JP2005151443A - Information equipment equipped with video telephone function, communication system equipped information equipment, communication method by information equipment equipped with video telephone function, program, and recording medium recording program thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a first mobile telephone with a video telephone function which enables video such as television broadcast to be watched at least in real time by a second mobile telephone with a video telephone function brought to a destination. <P>SOLUTION: Information equipment equipped with a video telephone function comprises a tuner signal receiving portion 22 for successively receiving a video signal from the outside; a video encoding portion 51 for encoding the video signal received by the tuner signal receiving portion 22; and a transmitting portion (transmission controlling portion 65, wireless processor 12, and antenna portion 11) for successively transmitting the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding portion 51 to a second mobile telephone 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information device with a videophone function for performing videophone communication, a communication system including the same, a communication method using the information device with a videophone function, a program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable televisions with a built-in television tuner (hereinafter also simply referred to as a tuner) have been developed so that television broadcasts can be viewed in various places such as outdoors. However, since this type of portable television needs to incorporate a tuner, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight, leading to an increase in cost.

  Therefore, in recent years, as shown in Patent Document 1, a broadcast data transmission / reception system has been developed that allows a user to view a television broadcast in various places via a network without providing a tuner.

  Specifically, the broadcast data transmission / reception system includes a television receiver, a wide area network such as the Internet, a portable terminal device, and an interface used to connect the television receiver and the wide area network. And the television broadcast from a television receiver is acquired with the portable terminal device via the wide area network. Thereby, in the portable terminal device, it is possible to view a television broadcast without providing a tuner.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a video repeater that allows a user to view a television broadcast on a terminal device such as a mobile phone via a network, and a network system including the video repeater.

  Specifically, in the network system, the video repeater is connected to the television receiver and the network, and the terminal device is connected to the network, so that the television broadcast from the television receiver can be viewed on the terminal device. Yes.

  In recent years, portable telephone terminals having a videophone function (hereinafter referred to as videophone function-equipped mobile phones) have been developed. Here, the videophone function refers to a function in which callers use a telephone line to call each other by checking each other on the screen.

Even when these mobile phones are used, television broadcasts can be viewed as follows. In other words, the TV broadcast projected on the screen of the TV receiver is copied by the shooting unit (camera) of the other party's mobile phone that made the videophone call, and the TV broadcast is displayed by the voice input unit (microphone) of the mobile phone. By receiving audio, it is possible to view a television broadcast.
JP 2001-275093 A (publication date: October 5, 2001) JP 2003-23548 A (publication date: January 24, 2003)

  However, although Patent Document 1 uses a wide area network such as the Internet, in this configuration, unlike a mobile phone communication network, access points are limited. For this reason, there is a problem that the viewing area of the television broadcast is limited. If it is connected to a wide area network from a place away from the access point, for example, there is a problem that the communication fee increases if it is outside the business area, and there are not a few restrictions on the communication place. Furthermore, as described above, it is necessary to separately provide an interface used for connecting the television receiver to the wide area network.

  In the configuration of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide a dedicated video repeater.

  In addition, when watching a TV broadcast using a mobile phone with a video phone function, there must be a call partner near the TV receiver. For this reason, it is difficult to view a TV broadcast on a mobile phone at any time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to use video (telephone) telephone communication in other information equipment with video telephone function brought to the destination with a simple configuration. , Information device with video phone function typified by mobile phone with video phone function capable of at least viewing video such as TV broadcast in real time, communication system including the same, and communication method using information device with video phone function And a program and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention includes a first receiving unit that sequentially receives video signals from the outside, and a video signal that encodes a video signal received by the first receiving unit. It is characterized by comprising encoding means and transmission means for sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means to another information device with videophone function.

  The information device with videophone function according to the present invention is the information device with videophone function according to the present invention, wherein the first receiving means further receives an audio signal sequentially from the outside and the audio received by the first receiving means. Audio signal encoding means for encoding the signal, wherein the transmission means multiplexes the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means The multiplexed signal thus transmitted is sequentially transmitted to the other information device with videophone function.

  The video telephone function-equipped information device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the video phone function-equipped information device, the video signal sequentially received by the first receiving means is a television broadcast video signal.

  In the video phone function-equipped information device according to the present invention, in the video phone function-equipped information device, the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the first receiving unit are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively. It is characterized by that.

  In the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention, in the above information device with a video phone function, when the device that outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device, the first receiving unit is An interface means for performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the signal output device is provided.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is connected to a cradle so as to be communicable when the device for outputting a video signal and an audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device in the above information device with a video phone function. The first receiving means receives the video signal and the audio signal based on the output of the signal output device, and the video signal and the audio signal which have been subjected to predetermined signal processing in the cradle via the cradle. It is characterized by.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention comprises a second receiving means for receiving a data signal transmitted from the other information device with a video phone function in the above information device with a video phone function, When the reception means receives the data signal, the transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to the other information device with videophone function.

  The information device with a videophone function according to the present invention can individually identify the other information device with a videophone function from the data signal received by the second receiving means in the information device with the videophone function. An authentication unit for acquiring identification information and authenticating whether the other information device with videophone function is a predetermined other information device with videophone function based on the acquired identification information; The transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a video phone function when it is authenticated as a predetermined other information device with a video phone function.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above information device with a video phone function, operation instruction means for transmitting instruction data relating to the operation of the signal output device to the signal output device is provided. It is said.

  The information device with videophone function according to the present invention is the information device with videophone function according to the above-mentioned information device with videophone function, wherein the second receiving means receives a data signal related to switching of a TV channel from the other information device with videophone function. The operation instruction means transmits instruction data including an instruction to switch a television channel in accordance with the received data signal.

  The information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is the information device with the video phone function, wherein the second receiving means receives the data signal from the other information device with the video phone function. The means transmits the instruction data including an instruction to turn on the power of the signal output device.

  The information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is the above information device with a video phone function, when the second receiving means does not receive the data signal from the other information device with a video phone function. The operation instruction means transmits instruction data including an instruction to turn off the power of the signal output device.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is the above-described information device with a video phone function, and at least display means for displaying an image based on a video signal from the other information device with a video phone function, Audio output means for outputting audio based on an audio signal from the other information device with videophone function, whether to display an image based on the video signal, and to output audio based on the audio signal And an output control means for controlling.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the information device with a video phone function, the information device with a video phone function is a portable communication terminal.

  An information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is characterized in that in the information device with a video phone function, the information device with a video phone function is a mobile phone.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication system according to the present invention includes first receiving means for sequentially receiving video signals from the outside, and video signal encoding means for encoding the video signals received by the first receiving means. A video telephone function-equipped information device comprising: a transmission means for sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means to another information device with a video telephone function; In addition, the information processing apparatus includes: a signal output device that sequentially transmits video signals; and another information device with video phone function that sequentially receives the video signal via the information device with video phone function.

  The communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the communication system described above, the video signal transmitted by the signal output device is a video signal of a television broadcast.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, the first receiving unit further includes an audio signal encoding unit that sequentially receives an audio signal from the outside and encodes the audio signal received by the first receiving unit, The transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means to the other video telephone function-added information. Information device with video phone function for sequentially transmitting to a device, signal output device for sequentially transmitting video signal and audio signal to the information device with video phone function, and the video phone function with the video signal and audio signal It is characterized by comprising other information equipment with videophone function that is sequentially received via the attached information equipment.

  The communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the communication system, the video and audio signals transmitted by the signal output device are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, in the above communication system, the first receiving unit includes an interface unit that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the signal output device. It is said.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, when the device that outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device, the communication device is communicably connected to the cradle, and the first receiving unit is connected to the signal output device. A video signal and an audio signal based on the output, which are transmitted from the signal output device and the information device with a video phone function for receiving the video signal and the audio signal, which are subjected to predetermined signal processing in the cradle, via the cradle. A cradle that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal, a signal output device that sequentially transmits the video signal and the audio signal to the cradle, and the video signal and the audio signal that are signal-processed by the cradle Other video phone function-equipped information devices that sequentially receive the information via the video phone function-equipped information device. It is characterized by a door.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, in the communication system described above, the information device with a videophone function includes a second reception unit that receives a data signal transmitted from the other information device with a videophone function, (2) When the receiving unit receives the data signal, the transmitting unit transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a videophone function.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, in the communication system described above, the information device with videophone function can individually identify the other information device with videophone function from the data signal received by the second receiving means. Authenticating means for acquiring the identification information and authenticating whether the other information device with videophone function is a predetermined other information device with videophone function based on the acquired identification information, When it is authenticated that the information device is a predetermined other information device with a video phone function, the transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a video phone function.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication method using an information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention includes a first step of sequentially receiving video signals from the outside and a second step of encoding the received video signals. And a third step of sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded in the second step to another information device with a videophone function.

