JPH04265086A - Integrated type visual telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a telephone set which is adapted to transfer of figures and pictures and is suitably made multifunctional as a multimedium terminal by placing a picture codec between camera display parts and a communication control part. CONSTITUTION:A display part 11 and a camera part 12 are integrated in the head part of the telephone set, and a picture codec part 13 including a picture encoding/decoding circuit and a codec part substrate 14 are integrated in its supporting part, and a communication equipment control substrate 15 including a communication control circuit and a telephone control circuit and a key panel part including telephone function keys, TV telephone control keys, and indicator lamps are integrated in its bottom part. Respective constitution parts are connected and wired in the integrated device, and connection and wiring on the outside of the integrated device are reduced to a cord for digital communication line.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a color moving image video telephone that simultaneously communicates voice, moving images, and data in two directions in real time using a high-speed digital communication network, and particularly relates to an image CODEC and a communication control circuit. Regarding all-in-one videophones including.

0002

[Prior Art] A conventional color moving image video telephone device is
The image CODEC section is large and is placed separately from the videophone main body, and the two are connected by cable. Also,
The camera and display are generally fixed to the main body. Further, the camera section is fixed to the main body and can only be oriented in a certain direction, so the direction cannot be adjusted freely.

Furthermore, the camera is not suitable for special applications such as document and image transmission, and is usually used for photographing people. When photographing objects other than people, the camera can be detached independently, but there is no structure such as a stand to support the camera. There is also a structure in which a plane mirror is attached in front of the camera to take pictures of calligraphy and the calligraphy can be set on a pedestal (bottom), but the camera is integrated with the display.

[0004] Related devices of this type include, for example, Fujitsu Technical Report 41.3, PP. 243-247
(May 1990 edition), JP-A-2-39790, and JP-A-2-22989.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned conventional technology does not give consideration to mobility and portability, and the installation location of the device is limited and movement is difficult.
Furthermore, there are many cables connected to the main unit, making it difficult to use as a terminal device.

[0006] Furthermore, when transferring calligraphic information such as documents and photographs, the camera orientation during dialogue is such that the document is lifted with the hand in front of the camera and the photograph is taken. It is not possible to send images stably with good definition. In addition, for videophones with a foldable camera unit, the camera unit simply points downward, so the calligraphy must be set upside down from the direction the sender is viewing it, and the sender and the other party are At the same time, there is the issue of not being able to see calligraphy and paintings naturally.

[0007] Furthermore, regarding the height and angle adjustment mechanism of the camera/display section of the main body, there is a problem in that there is only one movable point between the main body and the camera/display section, making it impossible to set the desired height and angle. There is. In addition, the camera unit always faces the user, and even when the user does not want to send images (for example, when using a digital phone), the structure makes the user aware of the camera, creating the problem that it is impossible to eliminate the image of being monitored. be.

[0008] Furthermore, in the image and audio multiplex transmission system,
The transfer rate of each source signal is fixed, and only data of a certain audio or image quality can be transferred. Furthermore, it does not have external input/output functions as a multimedia terminal, including all audio, image, and data signals, and lacks expandability because it only functions as a videophone terminal. In addition, it lacks the ability to select multiple functions, since it only realizes the function of a videophone terminal that always involves image transmission, rather than communication control that allows it to be used as a simple digital telephone terminal.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
To provide an integrated video phone that improves convenience, mobility, and ease of use by integrating the video phone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated video telephone that simplifies the wiring within the device and saves external connection wiring.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an integrated video telephone that is suitable for both the transfer of people and documents and pictures, and is suitable for multifunctionalization as a multimedia terminal.

0012

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a movable head having a video input means for inputting video and a display means for displaying an image signal, a bottom portion having a communication control means for multiplexing encoded information and transmitting and receiving it to a communication network; a means for supplying power; and a telephone control means for controlling a transmitting/receiving function and a key panel section; and an image code for encoding a video input signal. The apparatus includes an image code decoding means including an image decoding circuit and an image decoding circuit that decodes a received image signal, and a support part that connects and supports the head part and the bottom part.

[0013] Also, there is provided a communication control unit for controlling multiplexing and demultiplexing of audio, image, and digital data and communication control for digital communication lines, a key panel unit for inputting dial or other function selections, a transmitting/receiving function, and the key panel. A camera unit that inputs video, a display unit that outputs video, an image encoding circuit that encodes the video input signal, and an image decoding circuit that decodes the received image signal. It has an image CODEC section,
Each component of the communication control section, key panel section, telephone control section, camera section, display section, and image CODEC section is integrated, and connection wiring between each component is performed within the integrated device, and the above-mentioned The connection wiring outside the integrated device is reduced to a digital communication line cord.

For example, an image encoding circuit, an image decoding circuit, and an analog video signal processing circuit in an image CODEC section are each made into LSIs, and the circuit board on which they are mounted is made of A4 size 1 mainly surface-mounted components. The communication and device control circuits can be miniaturized to about 1-chip LS.
It is integrated and the communication control and telephone control are mounted on a single A4-sized circuit board mainly composed of surface-mounted parts. In addition, in addition to these circuit boards, a small switching power supply, a small color camera using a 1/2-inch CCD, and a general-purpose small (5-inch) liquid crystal display panel will be integrated into one device. This is how it was done. In addition, the device is L-shaped, and the circuit board on which the power supply unit, communication control unit, and telephone control unit are mounted is mounted on the bottom of the L-shape, and the image CODEC unit circuit board is mounted on the side of the L-shape. A camera section and a display section including a liquid crystal panel are attached to the top, and all connections between each section are housed within the device, and two external cables are connected: a commercial power supply cord and a digital communication line cord. Only.

