JP2008311893A - Communication system, transmitter, receiver, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system, etc. which can send a necessary audio and image to suit a state on the display slave terminal side, and in which its sending speed does not change. <P>SOLUTION: A cordless intercom system S includes a sensor 16 for detecting whether or not a speaker SP exists within an audible range of a user's ears. When it is detected by the sensor 16 concerned that the speaker SP exists within the audible range of the user, an audio is received, and when it is detected that the speaker SP does not exist within the audible range of the user, an image is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present application relates to a communication system, a transmission device, a reception device, and a communication method.

  In recent years, there is a cordless door phone system that does not require wiring work and can respond to customers anywhere (see Patent Document 1 below).

  For example, the cordless door phone system disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables a door phone provided with a call button and a wireless transmission / reception unit, a call signal from the door phone in the form of a radio signal, and enables a call between the door phone. The cordless telephone provided with the wireless transmission / reception unit is combined.

In the above configuration, audio and images are transmitted and received in a time division manner, and the unit of the time division is a slot, and the number of slots is limited depending on the relationship between the frequency band and the processing capability.
JP-A-11-136373

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, since the data transfer rate is lower than that of generally used radio, one slot is required for each transmission of image and sound. Since there is a restriction on the number of slots, there is a method of compressing audio to reduce the number of slots. However, compressing audio results in deterioration of sound quality. That is, in the case of a wireless that has only a low data transfer rate, there is a problem that if audio and an image are transmitted and received simultaneously, the sound quality deteriorates in the case of audio and the display time becomes longer in the case of an image.

  The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an example of the problem is that it is possible to transmit necessary sound or image in accordance with the state of the display slave terminal side, and the transmission speed is changed. It aims at providing the communication system etc. which are not.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication system according to claim 1 is connected to a transmission device including a sound collection unit that collects sound and an imaging unit that captures an image, and is connected to the transmission device. A communication system comprising: a sound output unit that outputs sound collected by a transmission device; and a reception device that includes an image output unit that outputs an image captured by the transmission device. A detection result receiving means for receiving a detection result by the detection means of the receiving device, and a transmission for transmitting either the collected sound or the captured image to the receiving device based on the received detection result. And the receiving device detects whether or not the sound output means of the receiving device is in a state where the user of the receiving device can hear the output sound. Output means, detection result transmission means for transmitting the detection result by the detection means to the transmission device, and reception means for receiving either the sound or the image transmitted from the transmission device. It is characterized by.

  The communication method according to claim 10 is a transmission device including a sound collection unit that collects sound and an image pickup unit that captures an image, and a sound that is connected to the transmission device and collected by the transmission device. A communication method in a communication system comprising: a sound output means for outputting a signal; and a reception device having an image output means for outputting an image captured by the transmission device, wherein the reception device includes: The audio output means detects whether or not the user of the receiving device is in a state where the output audio can be heard; and the receiving device transmits the detection result of the detecting step in the receiving device. A detection result transmitting step for transmitting to a device; a detection result receiving means for receiving a detection result by a detection means of the receiving device in the transmitting device; Based on the received detection result, transmission means for transmitting either one of the collected sound or the captured image to the receiving device, and in the receiving device, the sound transmitted from the transmitting device or the And a receiving step of receiving any one of the images.

  The best mode for carrying out the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment when the present application is applied to a cordless door phone system S configured to include a parent device terminal and a plurality of child device terminals.

(1) First Embodiment First, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a schematic configuration of the cordless door phone system S will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cordless door phone system S.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cordless door phone system S (an example of a communication system of the present application) includes a parent device D3 and a camera slave device D1 that communicates with the parent device terminal D3 using a wireless line (the transmission device of the present application). ) And display slave terminal D2 (an example of the receiving device of the present application).