  The communication method using the information device with videophone function according to the present invention is the communication method using the information device with videophone function, wherein the video signal received in the first step is a video signal of television broadcasting. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication method using an information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention includes a first step of sequentially receiving a video signal and an audio signal from the outside, and encoding the received video signal and audio signal. And a third step of multiplexing the video signal and the audio signal encoded in the second step and sequentially transmitting them to another information device with a videophone function. It is said.

  The communication method using the information device with video phone function according to the present invention is the communication method using the information device with video phone function, wherein the video signal and the audio signal received in the first step are each a television broadcast. Video signals and audio signals.

  In order to solve the above problems, a program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the communication method using the information device with a video phone function.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium on which the above program is recorded.

  As described above, the information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention is configured as follows by organic coupling of the first receiving means for sequentially receiving video signals from the outside, the video signal encoding means, and the transmitting means. It becomes possible.

  First, a video signal can be sequentially received from the outside by the first receiving means. Thereby, the video signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video phone function. The video signal encoding means can convert the video signal into a data format that can be transmitted to another information device with a videophone function. Furthermore, the encoded video signal can be sequentially transmitted to other information equipment with a video telephone function by the transmission means. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal from the outside can be sequentially transmitted to other information devices with a videophone function.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an information device with a video phone function that can be viewed in real time on another information device with a video phone function.

  Note that the information device with the video phone function and the other information device with the video phone function may each be a portable type or a stationary type.

  In the information device with a videophone function according to the present invention, as described above, the first receiving unit further receives the audio signal sequentially from the outside and encodes the audio signal received by the first receiving unit. Audio signal encoding means, wherein the transmission means is a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means. Since the data is sequentially transmitted to the other information device with video telephone function, the following can be performed.

  First, the first receiving means can sequentially receive not only a video signal but also an audio signal from the outside. Thereby, the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video telephone function. Then, the audio signal encoding means can convert the audio signal into a data format that can be transmitted to another information device with a videophone function. Further, the transmission means converts the multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means, to another video telephone function. Sequential transmission to information equipment is possible. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially transmitted to another information device with a videophone function.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an information device with a video phone function that enables video and audio to be viewed in real time on another information device with a video phone function.

  Note that “multiplexing” here means that both a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted to another information device with a videophone function, and the two signals are not necessarily one signal. It is not limited. For example, a transmission / reception interface for each signal may be provided separately, and each may be processed in parallel.

  As described above, the video telephone function-equipped information device according to the present invention is characterized in that the video signal sequentially received by the first receiving means is a video signal for television broadcasting.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an information device with a video phone function that allows other information devices with a video phone function to view video of a television broadcast in real time.

  As described above, in the video telephone function-equipped information device according to the present invention, the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the first receiving unit are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an information device with a video phone function that enables video and audio of a television broadcast to be viewed in real time on another information device with a video phone function.

  As described above, in the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention, when the device that outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device, the first receiving unit receives the signal from the signal output device. Interface means for performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal and audio signal.

  Therefore, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the signal output device are analog signals and the connection to the signal output device is wired, A / D conversion is performed as a predetermined process in the interface means. By performing the above, digital data based on the video signal can be obtained. Therefore, there is an effect that encoding is possible by the video signal encoding means.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the signal output device are analog signals, and the connection to the signal output device is wireless, A / D conversion and By performing the wireless signal processing, there is an effect that the video signal encoding means can perform the encoding similarly.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the signal output device are digital signals and the connection with the signal output device is wireless, the interface means performs a wireless signal process as a predetermined process. Thus, similarly, there is an effect that the video signal encoding means can perform encoding.

  As described above, the information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention is connected to a cradle so as to be communicable when the device that outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device. The receiving means receives the video signal and the audio signal based on the output of the signal output device, which are subjected to predetermined signal processing in the cradle, via the cradle.

  Therefore, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the signal output device are analog signals and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wired, A / D is performed as a predetermined process in the cradle. By performing the conversion, digital data based on the video signal and the audio signal can be obtained by the information device with the video telephone function. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion in the information device with a video phone function.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the signal output device are analog signals, and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wireless, A / D conversion is performed as predetermined processing in the cradle. And by performing wireless signal processing, digital data based on a video signal and an audio signal can be obtained by an information device with a videophone function. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion and radio signal processing in the information device with a video phone function.

  In addition, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the signal output device are digital signals, and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wired, wireless signal processing is performed as predetermined processing in the cradle. By doing so, it is not necessary to perform radio signal processing in the information device with video telephone function.

  Therefore, by performing predetermined signal processing with the cradle, there is no need for predetermined signal processing in the information device with video telephone function, and the information device with video telephone function can be reduced in size.

  In addition, by supplying power to the information device with the video phone function using the cradle, the information device with the video phone function does not run out of battery. Therefore, it is possible to provide a videophone function-equipped information device that enables viewing of a TV broadcast for a long time using another videophone function-equipped information device. Further, even when the operation of charging the battery is limited, there is an effect that the video and audio of the television broadcast can be viewed from a distance.

  As described above, the video telephone function-equipped information device according to the present invention includes second receiving means for receiving a data signal transmitted from the other video telephone function-equipped information equipment, and the second receiving means includes the data When the signal is received, the transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to the other information device with video phone function, so that if there is an incoming call from another information device with video phone function, the other video phone TV broadcasts can be viewed on functional information devices.

  Therefore, it is possible to view a TV broadcast on another information device with a video phone function only by making a video (video) phone call from another information device with a video phone function.

  As described above, the information device with videophone function according to the present invention acquires identification information that can individually identify the other information device with videophone function from the data signal received by the second receiving means. Authentication means for authenticating whether the other information device with videophone function is a predetermined other information device with videophone function based on the acquired identification information. When it is authenticated that the information device has a telephone function, the transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a video telephone function.

  Therefore, only a predetermined other information device with a videophone function can view a television broadcast.

  Therefore, it is possible to limit the number of information devices that can receive television broadcasts and the number of users.

  As described above, the information device with a videophone function according to the present invention includes operation instruction means for transmitting instruction data relating to the operation of the signal output device to the signal output device.

  Therefore, for example, instruction data such as ON / OFF control of the power supply of the signal output device, channel switching, voice switching, and brightness adjustment can be transmitted from the information device with videophone function to the signal output device. .

  Therefore, the signal output device can be operated from the information device with videophone function.

  As described above, the information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention is configured such that when the second receiving unit receives a data signal relating to switching of a TV channel from the other information device with a video telephone function, the operation instruction unit Transmits instruction data including an instruction to switch the television channel according to the received data signal.

  Therefore, it is possible to switch channels in other information equipment with videophone function.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to view a favorite television program on another information device with a videophone function.

  As described above, when the second receiving means receives the data signal from the other information equipment with a video phone function, the operation instruction means has the signal with the video phone function according to the present invention. Instruction data including an instruction to turn on the output device is transmitted.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to turn on the power of the signal output device in advance.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an information device with a videophone function that can save power in the signal output device.

  The information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is the above information device with a video phone function, when the second receiving means does not receive the data signal from the other information device with a video phone function. The operation instruction means transmits instruction data including an instruction to turn off the power of the signal output device.

  Therefore, the power supply of the signal output device can be automatically turned off.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an information device with a videophone function that can save power in the signal output device.

  As described above, the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention includes at least display means for displaying an image based on a video signal from the other information device with video phone function, and at least the other video phone. Audio output means for outputting sound based on an audio signal from a functional information device, output control means for controlling whether to display an image based on the video signal, and to output audio based on the audio signal With.

  Therefore, the output control means can control whether to display an image based on the video signal and output an audio based on the audio signal.

  Therefore, when viewing or listening to a TV broadcast on another information device with a video phone function, the information device with a video phone function connected to the signal output device displays an image based on a video signal and the sound. Since it is not necessary to output sound based on signals, it is possible to save power by stopping the output of these displays and sounds.

  As described above, the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is a portable communication terminal.

  Therefore, there is an effect that a portable communication terminal can be used as the information device.

  As described above, the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention is a mobile phone.

  Therefore, there is an effect that a portable cellular phone having portability can be used as the information device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication system according to the present invention includes first receiving means for sequentially receiving video signals from the outside, and video signal encoding means for encoding the video signals received by the first receiving means. A video telephone function-equipped information device comprising: a transmission means for sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means to another information device with a video telephone function; In addition, the information processing apparatus includes: a signal output device that sequentially transmits video signals; and another information device with video phone function that sequentially receives the video signal via the information device with video phone function.

