JP2009130644A - Communication equipment, communication method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire content data presenting the opposite communication party from the outside at proper timing and by a proper method in the case of holding communication. <P>SOLUTION: Video communication equipment 10 for transmitting an input source including at least one among voice, video and data to video communication equipment 50 being the opposite communication party in real time is provided with a content data receiving part 26 for acquiring content data from a content server 80 when temporarily interrupting the transmission of an input source, and a content data transmitting part 28 for transmitting to the video communication equipment 50 the content data acquired by the content data receiving part 26 as content for hold which should be presented to a user of the video communication equipment 50 while the video communication equipment 10 temporarily interrupts the transmission of the input source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, a program, and a storage medium that output audio and video at a communication partner device when communication is suspended.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, communication systems such as a video phone and a video conference system that exchange user's video and audio in both directions in real time have been used. Usually, in such a communication system, when the communication partner does not want to hear the conversation during communication, the sound is muted, an alternative sound is output, or the communication partner can view the video during the communication. A hold function is provided to stop video display or display a substitute image when not desired.

  Here, conventionally, in the hold function using the substitute voice and the substitute image as described above, the substitute voice and the substitute image are stored in advance in the memory of the communication apparatus that holds the communication. When holding a communication during a call, the alternative voice or the alternative image is read from the memory, reproduced, and transmitted to the communication partner apparatus.

  In addition, there exists the following patent document 1 as a prior art document relevant to this invention.

Patent Document 1 describes a videophone device that downloads an image from an external image providing device and stores it as a call hold image in an image memory, thereby transmitting a new image as a hold image to the other party on the call. Has been.
JP 2002-27418 A (published on January 25, 2002)

  However, in the conventional configuration described above, the types of alternative voices and alternative images that can be presented to the communication partner during the hold are limited based on the memory capacity of the communication device that holds the communication, and the user selects according to his / her preference. I couldn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the purpose thereof is a communication device capable of acquiring content data to be presented to a communication partner during communication suspension from an external device at an appropriate timing and method, To realize a communication method, a program, and a storage medium.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication device of the present invention is a communication device that transmits an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner device in real time, When the transmission is temporarily interrupted, the communication partner apparatus acquires the content data acquired from the server and the content data acquired by the content acquisition means while the own apparatus temporarily interrupts the transmission of the input source. As a holding content to be presented to the user, a holding content transmission means for transmitting to the communication partner device is provided.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device for transmitting in real time an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner device, and temporarily stops transmission of the input source. The content acquisition step of acquiring content data from the server, and the content data acquired in the content acquisition step to the user of the communication partner device while the own device temporarily suspends transmission of the input source. The holding content to be presented includes a holding content transmission step of transmitting to the communication counterpart device.

  According to said structure, when the said communication apparatus interrupts transmission of an input source temporarily, instead of the input source which interrupts transmission, it acquires the data of the content for suspension shown in a communicating party apparatus from a server, Send to the communication partner device.

  Therefore, content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and various content data to be actually used is provided to the user. It is possible to select from various types of content data.

  Furthermore, the communication device further includes a communication partner identification unit that identifies the communication partner device, and a correspondence data storage unit that associates the communication partner device with the content data, and the content acquisition unit includes the correspondence unit The content data associated with the communication partner apparatus identified by the communication partner identification means is acquired with reference to a data storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, since the content acquisition unit acquires the content data corresponding to the communication partner device identified by the communication partner identification unit, it is not necessary for the user to select the content data every time. The corresponding content data can be transmitted.

  Further, the communication device includes: a content list acquisition unit that acquires a list of the content data; and a content selection unit that presents the list to a user of the own device and acquires operation information for selecting content data by the user. The content acquisition means acquires content data selected from the list based on the selection operation by a user.

  According to said structure, a user can further be made to select content data from a list. Therefore, the content data desired by the user can be used as the content for holding.

  Furthermore, the communication device is characterized in that the holding content transmission means transmits identification information of content data as the holding content.

  According to the above configuration, since the identification information is further transmitted as the holding content, the communication partner apparatus can acquire and play the holding content based on the received identification information. Therefore, the communication device that holds communication can cause the communication partner device to reproduce the hold content only by transmitting the identification information without transmitting content data having a large data size.

  The communication device further includes a transmission content recording unit that stores identification information of content data transmitted to the communication partner device in association with the communication partner device, and the content selection unit includes the transmission content storage unit. The content data transmitted in the past to the communication partner apparatus is referred to the user with priority over other content data.

  According to said structure, the content data transmitted in the past to a communicating party apparatus is further preferentially shown to a list. Therefore, the operation when the user selects content data to be used as the content for holding can be facilitated.

  Furthermore, the communication device further includes content list acquisition means for acquiring a list of the content data, and content list transmission means for transmitting the list acquired by the content list acquisition means to the communication partner device. .

