JP2006270468A - Video telephone communication method and terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video telephone communication method capable of improving the convenience of the confirmation of a processed image for which image processing is performed at the time of performing the image processing of images transmitted during video telephone communication. <P>SOLUTION: When a user of terminal equipment performs the operation of item display during the video telephone communication, the transmission image of the video telephone communication is defined as an image 34 for selection processing. Then, when the user performs the operation of item selection, the image processing in which a selected item is added to the image photographed by a camera 18 is performed, and the processed image is displayed in a reception image display area 38 which is an area larger than a transmission image display area 39 wherein the image photographed by the camera 18 is normally displayed. In the meantime, a reception image is displayed in the transmission image display area 39. Thus, the user can confirm the processed image on a large screen before transmitting it to the opposite party of the video telephone communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a videophone communication method and a terminal device, and more particularly to a videophone communication method when image processing is set for a transmission image of videophone communication and a terminal device using the method.

  In recent years, terminal devices having various functions such as mail transmission / reception have been put into practical use due to advances in communication technology. Among these functions, the videophone function is also H.264 recommended by ITU-T. It has been standardized as a 3G-324 terminal of 320 and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), and has been commercialized and marketed domestically and abroad.

When such a videophone function is used on a daily basis, generally, the image captured by the camera on the sender's terminal is displayed as it is on the receiver's terminal, so only the sender himself / herself is on the phone during the call. Not only will the background be sent. For this reason, there is a possibility that the location of the speaker is known to the receiver, and in some cases, the privacy of the speaker is infringed. In addition, there is a case where the speaker himself / herself does not want to transmit the image taken by the camera as it is. In consideration of such a case, it has been proposed to transmit a still image, or to transmit a composite of a background image among its own images taken on the transmitter side (see Patent Document 1). ).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-309829

  The above-described conventional technology is very excellent in protecting an individual's privacy and expanding an environment in which a videophone function can be used. However, the situation in which such image processing is desired is caused by a change in the environment and convenience of the sender even during a videophone call. For example, during a call, the sender moves to another location or starts personal work.

  In addition to such changes in privacy-related situations, it is often desirable to enjoy image changes along with conversation by transmitting image-processed images to each other during a videophone call.

  As in these cases, when image processing is performed on an image to be transmitted during a call, the image is transmitted without knowing how the image to be transmitted is processed. Unfavorable for both listeners.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication is performed, the convenience of confirming the processed image subjected to the image processing is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a videophone communication method and a terminal device using the method.

  The videophone communication method of the present invention is a videophone communication method in a terminal device during videophone communication, and is a process for selecting the type of image processing of a transmission image that is an image transmitted during videophone communication. An image data output process changing step for changing a process related to output of image data in the process; an image process determining step for determining to perform the selected image process at the end of the selection process; And a processed image transmission step in which the image processed by the image processing determined in the determination step is used as the transmission image.

  In this videophone communication method, first, in the image data output process changing step, the process related to the output of image data is changed in the selection process that is the process of selecting the type of image processing of the transmission image. Here, “transmission image” refers to an image transmitted during videophone communication. Further, “processing related to output of image data” includes processing for outputting image data to a display device and processing for transmitting image data to a communication network.

  Next, in the image processing determination step, it is determined to perform image processing. With this determination, the selection process ends. Subsequently, in the processed image transmission step, the processed image processed by the determined image processing is set as a transmission image. Therefore, according to this videophone communication method, when image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication is performed, the convenience of confirming the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing can be improved.

  Further, in the videophone communication method of the present invention, the image data output process changing step is performed when the processed image processed in the selection process is displayed and the transmission image is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device. It may include a processed image enlargement display step that changes by displaying larger than a transmission image display area that is an area of the display screen.

  In this case, the processed image enlargement display step can be included in the image data output processing change step. Here, the processed image enlargement display step is a step of displaying the processed image subjected to image processing larger than the transmission image display region, and the transmission image display region is a case where the transmission image is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device. This is the display screen area. Therefore, according to this videophone communication method, when image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication is performed, the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing can be confirmed on a large screen.

  Here, in the processed image enlargement display step, on the display screen of the terminal device, the processed image is displayed in an area for displaying a videophone communication reception image, and the received image is displayed in the transmission image display area. It can be. In this case, it is possible to confirm the image transmitted from the other party while confirming how the image-processed image is displayed to the other party.

