JP2002058001A - Image transmission method for talking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically perform the transmission processing operation of a proper dynamic picture image containing a talker's own portrait without being in a hurry even when a telephone call arrives in a state or a place in which the transmission of an image is improper in a talking device such as a video telephone device which can automatically transmit a dynamic picture image containing a talker's portrait 40 in addition to voice. SOLUTION: Immediately after a call has been started, an original image 42 is not sent to a partner as it is, but an established image 44 on which, e.g. a noise is superposed is automatically transmitted. While the established image 44 is being transmitted, the image containing the own portrait to be transmitted can be selected from a plurality of kinds of preset patterns.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmitting method for simultaneously transmitting moving images including a portrait of a caller in various types of communication devices such as telephones, interphones, and remote conference systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of communication device, the main purpose is to provide a configuration in which a portrait of a caller can be transmitted and received as realistically as possible. The user can choose whether to send an image or not.

[0003]

However, if the image is stopped while having a call function with an image, the merit of the image transmission cannot be fully utilized. On the other hand, as a result of the caller and its surroundings being notified to the other party in real time, there is a risk that rough clothes or inappropriate images may be transmitted. In particular, in the case of videophones, it is unavoidable that a call is suddenly received and a response is made, and there is a problem that the timing of image switching is rushed and an inappropriate image is erroneously transmitted.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such inconvenience, and even if a call is suddenly received while in an inappropriate state or place for transmission, an appropriate image transmission process can be performed without panic. An object of the present invention is to provide an image transmission method that can be performed automatically.

[0005]

As shown in FIG. 3, an image transmitting method according to the present invention enables a moving image including a portrait 40 of a caller to be transmitted simultaneously during a call,
In various types of communication devices such as a video conference device or an intercom device, immediately after the start of a call, the default image 44 can be automatically transmitted, while the default image 44 should be transmitted during transmission. An image including a portrait of the user can be selected from a plurality of types of patterns.

Among the plurality of types of patterns that can be selected, the background portion 46 of the portrait 40 to be transmitted is replaced with a predetermined image, the clothing portion 50 in the portrait to be transmitted is replaced with a predetermined image, And at least one of applying a transformation process according to a preset procedure on the head 52 of the portrait to be transmitted.

[0007] The predetermined image 44 transmitted immediately after the start of the above-mentioned call causes, for example, a noise to be generated in the moving image including the portrait 40 of the user, or a predetermined image equivalent to an improper adjustment in which the focus, brightness and the like are incorrect. By processing, the portrait portion 40 can be recognized, but it is possible to make it difficult for the other party to make clear recognition. Further, it may be configured such that at least one of the call partner, the call time, and the receiving place is determined, and an image to be automatically transmitted is selected.

[0008]

According to the present invention, an appropriate image transmission process can be automatically performed without a hassle even if a call is received unexpectedly while in a state or place where transmission is inappropriate.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an example in which the present invention is applied to a fixed-type video telephone device using a public telephone line as a communication line. Includes the caller's portrait, regardless of whether the communication line is wired or wireless, or a public or private line, such as the call function used or the TV-type call function provided on the programmable display device used for the sequencer Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented in substantially the same manner for various types of communication devices having a function of transmitting a moving image.

The video telephone device 12 has a function as a normal telephone having a handset 16 and a dial button 18 on a main body case 14 as schematically shown in FIG. . Further, in conjunction with lifting the handset 16 as shown in FIG. 2 (b), a monitor 20 provided swingably with respect to the main body case 14 automatically opens to start displaying, and the monitor 2
The video camera 22 arranged above the camera 0 also starts an imaging operation.

Then, a transmission screen 24 including a portrait of the user captured via the video camera 22 and a reception screen 26 transmitted from the other party of the call via the communication line 10 are displayed by operating the display image selection switch 28. Monitor 2 in conjunction with
0 or both can be displayed simultaneously or alternatively.

That is, a video signal transmitted from another video telephone device through the communication line 10 is taken out by the image receiving unit 30 shown in FIG. Monitor 2
0 is displayed as a moving image. On the other hand, the moving image captured from the video camera 22 is converted into a video signal, input to the image transmitting unit 34, transformed into a predetermined data format, and received with another videophone device through the communication line 10. However, since these structures are substantially the same as those of the related art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention further comprises a database system 36 storing a plurality of image data and an image synthesizing unit 38 in the above-described configuration, and in addition to transmitting a moving image captured from the video camera 22 as it is. The configuration has a feature that enables transmission of a corrected moving image using image data stored in the database system 36.

That is, according to the present invention, when a call is received from an unknown party, the video camera 22 responds.
Even if the portrait 40 displayed in the original image 42 illustrated in FIG. 3 (a) captured in FIG. 3A has a rough style, the image including the portrait 40 is not sent to the other party as it is. A preset image 44 set in advance is first sent to the other party of the call, and during the period in which the default image 44 is being sent, the above-described display image selecting switch 28 is operated to switch the selection switch unit 32. Switching to enable selection of an image 54 to be transmitted during a subsequent call.

Here, as the above-mentioned default image 44, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), noise is intentionally generated on the screen on which the portrait 40 is shown, or the brightness or contrast is deviated. It is possible to make it impossible for the caller to clearly determine the situation of the person who answered.