  According to said structure, a content list acquisition means acquires the list of content data further, and a content list transmission means transmits it to a communicating party apparatus. Therefore, in the communication partner apparatus, the user can refer to the list of content data and reproduce the desired content data as the pending content.

  The communication device of the present invention is a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, and the communication partner device transmits the input source. Content list receiving means for receiving from the communication partner device a list of content data candidates that the device itself should present to the user at the time of suspension, and presenting the list to the user of the device, Content selection means for acquiring operation information for selecting data; content acquisition means for acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device; and Acquired by the content acquisition means while the transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is suspended. It is characterized in that it comprises a hold content reproducing means for reproducing the content data as pending content.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, wherein the communication partner device is an input source. Content data candidate list to be received from the communication counterpart device, and presenting the list to the user of the device, A content selection step of acquiring operation information for selecting content data by a user, and a content acquisition step of acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device And while the transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is suspended, It is characterized in that it comprises a hold content player step of reproducing the contents data acquired in acquisition step as pending content.

  According to the above configuration, when the communication partner device sets the hold state in which the transmission of the input source is temporarily suspended, the communication device is for holding that is presented to the user in its own device instead of the input source in which the transmission is suspended. A list of content data is acquired from the communication partner device. Then, the communication device presents a list, causes the user to select content data, and when the transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is temporarily interrupted, the content data selected from the list by the user as the pending content The content for hold is reproduced while the transmission of the input source is temporarily interrupted.

  Therefore, content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and various content data to be actually used is provided to the user. It is possible to select from various types of content data.

  The communication device of the present invention is a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, and the communication partner device transmits the input source. Upon temporary suspension, identification information receiving means for receiving identification information indicating content data to be presented to the user from the communication partner device and a temporary suspension of transmission of the input source by the communication partner device are detected. Content acquisition means for acquiring content data from a server based on the identification information, and content data acquired by the content acquisition means while transmission of an input source from the communication partner device is temporarily suspended. It is characterized by comprising a holding content playback means for playing back as the holding content.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, wherein the communication partner device is an input source. When receiving the identification information indicating the content data to be presented to the user from the communication counterpart device, and temporarily interrupting the transmission of the input source by the communication counterpart device Is acquired in the content acquisition step while the transmission of the input source from the communication counterpart device is temporarily suspended based on the identification information. Including a content reproduction step for reserving content data as content for reserving It is.

  According to the above configuration, when the communication partner device sets the hold state in which the transmission of the input source is temporarily suspended, the communication device is for holding that is presented to the user in its own device instead of the input source in which the transmission is suspended. Content data identification information is acquired from a communication partner apparatus. And the said communication apparatus acquires content data from a server based on identification information, and reproduces | regenerates the acquired content as holding | maintenance content.

  Therefore, content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and various content data to be actually used is provided to the user. It is possible to select from various types of content data.

  Furthermore, the communication device may be a video phone that transmits and receives audio and video in real time with the communication partner device, and the content data may include audio and video.

  According to said structure, when transmission of an image | video and an audio | voice is interrupted during a holding | maintenance, the video / audio content data for a hold | payment shown instead of an image | video and an audio | voice can be acquired. Note that when the hold is released, only the audio transmission may be resumed, and the video may continue to present the hold content. Further, even in a communication device that has suspended transmission of an input source, a call may be made while viewing the same video as the counterpart device.

  The communication device may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program for the communication device that causes the communication device to be realized by the computer by operating the computer as the respective means, and the program are recorded. Computer-readable recording media are also within the scope of the present invention.

  A communication apparatus according to the present invention is a communication apparatus that transmits, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner apparatus. Content acquisition means for acquiring content data from the content, and the content data acquired by the content acquisition means, the content for acquisition should be presented to the user of the communication partner device while the own device temporarily suspends transmission of the input source And a holding content transmission means for transmitting to the communication partner device.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device for transmitting in real time an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner device, and temporarily stops transmission of the input source. The content acquisition step of acquiring content data from the server, and the content data acquired in the content acquisition step to the user of the communication partner device while the own device temporarily suspends transmission of the input source. A holding content transmission step of transmitting to the communication partner device as the holding content to be presented.

  Therefore, the content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and the content data to be actually used is given to the user. There is an effect that it is possible to select from various types of content data.

  The communication device of the present invention is a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, and the communication partner device transmits the input source. Content list receiving means for receiving from the communication partner device a list of content data candidates that the device itself should present to the user at the time of suspension, and presenting the list to the user of the device, Content selection means for acquiring operation information for selecting data; content acquisition means for acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device; and Acquired by the content acquisition means while the transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is suspended. A structure and a suspended content reproducing means for reproducing the content data as pending content.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, wherein the communication partner device is an input source. Content data candidate list to be received from the communication counterpart device, and presenting the list to the user of the device, A content selection step of acquiring operation information for selecting content data by a user, and a content acquisition step of acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device And while the transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is suspended, The method comprising the suspended content player step of reproducing the contents data acquired in acquisition step as pending content.

