODE is generated by a state change signal of this switch.
The data output (readout) of the frame memory (transmission frame memory 56b) in the image encoding circuits 56c and 56f of the C section is normally performed from the upper left to the lower right in the scanning direction from the lower right to the upper left (see FIG. 7). So that the output signal is inverted, that is, the output signal is controlled so as to be 180 ° point symmetrical, and furthermore, the image processing circuit outputs the signal output in the opposite scanning direction by the switch state change signal. The data is distributed to the display unit 41 via a small screen processing circuit (not shown), and is superimposed on a part of the full screen display area 49 to form a small screen monitor area 48.

Here, in the image CODEC section, after the camera input signal is quantized into a digital signal, the digital signal is sequentially written and read into the frame memory at a constant period, and the read method is performed. While scanning is performed in the downward direction, the image is read from the lower right to the lower left by an external control signal, the image is made 180-point symmetrical, and the image is read from the upper right to the lower left by another control signal and is output as a mirror image. As described above, the frame memory read circuit operates variably in the read direction by the control signal.

Further, the writing operation of the frame memory is stopped by the operation of the dedicated key on the key panel, and the operation is performed so that the image at the moment when the key is operated on the screen is maintained.

Further, after decoding the received video signal via the communication control unit, the decoded signal is sequentially written into the frame memory at a constant period, read out, converted into an analog signal, and output to the display. The frame memory enables data at a designated position in the entire area to be rewritten, and a character or graphic registered in advance is written at an arbitrary position by output control by a microprocessor.

Further, the information in the camera-side video signal frame memory is thinned out at regular intervals so as to reduce the screen size, and is transferred to an arbitrary area on the receiving side frame memory and rewritten.

As described above, by operating the dedicated keys on the key panel, it is possible to perform screen stillage, small-screen display, superimposition of characters, mirror image monitoring, 180 ° point symmetrical screen display at the time of document transmission, and image transmission.

Also, by returning the camera unit to the original position, the above-mentioned control is stopped upon receiving a switch state change signal,
The control program is designed to return to the state before the camera unit was defeated. Also, the bandwidth of 64 kbps is changed to 8 kbps.
Each of the channels is divided into eight channels, and to which of the eight channels the audio, image, and data signals are assigned is arbitrarily set by program control.

According to the present embodiment, the camera applied can be shared as a document camera for normal conversation, and the reverse imaging by moving the camera toward the front is automatically performed on the image C.
Since the correction is performed by the ODEC unit, there is an effect that the sender can naturally check the document without having to turn the document upside down and install the document.

Further, a holder is mounted below the camera so that a user can set a symbol or a message arbitrarily selected even when no document is placed. Thus, when the user uses the present videophone simply with the telephone function, there is an effect that the user can use the videophone without being conscious of the camera and being anxious about being monitored. In addition, with the simple operation of simply changing the card, not only can a fixed message be transmitted to the other party, but also the test pattern card can be set and the image quality can be easily tested by the image signal via the image CODEC section. There is.

Further, since the camera section has a camera section mounting mechanism that can be independently tilted to the rear side, the display is turned downward to prevent irregular reflection of the display due to extraneous light so that the screen display can be easily viewed.

Next, FIG. 8 is an external view of the back of the integrated video telephone according to one embodiment of the present invention. This videophone receives an AC 100 V commercial power supply 72 from the outside as a power supply for driving the apparatus, and turns on / off the power supply with a power switch 71.

Reference numeral 79 denotes a communication interface for connecting to a dedicated code, which is in a state where a normal code is connected. An audio signal (for example, an audio signal of a tape recorder) can be input to 73 via a dedicated code. 74 is connected to an external speaker or the like via a dedicated cord, so that the received sound can be output and monitored in parallel. A video signal (for example, a TV video signal and an external camera video signal) can be input to the device 75 via a dedicated code. 76 is connected to a television receiver or the like via a dedicated cord, and a received image can be output and monitored in parallel. 77 has RS-232C
By connecting a cable with an interface connector, serial digital data transfer with a personal computer or the like can be performed. A cable with a connector of a dedicated digital interface is connected to the cable 78 so that dedicated peripheral devices can be controlled and linked.

As shown in FIG. 8, since all external input / output interfaces are mounted on the back of the main body, when connection with external equipment is made, various wiring codes are collected on the back of the main body.
The system can be expanded by simple wiring without becoming complicated.

