JP2010118801A - Receiving device and reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem, wherein a user is disturbed for viewing and listening of a program by calling or answering the calling, while the user views and listens a pay program or a movie of television, when realizing television telephone functions, by adding communication functions to a television system. <P>SOLUTION: A television set is constituted so as to have a control table for a notification condition which is to be specified, beforehand; a condition for allowing or rejecting call termination, processing at call termination, and processing, after the end of a call in accordance with the operating conditions of the television set, and performs request processings for communication connection and processing, after the end of call in accordance with the control table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The technical field relates to operation control of a television system, and particularly relates to a television system having a communication function.

  In recent years, with the spread of computer networks, television systems having communication functions have been developed in addition to televisions and recorder devices.

  In Patent Document 1, an object is to “provide a TV telephone device with a TV broadcast receiver that can respond more favorably when a call is received during TV broadcast reception” (see Patent Document 1 [0004]). As means for solving the problem, “television broadcast receiving means for receiving a television broadcast, telephone number detecting means for detecting the telephone number of the other party received via a telephone line, database means for storing a telephone directory database, and the television broadcast receiving means When a call is received during reception of a TV broadcast by the search means for searching the database means based on the telephone number of the other party detected by the telephone number detection means, and information on the other party as a search result of the search means And a notification means for notifying that a call has been received by combining and displaying on the television broadcast screen ”(Patent Document 1 [0005] Irradiation) that it has been described.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-30872

  In general, communication using video and audio in a videophone device is performed in an expanded form, and the internal state of the device does not exist only during a call or during a call. In the case of a videophone using a computer, since the computer itself is multitasking and multiwindowed, it is considered less likely that it is usually necessary to determine whether or not a call is possible in consideration of the internal state of the computer.

  On the other hand, when a communication function is added to the television system to realize a videophone function, if the user is watching a TV program, the TV program may be watched. In Patent Document 1, when a call is received while receiving a TV broadcast, a database is searched based on the other party's telephone number, and the other party's information is displayed on the TV broadcast screen to notify that the call has been received. To do.

  However, if you receive a call while watching a pay program or movie on a TV, for example, if the information on the other party is displayed, you can check the other party who made the video call. Therefore, viewing of the pay program or movie may be hindered.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operation state of the receiving device and the availability of incoming videophone calls are recorded in association with each other, and the correspondence between the recorded operational status of the receiving device and availability of incoming videophone calls is handled. Based on this, the receiving apparatus is controlled.

  According to the above means, a user-friendly television system can be provided. For example, in a television system having a communication function, it is possible to realize a videophone that does not impair the convenience of viewing a TV program by a user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an outline of this embodiment. Reference numerals 501 and 502 denote receiving apparatuses that receive content through broadcast programs and the Internet, and have communication functions such as a videophone function. In FIG. 5, a receiving device 501 is a receiving device on the side (receiving side) that receives a call from another device having a videophone function via the network 117. The receiving device 502 is a receiving device on the side (outgoing side) that makes a videophone call to another device having a videophone function via the network 117 (to the receiving device 501 in this embodiment). In the present embodiment, the receiving device 502 on the transmission side does not necessarily have a function of receiving a television broadcast, and may be a device having only a videophone function. Reference numeral 503 denotes a center server that provides a service in response to a request from a client (in this embodiment, the receiving apparatuses 501 and 502) via the network 117.

In this embodiment, the state of the receiving apparatus 501 (for example, “offline” when the telephone is not turned on and communication is impossible, “online” when the power is on and communication is possible, the power is on, etc. If the center server 503 manages information related to “busy” or the like (hereinafter referred to as “status information”) if the call cannot be made due to such circumstances, the receiving device 502 that makes a videophone call to the receiving device 501. Can know the state of the receiving device 501 from the information of the receiving device 501 managed by the center server 503. Further, even when it is desired to obtain the status information of a large number of receiving devices, if the status information of these receiving devices is aggregated in the center server 503, the status of the large number of receiving devices can be obtained simply by accessing the center server 503. Information can be acquired Here, an example of a method in which the center server 503 acquires the status information of the receiving device 501 will be described. First, when the receiving device 501 transmits (pushes) the state information of the terminal itself to the center server 503, the center server 503 can acquire the state information of the receiving device 501. The transmission of the state information from the receiving device 501 to the center server 503 may be performed at the timing when the state of the receiving device 501 changes, for example.

  Thereby, since the center server 503 can acquire the state information of the receiving device 501 at the timing when the state of the receiving device 501 changes, it is possible to grasp the change in the state of the receiving device 501 with a smaller time lag.

  Further, the center server 503 requests (pulls) the status information of the receiving device 501, and the receiving device 501 transmits the status information to the center server 503 in response to the request, whereby the center server 503 receives the status information of the receiving device 501. Can be obtained. The request for the status information of the center server 503 is performed at regular intervals (such as once every 10 minutes), or when the processing load on the center server 503 is light (eg, the CPU usage rate is less than a certain value). do it.

  As a result, state information is not always transmitted and received when the state of the receiving device 501 changes, so that the processing load on the receiving device 501 and the center server 503 can be reduced.