  In the videophone communication method of the present invention, the image data output process changing step may include a selection processing image changing step of changing the transmission image being selected. Therefore, while selecting the image processing, it is possible to prevent the image taken by itself or the image subjected to the selected image processing from being transmitted and transmitted to the other party during the videophone communication. it can.

  In the videophone communication method of the present invention, the changed transmission image during the selection process may be an image indicating that the selection process is being performed. In this case, it is possible to inform the other party of the videophone that the image processing is being selected without performing any special operation.

  In the videophone communication method of the present invention, the image processing is an image that combines the element image stored in the terminal device and the original image based on the target image extracted from the processed original image. The selection of the type of image processing is at least the selection of the element image. In this case, it is possible to enjoy the processed image together with the other party by selecting an element according to preference and performing image processing.

  Here, the original image may be a moving image taken by a camera of the terminal device. In this case, it is possible to perform image processing on the image of the user of the terminal device photographed by the camera and enjoy the processed image.

  The terminal device of the present invention is a terminal device capable of videophone communication, and selects image processing means for performing image processing; and the type of image processing for a transmission image that is an image transmitted during videophone communication. A selection process control means for controlling the selection process, which is a process to be performed; an image output process change means for changing a process related to image output during the selection process; and the type of the image process is determined in the selection process In this case, the image processing apparatus includes a processed image transmission unit that uses the image subjected to the image processing as the transmission image.

  In this terminal apparatus, the image processing means performs image processing, and the selection processing control means controls selection processing that is processing for selecting the type of image processing. Here, the meaning of “transmission image” is the same as that in the above-described videophone communication method. The image output process changing means changes a process related to image output during the selection process. Here, the meaning of “processing related to image output” is the same as that in the above-described videophone communication method. Further, the processed image transmission means sets the processed image as a transmission image when the type of image processing is determined in the selection process.

  Therefore, according to this terminal device, when performing image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication, it is possible to improve the convenience of confirming the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing.

  In the terminal device according to the present invention, the image output process changing means displays the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing in the selection process, and the display when the transmission image is displayed on a display screen of the terminal apparatus. Processing to display larger than the transmission image display area which is the area of the screen can be performed. Therefore, when performing image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication, the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing can be confirmed on a large screen.

  In the terminal device according to the present invention, the image output process changing unit may perform a process of changing the transmission image during the selection process. Therefore, while selecting the image processing, it is possible to prevent the image taken by itself or the image subjected to the selected image processing from being transmitted and transmitted to the other party during the videophone communication. it can.

  The terminal device according to the present invention may further include wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile communication network, and the videophone communication may be performed by the wireless communication. In this case, it can also be used when the terminal device is a mobile communication terminal device.

  As described above, according to the videophone communication method and the terminal device of the present invention, when image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication is performed, the convenience of confirming the processed image after the image processing is performed. There is an effect that can be increased.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a mobile communication system 100 that is an embodiment including the mobile communication terminal device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this mobile communication system 100 includes (a) a mobile phone 10 that is a mobile communication terminal device, (b) a mobile phone 50 that performs videophone communication with the mobile phone 10, and (c) a mobile phone. The base station 41 that performs direct wireless communication when the telephone 10 performs videophone communication with the mobile phone 50; and (d) the base that performs direct wireless communication when the mobile telephone 50 performs videophone communication with the mobile phone 10. A station 42 and (e) a mobile communication network 40 that connects the base stations 41 and 42 with a telecommunication network.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows an external configuration of the mobile phone 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 10 includes (i) an operation unit 12 having a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number and function keys for inputting various commands such as switching of an operation mode; ii) Display device 13 having a liquid crystal display device for displaying operation guidance, operation status, videophone reception image and transmission image of mobile phone 10, and (iii) reproducing an audio signal sent from a communication partner during a call. A speaker for calling 14, (iv) a microphone 15 for inputting sound during sound collection or for inputting sound during a call, and (v) a speaker for guidance 16 for generating a ringtone or guidance sound. And (vi) an antenna 17 for performing wireless communication with the base station, and (vii) a camera 18 that captures an image to be transmitted to the mobile phone 50 during a videophone call.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows an internal system 11 that is an information processing system inside the mobile phone 10. The internal system 11 includes a control unit 21 that performs overall control of the entire system of the mobile phone 10 and a transmission / reception unit 22 that performs wireless communication with the base station 41 via the antenna 17.