Further, a comment such as "Now adjusting the image" is superimposed and displayed on the entire screen. The speaker's portrait 40 is cut out from the image taken from the video camera 22, and the background 46 is made a solid color. And a predetermined pattern selected from the default screen data 47 is used as the default image 44, so that the portrait 4
By transmitting 0, it is possible to effectively use the function as a videophone and to determine whether or not the original image 42 contains an image that is inconvenient to transmit even when a call is unexpectedly received. It is possible to provide a preparatory period for making a calm judgment. Then, when the receiver rings and picks up the receiver, the default image 44 is automatically transmitted.

On the other hand, an image which can be selected by using the display image selecting switch 28 during the transmission of the predetermined image 44 is input from the video camera 22 and the synthesizing image data 48 extracted using the database system 36. The moving image is input to the image synthesizing unit 38, and the portrait 40 and the background 46 are utilized while utilizing the portrait 40 captured by the video camera 22, for example, by using the image data for synthesis 48 as shown in FIG. This allows image transmission in a state that is convenient for the user.

Here, the image synthesizing unit 38 is a video camera 2
Extract the portrait part 40 from the moving image input from Step 2,
Basically, it has a function of inserting the image data for synthesis 48 extracted from the database system 36 into the remaining part to enable synthesis. Further, the image synthesizing unit 38 according to the present invention
In the above, image processing can be performed on the clothes 50 and the head 52 in the portrait 40.

First, the image processing to be added to the background is used when it is desired to convey a place where the call is received or the surrounding situation to the other party in a state different from reality, and is used in the company or in the house. A photo or moving image of the place where the user should be at that time is used. In addition, by selecting a background image indicating a state where many people are nearby, it is possible to deal with a security problem.

Next, the image processing to be applied to the clothing portion 50 is such that the clothing portion 50 can be changed in accordance with the caller when the user is dressed roughly, such as taking a bath. For example, by choosing formal clothes such as a business suit for a company or a call from a superior person, and on the other hand, choosing a rough clothes for a close friend, so that the clothes correspond to the other party and the contents of the call. It is possible to wear.

Finally, the image processing of the portrait 40 itself is performed when an incoming call is made during a state of undressing, such as early in the morning or late at night, or for decorations such as wigs and glasses that are usually worn. When small items are suddenly not available,
A decoration accessory is displayed superimposed on the portrait 40 of the self, or the color of the lips and skin is adjusted according to the state of makeup,
Or, in addition to that, the focus is deliberately shifted so that the real face is not transmitted to the other party as it is.

It is to be noted that, as described above, in addition to the fixed image 44 to be sent in advance at the beginning of the call, a call partner is specified by a telephone number, a call time is specified by a clock function, and a call location is specified by a telephone used. Is automatically determined,
It is also possible to automatically select the default image 44 to be sent or the subsequent selected image 54 in accordance with the judgment content.

Also, in the reception agency business, it is also possible to configure so that it responds to the telephone number called by the other party, and responds in a state where the respondent wears the uniform of the company specified by the telephone number. it can. In addition, when the other party is a child, it is also possible to select an image of the state by dressing as an animal or an anime character, and if the expression of the caller can be determined, the image to be selected is arbitrary. Of course, it can be changed and implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a videophone device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing an example of the appearance of the videophone device, wherein FIG. 2A shows a standby state, and FIG.

3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a moving image transmitted from a videophone device, wherein FIG. 3A shows an original image captured from a video camera, and FIG. 3B shows a default image transmitted at the beginning of a call; , (C) shows the selected selected image after modification.

[Description of Signs] 10 Communication line 12 Videophone device 14 Main body case 16 Handset 18 Dial button 20 Monitor 22 Video camera 24 Transmission screen 26 Reception screen 28 Display image selection switch 30 Image reception unit 32 Selection switch unit 34 Image transmission unit 36 Database system 38 Image synthesis unit 40 Portrait 42 Original image 44 Default image 46 Background part 48 Image data for synthesis 50 Clothing part 52 Head 54 Selected image

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Claims (5)

[Claims] A communication device capable of simultaneously transmitting a moving image including a portrait of a caller during a call, wherein a predetermined image (44) can be automatically transmitted immediately after a call is started. An image transmission method, wherein a self portrait to be transmitted can be selected from a plurality of types of patterns while transmitting the predetermined image (44). 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable patterns include replacing a background portion of a portrait to be transmitted with a predetermined image, and replacing a clothing portion of the portrait to be transmitted with a predetermined image. 2. The image transmitting method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of replacing and applying a deformation process on the head (52) of the portrait to be transmitted in accordance with a preset procedure. 3. A predetermined image (44) transmitted immediately after the start of the call performs a predetermined process on a moving image including a portrait (40) of the self, making it difficult for the other party to recognize the image clearly. 3. The image transmission method according to claim 1, wherein 4. A predetermined image transmitted immediately after the start of the call is determined by determining at least one of a call partner, a call time, and a receiving place, and an image to be automatically transmitted is selected. The image transmission method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 5. The image transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the communication device includes a video telephone device, a video conference device, and an intercom device.