  Next, an example of a method in which the reception device 502 acquires state information of the reception device 501 from the center server 503 will be described. First, the center server 503 transmits (pushes) the status information of the receiving device 501 to the receiving device 502, whereby the receiving device 502 can acquire the status information of the receiving device 501. The transmission of the state information from the center server 503 to the receiving device 502 may be performed at the timing when the center server 503 grasps the change in the state information of the receiving device 501, for example.

  As a result, the receiving device 502 can acquire the status information of the receiving device 501 at the timing when the center server 503 recognizes the change in the status information of the receiving device 501, and therefore can grasp the change in the status of the receiving device 501 with less time lag. Can do.

  The receiving device 502 requests (pulls) the status information of the receiving device 501 from the center server 503, and the center server 503 transmits the status information of the receiving device 501 to the receiving device 502 in response to the request. The receiving device 502 can acquire the status information of the receiving device 501. The request for the status information of the receiving device 502 is performed at regular intervals (such as once every 10 minutes), or when the receiving device 502 needs the status information of the receiving device 501 (the user is in the status of the receiving device 501) For example, when an instruction to acquire the request is issued to the receiving apparatus 502.

  As a result, when the status information of the receiving device 501 included in the center server 503 is changed, the status information is not always transmitted and received, so that the processing load on the receiving device 502 and the center server 503 can be reduced.

  In the above description, the receiving device 502 acquires the status of the receiving device 501 via the center server. However, the receiving device 502 may acquire the status information directly from the receiving device 501 via the network 117. Good. By not passing through the center server 117, it is possible to reduce the load on the center server, and to reduce the time lag in obtaining information related to the state of the receiving device 501 compared to passing through the server.

  Here, an example of a method by which the reception device 502 acquires the status information of the reception device 501 will be described. First, the receiving apparatus 501 transmits (pushes) the status information of the terminal itself to the receiving apparatus 502, so that the receiving apparatus 502 can acquire the status information of the receiving apparatus 501. The transmission of the state information from the receiving device 501 to the receiving device 502 may be performed at the timing when the state of the receiving device 501 changes, for example.

  Thereby, since the receiving apparatus 502 can acquire the state information of the receiving apparatus 501 at the timing when the state of the receiving apparatus 501 changes, it is possible to grasp the change in the state of the receiving apparatus 501 with a smaller time lag.

  Further, the receiving device 502 requests (pulls) the status information of the receiving device 501, and the receiving device 501 transmits the status information to the receiving device 502 in response to the request, so that the receiving device 502 receives the status information of the receiving device 501. Can be obtained. The request for the status information of the receiving device 502 is performed at regular intervals (such as once every 10 minutes), or when the receiving device 502 needs the status information of the receiving device 501 (the user is in the status of the receiving device 501) For example, when an instruction to acquire the request is issued to the receiving apparatus 502.

  As a result, state information is not always transmitted and received when the state of the receiving device 501 changes, so that the processing load on the receiving device 501 and the receiving device 502 can be reduced.

  In the receiving apparatus 501, for example, when the user is viewing a pay program and does not want to respond even if a videophone call is received, the videophone call is received when the pay program is viewed. By performing the setting for refusing, it is possible to prevent a pay program from being disturbed by an incoming videophone call.

  Next, the receiving device 501 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of a hardware configuration of the receiving device 501 in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 108 denotes a video / audio encoding unit, which includes a microphone 101 that captures audio and converts it into an electrical signal, an audio encoding processing unit 103 that encodes an electrical signal of audio converted by the microphone 101, and a camera 104 that captures and converts video into an electrical signal. A video encoding processing unit 106 that encodes the electrical signal of the video converted by the camera 104; an AV packet combining processing unit that combines the audio data from the audio encoding processing unit 103 and the video data from the video encoding processing unit 106; Consists of.

  Reference numeral 127 denotes a video / audio decoding unit, which includes an AV packet separation processing unit 126 that separates video data and audio data, a video decoding processing unit 123 that decodes the video data separated by the AV packet separation processing unit 126, and a video A scaling processing unit 122 that performs scaling processing on the video data decoded by the decoding processing unit 123, a display driver 121 that outputs the video signal scaled by the scaling processing unit 122 to a display, and an AV packet separation processing unit 126 The audio decoding processing unit 125 decodes the audio data and the audio driver 124 that outputs the audio signal decoded by the audio decoding processing unit 125 to the speaker.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a speaker that outputs audio from the video / audio decoding unit 127, and 120 denotes a display panel that displays video from the video / audio decoding unit 127. Reference numeral 110 denotes a program ROM that is a ROM (Read-Only Memory) storing programs and the like, 111 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which data is read and written, and 109 denotes a CPU (such as the program ROM 110 and RAM 111) that executes a program ( Central Processing Unit).

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a network such as an Internet line or a telephone line, and reference numeral 116 denotes processing for outputting video data and audio data encoded by the video / audio encoding unit 108 to the outside through the network 117 and receiving information from the outside through the network 117. A network processing unit for performing Information received from the outside includes, for example, voice and video data of the other party during a videophone call, a digital television broadcast (IPTV) program distributed using IP (Internet Protocol), and VOD (Video On Demand). Content, content downloaded via the network 117, and the like.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes an antenna that receives broadcast waves such as BS digital broadcasts and terrestrial digital broadcasts, and 115 denotes a tuner processing unit that performs channel selection, descrambling processing, and the like of broadcast waves received by the antennas.