  First, in the information device with a video telephone function, video signals can be sequentially received from the outside by the first receiving means. Thereby, the video signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video phone function. The video signal encoding means of the video telephone function-equipped information device can convert the video signal into a data format that can be transmitted to another information device with the video telephone function. Further, the encoded video signal can be sequentially transmitted to other information devices with video telephone function by the transmission means of the information device with video telephone function. Therefore, the information device with a video telephone function can sequentially transmit a signal based on the video signal of the signal output device to another information device with a video telephone function.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication system capable of viewing video in real time on another information device with a videophone function.

  Note that the information device with the video phone function and the other information device with the video phone function may each be a portable type or a stationary type.

  The communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the communication system described above, the video signal transmitted by the signal output device is a video signal of a television broadcast.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication system that allows other videophone function-equipped information devices to view images of a television broadcast in real time.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, as described above, the first receiving unit further receives the audio signal from the outside and encodes the audio signal received by the first receiving unit. The transmission means includes a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means, An information device with a video phone function that sequentially transmits to an information device with a video phone function, a signal output device that sequentially transmits a video signal and an audio signal to the information device with a video phone function, and the video signal and the audio signal And another information device with a video phone function that sequentially receives the information device with the video phone function.

  First, in the information device with a videophone function, the first receiving means can sequentially receive not only the video signal but also the audio signal from the outside. Thereby, the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video telephone function. The audio signal encoding means of the information device with videophone function can convert the audio signal into a data format that can be transmitted to other information devices with videophone function. Further, the transmission means of the information device with video telephone function transmits a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means. Then, it can be sequentially transmitted to other information equipment with a videophone function. Therefore, the information device with a video phone function can sequentially transmit a signal based on the video signal and the audio signal of the signal output device to other information devices with a video phone function.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication system in which video and audio can be viewed in real time on another information device with a videophone function.

  Note that “multiplexing” here means that both a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted to another information device with a videophone function, and the two signals are not necessarily one signal. It is not limited. For example, a transmission / reception interface for each signal may be provided separately, and each may be processed in parallel.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, as described above, the video and audio signals transmitted by the signal output device are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication system in which video information and audio of a television broadcast can be viewed in real time on another information device with a videophone function.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present invention, the first receiving unit includes an interface unit that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the signal output device.

  Therefore, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the information device with video telephone function from the signal output device are analog signals, and the connection between the information device with video phone function and the signal output device is wired. In addition, digital data based on a video signal can be obtained in an information device with a videophone function by performing A / D conversion as a predetermined process in the interface means. Therefore, there is an effect that the video signal encoding means can perform encoding in the information device with video telephone function.

  In addition, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the information device with a videophone function from the signal output device are analog signals and the connection with the signal output device is wireless, a predetermined value is set in the interface means. By performing A / D conversion and radio signal processing as processing, the video signal encoding means can also be encoded by the video telephone function-equipped information device.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the information device with a videophone function from the signal output device are digital signals, and the connection with the signal output device is wireless, the interface means performs a predetermined process. By performing the wireless signal processing as the processing, similarly, it is possible to perform the encoding by the video signal encoding means in the information device with a video telephone function.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present invention, when the device that outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device, the communication device is communicably connected to the cradle. An information device with a videophone function that receives a video signal and an audio signal based on an output of the signal output device, the video signal and the audio signal having been subjected to predetermined signal processing in the cradle, via the cradle, and the signal A cradle that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal transmitted from the output device, a signal output device that sequentially transmits the video signal and the audio signal to the cradle, and the signal processing performed by the cradle Other video phone function-equipped information for sequentially receiving video signals and audio signals via the video phone function-equipped information device And a vessel.

  Therefore, when the video signal and the audio signal based on the output of the signal output device are analog signals and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wired, A / D is performed as a predetermined process in the cradle. By performing the conversion, digital data based on the video signal and the audio signal can be obtained by the information device with the video telephone function. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion in the information device with a video phone function.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal based on the output of the signal output device are analog signals and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wireless, A / D conversion is performed as a predetermined process in the cradle. And by performing wireless signal processing, digital data based on a video signal and an audio signal can be obtained by an information device with a videophone function. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion and radio signal processing in the information device with a video phone function.

  In addition, when the video signal and the audio signal based on the output of the signal output device are digital signals, and the connection between the signal output device and the cradle is wired, wireless signal processing is performed as predetermined processing in the cradle. By doing so, it is not necessary to perform radio signal processing in the information device with video telephone function.

  Therefore, by performing predetermined signal processing with the cradle, there is no need for predetermined signal processing in the information device with video telephone function, and the information device with video telephone function can be reduced in size.

  In addition, by supplying power to the information device with the video phone function using the cradle, the information device with the video phone function does not run out of battery. Therefore, it is possible to view a television broadcast from another information device with a videophone function for a long time. Furthermore, even when the operation of the information device with a video phone function is limited, such as when the battery is being charged, there is also an effect that the video and audio of the TV broadcast can be viewed on another information device with the video phone function.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, as described above, the information device with a video phone function includes second receiving means for receiving a data signal transmitted from the other information device with a video phone function. When the receiving unit receives the data signal, the transmitting unit transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a videophone function.

  Therefore, if there is an incoming call from another information device with a video phone function to the information device with a video phone function, the other information device with a video phone function can view a television broadcast.

  Therefore, it is possible to view a TV broadcast on another information device with a video phone function only by making a video (video) phone call from another information device with a video phone function.

  In the communication system according to the present invention, as described above, the information device with videophone function can individually identify the other information device with videophone function from the data signal received by the second receiving means. An authentication unit for acquiring identification information and authenticating whether the other information device with videophone function is a predetermined other information device with videophone function based on the acquired identification information; When it is authenticated that the information device is a predetermined other information device with a video phone function, the transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a video phone function.

  Therefore, only a predetermined other information device with a videophone function can view a television broadcast.

  Therefore, there is an effect that the number of other information devices with a video phone function that can receive a television broadcast and the number of users can be restricted.

  As described above, the communication method using the information device with a video phone function according to the present invention includes a first step of sequentially receiving video signals from the outside, a second step of encoding the received video signals, And a third step of sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded in the second step to another information device with a videophone function.

  First, in the first step, video signals can be sequentially received from the outside. Thereby, the video signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video phone function. In the second step, the video signal can be converted into a data format that can be transmitted to another information device with a videophone function. Furthermore, according to the third step, the encoded video signal can be sequentially transmitted to other information devices with a videophone function. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal can be sequentially transmitted to another information device with a videophone function.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication method in an information device with a video phone function that allows other information devices with a video phone function to view images in real time.

  As described above, in the communication method using the video telephone function-equipped information device according to the present invention, the video signal received in the first step is a video signal for television broadcasting.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication method by the information device with a video phone function that enables the other video phone function-equipped information device to view the video of the television broadcast in real time.

  As described above, the communication method using the information device with a video telephone function according to the present invention includes the first step of sequentially receiving the video signal and the audio signal from the outside, and the first step of encoding the received video signal and the audio signal. And a third step of multiplexing the video signal and the audio signal encoded in the second step and sequentially transmitting them to another information device with a videophone function.

  First, the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially received from the outside by the first step. Thereby, the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially acquired by the information device with the video telephone function. In the second step, the video signal and the audio signal can be converted into a data format that can be transmitted to another information device with a videophone function. Furthermore, according to the third step, the encoded video signal and audio signal can be sequentially transmitted to other information devices with a videophone function. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal and the audio signal can be sequentially transmitted to another information device with a videophone function.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication method in an information device with a video phone function capable of viewing a television broadcast in real time on another information device with a video phone function.

  As described above, in the communication method using the information device with videophone function according to the present invention, the video signal and the audio signal received in the first step are a video signal and an audio signal, respectively, of television broadcasting. .

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a communication method by the information device with the video phone function that enables the video and audio of the television broadcast to be viewed in real time on the other information device with the video phone function.

  As described above, the program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the communication method using the information device with a video phone function.

  By loading the program into a computer system, it is possible to provide a user with a communication method using the information device with the videophone function.

  The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium on which the program is recorded as described above.

  By loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system, it is possible to provide a user with a communication method using the information device with the videophone function.

  The information device with videophone function may be realized by a computer. In this case, an information processing program for realizing the information device with videophone function by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  In the following description of each embodiment, a case where both video phone function-equipped information devices are mobile phones as video phone function-equipped information devices capable of video phone communication with each other will be described. It is not limited to telephones. Also, when both videophone function-equipped information devices are stationary (devices that are difficult to carry and less portable than mobile phones, etc.), or one is portable and the other is stationary It may be.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a first mobile phone with a videophone function (information device with videophone function) 2, a TV 3, and a second mobile phone with a videophone function (other videophones). Functional information device) 4. In the following, the first mobile phone 2 with a videophone function and the second mobile phone 4 with a videophone function are described as a first mobile phone 2 and a second mobile phone 4, respectively.