  Next, a schematic configuration of base unit terminal D3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the master terminal D3 receives an instruction from the user, gives an instruction signal corresponding to the instruction to the control unit 20, and stores and stores (stores) various data. A line control unit (not shown) that establishes communication by connecting the memory 21 to the master terminal D3 or the camera slave terminal D1 and the display slave terminal D2 when the memory 21 is connected using the line; Sound is output from a transmitter / receiver 22 that includes an antenna AT3 and transmits / receives various signals including audio signals between the camera slave terminal D1 and the display slave terminal D2 by radio communication (radio waves) and a speaker (not shown). And a control unit 20 including a CPU or the like that controls each unit described above. The above-described units are connected to each other via a bus.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU having a calculation function, a working RAM, a nonvolatile memory, and a ROM that stores various processing programs and data as a computer. Then, when the CPU executes a control program stored in, for example, a ROM (starts a control application), the computer functions as the communication system of the present application. This control program is a processing program executed by the control unit 20 of the parent device terminal D3.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the camera slave terminal D1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera slave terminal D1 includes an antenna AT1, and transmits and receives various signals including voice signals to and from the master terminal D3 by wireless communication, and outputs sound from the speaker SP. A voice processing unit 4 for receiving the command, an operation unit 5 that receives an instruction from the user and gives an instruction signal corresponding to the instruction to the control unit 1, and an operation of the camera slave terminal D1 A camera 6 (an example of the imaging means of the present application) for capturing a user and a control unit 1 including a CPU or the like for controlling the above-described units, and the above-described units are connected to each other via a bus. ing.

  The control unit 1 is configured as a computer including a CPU having a calculation function, a working RAM, a nonvolatile memory, a ROM for storing various processing programs and data, and the like. Then, when the CPU executes a control program stored in, for example, a ROM (starts a control application), the computer functions as the communication system of the present application. This control program is a processing program executed by the control unit 1 of the camera slave terminal D1.

  A configuration of the display slave terminal D2 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the display subunit | mobile_unit terminal D2, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted about the component similar to the camera subunit | mobile_unit terminal D1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display slave terminal D2 includes an antenna AT2 and transmits / receives various signals including voice signals to / from the master terminal D3 by wireless communication (an example of the receiving means of the present application). And a sound processing unit 13 for outputting sound from the speaker SP, a display unit 14 (an example of image output means of the present application) having a monitor television (not shown), and receiving an instruction from the user and responding to the instruction An operation unit 15 that gives an instruction signal to the control unit 10, and a sensor 16 such as a photo interrupter that detects whether or not the speaker SP of the display slave D2 is within the audible range of the user's ear (detection of the present application) An example of a means) and a control unit 10 including a CPU or the like for controlling the above-described units, and the above-described units are connected to each other via a bus.

  The control unit 10 is configured as a computer including a CPU having an arithmetic function, a working RAM, a nonvolatile memory, a ROM for storing various processing programs and data, and the like. Then, when the CPU executes a control program stored in, for example, a ROM (starts a control application), the computer functions as the communication system of the present application. This control program is a processing program executed by the control unit 10 of the display slave terminal D2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sensor 16 in the display terminal D2 includes a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (for example, a phototransistor), and the light emitting element. The light emitted by is reflected or partially transmitted through the user's ear of the display slave terminal D2 and received by the light receiving element, and the speaker SP of the display slave terminal D2 (an example of the audio output means of the present application) is received. It is detected whether it exists in the user's audible range.

  Next, an operation example of the cordless door phone system S will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in the case of switching sound or image by the sensor 16 of the cordless door phone system S.

  First, the control unit 10 of the display slave device terminal D2 transmits a connection request signal to the camera slave device terminal D1 via the master device terminal D3 (S1 and S2).

  Next, the control unit 1 of the camera slave terminal D1 requested to connect by the display slave terminal D2 via the master terminal D3 sends a connection response signal to the display slave terminal D2 via the master terminal D3. Is transmitted (S3 and S4). At this time, a radio link between the terminals is established.