  An input switching processing unit 114 selectively outputs the output of the network processing unit 116 and the output of the tuner processing unit 115 under the control of the CPU 109. Reference numeral 112 denotes a remote controller that transmits user operations, and reference numeral 113 denotes a remote controller processor that receives user operations from the remote controller 112.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each unit is connected to the CPU 109 by a bus, and each unit is controlled by the CPU 109.

  1 includes a microphone 101, a camera 104, a speaker 119, and a display 20, but these are not necessarily provided, and a microphone, a camera, and a speaker that are different from the main body of the receiving device 501 are included. A display or the like may be connected.

  Next, the operation of the receiving device 501 in the present embodiment will be described. In general, the TV viewing operation is performed by the user operating the remote control 112, receiving the operation information by the remote control processing unit 113, and the control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 10, and the RAM 111 being controlled by the tuner processing unit 115. By selecting the signal from the tuner processing unit 115 as the output of the input switching processing unit 114 and controlling the video / audio decoding unit 127, a television broadcast is output to the speaker 119 and the display panel 120. At this time, the control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 110, and the RAM 111 is controlled so as not to process the input signals from the microphone 101 and the camera 104 for the video / audio encoding unit 8 not related to TV viewing. To do.

  In addition, the videophone operation is such that the control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 10, and the RAM 111 selects a signal from the network processing unit 116 as an output of the input switching processing unit 114 and controls the video / audio decoding unit 127. Then, the other party's videophone signal is output to the speaker 119 and the display panel 120, and the video / audio encoding unit 8 is controlled to process the input signals from the microphone 101 and the camera 104. As a result, the user inputs a videophone signal to the network processing unit 116 and transmits the videophone signal to the other party via the network 117. At this time, the tuner processing unit 115 not related to the operation of the videophone is stopped and controlled by control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 10, and the RAM 111.

  Next, a process for transitioning from a TV viewing operation to a video phone operation when a videophone call is received while viewing the TV and a process for transitioning to a TV viewing operation after disconnecting the videophone will be described.

  An example of a control table that defines the process of this operation transition is shown in FIG. The control table in FIG. 2 is stored in a memory (not shown) in the receiving apparatus 501. In the control table of FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a power state indicating the power state of the receiving device 501. For example, “power off” indicates that the receiving apparatus 501 is turned off, “standby” indicates that the receiving apparatus 501 is in a standby state, and “power on” indicates that the receiving apparatus 501 is off. Indicates that is turned on.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes an operation state indicating the operation state of the receiving apparatus 501. For example, “videophone call” indicates that a videophone call is being made, “TV viewing (free program)” indicates that a free program is being watched, and “TV watching” "Medium (paid program)" indicates that a pay program is being watched, and if "Setting menu is being operated", control table settings, screen settings, etc. of the receiving apparatus 501 are being performed. Indicates.

  203 is received when there is a request for acquiring the status of the receiving device 501 from the receiving device 502 or the center server 503 via the network 117, or when the status change of the receiving device 501 is notified to the center server 503 via the network 117. This is a notification state notified as the state of the device 501. For example, if it is “offline”, the receiving apparatus 501 is not connected to the network 117 because the power is not turned on, and if it is “online”, the receiving apparatus 501 is connected to the network 117, “busy”. If it is, it indicates that the incoming video-phone call cannot be received due to viewing of a pay program.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes whether or not an incoming call can be received, which indicates whether or not an incoming call can be made when a call is received from the other party of the videophone to the receiving apparatus 501 via the network 117. For example, if it is “Yes”, you can receive an incoming videophone call. If it is “No”, you cannot receive an incoming videophone because the power is off. Indicates that you will not receive an incoming videophone call due to the settings of. If information about the state of the receiving device 501 cannot be obtained because the power of the receiving device 501 is turned off, it is determined that the receiving device 502 or the center server 503 on the transmission side is offline or cannot receive the call. Also good.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes incoming call processing indicating what processing the receiving apparatus 501 performs when responding to an incoming videophone call. For example, “viewing interruption” indicates that the viewing of the TV program being watched is interrupted, and “power on” indicates that the receiving apparatus 501 is turned on.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes post-call processing indicating an operation after the videophone call is terminated. For example, “last channel display” indicates that the channel that was viewed immediately before the start of the videophone call is displayed, and “standby” indicates that the receiving apparatus 501 is in a standby state. “Power off” indicates that the power of the receiving apparatus 501 is turned off.

  In FIG. 2, when an incoming videophone call is received via the network 117, the incoming call is answered in the standby state or during TV viewing (free broadcast), and the current operation state can be shifted to the videophone operation. In other cases, the incoming call cannot be received or the incoming call is rejected, and the incoming call is not answered.

  In the standby state, the power of the receiving device 501 is turned on, and in the case of watching the television (free program), the viewing of the program is interrupted.

