JP2000308033A - Video telephone supporting device and video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video telephone supporting device which supports the function of a portable video telephone terminal by effectively utilizing a terminal, etc., set in a house. SOLUTION: A terminal 2 set in a house is connected to a portable video telephone terminal 1 through a cable 3 and, when the screen of the displaying section 12 of the terminal 2 is larger than the screen of the terminal 1, controls the terminal 1 to display the picture received from a communicating party on the screen of the displaying section 12. Since the picture displayed on the screen of the terminal 1 is displayed on the larger screen of the displaying section 12, the picture becomes easily visible and the visibility of the picture can be improved. Therefore, a video telephone supporting device can support the displaying function of the portable video telephone terminal 1 by effectively utilizing the terminal 2 set in the house.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a videophone auxiliary device for assisting functions of a mobile videophone terminal, a videophone system including a mobile videophone terminal and a videophone auxiliary device, and a videophone control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the prior art relating to videophones, the following are frequently found. JP-A-64-81587
Since it is difficult to display the screen of the videophone separately on the transmission screen and the reception screen, one of them can be enlarged and displayed as necessary. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-214619 discloses that
A videophone having a base unit provided with a camera and a cordless handset, which picks up an image while following the camera's line of sight. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-65780 is a portable foldable videophone which displays a display during transmission on a display screen. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-98702 has a changeover switch for designating whether or not an image captured by a camera is transmitted to a partner, thereby preventing a situation in which an unintended image is displayed on the partner side carelessly. . Each of these technologies is designed to make effective use of the screen of the videophone.

[0003] In addition, as for the technology related to mobile phones,
There is a mobile phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-237145. This mobile phone can display a necessary amount of information such as characters on an external display device even if there is no display unit or the size of the display unit is small.

In recent years, data communication has been increasing in speed and capacity with the progress of communication technology.
W-CDMA (Wideband Code Divisi)
In a communication system called “on Multiple Access”, data communication is possible at a maximum of 384 kbit / sec. The W-CDMA system is a mobile communication system of the 21st century, which is an IMT-
This is a terrestrial digital wireless communication system proposed and promoted internationally by the 2000 Research Committee. By using such a high-speed and large-capacity W-CDMA system, realization of comfortable communication by a portable videophone terminal having good portability and mobility is expected.

On the other hand, in each home, stationary terminals such as a personal computer, a word processor, and a television receiver that can be connected to the Internet have been installed. These stationary terminals perform data communication by wired communication such as an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line. Under such an ISDN communication environment, a situation is conceivable in which a mobile videophone terminal is newly used by receiving the W-CDMA communication service described above. In this case, each of the wired and wireless line usage fees is imposed, which is very uneconomical. For this reason, there is a need for a method of effectively utilizing a mobile videophone terminal and a home stationary terminal with a contract for only a W-CDMA communication service.

As a portable telephone, JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association) / PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory C) is used to connect to a personal computer.
A device having a card interface based on the ardInternational Association) has appeared. Such a mobile phone and a card interface are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-173799. In mobile videophone terminals, using the card interface,
It is desired to make effective use of the functions of the stationary terminal for home use.

[0007]

The portable videophone terminal is small in size to ensure portability, and the display screen must be small. In a videophone, a call is made while looking at the face of a communication partner displayed on a display screen. However, in a portable videophone terminal, the other party cannot be identified due to a small display screen, which is not preferable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a videophone auxiliary device, a videophone system, and a videophone control method for assisting the function of a mobile videophone terminal by effectively utilizing a home stationary terminal or the like.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a videophone auxiliary device for assisting the function of a portable videophone terminal,
A connection unit for connecting to the mobile videophone terminal, an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, and a mobile videophone terminal communicating when a display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than a display screen of the mobile videophone terminal. A videophone auxiliary device, comprising: a control unit for performing control to display an image received from a partner on an auxiliary display unit.

According to the present invention, since the image displayed on the display screen of the portable videophone terminal is displayed on the auxiliary display section of the videophone auxiliary device which is larger than that, the image becomes easy to see and the visibility is improved. be able to. In addition, the videophone auxiliary device can be realized relatively easily only by adding a connection unit and a control unit to a home-use television receiver having a display screen or the like. Therefore, the display function of the portable videophone terminal can be assisted by effectively utilizing the stationary terminal for home use.