  Here, the control unit 21 acquires (a) an image photographed by the camera 18, and performs mask image processing when performing mask image processing for superimposing an item selected by the user on the image. When image processing is not performed, an image processing control unit 31 that sends the image as it is to a unit having another function in the control unit 21, and (b) an item for mask image processing, A selection processing control unit 32 for controlling a function selected by the user; (c) a video phone communication control unit 33 for controlling image information transmitted and received by video phone communication; and (d) a display during video phone communication. And a videophone display control unit 35 that controls a screen displayed on the device 13. Here, the videophone communication control unit 33 includes a selection processing image 34 that is image data to be transmitted to the mobile phone 50 as the other party when selecting an item for mask image processing during videophone communication. .

  The control unit 21 is executed / processed by hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processing device (DSP), and a storage device (RAM, etc.) (not shown). Note that the mobile phone 50 has the same configuration as the mobile phone 10 and has the same functions. Here, in the mobile phone 50, a portion corresponding to the display device 13 of the mobile phone 10 is a display device 51.

  Next, a videophone communication method with the mobile phone 50 in the mobile phone 10 configured as described above will be described.

  4 and 5, the screens 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> E displayed on the display device 13 of the mobile phone 10 and the display device of the mobile phone 50 when the mobile phone 10 and the mobile phone 50 are performing videophone communication. Screens 50A to 50E displayed on the screen 51 are shown. The screen displayed on the display device 13 is shown in the left column of the page, and the screen displayed on the display device 51 is shown in the column on the right side of the page. The respective screens change from A to E over time. The state of doing is shown.

  Screens 10A and 50A in FIG. 4 show screens displayed on display device 13 and display device 50 in normal videophone communication. The screen 10 </ b> A includes a transmission image display area 39 that is an area in which a transmission image is displayed and a transmission image display area 39 when an image transmitted from the mobile phone 10 to the mobile phone 50 is displayed on the display device 13. As a general rule, it has a received image display area 38 that is an area for displaying an image received by the mobile phone 10. These display areas are also used in the screens 10D and 10E in FIG. The screens 50A to 50E have a transmission image display area 53 and a reception image display area 52, similarly to the screen 10A.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram for image data performed in normal videophone communication as shown on screen 10A and screen 50A. As shown in FIG. 6, in the reception process, an image captured by the camera of the mobile phone 50 is received as a received image of the mobile phone 10 via the video transmission / reception unit 22 and the video phone communication control unit 33. It is sent to the display control unit 35. The videophone display control unit 35 displays this received image in the received image display area 38.

  On the other hand, in the transmission process, the captured image captured by the camera 18 is sent to the videophone display control unit 35 and the videophone communication control unit 33 via the image processing control unit 31. Upon receiving the captured image, the videophone display control unit 35 displays the captured image in the transmission image display area 39. Further, the videophone communication control unit 33 that has received the captured image transmits the captured image to the mobile phone 50 via the transmission / reception unit 22.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the user performs an operation of selecting “Menu” on the screen 10 </ b> A, the screen transitions to the screen 10 </ b> B. On the screen 10B, there is no transmission image display area 39 and reception image display area 38, and an option menu screen in videophone communication is displayed. The contents of the option menu include “1. Item display” for selecting an item to be used by image processing. The image processing used here extracts the feature point position (for example, the tip of the nose) and the size of the image of interest based on the image of interest extracted from the image of the human face taken by the camera 18; This is a process for creating an image in which the items selected by the user are superimposed and synthesized with a size corresponding to the size. Here, the “item” includes a positional relationship between an element image (for example, a sunglasses image) and a feature point position where the element image is to be displayed.

  On the other hand, at this time, the image taken by the camera 18 of the mobile phone 10 is transmitted to the mobile phone 50, and the screen 50B that is the screen of the mobile phone 50 is the same display as the screen of the screen 50A.

  Next, when the user performs an operation of selecting “1. Item display” on the screen 10B, as shown in FIG. Be notified. The selection process control unit 32 notified of the item display further notifies the videophone communication control unit 33 and the videophone display control unit 35 to that effect.

  Upon receiving this notification, the videophone communication control unit 33 transmits the selection processing image 34 to the mobile phone 50 via the transmission / reception unit 22. As a result, as shown in the screen 50C of FIG. 4, in the received image display area 52 of the mobile phone 50, an image representing the character “Now disguising ...” as the selection processing image 34 is displayed. Is done. On the other hand, the videophone display control unit 35 that has received the notification that the item is displayed is a screen that is an item selection screen in which “sunglasses”, “hats”, and the like used as items for image processing are displayed on the display device 13. 10C is displayed.