  In the processing after the end of the call, the receiving device 501 is in a standby state in the standby state, and a program on the same channel as the program in which the viewing is interrupted is displayed in the television viewing (free program).

  Next, operations of the receiving devices 501 and 502 and the center server 503 will be described with reference to flowcharts. In the flowchart, “S” means “step”.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the reception device 501.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of notifying the receiving device 502 serving as the transmission side of the receiving device 501 serving as the receiving side of the status information of the own terminal. The processing is realized by the CPU in the receiving device 501 controlling each unit of the receiving device 501.

  The receiving device 501 starts the process of notifying its own terminal state information (S601), acquires a request from the receiving device 502 or the center server 503, or changes its own terminal state (S602). Information is acquired (S603). Then, a request from the receiving device 502 or the center server 503 is determined (S604), and if it is a request for acquisition of status information or a change in the status of the own terminal (S605), the status information of the own terminal acquired in S603 is transmitted. If it is a call request (S607), a process based on the incoming call process of FIG. 2 described above and FIG. 4 described later is performed.

  Note that the order of the processing in S603 and S604 may be reversed. In this case, if the determination in S604 is a call request, it is not necessary to acquire the status information in S603.

  Further, the process shown in FIG. 6 can be executed even during a call.

  Thereby, the receiving device 501 can notify the receiving device 502 and the center server 503 of the status information of the own terminal.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the center server 503.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of status information reception or notification processing in the center server. This process is realized by the CPU in the center server 530 controlling each part of the center server 503.

  When the center server 503 starts processing (S701), the center server 503 acquires a notification of status information from the receiving device 501 and a request for status information from the receiving device 502 (S702), and determines whether the acquired information is a notification of status information or a request. Determination is made (S703). When the acquired information is a notification of status information (S704), the status information held by the center server 503 is updated based on the notified status information (S705). When the acquired information is a request for status information (S706), the status information held by the center server 503 is transmitted in response to the request (S707).

  Thereby, the center server 503 can update the held state information and can transmit the held state information to the receiving device.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the reception device 502.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for acquiring information related to the state of the receiving device 501 that is the receiving side in the receiving device 502 that is the calling side. This processing is realized by the CPU in the receiving device 502 controlling each part of the receiving device 502.

  When the receiving device 502 starts the process of acquiring the status information of the receiving device 501 (S801), the receiving device 502 tries to acquire the status related to the status of the receiving device 501 (S802), and the status of the receiving device 501 is received from the receiving device 501 or the center server 503. If the information on the information cannot be acquired (No in S803), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 is offline and cannot be received (S810), and the process is terminated (S811).

  When the information regarding the state of the receiving device 501 can be acquired (Yes in S803), it is determined what the state of the receiving device 501 is (S804). When the state of the receiving device 501 is online (S805), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 can receive an incoming call online (S806), and the processing is terminated (S811).

  When the state of the receiving apparatus 501 is busy (S807), it is displayed that the receiving apparatus 501 is not able to receive an incoming call online (S808), and the process is terminated (S811). When the receiving device 501 is offline (S809), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 is offline and cannot be received (S810), and the process ends (S811).

  As a result, the receiving device 502 can acquire the state of the receiving device 501 that is the destination of the videophone call. In the case of No in S803, it is configured to display that the receiving device 501 is offline and cannot be received (S810). However, it is displayed that information regarding the state of the receiving device 501 could not be acquired and processed. You may make it complete | finish.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the receiving device 502 when a videophone call is made from the receiving device 502 to the receiving device 501. It is an example of the flowchart of the process which acquires the information regarding the state of this. This processing is realized by the CPU in the receiving device 502 controlling each part of the receiving device 502.

  When the receiving apparatus 502 starts a videophone call request to the receiving apparatus 501 (S901), the receiving apparatus 501 tries to acquire a state relating to the state of the receiving apparatus 501 (S902), and receives from the receiving apparatus 501 or the center server 503 to the receiving apparatus 501. If the information regarding the status of the device cannot be acquired (No in S903), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 cannot be called (S909), and the processing is terminated (S910).

  When information about the state of the receiving device 501 can be acquired (Yes in S903), it is determined what the state of the receiving device 501 is (S904). When the state of the receiving device 501 is online (S905), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 is called (S906), and a call process with the receiving device 501 is started (S907).

  When the state of the receiving apparatus 501 is busy (S908), it is displayed that the receiving apparatus 501 cannot be called (S909), and the process is terminated (S910). If the receiving device 501 is offline (S911), it is displayed that the receiving device 501 cannot be called (S909), and the processing is terminated (S910).

  As a result, the receiving device 502 can perform processing according to the state of the receiving device 501 that is the destination of the videophone call.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a communication function is added to the television and the videophone function is realized, the incoming call on the incoming call side depends on the operation state of the videophone call receiving side (the receiving device 501 in the first embodiment). Can be set, processing at the time of an incoming call, processing after a call, and a comfortable receiving device with a videophone function can be realized without disturbing viewing of a pay program or the like.

  Also, since the videophone caller (the receiving device 502 in the first embodiment) can grasp the operating state of the callee before the actual call, the caller can avoid making unnecessary calls. .

