JP2668920B2 - Telephone terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone terminal device such as a video telephone for transmitting and receiving video and audio through a telephone line.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is, for example, a videophone that transmits and receives voice and still images through a telephone line. However, in recent years, with the increase in the amount of information, this type of device has attracted attention.

However, the above-mentioned configuration has a problem that even if an incoming call occurs when the user is absent, a message from the other party cannot be received, that is, automatic reception of the message is impossible. Adds an answering machine function to automatically store the voice signal and video signal from the other party, and the stored information can be output from the voice output section and the video display section, and the remote signal can be sent from the destination. We have proposed a still image videophone that can be heard remotely.

Hereinafter, a still picture videophone as an example of a telephone terminal device proposed by the present applicant will be described.

The configuration of the video phone proposed by the applicant was as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example.

In the figure, 1 is an image input unit composed of a CCD (charge-coupled device) or an imaging tube, 2 is an image display unit composed of a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal display panel, 3 is a device body, 4 is an image An image transmission button operated when the image captured by the input unit 1 is transmitted to the other party via the telephone line, 5 is a cassette tape deck for storing the received audio signal and image signal in the cassette tape 6, and 25 is an audio This is a playback selection switch for selecting whether to play back only, only video, or audio and video.

Further, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration,
In the figure, 7 is a telephone line, 8 is a line interface section, and 9 is a flow of a signal arriving on the telephone line on the voice side (A).
And an audio signal / video signal switch for switching to the video side (B), and 10 is sent from the other side via the telephone line when the audio signal / video signal switch is connected to the audio side (A). A video signal discrimination unit that detects whether or not there is a video signal in the signal. When a video signal is present, the video signal discrimination unit sends a signal indicating that to the audio signal / video signal switch 9. Reference numeral 11 is a voice output unit such as a speaker, 12 is a voice input unit such as a microphone, 13 is a video signal modulation unit that modulates the video signal captured by the video input unit 1 into a signal that can be transmitted through a telephone line, and 14 is A video signal demodulation unit that demodulates the modulated video signal sent through the telephone line, 15 and 16 are the first video memory and the second video memory, respectively, and 17 is operable by supplying power to the answering machine 29. It is an answering machine operation switch to be put into a state. Reference numeral 18 is an incoming call detecting section for detecting a calling signal coming from the telephone line 7, 19 is a response message sending section including a voice synthesizing IC and a voice storing memory IC, and 20 and 21 are reception message storages using the cassette tape deck 5. And a received message reproducing unit. 22 is a remote signal detector for detecting a remote signal input via the telephone line, and 23 is a cassette tape 6.
A rotation detector for detecting the number of reels of the reel, and 24 is an answering machine control section for controlling an answering machine 29 described later. Reference numeral 25 is a reproduction selection switch, and 26 is a received message sending switch for sending a received message to the telephone line. Further, in the figure, the part surrounded by the broken line 27 indicates the voice communication part, the part surrounded by 28 indicates the video communication part, and the part surrounded by 29 indicates the answering machine part.

Next, the operation of the still picture television telephone configured as described above will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that a plurality of video telephones having the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are connected via the telephone line 7.

First, when at home, the answering machine operation switch 17 is set to off, and the audio signal / video signal switch 9 is connected to the audio side (A). When a call or an incoming call occurs in this state, the calling party and the called party are connected via a telephone line, and thereafter, normal voice communication is mutually performed by the voice output section 11 and the voice input section 12. .

When the user wants to send a video to the other party, pressing the image transmission button 4 activates the audio / video signal switch 9 to switch the signal flow from the audio side (A) to the video side (B). The video information fetched into the first video memory 15 by the video input unit 1 is a video signal modulation unit.
13 modulates the signal into a signal that can be transmitted through a telephone line.
Thereafter, the modulated video signal is added with a signal for switching audio / video (hereinafter referred to as audio / video switching signal) at the head thereof and sent from the line interface unit 8 to the other party via the telephone line 7. Then, the audio / video switching signal is detected by the video signal discriminating unit 10 of the other party's telephone terminal device, and the audio / video signal switching switch 9 operates to change the signal flow from the audio side (A) to the video side (B). ), The received video signal is demodulated by the video signal demodulation unit 14, stored in the second video memory 16, and displayed on the video display unit 2.

After sending one screen of video, the audio signal is automatically
The video signal changeover switch 9 returns to the audio side (A).

