JP3049757B2 - Answering machine function control method and communication control method for videophone - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone for transmitting and receiving a message composed of voice and image, and more particularly to a video telephone for transmitting and receiving a message to and from a calling party even when the called party is absent. The present invention relates to a method of controlling an answering machine function and a communication control method of a videophone which are suitable for performing efficiently.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various communication devices and communication systems for transmitting intention between remote places. In addition, transmission techniques for visual image information, audio information, and the like have been developed for more effective communication of intention.

At present, telephones are one of the most widely used communication devices. In particular, multi-function telephones have a tape recorder and an answering machine function using a built-in memory, and can more efficiently transmit information by voice. There is something.

The telephone with an answering machine function automatically answers a call even when the receiving user is absent, sends out a pre-recorded response message, and records requirements from the other party. The receiving user can listen to the recorded content later.

Further, image information is one of the information to be communicated, and the image information is the most effective communication information because the information is visually disclosed.

Image communication for transmitting such an image is realized by electrically converting and transmitting visual information and reproducing it as a visible image on the receiving side.

In recent years, with respect to voice and image communication, for example, communication methods such as a video conference and a video phone have been developed.

Video phones are ideal for communication because they can talk while looking at a remote party. Currently, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
ork) and with the development of optical fiber communication technology.

Regarding such conventional information communication technology and telephones, see, for example, “Handbook of Electronic Information and Communication” (edited by the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers) (1988, published by Ohmsha, pp.2575-257).
6, pp. 2589 to 2591, and pp. 2681 to 2682.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Communication systems for transmitting and receiving voices and images have been put to practical use in order to transmit intentions more efficiently. In particular,
Image information is used to efficiently communicate will,
The communication system and the communication device have become very important in recent years.

An example of a conventional device for realizing image communication is a videophone.

However, in a conventional videophone, when a message, that is, a voice or an image is transmitted / received, the message cannot be transmitted / received if there is no user on the receiving side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art and to provide an answering machine function control method and a communication control method of a videophone which enables transmission of voice and image information when the called party is absent and improves communication performance. That is.

[Means for solving the problem]

To achieve the above object, an answering machine function control method and a communication control method of a videophone of the present invention are based on a function notification from a calling station that has made a call via a digital line.
It is determined whether or not the transmitting station is a videophone. If it is determined that the transmitting station is a videophone, a message including a voice and an image indicating that image data can be received is transmitted to the transmitting station, and transmitted from the transmitting station. It stores the received voice data and image data, and, if it is determined that it is not a videophone, sends a message composed of voice to the transmitting station and stores the voice data transmitted from the transmitting station. And

[Action]

In the present invention, the videophone can store voice data and image data, and when the user is absent, a user sends a response message (a message notifying that he has an answering machine function) corresponding to the call in advance. , Audio data, and image data.

If there is a call from the partner device when the user is absent, the control unit determines the function of the partner based on the function notification notified from the partner device along with the call on the digital line, A message for the answering machine function is selected and transmitted in a mode (voice only or voice and image) according to the function of the other party. Then, only the voice from the transmitting station or the message including the voice and the image is received and stored in the voice data storage unit and the image data storage unit, respectively.

In this way, the message for the answering machine function consisting of the stored voice and image data is selected and sent according to the device of the other party, so that the sending station is encouraged to send the message by appropriate media. To enhance the answering machine function and improve the performance of the device.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of the videophone according to the present invention to which the present invention is applied.

The video telephone according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 10 for performing overall control, a line interface 11 for controlling transmission and reception of a line formed of a digital public network and data, an operation unit 12 for inputting a user's operation instruction, and an answering machine function for registration. CD-ROM for storing messages and received voice data and image data
The audio / image data storage unit 14 comprising the audio / video data storage unit 14
A voice transmitting / receiving unit 17 for controlling reading of voice data stored in the image data storage unit 14, a handset 18 for inputting a user's voice, and a voice transmitting / receiving unit from the voice / image data storage unit 14.
A speaker 19 for outputting audio data read via the audio 17 via a voice, a storage process of image data in the audio / image data storage unit 14, and a reading process of image data stored in the audio / image data storage unit 14. Data transmission / reception unit that controls
13, an image input unit 15 including a camera for inputting image data from a user, and an image display unit 16 including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) for displaying received image data and operation guidance.

As described above, in the videophone of the present embodiment, the image data storage unit and the sound storage unit are configured by a single memory, and use a digital line.

The control unit 10 comprises a main control unit 1 for controlling the entire operation of the videophone and an answering function control unit 2 for performing the answering function control of the present invention. A message for notifying of an answering machine function is selected according to the function of the other party's function detecting unit 3 and the function of the other party's device, and based on the selection result, the image data transmission / reception unit
13 and an answering machine function notification message selection unit 4 for controlling the data transmission process by the voice transmission / reception unit 17, and a message composed of voice data and image data input from the other party via a line, by the type of each data. And a received message accumulation control unit 5 for controlling data accumulation processing by the image data transmission / reception unit 13 and the audio transmission / reception unit 17.