  Furthermore, since the incoming side does not make an asynchronous call from the outgoing side that does not depend on the operating state of the incoming side, it can contribute to stable operation of the incoming side.

  In the present embodiment, the information in the control table in FIG. 2 can be arbitrarily changed in setting, so that it is possible to determine the incoming condition of the videophone call according to the user's preference. The user can change the setting of the control table by operating the remote control 112 or the like. In the receiving apparatus 501, the CPU 109 changes each parameter of the control table on the memory (not shown) based on the user's instruction through the remote control 112 or the like. By doing so, the setting of the control table is changed.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a setting screen for setting the notification state 203 of the control table of the receiving apparatus 501 and the incoming / outgoing possibility 204. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a power supply state indicating the power supply state of the receiving apparatus 501 and corresponds to the control table 201 in FIG. Reference numeral 1002 denotes an operation state indicating the operation state of the receiving apparatus 501 and corresponds to 202 in the control table of FIG.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a notification state setting for setting the notification state 203 of the control table of FIG. 1004 is an incoming / outgoing setting for setting incoming / outgoing availability 203 in the control table of FIG. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a cursor indicating a portion selected by the user through the remote control 112 or the like on the setting screen of FIG. On the setting screen, the user moves the cursor 1005 with the remote control 112 or the like to select a location to change the setting, and changes the setting. For each item set on the setting screen of FIG. 10, ★ indicates a state where it cannot be changed, ○ indicates a state where it is not selected, and ● indicates a state where it is selected.

  In FIG. 10, for example, if the operation state 1002 is in the standby state, any one of offline, online, and busy can be selected in the notification state setting 1003, and online is selected in FIG. In the incoming / outgoing permission setting 1004, it is possible to select whether the incoming call is acceptable or not, and currently the incoming possibility is selected.

  If the operation state 1002 is watching TV (free program), the notification state setting 1003 can select any of offline, online, and busy, and online is selected in FIG. Then, in the incoming / outgoing permission setting 1004, it is possible to select either incoming or outgoing calls, and in FIG. 10, incoming calls are selected.

  If the operation state 1002 is watching TV (paid program), the notification state setting 1003 can select offline, online, or busy, and busy is selected in FIG. Since busy is selected in the notification state setting 1003, the incoming / outgoing permission / inhibition setting 1004 cannot be changed because the incoming call cannot be made.

  If the operation state 1002 is during a videophone call, either offline or busy can be selected in the notification state setting 1003, and busy is selected in FIG. The incoming / outgoing permission / inhibition setting 1004 cannot be changed because the incoming call is not possible.

  As described above, when online is selected in the notification status setting 1003, either the incoming call availability setting 1004 can select whether incoming is possible or not, but offline or busy is selected in the notification status setting 1003. In this case, the incoming / outgoing permission / inhibition setting 1004 cannot be received and cannot be changed.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a setting screen for setting the incoming call processing 205 and the post-call processing 206 in the control table of the receiving device 501. Similar to FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a power supply state indicating the power supply state of the reception apparatus 501, which corresponds to 201 in the control table of FIG. 2, and 1002 is an operation state indicating the operation state of the reception apparatus 501. Corresponds to 202 of the control table.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes incoming call processing setting for setting the incoming call processing 205 in the control table of FIG. Reference numeral 1007 denotes post-call processing setting for setting post-call processing 206 in the control table of FIG. Similar to FIG. 10, reference numeral 1005 denotes a cursor indicating a portion selected by the user via the remote control 112 or the like on the setting screen of FIG. 11. On the setting screen, the user moves the cursor 1005 with the remote control 112 or the like to select a location to change the setting, and changes the setting. For each item set on the setting screen of FIG. 11, ★ indicates a state where it cannot be changed, ○ indicates a state where it is not selected, and ● indicates a state where it is selected.

  Since the setting screen of FIG. 11 relates to the setting of processing when a videophone call is received or after a call, FIG. 11 is a setting screen for setting when the incoming call permission setting 1004 is selected.

  In the setting screen shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to set an incoming call processing and a post-call processing for a standby state, a TV viewing (free program), which is an operation state set to allow incoming calls in the incoming / outgoing setting shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the receiving device 501 is turned on (cannot be set) when a videophone call is received in a standby state, and is set to a standby state after a call. In addition, when receiving an incoming videophone call while watching a television (free program), the television viewing is interrupted and the television viewing is resumed after a call. Note that “two-screen display”, which is one of the options for incoming call processing setting, indicates that two screens of the video of the TV program and the video of the videophone that are viewed are displayed on the display 120. In order to realize the two-screen display, a plurality of videos can be decoded by providing a plurality of decoders in the video / audio decoding unit, and a video synthesis unit for synthesizing the plurality of decoded videos may be provided.

  In this way, by enabling the user to set each parameter of the control table, it is possible to provide the receiving device 501 according to each user's preference. The control table setting screen is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, the control table shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display 120, and each item can be selected to change the setting from a pull-down menu. Other methods may be used.