[0015] In addition, in order to achieve the other object mentioned above, the camera unit housing the small color camera can be tilted forward independently of the display unit to set the camera orientation vertically downward, and a switch is installed in the sliding unit. The switch is closed when the camera unit starts to fall forward on its own, and the image CODE is determined by the state change signal of this switch.
The data output (reading) of the frame memory in the C part image encoding circuit is normally performed in the scanning direction from the upper left to the lower right.
Control is performed so that the scanning direction is reversed from the lower right to the upper left, that is, the sending signals are 180° symmetrical, and the video processing circuit reverses the scanning direction according to the switch state change signal. The output signal is distributed and input to a small screen processing circuit, a monitor screen is superimposed on a part of the receiving screen, and the signal is output to the display section.

[0016] Furthermore, a control program was set in which, by returning the camera unit to its original position, the above-mentioned control is stopped in response to a switch state change signal, and the camera unit returns to the state before the camera unit was folded down.

[0017] In addition, in order to achieve the other objects mentioned above, the device structure is L-shaped, the camera section and the display section are attached to the upper part of the L shape, the joint is movable, and the bottom side of the L-shaped device is The parts and vertical sides are movable, and flexible cables are used to connect the units mounted inside each part.

[0018] In addition, in order to achieve the above other objects, 6
Dividing the 4kbps band into 8 channels of 8kbps each,
The channel to which the audio, image, and data signals are assigned to among the eight channels can be arbitrarily set by program control.

In addition, in order to achieve the other objects mentioned above, the general-purpose connector is used as an external input/output terminal, and each terminal for audio input, audio output, video input, video output, serial data input/output, and parallel data input/output is connected to the back of the main body. The audio input signal and the audio signal from the handset are input to a 2-input analog switch and output to the telephone control unit audio input circuit, and the video input signal is input to a 2-input video switch to perform image encoding. input to the circuit, select each route switch using the control key on the key panel, and control the route by a microprocessor upon receiving the key signal.Furthermore, a device with serial signal transfer capability is applied to the microprocessor. , connect the serial signal input/output terminal to the external serial data input/output connector via the input/output drive circuit, and further connect the communication control section data input/output signal terminal to the external parallel data input/output connector via the input/output drive circuit. Also, the audio output terminal was connected to distribute the received audio signal to the receiver, and the video output terminal was connected to the video output terminal to distribute the received video signal to the display unit.

[0020] In addition, in order to achieve the other objects mentioned above, the image CODEC section, camera section, and display section are integrated, and the main body including the communication control section, telephone control section, and power supply section is connected with a removable cable. They were connected together, making both structurally removable.

[0021]

[Operation] The image CODEC is located as a system system between the camera, display unit, and communication control unit, and is configured to be mounted on the vertical side of the L-shaped structure as described above, for example. As a result, the inter-board wiring can be simplified and integrated.

Furthermore, in order to integrate the image CODEC into the device, in order to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by the power consumption of the image CODEC, the image CODEC is mounted on the vertical side of the L-shaped structure, so that the board mounted vertically can be easily dissipated. By allowing air to flow in a planar direction from the bottom to the top, the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced.

For example, in the image CODEC section, the image encoding circuit and the image decoding circuit are each implemented using one chip LSI.
By converting the image processing function to a circuit board (for example, A4
In addition, for the communication control section, the digital line interface control circuit and telephone control circuit are integrated into an LSI, and the data multiplexing/demultiplexing circuit and microprocessor interface control circuit are integrated into one chip LSI.
The communication control unit and telephone control unit are housed on one circuit board (for example, A4 size), and the device includes a power supply unit, two circuit boards, a key panel, a camera,
The display and the cable that connects them are accommodated, and an integrated, compact videophone is constructed without the need for an external unit.

[0024]Also, when the camera unit is tilted toward you around the joint with the main body while the position of the main body and display unit are kept constant, and the camera orientation is set downward, the document transmission mode is automatically set. The send screen and monitor screen are set as screens rotated 180 degrees symmetrically, so the sender can simply place the document under the camera on the main unit in an orientation that allows for natural settings and confirmation without having to turn it upside down. , the other party can also see the screen in its natural orientation, not upside down. Furthermore, by displaying the sender's drawing screen in a sub-screen area superimposed on a portion of the other party's image, it is possible to simultaneously monitor the self-view while viewing the image received from the other party.

Furthermore, the position of the camera section and the display section can be adjusted to the front or to the back using two rotating mechanism sections in the device. It also moves so that its height can be adjusted up and down. In addition, when demultiplexing audio, images, and data in the communication control unit, within the transmission capacity of the digital line, transfer signals such as a combination of audio and video signals are controlled by a microprocessor. By setting the combination or setting the transfer speed of each transfer signal, the transfer conditions for the three signals can be arbitrarily set, thereby allowing mutual simultaneous communication of voice, image, and data.

Furthermore, the image CODEC section, the camera section, and the display section can be removed from the main body as one unit, and the communication control section can be replaced with a microprocessor so that the main body can transmit and receive audio and data signals, excluding image signal transmission and reception. It operates as a standalone digital telephone and allows simultaneous voice and voice calls.