Further, the present invention further comprises an auxiliary input unit for inputting an image, and when the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the portable videophone terminal, the control unit controls the portable videophone terminal. Instead of this, control is performed so that an image is input from the auxiliary input unit and the input image is transmitted from the portable videophone terminal to the communication partner.

According to the present invention, when an image is displayed on the auxiliary display unit having a large screen as described above, the operator's line of sight is
Pointed at the auxiliary display. Therefore, instead of the portable videophone terminal, the image is input by the auxiliary input unit of the videophone auxiliary device. As a result, it is possible to input an image that matches the line of sight of the operator, and it is possible to send an image with a line of sight that does not make the communication partner uncomfortable. Further, the videophone auxiliary device can be realized relatively easily only by adding a connection unit and a control unit to a personal computer or the like having a display screen and a camera. Therefore, the display function of the portable videophone terminal can be assisted by effectively utilizing the stationary terminal for home use.

[0013] The present invention also provides a portable telephone, wherein the display screen of the auxiliary display section is larger than the display screen of the portable videophone terminal.
The control unit transmits the input image from the mobile videophone terminal to the communication partner and performs control to display the input image on the mobile videophone terminal.

According to the present invention, the received image can be displayed on the auxiliary display unit and the transmitted image can be displayed individually on the portable videophone terminal. Checks can be made, operability can be greatly improved, and the display function of the portable videophone terminal can be used effectively.

The present invention also relates to a video telephone system comprising a portable video telephone terminal and a video telephone auxiliary device for supporting the function of the portable video telephone terminal. The videophone auxiliary device includes a main display unit, the videophone auxiliary device includes an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, and a mobile videophone terminal that communicates with a communication partner when a display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than a display screen of the mobile videophone terminal. And a control unit for performing control for displaying an image received from the control unit on the auxiliary display unit.

According to the present invention, similarly, the visibility can be improved by the videophone system constituted by the portable videophone terminal and the above-mentioned videophone auxiliary device, and the home-use stationary terminal can be effectively utilized. Thus, the display function of the portable videophone terminal can be assisted.

The present invention also relates to a video telephone system constituted by connecting a mobile video telephone terminal and a video telephone auxiliary device for assisting the function thereof, wherein the mobile video telephone terminal is for displaying an image. A main display unit and a main operation unit for the operator to operate are provided.
An auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, an auxiliary operation unit for an operator to operate, a storage unit for storing related information related to a communication partner, and a related unit according to a signal from the main operation unit or the auxiliary operation unit. And a control unit that controls information to be displayed on a main display unit or an auxiliary display unit.

According to the present invention, the related information can be displayed on the main display unit or the auxiliary display unit only by operating the operation unit, so that the operator confirms the information on the communication partner while making a call. Operability can be improved.

The present invention also relates to a video telephone system constituted by connecting a mobile video telephone terminal and a video telephone auxiliary device for assisting the function thereof, wherein the mobile video telephone terminal is used for inputting an image. The video phone auxiliary device includes a main input unit, and a main notification unit for notifying an operator that the main input unit is inputting an image. An auxiliary notification unit for notifying the operator that the input unit is inputting an image, and a control unit that drives the main input unit and the main notification unit, or controls the auxiliary input unit and the auxiliary notification unit. A videophone system comprising:

According to the present invention, when an image is input from the main input unit, the fact is notified to the operator by the main notification unit, and when an image is input from the auxiliary input unit, this is notified to the auxiliary notification unit. Is notified to the operator. Therefore, the operator can confirm which one of the main input unit and the auxiliary input unit should be directed, and thus can feel a sense of relief.

The present invention is also embodied in a videophone auxiliary device that includes a connection unit for connecting to a mobile videophone terminal and an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, and assists the function of the mobile videophone terminal. A videophone control method, wherein when the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal, the mobile videophone terminal performs control to display an image received from a communication partner on the auxiliary display unit. A videophone control method characterized in that:

According to the present invention, the visibility can be similarly improved by the above-described control method in the videophone auxiliary device, and the portable videophone can be effectively used by effectively using a home stationary terminal or the like. The display function of the terminal can be assisted.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The videophone system is configured by connecting a mobile videophone terminal 1 and a stationary terminal 2 with a cable 3.