  Therefore, the content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and the content data to be actually used is given to the user. There is an effect that it is possible to select from various types of content data.

  The communication device of the present invention is a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, and the communication partner device transmits the input source. Upon temporary suspension, identification information receiving means for receiving identification information indicating content data to be presented to the user from the communication partner device and a temporary suspension of transmission of the input source by the communication partner device are detected. Content acquisition means for acquiring content data from a server based on the identification information, and content data acquired by the content acquisition means while transmission of an input source from the communication partner device is temporarily suspended. It is a structure provided with the content reproduction | regeneration means for suspension to reproduce | regenerate as content for suspension.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device, wherein the communication partner device is an input source. When receiving the identification information indicating the content data to be presented to the user from the communication counterpart device, and temporarily interrupting the transmission of the input source by the communication counterpart device Is acquired in the content acquisition step while the transmission of the input source from the communication counterpart device is temporarily suspended based on the identification information. And a content holding step for replaying content data as content for reserving.

  Therefore, the content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and the content data to be actually used is given to the user. There is an effect that it is possible to select from various types of content data.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The communication system 1 includes a transmission-side video communication device (communication device, communication partner device) 10, a reception-side video communication device (communication device, communication partner device) 50, and a content server (server) 80. Details of the configuration of each apparatus will be described.

  The video communication device 10 on the transmission side is a telephone communication terminal referred to as a so-called video phone capable of making a call using video and audio. Similarly to the video communication device 10, the video communication device 50 on the receiving side is a telephone communication terminal capable of making a call using video and audio. The content server 80 accumulates content data such as moving images and still images, and the client (the video communication device 10 in the first embodiment and the video communication device 50 in the second and third embodiments) via a LAN (Local Area Network). It is a so-called home server that is distributed to.

  In the present embodiment, a video phone is described as an example of the video communication terminals 10 and 50, but is not limited thereto. It may be a video conference system that makes a video and voice call via a telephone line, or may be a system that constantly shoots a specific place and broadcasts the video, such as a web camera. It may be a mobile phone, a video conference system, an audio device, an interphone, a video distribution system, or the like having similar functions. When an input source such as audio and video is transmitted from the transmitting communication device to the receiving communication device, and the transmitting communication device temporarily suspends and holds the input source transmission, another input source is reserved. Any communication device, communication system, and communication method may be used as long as the content is output.

  In the present embodiment, the content server 80 is described as a home server that stores digital data such as moving images and still images and is connected according to a standard such as a wired or wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or IEEE1394. However, it is not limited to this. A server that distributes content data via the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, first, the video communication device 10 on the transmission / reception side includes an operation unit (content selection unit) 12, a display unit (content selection unit) 14, an audio output unit 16, an audio input unit 18, and a photographing unit 19. , Setting unit 20, storage unit (corresponding data storage unit) 22, reproduction processing unit (holding content reproduction unit) 24, content data receiving unit (content acquisition unit, content list acquisition unit) 26, content data transmission unit (for holding) A content transmission unit) 28, a communication unit 30, and a call processing unit (communication partner identification unit) 32.

  The operation unit 12 is an operation input device including a dial, a button, a switch, a volume, a keyboard, a touch panel, and other input devices for receiving an operation input from a user. The display unit 14 is a display device configured with various displays and the like, and displays an interface for performing content data display reproduction, change of setting items of the video communication apparatus 10, various operations, and the like. In addition, you may perform operation input and display output simultaneously by comprising the operation part 12 and the display part 14 with a touch panel.

  The audio output unit 16 is an audio output device such as a speaker for outputting call audio and moving image reproduction audio. The voice input unit 18 is a voice input device such as a microphone for inputting call voice. The photographing unit 19 is a video input device such as a camera for photographing the user of the video communication device 10 and the like.

  The setting unit 20 performs setting of the video communication device 10 and call setting based on an operation input from the operation unit 12 by the user, and stores setting information in the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 records various setting information based on instructions from the setting unit 20.

  The reproduction processing unit 24 has a function of reproducing the content data stored in the storage unit 22 or the content data received from the content server 80 and outputting the content data to the display unit 14 and the video communication device 50. The content data receiving unit 26 receives content data from the content server 80. The content data transmission unit 28 transmits content such as video and audio reproduced by the reproduction processing unit 24 to the video communication device 50 via the communication unit 30.

  The communication unit 30 transmits the content output from the content data transmission unit 28 and the call signal output from the call processing unit 32 to the video communication device 50 and receives the same communication signal from the video communication device 50. have. The call processing unit 32 causes the audio output unit 16 to output the audio signal transmitted from the video communication device 50, and receives the audio signal and the video signal respectively input from the audio input unit 18 and the imaging unit 19 via the communication unit 30. It has a function of transmitting to the video communication device 50. When the video communication device 50 includes a photographing unit and transmits a video signal, the call processing unit 32 may cause the display unit 14 to output the video signal transmitted from the video communication device 50.