Furthermore, when an audio signal is input to the audio input terminal, the audio path selection key causes the analog switch to cut off the audio signal input from the transmitter via the microprocessor, and allows the audio signal to be input from the external audio input terminal. The input signal is output to the telephone control circuit, and the external audio signal is sent to the other party's terminal. Also, when a video signal is input to the video input terminal, the video path selection key causes the video switch to cut off the video signal input from the camera via the microprocessor, and convert the video input signal from the external audio input terminal into an image code. connection circuit and sends external video signals to the other party's terminal. Furthermore, the signals to be output to the receiver and the display are distributed to the audio and video output terminals, respectively, and the signals are output. This makes it possible to realize expandable audio-visual communication by connecting with audio-visual equipment.

In addition, when the serial data input/output terminal is connected to a device having an external serial data input/output function, such as a personal computer, the serial data input/output function of the microprocessor allows the serial data to be transferred using a certain serial data transfer method. Serial data can be sent and received externally.

Furthermore, when a peripheral device having an external parallel data input/output function is connected to the parallel data input/output terminal, the data input/output terminal of the communication control circuit is connected to the serial/parallel conversion circuit and the input/output terminal as the parallel data input/output terminal. It is connected via an output drive circuit and can send and receive data signals to and from the other party's terminal.

[0030] Also, in the image CODEC section, after quantizing the camera input signal into a digital signal, the digital signal is sequentially written into the frame memory at a constant period.
The readout method is normally scanned from the top left of the screen to the bottom right, but the image is read from the bottom right to the bottom left using an external control signal, making the image 180° symmetrical.
Furthermore, another control signal outputs the read image as a mirror image from the upper right to the lower left. In this way, the frame memory read circuit operates with the read direction variably controlled by the control signal.

Further, by operating a dedicated key on the key panel, writing to the frame memory is stopped and the screen is maintained as it is at the moment the key is operated. moreover,
After decoding the video signal received via the communication control unit, the decoded signal is sequentially written into and read from the frame memory at a constant cycle, converted into an analog signal, and then output to the display. This frame memory is capable of rewriting data at a specified position within the entire area, and pre-registered characters and figures can be written at any position under output control by a microprocessor. Furthermore, the information in the frame memory for video signals on the camera side is thinned out at regular intervals so as to reduce the screen size, and is transferred and rewritten to an arbitrary area on the frame memory on the receiving side.

As described above, by operating the dedicated keys on the key panel, it is possible to freeze the screen, display a sub-screen, superimpose characters, display a mirror image monitor, display a 180° symmetrical screen during document and image transmission, and send out an image.

As described above, according to the pair-type video telephone of the present invention, a digital communication line is applied, and simultaneous two-way communication using audio, video, and data can be performed.

[0034]

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of an integrated video telephone according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, numeral 11 at the head, that is, the L-shaped upper part, is a display section, and 12 is a camera section. In addition, the supporting part, that is, the vertical side part 13 of the L-shape is an image encoding
Image CODEC unit including a decoding circuit, 14 is an image COD
It is an EC board. Furthermore, the bottom part (pedestal), that is, the L-shaped bottom part 15 includes a communication device control board including a communication control circuit and a telephone control circuit, and 16 includes a telephone function key, a videophone control key, and an indicator light. Key panel section, 17
18 is a main body including external input/output terminals including 15, 16 and 17, and 19 is a handset.

Next, the overall structure of the integrated video telephone according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 21a is a camera section, 2
1b is a display section, 21 is a camera display section including 21a and 21b, and 22 is an image CODEC section, which is composed of the following 22a to 22g. 22a is a character superimposition circuit; 22b is a video switch circuit; 22c is a video output circuit; 22d is a display processing circuit that controls the display method of the display screen; 22e is a video input circuit;
f is an image decoding circuit that reproduces the received digital image signal as a video signal, and 22g is an image encoding circuit that converts the video signal output from 22e into a digital signal for the communication control section.

23 is a key panel section, and the following 23a to 2
Consists of 3c. 23a is an LED display control circuit;
3b is a videophone function key control circuit, and 23c is a dial key control circuit.

24 is a communication control unit, and the following 24a to 24
Consists of i. 24a is a signal multiplexing/demultiplexing control circuit;
4b is an ISDN user network interface control circuit, 24
c is a microprocessor that controls each part in the device; 24d;
The transmission/reception control circuit 24e is a hold function control circuit, 24f is a clock circuit, 24g is a speaker, 24h is a sounder that generates a signal tone, and 24i is an analog switch circuit.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a power supply section, which inputs commercial power from the outside through a commercial power plug 20 and supplies constant voltage to 21, 22, and 24. 26 is a handset and is connected to the main body by cable. 27 is an ISDN user network interface line connection section, 28 is a parallel data input/output terminal, and 29 is a serial data input/output terminal, which are mounted on the main body as input/output connectors.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The color video signal obtained from 21a is output to 22b. 22b is controlled by 24c and receives an external video input signal,
22a video signal is selected and outputted to 22e. 22e distributes and outputs the 22b output signal to 22d and 22g, respectively. The video signal input to 22g is CC-coded at 22g.
ITT Recommendation H. The signal is encoded into a digital image signal compressed to a data transfer rate suitable for the transmission band of the communication line using a method compliant with H.261, and is output to 24a.

With this, the camera video signal or the external video input signal is selected, and the IS
It becomes possible to send it to the DN user network interface.

Further, the digital image signal outputted from the image signal system output terminal 24a is inputted to 22f, and
Contrary to CCITT Recommendation H.g. The video signal is decoded into an analog video signal using a method compliant with H.261 and output to 22c. 22d converts the video signal (transmission video signal) output from 22e into a mirror image or a point-symmetric screen inverted by 180 degrees, and outputs it to 22c. 22d is controlled by 24c and selects the type of screen conversion. 22c inputs the video signal output from 22f and outputs it to 22a, and is controlled by 24c to select and output a small screen display or a normal full screen display. Note that the image output to the child screen area is the output signal of 22d.