The portable videophone terminal 1 includes a display unit 4, a camera 5, an LED (light emitting diode) 6, an operation unit 9, an antenna 10, and the like. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device of about 3 inches and displays an image. The camera 5 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or the like, and is provided near the display unit 4. The LED 6 is provided near the display unit 4 and the camera 5, and is turned on when the camera 5 is operating and an image is being input, and notifies the operator of this.

The speaker 7 converts an electric signal received from a communication partner into a sound. The microphone 8 converts a voice uttered by the operator into an electric signal. The operation unit 9 includes, for example, a plurality of push button keys or a touch panel, and can be freely operated by an operator. These speaker 7, microphone 8 and operation unit 9 realize a telephone function. The specification unit 11 is provided in the operation unit 9 and is, for example, a part of a push button key, and can specify whether or not the input image can be transmitted by an operator's operation. The antenna 10 receives data from the outside or transmits data to the outside.

When the portable videophone terminal 1 is used, the operator first inputs a telephone number from the operation unit 9 and the portable videophone terminal 1 is connected to a communication partner through a public line. When connected, the image from the communication partner is displayed on the display unit 4, and the sound from the communication partner is reproduced by the speaker 7. Conversely, the image of the operator is input from the camera 5 and transmitted to the communication partner, and the voice of the operator is input from the microphone 8 and transmitted to the communication partner. As described above, even when the terminal is not connected to the stationary terminal 2, a videophone call can be made independently.

The stationary terminal 2 constitutes the videophone auxiliary device of the present invention, and includes a display unit 12, a camera 13, an LED 14, an operation unit 15, and the like. The display unit 12 is, for example, 1
It is a liquid crystal display of about 0 inch. Camera 13 is C
A CD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or the like is provided near the display unit 12. The LED 14 is provided in the vicinity of the display unit 12 and the camera 13, and is turned on when the camera 13 is operating and an image is being input, and notifies the operator of this. The operation unit 15 includes, for example, a plurality of push button keys or a touch panel, and can be freely operated by an operator. The instruction unit 16 is provided on the operation unit 15 and is, for example, a part of a push button key, and a display mode can be designated by an operator.

The stationary terminal 2 has at least a display unit 12
And can be realized by a home-use television receiver, a personal computer, or the like.

The cable 3 is made of JEIDA / PCMCIA
A compliant card interface connection cable,
Data is transmitted between the portable videophone terminal 1 and the stationary terminal 2. In addition, the portable videophone terminal 1 and the stationary terminal 2 are replaced by IrDA (Infrared Data
Data communication may be performed using an (Association) interface.

As described above, by using the portable videophone terminal 1 connected to the stationary terminal 2, the functions of the stationary terminal 2 can be effectively utilized.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the videophone system. The portable videophone terminal 1 includes a transmission circuit 24, a reception circuit 25, a modem 26, a control circuit 2
7, a memory 28, an interface 29, and the like. The transmitting circuit 24 wirelessly transmits the analog data received from the modem 26 from the antenna 10 and
Transmits the analog data received by the antenna 10 to the modem 2
Pass to 6. The modem 26 converts digital data from the control circuit 27 into analog data and passes it to the transmission circuit 24, and converts analog data from the reception circuit 25 into digital data and passes it to the control circuit 27.

The control circuit 27 includes a CPU (central processing unit)
It controls each unit of the portable videophone terminal 1 and, when receiving a control signal from the control circuit 35 of the stationary terminal 2, performs control according to the control signal. Memory 28
Stores information indicating the size of the screen of the display unit 4. The interface 29 transmits data to the stationary terminal 2 via the cable 3 and receives data from the stationary terminal 2.

The stationary terminal 2 includes a function unit 34 and a control circuit 3
5, an interface 36, a memory 37, and the like. The functional unit 34 includes hardware and software necessary for realizing various functions, such as an image receiving control circuit and a display control circuit of a television receiver, a main board of a personal computer, a hard disk, and installed application software. is there.