Next, FIG. 9 is an external view of an integrated video telephone key panel section according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to facilitate function division, various keys are classified and arranged into a telephone function key, a videophone control function key, and a dial key.

In the videophone control function key,
Display LED at the top of the key section so that the setting state of each function can be recognized for the five function keys of audio switching (A-SW), video switching (V-SW), image quality switching (high image quality), freeze, and camera. Has been implemented so that the user can easily check the status of each function.

Reference numeral 84 turns on when the power switch 71 is turned on, and turns off when the power switch 71 is turned off or power supply is stopped. Also, at the time of an incoming call, 85 flashes simultaneously with the output of a ringing tone.

FIG. 10 shows the connection structure of the main unit of the present videophone, the camera unit, the display unit, and the image CODEC unit. Body (bottom / pedestal) 91
The base portion 92 located at the rear is a base member integrated with the main body and supporting the image CODEC portion 75 or more. Reference numeral 94 denotes a support member (rotation mechanism) rotatably attached to the base 92. An image CODEC 95 is arranged on the support as shown in the figure. 98 is the support member 9
4 shows a camera display section support section (rotation mechanism section) rotatably attached to the upper end of the camera display section 4. A camera display section 96 can swing at the tip of the support section via a camera display section adjustment section 97. Attached to.
According to the configuration as shown in FIG. 10, the positions of the camera unit and the display unit can be adjusted to the near side or the far side by two rotation mechanism units in the apparatus. It also moves to adjust the height up and down.

The parallelogram-shaped support member 94 mounted on the image CODEC is mounted so that the lower two points are movable at two places on the base, and the angles of the camera section and the display section adjusting member 97 become constant. So that it can move. As a result, when the image CODEC portion is tilted forward, the support member 98 moves so as to close the long sides, and the upper side moves at a constant angle. Accordingly, the camera unit and the display unit support member fixed to the upper side move while maintaining a constant angle, and thus the height of the camera unit and the display unit surface can be adjusted while maintaining the angle at a constant.

FIG. 11 shows an integrated videophone according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which an ISDN basic interface 2B +
A data demultiplexing control circuit for demultiplexing the 2B signal of D into three types of audio, video, and data signals is formed into an LSI, and n number of these LSIs are arranged in parallel to provide a line input / output buffer in the ISDN interface unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a high-speed and wide-bandwidth videophone that is provided with signal input / output buffers in various types of data input / output interface units and that can be controlled by a microprocessor MPU, and can be applied to an n × 2B communication line capacity. .

Reference numeral 101 denotes a line input / output buffer; 102, a data demultiplexing LSI; 103, a signal input / output buffer;
04 is a microprocessor, 105 is a data port, 1
06a is an image encoding circuit, 106b is an image decoding circuit,
106c is a camera, 106d is a display, 107 is a telephone control unit, 108 is a handset, and 109 is a data input / output circuit. The line input / output buffer controls n × 2B signal input / output to the ISDN user network interface, controls demultiplexing of n data in 2B units, and further corrects the phase difference of each B channel signal. And is bonded to the LSI in 2B units. The LSIs 1 to n separate and output three types of audio, video, and data signals from the 2B signal, and input three types of audio, video, and data signals to perform data multiplexing on the 2B signal. The signal input / output buffer is used for audio / voice output from n LSIs connected in parallel.
N types of image / data signals are input, and these n data are converted into one serial signal for each of audio / image / data, output to three ports, and output to three ports. The speed of one serial signal of each of the input audio, video, and data is converted and output as n parallel signals to n LSIs connected in parallel. This allows
The sum of the transfer rates of the audio signal, image signal, and data signal is n × 2B. For example, if n = 5, the audio signal
Simultaneous two-way communication at each transfer rate of 128kbps, image signal 384kbps, data signal 128kbps becomes possible. That is,
When demultiplexing voice, image and data in the communication control unit,
Within the range of the transmission capacity of the digital line, the combination of transfer signals, for example, the combination of two signals of audio and video, or the transfer speed of each transfer signal is set by microprocessor control. The signal transfer conditions are set arbitrarily, so that simultaneous voice, image, and data communication can be performed.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram in which an integrated video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a base unit and audio and video input / output terminals are applied, and the system is applied as a parent-child video telephone system. 110 is the videophone of the present invention, 111
Is a camera, 112 is a speaker, 113 is a monitor, 114
Is a telephone, 115 is a user A, 116 is a user B, 11
7, a user C; and 118, an ISDN network.