  Next, when the user performs an operation of selecting the item “Sunglasses” on the screen 10C, the fact that the item “Sunglasses” has been selected is displayed via the selection processing control unit 32 as shown in FIG. The videophone display control unit 35 and the image processing control unit 31 are notified. The videophone display control unit 35 notified that the item of “sunglasses” has been selected receives the received image received from the mobile phone 50 via the transmission / reception unit 22 and the videophone communication control unit 33, as a received image display area. It is displayed in the transmission image display area 39 instead of 38.

  On the other hand, the image processing control unit 31 notified that the item of “sunglasses” has been selected recognizes the face of the person included in the captured image acquired from the camera 18, and the “sunglasses” selected for the eye portion. Image processing is performed to superimpose the images. The processed image created by the image processing is displayed in the received image display area 38 via the videophone display control unit 35. The state of the screen at this time is shown in a screen 10D in FIG. Therefore, the user can confirm the processed image in the reception image display area 38 which is larger than the transmission image display area 39 in which his / her image during videophone communication can be confirmed.

  Next, when the user performs an operation on the screen 10D to determine that the item used in the processed image displayed in the received image display area 38 of the screen 10D is used as the image processing used for the captured image to be transmitted. The processing sequence is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, when the user operates the operation unit 12 to determine an item, the selection processing control unit 32 is notified of the item determination. The selection processing control unit 32 notified of the item determination notifies the video phone display control unit 35, the video phone communication control unit 33, and the image processing control unit 31 to that effect.

  The videophone display control unit 35 notified of the item determination displays the received image received from the mobile phone 50 via the transmission / reception unit 22 and the videophone communication control unit 33 in the received image display area 38. In addition, the videophone communication control unit 33 notified of the item determination stops transmission of the selection processing image 34 to the mobile phone 50. Further, the image processing control unit 31 notified of the item determination sends the processed image subjected to the image processing to the videophone display control unit 35 and the videophone communication control unit 33.

  The videophone display control unit 35 that has received the processed image displays the processed image received from the image processing control unit 31 in the transmission image display area 39, as shown in the screen 10E in FIG. In addition, the videophone communication control unit 33 that has received the processed image transmits it to the mobile phone 50 via the transmission / reception unit 22, and the display device 51 of the mobile phone 50 that receives the processed image displays the screen 50E in FIG. Will be displayed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user of the mobile phone 10 performs an item display operation during a videophone call, the transmission image of the videophone communication is set as the selection processing image 34. Next, when the user performs an item selection operation, image processing is performed by adding the selected item to the image captured by the camera 18, and the processed image is displayed as an image captured by the normal camera 18. Displayed in a received image display area 38 which is a larger area than the transmitted image display area 39. On the other hand, the received image is displayed in the transmitted image display area 39.

  Subsequently, when the user performs an operation of determining to use the item used in the processed image displayed in the received image display area 38 of the screen 10D as the image processing to be used for the captured image to be transmitted, the processed image is the transmitted image. It is displayed in the display area 39 and transmitted to the mobile phone 50. The received image is displayed in the received image display area 38.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when image processing of an image transmitted during videophone communication is performed, the processed image that has been subjected to the image processing can be confirmed on a large screen.

  In this embodiment, since the selection processing image 34 is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 when the user selects an item, which is the selection of image processing, the image of the user himself / herself being photographed or the currently selected image is being selected. An image subjected to image processing can be prevented from being transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, when the user selects an item, which is an image processing selection, the selection processing image 34 in which the characters “I am disguised ...” is transmitted to the other party of the videophone communication. Therefore, it is possible to inform the other party who is communicating with the videophone using the mobile phone 50 that the image processing is being selected without performing any special operation.

  In the present embodiment, when the user selects an item, which is image processing, the received image is displayed in the transmitted image display area 39 and the processed image is displayed in the received image display area 38. While confirming how the image-processed image is displayed to the other party, it is also possible to confirm an image transmitted from the other party.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a process for recognizing a face is performed on an image taken by the camera 18 of the mobile phone 10, and further, an image process for placing an item selected by the user at a predetermined position on the face is performed. Therefore, the processed image can be enjoyed together with the other party of the videophone communication.

  In the present embodiment, mask image processing for superimposing items selected by the user is used, but it is needless to say that other image processing can be applied.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the image of the user being photographed by the camera is used, but image processing may be performed on a video that has already been recorded, or an animation image or the like may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that image processing is performed on a moving image, but it is needless to say that a still image may be used.

