GB2286283A

GB2286283A - A recording apparatus for use in a video door phone or telephone

Info

Publication number: GB2286283A
Application number: GB9502075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Young-Gyo Choi; Bong-Rae Park
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-02-03
Filing date: 1995-02-02
Publication date: 1995-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-02
Also published as: GB2286283B; JPH07264532A; GB9502075D0

Abstract

A recording apparatus for use in a video door phone fig. 7 or telephone (fig. 8) which playsback a pre-recorded message when the recipient is absent and subsequently records the callers response. The apparatus may also be used as part of a surveillance system (fig. 10) in which a motion detector (210, fig. 10) actuates a camera (15, fig. 10) to record the image of the intruder and causes the apparatus to output a pre-recorded message as a deterrent. <IMAGE>

Description

MESSAGE STORINGIOUTPUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD The present invention relates to a message storing/outputting apparatus and method and particularly, but not exclusively, to a message storing/outputting apparatus and method for a camera-incorporated recording/reproducing apparatus to automatically output a prestored message and record an input message.

Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatuses, such as videocassette recorders using half-inch VHS tape, are already in widespread use and demand is still increasing.

These videocassette recorders record a television broadcast signal and reproduce the recorded signal as necessary.

Additionally, a camcorder is a device which in effect adopts the above videocassette recorder for portable use, and may employ smm tape as well as half-inch tape. Here, a user photographs objects while viewing them through a viewfinder and the photographed objects are recorded on a magnetic tape to be reproduced any time.

The above camcorder requires an operator such that a photographer cannot easily photograph himself. Also, the mere presence of a camcorder operator tends to place a photographed person (subject) on his guard or feel selfconscious, whereby the subject will, intentionally or otherwise, behave in an unnatural manner. In addition, though events (conferences, interviews, etc.) may be recorded without a camcorder operator by using a camcorder and tripod, the tripod itself can represent an inconvenience.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a message storing/outputting apparatus and method for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for connecting an interactive call to a camera incorporated into a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, outputting a prestored message and storing the message of a visitor or caller.

It is another aim of preferred embodiments to provide a message storing/outputting apparatus and method of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, for sensing the presence of a moving object in a given space and then outputting a prestored message, and recording the moving object.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: interactive communicating means for the interactive transmission and reception of signals; attempted call detection means for detecting a signal reception through the interactive communicating means and outputting a "signal detected" signal; first storage means for storing a predetermined message; second storage means for storing received signals of said interactive communicating means; and control means for, if the "signal detected" signal is output from said attempted call detection means, enabling transmission of the message stored in said first storage means to said interactive communicating means and storing the received signals in said second storage means.

Preferably, the message storing/outputting apparatus further comprises selecting means for selectively outputting either the received signals of said interactive communicating means or a photograph signal of the camera, under selective control by said control means.

Said interactive communicating means may be a video telephone.

Said interactive communicating means may consist of a video door phone comprising: a bell signal generator for generating a bell signal and providing the bell signal to said attempted call detection means, according to a bell key input; photographing means for taking a video image and audio message of a visitor, which is stored in said second storage means; a signal processor for signal processing a message stored in said first storage means; outputting means for outputting a signal processed in said signal processor to said visitor; and a control signal generator for generating a first control signal to drive said photographing means and a second control signal to cause the signal processed in said signal processor to be supplied to said outputting means, in accordance with the output signal of said bell signal generator.

Said first storage means may be a memory for storing video signals and audio signals.

Said first storage means may be arranged to record and store video signals and audio signals in a magnetic recording fashion.

Said second storage means may be arranged to record and store video signals and audio signals in a magnetic recording fashion.

Said attempted call detection means may be a ringing signal detector to detect a ringing signal generated on reception of a telephone signal through said video telephone.

Said attempted call detection means may be a bell signal detector to detect a bell signal generated from said bell signal generator.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: moving object sensing means for sensing the presence of a moving object in a given space; control means for outputting control signals to control the recording, reproducing and photographing operations based on the result acquired from said moving object sensing means; photographing means for photographing the moving object in accordance with the control signal of the photographing operation of said control means; recording means for magnetically recording the moving object in accordance with the control signal of the recording operation of said control means; and reproducing means for reproducing and outputting a pre-recorded message in accordance with the control signal of the reproducing operation of said control means.