  Next, a case will be described in which the receiving device 502, which is the transmission side of the videophone, displays a plurality of destination states and the like. In the outline of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, only the receiving device 501 is shown as a destination, but actually a plurality of receiving devices are connected to the network 117. In the receiving device 502 on the transmission side, for each of the plurality of receiving devices connected to the network 117, the state of the receiving device and the availability of the call are recorded in association with each other, so that the state of each of the plurality of receiving devices, the call Can be displayed.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a screen that displays the statuses of a plurality of destinations when the owner of the receiving apparatus 502 is A. Reference numeral 1401 denotes the name of the owner of the destination receiving device, which can be realized, for example, by associating and recording the ID for identifying the destination receiving device and the name of the owner of the destination receiving device.

  1402 indicates the state of the receiving device of the transmission destination. The notification state (offline, online or busy) set by the receiving device of the transmission destination in FIG. 10 is acquired and recorded, and a corresponding display (for example, offline) is displayed. "Not connected", "Connected" if online, "Ingestion" if busy, etc.).

  Reference numeral 1403 indicates whether or not a call can be made by the receiving device of the transmission destination. The reception device of the transmission destination acquires and records whether or not the incoming call is set (possible or not) in FIG. If you cannot, you can do this.

  Reference numeral 1404 denotes a cursor indicating that the destination receiving device displayed on the display screen of FIG. 14 is selected by the user. The cursor 1404 can be moved, for example, by the user operating the remote control 112, and the other party to make a videophone call can be selected and transmitted from the display screen of FIG. FIG. 14 shows that the receiving device “Oji-chan” is selected.

  In FIG. 14, the receiving device of “Grandpa” is not connected, that is, is offline, so it is impossible to make a call, and “Uncle” and “Csan” are connected, that is, online. "Mr. B" and "Mr. D" indicate that they are busy, that is, busy and cannot call.

  In this way, by recording and displaying the status of the destination corresponding to multiple destinations and the availability of the call, the status of each of the multiple destinations and the availability of the call can be ascertained, and according to the convenience of the destination You can make a videophone call.

  For acquisition of the destination status information, for example, if the destination is registered in advance in the center server 503, and the center server 503 holds the registered destination status information, the center server 503 stores the destination information. The status information of the registered destination can be acquired simply by accessing. In particular, when there are a plurality of destinations to be registered, status information of a plurality of destinations can be acquired by simply accessing the center server 503 without requesting status information from each of the plurality of destinations.

  In addition, when the state information is acquired from each of the destinations, the state information of the destinations can be acquired with a smaller time lag because the center server 503 is not used.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. The outline of the second embodiment is the same as the outline of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of a hardware configuration of the receiving device 501 in the second embodiment. The difference between the configuration of FIG. 3 and the configuration of FIG. 1 is that an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) interface 128 and an HDD 129 are provided, and the other configurations are as described in FIG. By providing the HDD interface 128 and the HDD 129, data can be stored in the HDD 129 (for example, a broadcast program can be recorded). The HDD interface 128 and the HDD 129 are not necessarily HDDs, and may be other storage media such as a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, and a flash memory.

  The operation of accumulating data is performed via the HDD interface 128 by control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 110, and the RAM 111 based on user operations (for example, receiving operation information from the remote controller 112 by the remote controller processor 113). Thus, data is written to the HDD 129. For example, when a broadcast program is recorded, channel selection control is performed on the tuner processing unit 115 and information from the tuner processing unit 115 is written into the HDD 129 via the HDD interface 128.

  The operation of reproducing the accumulated data is performed by the control software operating on the CPU 109, the program ROM 110, and the RAM 111 based on user operation (for example, operation information from the remote control 112 is received by the remote control processing unit 113). This is performed by reading data from the HDD 129 via the interface 128. For example, when a recorded broadcast program is played back, the data of the recorded program read from the HDD 129 is input to the tuner processing unit 115 or the input switching processing unit 114 via the HDD interface 128 and the video / audio decoding unit 127. , The recorded program is output to the speaker 119 and the display panel 120.

  Next, if you receive a videophone call while watching TV, accumulating data (broadcast program recording, downloading content, etc.), or reproducing the accumulated data (recorded program reproduction, etc.) A process for transitioning from an operation to a videophone operation and a process after the videophone call is disconnected will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a control table that defines the operation transition process. The control table in FIG. 4 is also stored in a memory (not shown) in the receiving apparatus 501. The contents shown in the control table of FIG. 4 are the same as those of the control table of FIG. The control table of FIG. 4 includes the HDD 129 in the receiving device 501, so that the operation state 202 is “television recording”, “playing recorded program”, etc., and incoming call processing 205 compared to the control table of FIG. In addition, “automatic playback”, “continuous playback”, and the like are added to the processing such as “start recording” and “continue recording” and post-call processing 206.

  In the operation state 202, “TV recording (free program)” indicates a state where a free program is being recorded on the HDD 129, and “Recording program is being played back” indicates a state where the program recorded on the HDD 129 is being reproduced, “Recording program editing” indicates a state where a program recorded on the HDD 129 is being edited, and “streaming viewing (free)” indicates a state where a streaming content such as free VOD is being viewed. ing.