22a inputs the video signal output from 22c and outputs it to 21b for screen display;
Under the control of 4c, registered figures, characters, etc. are superimposed on the output video signal of 22c and displayed on the screen.

[0043] Thereby, 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. Furthermore, in screen display, it is possible to monitor using a sub-screen or to display figures and characters.

Furthermore, the 24a has digital signal input/output functions for three systems: audio, image, and data, and multiplexes these three systems of digital signals and transmits them as a digital signal equivalent to 2B (2 x 64 kbps). It receives a digital signal and separates it into three systems of digital signals. In addition, the signal transfer speed of each system can be set arbitrarily within a range where the total is equal to 2B, that is, 128 kbps or less, so, for example, a combination of 56 kbps audio signal transfer, 64 kbps image signal transfer, and 8 kbps data signal transfer. Enables two-way multiplex communication control with variable transfer speed. The transfer method is based on CCITT recommendation H. 221 and H. 2
Communication control is performed using a method compliant with 42.

Furthermore, under the control of 24c, the functions of 22, lighting control of 23a, and switch control of 22b and 24i are performed.

24b has an input/output signal terminal for the input/output terminal equivalent to 2B of 24a and an input/output terminal for an ISDN user network interface, and has an input/output terminal corresponding to 2B including the audio, image, and data signals multiplexed by 24a. The D channel (1
6kbps) signal, outputs a signal equivalent to ISDN basic interface 2B+D to the network, and also outputs a signal equivalent to ISDN basic interface 2B+D to the network.
Input the signal equivalent to B+D and separate the signal equivalent to 2B.
Output to a. Calls to other terminals connected via the network,
Communication control such as connection and cancellation uses D channel signals.
b controls.

24c is a microprocessor having a microprogram on the memory, which controls the functions of 22 through 24a, the input/output control of 23, and the setting and confirmation of multiplexing and demultiplexing control of the three signals of audio and image data through 24a; In addition to performing hardware control, it also performs man-machine interface control such as message output on the screen.

24d inputs the audio signal from 24a, decodes the analog audio signal, and outputs it to 24i.
This is an audio signal processing circuit that encodes an analog audio signal input from 4i and outputs a digital audio signal to 24a.

Reference numeral 24e denotes a hold tone generation circuit for outputting a hold tone to the receiver of the own terminal and the receiver of the other party's terminal when a hold state is set during communication. 24f is a circuit that outputs data of the current month, day, hour and minute as a clock, and notifies 24c of parameters indicating the time to display the current time and communication time. Further, 24g is a speaker, and by pressing a speaker key provided on the key panel, 24d, under the control of 24c, sets the audio signal output path to speaker output and outputs the received sound to the speaker.

Further, 24h is a sounder, which generates a ringing tone. The 24i also switches between a transmitting signal and an external audio input signal and selects the signal source under the control of the 24c by pressing the audio switching key provided on the key panel.
Output to d.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a communication procedure and each functional operation for audio-visual communication using two integrated video telephones of the present invention will be explained.

[0052] Video telephone A is a calling terminal, and video telephone B is a receiving terminal, and they are connected to an ISDN user network interface and communicate between them via the network. Thin arrows indicate communication control using D channel signals, and thick arrows indicate communication control using B channel signals.

[0053] First, on videophone A, the user picks up the handset, goes off-hook, dials videophone B, and starts a connection between the two via the network. IS
Call setting control is performed using the D channel signal at the DN user network interface, and the network performs calling control for videophone B, and a ringing tone for videophone A is output to the receiver. When the user on the B side picks up the handset and goes off-hook, a response signal is sent from the B side to the network, and from the network to the A side, the first B channel is connected, and voice communication is enabled.

After that, in order to perform image communication, by pressing the camera key provided on the key panel on the A side, the second B channel is connected after the same procedure using the D channel signal as the first B channel connection. Connecting. In this state,
On the 2nd B channel, settings and confirmation regarding terminal capabilities such as image encoding and decoding capabilities of each terminal A and B are performed, and the image signal is transferred from the A side to the B side, and the B side receives the received image signal. It is decoded and displayed on the display unit. Also, B
By similarly pressing the camera key on the B side, an image signal obtained by encoding the camera video signal on the B side is transferred through the second B channel. As a result, audio-visual communication using moving images was realized between videophones A and B at the same time.

[0055] By registering and setting each videophone using a microprogram so that the image transmission can be automatically connected to the 2nd B channel without key operations, it is possible to control the voice and image communication state without any key operations. And you can launch it.

Furthermore, by pressing the camera key again during audio/video communication, transmission of the camera video signal is stopped from that point on, and the video telephone at the other end is operated so as not to be displayed on the display section.

Also, by pressing the hold key provided on the key panel during voice image communication, the 1B channel will play the hold sound, and the 2B channel will display the hold screen (the frozen image at the time the hold key was turned on). At the same time, in the video telephone of the party performing the hold operation, a hold tone is output to the handset and a hold screen is output and displayed on the display unit.

Furthermore, by pressing the hold key again in the hold state, the voice/image communication state before the hold operation is restored.

[0059] Also, during voice/image communication, by pressing the high speed mode key provided on the key panel, the image COD
It is possible to select two types of pre-registered image quality (coarse-quality high-speed video, high-quality low-speed video, etc.) using the screen definition and encoding conversion speed as parameters in the EC encoding circuit, and to switch the transmitted image quality. can.