Said moving object sensing means may be a video image discriminator for comparing a video image taken by a camera with a prestored reference video image and detecting the moving object based on the comparison result.

Said moving object sensing means may be an infrared sensor for detecting infrared radiation emitted from the moving object.

Said moving object sensing means may be an air change detecting sensor for sensing a change in the air caused by the movement of a moving object the air change may be a change in air pressure or air flow.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a message storing/outputting method for a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus interactively connected to an interactive communicating means for transmitting and receiving a signal and performing an automatic response function, wherein the method comprises the steps of: first storing a predetermined automatic response message through a camera; outputting the stored message of said first storing step upon detection of an attempted call through said interactive communicating means; and second storing an input message through said interactive communicating means, after performing said message outputting step.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a message storing/outputting method for a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for recording, reproducing and photographing a video image, wherein the method comprises the steps of: storing a predetermined message; determining whether the current mode is a monitoring mode or a message mode; detecting a moving object; photographing and recording the detected moving object, if the mode is a monitoring mode; and outputting said stored message in accordance with the detection result in said detecting step, if the mode is a message mode.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a message storing/outputting apparatus for use with a video recorder, the apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing a predetermined message of a user; second storage means for storing a message from a visitor; and interactive communication means whereby when a visitor calls and the user does not reply, the predetermined message is output from the apparatus to the visitor using the interactive communication means and the visitor is invited to leave a video message, the video message being stored in said second storage means.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a message storing/outputting apparatus for use with a video recorder, wherein the method comprises: the detection of the presence of a visitor and the outputting of a prestored user message to the visitor; and the storage of a video message from the visitor to the user, interaction between the message storing/outputting apparatus and the user being carried out automatically via interactive communicating means.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied; Figure 3 is a detailed block diagram of the camera shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a camera-separated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus; Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a message storing/outputting apparatus of a cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 6 is a detailed block diagram of another embodiment of the message storing/outputting apparatus of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus; Figure 7 is a detailed block diagram according to another embodiment of the message storing/outputting apparatus of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus; Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a message storing/outputting method performed by the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a message storing/outputting apparatus of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a message storing/outputting apparatus of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 11 is a flowchart according to another embodiment of a message storing/outputting method performed by the apparatus shown in Figures 9 and 10.

As shown in Figure 1, which is a perspective view of a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, a door 2, into which a cassette tape (not shown) can be inserted as a conventional magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, is installed in a front panel of a main body 1 of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. The inserted cassette tape may be a half-inch vHS tape or an 8mm tape. A camera portion 3 having a lens 32 is provided in the front panel together with a condenser microphone 30, but may optionally be installed externally and operated in a remote-control fashion. Also in the front panel, various keys and lamps are installed to control and monitor the operation of the cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. For example, a power button 4A, stop/eject button 4B, a fast search button 4C, an indication window 4D, a record lockout key 4E, an eject button 4F, a record button 4G, a TV/VIDEO switching button 4H, a channel selection button 41, a pause lamp 4J, a reproducing lamp 4K, and a control panel 4L by which a number of contrast and brightness adjustments can be made, can be further provided on the front panel.

As above, with camera portion 3 being thus combined with a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus can photograph subjects in a comfortable environment and non-threatening atmosphere for conferences, meetings or the like, by simply setting the apparatus in a predetermined location (for example, on a desk). Thus, without a special camcorder, embodiments of the present invention can accomplish the purpose of providing a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere just by attaching a video camera to a videocassette recorder.

Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of the cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, a broadcast signal (which may emanate from the camera of a separatedtype camera to be described with respect to Figure 4) is input to a broadcast signal receiver 11 via an antenna 10.

Broadcast signal receiver 11 is tuned to the frequency of the input signal and supplies the tuned signal to a demodulator 12. Demodulator 12 demodulates the signal tuned in the broadcast signal receiver 11 into a video signal and audio signal which are supplied to a first input port X1 of an input signal selector 13. Input signal selector 13 is also supplied with a signal from an external signal input 14 (e.g., via an audio/video jack) through a second input port X2, and the output signal of a camera 15 for processing the video signal of the camera portion 3 through a third input port X3. Accordingly, input signal selector 13 selects one signal among those supplied to first, second and third ports X1-X3 in accordance with the logic state of a control signal (AB) from a microcomputer 16. Here, it is desirous that input signal selector 13 consist of two multiplexers so that a video signal and an audio signal can be selected by the microcomputer 16, respectively. Then, the selected signal from input signal selector 13 is input to a video signal processor 18 via an automatic gain controller (AGC) 17 to keep a constant signal level. The video and audio signals processed in the video signal processor 18 are supplied to a recording controller 19 and a reproducing controller 21, to be recorded onto or reproduced from magnetic tape (not shown) by a recording head 20 or a reproducing head 22.

