JP2002281469A - Video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record voices, moving pictures, still pictures or text, etc., for a long time in a video telephone system. SOLUTION: This video telephone system is provided with a data storing part 10 for temporarily storing a digital signal and a video recording part 11 for converting a digital signal into a video signal and storing the video signal. A controlling part 1 stores the digital signal into the video recording part 11 when the digital signal stored in the data storing part 10 reaches a predetermined capacity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone device, and more particularly, to a video telephone device capable of recording voice, moving image, still image, text, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As in the case of a conventional telephone device, a conventional video telephone device has a storage medium for recording the contents of a conversation and for an answering machine function. In addition, the video telephone device is not limited to a voice call or a video telephone,
Some have functions such as W (World Wide Web) browsing or e-mail. Therefore, audio, video,
There are a wide variety of things recorded on storage media such as still images or texts.

In a videophone device that does not require a personal computer, a flash memory is used as a medium for storing data. Due to size and price restrictions as a videophone device, no storage medium such as a hard disk device or a device such as a floppy disk drive is provided.

[0004]

However, the flash memory is not suitable as a large-capacity storage medium due to its high cost and occupation area on the substrate. Therefore,
Due to the small capacity, there is a problem that the user must periodically erase the contents of the flash memory.

[0005] In addition, if erasure must be performed frequently, there is another problem that past stored contents cannot be viewed retroactively for a long period of time.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a videophone device capable of recording voice, moving image, still image, text, or the like for a long period of time. It is in.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a voice input device for inputting a voice of a caller, and a voice of a call partner. Audio output means for outputting an image of the caller, image input means for inputting an image of the caller, display means for outputting an image of the caller or the other party, communication means for connecting to the Internet, and the Internet Via WWW
Browsing means for displaying on the display means the voice information, image information and text information received from the e-mail, mail means for displaying on the display means text information of e-mail to be transmitted and received via the Internet, A digital signal obtained by converting the image, a data storage unit that stores a digital signal including the audio information, the image information, and the character information, and at least the image information and the character information included in the digital signal. A video signal storage means for converting a screen, one of which is displayed on the display means, and a sound output from the sound information to the sound output means, into a video signal and storing the video signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the digital signal stored in the data storage means reaches a predetermined capacity, the digital signal is stored in the video signal storage means. It is characterized by storing a signal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a videophone device for storing a digital signal including audio information, image information and character information, wherein the data storage means for temporarily storing the digital signal; And a video signal storage unit that converts the digital signal into a video signal and stores the digital signal. When the digital signal stored in the data storage unit reaches a predetermined capacity, the digital signal is stored in the video signal storage unit. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, a list creating means for creating a list of the video signals stored in the video signal storing means is provided. It is characterized by.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the list includes a counter value indicating a head position of the video signal in the video signal storage means, Has a cueing function when reproducing the video signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the audio information and the image information according to the third, fourth, or fifth aspect of the present invention are videophone call records.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image information and the character information according to the third, fourth, or fifth aspect of the invention are received from a WWW.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the character information according to the third, fourth or fifth aspect is character information in an electronic mail.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the video signal storage means according to any one of the third to eighth aspects further comprises a screen displaying at least one of the image information and the character information on a display means. And converting the audio information and the audio output to the audio output means into the video signal and storing the video signal.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention. A control unit 1 for controlling the entire videophone device has a display unit 2 for displaying a caller and a call partner, an audio output unit 3 for outputting the caller and the call partner's voice, and a caller's voice. Voice input unit 4 and image input unit 5 for photographing the face of the caller
And an operation input unit 6 for adjusting and controlling a dial and a device.

The control unit 1 includes a communication unit 7 for transmitting and receiving voices and images via a public network, an Internet browsing function unit 8 for connecting to the Internet and browsing home pages, and a communication unit 7. An e-mail function unit 9 for connecting to the Internet to send and receive and manage e-mails, and a data recording unit 10 for storing an address book, contents of a videophone, answering machine, sent and received e-mails, or previously browsed home pages. And a video recording unit 11 for recording and recording the contents of a videophone, an e-mail, and a homepage as video signals of images and sounds.
And a list creator 12 for creating a list of recording contents when storing data in the video recorder 11.