  “Recording start” in the incoming call processing 205 indicates that recording of the program being viewed starts on the HDD 129 when an incoming videophone call is received, and “continue recording” indicates to the HDD 129 of the program even when a videophone call is received. "Pause playback" pauses playback of a program recorded on the HDD 129 upon receiving an incoming videophone call, or pauses playback of a streamed content being viewed. “URL recording” indicates that the URL of the Web page displayed on the browser being operated is recorded when an incoming videophone call is received.

  “Auto-play” in the post-call processing 206 indicates that when a videophone call is terminated, the program started to be recorded on the HDD 129 is started when the videophone call is received, and “continuous playback” is terminated. Then, the program recorded on the HDD 129 paused when a videophone call is received and the content being streamed are resumed. “Browser display” is a browser based on the URL of the Web page recorded when the videophone call is received. Indicates that the Web page is displayed.

  In FIG. 4, when a videophone call is received via the network 117, the standby state, watching TV (free broadcast), recording TV (free broadcast), playing a recorded program, operating a browser, watching streaming In the case of (free of charge), an incoming call is answered and the current operation state can be shifted to the videophone operation. In other cases, the incoming call cannot be received or the incoming call is rejected, and the incoming call is not answered.

  In the standby state, the power of the receiving apparatus 501 is turned on. When the television is being viewed (free program), the recording of the program being viewed is started, and when the television is being recorded (free broadcast), the recording is continued. If the recorded program is being played back, the playback is paused, the URL is recorded when the browser is being operated, and the playback is paused when the streaming is being viewed (free of charge).

  The processing after the end of the call is data in which the receiving device 501 is in a standby state when in a standby state, and recording to the HDD 129 is started or continued when a television is being viewed (free program) or during a TV recording (free broadcast). When the recorded program is being played back, playback of the paused recorded program is resumed. When the browser is being operated, a web page is displayed by the browser based on the recorded URL, and streaming is being viewed (free of charge) In the case of (), the reproduction of the content that has been paused for streaming delivery is resumed.

  Thus, in addition to the advantages shown in the first embodiment, for example, it is possible to provide a receiving apparatus that does not impair the convenience of viewing a TV program by a user even when a videophone call is received while viewing a recorded program. it can. Also, for example, when a videophone call is received while a broadcast program is being viewed, the broadcast program being viewed can be viewed by so-called time-shifted playback after the videophone call ends, which is convenient for the user. A high receiving device can be provided.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the information in the control table in FIG. 4 can be arbitrarily set and changed, so that the incoming condition of the videophone call according to the user's preference can be determined. As in the first embodiment, the user can change the setting of the control table by operating the remote controller 112 or the like, and in the receiving device 501, the CPU 109 operates on a memory (not shown) based on a user instruction through the remote controller 112 or the like. The setting of the control table is changed by changing each parameter of the control table.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a setting screen for setting the notification state 203 of the control table of the receiving device 501 and the incoming / outgoing possibility 204, which is the same setting screen as that of FIG. By providing the HDD interface 128 and the HDD 129, the item of the operation state 1002 is increased, but each operation state is the same as that described in the operation state 202 of the control table in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a setting screen for setting the incoming call processing 205 and the post-call processing 206 in the control table of the receiving device 501, and is the same setting screen as FIG. 11 in the first embodiment. By providing the HDD interface 128 and the HDD 129, the items of the operation state 1002, the incoming call processing setting 1006, and the call processing setting 1007 are increased, but each item is the same as that described in FIG.

  Note that the transmitting-side receiving device 502 in the second embodiment may be configured to perform the display of FIG. 14 described in the first embodiment.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, for example, when the receiving device 501 is busy and the incoming videophone call from the receiving device 502 cannot be received, the receiving device 501 or the center server 503 changes the receiving device 502 to the receiving device 501. Recording that a videophone call has been made is recorded, and when the state of the receiving device 501 changes from busy to a state in which a videophone call can be received, the receiving device 501 or the center server 503 receives the receiving device 502 from the receiving device 501. May be configured to notify that a videophone call can be received.

  As a result, when the destination of the videophone call was busy and the call could not be made, the caller was able to make a call without confirming whether the callee was ready for a call afterwards. The sender can know that. In addition, the caller can know with less time lag that the callee has changed from busy to callable.

  The notification may be made to the telephone number of the videophone caller (the number or address specifying the caller may be used) from the incoming call history of the callee. For example, when the call destination records the caller's telephone number and the e-mail address in association with each other, the above notification may be made to the e-mail address. By sending notifications to e-mail addresses, for example, even if the caller is unable to notify the phone number on a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone (when in a place with poor radio wave conditions, such as in a tunnel) The above notification can be made to the original.