Video signal processor 18 supplies the processed signal to a video signal amplifier 23 for direct output to a television screen or monitor (composite video signal) or to a television set (TV signal) by being converted in an RF converter 24 for reception as a broadcast signal. Here, a more detailed description shall be given for this operation later.

The embodiment described allows for the selection of at least three inputs. That is, a conventional broadcast signal (or an audio/video signal converted into a broadcast frequency) is tuned in broadcast signal receiver 11 and demodulated in demodulator 12, for input to the input signal selector 13 at port X1 thereof as a video signal and audio signal. Also, from the external signal supplier 14, a conventional video signal and audio signal are directly input from any general audio/video apparatus or from special equipment generating an audio/video signal. Further, from camera 15, video information input from lens 32 converted into an electric signal (refer to Figure 1) and an audio signal supplied from condenser microphone 30 (refer to Figure 1) are supplied to input signal selector 13. At this time, input signal selector 13 selects the input signal as shown in Table 1 below, according to the logic states of the control signal (AB) of microcomputer 16.

TABLE 1

control inputs selected output A | B Y L L X1 L H X2 11 H L X3 As shown in Table 1, input signal selector 13 selects a broadcast signal if the control signal is "LL," selects an external input signal if the control signal is "LH," and selects the camera signal if the control signal is "HL." Figure 3 is a detailed block diagram for camera 15 shown in Figure 2. According to Figure 3, an audio input from condenser microphone 30 is amplified by a mike amplifier 31 and output as an audio signal. Concurrently, the object information acquired via camera lens 32 is converted into an electric signal by a charge-coupled device 33 and provided to a pre-processor 34 which performs correlated double sampling and automatic gain control to the electric signal and provides the preprocessed electric signal to a camera video signal processor 35. Thus, a video signal is output together with the amplified audio signal.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a remote camera in which a modulator 40 and a transmitting antenna 41 are additionally provided to the camera portion 3 of Figure 1.

This camera portion 3' transmits a video signal and audio signal to a main body 1' of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, and can be installed anywhere. Compared to the apparatus shown in Figure 2, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in Figure 4 has the same configuration except that camera 15 is constituted by a separated camera 3'. Accordingly, the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied may comprise both a camera in an incorporated fashion (integrally) as shown in Figure 1 and the separated camera (installed anywhere) shown in Figure 4, to record and/or monitor photographed signals using either camera. With plural separated cameras being employed, the cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus can perform a monitoring function. Extending the monitoring function, the embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the present invention can establish a data interface with any apparatus that transmits and receives a video image.

For example, if a door phone is combined with such a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, prerecorded messages can be output, such as a notification of the occupant's absence, and the visitor's message may be recorded. Also, the transmission signal of a video telephone can be detected and a video automatic response function can be carried out. In aadition, by further incorporating a motion detector for detecting the presence of a moving object in a given space, the apparatus can automatically photograph the moving object and output a prestored specific message.

Next, an embodiment of a message storing/outputting apparatus and method of the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having an automatic response function shall be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the message storing/outputting apparatus of the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a detailed embodiment of the interactive communicating means of Figure 5 to which a video telephone and video door phone are connected. Here, the same reference designations are used for like components of Figure 2. Thus, the description for duplicate components and their operation shall not be repeated.

According to Figure 5, an interactive communicating means 100 such as video telephone or video door phone is a general term for equipment by which an interactive call can be realized between a caller, visitor, etc. and the user. In particular, it is desirous such interactive communicating means for use with the present invention be capable of the transmission of a video signal as well as two-way audio communication.

Interactive communicating means 100, to which an attempted call detector 110 for detecting a signal indicating the attempt of a call (a telephone ringing signal or the door bell sound of a video door phone) generated upon receiving a signal from interactive communicating means 100 is connected, controls signal transmission and reception via a cable (not shown).

