JP2001169259A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a telephone system that allows a called party to easily recognize a caller. SOLUTION: The telephone system is provided with a nonvolatile memory 6 that stores an image signal corresponding to an image and a telephone means that transmits the image signal to other telephone system 100 when a line is connected to the telephone system 100. Since a display screen of the telephone system 100 of the opposite party to which the line is going to be connected displays an image corresponding to the transmitted image signal before the line is connected, the called party can immediately specify the caller by having only to view the image different from the case with displaying a telephone number and the called party needs not to memorize the telephone number, this invention is especially effective when there are many parties to whom speech is made by telephone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone device capable of transmitting an image signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a telephone having a number display function for displaying a telephone number of a caller before picking up a receiver in order to prevent unwanted calls and the like. According to such a telephone, for example, when the caller is an unknown telephone number, it is possible to select not to pick up the handset,
This can prevent unwanted calls.

[0003]

In some cases, it is difficult to store all the telephone numbers of the callers. Also,
If the caller's number is forgotten and the incoming call is misunderstood as a nuisance call and the receiver is not picked up, there is a possibility that the call cannot be made with the party who originally desires the call. In particular, a problem arises when a call is received from a party with a low call frequency.

[0004] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a telephone device that allows a destination to easily recognize a source.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a telephone device of the present invention comprises a storage means for storing an image signal corresponding to an image, and a transmission means for transmitting the image signal to another telephone device. Means, and an image corresponding to the transmitted image signal is displayed on the display screen of the telephone device of the other party to which the line is connected before the line is connected. And

[0006]

The telephone device according to the present invention has storage means for storing an image signal corresponding to an image, and transmission means for transmitting the image signal to another telephone device. Before the line is connected, the image corresponding to the transmitted image signal is displayed on the display screen, so unlike the case where the phone number is displayed, you only need to look at the image This is particularly effective when there are many parties to make a call because the caller can be immediately identified and there is no need to remember the telephone number. In this specification, a line is connected refers to a state in which a telephone call can be made by lifting a receiver at a transmission destination or turning on a diffraction connection switch or the like. It does not include the state of being.

Further, the transmitting means has setting means for selectively setting a first mode in which the image signal is transmitted and a second mode in which the image signal is not transmitted, and the setting means sets the first mode. When selected, if the image corresponding to the transmitted image signal is displayed on the display screen of the telephone device of the other party to which the line is connected before the line is connected, the image signal When the transmission of the image is unnecessary, the image transmission is not performed by selecting the second mode, and for example, the call charge charged according to time can be reduced.

If the image is a portrait of the sender or a mark indicating the sender, it is preferable that the sender can be recognized at a glance.

Further, the storage means can store image signals corresponding to a plurality of images, and further, a selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality of images corresponding to the stored image signals is provided. If the transmitting means transmits an image signal corresponding to the selected image, for example, when making a call using the telephone device installed at a work place or the like, a plurality of persons are required One telephone device may be shared. In such a case, it is convenient to form an image corresponding to each of a plurality of persons so that the user's own image can be selected by the selection means. Here, the selection means may be, for example, a touch panel display capable of specifying one of a plurality of images or a telephone number displayed on the image display device, but is not limited thereto.

Further, if the storage means stores an image signal in response to input of a predetermined password,
This is preferable because unauthorized storage or tampering of an image can be prevented.

If the telephone device has an image pickup device for changing an optical image into an image signal, the telephone device can transmit its own image or the like picked up by the image pickup device. This is convenient because it does not need to be connected to a still camera or a personal computer.

Further, the telephone device receiving the image signal from the telephone device stores the telephone number of the transmission source and the transmitted image signal in association with each other when the line with the transmission source is connected. In the next incoming call, the phone number of the caller is read, and based on the image signal stored in the storage means, an image corresponding to the read phone number is displayed on the display screen. Thereafter, since the image signal of the transmission source is stored, there is no need to transmit the image signal from the transmission source, which is convenient.

If the image is specified when the image is displayed on the display screen, and the telephone is automatically called to the telephone device corresponding to the telephone number, such a function is stored in the telephone directory. It is convenient because it can be used as

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a telephone device 100 according to the present embodiment.
Although the telephone device 100 of the present embodiment is shown as an example of a mobile phone having an electronic still camera function, the electronic still camera function is not always an essential requirement, and is not a mobile phone but a stationary telephone device. But it is good.

In FIG. 1, an image pickup means 2 which is a CCD in which an optical image is formed by a lens 1 performs so-called photoelectric conversion for converting an optical image of a subject into a corresponding charge amount. The D conversion device 3 converts an analog signal input from the imaging unit 2 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal. In the A / D conversion circuit 3 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the higher the intensity of the light incident on the imaging means 2, the larger the value of the light is converted to a digital signal.
The image signal obtained through the A / D conversion circuit 3 is
The image is temporarily stored in the image memory 4.