The control circuit 35 controls each section of the stationary terminal 2, and also controls each section of the portable videophone terminal 1 by sending a control signal to the control circuit 27. The interface 36 transmits data to the portable videophone terminal 1 via the cable 3 and receives data from the portable videophone terminal 1. The memory 37 stores information indicating the size of the screen of the display unit 12 and related information related to a communication partner. The related information is information such as the name, address, age, family structure, and hobby of the communication partner. Note that the related information may be provided by the function unit 34.

With such a configuration, the control circuit 35
Is a control for switching the display screen by comparing the screen sizes of the display unit 4 and the display unit 12, or a control for switching the image input to one of the camera 5 and the camera 13 with the switching of the display screen. Various controls can be executed. For example, control as shown in FIG. 3 below is possible.

FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of the portable videophone terminal 1, and FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of the videophone system. When the portable videophone terminal 1 is used alone, a received image is displayed on the display unit 4, an image is input from the camera 5, and the LED 6 is turned on, as shown in FIG. In addition, the related information is displayed on the display screen according to the operation of the operation unit 9. The related information is displayed so as to be superimposed on the received image or the display screen is divided and displayed separately from the received image.

On the other hand, the portable videophone terminal 1 and the stationary terminal 2
To use as a videophone system by connecting
As shown in FIG. 3B, the received image is displayed on the display unit 12, the image is input from the camera 13, the LED 14 is turned on, and at the same time, the transmitted image is displayed on the display unit 4. In this case, since the camera 5 is not driven, the LED 6 does not light. According to the operation of the operation unit 15, the related information is
The received image or the transmission image is displayed separately from the reception image or the transmission image by overlapping the reception image or the transmission image or by dividing the display screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a videophone control method by the control circuit 35. When the process is started, first, in step s1, the portable videophone terminal 1 is connected to a communication line, and in the next step s2,
It is determined whether or not the mobile videophone terminal 1 is connected to the stationary terminal 2. Confirmation of the connection is performed by, for example, detecting contact or non-contact between the terminals of the portable videophone terminal 1, the stationary terminal 2, and the cable 3 by observing a voltage change. Alternatively, connection confirmation may be performed by providing a push button for connection confirmation on the stationary terminal 2 and pressing the button when the operator finishes connecting the cable 3.

If it is not connected, no particular processing is executed in step s15. Thereby, the received image is displayed on the display unit 4 of the portable videophone terminal 1 as usual. If connected, then in step s3, the portable videophone terminal 1 determines whether or not the received image can be displayed. If it can be displayed, the process proceeds to the next step s4, and if it cannot be displayed, the process proceeds to step s15.

At step s4, the information in the memories 28 and 37 is taken out, and the display screen size of the display unit 4 and the display unit 1 are displayed.
2 is compared with the display screen size. If the display unit 12 is larger, the received image is displayed on the display unit 12 in the next step s5. If the display unit 4 is larger, the process proceeds to step s15.

Next, in step s6, the designation unit 11,
It is determined whether transmission of the input image is designated by 16. If specified, the process proceeds to the next step s7, and if not specified, the process proceeds to step s11. In step s7, it is determined whether the stationary terminal 2 has a camera. If a camera is provided, in step s8, the LED 14 is turned on.
In step 9, the input image from the camera 13 is transmitted to the communication partner, and in the next step s10, the transmission image is displayed on the display unit 4. If no camera is provided, in step s17, the LED 6 is turned on, and in the next step s18, the input image from the camera 5 is transmitted to the communication partner.

In step s16 subsequent to step s15, similarly to step s6, it is determined whether transmission of the input image is designated. If specified, the process proceeds to the next step s17. If not specified, the process proceeds to step s19.

In step s11, the operation units 9, 15
It is determined whether or not there is an instruction to display related information. If there is an instruction, in the next step s12,
The related information is displayed on the indicated display unit, and step s
Proceed to 13. If there is no instruction, the process proceeds to step s13 without displaying related information. In step s13, it is determined whether or not the videophone has been terminated. When finished,
Proceed to the next step s14, and if not finished, return to step s11 and continue the processing of steps s11 to s13 until the videophone is finished. Step s19-
In s21, the same processing as in steps s11 to s13 is performed, and the process proceeds to step s22.

In step s14, the LED 14 is turned off, and in step s22, the LED 6 is turned off, and the process ends.