[0060] Also, by pressing the freeze key provided on the key panel during audio image communication, the image to be sent out will be stopped at the moment the freeze key is operated, and the image in that state will be sent out as a still image. do.

Furthermore, by pressing the freeze key again, the still image transmission state is canceled and the previous state of voice and image communication using moving images is restored.

[0062] Also, during audio/video communication, videophone A
Alternatively, when B returns the handset to the main body and goes on-hook, communication disconnection and release procedures are performed on the D channel, and communication is terminated. Furthermore, at the end of the communication, a screen display indicating the end is made on each display section of the A side and the B side, and the communication returns to the initial state.

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

FIG. 4 shows the drawing transfer mode. A block diagram is shown in FIG. Further, the operation sequence is shown in FIG. When the camera unit 51 is tilted toward the front of the device and the camera orientation is set vertically downward, a switch mounted on the camera unit support turns on and notifies the main body microprocessor 53 that the camera position has been set to the document transmission mode. Then, the reading (data sending) direction of the frame memory in the image CODEC encoding circuit 56c is set so as to be 180° symmetrical with the normal one on the screen, and the sub-screen display is automatically displayed on the display. , and further controls the sub-screen display so that it is 180° symmetrical and outputs it to the display 57.

FIG. 7 shows the normal readout direction of the frame memory and the readout direction of the frame memory during document transfer and 180° symmetrical video transmission. 621 is the camera image 622
623 indicates the starting point of the video signal, and 623 indicates the ending point. Further, 624 is a frame memory that stores a digital signal after A/D conversion of the video signal. Camera image 621 is the starting point 62
2 to the end point 623, and the frame memory 62
4 will be written sequentially.

According to this embodiment, the camera used for normal conversation can be shared as a document camera, and moreover, the image CO
Since the correction is made in the DEC section, the sender does not have to take the trouble of turning the document upside down and setting it up, but the sender can naturally place the document and check it.

[0067] Furthermore, a holder is mounted below the camera so that the user can set any desired design or message even when no documents are placed there. This has the effect that when the user is using the videophone for a simple telephone function, he or she can use the videophone without being aware of the camera and without worrying that he or she is being monitored. In addition, with the simple operation of changing the card, you can not only transfer a fixed message to the other party, but also set a test pattern card and easily perform an image quality test using the image signal via the image CODEC section. There is.

[0068] Furthermore, since the camera part is equipped with a mounting mechanism that allows the camera part to be tilted to the back by itself, the display is tilted downward to prevent diffused reflection of the display due to external light and to make the screen display easier to see.

Next, FIG. 8 is a rear external view of an integrated video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention. This video telephone receives AC 100V commercial power from the outside as a power source for driving the device, and uses a power switch 71 to turn the power on and off.

Further, 79 is a communication interface for connecting with a dedicated cord, and is in a state where a normal cord is connected. An audio signal (for example, an audio signal from 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, and the received voice can be output and monitored in parallel. A video signal (for example, a television video signal, an external camera video signal) can be input to 75 via a dedicated code. 76 is connected to a television receiver or the like via a dedicated cord, and the received images can be output and monitored in parallel. 77, a cable with an RS-232C interface connector can be connected to perform serial digital data transfer with a personal computer or the like. A cable with a dedicated digital interface connector can be connected to 78 to control and interlock dedicated peripheral equipment.

As shown in Figure 8, all external input/output interfaces are mounted on the back of the main unit, so when connecting to external equipment, various wiring cords are consolidated on the back of the main unit.
System expansion can be achieved through clean wiring without complication.

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

[0073] Also, in the videophone control function key,
The five function keys, audio switching (A-SW), video switching (V-SW), image quality switching (high quality), freeze, and camera, have display LEDs on the tips of the keys so that the setting status of each function can be recognized. was implemented to allow users to easily check the status of each function.

84 lights up when the power switch 71 is turned on, and goes out when the power switch 71 is turned off or the power supply is cut off. Further, when a call is received, 85 flashes at the same time as the ring tone is output.

FIG. 10 shows the connection structure of the main body of the videophone, and the units of the camera section, display section, and image CODEC section. Main body (bottom/pedestal) 91
The base portion 92 located at the rear is a base member that is integrated with the main body and supports the image CODEC portion 75 and above.

The parallelogram-shaped support member 94 mounted on the image CODEC section is mounted with movability at two lower points on the base, so that the angles of the camera section and display section adjustment member 97 are constant. It has a structure that moves like this. As a result, when the image CODEC unit is tilted forward, the support member 98 moves so that the distance between the long sides becomes narrower, and the upper side moves while keeping the angle constant. As a result, the camera section and display section support member fixed to the upper side part move while maintaining a constant angle, so that the heights of the surfaces of the camera section and display section can be adjusted while keeping the angle constant.