For receiving the video / audio signal, a monitor with a speaker having a general audio / video input function is applied, and the audio and video output terminals of the video telephone are connected with a dedicated cord. Video being received,
The user B can also simultaneously confirm the audio signal in parallel with the monitor and the speaker.

For transmission of video and audio signals, a video camera output signal is connected to a video input terminal with a dedicated cable,
Also, a microphone or a telephone with an audio output terminal is connected to the audio input terminal.

When the user A switches the external video and audio input systems, the audio and video signals of either the user A or the user B are transferred to the communication partner user C via the ISDN network. As a result, communication by three parties (one to two) can be realized.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a separate type videophone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is such that the videophone is separated into an image equipment unit and a communication control unit, and each is connected by a dedicated connection cable.

In the image equipment section, the camera video signal is converted into a digital signal by an encoding circuit, connected to the connector section, and the received image signal is fetched by the same connector, connected to the decoding circuit, and connected by the decoding circuit. The digital signal is converted into an analog video signal, output to the display unit, and displayed on the display unit.

Further, the power supply voltage is supplied from the communication control unit to the image equipment unit from the same connector, and the interfaces between both units are all integrated into the same connector. In the communication control unit, the communication control circuit controls the multiplexing and demultiplexing of the image signal and the audio signal, and also controls the ISDN user network interface.

The transmission / reception control circuit performs conversion between a voice digital signal and an analog voice signal, thereby realizing a telephone function using the handset. Further, the power supply circuit supplies a power supply voltage to the image device unit via the communication control unit and the connector.

FIG. 14 is a connection diagram of the image equipment unit and the communication control unit. Camera, display unit 131 and image C
The image device unit composed of the ODEC unit 132 is attached to the image device unit joint 135 that forms a concave structure provided on the rear upper surface of the main unit 133 including the communication control unit, and the image device unit is connected with the connection cable 134. And the body part.

Thus, the image equipment units 131 and 1 can be easily arranged.
32 is formed as an integrated videophone that can be attached to and detached from the main body 133.

In the case where the image equipment section is removed and is simply applied as a digital telephone, the communication control section controls only the transmission and reception of the audio signal, and the transmission and reception of the image signal does not perform the demultiplexing control. Controlled by an internal microprocessor. Here, 136 is a handset.

When the present invention is applied to a digital telephone, a display unit 137 for a digital telephone is attached to the main body 133 instead of the image equipment section, and both are connected by a coupling cable, and information necessary for the telephone function is transmitted. Display in characters and figures.

That is, the image CODEC section 132 and the camera display section 131 are integrated, and a main body section 133 including a communication control section, a telephone control section, and a power supply section are connected by a detachable cable 134. , And is configured to be detachable.

FIG. 15 is an external view of each application as a digital telephone and a video telephone.

In FIG. 15, a camera having a digital telephone function is provided with a detachable display section and the like via a supporting member, that is, an image CODEC section, a camera section, and a display section are integrated. It is detached independently from the main unit, and the communication control unit is controlled by a microprocessor so as to transmit and receive voice and data signals, excluding image signal transmission and reception, using only the main unit. It works and can make voice simultaneous calls.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams of three types of still image transmission systems in the image CODEC of one embodiment of the present invention. The camera image is input to the image CODEC image coding circuit, and is input to the frame memory as an image signal having 256 × 352 pixels. 256 is the number of dots in the vertical direction of the screen, and 352 is the number of dots in the horizontal direction. In the transmission mode A, an image signal having 256 × 352 pixels is encoded, and image data is transferred and decoded on the receiving side.
Play back to a 56 × 352 image. The pixel size is (1/2
56) × (1/352). In the transmission mode B, an image signal having 256 × 352 pixels is encoded with a pixel size four times as large as that of the mode A, that is, a pixel size of (1/128) × (1/176), and image data is transferred. The image is decoded on the receiving side and reproduced as an image having 128 × 176 pixels. According to the still image transmission method of both modes, user-friendly still image transmission that can cope with two cases, that is, a case where a fine image is faithfully transmitted and a case where a fine image is transmitted to the other party even if the definition is reduced, can be realized. .