When the receiving operation of the video for one screen is completed in the other party's telephone terminal device, the audio signal / video signal switch 9 automatically returns to the audio side (A). Conversely, when the other party sends the video, the same processing as described above is performed, and the received video is displayed on the video display unit 2 on the own side.

Next, when the user is absent, by turning on the answering machine operation switch 17, power is supplied to the answering machine section 29 to enable the operation. When a call signal arrives from the telephone line 7 in this state, the call signal is detected by the incoming call detection unit 18,
A signal is output to the answering machine control unit 24. The answering machine control unit 24 closes the telephone line 7, and the reply message sending unit 19
To send a response message stored in advance in the voice storage memory IC to the telephone line 7. When the sending of the response message is completed, the answering machine control unit 24 controls the received message storage unit 20 to modulate the voice signal sent from the calling side via the telephone line 7 and the signal which can be sent out on the telephone line. The received video signal is stored in the cassette tape 6 by the received message storage unit 20. The voice signal received even while the answering machine 29 is operating is output from the speaker 11,
When a video signal is sent from the calling side, the video signal discrimination unit 10
The video signal can be monitored since the audio signal / video signal switch 9 is switched to the video side (B) and the video display unit 2. Further, the number of reel rotations of the cassette tape 6 in the received message storage unit 20 during the recording of the received message is detected by the rotation detecting unit 23 and output to the answering machine control unit 24. The answering machine control unit 24 controls the number of rotations when the audio signal / video signal switch 9 is switched from the audio side (A) to the video side (B) and the rotation speed when the video side (B) is switched to the audio side (A). The number of rotations is stored in an internal storage unit. In this way, the automatic answering of the incoming call while being away from the telephone is performed, and the voice signal and the video signal from the other party are stored.

Next, when the operator starts the reproduction of the received message stored in the cassette tape 6 while he / she is away from home by operating the received message reproduction unit 21 after returning home and setting the reproduction selection switch 25 to audio / video, the cassette tape is wound. From the start point of the return tape, it runs at a constant speed, and among the reproduction signals, the message is reproduced by the audio output unit 11 and the video signal is detected by the video signal discrimination unit 10 which is the audio / video switching signal added to the beginning of the video signal. Then, the audio signal / video signal changeover switch 9 is switched to the video side (B) and is stored in the second video memory 16 via the video signal demodulation unit 14 and reproduced on the video display unit 2. When the output of the video signal ends, the audio signal
The video signal changeover switch 9 is switched to the audio side (A). Thereafter, the audio signal and the video signal are reproduced in the same manner.

When the reproduction of the received message stored in the cassette tape 6 is started with the reproduction selection switch 25 set to voice, the cassette tape 6 runs at a constant speed from the start point of the rewinding tape. The rotation detection unit 23 detects the number of reel rotations of the cassette tape 6 and outputs it to the answering machine control unit 24. The answering machine control unit 24 plays back the video signal immediately before the rotation speed at the start point of the video signal stored at the time of recording based on the rotation speed, and then fast-forwards to the end of the video signal. After fast-forwarding to the end of the video signal, the audio signal is reproduced again, and thereafter only the audio signal is output from the audio output unit 11.

When the reproduction of the received message stored in the cassette tape 6 is started with the reproduction selection switch 25 set to the image side, the image stored in the answering machine control unit 24 at the time of recording due to the rotation speed output from the rotation detection unit 23. The cassette tape 6 is fast-forwarded to just before the number of revolutions of the start point of the signal and the reproduction is started. The reproduced video signal is reproduced on the video display unit 2 by the method described above. Similarly, only the video signal is reproduced on the video display unit 2 until the end of the message recorded in the same manner.

Next, a case will be described in which a remote signal is sent from a destination to check the recorded contents.

First, when going out, the answering machine operation switch 17 is turned on, and the answering machine section 29 is in a standby state. When a call signal is input through the telephone line 7 in this state, the incoming call detection unit
18 detects and closes the telephone line. Next, the response message sending section 19 sends a response message to the calling party. At this time, the remote signal detection unit 22 monitors the remote signal transmitted from the caller, and when the remote signal indicating remote listening is transmitted from the caller, the remote signal control unit 24 receives a signal indicating remote listening. Output. When this signal is input, the answering machine control unit 24 controls the response message sending unit 19 to stop sending the response message, and makes the reception message sending switch 26 conductive. Further, after controlling the received message reproducing section 21 to rewind the cassette tape 6 to the start point, the tape is run at a constant speed from the tape starting point, and the received message is reproduced by the received message reproducing section 21.
Are reproduced in the order in which they are recorded and are transmitted to the telephone line 7 through the reception message transmission switch 26 and the line interface section 8.