The image signal stored in the image memory 4 is
Various image processing is performed by the MPU 5 and temporarily stored in a non-volatile memory 6 such as a stick memory, and then called up at any time and transmitted by the telephone means 8 as a transmission means via the wireless line N to another stationary telephone apparatus T1 or the like. , Another mobile phone T
2 can be sent. Also, the sound such as the collected voice is converted into a sound signal by the microphone 11 as the collecting means, and similarly transmitted by the telephone means 8 to the other mobile phones T1 and T2 via the wireless line N. it can.

The MPU 5 receives power from a power source 7 such as a built-in battery, receives a release signal from a release button 10, and drives a shutter device (not shown) to perform photographing. Further, the MPU 5 drives and controls an image display device 9 such as a liquid crystal monitor to display an image of a subject to be imaged in real time via the imaging means 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a through display). 6, an image can be displayed based on the image signal stored in the memory 6 and the image signal sent from the other party.

Further, the MPU 5 can switch between a first mode and a second mode, which will be described later, by switching a mode selection switch (setting means) 12 performed by the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the telephone means 8. When a call is made on the telephone means 8, when the other party's telephone number is input using the numeric keypad 8c, the transmission / reception control circuit 8f sends the input telephone number to the transmission circuit 8j through the modulation circuit 8g. In the transmission circuit 8j, the signal is superimposed on the carrier of the carrier synthesizer 8i,
The signal is transmitted via the duplexer 8k and the antenna 8m. If there is a response to the effect that the other party has been connected, a call can be made.

Further, the sound signal from the microphone 11 and the MPU
The image signal from 5 is subjected to a predetermined modulation process in the modulation circuit 18 and sent to the other side through the transmission circuit 8j. On the other hand, radio waves from the other party are received by the receiving circuit 8h via the antenna 8m and the duplexer 8k. In the receiving circuit 8h, the carrier component is removed and demodulated by the demodulating circuit 8e. The demodulated sound signal is reproduced from the speaker 8d, and the demodulated image signal is displayed by the image display device 9.

FIG. 3 shows a portable telephone 1 according to the present embodiment.
00 is a front view of FIG. In the upper right part of the mobile phone 100, a cylindrical imaging unit 20 on which the lens 1 and the imaging means 2 are mounted is provided. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the lens 1 faces the back side of the electronic still camera 100,
Although an image of a subject can be captured, the operator can also capture an image of the operator by rotating the imaging unit 20 so that the lens 1 is directed toward the user.

At the upper left of the image display device 9, there is disposed a mode selection switch 12 which can be rotated by an operator.
On the other hand, a release switch 10 that can be pressed by an operator is disposed below the image display device 9. The release switch 10 can be used to perform various functions such as a function as a selection unit for specifying an image displayed on the image display device 9 and a search of a telephone directory.

At the lower left of the release switch 10, a line connection button 8a of the telephone means 8 is arranged. At the lower left of the release switch 10, a line disconnection button 8b of the telephone means 8 is arranged. A numeric keypad 8c indicating a number or the like is arranged. Below the numeric keypad 8c,
A microphone 11 is provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 (a) shows the control of the source telephone device, and FIG. 4 (b) shows the control of the destination telephone device. Indicates control. In the flowchart of FIG.
Although an example is shown in which one telephone device 100 makes a call to the other telephone device 100, the present invention is not limited to this.

The telephone apparatus 100 of the caller, in addition to a portrait of the self taken directly from the image pickup unit 20, also communicates via a wired communication means (not shown) such as serial and USB, and a wireless communication means such as an infrared radio wave. From another electronic still camera (not shown) or a personal computer (not shown), a self-portrait, an icon resembling an image of the self, etc. is input to the non-volatile memory 6.
Is stored. In such a case, these images are supported only when the identity of the user is confirmed in response to the input of a credit card number or other password, or by using fingerprint, voiceprint recognition, face pattern recognition, or the like. It is preferable to store (or transmit) the image signal, because it is possible to prevent storage or tampering of an unauthorized image. Also, by the mode setting switch 12,
If the first mode is set, the MPU 5 transmits an image from the source at the time of line connection, and if the second mode is set, the MPU 5 does not transmit the image from the source like a normal telephone device. It has become. However, in the control described below, it is assumed that the first mode is selected.

When making a call to the destination, the MPU 5
In step S101 in FIG. 4, after waiting for a telephone number to be input using the numeric keypad 8c, the subsequent step S121 is performed.
Then, the user is caused to determine whether to select the transmission image. Specifically, it is conceivable that the image display device 9 displays a message such as "Do you want to select a transmission image? (YES, NO)" and allows the user to make a selection. If the user does not select a transmission image, the MPU 5 selects a default image stored in the internal memory in advance (step S12).
2).

On the other hand, when the user desires to select a transmission image, the MPU 5 allows the user to select a transmission image in the following step S123. Specifically, the image display device 9
Display a message such as "Do you want to send a new image instead of the stored image? (YES, NO)" and send the user any of the images stored in the internal memory. Or whether a new image is to be transmitted. The user
If it is desired to transmit any of the stored images, the MPU 5 causes the user to select an image in step S124. On the other hand, when the user desires to transmit a new image, the MPU 5 performs imaging in step S125 and stores the image.