The display unit 2 may use an existing display device such as a television monitor or a personal computer display. The audio output unit 3 and the audio input unit 4 may use an existing telephone or an existing device that can output audio such as television and audio, in addition to the speaker and the microphone.
The image input unit 5 may use an existing device such as a video camera or a digital camera. The communication unit 7 is a POTS
(Plain Old TelephoneService) or ISDN (In
integrated Services Digital Network), mobile communication networks such as mobile phones and PHS, or 100Base-
A terminal of a LAN (Local Area Network) such as T may be used. The video recording unit 11 has a VHS (Video Home Syst
em) or an existing recording device such as a DVD (Digital Video Disk).

With such a configuration, the contents of the videophone are stored in the data storage unit 10 when the user operates the operation input unit 6. Voice and image information, which is the content of the videophone, is digitally converted and stored in the data storage unit 10. Similarly, information such as an answering machine, an e-mail, or a home page is also stored in the data storage unit 10 as digital information. When the capacity of the information stored in the data storage unit 10 reaches a certain ratio,
The control unit 1 automatically performs recording and recording by the video recording unit 11 and deletes data in the data storage unit 10.

At this time, a warning recommending video recording can be output from the display unit 2 and the audio output unit 3 so that the video can be manually recorded and then the data can be deleted. Also, recording can be performed at an arbitrary set time. Further, the user can perform video recording of the contents of a videophone or answering machine, e-mail, or information of a homepage by directly operating the data storage unit 10 by operating the operation input unit 6.

In this way, even if it is desired to exceed the capacity that can be recorded in the data storage unit 10, a large amount of information can be stored by video recording. In addition, since the video recording unit 11 can handle audio, moving images, still images, texts, and the like in a unified manner, user convenience can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list for selecting a videophone to be recorded. This is a list for manually selecting a videophone to be recorded, and is created by the list creation unit 12. The list 201 includes an item 211 to be selected.
And the date and time 212 when the call was started, the call partner 213,
Title / content 214 and call time 215 are included. One or more of these items may be omitted, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed. Further, an item for distinguishing between recording of an answering machine and recording of a normal telephone may be added. When the record button 202 is selected, the item designated by the item to be selected is recorded. When recording,
It is also possible to record after sorting in the order of the time, the alphabetical order of the other party or the alphabetical order of the title.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of recorded videophones. When the recording of the videophone selected in the list 201 shown in FIG. 2 is completed, the list is created by the list creating unit 12. The list 301 includes the date and time 3 when the call was started.
12, a call partner 313, a title / content 314, a call time 315, and a counter value 316. One or more of these items may be omitted, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed. Further, an item for distinguishing between recording of an answering machine and recording of a normal telephone may be added.

Furthermore, instead of the counter value 316, the track number may be managed. When a call content that the user wants to see in the list 301 is selected, the counter value 316 is used to
The cue of the recorded content is performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list for selecting an electronic mail to be recorded. This is a list for manually selecting an e-mail to be recorded, and is created by the list creation unit 12. The list 401 includes an item 411 to be selected.
And the date and time 412 when the e-mail was received, and the sender 413
And the title / contents 414. One or more of these items may be omitted, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed. Further, an item indicating whether or not there is an attached file may be added. When the record button 402 is selected,
The item designated by the item to be selected is recorded. At the time of recording, it is also possible to sort the images in order of time, alphabetical order of the sender or alphabetical order of the title before recording.

For recording an e-mail, a screen displaying the contents of the e-mail may be recorded as a still image, or text data may be converted to voice and only voice may be recorded.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a list of recorded e-mails. When the recording of the electronic mail selected in the list 401 shown in FIG. 4 is completed, the electronic mail is created by the list creating unit 12. The list 501 includes a date and time 512 at which the e-mail was received, a sender 513, a title / content 514,
And a counter value 516. Of these items, 1
There may be no more than one item, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed. Further, an item indicating whether or not there is an attached file may be added.