Next, when it is desired to reproduce only the voice signal, a remote signal for remotely listening to only the voice is transmitted during the transmission of the response message. This remote signal is detected by the remote signal detection unit 22 and output to the answering machine control unit 24. Answering machine control unit
24 controls the received message reproduction unit 21 and the received message transmission switch 26, and in the same way as when the reproduction selection switch 25 is set to the voice side and reproduced by the number of rotations stored in the answering machine control unit 24 during recording. Only the audio signal is played,
It is output to the telephone line 7 through the line interface unit 8. Further, when it is desired to reproduce only the video signal, a remote signal for remotely listening to only the video is transmitted during the transmission of the response message. Thereafter, the answering machine control section 24 sends out only the video signal to the telephone line 7 in the same manner as when the reproduction selection switch 25 is set to the video side and the reproduction is performed by the number of rotations stored in the answering machine control section 24 at the time of recording.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, such a configuration as described above can be used only for a telephone line and has a limited use range, and development of a new application is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to meet the above-mentioned demand, the telephone terminal device of the present invention has a second voice input unit and a second voice output in addition to the above-mentioned voice communication unit, video communication unit and answering machine unit. A second audio communication unit having a communication unit, a second video communication unit having a second video input unit, and connection means for connecting the audio communication unit and the second audio communication unit so that they can communicate with each other. A calling unit, and after the calling unit is operated, the response message sending unit is driven to output a response message to the second voice output unit, and then the second voice input unit and the second voice output unit. And a control unit for controlling at least one of the audio signal and the video signal output from the video input unit to be stored in the received message storage unit.

Operation According to the above configuration, the second voice communication unit can be used as a door phone or the like, and the video and voice message of the away visitor can be stored in the received message storage unit.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are external views showing the configuration of a still picture television telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram thereof. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a video input unit of a door phone, 31 denotes a microphone, 32 denotes a speaker, 33 denotes a door phone button pressed by a visitor, and 38 denotes a door phone switch for enabling communication with the door phone. is there. In FIG. 3, 34 is a changeover switch for switching the image input section 1 of the apparatus and the image input section 30 of the intercom, 35 is a power switch for supplying power to the intercom section 40, and 36 is stored in the received message storage section 20. A switch for switching the signal path of the signal to be transmitted, 37 is a doorphone button
Reference numeral 33 denotes a ringing tone generating unit that generates a ringing tone when pressed, 38 denotes a door phone switch that enables communication with the door phone unit 40, and 39 denotes a control unit that controls the answering machine unit 29 and the door phone unit 40.

In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the videophone configured as described above will be described below.

The normal operation at home, the answering machine function when not at home, and the remote listening function can transmit and receive voice and images as in the conventional example.

In this embodiment, the operation of the intercom will be described. When an outsider presses the intercom button 33 while at home, the control unit
39 detects and causes the ringing tone generating section 37 to generate a ringing tone, which is output from the voice output section 11 such as a speaker. When a person at home turns on the intercom switch 38 by hearing this ringing tone, the control unit 39 turns on the power switch 35, supplies power to the intercom unit 40, and switches the switch 34 to the D side. When power is supplied to the intercom section 40, the microphone 31, the speaker 32,
The video input unit 30 becomes operable, and the voice input from the microphone 31 is output from the voice output unit 11 and
The voice input from 12 is output from the speaker 32.
Also, the image captured from the video input unit 30 is a changeover switch.
After being stored in the first video memory 15 via 34, it is transferred to the second video memory 16 and displayed on the video display unit 2.