Further, in the transmission mode C, the screen is divided into four equal parts vertically and horizontally, and each area is divided into one image.
In the sequential transmission mode B, the image signal is encoded into an image signal of 128 × 176 pixels, decoded on the receiving side, and then transmitted continuously four times from the area to transmit the image signal of 256 × 35 pixels.
2. Play one still image. As a result, a fine image can be transmitted faithfully and quickly, and the usability in still image transmission is improved.

FIG. 18 is a component mounting layout diagram of a communication control board of an integrated videophone as one embodiment of the present invention.

The circuit arrangement includes an ISDN user network interface control circuit section 1601, a signal demultiplexing control circuit section 16
02, microprocessor section 1603, transmission / reception control circuit section 1604, analog and digital input / output circuit section 16
06 and 1607, and further divided into peripheral circuit sections 1605 such as a clock circuit and a battery circuit, and each section is arranged so that the signal system is simple and the wiring length is short as indicated by the arrow in the figure.
Also, on one side around the substrate 1600, input / output terminals for audio, video, serial and parallel data, and an ISD
An N user network interface terminal is mounted, and the external input / output terminals are arranged on the back of the videophone so as to be gathered.

The switches are arranged in one upper right corner. The switch mounted on the right side of the board is a switch 1617 for sounder volume and tone adjustment.
The device is mounted on the side of the videophone so that the setting can be switched. DIP switch 1616
Is a switch for turning on and off the memory backup circuit, which is not normally used, and is mounted so as to be arranged on the back side of the videophone.

Further, the board 1600 is provided with a double-sided mounting, in which communication control, man-machine interface control and digital telephone functions are mounted on a single board and integrated. Further, in order to mount the handset on the left side of the device, a handset terminal 1615 (modular jack) was mounted on the left side of the board.

That is, each terminal 73-7 for audio input, audio output, video input, video output, serial data input / output, and parallel data input / output, using the general-purpose connector as an external input / output terminal.
8 is mounted on the back of the main body, and a voice input signal and a voice signal from a transmitter are input to a two-input analog switch (see FIG. 2) and output to a voice input circuit of a telephone control unit (see FIG. 2). An input signal is input to a two-input video switch (analog input / output circuit unit 1606), input to an image encoding circuit, and each path switching is selected by a control key of a key panel unit. Processor unit 1
603, a device having serial signal transfer capability is applied to the microprocessor unit, and the serial signal input / output terminal is connected to an external serial data input / output connector via an input / output drive circuit (not shown). And a communication control unit data input / output signal terminal is connected to an external parallel data input / output connector via an input / output drive circuit (not shown).
The receiver is configured to distribute and connect the received audio signal to the receiver, and to the video output terminal to distribute and connect the received video signal to the display unit.

[0109]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

The image CODEC part is housed and integrated in the videophone device, and the image CODEC part is arranged so as to obtain the heat radiation effect.
Through a support part having an ODEC part (vertical side of L-shape)
A camera installed on the head of the device, an image device unit consisting of a display unit, a communication control unit installed on the bottom (pedestal unit), and a main unit including a power supply unit are combined and integrated, so that wiring inside the device is performed. For example, one multi-core (50-core) cable between the image CODEC unit and the communication control unit, one multi-core (25-core) cable between the communication control unit and the key panel unit, a camera and a display unit Since a single multi-core (4-core) cable and power supply are used to connect the image signal CODEC to the communication control unit, image CODEC unit, camera unit, and display unit, a simple and space-saving wiring can be realized. It is.

Therefore, the amount of air that blocks the flow of air in the internal space of the apparatus is reduced, the air cooling effect is increased, and the system can be easily separated in the event of a system failure.

Further, when the camera is rotated by a predetermined angle to project a document, and when the document image is to be transmitted to the display unit of the own apparatus or the other apparatus for display, the image is displayed in 180-degree point symmetry. This makes it possible for the user of the apparatus to view the book images in the correct vertical positional relationship, thereby making it easier to see the drawing.