FIG. 11 shows the ISDN basic interface 2B+ in an integrated video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A data demultiplexing control circuit that multiplexes and demultiplexes the 2B signal of D into three types of signals: audio, image, and data is implemented as an LSI, and n pieces of this LSI are connected in parallel to provide a line input/output buffer in the ISDN interface section. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a high-speed, wide-band video telephone that can be applied to a communication line capacity of n×2B by providing signal input/output buffers in each type of data input/output interface section so that they can be controlled by a microprocessor MPU. . 101 is a line input/output buffer, 102 is a data demultiplexing LSI, 10
3 is a signal input/output buffer, 104 is a microprocessor, 105 is a data port, 106a is an image encoding circuit,
106b is an image decoding circuit, 106c is a camera, 106
d 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 performs input/output control of n×2B signals to the ISDN user network interface, performs demultiplexing control for n data in 2B units, and further corrects the phase difference of each B channel signal. It is connected to the LSI in units of 2B. LSI1 to n separate the 2B signal into three types of signals: audio, image, and data, and output them.
Three types of signals, image and data, are input and the data is multiplexed into 2B signals. The signal input/output buffer inputs n signals of three types: audio, image, and data from n LSIs connected in parallel, and converts these n data into one serial signal each for audio, image, and data. In addition to converting and outputting to each of the three ports, it also converts the speed of each serial signal of audio, image, and data input to each of the three ports.
n LSIs connected in parallel as parallel signals
Output to. As a result, the total transfer rate of the audio signal, image signal, and data signal becomes n×2B, for example, n
= 5, simultaneous communication between two lines is possible at each transfer rate of 128 kbps for audio signal, 384 kbps for image signal, and 128 kbps for data signal.

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

[0079] To receive the video and audio signals, a monitor with speakers that has a general audio and video input function is used, and the video phone's audio and video output terminals are connected using a dedicated cord, and user A on the video phone side can: The video being received,
User B can also check the audio signal and the audio signal simultaneously through a monitor and a speaker.

[0080] Also, to transmit the video and audio signals, connect the video camera output signal to the video input terminal with a dedicated cable,
Also, connect a microphone or a telephone with an audio output terminal to the audio input terminal.

[0081] By switching the external video and audio input systems by user A, the audio and video signals of either user A or user B are transferred to the communication partner user C via the ISDN network. This makes it possible to realize three-party (one-to-two) communication.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a separate type video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The videophone is separated into an image equipment section and a communication control section, each connected by a dedicated coupling cable.

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

Furthermore, power supply voltage is supplied from the communication control section to the image equipment section through the same connector, and all interfaces between both units are integrated into the same connector. In the communication control section, a communication control circuit performs multiplexing and separation control of image signals and audio signals, and also performs ISDN user network interface control.

The transmitting/receiving control circuit converts the audio digital signal and analog audio signal to realize a telephone function using the handset. Further, the power supply circuit supplies power supply voltage to the image equipment section through the communication control section and the connector, respectively.

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

[0087] This allows the image equipment section 131, 1 to be easily
32 is detachable from the main body part 133 to form an integrated video telephone.

In addition, when the image device section is removed and used simply as a digital telephone, the communication control circuit is configured such that the communication control section controls only the transmission and reception of audio signals, and does not perform demultiplexing control on the transmission and reception of image signals. Controlled by internal microprocessor. Here, 136 is a handset.

When used as a digital telephone, a digital telephone display unit 137 is attached to the main body 133 instead of the image equipment section, and the two are connected with a coupling cable to display the information necessary for the telephone function. Display with text and figures.

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

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams of three types of still image transmission systems in an image CODEC according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera video is input to the image codec unit image encoding circuit, and is input to the frame memory as an image signal with 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 transmission mode A, an image signal with 256 x 352 pixels is encoded, the image data is transferred and decoded on the receiving side, and the image signal with 256 x 352 pixels is encoded.
Play back to a 56x352 image. The pixel size is (1/2
56)×(1/352). In transmission mode B, the pixel size is four times that of mode A for an image signal with 256 x 352 pixels, that is, (1/128) x (1/176).
The image data is encoded in units of pixel size, transferred, decoded on the receiving side, and reproduced as an image with 128 x 176 pixels. This dual-mode still image transmission method enables easy-to-use still image transmission that can be used in two cases: faithfully transmitting detailed images and transmitting quickly to the other party even if the resolution is lowered. . In addition, in transmission mode C, the screen is divided into four equal parts vertically and horizontally, and each area from ■ to ■ is treated as one image, and in sequential transmission mode B, the number of pixels is 128.
After encoding into a 176 x 176 image signal and decoding it on the receiving side, one still image with 256 x 352 pixels is reproduced by transmitting the image signals from area (2) to area (2) four consecutive times. This makes it possible to transmit detailed images faithfully and quickly, improving usability in still image transmission.

FIG. 18 is a component mounting layout diagram of a communication control board of an integrated video telephone as an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit layout includes an ISDN user network interface control circuit section 1601, a signal multiplexing/demultiplexing control circuit section 1602, a microprocessor section 1603, and a transmission/reception control circuit section 1604.
, analog and digital input/output circuit sections 1606, 16
07, and peripheral circuit section 1 such as a clock circuit and a battery circuit
605, and each part is arranged so that the signal system is simple and the wiring length is short as shown by the arrow in the figure. In addition, audio, video, serial, and parallel data input/output terminals, as well as ISDN user network interface terminals, are mounted on one side around the board 1600, and external input/output terminals are mounted on the back of the videophone. Arranged so as to be aggregated.

[0093] Also, the switches are arranged in a concentrated manner in the upper right corner. The switch mounted on the right side of the board is the sounder volume and tone adjustment switch 1617.
The camera is mounted on the side of the videophone so that the settings can be changed. In addition, DIP switch 1616
is a switch for turning on/off the memory backup circuit, and since it is not normally used, it is mounted at the back of the videophone.

Further, the board 1600 has communication control, man-machine interface control, and digital telephone functions mounted and integrated on one board by double-sided mounting. Furthermore, 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.

[0095]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it produces the effects as described below.