  In the communication system 1, the second mobile phone 4 makes a videophone call to the first mobile phone 2 and performs communication using the mobile phone communication network between the two mobile phones (2, 4). The first mobile phone 2 and the television 3 are connected so as to be communicable with each other. The connection method may be wired or wireless. Although details will be described later, the television 3 is configured to transmit a video signal and an audio signal to the first mobile phone 2. In the following description, a case where the first mobile phone 2 and the television 3 are connected by wire will be described as an example.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the first mobile phone 2 and the television 3 in the communication system 1.

  As shown in the figure, the first mobile phone 2 includes an antenna unit 11, a radio processing unit 12, a control unit 13, a telephone number database unit 14, an AV codec unit 15, a display unit (display means) 16, and an audio output unit. (Sound output means) 17, photographing section 18, sound input section 19, operation section 20, IR (Infrared) transmission section 21, and tuner signal reception section (first reception means) 22 are provided. The television 3 includes a tuner unit (signal output device) 31, a display unit 32, and an audio output unit 33, as shown in FIG. The tuner unit 31 includes an IR receiving unit 34.

  The antenna unit 11 is used for communication with the second mobile phone 4. Specifically, the antenna unit 11 is an antenna used for receiving wireless data (data signal) from the second mobile phone 4 and transmitting wireless data to the second mobile phone 4.

  The wireless processing unit 12 performs data processing (wireless signal processing) on the wireless data from the second mobile phone 4 received by the antenna unit 11 and transmits the data processed data to the control unit 13. In addition, the wireless processing unit 12 performs data processing on the data transmitted from the control unit 13 and transmits the data processed data (wireless data) to the second mobile phone via the antenna unit 11. Output to 4.

  The telephone number database unit 14 includes a storage device such as a flash memory. The telephone number database unit 14 stores telephone numbers stored in advance by the user.

  The display unit 16 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal driving device and a liquid crystal display panel. In addition, it is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, An organic EL display device etc. may be sufficient. The display unit 16 displays an image on the display panel based on the video signal output from the AV codec unit 15.

  The audio output unit 17 includes a D / A converter, a speaker, and an earphone. The audio output unit 17 outputs audio to the outside based on the audio signal output from the AV codec unit 15.

  The photographing unit 18 includes a lens, a CCD circuit including a light receiving element, a CCD driving unit, a signal amplification unit, an A / D conversion unit, and a lens driving unit (not shown). Then, the image data obtained by photographing with the photographing unit 18 is transmitted to the AV codec unit 15.

  The voice input unit 19 includes an A / D converter and a microphone. In the voice input unit, the voice signal collected by the microphone is converted by the A / D converter and then transmitted to the AV codec unit 15.

  The operation unit 20 includes a plurality of operation keys provided on the surface of the mobile phone. An input command using the operation keys is once sent to the control unit 13. Further, the IR transmission unit 21 receives a command from the control unit 13 and transmits an infrared signal corresponding to the command.

  The tuner signal receiving unit 22 includes a connector unit 23 and an IF (Interface) unit (interface means) 24. The connector unit 23 is a connector for inputting video signals and audio signals from the tuner unit 31 of the television to the first mobile phone 2. Further, the IF unit 24 performs predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal obtained from the tuner unit 31 obtained through the connector unit 23. Further, after performing the predetermined processing, the IF unit 24 sequentially transmits data based on the video signal and the audio signal to the AV codec unit 15.

  For example, when the video signal and the audio signal obtained from the tuner unit 31 via the connector unit 23 are analog signals, the IF unit 24 performs A / D conversion on the analog signal and performs A / D conversion. The data digitized by the conversion is transmitted to the AV codec unit 15.

  Further, the display unit 32 of the television 3 may be a liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal driving device and a liquid crystal display panel, or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube, cathode ray tube (Brown tube)). That is, any device that converts an electrical signal into a visible image may be used. The display unit 32 displays an image based on the video signal output from the tuner unit 31.

  The audio output unit 33 of the television 3 includes a speaker or the like. The audio output unit 33 outputs audio based on the audio signal output from the tuner unit 31.

  For example, in the case of an analog system, the tuner unit 31 selects a desired channel signal from a VHF band or UHF band high-frequency television signal received by a not-shown receiving antenna, and each of the video signal and the audio signal is set to a predetermined intermediate frequency Convert to a signal. Thereafter, the tuner unit 31 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal and outputs the amplified signal to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, in order to obtain the video signal and the audio signal output from the tuner unit 31, the connector unit 23 of the first mobile phone 2 and the connector (not shown) of the tuner unit 31 are connected with an RGB cable. Connected. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and a USB cable or an IEEE cable may be used. These may be appropriately selected according to the connector shape of the tuner portion 31 and the connector shape of the connector portion 23 in the first mobile phone 2. Further, a conversion adapter for converting from the RGB system to the USB system may be installed between the tuner unit 31 and the connector unit 23, and the tuner unit 31 and the connector unit 23 may be connected.

  The IR receiver 34 of the tuner unit 31 receives an infrared signal output from the IR transmitter 21 of the first mobile phone 2. When the IR receiver 34 receives the infrared signal, for example, the selected channel is switched and the power of the tuner 31 is turned on / off in accordance with the infrared signal. Note that these switching processing, power ON / OFF, and the like will be described later.

  Next, the AV codec unit 15 will be described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the AV codec unit 15. The figure also shows the connection relationship between each functional block of the AV codec unit 15 and an external functional block.

  As shown in the figure, the AV codec unit 15 includes a video encoding unit (video signal encoding unit) 51, an audio encoding unit (audio signal encoding unit) 52, a multiplexing processing unit 53, a separation processing unit 54, and a video decoding unit. 55 and an audio decoding unit 56.

  The video encoding unit 51 encodes video data input from the photographing unit 18 and the IF unit 24, and the audio encoding unit 52 encodes audio data input from the audio input unit 19 and the IF unit 24. To do. The multiplexing processing unit 53 multiplexes the video data and audio data encoded by the video encoding unit 51 and the audio encoding unit 52 and outputs AV stream data that is multiplexed data to the control unit 13. is there.

  On the other hand, the separation processing unit 54 separates AV stream data input from the control unit 13 via the wireless processing unit into encoded video data and audio data. The video decoding unit 55 decodes the video data separated by the separation processing unit 54 and outputs the decoded video data to the display unit 16. The audio decoding unit 56 decodes the separated audio data and outputs the decoded audio data to the audio output unit 17.

  Examples of video data codec (encoding and decoding) include ITU-T H.264. H.263 and MPEG-4. Here, ITU-T is an abbreviation for International Telecommunications Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector, and MPEG is an abbreviation for Moving Picture Experts Group. An example of the audio data codec is GSM-AMR. Here, GSM is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile communication, and AMR is an abbreviation for Adaptive Multirate.

  Next, the control unit 13 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 13.

  As shown in the figure, the control unit 13 includes a reception control unit 61, an authentication unit (authentication unit) 62, an IR control unit 63, an AV output control unit (output control unit) 64, and a transmission control unit (transmission control unit). 65.

  In the following description, the reception control unit 61, the antenna unit 11, and the wireless processing unit 12 are collectively referred to as a second receiving unit (second receiving unit). The IR control unit 63 and the IR transmission unit 21 are collectively referred to as an operation instruction unit (operation instruction unit). Furthermore, the transmission control unit 65, the antenna unit 11, and the wireless processing unit 12 are collectively referred to as a transmission unit (transmission means).

  Here, the function and operation of each functional block constituting the control unit 13 will be described. First, a case where an incoming call is received from the second mobile phone 4 to the first mobile phone 2 will be described, and then a case where a TV channel switching instruction is issued from the other mobile phone will be described.

  First, the reception control unit 61 receives data output from the wireless processing unit 12. Further, the reception control unit 61 determines whether or not the incoming video call is based on the video phone function based on the data. Here, when there is an incoming videophone call from the second mobile phone 4 (hereinafter also referred to as the caller mobile phone), the reception control unit 61 sends received (incoming) data to the authentication unit 62. The telephone number data is extracted from the telephone number data and transmitted.

  The authentication unit 62 determines whether or not the telephone number data is telephone number data stored in the telephone number database unit 14. Here, when the telephone number data is stored in the telephone number database unit 14, the authentication unit 62 instructs the reception control unit 61 to indicate that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone. Send. Receiving this data, the reception control unit 61 transmits data to the IR control unit 63 indicating that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone.