Attempted call detector 110 is connected to a microcomputer 516. Microcomputer 516 supplies a selection control signal to a multiplexer 513. Multiplexer 513 provides a selected output from among many input signals to AGC circuit 17. Multiplexer 513 is connected such that a broadcast signal is supplied to a first input port X1, an external signal is supplied to a second input port X2, a signal from camera 15 is supplied to a third input port X3, and an output signal of interactive communicating means 100 is supplied to a fourth input port X4.

Multiplexer 513 selects the output signal according to a selection control signal (-aB) from microcomputer 516 as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2

control inputs selected output A B B L L X1 L H X2 H L X3 H H X4 Here, a selection control signal of "HH" selects interactive communicating means 100 input to the fourth input port X4, and the other selections are the same as in Table 1 above. Microcomputer 516 controls the signal processing and outputs of video signal processor 18 which is thus controlled by function selections of a user or a software program. In contrast with Figure 2, the video signal of video signal processor 18 is also applied to a memory 130. Such data input/output operations of memory 130 are controlled by a read/write control signal from microcomputer 516. The output data of memory 130 is input to interactive communicating means 100 under the control of microcomputer 516.

Referring to Figure 6, a ringing signal detector 113 is provided as the means for detecting attempted calls.

The function necessary for automatic response, is to output a prestored message by the detection of a ringing signal and to store an input signal through a video telephone. The prestored message may, among other things, provide notification of the absence of the user or a busy signal.

First of all, the operation for outputting a prestored message according to the detection of a ringing signal will be described. To carry out this operation, a "not in" or "telephone in use" message must first be recorded. Then, a microcomputer 616 provides a selection control signal (AB) of "HL" to a multiplexer 613 which selects the signal from camera 15, accordingly, and AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18 process the signal provided from multiplexer 613. Microcomputer 616 controls the signal processed by video signal processor 18 so as to be output to a memory 133, by outputting a writing control signal to memory 133 and thereby cause the output signal of video signal processor 18 to be stored in memory 133. At this time, it is desirous that memory 133 consist of a video memory large enough to store a moving picture and audio signal. The signal stored in the memory 133 is the "not in" or "telephone in use" message. As a substantial example, the message could be "I am out.

Please leave a message." or "I am going to sleep until six o'clock. Please leave a message." This-method is similar to that of a conventional automatic response telephone.

Once a message is stored in memory 133, a user can program the microcomputer 616 to carry out an automatic response function as necessary. Upon performing the automatic response function, microcomputer 616 checks for signal input from the ringing signal detector 113, and if a ringing detection signal is input, microcomputer 616 provides a read control signal to the memory 133 to output the message stored in memory 133 to a video telephone 120.

Video telephone 120 then outputs the recorded message to the caller through a cable (not shown). After performing this operation, microcomputer 616 provides a selection control signal (AB) of "HH" to multiplexer 613 to store an input signal from a caller. Then, multiplexer 613 selects and outputs the output signal of video telephone 120.

Microcomputer 616 then outputs a control signal to video signal processor 18 in order to process the selected signal of multiplexer 613 in AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18, for input to recording controller 19 and magnetic recording via heads 20. Accordingly, if a particular user transmits a signal to leave his message after checking such a message as "not in" or "telephone in use" stored in memory 133, then the signal is magnetically recorded through video telephone 120, the multiplexer 613, AGC circuit 17, video signal processor 18, recording controller 19 and head 20. Thus, an automatic response function can be carried out and the same operation can be performed again after a predetermined time for the attempted caller's message has lapsed.

Figure 7 shows an interactive communicating means in the form of a video door phone 140 which may further comprise a telephone for combined use therewith. When a general video door phone is installed, an entrance is provided with a video door phone camera (including a microphone to thereby process an audio signal as well as a video signal) for identifying a visitor, a speaker for outputting a user's (host's) voice signal, and a bell key for generating a bell signal. Meanwhile, a display is provided indoors for identifying the visitor's video image, another microphone, and various keys for specific purposes. Video door phone 140 in Figure 7 shows the minimum of components and comprises a bell signal generator 141, a controller 142 to perform control operations by the output signal of bell signal generator 141, a signal processor 143 to output the input signal by the control of controller 142, a speaker 144 to output the signal processed in signal processor 143, and a video door phone camera 145 to photograph a video image by the control of controller 142.