  Next, the video communication device 50 on the receiving side includes a communication unit 52, a call processing unit 54, an audio output unit 56, an audio input unit 58, a display processing unit 60, and a display unit 62. Further, the video communication device 50 may include a photographing unit (not shown).

  The video communication device 50 receives a call from the video communication device 10 and communicates with the video communication device 10. In addition, the functional block having the same name as each member of the video communication apparatus 10 has the same function.

  The communication unit 52 receives the audio signal and the video signal from the video communication device 10 and transmits the audio signal output from the call processing unit 54 to the video communication device 10. The call processing unit 54 outputs the audio signal from the video communication device 10 from the audio output unit 56, and transmits the audio signal input from the audio input unit 58 via the communication unit 52 to the video communication device 10. The audio input unit 58 outputs the audio input from the user of the video communication device 50 to the call processing unit 54 as an audio signal.

  The display processing unit 60 displays the video transmitted from the video communication device 10 on the display unit 62. Note that the display processing unit 60 may be configured to receive encoded video data from the video communication device 10, decode the received video data, and display the decoded video data on the display unit 62. The display unit 62 is used to display a video transmitted from the video communication device 10, a video reproduced by the display processing unit 60, and information used for operating and setting the video communication device 50.

  Next, the content server 80 includes a content data transmission unit 82, a content data storage unit 84, and a transmission data storage unit (transmission content recording unit) 86.

  The content server 80 transmits content data in response to a request from the video communication device 10 or the video communication device 50. In this embodiment, as content data, a moving image, and a specific example will be described by taking an example of a family video such as an athletic meet or a birthday party taken with a home video, but the present invention is not limited to this. . Content such as animation, changing image patterns, movies, live video, photographic images, geometric patterns, still images such as paintings, music, etc. may be used. However, if the video taken with home video is distributed from the home server, a video that is interested in the caller's relatives and friends and wants to see the rest will be shown as a pending image. This is particularly effective.

  The content data transmission unit 82 transmits a list of content data stored in the content data storage unit 84 to the video communication apparatus 10 as a list. Further, the content data transmission unit 82 searches the content data storage unit 84 for content data designated from the transmitted list and transmits the content data. The content data transmitting unit 82 may determine the type of the video communication device 10 and transmit only content data that can be reproduced by the video communication device 10.

  Various content data are recorded in the content data storage unit 84, and the content data transmitted to the video communication apparatus 10 is read by referring to the content data transmission unit 82. The transmission data storage unit 86 has a function of recording when and what content data is transmitted from the content server 80 to the video communication apparatus 10. Further, the transmission data storage unit 86 stores how far the content data has been played back by the video communication device 10, and the next time the same content data is sent, the playback time (or It has a function to record the interrupted position). Alternatively, the identification information of the video communication device 50 that is the call destination may be received from the video communication device 10, and which content may be transmitted to which call destination until which time.

  Note that the function of the transmission data storage unit 86 may be realized by providing a similar function inside the video communication apparatus 10.

  Next, the flow of content data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of data exchanged between the video communication device 10, the video communication device 50, and the content server 80.

  First, the video communication device 10 calls (calls) the video communication device 50 via the communication network. The video communication device 50 responds to a call from the video communication device 10 by picking up the handset. By the response of the video communication device 50, a video and audio call is started between them, and video and audio are mutually transmitted and received in real time.

  Here, it is assumed that the user of the video communication apparatus 10 puts the call on hold and temporarily stops the transmission of audio and video. At this time, the video communication device 10 enters a hold state when the user presses a hold button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 12 of the video communication device 10.

  When the video communication device 10 detects a hold operation by the user, the video communication device 10 requests the content server 80 for a list of hold contents via a LAN (Local Area Network). In response to this, the content server 80 transmits a list of content data to the video communication apparatus 10.

  The video communication device 10 presents the received list of pending content on the display unit 14 and causes the user to select desired content data using the operation unit 12. When the user selects content data, the content data receiving unit 26 of the video communication apparatus 10 requests the selected content data from the content server 80 and receives the requested content data. The selection of the content data to be received may be performed at any time before the content data is received, and is not necessarily performed during a call or on hold.

  The content data transmission unit 28 of the video communication device 10 transmits the pending content received from the content server 80 to the video communication device 50 via the communication unit 30. Then, the video communication device 50 causes the display processing unit 60 to display the received content for holding and display the content on the display unit 62. Note that the pending content transmitted from the video communication device 10 may be decoded and reproduced by the reproduction processing unit 24 of the video communication device 10, or transmitted to the video communication device 50 as coded data. The display may be decoded and reproduced by 50 display processing units 60.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the flow of the pending content transmission process in the video communication apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pending content transmission process performed by the video communication apparatus 10.