  The IR control unit 63 that has received this data generates data for turning on the power of the tuner unit 31 of the television 3, and transmits the generated data to the IR transmission unit 21. When the IR transmitter 21 receives data for turning on the power, the IR transmitter 21 converts the data into an infrared signal and outputs the infrared signal to the IR receiver 34 of the tuner 31. Note that the signal transmitted to the IR receiver 34 is also referred to as instruction data.

  Also, the reception control unit 61 sends the AV stream data (data in which video data and audio data are multiplexed) output from the source mobile phone to the AV output control unit 64 regardless of the source mobile phone. To send. That is, AV stream data is transmitted even if it is not a predetermined mobile phone. In addition, when the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone, the reception control unit 61 transmits data to the AV output control unit 64 that the source mobile phone is the predetermined mobile phone. To do.

  Note that the data multiplexed with the video data and audio data is transmitted between the first mobile phone 2 and another mobile phone using a video (video) phone function. For example, when the video telephone function is not used, only the audio data is transmitted to the AV output control unit 64.

  The AV output control unit 64 performs a switching process for determining whether or not to output the AV stream data input to the AV output control unit 64 to the separation processing unit 54 of the AV codec unit 15.

  Specifically, when the AV output control unit 64 receives data indicating that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone, the AV output control unit 64 is input to the AV output control unit 64. The output of the AV stream data to the separation processing unit 54 of the AV codec unit 15 is stopped. On the other hand, when the AV output control unit 64 has not received a signal that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone, the AV output control unit 64 is input to the AV output control unit 64. The AV stream data is output to the separation processing unit 54 of the AV codec unit 15.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the transmission source is a predetermined mobile phone, it is possible to prevent image display on the display unit 16 and audio output from the audio output unit 17 from being performed. Become.

  Note that the AV output control unit 64 is not limited to the above configuration, and the AV output control unit 64 sends an AV stream to the separation processing unit 54 regardless of whether or not a signal indicating that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone is received. It is good also as a structure which transmits data. Further, even when a signal indicating that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone is received, the AV output control unit 64 outputs the AV stream data according to the setting from the operation unit 20. Also good.

  The transmission control unit 65 receives the AV stream data transmitted from the multiplexing processing unit 53. Then, the transmission control unit 65 outputs the AV stream data to the wireless processing unit 12. When performing a voice-only call, the transmission control unit 65 outputs only the voice data to the wireless processing unit 12.

  Here, a case where a television channel switching instruction is issued from the other mobile phone will be described.

  The reception control unit 61 determines whether or not the data output from the wireless processing unit 12 is a command related to channel switching of the tuner unit 31. If it is determined that the command is related to channel switching, the command related to channel switching is transmitted to the IR control unit 63. The IR control unit 63 that has received this command generates data for switching the channel of the tuner unit 31 of the television 3, and transmits the generated data to the IR transmission unit 21. When receiving data for switching the channel, the IR transmitter 21 converts the data into an infrared signal and outputs the infrared signal to the IR receiver 34 of the tuner unit 31.

  Then, by receiving the infrared signal, the TV channel received by the tuner unit 31 is switched. Therefore, it is possible to view a television broadcast of a desired channel on the mobile phone that is the transmission source.

  Next, a communication flow in the first mobile phone 2 of the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, data transmitted from the second mobile phone 4 (transmitted data) is temporarily received by the antenna unit 11 (S1). After S1, the wireless processing unit 12 acquires data received by the antenna unit 11, and the wireless processing unit 12 performs wireless signal processing on the data (S2).

  After S2, the radio signal processed data is sent to the reception control unit 61 in the control unit 13 by the radio processing unit 12 (S3). Then, the reception control unit 61 receives the data output from the wireless processing unit 12 (S4). After S4, the reception control unit 61 determines whether or not it is an incoming videophone call using the videophone function based on the data (S5).

  In S5, when the reception control unit 61 determines that the incoming call is not a videophone call, a call process using only normal voice is performed (S21). On the other hand, when the reception control unit 61 determines in S5 that the incoming call is a videophone call, the reception control unit 61 extracts telephone number data from the received (incoming) data (S6).

  After S6, the reception control unit 61 transmits the telephone number data to the authentication unit 62 (S7). After S7, the authentication unit 62 determines whether or not the telephone number data is telephone number data stored in the telephone number database unit 14 (S8).

  If the telephone number data is stored in the telephone number database unit 14 in S8, the authentication unit 62 instructs the reception control unit 61 that the originating mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone. Is transmitted (S9).

  On the other hand, if the telephone number data is not stored in the telephone number database unit 14 in S8, the authentication unit 62 informs the reception control unit 61 that the source mobile phone is not a predetermined mobile phone. Data is transmitted (S22). Then, after S22, normal videophone communication is performed with the source mobile phone (S23). In this case, the reception control unit 61 transmits the video signal and audio signal (AV stream data) received by the reception control unit 61 to the AV output control unit 64. The AV output control unit 64 that has received this AV stream data transmits this data to the AV codec unit 15. As a result, the video is displayed on the display unit 16 and the audio is output from the audio output unit 17.

  After S9, the reception control unit 61 that has received the data transmits data to the IR control unit 63 that the source mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone (S10). After S10, the IR control unit 63 that has received the data generates data for turning on the power of the tuner unit 31 of the television 3, and transmits the generated data to the IR transmission unit 21 (S11). .

  After S11, the IR transmitter 21 converts the data into an infrared signal and outputs the infrared signal to the IR receiver 34 of the tuner unit 31 (S12). After S12, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 acquires a video signal and an audio signal of the television broadcast from the tuner unit 31 of the television 3 (S13).

  After S13, the IF unit 24 in the tuner signal receiving unit 22 performs A / D conversion processing on the video signal and the audio signal, and digitizes both signals (S14). After S14, the video encoding unit 51 performs an encoding process on the digitized video signal (hereinafter referred to as video data), and the audio encoding unit 52 performs the digitized audio signal ( Hereinafter, encoding processing is performed on the audio data (S15). Further, after S15, the multiplexing processing unit 53 performs multiplexing processing on the encoded video data and audio data to generate AV stream data (S16).

  After S16, the multiplexing processing unit 53 transmits the AV stream data to the transmission control unit in the control unit 13 (S17). After S17, the transmission control unit 65 transmits the AV stream data to the wireless processing unit 12 (S18). Further, after S18, the radio processing unit 12 receives the AV stream data and performs radio signal processing on the AV stream data (S19).

  After S19, the wireless processing unit 12 transmits the AV stream data subjected to the wireless signal processing to the mobile phone serving as the transmission source via the antenna unit 11 (S20). As a result, the mobile phone that is the transmission source can watch the television broadcast by receiving the AV stream data.

  In the above description, the television 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device including a television tuner (tuner unit 31) may be used. For example, a video deck may be used. Further, it may be a personal computer equipped with a TV tuner. The same applies to the second embodiment described later.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the output from the tuner unit 31 is input to the first mobile phone 2 and transmitted to the second mobile phone 4 is shown. However, the signal input to the first mobile phone 2 may be a so-called television signal (video signal and / or audio signal). In other words, in the present invention, it may be a television signal output from the television 3 by playing a video or playing a DVD. Therefore, in this case, the TV tuner is not an essential component and may be any configuration that can output the TV signal.

  Further, in the same manner as when the television channel is switched by the infrared signal from the IR transmitter 21, the video signal is transmitted from the first mobile phone 2 to an external device such as a video device or a DVD device instead of the television tuner. Alternatively, a playback signal such as DVD or DVD may be output, and a television signal output from an external device may be transmitted to the second mobile phone 4 via the first mobile phone 2. As a result, a user having the second mobile phone 4 uses the first mobile phone 2 and an external device to remotely convert to a TV signal (video signal such as TV broadcast, video, DVD, and audio signal). You can watch video and audio based on it.

  In the above description, the case where the signal output from the tuner unit 31 is an analog signal and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the first mobile phone 2 is wired is described as an example. It is not limited to this.

  For example, the signal output from the tuner unit 31 may be an analog signal, and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the first mobile phone 2 may be wireless. In this case, the IF unit 24 may perform A / D conversion and radio signal processing as predetermined processing.

  Further, the signal output from the tuner unit 31 may be a digital signal, and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the first mobile phone 2 may be wireless. In this case, radio signal processing may be performed as predetermined processing in the IF unit 24.

  The signal output from the tuner unit 31 may be a digital signal, and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the first mobile phone 2 may be wired. In this case, since the signal output from the tuner unit 31 has already been digitized and there is no need for radio signal processing, the IF unit 24 needs to perform the predetermined processing as described above. There is no.