Next, the operation of the doorphone when not in the house will be described. At the time of answering, the answering machine operation switch 17 is turned on, power is supplied to the answering machine unit 29, and a signal indicating that the answering machine operation switch 17 is turned on is also input to the control unit 39, and the system enters a standby state. . When the visitor presses the door phone button 33 in this state, the control section 39 generates a ringing sound from the ringing sound generation section 37 and outputs the ringing sound from the voice output section 11. After a certain period of time, the control unit 39 turns on the power switch 35 and turns on the doorphone unit.
Power is supplied to 40 and the changeover switch 34 is set to the intercom section.
Switch to the video input side D side of 40 and switch 36 to the F side. After that, the received message storage unit 20 is operated,
The video communication unit 28 is controlled to record the signal taken in from the video input unit 30 and modulated by the video signal modulation unit 13 via the switch 36. The video signal fetched from the video input unit 30 is output from the first video memory 15 to the second video memory 16 and is also displayed on the video display unit 2. While the video signal is stored in the received message storage section 20, the control section 39 controls the response message sending section 19 to output the response message from the speaker 32 of the intercom section 40. After the video signal is recorded in the received message storage section 20, the switch 36 is switched to the E side, and the audio signal input from the microphone 31 of the intercom section 40 is continuously recorded. The audio signal input from the microphone 31 is also output from the audio output unit 11 via the audio / video signal switch 9. After the call ends (this is
The call may be forcibly ended by a timer, or a visitor may press the intercom switch again at the end of the call.) The control unit 39 controls the received message storage unit 20, the changeover switch 34, and the power switch 35. To restore the standby state. In this way, the message output from the visitor and the image thereof are recorded in the same received message storage unit 20 together with the message and the image signal sent through the telephone line 7.

When the user performs a playback operation when returning home or listening remotely, a message input through the telephone line 7 and a message input from the door phone 40 are played back by the received message playback unit 21 as described in the conventional example, The signal is output from the audio output unit 11 and the video signal is output from the video display unit 2 or sent to the telephone line 7.

Further, as described in the conventional example, only the audio signal can be reproduced, or only the video signal can be reproduced.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, according to the present invention, not only the telephone line but also the intercom operation can be responded to. In addition, when there is a visitor at the time of absence, there is an incoming call to the telephone line. Similarly to the case, the voice or video signal or both of them can be stored in the received message storage means, and the user can reproduce the signal when returning home.

Further, in the case where the detecting means for detecting the remote control signal is provided and the receiving message is transmitted to the telephone line when the remote control signal is detected by the detecting means, the receiving message from the destination is not available. It is very effective in practical use because you can check voice messages and images of visitors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance of a still picture television telephone which is a telephone terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing its circuit configuration, FIGS. 4 and 5. Is a perspective view of the appearance of a still picture videophone as a conventional telephone terminal, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a still picture videophone as a conventional telephone terminal. 1 …… Video input section 2 …… Video display section 3 …… Device body 4 …… Sending button 5 …… Cassette tape deck 6 …… Cassette tape 7 …… Telephone line 8 …… Line interface section 9 …… Voice signal・ Video signal selector switch 10 …… Video signal discrimination unit 11 …… Sound output unit 12 …… Sound input unit 13 …… Video signal modulation unit 14 …… Video signal demodulation unit 15 …… First video memory 16 …… First 2 video memory 17 …… Answering machine operation switch 18 …… Incoming call detector 19 …… Response message sender 20 …… Received message storage 21 …… Received message playback 22 …… Remote signal detector 23 …… Rotation detection Unit 24 Voice mail control unit 25 Playback selection switch 26 Transmission switch 27 Voice communication unit 28 Video communication unit 29 Voice mail unit 30 Video input unit of doorphone 31 Doorphone Mike 32 ... Door ho Speaker 33 ...... intercom button 34 ...... changeover switch 35 ...... power switch 36 ...... switch 37 ...... ringing tone generating unit 38 ...... intercom switch 39 ...... controller 40 ...... intercom unit

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An audio communication unit having an audio input unit and an audio output unit; a video communication unit having a video input unit and a video display unit;
A second audio communication unit including a second audio input unit and a second audio output unit, a second video communication unit including a second video input unit, the audio communication unit and the second audio communication unit. First connection means for communicatively connecting the voice communication unit, a response message sending unit for sending a response message, a voice signal and a video signal coming through a telephone line, and the second voice input unit. A reception message storage unit that stores the audio signal and the video signal output from the second video input unit; a reception message reproduction unit that reproduces the audio signal and the video signal stored in the reception message storage unit; Means and, after the calling means is operated, the response message sending section is driven to output a response message to the second voice output section, and then the second voice input section and the second voice output section. Projection A control unit for controlling at least one of an audio signal and a video signal output from the input unit to be stored in the received message storage unit, and a reproduction signal output from the received message reproduction unit for the audio output unit and the video output unit. And a second connecting means for connecting to the telephone terminal device. 2. A detecting means for detecting a remote control signal coming through a telephone line, and when the detecting means detects the remote control signal, the received message reproducing section is driven to send the reproduced signal to the telephone line. The telephone terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the telephone terminal device.