  In this embodiment, the selection processing image 34 is a predetermined image. However, the selection processing image 34 may be an image selected by the user at the start of the selection processing, or may be a still image or a moving image.

  In the present embodiment, the selection processing image 34 is transmitted from the time of the screen 10C for displaying an item. However, the selection processing image 34 may be transmitted from the time of the screen 10B, which is a menu screen, or a screen for performing image processing. It may be from 10D.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the selection processing image 34 is an image indicating that the image processing is being selected, in which the characters “now disguising ...” are displayed. It may be a normal image that does not mean that processing is being selected.

  In this embodiment, the selection processing image 34 is used. However, the selection processing image 34 may not be used.

  Further, in this embodiment, the display larger than the transmission image display area is performed by displaying in the reception image display area. However, the display may be performed by displaying on the entire screen, or transmission may be performed by other methods. You may implement | achieve displaying larger than an image display area.

  In the present embodiment, a mobile phone is used as the mobile communication terminal device, but other mobile communication terminal devices may be used.

  As described above, the videophone communication method and terminal device of the present invention can be applied to a terminal device capable of videophone communication.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a mobile communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone 10 of FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the internal system 11 of the mobile telephone 10 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing screen transition of the mobile phone 10 and the mobile phone 50 when an item is selected while the mobile phone 10 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing screen transition of the mobile phone 10 and the mobile phone 50 when an item is determined while the mobile phone 10 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of normal videophone communication in the mobile telephone 10 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the video telephone communication in the item selection in the mobile telephone 10 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the video telephone communication after the item determination in the mobile telephone 10 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,50 ... Mobile phone (mobile communication terminal device), 10A-10E, 50A-50E ... Screen, 11 ... Internal system, 12 ... Operation part, 13,51 ... Display apparatus, 14 ... Call speaker, 15 ... Microphone, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Guide speaker, 17 ... Antenna, 18 ... Camera, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Transmission / reception part, 31 ... Image processing control part (Image processing means, a part of processed image transmission means), 32 ... Selection processing control part (Selection processing control means), 33... Videophone communication control section (part of processed image transmission means, part of image output processing change means), 34... Selection processing image, 35. Part of processing change means), 38, 52... Reception image display area, 39, 53... Transmission image display area, 40... Mobile communication network, 41, 42.

Claims (11)

A videophone communication method in a terminal device during videophone communication,
An image data output process changing step for changing a process related to output of image data in a selection process that is a process of selecting a type of image processing of a transmission image that is an image transmitted during videophone communication;
An image processing determination step for determining to perform the selected image processing at the end of the selection processing;
And a processed image transmission step in which the image processed by the image processing determined in the image processing determination step is the transmission image.   The image data output process changing step is a transmission image display area, which is an area of the display screen when the transmission image is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device. The videophone communication method according to claim 1, further comprising a processed image enlargement display step that changes by displaying the image larger.   In the processed image enlargement display step, on the display screen of the terminal device, the processed image is displayed in an area for displaying a videophone communication reception image, and the received image is displayed in the transmission image display area. The videophone communication method according to claim 2.   4. The videophone communication according to claim 1, wherein the image data output process changing step includes a selection-in-process image changing step of changing the transmission image in the selection process. 5. Method.   5. The videophone communication method according to claim 4, wherein the changed transmission image during the selection process is an image indicating that the selection process is being performed. The image processing is image processing for combining the element image stored in the terminal device and the original image based on the target image extracted from the original image to be processed,
6. The videophone communication method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the type of image processing is selection of at least the element image.   The videophone communication method according to claim 6, wherein the original image is a moving image taken by a camera of the terminal device. A terminal device capable of videophone communication,
Image processing means for performing image processing;
Selection processing control means for controlling selection processing that is processing for selecting the type of image processing for a transmission image that is an image transmitted during videophone communication;
Image output process changing means for changing a process related to image output in the selection process;
A terminal device comprising: a processed image transmission unit configured to use the image subjected to the image processing as the transmission image when the type of the image processing is determined in the selection processing.   The image output process changing means is a transmission image display area, which is an area of the display screen when the transmission image is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein a process of displaying larger is performed.   The terminal apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the image output process changing unit performs a process of changing the transmission image during the selection process. A wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the mobile communication network;
The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the videophone communication is performed by the wireless communication.