Furthermore, instead of the counter value 516, the track number may be used for management. When an e-mail to be viewed is selected from the list 501, the cue of the recorded content is performed using the counter value 516.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list for selecting a homepage to be recorded. This is a list for manually selecting a homepage to be recorded.
2 is created. The list 601 includes an item 61 to be selected.
1, a browse date and time 612, and a homepage address 613 are included. One or more of these items may be omitted, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed. When the record button 602 is selected, the item designated by the item to be selected is recorded. When recording, it is also possible to perform recording after sorting in time order or alphabetical order of addresses.

For recording a home page, a screen displaying the contents of the home page may be recorded as a still image.
The TML document and the image file may be recorded separately.
In addition, an audio file or an image file downloaded via the Internet may be recorded as it is, or may be recorded or recorded as a reproduced audio or a displayed image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list of recorded homepages. When the recording of the e-mail selected in the list 601 shown in FIG.
Created with List 701 includes date and time of browsing 7
12, homepage address 713, and counter value 7
16 are included. One or more of these items may be omitted, and a detailed information button may be provided so that more detailed information can be viewed.

Further, instead of the counter value 716, the track number may be used for management. When an e-mail to be viewed is selected from the list 701, the contents of the recording are searched for using the counter value 716.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Data storage means for temporarily storing the digital signal, and video signal storage means for converting the digital signal into a video signal and storing the digital signal, when the digital signal stored in the data storage means reaches a predetermined capacity Since the digital signal is stored in the video signal storage means,
Moving images, still images, text, and the like can be recorded for a long period of time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a videophone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list for selecting a videophone to be recorded.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of recorded videophones.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list for selecting an e-mail to be recorded.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a list of recorded e-mails.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list for selecting a homepage to be recorded.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list of recorded homepages.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Display part 3 Audio output part 4 Audio input part 5 Image input part 6 Operation input part 7 Communication part 8 Internet browse function part 9 E-mail function part 10 Data recording part 11 Video recording part 12 List preparation parts 201,301 , 401, 501, 601, 701
Lists 202, 402, 602 Record button 211, 411, 611 Items to select 212, 312 Date and time when the call started 213, 313 Call partner 214, 314, 414, 514 Title / content 215, 315 Talk time 316, 516, 716 Counter Value 412,512 Date and time when the e-mail was received 413,513 Sender 612,712 Date and time when browsed 613,713 Homepage address

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A voice input unit for inputting a voice of a caller, a voice output unit for outputting a voice of a call partner, an image input unit for inputting an image of the caller, the caller or the call Display means for outputting an image of the other party; communication means for connecting to the Internet; browsing means for displaying, on the display means, audio information, image information, and text information received from the WWW via the Internet; Mail means for displaying character information of an e-mail to be transmitted and received via the Internet on the display means, a digital signal obtained by converting the sound and the image, the sound information, the image information, and the character information Data storage means for storing a digital signal, and at least one of the image information and the character information contained in the digital signal A screen displayed on Display unit, videophone apparatus characterized by a voice outputting the audio information to the audio output unit and a video signal memory means for storing converted into a video signal. 2. The television according to claim 1, wherein when the digital signal stored in the data storage unit reaches a predetermined capacity, the digital signal is stored in the video signal storage unit. Telephone equipment. 3. A videophone device for storing a digital signal including audio information, image information and text information, a data storage means for temporarily storing the digital signal, and a digital signal for converting the digital signal into a video signal. Video signal storage means for storing, the digital signal stored in the data storage means,
The videophone device stores the digital signal in the video signal storage means when a predetermined capacity is reached. 4. The videophone apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a list creation unit for creating a list of the video signals stored in the video signal storage unit. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the list includes a counter value indicating a head position of the video signal in the video signal storage unit, and the video signal storage unit has a cueing function when reproducing the video signal. The videophone device according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the audio information and the image information are a call record of a videophone call.
Or the videophone device according to 5. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image information and the character information are WW
6. The signal is received from W.
The videophone device according to 1. 8. The videophone device according to claim 3, wherein the character information is character information in an electronic mail. 9. The video signal storage means converts a screen on which at least one of the image information and the character information is displayed on a display means and a sound output from the sound information to a sound output means into the video signal. 9. The videophone device according to claim 3, wherein the videophone device is stored.