Further, by providing an external terminal on the main body and connecting it to another device such as a personal computer, data can be transmitted / received to / from the outside, and its application range can be expanded. It is possible to realize a terminal that can be laid out and improve usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional block configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an application example of an embodiment when transferring document information in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document transmission function block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation sequence at the time of transmitting a document according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reading direction of the frame memory in a normal state and in a document transfer.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a rear appearance structure of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an appearance of a key panel unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the internal structure of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a high-speed broadband videophone in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an application example of three-party communication in combination with an external audio device and an external video device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a separate type videophone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an external side view of a separated type videophone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an external view of an application example of the separated type videophone of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a still image transmission method in the image CODEC of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of another still image transmission system in the image CODEC of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a component mounting layout of the communication control board according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Display part 12 ... Camera part 13 ... Image CODEC part 14 ... Image CODEC board 15 ... Communication / control board 16 ... Key panel part 17 ... Power supply part 18 ...・ Body
19 ... handset 21 ... camera, display unit 21a ... camera unit 21b ... display unit 22 ... image CODEC unit 22a ... character superimposition circuit 22b ... video switch 22c ... Image output circuit 22d Display processing circuit 22e Image input circuit 22f Image decoding circuit 22g Image encoding circuit 23 Key panel unit 23a LED display control circuit 23b ..Video telephone function key control circuit 23c ... Dial key control circuit 24 ... Communication control unit 24a ... Signal demultiplexing control circuit 24b ... ISDN user network interface control circuit 24c ... Microprocessor 24d ..Transmission / reception control circuit 24e: hold function control circuit 24f: clock circuit 24g: speaker 24h ..Sounder 24i Analog switch circuit 25 Power supply unit 26 Handset 20 Commercial power plug 27 ISDN user network interface circuit connection unit 28 Parallel data input / output terminal 29 ... Serial data input / output terminals

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 7, 2000 (2000.6.7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

2. A videophone device connected to a digital communication line for transmitting and receiving an image signal, comprising: a camera for inputting an image signal, a display for displaying the image signal, and an image signal input from the camera. Digitized,
An image signal encoding / decoding unit which compresses and encodes the encoded image data and decodes the encoded image data received via the digital communication line, and a code which encodes the image signal input from the camera A communication control unit that performs transmission control and reception control of encoded image data and encoded image data that is received through the digital communication line; an image signal display processing unit that performs display processing of an image signal to be displayed on the display; A switch is provided on the support that supports the rotation of the camera,
When the camera is at an interpersonal position, the image signal display processing unit displays an image signal scanned in a normal scanning direction input from the camera on the display, and the communication control unit communicates via the digital communication line. When the camera transmits encoded image data obtained by encoding an image signal scanned in the normal scanning direction input from the camera, and tilts the camera forward and rotates downward, the switch is activated, and the image signal is transmitted. The display processing unit displays an image signal obtained by scanning the image input from the camera in a scanning direction opposite to a normal direction on the display, and the communication control unit displays the image signal input from the camera via the digital communication line. An integrated videophone device for transmitting encoded image data obtained by encoding an image signal obtained by scanning an image signal in a scanning direction opposite to a normal direction.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoji Shibata 292 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi Inside the Prototype Development Center, Hitachi Ltd. Inside the Manufacturing Prototype Development Center (72) Inventor Masaaki Takizawa 1-280 Higashi Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Inside the Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Kenji Yokoi 1-280 Higashi Koigabo-ku, Kokubunji, Tokyo In-house (72) Inventor Katsumi Mikamo 1410 Inada, Katsuta, Ibaraki, Japan Tokai Plant, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshinobu Matsubayashi 292, Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Japan Prototype Development Center, Inc.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image input / output unit, comprising: a camera for inputting an image signal; and a display for displaying the image signal, comprising: a camera; The first image signal input from is digitized and compressed and encoded into first encoded image data, and the second encoded image data received via the digital communication line is converted into a second image signal. An image signal encoding / decoding unit for decoding and sending the image signal to the display; and a communication control for controlling transmission of the first and second encoded image data to the digital communication line and reception control from the digital communication line. A connection unit between the image input / output unit, the image signal encoding / decoding unit, and the communication control unit is housed in the videophone device to form an integrated structure. A power cord and the digital communication line cord are connected to the outside of the videophone device, and the integrated videophone device digitally converts the first image signal to the image signal encoding / decoding unit. A frame memory for storing the converted image data is provided with a switch on a supporting portion for supporting the rotation of the camera, and when the camera is rotated downward, the switch is turned on to set the document transmission data. An integrated videophone device comprising means for detecting and making image data read out from the frame memory point-symmetrical by 180 degrees.