As described above, when the screen size of the display unit 12 is larger than the screen size of the display unit 4, the received image can be displayed on the display unit 12, and the image is input from the camera 13 and transmitted to the communication partner. The transmission image can be displayed on the display unit 4.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the visibility of the image received by the portable videophone terminal can be improved, and the function of the portable videophone terminal can be assisted by effectively utilizing the stationary terminal for home use. be able to.

Further, it is possible to send an image with a line of sight that does not cause a feeling of strangeness to the communication partner.

Further, the operator can check the transmitted image when necessary while viewing the received image, greatly improving the operability, and effectively utilizing the display function of the portable videophone terminal.

Further, the operator can check information about the communication partner while talking on the phone, and can improve operability.

Further, since the operator can confirm which one of the main input unit and the auxiliary input unit should be directed,
You can get a sense of relief.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the videophone system.

FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically illustrating an appearance of the portable videophone terminal 1, and FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating an appearance of the videophone system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a videophone control method by the control circuit 35;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile videophone terminal 2 stationary terminal 3 cable 4,12 display unit 5,13 camera 6,14 LED 9,15 operation unit 10 antenna 24 transmission circuit 25 reception circuit 26 modem 27,35 control circuit 28,37 memory 29,36 interface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/21 H04M 11/02 5K101 11/02 H04B 7/26 109M F term (Reference) 5C064 AA01 AC12 AC20 AD08 5C082 AA00 AA27 AA34 BB01 MM09 MM10 5K023 AA07 BB11 HH08 MM20 MM21 NN05 NN06 5K027 AA11 BB01 FF22 HH29 KK07 MM05 MM16 5K067 AA34 BB21 DD52 EE02 FF23 NN31 NN31 KK31 NN31

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A videophone auxiliary device for assisting a function of a mobile videophone terminal, comprising: a connection unit for connecting to the mobile videophone terminal; an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image; A control unit for controlling the mobile videophone terminal to display an image received from a communication partner on an auxiliary display unit when the display screen is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal. Auxiliary equipment. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary input unit for inputting an image, wherein when the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal, the control unit replaces the mobile videophone terminal. 2. The videophone auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that an image is input from the auxiliary input unit and the input image is transmitted from the portable videophone terminal to a communication partner. 3. When the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal, the control unit causes the mobile videophone terminal to transmit an input image to a communication partner and causes the mobile videophone terminal to transmit the input image. 2. The videophone auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein control for displaying an input image is performed. 4. A videophone system comprising a mobile videophone terminal and a videophone auxiliary device for supporting the function of the mobile videophone terminal, wherein the mobile videophone terminal has a main display unit for displaying an image. The videophone auxiliary device includes an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, and the mobile videophone terminal receives from the communication partner when the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal. A video phone system comprising: a control unit that controls to display an image on an auxiliary display unit. 5. A videophone system comprising a mobile videophone terminal and a videophone auxiliary device for supporting the function of the mobile videophone terminal, wherein the mobile videophone terminal has a main display unit for displaying an image. And a main operation unit for the operator to operate. The videophone auxiliary device includes an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, an auxiliary operation unit for the operator to operate, and a communication partner. A videophone comprising: a storage unit that stores related information; and a control unit that controls display of related information on a main display unit or an auxiliary display unit in accordance with a signal from the main operation unit or the auxiliary operation unit. system. 6. A videophone system comprising a portable videophone terminal connected to a videophone auxiliary device for assisting a function of the portable videophone terminal, wherein the mobile videophone terminal has a main input unit for inputting an image. And a main notification unit for notifying the operator that the main input unit is inputting an image. The videophone auxiliary device includes an auxiliary input unit for inputting an image and the auxiliary input unit. An auxiliary notifying unit for notifying the operator that an image is being input; and a control unit for controlling the main input unit and the main notifying unit, or controlling the driving of the auxiliary input unit and the auxiliary notifying unit. A video phone system characterized by the following. 7. A videophone that is provided in a videophone auxiliary device that includes a connection unit for connecting to a mobile videophone terminal and an auxiliary display unit for displaying an image, and that assists a function of the mobile videophone terminal. A control method, wherein when the display screen of the auxiliary display unit is larger than the display screen of the mobile videophone terminal, the mobile videophone terminal performs control to display an image received from a communication partner on the auxiliary display unit. Videophone control method.