[0096] A camera installed at the head of the device, an image equipment section consisting of a display section, and a bottom section (pedestal section) are connected via a support section (L-shaped vertical side section) having an image CODEC section.
By combining and integrating the main body including the communication control section and power supply section installed in the device, the internal wiring of the device is
For example, connect the ODEC section and the communication control section with one multi-core (5
0-core) cable, one multi-core (25-core) cable between the communication control section and key panel section, one multi-core (4-core) cable and power supply between the camera, display section and image signal CODEC section. Since cables are wired to the control section, image CODEC section, camera section, and display section, neat and space-saving wiring can be realized.

[0097] Therefore, the number of obstacles to the air flow in the space inside the device is reduced, the air cooling effect is improved, and system failures can be easily isolated and the system is small and easily portable.

Also, because it is an integrated type, the only cables that need to be connected to the outside from the main body are the communication line cord and the power supply cord, so the terminal can be easily laid out on a desk. It is possible to realize this and improve usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of application of the embodiment in the case of transferring calligraphy information in the present invention.

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

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation sequence during document and image transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the reading direction of the frame memory during normal operation and during document and image transfer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the rear appearance structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a high-speed wideband video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 14 is an external side view of a separate type video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an external view of an application example of a separate type video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of another still image transmission method in the image CODEC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

11...Display section 12...Camera section
13... Image CODEC section 14... Image CODEC board 15... Communication/control board 16... Key panel section 17... Power supply section
18...Main body 19...Handset 21...Camera, display section 21a...Camera section 21b...Display section 22...Image CODEC section 22a...Character superimposition circuit 22b...Video Switch 22c...Video output circuit 22d...Display processing circuit 22e...Video input circuit 22f...Image decoding circuit 22g...
・Image encoding circuit 23...key panel section 23a・
...LED display control circuit 23b...Videophone function key control circuit 23c...Dial key control circuit 24...Communication control section 24a...Signal multiplexing/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 2
4h... Sounder 24i... Analog switch circuit 25... Power supply section 26... Handset 20... Commercial power plug 27... ISDN user network interface circuit connection section 28... Parallel data input/output Terminal 29...Serial data input/output terminal