Additionally, a switch 713 for selecting the output of video door phone camera 145 or camera 15 and providing the selected signal to a third input port X3 of a multiplexer 714 is connected to and controlled by a microcomputer 716. A bell signal detector 116 is interposed between bell signal generator 141 and microcomputer 716. A memory 136 for performing read/write operations under the control of microcomputer 716 is connected between video signal processor 18 and signal processor 143 of video door phone 140. Here, since the entrance is generally not provided with a display, memory 136 needs only to be large enough for storing audio signals for output through speaker 144. However, the video and audio signals are stored into memory 136, if the entrance is provided with a display.

The overall operation according to the above composition is similar to that of the video telephone of Figure 6. In Figure 7, the required functions for automatic response as in Figure 6 include outputting a message prestored in memory 136 and storing an input signal (visitor's message) from video door phone camera 145, each of which will be described below.

First, for outputting a prestored message, the user must prepare a recorded message for storage in memory 136.

Then, microcomputer 716 provides a control signal to switch 713 and multiplexer 714, respectively, and thereby causes switch 713 to select the output signal of camera 15 and output the selected signal through multiplexer 714. At this time, the signal supplied through switch 713 is not a video signal but an audio signal that is supplied from a mike (not shown) installed with a camera. Then, the above message is processed through AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18, to be written in memory 136 by the control of microcomputer 716. Thus, if a visitor activates the bell of the video door phone, a bell signal is generated by bell signal generator 141 and input to controller 142 and bell signal detector 116. Then, bell signal detector 116 outputs the detected signal to microcomputer 716 which outputs a read signal to memory 136 and thereby causes the signal stored in memory 136 to be output to signal processor 143. Controller 142 controls the processing of the signal from memory 136 in accordance with the input bell signal and drives video door phone camera 145. The signal processed by signal processor 143 is output through speaker 144.

After outputting a message through the speaker 144, the visitor's message (a video image and voice) is recorded. This message is input by video door phone camera 143 and passed through switch 713 and multiplexer 714, to be processed in AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18 and magnetically recorded through recording controller 19 and head 20 in accordance with the control of microcomputer 716.

Figure 8 is a flowchart for a message recording/outputting method of the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in Figure 5. Here, modes which can be performed in the message function provided by the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus may be classified as a message pre-storing mode to store a user message, a message outputting mode to output a message stored in the memory, and a message recording mode to record an input message on magnetic recording media after outputting the message.

Referring to Figure 8, initialization and set up is performed and functions are selected in step S1. According to the selected functions, step S2 determines whether a message function has been selected, and if so, step S3 checks whether it is the message pre-storing mode; otherwise, step S21 performs the corresponding function.

I multiplexer 513 and a write control signal is output to memory 130. Then, multiplexer 513 selects the signal from camera 15 and outputs it to video signal processor 18, and causes the signal processed in video signal processor 18 to be stored in memory 130. Thus, in step S32, camera 15 is operated to store a message, and step S33 checks for the completion of message storage. Upon completion of message storage, step S34 sets up a message output standby state which is the same as the initial driving state, and the program proceeds to step S4.

In the event that the mode is not determined to be a message storing mode in step S3 (or after performing the step S34), step S4 determines whether the mode is a message outputting mode, and if so, likewise sets up a message output standby state in step S5. Here, the standby state awaits a signal from attempted call detector 110, indicating that a call is being attempted. If a call attempt is confirmed in step S6, step S7 outputs the message stored in memory 130, but if not, it is determined whether the message output mode is released in step S61, without which the program returns to step S6. If the message output mode is released in step S61, the initial driving state (step S1) is reset by performing step S62, and the program proceeds to step 512 (described later).

After step S7, if the completion of message outputting is verified in step S8, microcomputer 516 provides a selection control signal (AB) of "HL" to the multiplexer 513 and thereby drives the signal from the interactive communicating means 100 to be magnetically recorded through video signal processor 18, the recording controller 19 and head 20. That is, the proper recording conditions in preparation for an input message are established. If a message is input from the interactive communicating means 100, the message is stored in step S10 and it is determined whether the storing is ended by performing step S11. After the storage step is completed, step S12 is performed to check whether maintain the message output mode, and if so, the program returns to step S5; and otherwise checks whether another function should be carried out by performing step S13. Thus, upon determining the execution of another function, step S2 is again carried out. Otherwise, the program terminates.