  Further, in the above embodiment, authentication is performed using the telephone number in the authentication unit 62, but the present invention is not limited to this, and ID information that can identify other mobile phones (specifically specifying other mobile phones) Any configuration can be used as long as authentication can be performed using possible identification information. For example, authentication may be performed using a password or fingerprint information. In these cases, a password storage unit and a fingerprint information storage unit may be provided instead of the telephone number database unit 14. In the case of using fingerprint information, it is necessary to separately provide a configuration capable of processing fingerprint information in both the first mobile phone 2 and the second mobile phone 4 in the mobile phone. However, when fingerprint information is used, there is an advantage that the confidentiality of the information is increased.

  Further, the first mobile phone 2 does not authenticate the telephone number and transmits AV stream data based on the video signal and the audio signal obtained from the tuner unit 31 to all other mobile phones. It is good.

  As described above, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment has the tuner signal receiving unit (first receiving unit) that sequentially receives the video signal from the external tuner unit (TV tuner) 31 with respect to the video signal. 22, a video encoding unit (video signal encoding means) 51 that encodes the video signal received by the tuner signal receiving unit 22, and the video signal encoded by the video encoding unit 51 as a second mobile phone (others) Mobile phone with a video telephone function) 4 includes a transmission unit (transmission control unit 65, antenna unit 11, and wireless processing unit 12) (transmission means) that sequentially transmits.

  With this configuration, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 can sequentially receive video signals from the external tuner unit 31. Thereby, the video signal of the television broadcast can be acquired sequentially by the first mobile phone 2. The video encoding unit 51 can convert the video signal into a data format that can be transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. Further, the encoded video signal can be sequentially transmitted to the second mobile phone 4 by the transmission control unit 65, the antenna unit 11, and the wireless processing unit 12. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal of the tuner unit 31 can be sequentially transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. Therefore, the second mobile phone 4 can view the video of the television broadcast in real time.

  In consideration of the audio signal, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 further receives the audio signal from the tuner unit 31 and encodes the audio signal received by the tuner signal receiving unit 22 (audio signal). (Encoding means) 52, and the transmission unit outputs a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio encoding unit 52 and the video signal encoded by the video encoding unit 51, The information is sequentially transmitted to the mobile phone 4.

  In this case, the first mobile phone 2 can sequentially transmit a signal based on the video signal and audio signal of the TV tuner to the second mobile phone 4. Accordingly, the television broadcast can be viewed in real time on the second mobile phone.

  In addition, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment includes a tuner signal receiving unit 22 that sequentially receives video signals and audio signals from an external tuner unit 31, and a video signal received by the tuner signal receiving unit 22. A video encoding unit (video signal encoding unit) 51 for encoding, an audio encoding unit (audio signal encoding unit) 52 for encoding the audio signal received by the tuner signal receiving unit 22, and the video encoding unit 51. The video signal and the audio signal encoded by the audio encoding unit 52 are multiplexed, and the multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexing processing unit is sequentially transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. It can also be said that it is a structure provided with the transmission part which transmits.

  As described above, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 includes the IF unit (interface unit) 24 that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the external tuner unit 31. .

  Therefore, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the external tuner unit 31 are analog signals and the connection to the tuner unit 31 is wired, the IF unit 24 performs a predetermined process as A By performing / D conversion, digital data based on the video signal can be obtained. Therefore, the video encoding unit 51 can perform encoding.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the external tuner unit 31 are analog signals and the connection to the tuner unit 31 is wireless, the IF unit 24 performs A / By performing D conversion and wireless signal processing, the video encoding unit 51 can similarly perform encoding.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received from the external tuner unit 31 are digital signals and the connection with the tuner unit 31 is wireless, the IF unit 24 performs a wireless signal as a predetermined process. By performing the processing, the video encoding unit 51 can similarly perform the encoding.

  In addition, as described above, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment has the second receiving unit (the antenna unit 11, the wireless processing unit 12, and the second receiving unit that receives a data signal transmitted from another mobile phone, A reception control unit 61) (second reception means), and when the second reception unit receives the data signal, the transmission unit transmits the multiplexed signal to another mobile phone.

  Therefore, if there is an incoming call from another mobile phone, it is possible to view the TV broadcast on the other mobile phone. Therefore, simply by making a video call from another mobile phone, it is possible to view a television broadcast on the other mobile phone.

  Further, as described above, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment acquires identification information that can individually identify other mobile phones from the data signal received by the second receiving unit, When an authentication unit (authentication unit) 62 for authenticating whether the other mobile phone is a predetermined mobile phone based on the acquired identification information is provided, and when the authentication unit 62 authenticates the mobile phone as a predetermined mobile phone The transmission unit is configured to transmit the multiplexed signal to another mobile phone.

  Therefore, only predetermined other mobile phones can view the television broadcast. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the number of mobile phones that can receive television broadcasts and the number of users.

  In addition, as described above, first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment is an operation instruction unit (IR control unit 63 and IR transmission unit) that transmits instruction data regarding the operation of tuner unit 31 to tuner unit 31. Part 21) (operation instruction means). Note that the instructions related to the above operation include turning on the power of the tuner unit 31, switching the channel, and turning off the power of the tuner unit 31, which will be described later. In addition, voice switching and brightness adjustment can be mentioned.

  Therefore, the first mobile phone 2 transmits instruction data such as power ON / OFF control, channel switching, voice switching, or brightness adjustment to the tuner unit 31. Can do. Therefore, the tuner unit 31 can be operated from the first mobile phone 2.

  In addition, as described above, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment receives the data signal related to the switching of the TV channel from the other mobile phone as described above. The operation instruction unit outputs instruction data including an instruction to switch the television channel according to the received data.

  Therefore, the channel can be switched in another mobile phone with a video phone function, and a favorite program can be viewed on the other mobile phone with a video phone function.

  In addition, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that when the second reception unit (second reception unit) receives the data signal from another mobile phone, the operation instruction unit (operation instruction unit) ) Is a configuration for transmitting instruction data including an instruction to turn on the power of the tuner unit 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to turn on the tuner unit 31 in advance, and the tuner unit 31 can save power.

  In addition, as described above, when the second receiving unit stops receiving the data signal from another mobile phone, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the operation instruction unit is a tuner unit. It is preferable that the instruction data including an instruction to turn off the power supply 31 is transmitted. In this case, the power source of the television tuner can be automatically turned off, and power saving can be achieved in the television tuner.

  Further, as described above, the first mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment includes at least the display unit (display unit) 16 that displays an image based on a video signal from another mobile phone, and at least the above-described Whether to perform audio output unit (audio output means) 17 that outputs audio based on audio signals from other mobile phones, display of images based on the video signals, and output of audio based on the audio signals And an AV output control unit (output control means) 64 for controlling.

  Therefore, the AV output control unit 64 can control whether or not to display an image based on the video signal and output an audio based on the audio signal. Therefore, when viewing or listening to a TV broadcast on another mobile phone, the mobile phone connected to the tuner unit 31 needs to display an image based on a video signal and output an audio based on the audio signal. Therefore, it is possible to save power by stopping the output of these displays and sounds.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first mobile phone 2 acquires the video signal and audio signal of the television broadcast from the tuner unit 31 has been described as an example. However, the first mobile phone 2 When acquiring a video signal or an audio signal from an external device such as a video device or a DVD device, it can be said that the first mobile phone 2 has the following configuration. Hereinafter, a member corresponding to the tuner signal receiving unit (first receiving unit) 22 is referred to as a first receiving unit.

  That is, for the video signal, the first mobile phone 2 sequentially receives a video signal from the outside, and a video encoding unit (video signal encoding) that encodes the video signal received by the first receiver. Means) 51 and a transmission unit (transmission control unit 65, antenna unit 11, and the like) which sequentially transmits the video signal encoded by the video encoding unit 51 to the second mobile phone (another mobile phone with a video phone function) 4. It can also be said that the wireless processing unit 12) (transmission means) is provided.

  With this configuration, the first receiving unit can sequentially receive video signals from the outside. Thereby, the video signal can be sequentially acquired by the first mobile phone 2. The video encoding unit 51 can convert the video signal into a data format that can be transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. Further, the encoded video signal can be sequentially transmitted to the second mobile phone 4 by the transmission control unit 65, the antenna unit 11, and the wireless processing unit 12. Therefore, a signal based on the video signal from the outside can be sequentially transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. Therefore, the second mobile phone 4 can view the video in real time.

  In consideration of the audio signal, the first receiving unit 22 further receives the audio signal sequentially from the outside and further encodes the audio signal received by the first receiving unit (audio signal encoding means). ) 52, and the transmission unit transmits a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio encoding unit 52 and the video signal encoded by the video encoding unit 51 to the second mobile phone 4. It can be said that it transmits sequentially.