  First, in S101, it is determined whether or not the user of the video communication apparatus 10 has pressed the hold button on the operation unit 12. If the hold button is pressed (YES in S101), the process proceeds to S102. If the hold button has not been pressed (NO in S101), the hold content transmission process ends.

  Next, in S102, it is determined whether the video communication apparatus 10 is in a call with another video communication apparatus (here, the video communication apparatus 50). If the call is in progress (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S103. If the call is not in progress (NO in S102), the holding content transmission process ends.

  Next, in S103, the content data receiving unit 26 of the video communication apparatus 10 searches the network to find a server (here, the content server 80) that can transmit the pending content. In the present embodiment, a configuration is described in which a home server is found by searching a home network (LAN), but is not limited thereto. The configuration may be such that a paid data distribution server is searched via the Internet or a telephone line.

  Next, in S104, it is determined whether or not a server that can transmit the pending content can be found by the search in S103. If a server is found (YES in S104), the process proceeds to S105. If no server is found (NO in S104), the process proceeds to S106.

  Next, in S <b> 105, the content data receiving unit 26 obtains a list of pending content from the content server 80. The acquired list is presented to the user together with the pending content stored in advance in the storage unit 22 of the video communication apparatus 10.

  Next, in S106, it is acquired as a candidate for holding content used by the holding content stored in advance in the storage unit 22 of the video communication apparatus 10.

  Next, in S107, the user is allowed to select one of the pending content candidates acquired in S105 and S106. A list of candidates for holding content is presented on the display unit 14 of the video communication apparatus 10, and the user selects the holding content using the operation unit 12.

  Next, in S108, the content data receiving unit 26 of the video communication device 10 acquires the pending content selected in S107 from the content server 80, and the content data transmitting unit 28 is connected to the video communication device 50 via the communication unit 30. Send pending content to.

  Next, in S109, it is determined whether or not the hold button has been pressed for a long time on the operation unit 12 of the video communication apparatus 10. If the hold button is pressed long (YES in S109), the process proceeds to S110. If the hold button has not been pressed for a long time (NO in S109), the process proceeds to S111. Here, the long press of the hold button is detected as a trigger for resuming the call while continuing to transmit the hold content, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a button indicating “restart voice call” may be displayed on the display unit 14, or a similar trigger may be generated by pressing a hook several times. In addition, a dedicated button for “resuming a voice-only call” may be provided.

  Next, in S111, it is determined whether or not the call with the video communication apparatus 50 has ended. If the call has ended (YES in S111), the holding content transmission process ends. If the call has not ended (NO in S111), the process returns to S118 and is repeated.

  As described above, the video communication device 10 of the present embodiment is a video communication device 10 that transmits an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to the video communication device 50 of a communication partner in real time. When the transmission of the input source is temporarily interrupted, the video data communication apparatus 10 transmits the content data received by the content data receiving unit 26 that acquires the content data from the content server 80 and the content data received by the content data receiving unit 26. And a content data transmission unit 28 for transmitting to the video communication device 50 as a content for holding to be presented to the user of the video communication device 50 while the video communication device 50 is temporarily suspended.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in the video communication apparatus 10 that transmits an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to the video communication apparatus 50 of a communication partner in real time. When the transmission of the source is temporarily interrupted, the video communication device 10 temporarily interrupts the transmission of the input source between the content acquisition step of acquiring content data from the content server 80 and the content data acquired in the content acquisition step. In the meantime, the content for holding to be presented to the user of the video communication apparatus 50 includes a content transmission step for holding to transmit to the video communication apparatus 50.

  According to the configuration described above, when the video communication apparatus 10 temporarily stops transmission of the input source, the video communication apparatus 10 receives the content data for suspension to be presented in the video communication apparatus 50 from the content server 80 instead of the input source that interrupts transmission. Obtained and transmitted to the video communication device 50 of the communication partner.

  Therefore, content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so content data actually used without unnecessarily occupying the storage unit 22 of the video communication apparatus 10 with content data. The user is selected from various types of content data.

  Furthermore, the video communication apparatus 10 of the present embodiment further includes a call processing unit 32 that identifies the video communication apparatus 50, and a storage unit 22 that stores correspondence data in which the video communication apparatus 50 is associated with content data. The content data receiving unit 26 refers to the storage unit 22 and acquires content data associated with the video communication device 50 identified by the call processing unit 32.

  According to the above configuration, since the content data receiving unit 26 acquires content data corresponding to the video communication device 50 identified by the call processing unit 32, it is not necessary for the user to select content data every time, and the video communication device. Content data corresponding to 50 can be transmitted.

  Furthermore, the video communication device 10 of the present embodiment includes a content data receiving unit 26 that acquires a list of content data, a display unit 14 that presents the list to the video communication device 10 user, and operation information for selecting content data by the user. The content data receiving unit 26 acquires content data selected from the list based on a selection operation by the user.

  According to the above configuration, the content data can be selected by the user from the list, so that the content data desired by the user can be used as the pending content.