  Thereafter, the control unit 10 of the display slave terminal D2 makes a request for image transfer to the camera slave terminal D1 via the master terminal D3 (S5 and S6). The control unit 1 of the camera slave terminal D1 requested to transfer the image by the display slave terminal D2 via the master terminal D3 displays the user image captured by the camera 6 via the master terminal D3. Transmit to D2 (S7 and S8).

  Next, the sensor 16 of the display slave terminal D2 detects whether or not the speaker SP of the display slave terminal D2 is within the audible range of the user. The sensor 16 is a sensor that detects a light reflecting object when it is a light reflection type photointerrupter as shown in FIG. 2A, and is a light transmission type photointerrupter as shown in FIG. 2B. In some cases, the sensor detects a light-shielding object. In this case, a light reflecting object or a light shielding object is considered as an ear.

  Then, as a result of the detection by the sensor 16 of the display slave terminal D2, the control unit 10 causes the transmitter / receiver 12 to switch the speaker SP of the display slave terminal D2 within the user's audible range (S9). Via the mobile phone terminal D1 (S10 and S11) and receiving a response from the camera slave terminal D1 (S12 and S13), the voice of the display slave terminal D2 is received. The processing unit 13 is activated. On the other hand, when the speaker SP of the display slave terminal D2 does not exist within the user's audible range (S14), the control unit 10 captures an image from the camera 6 of the camera slave terminal D1 via the transmission / reception unit 12. An image request is made to the camera slave terminal D1 so as to be performed (S15 and S16), the response from the camera slave terminal D1 is received (S17 and S18), and the display unit 14 of the display slave terminal D2 is activated. In this case, the two-way simultaneous communication can be performed by the time division bidirectional transmission (TDD) method of the digital signal method.

  As described above, according to the cordless door phone system S of the first embodiment, the latest screen display can be performed in the case of low-speed wireless communication by automatically switching between image and sound by the sensor 16. Thus, in the case of high-speed wireless communication, since the image quality is improved, the screen display can be closer to a moving image. The sensor 16 includes a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives the light. When the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the user's ear, the speaker SP is within the audible range of the user. It is possible to detect that In addition, the sensor 16 can detect that the speaker SP is within the audible range of the user when the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected and received by the user's ear.

(2) 2nd Embodiment Next, cordless door phone system SS of 2nd Embodiment which is other embodiment which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 4 and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the cordless door phone system SS, and FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example when the user of the cordless door phone system SS manually switches sounds or images. . The configuration and operation of the cordless doorphone system SS of the second embodiment are the same as those of the cordless doorphone system S of the first embodiment. In the following description, these are used, and detailed description is omitted. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cordless doorphone system SS of the second embodiment is configured such that the speaker SP of the display slave terminal D2 is within the user's audible range by the sensor 16 in the cordless doorphone system S of the first embodiment. Instead of determining whether to request an image or a voice request from the camera slave unit D1 based on the detection result, the user can use the voice call button on the operation unit 15 of the display slave unit terminal D2. It is also possible to detect whether or not the user presses 15a (S19 and S24), and determine whether to request an image or a sound based on the detection result.

  As described above, according to the cordless door phone system SS of the second embodiment, the user switches the image and the sound by operating the operation button 15a of the operation unit 15, so that the latest in the case of low-speed wireless communication. In the case of high-speed wireless communication, since the image quality is improved, the screen display can be closer to a moving image, and an image caused by malfunction of the sensor 16 in the first embodiment can be obtained. Since there is no automatic switching of sound, it is possible to more reliably switch between image and sound, and necessary sound or image can be transmitted according to the state of the display slave terminal D2.

  The cordless door phone systems S and SS shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 show a configuration in which two slave device terminals D1 and D2 are connected to the master device terminal D3 as an example, but the number of the slave device terminals D2 and D3 Is not limited.

  Further, the cordless door phone systems S and SS shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 are provided with transmission / reception units 3, 12, and 22 in the master terminal D3, the camera slave terminal D1, and the display slave terminal D2, respectively. It enables extension calls and extension calls between them and employs a digital signal system, but an analog signal system may also be employed.