  In this case, the first mobile phone 2 can sequentially transmit signals based on external video signals and audio signals to the second mobile phone 4. Therefore, the video and audio of the television broadcast can be viewed in real time on the second mobile phone.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication system 1 ′ according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the communication system 1 'includes a first mobile phone with videophone function (information device with videophone function) 2', a television 3, a second mobile phone with videophone function (other videophones). A function information device) 4 and a cradle 5. Hereinafter, the first videophone function-equipped mobile phone 2 ′ and the second videophone function-equipped mobile phone 4 are described as a first mobile phone 2 ′ and a second mobile phone 4, respectively.

  Also in the communication system 1 ′, as in the first embodiment, the second mobile phone 4 makes a videophone call to the first mobile phone 2 ′, and the mobile phone between the two mobile phones (2 ′ and 4). Communication using the communication network is performed. The first mobile phone 2 ′ and the television 3 are connected to each other via a cradle 5 so as to communicate with each other. Note that the connection method between the television 3 and the cradle 5 may be wired or wireless. Although details will be described later, the television 3 is configured to transmit a video signal and an audio signal to the first mobile phone 2 ′ via the cradle 5. In the following description, a case where the television 3 and the cradle 5 are connected by wire will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the first mobile phone 2 ′, the television 3, and the cradle 5 in the communication system 1 ′.

  As shown in the figure, the first mobile phone 2 'includes an antenna unit 11, a radio processing unit 12, a control unit 13, a telephone number database unit 14, an AV codec unit 15, a display unit (display means) 16, an audio output. Unit (sound output unit) 17, photographing unit 18, sound input unit 19, operation unit 20, IR (Infrared) transmission unit 21, and tuner signal reception unit (first reception unit) 22 ′. The tuner signal receiving unit 22 ′ includes only the connector unit 23.

  That is, as compared with the first mobile phone 2 in the first embodiment, the first mobile phone 2 ′ in the present embodiment has a configuration that does not include the IF unit 24. The other configuration is the same as that of the first mobile phone 2 in the first embodiment.

  The television 3 includes a tuner unit 31, a display unit 32, and an audio output unit 33 as in the first embodiment. The tuner unit 31 includes an IR receiving unit 34.

  The cradle 5 includes a first connector portion 71, an IF (Interface) portion 72, and a second connector portion 73. The cradle 5 is a stand type docking station. The first mobile phone 2 ′ is placed on the cradle 5 for use. In this embodiment, it is connected to the television 3 via a cable and used for the purpose of receiving video signals and audio signals from the television, charging the first mobile phone 2 ', and the like. The characteristics of the cradle include that it is more stable than connecting with a cable, and the procedure on the user side is simple.

  The first connector unit 71 is provided to input video signals and audio signals from the tuner unit 31 of the television 3 to the IF unit 72 of the cradle 5. The IF unit 72 performs predetermined processing on the video signal and audio signal from the connector. In addition, after performing predetermined processing, the IF unit 72 sequentially transmits data based on the video signal and the audio signal to the first mobile phone 2 ′ via the second connector unit 73.

  For example, when the video signal and the audio signal obtained from the tuner unit 31 via the first connector unit 71 are analog signals, the IF unit 72 performs A / D conversion on the analog signal, and A Data digitized by / D conversion is transmitted.

  The second connector portion 73 is provided for connecting data from the IF portion 72 to the connector portion 23 of the first mobile phone 2 ′ via a cable. In the present embodiment, the second connector portion 73 and the connector portion 23 of the first mobile phone 2 ′ are connected by an RGB cable as in the first embodiment. In addition, it is not limited to this, A USB cable may be used. These may be appropriately selected according to the connector shape of the second connector portion 73 and the connector shape of the connector portion 23 in the first mobile phone 2 ′. Further, a conversion adapter for converting from the RGB system to the USB system may be installed between the second connector part 73 and the connector part 23, and the second connector part 73 and the connector part 23 may be connected.

  In the first mobile phone 2 ′, data based on the video signal and the audio signal obtained via the connector unit 23 is directly input to the AV codec unit 15. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the data based on the video signal and the audio signal is directly input to the AV codec unit 15 without passing through the IF unit 24. This is because the IF unit 72 of the cradle 5 has already performed predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal from the tuner unit 31, and therefore the first mobile phone 'does not perform the predetermined signal processing. It is not necessary.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the cradle 5 is provided between the first mobile phone 2 ′ and the television 3, and the first mobile phone 2 ′ does not perform predetermined signal processing. It is configured to perform predetermined signal processing. This point is different from the first embodiment.

  The contents of the data processing performed in the first mobile phone 2 ′, the communication between the second mobile phone 4 and the first mobile phone 2 ′, and the first mobile phone 2 ′ and the television 3 Infrared communication using IR transmission unit 21, IR control unit 63, and IR reception unit 34 is the same as in the first embodiment. For this reason, these descriptions are omitted.

  Next, a communication flow of the first mobile phone 2 'in the communication system 1 will be described. Here, since the communication flow is basically the same as the flow shown in the first embodiment, only different points will be described.

  In the first embodiment, after S12, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 acquires the video signal and the audio signal of the television broadcast from the tuner unit 31 of the television 3 (S13). After S13, the IF unit 24 performs A / D conversion processing on the video signal and the audio signal, and digitizes both signals (S14). Further, after S14, the video encoding unit 51 performs an encoding process on the digitized video signal (hereinafter referred to as video data), and the audio encoding unit 52 performs the digitized audio signal ( Hereinafter, encoding processing was performed on the audio data (S15).

  In the present embodiment, the tuner signal receiving unit 22 ′ acquires a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting from the cradle 5 instead of the process of S <b> 13. Then, the process of S15 is performed without performing the process of S14. This is because the IF unit 72 of the cradle 5 has already digitized both signals by performing A / D conversion processing on the processing corresponding to S14, that is, the video signal and the audio signal. And after the process of S15, each process of S16 to S20 of Embodiment 1 will be made.

  As described above, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the tuner unit 31 are analog signals and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the cradle 5 is wired, the cradle performs a predetermined process. By performing A / D conversion, digital data based on the video signal and the audio signal can be obtained by the first mobile phone 2 ′. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion in the first mobile phone 2 '. Therefore, the size of the first mobile phone 2 'can be reduced.

  In the above description, the output from the tuner unit 31 is input to the first mobile phone 2 ′ via the cradle 5 and transmitted to the second mobile phone 4. However, as in Embodiment 1 described above, the signal input to the first mobile phone 2 ′ may be a so-called television signal (video signal and / or audio signal). In other words, in the present invention, it may be a television signal output from the television 3 by playing a video or playing a DVD. Therefore, in this case, the TV tuner is not an essential component and may be any configuration that can output the TV signal.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the first mobile phone 2 ′ outputs a reproduction signal such as video or DVD to an external device such as a video device or DVD device instead of the TV tuner, and externally The TV signal output from the device may be transmitted to the second mobile phone 4 via the first mobile phone 2 ′. As a result, a user having the second mobile phone 4 uses the first mobile phone 2 ′ and an external device to remotely control a television signal (video signal such as TV broadcast, video, DVD, and audio signal). You can enjoy video and audio based on.

  In the above embodiment, the first mobile phone 2 'and the cradle are connected by a cable (wired). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Communication between the first mobile phone 2 ′ and the cradle 5 may be performed by wireless communication. In this case, the connector portion 23 is not necessary for the first mobile phone 2 ', and the first mobile phone 2' can be downsized. Further, the cradle 5 does not require the second connector portion. In this case, a wireless processing unit that processes wireless data transmitted from the cradle is separately provided in the first mobile phone 2 ′.

  In the above description, the signal output from the tuner unit 31 is an analog signal and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the cradle 5 is wired. However, the present invention is not limited to this. .

  For example, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the tuner unit 31 are analog signals, and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the cradle 5 is wireless, A / D is performed as predetermined processing in the cradle. By performing the conversion and the radio signal processing, digital data based on the video signal and the audio signal can be obtained by the first mobile phone 2 ′. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to perform A / D conversion and radio signal processing in the first mobile phone 2 '.

  Further, when the video signal and the audio signal output from the tuner unit 31 are digital signals and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the cradle 5 is wireless, the cradle 5 performs a wireless signal as a predetermined process. By performing the processing, it is not necessary to perform the wireless signal processing in the first mobile phone 2 ′.

  In any case, by performing predetermined signal processing in the cradle 5, the predetermined signal processing is not required in the first mobile phone 2 ', and the first mobile phone 2' can be downsized.