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A movable head having a video input means for inputting video and a display means for displaying an image signal; and a communication control means for multiplexing encoded information of audio and images and transmitting and receiving the encoded information to a communication network. Consisting of a bottom portion having means for supplying power, telephone control means for controlling the transmitting/receiving function and the key panel section, an image encoding circuit for encoding the video input signal, and an image decoding circuit for decoding the received image signal. What is claimed is: 1. An integrated video telephone set, comprising: a support part that connects and supports the head part and the bottom part, the video telephone having an image code decoding means. 2. A communication control unit that performs demultiplexing control of audio, image, and digital data and communication control of a digital communication line, a key panel unit that inputs dialing or other function selections, a transmitting/receiving function, and the key panel. A camera unit that inputs video, a display unit that outputs video, an image encoding circuit that encodes the video input signal, and an image decoding circuit that decodes the received image signal. It has an image CODEC unit, and integrates each component of the communication control unit, key panel unit, telephone control unit, camera unit, display unit, and image CODEC unit, and allows communication between each component within the integrated device. What is claimed is: 1. An integrated video telephone set, characterized in that connection wiring is performed, and the connection wiring outside the integrated device is reduced to a digital communication line cord. 3. A communication control unit that performs demultiplexing control of audio, image, and data signals at any data rate within the transmission rate range of the digital communication line, and communication control of the digital communication line; A key panel unit that is an input device, a telephone control unit that controls the transmitting/receiving function and the key panel unit, a camera unit that is a video input device, a display unit that is a video output device, and a video input signal that is encoded. Image CODEC consisting of an image encoding circuit and an image decoding circuit that decodes the received image signal
and a power supply section, the communication control section, the key panel section, the telephone control section, the camera section, the display section, and the image CO
The components of the DEC section and the power supply section are integrated, and the connection wiring between each component is performed within the integrated device, and the connection wiring outside the integrated device is connected to the power cord and digital communication line. An all-in-one video phone featuring reduced wiring in the cord. 4. The head part having the camera part and the display part and the bottom part having the communication control part, the key panel part and the telephone control part are connected by a support part having the image CODEC part. The integrated video telephone set according to claim 2 or 3. 5. The camera section has a foldable mechanism that allows the shooting direction to be directed downward independently of the display section, and by placing documents, photographs, etc. on the bottom section, document and image information can be transferred. The integrated video telephone set according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. When the camera unit is tilted downward and the camera orientation is set to a position for transmitting document images, the image captured by the camera is automatically converted into a point-symmetric image rotated by 180 degrees, and the image is converted. 6. The integrated video telephone set according to claim 5, wherein said video signal is sent out and displayed on a monitor on a sender's display. Claim 7: The image encoding algorithm has a mode for faithfully transmitting the movement of a moving image and a mode for faithfully transmitting the definition of documents, etc., and a mode for faithfully transmitting the definition when transferring documents. Claim 1 characterized by having a function set to
7. The integrated video telephone set according to any one of items 6 to 6. [Claim 8] It has terminals and functions for audio input, audio output, video input, and video output, and the audio input can cut off the transmitting signal and send out the external audio signal with a single key operation. The audio output outputs the reception signal in parallel to the outside, and the video input allows a single key operation to disconnect the camera video signal and send out an external video signal, and the video output goes to the display. By outputting the video signals in parallel to the outside, it can be connected to an external audio-visual device that has a recording or recording function, or can be connected to an external audio-visual device such as a large display, video camera, microphone, speaker, etc. The integrated video telephone set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that video telephone calls, three-party communications, etc. can be easily performed. 9. A device having a serial data input terminal and a parallel data input/output terminal, each of which can be independently controlled by a device control processor and a data multiplexing/demultiplexing control circuit, and which can be used as a data communication terminal such as a personal computer, an external storage device, or a digital 9. The integrated video telephone set according to claim 1, wherein the integrated video telephone set is capable of being connected to, interlocking with, or controlling a peripheral device having a control signal interface. 10. The device is provided with two movable parts so that the positions, heights and angles of the camera part and the display part can be adjusted independently, and the surface angles of the camera part and the display part are constant. 2 inside so that the height can be adjusted
4. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the book supporting members are arranged parallel to each other and the connection parts at both ends thereof are rotatable, and one has a mechanism in which one is connected to a camera part and a display part, and the other is connected to a main body. integrated video phone. 11. The display unit screen display has a function of displaying a sub-screen at the same time on the entire screen, and the sub-screen display methods include a normal screen, a mirror image screen, and a 180° point symmetrical screen that can be applied when transferring documents and images. According to any one of claims 2 to 10, the method can be arbitrarily set, and by applying this sub-screen, it is possible to check the transmitted image on the monitor while viewing the received image (the other party's image). integrated video phone. [Claim 12] A function that allows the sender's camera image to be checked as a mirror image (horizontally reversed image) on the display of the sender's own machine can be controlled by key operation, and is also displayed on the other party's machine. The all-in-one video telephone set according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that it has a function to monitor and confirm the image signal after passing through the image encoding/decoding circuit on its own display. 13. As an image transmission method, a mode in which a camera signal is automatically transmitted after communication is established and a mode in which a camera signal is transmitted by pressing a camera transmission button can be arbitrarily set, so that the sender can transmit images and The integrated video telephone set according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that transmission stop can be freely controlled. 14. By a single key operation during communication, a state in which the camera image at the moment of key input is held, that is, a still image is transmitted, and by the same key input operation again, the holding state is canceled and normal moving image communication is performed. Any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the transmitter has a function of restoring the original state and enables the sender to suspend the self-portrait at any time or to reliably and clearly transmit the calligraphy information. The integrated video phone as described. 15. The display unit has a function of superimposing and displaying arbitrary text information on the video, and is capable of displaying text such as information such as an operation manual, time display, telephone number display, etc. An integrated video telephone set according to any one of claims 2 to 14. 16. A communication hold function that temporarily interrupts the communication state, outputs a hold tone to the own terminal and the other party's terminal, and changes the display unit screen display to a pre-registered static screen to indicate that the communication is on hold; The integrated video telephone set according to any one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that it has a function of controlling return to the state by key operation. 17. A plurality of data multiplexing/demultiplexing control circuits are applied in parallel to multiplex three types of signals, audio, video, and data, transmit them to the ISDN user network interface 2B, and separate them into these three types of signals from 2B. A wide area adjustment circuit is provided in the input/output section on the line side, a transmission rate conversion circuit is provided in the data input/output section, and a communication line capacity of n x 2B is applied to enable high-speed, wideband transmission. 2 to 1
6. The integrated video telephone set according to any one of 6. 18. It has a function of superimposing characters on the camera image via a character superimposition circuit and transmitting the image, and by transmitting video information including a message to the other party, it is possible to easily transmit a self-introduction screen, 18. The integrated video telephone set according to claim 1, wherein the integrated video telephone set is capable of sending an image including an answering message when the user is away. 19. The image CODEC unit generates a still image with a resolution A of the number of dots h×v as the image quality and the number of dots (h/2) as the image quality with a quarter of this resolution using the image encoding/complexing circuit. It has a function for transmitting still images with a resolution B of x (v/2), and further divides the screen into four equal parts vertically and horizontally, and sequentially encodes these four images one by one as a still image with a resolution B. The signal is sent from the circuit, and this signal is sequentially composited by the image composition circuit, and the four obtained images are converted into the original one.
Claims 2 to 18 characterized in that by reproducing the still image into two still images, it is possible to reproduce a still image equivalent to a still image of resolution A while keeping the transmission signal at resolution B (low resolution). An integrated video telephone set described in any of the above. Claim 20: Camera section, display section, and image C
The video equipment section, which integrates the ODEC section, and the main body, which consists of the communication control section, key panel section, telephone control section, and power supply section, are separated, and the structural and electrical attachment/detachment of both is made possible by a concave-convex mechanism on the attachment section of the main body. and a video telephone that can be connected to a signal cable and used as a digital telephone when a video equipment section is not attached. [Claim 21] After the power is turned on, an image is displayed on the display section after a certain period of time, and the output image is outputted from a black screen (no image input) with the brightness gradually increased. The video telephone set according to any one of claims 2 to 20, characterized in that: 22. The device is L-shaped, and a circuit board on which a power supply unit, a communication control unit, and a telephone control unit are mounted on the bottom of the L-shape is provided.
The image CODEC circuit board is mounted on each side of the letter L, and the camera section and display section including the liquid crystal panel are attached to the top of the L shape. All connections between each section are housed within the device, and commercial An integrated video phone characterized by having a configuration in which a power supply cord and a digital communication line cord are connected. [Claim 23] The device structure is L-shaped, the camera part and the display part are attached to the top of the L-shape, the joint part is movable, and the bottom part and the vertical part of the L-shaped device are movable. Claim 22, wherein flexible cables are used to connect the units mounted in each part.
The integrated video phone as described.