Therefore, in providing an automatic response function by connecting an interactive communicating means such as a video telephone or a video door phone to a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, it is possible to output a predetermined message on call attempts by pre-storing a user message and to store a message left by a visitor or caller. Also, the present invention is not limited to a video telephone or a video door phone and encompasses any interactive communicating means which can be combined with a cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate other embodiments for outputting a stored message by detecting a moving object and storing the information of the moving object on magnetic record media. Here, like components of Figure 2 have the same reference designations, and thus their operational and constitutional descriptions shall be omitted.

In Figure 9, an image discriminating means 200 which compares the video image from a camera 15 with a prestored video image is disclosed as a means for storing/outputting a message. Image discriminating means 200 outputs a control signal for a magnetic recording or magnetic reproducing operation in accordance with the discriminated result. Image discriminating means 200 comprises a switch 201 for selectively outputting a video image signal output from camera 15 in accordance with a control signal C1 of microcomputer 816, a sampler 202 for sampling the selected video image signal, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 203 for converting the sampled analog signal into a digital signal, a memory 204 for storing a reference video image signal, a first comparator 205 for comparing the output video image from A/D converter 203 with that of memory 204 and outputting a signal corresponding to the difference between the two images, a low-pass filter 206 for filtering the compared signal, and a second comparator 207 for comparing the output signal of low-pass filter 206 to a reference voltage level (Vref) and outputting the comparison result to microcomputer 816. According to the signal from second comparator 207 of video discriminating means 200, microcomputer 816 outputs control signals C2 and C3 which control the operation of a recording controller 819 and a reproducing controller 821, respectively, based on the mode set up by a user.

Accordingly, the embodiment of Figure 9 has a constitution where the reference video image for comparison is previously stored in a memory 204 and the input video image is magnetically recorded through recording controller 819 and the head 20 according to the result of the comparison of the reference video image stored in memory 204 with the video image from camera 15. Otherwise the message containing the previously magnetically recorded video image is reproduced through head 22 and reproducing controller 821.

Operation shall be substantially described by division into a monitoring mode and a message output mode, which can be set in microcomputer 816. The monitoring mode is to sense a moving object and capture a video image of the sensed moving object, and the message output mode is to sense a moving object and output a message containing the prestored video image.

For the monitoring mode, the user must first prestore a reference video image for comparing. The video image from camera 15 enters sampler 202 through switch 201 by the control signal C1 of microcomputer 816. Sampler 202 samples the input video image. The signal undergoes the sampling process in order to reduce the required memory capacity for comparing the video image with the minimum necessary for such a comparison. The sampled video image is converted into a digital signal in A/D converter 203 and then stored in memory 204. At this time, microcomputer 816 outputs a write control signal and thereby controls the writing of data into memory 204. To practice the monitoring mode after storing this reference video image for comparing, microcomputer 816 outputs a selection control signal (AB) of "HL," controls multiplexer 13 to select and output the output signal of camera 15, and causes the output signal to be fed to sampler 202 via switch (not shown). Sampler 202 samples an input video image, and A/D converter 203 converts the sampled video image into a digital signal for input to first comparator 205.

Meanwhile, microcomputer 816 outputs a read control signal for causing the reference video image signal which is previously sampled and stored in memory 204 to be supplied into first comparator 205. Thus, first comparator 205 compares the output video image of A/D converter 203 with that of memory 204, and outputs a difference signal corresponding to the comparison result to low-pass filter 206. Low-pass filter 206 filters the difference signal, and the second comparator 207 compares the filtered signal to the predetermined reference voltage, the result of which is supplied to the microcomputer 816. Microcomputer 816 outputs a control signal C2 according to the output signal of second comparator 207 to carry out a write operation. Here, if there is a difference between the video image stored in memory 204 and the input video image from camera 15, then the write operation is carried out; otherwise, the operation of comparing the input video image to the stored video image continues. Accordingly, when a moving object exists in a given area, the cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus captures the moving object as a video image thereof and sets up the monitoring mode.

For the message output mode, in which a message is output in accordance with the sensing of a moving object, an output message must be previously stored. That is, a user should first record a video image utilizing camera 15. The thus-recorded message is applied to port X3 of multiplexer 13, processed in AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18 and output to recording controller 819 to be magnetically recorded. Thereafter, if microcomputer 816 is put in the message output mode by the user, then the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus performs the sensing operation in the same manner as the monitoring mode. Sensing the moving object, microcomputer 816 operates reproducing controller 821 by control signal C3 and thereby reproduces the prestored magnetic message. The reproduced message is processed in video signal processor 18 and video signal amplifier 23 and displayed on a display such as a television screen or monitor. Accordingly, the prestored message is output, and the person detected as a moving object may see the message.