  Further, by supplying power to the first mobile phone 2 ′ with the cradle 5, the battery of the first mobile phone 2 ′ does not run out. Therefore, it is possible to provide a mobile phone with a video phone function that allows the second mobile phone 4 to stably view a television broadcast for a long time. Further, even when the first mobile phone 2 'is in a state where the battery is being charged, that is, when the operation of the first mobile phone 2' is limited, the second mobile phone 4 performs the television broadcast. Can be watched.

  Note that the signal output from the tuner unit 31 may be a digital signal, and the connection between the tuner unit 31 and the first mobile phone 2 may be wired. In this case, since the signal output from the tuner unit 31 has already been digitized and there is no need for radio signal processing, the IF unit 24 needs to perform the predetermined processing as described above. There is no.

  Further, as the television 3 shown in the first and second embodiments, a television having a function of displaying an incoming call from the first mobile phone (2 · 2 ') may be used. In this case, a third party watching the television can determine that there is an incoming call from the second mobile phone 4.

  Furthermore, each block of the first mobile phone (2 · 2 ′) in Embodiments 1 and 2 above, particularly the control unit 13, may be configured by hardware logic, or using a CPU as follows. It may be realized by software.

  That is, the first mobile phone (2'2 ') has a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program for realizing each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and the program is expanded. A random access memory (RAM), and a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is to read the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the first mobile phone (2'2 '), which is software that realizes the functions described above, with a computer. By supplying the recording medium recorded as possible to the first mobile phone (2 · 2 ′), and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU), Achievable.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  In addition, the first mobile phone (2, 2 ') may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a carrier wave or a data signal sequence in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  Finally, in the above embodiment, the case where the information devices with both videophone functions are cellular phones has been described as an example. For example, PC card type FOMA (registered trademark) is used in a PDA or a notebook personal computer. The PDA or notebook personal computer may be used as the information device by mounting.

  The information device with a video phone function according to the present invention can be applied to a PDA or a personal computer having a video phone function.

It is a functional block diagram of an AV codec unit in the first mobile phone according to the present embodiment. It is the schematic which showed schematic structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention It is a functional block diagram of the 1st mobile telephone and television in the said communication system. It is a functional block diagram of the control part 13 in the said 1st mobile telephone. It is the flowchart which showed the communication flow in the 1st mobile telephone 2 of the said communication system. It is the schematic which showed schematic structure of the other communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the 1st mobile phone in the said other communication system, a television, and a cradle.

Explanation of symbols

1.1 'Communication system 2 First mobile phone (information device with video phone function)
3 TV 4 Second mobile phone (other information equipment with videophone function)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Cradle 11 Antenna part 12 Wireless processing part 13 Control part 14 Telephone number database part 15 AV codec part 16 Display part (display means)
17 Voice output unit (voice output means)
21 IR transmitter 22/22 'tuner signal receiver (first receiver)
23 Connector part 24 IF part (interface means)
31 Tuner (signal output device)
34 IR receiver 51 Video encoder (video signal encoding means)
52 Voice encoding unit (voice signal encoding means)
53 Multiplexing Processing Unit 61 Reception Control Unit 62 Authentication Unit (Authentication Unit)
63 IR control unit 64 AV output control unit (output control means)
65 Transmission Control Unit 71 First Connector Unit 72 IF Unit 73 Second Connector Unit

Claims (29)

First receiving means for sequentially receiving video signals from outside;
Video signal encoding means for encoding the video signal received by the first receiving means;
A video telephone function-equipped information device comprising transmission means for sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means to another information device with a video telephone function. The first receiving means further receives audio signals from the outside sequentially,
Audio signal encoding means for encoding the audio signal received by the first receiving means;
The transmission means transmits a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the audio signal encoded by the audio signal encoding means and the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding means, with the other video telephone function. 2. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 1, wherein the information device is sequentially transmitted to the information device.   3. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 1, wherein the video signal sequentially received by the first receiving means is a video signal of a television broadcast.   3. The video telephone function-equipped information device according to claim 2, wherein the video signal and the audio signal sequentially received by the first receiving unit are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively. When a device that outputs the video signal and audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device,
5. The information device with a videophone function according to claim 4, wherein the first receiving means includes interface means for performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the signal output device. When a device that outputs the video signal and audio signal of the television broadcast is a signal output device,
Communicatively connected to the cradle,
The first receiving means receives a video signal and an audio signal based on an output of the signal output device, which are subjected to predetermined signal processing in the cradle, via the cradle. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 4. A second receiving means for receiving a data signal transmitted from the other information device with video telephone function;
7. When the second receiving means receives the data signal, the transmitting means transmits the multiplexed signal to the other information device with videophone function. 2. An information device with a videophone function according to item 1. From the data signal received by the second receiving means, identification information that can individually identify the other information device with videophone function is acquired, and the other videophone function-added function is acquired based on the acquired identification information. Comprising authentication means for authenticating whether the information device is a predetermined other information device with a videophone function,
The transmission means transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with video telephone function when the authentication means authenticates the predetermined information device with video telephone function. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 7.   9. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 7, further comprising operation instruction means for transmitting instruction data relating to operation of the signal output device to the signal output device.   When the second receiving means receives a data signal relating to switching of the television channel from the other information device with videophone function, the operation instruction means instructs to switch the television channel in accordance with the received data signal. 10. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 9, wherein the instruction data including the information is transmitted.   When the second receiving means receives the data signal from the other information device with videophone function, the operation instruction means transmits instruction data including an instruction to turn on the power of the signal output device. 10. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 9,   When the second receiving means stops receiving the data signal from the other information device with videophone function, the operation instruction means transmits instruction data including an instruction to turn off the power of the signal output device. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 9. Display means for displaying an image based on at least a video signal from the other information device with videophone function;
At least audio output means for outputting audio based on an audio signal from the other information device with videophone function;
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output control unit that controls whether to display an image based on the video signal and to output a sound based on the audio signal. Information equipment with video phone function.   The information device with a video phone function according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the information device with a video phone function is a portable communication terminal.   14. The information device with a video phone function according to claim 1, wherein the information device with a video phone function is a mobile phone. An information device with a video phone function according to claim 1,
A signal output device that sequentially transmits video signals to the information device with the video telephone function;
A communication system comprising: another information device with a video phone function that sequentially receives the video signal via the information device with a video phone function.   The communication system according to claim 16, wherein the video signal transmitted by the signal output device is a video signal of a television broadcast. An information device with a video phone function according to claim 2,
A signal output device for sequentially transmitting a video signal and an audio signal to the information device with the videophone function;
A communication system comprising: another video telephone function-equipped information device that sequentially receives the video signal and the audio signal via the video phone function-equipped information device.   19. The communication system according to claim 18, wherein the video and audio signals transmitted by the signal output device are a video signal and an audio signal of television broadcasting, respectively.   The communication system according to claim 19, wherein the first receiving means includes interface means for performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal received from the signal output device. An information device with a video phone function according to claim 6;
A cradle that performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal transmitted from the signal output device;
A signal output device that sequentially transmits a video signal and an audio signal to the cradle;
A communication system comprising: another video phone function-equipped information device that sequentially receives the video signal and the audio signal processed by the cradle via the video phone function-equipped information device. The information device with the video phone function is:
A second receiving means for receiving a data signal transmitted from the other information device with video telephone function;
22. The transmission device according to claim 18, wherein when the second reception unit receives the data signal, the transmission unit transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a videophone function. The communication system according to item. The information device with the video phone function is:
From the data signal received by the second receiving means, identification information that can individually identify the other information device with videophone function is acquired, and the other videophone function-added function is acquired based on the acquired identification information. Comprising authentication means for authenticating whether the information device is a predetermined other information device with a videophone function,
The transmission unit transmits the multiplexed signal to another information device with a video phone function when the authentication unit authenticates the other information device with the video phone function. Item 23. The communication system according to Item 22. A first step of sequentially receiving video signals from the outside;
A second step of encoding the received video signal;
And a third step of sequentially transmitting the video signal encoded in the second step to another information device with a video phone function, and a communication method using an information device with a video phone function.   25. A communication method using an information device with a video telephone function according to claim 24, wherein the video signal received in the first step is a video signal of a television broadcast. A first step of sequentially receiving a video signal and an audio signal from the outside;
A second step of encoding the received video and audio signals;
And a third step of multiplexing the video signal and the audio signal encoded in the second step and sequentially transmitting to the other information device with a video phone function. Communication method by.   27. A communication method using an information device with a videophone function according to claim 26, wherein the video signal and the audio signal received in the first step are a video signal and an audio signal of a television broadcast, respectively.   The program for making a computer perform the communication method by the information equipment with a video telephone function of any one of Claims 24 to 27.   A recording medium on which the program according to claim 28 is recorded.

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