  Furthermore, the video communication apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a transmission data storage unit 86 that stores the identification information of the content data transmitted to the video communication apparatus 50 in association with the video communication apparatus 50. The content data reception unit 26 includes: With reference to the transmission data storage unit 86, content data transmitted in the past to the video communication device 50 is presented to the user with priority over other content data.

  According to said structure, the content data transmitted in the past to the video communication apparatus 50 is further preferentially presented on the display unit 14 as a list. Therefore, the operation when the user selects content data to be used as the pending content can be facilitated.

[Embodiment 2]
Compared with the communication system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication system 2 of this embodiment includes a content identification information transmission unit 29 in which the video communication device 10 transmits content data identification information to the video communication device 50. The video communication device 50 includes a content data receiving unit 66 that communicates with the content server 80 and a content identification information receiving unit 64 that receives content identification information from the video communication device 10. It is the same.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure demonstrated in the said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, when configuring the present embodiment, the transmission data storage unit 86 of the content server 80 is preferably on the content server 80, but is not limited thereto. A configuration that provides the same function by providing the transmission data storage unit 86 inside the video communication apparatus 10 may be employed.

  In the above configuration, the operation when transmitting content data will be described as follows with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the communication system 2 in the present embodiment. The communication system 2 includes a video communication device 10 on the transmission side, a video communication device 50 on the reception side, and a content server 80. Note that the functional blocks having the same names of the respective communication devices have the same functions as described in FIG.

  The content identification information transmission unit 29 transmits identification information for identifying content data stored in the content data storage unit 84 on the content server 80 to the video communication device 50 via the communication unit 30.

  As identification information for identifying the content data, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) for specifying the location and name where the content data is stored is used here, but the present invention is not limited to this. . A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a server IP address may be used as identification information, or a sector number on a magnetic disk in which a file is stored may be used as identification information. The configuration may be such that predetermined content data can be received by using a telephone number as identification information and making a call to the telephone number. Any format can be used as long as it is identification information that can identify content data from outside and acquire the content data.

  The content identification information receiving unit 64 of the video communication device 50 extracts the content identification information from the communication information transmitted from the video communication device 10 and outputs the content identification information to the content data receiving unit 66. The content data receiving unit 66 connects to the content server 80 based on the input content identification information, and acquires content data corresponding to the content identification information.

  According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to transmit content data from the video communication apparatus 10 to the video communication apparatus 50, so that the call processing can be performed at a higher speed. In addition, even after the call with the video communication device 10 is finished, the content data can be received from the content server 80 based on the content data identification information transmitted by the video communication device 50.

  Next, the flow of content data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of data exchanged between the video communication device 10, the video communication device 50, and the content server 80.

  First, the video communication device 10 calls (calls) the video communication device 50 via the communication network. The video communication device 50 responds to a call from the video communication device 10 by picking up the handset. By the response of the video communication device 50, a video and audio call is started between them, and video and audio are mutually transmitted and received in real time.

  Here, it is assumed that the user of the video communication apparatus 10 puts the call on hold and temporarily stops the transmission of audio and video. At this time, the video communication device 10 enters a hold state when the user presses a hold button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 12 of the video communication device 10.

  When the video communication device 10 detects a hold operation by the user, the video communication device 10 requests the content server 80 for a list of hold content via the LAN. In response to this, the content server 80 transmits a list of content data to the video communication apparatus 10.

  The video communication apparatus 10 presents a list of received pending content on the display unit 14 and causes the user to select favorite content data using the operation unit 12. When the user selects content data, the content identification information transmitting unit 29 of the video communication apparatus 10 displays content data identification information indicating in what location on the content server 80 the selected content data is stored under what name. To the video communication device 50.

  On the other hand, in the video communication device 50, when the call processing unit 54 detects that the video communication device 10 has been put on hold, the content identification information receiving unit 64 receives content data from the call signal transmitted from the video communication device 10. The identification information is extracted, and the content data receiving unit 66 receives the corresponding content data from the content server 80.

  In the present embodiment, the content server 80 is described as a home server connected via a LAN, but may be a server existing on the Internet. When a server on the Internet is used as the content server 80, the video communication device 10 may issue a one-time password for accessing the content server 80 or content on the content server 80.

  As described above, the video communication device 50 according to the present embodiment receives, in real time, the input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from the video communication device 10 that is a communication partner device. A content identification information receiving unit 64 that receives identification information indicating content data to be presented to the user when the video communication device 10 temporarily stops transmission of the input source, and the identification information The content data receiving unit 66 that acquires content data from the content server 80 and the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit are suspended while the transmission of the input source from the video communication device 10 is temporarily suspended. And a display processing unit 60 that reproduces the content as a commercial content.