The MPU 5 transmits an image signal relating to the image thus selected in step S102. In this case, for example, when a single telephone device is shared by a plurality of persons, such as in a family or workplace, and there are a plurality of images corresponding to the stored image signals, the release switch 10 serving also as a selection unit is provided. , The user's own image can be specified, and in such a case, the input of the user's own password stored in association with the image can be a condition for transmitting the specified image.

The MPU 5 determines in step S103
It is determined whether the line is connected by the other party picking up the receiver or pressing the line connection button 8a. If the line is not connected, the operation of the telephone device ends. On the other hand, if the line is connected, a call with the other party is permitted in step S104. Further, in step S105, the MPU 5 determines whether or not the line is disconnected by itself or the other party placing the handset or pressing the line disconnection button 8b. When the line is disconnected, the operation of the telephone device ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the line is not disconnected, the process returns to step S104 to allow a call with the other party.

In the destination telephone device 100, in the incoming call waiting state, the MPU 5 executes step S106.
Receives an image, and displays the image on the image display device 9 in step S107. The phone number can be displayed together. At the call destination, looking at the image, if a call with the caller is desired, the line is connected by picking up the receiver or pressing the line connection button 8a. The MPU 5 determines the connection of the line (step S108), and if the line is not connected, the destination telephone device 100 maintains the standby state.

On the other hand, if the line is connected, the MPU 5
In step S109, the caller's telephone number is compared with the incoming call record stored in the non-volatile memory 6 to determine whether or not it is the first incoming call. If it is determined that the call has arrived for the first time, the MPU 5 stores the image in the non-volatile memory 6 in step S110 in association with the telephone number of the caller. On the other hand, if the call has not arrived for the first time, step S110 is skipped. The recording of the image in step S110 is not limited to the case where an image arrives for the first time, and the image may be updated each time an image arrives.

Subsequently, the MPU 5 allows a call with the other party in step S110. Further, in step S111, the MPU 5 determines whether itself or the other party hangs up the receiver,
It is determined whether the line has been disconnected by pressing the line disconnection button 8b or the like. When the line is disconnected, the operation of the telephone device ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the line is not disconnected, the process returns to step S110 to allow a call with the other party.

Once the image signal is stored in the non-volatile memory 6 in association with the telephone number, by reading the telephone number of the transmission source transmitted at the time of the incoming call, the stored image signal is converted based on the telephone number. The search and the corresponding image can be displayed on the image display device 9. In this way, although the image at the source can be displayed before the line is connected, the transmission of the image from the source becomes unnecessary, and the communication time can be further reduced. In this case,
If an image rejection signal is transmitted from the destination telephone device, the source telephone device can set the second mode in which the image signal is not transmitted accordingly.

Further, in a modification of the present embodiment,
The stored image can be used instead of a phone book.
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, three images G <b> 1 to G <b> 3 corresponding to a partner having a high call frequency are stored in the nonvolatile memory 6 in association with the telephone numbers. Here, when a call with the other party corresponding to the image G1 is desired, if the release switch 10 or the like of the image G1 is specified, the associated telephone number is automatically input, and the telephone device of the other party who desires the call is transmitted to the telephone apparatus of the other party. You can make a phone call.

[0035]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a telephone device that allows a destination to easily recognize a source.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a telephone device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the telephone means 8;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the telephone device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the telephone device according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 lens 2 imaging means 3 A / D conversion device 4 image memory 5 MPU 6 nonvolatile memory 7 power supply 8 telephone means 9 image display device 10 release button 11 microphone 12 mode selection switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 5C064 AA01 AB03 AC04 AC06 AC12 AC16 5K025 AA08 DD06 JJ10 JJ12 JJ18 5K101 LL12 NN06 NN18 NN21 NN21 PP03 QQ07

Claims (10)

[Claims] A storage unit for storing an image signal corresponding to an image; and a transmission unit for transmitting the image signal to another telephone device. A telephone device wherein an image corresponding to a transmitted image signal is displayed before a line is connected. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to selectively set a first mode in which the transmitting unit transmits the image signal and a second mode in which the image signal is not transmitted. When selected,
2. A display screen of a telephone device of a party to which a line is connected, wherein an image corresponding to the transmitted image signal is displayed before the line is connected. The telephone device as described. 3. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the image is a portrait of a sender. 4. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the image is a mark indicating a sender. 5. The storage means is capable of storing image signals corresponding to a plurality of images, and further includes a selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality of images corresponding to the stored image signals. 5. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits an image signal corresponding to the selected image. 6. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores an image signal in response to input of a predetermined password. 7. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the telephone device has an image pickup unit that changes an optical image into an image signal. 8. A telephone device for receiving an image signal from the telephone device according to claim 1. 9. The telephone device, when a line with a caller is connected, stores a telephone number of the caller and a transmitted image signal in association with each other, and at the time of the next incoming call, stores the caller's telephone number. 9. The telephone device according to claim 8, wherein a telephone number is read, and an image corresponding to the read telephone number is displayed on a display screen based on the image signal stored in the storage unit. 10. When an image is specified when an image is displayed on the display screen, a call is made to a telephone device corresponding to the telephone number.
A telephone device according to item 1.