The videophone of the present embodiment having such a configuration,
The image input unit 15 and the handset 18 are controlled by the control unit 10 based on a transmission operation input from the user via the operation unit 12.
A message composed of image data and audio data input from the
7, and is transmitted to the line via the line interface 11.

When the user inputs a reception operation on the operation unit 12 (simply picks up the handset) based on a call from the line input through the line interface 11, the control unit 10 sets the line A message composed of image data and audio data from the transmitting station input via the interface 11,
The data is output to the image display unit 16 and the speaker 19 via the image data transmitting / receiving unit 13 and the audio transmitting / receiving unit 17, respectively.

In this way, the user can make a voice call and an image call.

On the other hand, when using the answering machine function, when the user inputs a message for the answering machine function by voice and image using the image input unit 15 and the handset 18, respectively, the message is transmitted to the image data transmitting / receiving unit 13 by the voice The data is registered in the audio / image data storage unit 14 via the transmission / reception unit 17.

If there is a call from the calling station via the line, the function of the partner device is detected by the partner function detector 3. Here, in this embodiment, a digital line is used,
The originating station notifies its function. Based on this function notification, the other party function detection unit 3 can detect whether the transmitting station is a communication function using only voice or a communication function between voice and image.

The answering machine function notification message selecting section 4 selects an answering machine function message corresponding to the function of the partner device based on the detection result. And, based on this selection result,
The corresponding message for answering machine function is transmitted by the image data transmitting / receiving section 13 and the voice transmitting / receiving section 17. Further, when a communication message from the transmitting station is received by the line interface 11, the received message storage control section 5 The data is stored in the audio / image data storage unit 14 via the image data transmission / reception unit 13 and the audio transmission / reception unit 17.

The user can call out the communication message stored in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the image display unit 16 or the speaker 19.

Hereinafter, a control operation according to the present invention of the videophone of the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of an operation of registering a message for an answering machine function according to the present invention of the videophone in FIG.

The present embodiment particularly shows a method of registering a message for an answering machine function including voice data and image data.

When voice data of an answering machine message is input via the handset 18 in FIG. 1 based on the user's selection of the answering machine message registration process (step
201), the voice data is registered in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the voice transmission / reception unit 17 in FIG. 1 (step 20).
2). Next, when the image data of the message for the answering machine function is input via the image input unit 15 in FIG. 1 (step 20).
3) This image data is transferred to the image data transmitting / receiving unit 13 shown in FIG.
Is registered in the audio / image data storage unit 14 through the server (step 204).

If the user inputs a message to end the registration of the message for the answering machine function (step 205), the process ends.

Thus, the voice data and the image data are registered in the voice / image data storage unit 14 in FIG. 1 as the message for the answering machine function.

The user can arbitrarily select the execution of the storage processing of the audio data in Steps 201 and 202 and the execution of the storage processing of the image data in Steps 203 and 204. It is also possible to register a message for the answering machine function consisting of only a message.

Next, a response processing operation for a call when the answering machine function is set will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the answering machine function control operation of the videophone in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

The present embodiment is particularly an answering machine function control operation of a videophone which performs communication using a digital line. In accordance with the function of the transmitting station, only the answering machine function notification message selecting section 4 in FIG. An answering machine function message, an answering machine function message containing only image data, or an answering machine message message consisting of voice data and image data are selected and responded to.

First, if there is a call from the calling station (step 301),
At the same time, the function of the transmitting station (communication function using only voice or communication function between voice and image) which is notified is detected by the other party function detecting unit 3 in FIG. 1 (step 302).

If the transmitting station has a voice-only communication function, it sends an answering machine function message including voice data registered in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the voice transmitting / receiving unit 17 in FIG. 303).

When a communication message including voice data is received from the transmitting station (step 304), the communication message is stored in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the voice transmission / reception unit 17 in FIG. 1 (step 304). 305).

Then, a line disconnection signal is input from the calling station (step 30).
The process ends based on 6).

On the other hand, in step 302, if a transmitting station having a voice / image communication function is detected, it is registered in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the image data transmitting / receiving unit 13 and the voice transmitting / receiving unit 17 in FIG. A message for the answering machine function including the image data and the audio data is transmitted (step 307).

When a communication message including voice data is received from the calling station (step 308), the communication message is transmitted to the voice / image data storage unit via the voice transmission / reception unit 17 shown in FIG.
It is stored in 14 (step 309).

When a communication message including image data from the transmitting station is received (step 310), the communication message is stored in the voice / image data storage unit 14 via the image data transmission / reception unit 13 in FIG. Step 311).

Then, a line disconnection signal is input from the calling station (step 31).
The process ends based on 2).

In this way, when a digital line is used, the function of the calling station can be known in advance, the type of message for the answering machine function can be selected and responded to in accordance with the function of the other party, and the other party can receive the message. It accumulates communication messages from the side.
Thus, efficient answering machine function control can be performed.

As described above, the video telephone in FIG. 1 has been described as being connected to a digital line, but the present invention can perform the same answering machine function control even when connected to an analog line.