  The communication method of the present invention is a communication method in the video communication device 50 that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from the video communication device 10 that is a communication counterpart device. An identification information receiving step for receiving, from the communication partner device, identification information indicating content data to be presented to the user when the video communication device 10 temporarily stops transmission of the input source; and the communication partner device When a temporary interruption of transmission of the input source due to is detected, a content acquisition step of acquiring content data from the content server 80 based on the identification information, and transmission of the input source from the communication partner device are temporarily suspended During this period, the content data acquired in the content acquisition step is stored as content for holding. A method and a use content playback step.

  Therefore, the content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the memory of the communication device is not unnecessarily occupied with the content data, and the content data to be actually used is given to the user. There is an effect that it is possible to select from various types of content data.

[Embodiment 3]
In the communication system 3 of the present embodiment, compared to the communication system 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the content identification information transmitting unit 29 of the video communication apparatus 10 transmits a list of content identification information as content identification information, The video communication device 50 includes an operation unit 68 (not shown), the list of content identification information received by the display processing unit 60 is displayed on the display unit 62, and the user of the video communication device 50 uses the operation unit 68. The difference is that content data to be played back as the content for holding is selected, and the other configurations are the same.

  In the video communication device 10, the user selects a plurality of content data from the content data stored in the content server 80 or the content data stored in the storage unit 22 of the video communication device 10 as the pending content. To do. The content identification information transmitting unit 29 transmits the content identification information of the selected plurality of content data as a list of content data to the video communication device 50 via the communication unit 30.

  In the video communication device 50, when communication from the video communication device 10 is put on hold, a plurality of pieces of content identification information are received as a list of content data, and the user selects content data to be played back as hold content. The content data receiving unit 66 acquires the selected content data from the content server 80 based on the corresponding content identification information.

  With the configuration described above, the user of the video communication device 10 on the transmission side can select and present some contents to be reproduced as the content for holding to the user of the video communication device 50, and the video communication device on the reception side 50 users can also reproduce desired content data from among a plurality of content data presented as candidates.

  The content data can be selected by the user of the video communication device 10 on the transmission side during a call, or a holding content transmission candidate corresponding to the other party of the call is selected in advance before the call. Also good.

  As described above, the video communication device 50 according to the present embodiment receives, in real time, the input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from the video communication device 10 that is a communication partner device. A content identification information receiving unit that receives, from the video communication device 10, a list of content data candidates that the video communication device 50 should present to the user when the video communication device 10 temporarily stops transmission of the input source. 64, when the list is presented to the user of the video communication device 50, and the operation unit 68 that acquires the operation information for selecting content data by the user and the temporary interruption of the transmission of the input source by the video communication device 10 are detected. A content data receiving unit 66 for acquiring content data selected from the list from the content server 80, and a video communication device During the transmission of the input source from 0 it is suspended, and a display processing unit 60 to reproduce the content data acquired by the content data receiver section 66 as a holding content.

  The communication method of the present embodiment is a communication method in the video communication device 50 that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from the video communication device 10 that is a communication partner device. Then, when the video communication device 10 suspends transmission of the input source, the content list receiving step for receiving a list of content data candidates that the device itself should present to the user from the communication partner device; A content selection step for presenting the list to the user and obtaining operation information for selecting content data by the user, and a content selected from the list when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device A content acquisition step of acquiring data from the content server 80, and a video as the communication counterpart device During the transmission of the input source from the communication apparatus 10 is suspended, it is characterized in that it contains a pending content player step of reproducing the content data acquired by the content acquisition step as pending content.

  According to the above configuration, when the video communication device 10 that is the communication counterpart device enters the hold state in which the transmission of the input source is temporarily suspended, the video communication device 50 replaces the input source in which the transmission is interrupted with its own device. A list of pending content data presented to the user is acquired from the communication partner device. Then, the video communication device 50 presents a list and allows the user to select content data. When transmission of the input source from the video communication device 10 is temporarily suspended, the content data selected by the user from the list is suspended. The content for holding is reproduced while the transmission of the input source is temporarily interrupted.

  Therefore, the content data necessary for holding is acquired at a necessary timing, so that the content data actually used without unnecessarily occupying the memory of the video communication device 10 or 50 with the content data is acquired. Can be selected from various types of content data.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the video communication device 10, especially the setting unit 20, the content data receiving unit 26, the content data transmitting unit 28, the content identification information transmitting unit 29, and each block of the video communication device 50, particularly receiving the content identification information. The unit 64 and the content data receiving unit 66 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  In other words, the video communication devices 10 and 50 each include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (Random Access) that expands the program. Memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like.

  An object of the present invention is a recording in which the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the video communication device 10/50, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, is recorded in a computer-readable manner. This can also be achieved by supplying a medium to the video communication apparatus 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  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.

  The video communication devices 10 and 50 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.