  The communication between the terminals in the cordless doorphone systems S and SS shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication.

  The cordless door phone systems S and SS shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 can also be applied to other communication systems such as baby monitors and security monitors.

It is a schematic block diagram inside the cordless door phone system S which concerns on this embodiment. (A) It is a schematic block diagram inside when the sensor 16 which concerns on this embodiment is a light reflection type photo interrupter. (B) It is a schematic block diagram inside when the sensor 16 which concerns on this embodiment is a light transmissive photo interrupter. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the cordless door phone system S which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram inside the cordless door phone system SS which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the cordless door phone system SS which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 10, 20 Control unit 2, 11, 21 Memory 3, 12, 22 Transmission / reception unit 4, 13 Voice processing unit 5, 15 Operation unit 15a Voice call button 6 Camera 14 Display unit 16 Sensor AT1-6 Antenna S Cordless door phone system SS Cordless door phone system D1 Camera slave terminal D2 Display slave terminal D3 Master terminal

Claims (10)

A transmission device having sound collection means for collecting sound; and imaging means for picking up an image; audio output means connected to the transmission device for outputting sound collected by the transmission device; and the transmission An image output means for outputting an image picked up by the device, and a receiving device having a communication device,
The transmitter is
A detection result receiving means for receiving a detection result by the detection means of the receiving device;
Based on the received detection result, transmission means for transmitting either the collected sound or the captured image to the receiving device;
With
The receiving device is:
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the audio output means of the receiving apparatus is in a state in which a user of the receiving apparatus can listen to the output audio;
Detection result transmission means for transmitting the detection result by the detection means to the transmission device;
Receiving means for receiving either the sound or the image transmitted from the transmitting device;
A communication system comprising: The communication system according to claim 1,
The detecting means of the receiving device detects whether or not the audio output means is within an audible range of the user,
When the transmission means of the transmission device detects that the sound output means is within the audible range of the user based on the received detection result, the transmission means transmits the sound to the reception device, and the sound A communication system characterized by transmitting the image to the receiving device when it is detected that the output means does not exist within the audible range of the user. The communication system according to claim 2,
The detection means includes a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives the light, and when the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the user's ear, the voice output means is A communication system, characterized by detecting the presence within an audible range. The communication system according to claim 2,
The detection means includes a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives the light, and when the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected and received by the user's ear, the sound output means A communication system, characterized by detecting the presence within an audible range of the user. A transmission device included in the communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The detection result receiving means;
The transmitting means;
A transmission device comprising: A receiving device included in the communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The detection means;
The detection result transmitting means;
The receiving means;
A receiving apparatus comprising: The communication system according to claim 1,
The detecting means of the receiving device detects whether or not an operating means operated to listen to the sound is operated,
The transmission unit of the transmission device transmits the sound to the reception device when it is detected that the operation unit of the reception device is operated based on the received detection result, and the operation unit A communication system characterized by transmitting the image to the receiving device when it is detected that it has not been operated. A transmission device included in the communication system according to claim 7,
The detection result receiving means;
The transmitting means;
A transmission device comprising: A receiving device included in the communication system according to claim 7,
The detection means;
The detection result transmitting means;
The receiving means;
A receiving apparatus comprising: A transmission device including sound collection means for collecting sound; and imaging means for picking up an image; audio output means connected to the transmission device for outputting sound collected by the transmission device; and the transmission A communication method in a communication system comprising: a receiving device having an image output unit that outputs an image captured by the device;
In the receiving device, the sound output means of the receiving device detects whether or not the user of the receiving device is in a state where the output sound can be heard; and
In the reception device, a detection result transmission step of transmitting the detection result of the detection step to the transmission device;
In the transmission device, detection result reception means for receiving a detection result by the detection means of the reception device;
In the transmission device, based on the received detection result, transmission means for transmitting either the collected sound or the captured image to the reception device;
In the receiving device, a receiving step of receiving either the sound or the image transmitted from the transmitting device;
A communication method comprising:

Images