3 is an example of a configuration of a receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is an example of a control table included in the receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. 7 is an example of a configuration of a receiving device according to a second embodiment. 10 is an example of a control table included in the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a present Example. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the receiving apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the center server according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the receiving apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the receiving apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is an example of a setting screen displayed by the receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a setting screen displayed by the receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment. 10 is an example of a setting screen displayed by the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment. 10 is an example of a setting screen displayed by the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is an example of the screen which the receiver of a present Example displays.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Microphone 103 Audio | voice encoding process part 104 Camera 106 Image | video encoding process part 107 AV packet synthetic | combination process part 108 Image | video / audio encoding part 109 CPU
110 Program ROM
111 RAM
112 Remote Control 113 Remote Control Processing Unit 114 Input Switching Processing Unit 115 Tuner Processing Unit 116 Network Processing Unit 117 Network 118 Antenna 119 Speaker 120 Display Panel 121 Display Driver 122 Scaling Processing Unit 123 Video Decoding Processing Unit 124 Audio Driver 125 Voice Code Processing Unit 126 AV packet separation processing unit 127 Video / audio decoding 128 HDD interface 129 HDD

Claims (18)

A receiving device having a videophone function,
A network processing unit for transmitting and receiving audio data encoded and video data encoded via a network;
A broadcast receiver for receiving broadcast programs via broadcast waves;
A decoding unit that decodes the data received by the network processing unit and the broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit;
An output unit for outputting the data or broadcast program decoded by the decoding unit;
A recording unit for recording the state of operation of the receiving device and whether or not an incoming videophone call is associated;
A receiving device comprising: a control unit that controls reception of video data and audio data in the network processing unit based on correspondence between an operation state of the receiving device recorded in the recording unit and whether or not a videophone call can be received . The receiving device according to claim 1,
The recording unit records the operation state of the reception device in association with the notification state that is the state of the reception device that notifies the other device,
The control unit is a receiving device that notifies the other device via the network processing unit of a notification state corresponding to the operation state of the receiving device recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 1,
The recording unit records the operation state of the receiving device in association with the processing when receiving an incoming videophone call,
When the control unit receives an incoming videophone call, the network processing unit and the broadcast receiving unit are based on the correspondence between the operation state of the receiving device recorded in the recording unit and the processing when the incoming videophone call is received. And a receiving device for controlling. The receiving device according to claim 1,
The recording unit records the operation state of the receiving device in association with the processing when the videophone call is terminated,
When the videophone call is terminated, the control unit and the broadcast reception are based on the correspondence between the operation state of the receiving device recorded in the recording unit and the process when the videophone call is terminated. A receiving device for controlling the unit. The receiving device according to claim 3,
A storage unit for storing the broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit;
A receiving apparatus in which processing when receiving an incoming videophone call recorded in the recording unit includes start of accumulation of a broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit in the accumulation unit. The receiving device according to claim 4,
A storage unit for storing the broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving unit;
The receiving device includes a process when the videophone call recorded in the recording unit is terminated, the decoding unit starting decoding of the broadcast program stored in the storage unit. The receiving device according to claim 1,
A receiving device in which whether or not to accept an incoming videophone call recorded in the recording unit is set by a user. The receiving device according to claim 1,
After the controller rejects the incoming videophone call, the operation state of the receiving device changes, and whether the incoming videophone call corresponding to the changed operation state of the receiving device is acceptable. A receiving device for notifying that the videophone caller who has refused the incoming call has received the incoming videophone call. The receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A speech encoding unit that encodes speech;
And a video encoding unit that encodes video. Send or receive encoded audio data and encoded video data via the network,
Receiving broadcast programs via broadcast waves,
Decode data received via the network or broadcast program received via the broadcast wave,
A reception method for outputting the decoded data or broadcast program,
Record the operation status of the receiving device and the availability of incoming videophone calls,
A receiving method for controlling reception of video data and audio data via the network based on correspondence between the recorded operation state of the receiving device and whether or not an incoming videophone call is accepted. The receiving method according to claim 10, comprising:
Record the operation status of the receiving device and the notification status, which is the status of the receiving device to notify other devices,
A receiving method for notifying another device via the network of a notification state corresponding to the recorded operation state of the receiving device. The receiving method according to claim 10, comprising:
Record the operation status of the receiving device and the processing when receiving an incoming videophone call,
When a videophone call is received, video data and audio data are received via the network and the broadcast wave based on the correspondence between the recorded operation state of the receiving device and the processing when the videophone call is received. A receiving method for controlling the reception of a broadcast program via the Internet. The receiving method according to claim 10, comprising:
Record the operation status of the receiving device in association with the processing when the videophone call ends,
When the videophone call ends, the reception of the video data and audio data via the network and the broadcast wave based on the correspondence between the recorded operation state of the receiving device and the processing when the videophone call ends. A receiving method for controlling the reception of a broadcast program via the Internet. The receiving method according to claim 12, comprising:
Accumulate broadcast programs received via the broadcast wave,
A receiving method in which the processing when receiving an incoming videophone call includes starting the accumulation of broadcast programs received via the broadcast wave. The receiving method according to claim 13, comprising:
Accumulate broadcast programs received via the broadcast wave,
A receiving method in which the processing when the recorded videophone call is terminated includes the start of decoding of the stored broadcast program. The receiving method according to claim 10, comprising:
A receiving method for setting whether to accept incoming videophone calls. The reception method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, comprising:
After the incoming videophone call is rejected, if the operation state of the receiving device changes and the incoming videophone call corresponding to the changed operating state of the receiving device is acceptable, the incoming call is rejected. Receiving method for notifying the videophone caller that a videophone call can be received. The reception method according to claim 10, comprising:
Encode the speech,
A receiving method for encoding video.

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