  Also, 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 computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  According to the present invention, when the transmission of the input source is temporarily interrupted, the content data is acquired from the server and transmitted to the user of the communication partner apparatus while the transmission of the input source is temporarily interrupted. It can be suitably used as a system for holding a call in a digital multifunction peripheral, a mobile phone, and other communication terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a communication system including a transmission-side video communication device, a reception-side video communication device, and a content server. It is the schematic which shows the flow of the process which transmits the content for a pending | holding in the communication system shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed in a video communication device on a transmission side in the communication system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a communication system including a transmission-side video communication device, a reception-side video communication device, and a content server according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of processing for transmitting a holding content in the communication system shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 2 Communication system 10 Video communication apparatus (communication apparatus, videophone)
12 Operation unit (content selection means)
14 Display section (content selection means)
16 Audio output unit 18 Audio input unit (content selection means)
19 Shooting unit (content selection means)
20 setting unit 22 storage unit (corresponding data storage unit)
24 Playback processing section (holding content playback means)
26 Content data receiver (content acquisition means, content list acquisition means)
28 Content data transmitter (holding content transmitter)
29 content identification information transmission unit 30 communication unit 32 call processing unit (communication partner identification means)
50 Video communication equipment (communication equipment, videophone)
52 Communication unit 54 Call processing unit 56 Audio output unit 58 Audio input unit 60 Display processing unit (holding content reproduction means)
62 display unit 64 content identification information receiving unit 68 operation unit 80 content server 82 content data transmission unit 84 content data storage unit 86 transmission data storage unit (transmission content recording unit)

Claims (14)

A communication device that transmits, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner device,
Content acquisition means for acquiring content data from the server when transmission of the input source is temporarily suspended;
The content data acquired by the content acquisition means is transmitted to the communication counterpart device as the content to be held to be presented to the user of the communication counterpart device while the own device temporarily stops transmission of the input source. A communication apparatus comprising: content transmission means. A communication partner identifying means for identifying the communication partner device;
A correspondence data storage unit that associates the communication counterpart device with the content data;
2. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the content acquisition unit acquires the content data associated with the communication partner device identified by the communication partner identification unit with reference to the correspondence data storage unit. apparatus. Content list acquisition means for acquiring a list of the content data;
Content selection means for presenting the list to the user of the device and acquiring operation information for selecting content data by the user,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content acquisition unit acquires content data selected from the list based on the selection operation by a user.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding content transmission unit transmits identification information of content data as the holding content. A transmission content recording unit for storing the identification information of the content data transmitted to the communication counterpart device in association with the communication counterpart device;
5. The content selection unit refers to the transmission content storage unit and presents the content data transmitted to the communication partner apparatus in the past to the user with priority over other content data. The communication device according to any one of the above. Content list acquisition means for acquiring a list of the content data;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a content list transmission unit that transmits the list acquired by the content list acquisition unit to the communication partner apparatus. A communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device,
Content list receiving means for receiving, from the communication partner device, a list of content data candidates that the device itself should present to the user when the communication partner device suspends transmission of the input source;
Content selection means for presenting the list to the user of the device and acquiring operation information for selecting content data by the user;
Content acquisition means for acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the counterpart device;
And a holding content reproducing unit that reproduces the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit as the holding content while transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is temporarily interrupted. . A communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device,
Identification information receiving means for receiving, from the communication counterpart device, identification information indicating the content data to be presented to the user when the communication counterpart device suspends transmission of the input source;
Content acquisition means for acquiring content data from a server based on the identification information when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device;
And a holding content reproducing unit that reproduces the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit as the holding content while transmission of the input source from the communication partner device is temporarily interrupted. . The communication device is a video phone that transmits and receives audio and video in real time with the communication partner device,
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content data includes audio and video. A communication method in a communication device for transmitting an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data to a communication partner device in real time,
A content acquisition step of acquiring content data from the server when the transmission of the input source is temporarily suspended;
Hold the content data acquired in the content acquisition step as a hold content to be presented to the user of the communication partner device while the device temporarily stops transmission of the input source. And a content transmission step. A communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device,
A content list receiving step for receiving, from the communication partner device, a list of content data candidates that the device itself should present to the user when the communication partner device temporarily interrupts transmission of the input source;
A content selection step of obtaining operation information for selecting the content data by the user by presenting the list to the user of the device;
A content acquisition step of acquiring content data selected from the list from a server when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device;
A holding content reproduction step of reproducing the content data acquired in the content acquisition step as a holding content while transmission of an input source from the communication partner device is temporarily interrupted. . A communication method in a communication device that receives, in real time, an input source including at least one of audio, video, and data from a communication partner device,
An identification information receiving step for receiving, from the communication partner device, identification information indicating content data that the device itself should present to the user when the communication partner device temporarily interrupts transmission of the input source;
A content acquisition step of acquiring content data from a server based on the identification information when detecting a temporary interruption of transmission of an input source by the communication counterpart device;
A holding content reproduction step of reproducing the content data acquired in the content acquisition step as a holding content while transmission of an input source from the communication partner device is temporarily interrupted. .   A program for operating the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the above means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 13 is recorded.

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