In Figure 10, a motion detector 210 is constituted instead of the video image discriminating means 200 of Figure 9. The sensing device of motion detector 210 may be an infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation emitted from a moving object, an ultrasonic wave sensor, or an air pressure sensor which detects air turbulence caused by movement. Here, the operation of the above-described two modes of Figure 9, that is, the monitoring mode and message output mode, are the same except for the sensing operation of a moving object. Namely, a moving object is sensed by discrimination of an input image to camera 15 in Figure 9, but by a separate motion detector in Figure 10.

In Figure 10, a microcomputer 916 operates motion detector 210 based on a user's mode operation, and then recognizes the signal from motion detector 210 performs an operation according to the set mode. In a monitoring mode, if a movement sensing signal from motion detector 210 is provided to microcomputer 9i6, a recording controller 919 records magnetically a moving object photographed by camera 15 through multiplexer 13, AGC circuit 17 and video signal processor 18. In a message output mode, if a movement sensing signal from motion detector 210 is supplied to the microcomputer 916, a reproducing controller 921 drives a prestored message to pass through video signal processor 18 and video signal amplifier 23 and then to be output as a displayed image on a display (not shown).

Figure 11 is a flowchart for a message storing/outputting method performed by the camera incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in Figures 9 and 10. Roughly divided into three processes, the method of Figure 11 comprises a moving object photographing process by which the camera is operated after detecting a moving object, a stored message outputting process after detecting the moving object, and a message storing process.

In step 5101, if the mode is a CCTV mode for the recording of a photographed signal with a remote camera, then step S102 is carried out to select a function. If the selected function is determined to be a monitoring function in step S103, then a moving object photographing process (steps S131-S136) is performed after the sensing of a moving object. If not, S104 determines whether the current mode is a message output mode and then a stored message outputting process (steps S105-S108) is performed after sensing the moving object. If the mode is not a message output mode in step S104, the message storing process (steps 5141-143) is carried out in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

If the mode is a monitoring mode in step S103, a monitoring state is set in step 5131. Here, the monitoring state outputs a control signal for driving video image discriminating means 100 or motion detector 210 as a moving object detecting means of Figures 9 and 10.

Following step S132, an operation corresponding to the presence of a moving object is carried out. Namely, if a moving object is detected, camera 15 is driven and a selection control signal (AB) of "HL" is input to multiplexer 13, to thereby select and output the signal of camera 15. Both steps S134 and S135 are repeatedly performed until the moving object is no longer detected after initiating of the recording operation. If a moving object is not detected in steps S133 and S135, it is determined whether the monitoring mode should continue in step S136, and if so, the program returns to step S132.

Otherwise, upon receipt of a user interrupt or completion of the monitoring function reserved time which is preprogrammable, the monitoring mode is concluded.

If the mode is a message output mode in step S104, the detection of a moving object is carried out in step S105. Upon detection thereof, the reproducing controller is driven so that the stored message is output in step S107. After performing steps S106 and S107, it is determined whether the message output function should maintained at step S108, and if so, step S105 is executed; otherwise, step S109 is carried out.

In step S141, camera 15 and the recording controller are driven, and then step S142 for storing a message and step S143 for checking the end of message storing are repeatedly carried out so that the message is completely stored.

Finally, step S109 determines whether another function is to be carried out and if so, whereby step S102 is executed again. If no other function is selected, the operation is terminated.

Therefore, the message storing/outputting apparatus and method of the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus described in Figures 9 to 11 first senses a moving object and then outputs a message in a message mode or photographs the moving object in a monitoring mode, where the respective modes are set by a user.

It will be apparent that the present invention, as described above, can provide a convenience in use of the camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, by automatically outputting a prestored message and storing a received message when the user operates a message function. In addition, the present invention can provide an intruder-deterrent function by sensing the presence of a moving object in a given space and recording the moving object and outputting a recorded message upon sensing the moving object.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A message storing/outputting apparatus for a cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: interactive communicating means for the interactive transmission and reception of signals; attempted call detection means for detecting a signal reception through the interactive communicating means and outputting a "signal detected" signal; first storage means for storing a predetermined message; second storage means for storing received signals of said interactive communicating means; and control means for, if the "signal detected" signal is output from said attempted call detection means, enabling transmission of the message stored in said first storage means to said interactive communicating means and storing the received signals in said second storage means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message storing/outputting apparatus further comprises selecting means for selectively outputting either the received signals of said interactive communicating means or a photograph signal of the camera, under selective control by said control means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said interactive communicating means is a video telephone.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said interactive communicating means consists of a video door phone comprising: a bell signal generator for generating a bell signal and providing the bell signal to said attempted call detection means, according to a bell key input; photographing means for taking a video image and audio message of a visitor, which is stored in said second storage means; a signal processor for signal processing a message stored in said first storage means; outputting means for outputting a signal processed in said signal processor to said visitor; and a control signal generator for generating a first control signal to drive said photographing means and a second control signal to cause the signal processed in said signal processor to be supplied to said outputting means, in accordance with the output signal of said bell signal generator.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said first storage means is a memory for storing video signals and audio signals.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said first storage means is arranged to record and store video signals and audio signals in a magnetic recording fashion.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said second storage means is arranged to record and store video signals and audio signals in a magnetic recording fashion.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 7 as dependant upon claim 3, wherein said attempted call detection means is a ringing signal detector to detect a ringing signal generated on reception of a telephone signal through said video telephone.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, or any of claims 5 to 8 as dependant upon claim 4, wherein said attempted call detection means is a bell signal detector to detect a bell signal generated from said bell signal generator.

10. A message storing/outputting apparatus for a cameraincorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: moving object sensing means for sensing the presence of a moving object in a given space; control means for outputting control signals to control the recording, reproducing and photographing operations based on the result acquired from said moving object sensing means; photographing means for photographing the moving object in accordance with the control signal of the photographing operation of said control means; recording means for magnetically recording the moving object in accordance with the control signal of the recording operation of said control means; and reproducing means for reproducing-and outputting a pre-recorded message in accordance with the control signal of the reproducing operation of said control means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving object sensing means is a video image discriminator for comparing a video image taken by a camera with a prestored reference video image and detecting the moving object based on the comparison result.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving object sensing means is an infrared sensor for detecting infrared radiation emitted from the moving object.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving object sensing means is an air change detecting sensor for sensing a change in the air caused by the movement of a moving object.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the air change is a change in air pressure.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the air change is a change in air flow.

16. A message storing/outputting method for a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus interactively connected to an interactive communicating means for transmitting and receiving a signal and performing an automatic response function, wherein the method comprises the steps of: first storing a predetermined automatic response message through a camera; outputting the stored message of said first storing step upon detection of an attempted call through said interactive communicating means; and second storing an input message through said interactive communicating means, after performing said message outputting step.

17. A message storing/outputting method for a message storing/outputting apparatus for a camera-incorporated magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for recording, reproducing and photographing a video image, wherein the method comprises the steps of: storing a predetermined message; determining whether the current mode is a monitoring mode or a message mode; detecting a moving object; photographing and recording the detected moving object, if the mode is a monitoring mode; and outputting said stored message in accordance with the detection result in said detecting step, if the mode is a message mode.

18. A message storing/outputting apparatus for use with a video recorder, the apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing a predetermined message of a user; second storage means for storing a message from a visitor; and interactive communication means whereby when a visitor calls and the user does not reply, the predetermined message is output from the apparatus to the visitor using the interactive communication means and the visitor is invited to leave a video message, the video message being stored in said second storage means.

19. A message storing/outputting method for use with a video recorder, wherein the method comprises: the detection of the presence of a visitor and the outputting of a prestored user message to the visitor; and the storage of a video message from the visitor to the user, interaction between the message storing/outputting apparatus and the user being carried out automatically via interactive communicating means.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 and/or the method of claim 19, further comprising any one or more of the features disclosed in the accompanying specification, claims, abstract and/or drawings, in any combination.

21. A message storing/outputting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5.

22. A message storing/outputting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 6.

23. A message storing/outputting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7.

24. A message storing/outputting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 9.

25. A message storing/outputting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 10.

26. A method storing/outputting method substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 8.

27. A method storing/outputting method substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 11.