In the videophone shown in FIG. 1, audio data and image data are stored using a single memory such as a CD-ROM. However, in order to store the audio data transmitted via the analog line as an analog signal, a storage unit such as a tape recorder can be used for storing the audio data.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a videophone that uses an analog line and has separate storage units for voice data and image data, and performs the answering machine function control of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a reference example of a configuration according to the present invention of a videophone to which the present invention is applied.

The video telephone of this embodiment has the same configuration as the video telephone in FIG. That is, a control unit 40 for controlling the entire video telephone, a line interface 41 for controlling transmission and reception of voice and image data to and from a line composed of an analog public network, and an operation unit 1 for inputting a user's operation instruction.
2.Speech storage unit 48 consisting of a tape recorder etc. that stores received voice data and voice data of the message for the answering machine function to be registered, storage control of voice data in voice storage unit 48, or storage in voice storage unit 48 A voice transmitting and receiving unit 47 for performing reading control of the read voice data, a handset 18 for inputting a user's voice, a speaker 19 for outputting voice data read from the voice storing unit 48 via the voice transmitting and receiving unit 47 as a voice, An image data storage unit 44 for storing the received image data and the image data of the message for the answering machine function registered by the user, a process for storing the image data in the image data storage unit 44, or an image stored in the image data storage unit 44 An image data transmission / reception unit 43 for controlling data reading processing; an image input unit 15 including a camera for inputting image data from a user; And image data, and an image display unit 16 for displaying the operation guidance.

The control unit 40 comprises a main control unit 1 for controlling the entire operation of the videophone and an answering machine function control unit 2 for performing the answering machine function control according to the present invention. And a message for notifying of an answering machine function according to the function of the device of the other party, and based on the selection result, the data transmitted by the image data transmitting / receiving section 13 and the voice transmitting / receiving section 17 are selected. And an answering machine function notification message selecting unit 4 for controlling the sending process of voice data and image data sent from the other party via the line, in accordance with the respective data types. It comprises a received message storage control unit 5 for controlling data storage processing by the unit 13 and the voice transmission / reception unit 17.

In this embodiment, an analog line is used, and there is no function notification from the transmitting station. Therefore, the other party function detecting unit 3 and the answering machine function notification message selecting unit 4 in the answering machine function control unit 2 may be set so as to perform predetermined control operations. Hereinafter, description will be given assuming that the other party function detection unit 3 and the answering machine function notification message selection unit 4 operate based on a preset procedure.

Now, with the videophone of this embodiment having such a configuration, the user can perform normal videophone communication and use the answering machine function.

That is, when the user sets the answering machine function and inputs a message for the answering machine function using only voice using the handset 18, the message is registered in the voice accumulating section 48 via the voice transmitting / receiving section 47. Then, if there is a call from the calling station via the line, a message for an answering machine function composed of voice data is sent.

In the message for the answering machine function, it is registered by voice that the receiving side is a videophone and image data can be transmitted and received. In this reference example, an analog line is used, and the function of the transmitting station is not notified. for that reason,
As described above, the detection function of the other party function detection unit 3 is set in advance so as to detect that the transmitting station has a communication function of voice and image. Then, the answering machine function notification message selecting section 4 is set in advance so as to select the above-mentioned answering machine function message including only voice.

In this way, the voice sending / receiving unit 47 sends out a message for an answering machine function that indicates that image data can be sent / received as voice data. Further, when a communication message from the calling station is received by the line interface 41, the image data The image data is stored in the image data storage unit 44 and the audio storage unit 48 via the transmission / reception unit 43 and the audio transmission / reception unit 47, respectively.

The user operates the image data storage unit 44 and the audio storage unit 48
Can be called out via the image display unit 46 or the speaker 19.

Hereinafter, a control operation according to the invention of the videophone of the present reference example will be described using a flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the operation of registering the message for the answering machine function of the videophone in FIG. 4 according to the present invention.

The present embodiment particularly shows a method of registering a message for an answering machine function including only voice data.

When voice data of an answering machine message is received via the handset 18 in FIG. 4 based on the user's selection of the answering machine message registration process (step 501), the voice transmitting / receiving unit 47 in FIG. Via voice storage unit 48
(Step 502). If the user inputs a message to end the registration of the message for the answering machine function (step
505), end the process.

In this way, the voice data is registered in the voice storage unit 48 in FIG. 4 as the message for the answering machine function.

It should be noted that the message for the answering machine function registered here indicates that the videophone can also store image data.

Next, the response processing operation when the answering machine function is set will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the answering machine function control operation of the videophone in FIG. 4 according to the present invention.

This embodiment relates to a videophone communication using an analog line, and responds to an outgoing call while the answering machine function is being set with an answering machine function message including only voice data.

If there is a call from the calling station (step 601), the message for the answering machine function (consisting of voice data, which can store image data) registered in the voice storage unit 48 via the voice transmission / reception unit 47 in FIG. Is transmitted (step 60)
2).

When a communication message including voice data is received from the calling station (step 603), the communication message is stored in the voice storage unit 48 via the voice transmission / reception unit 47 in FIG. 4 (step 604).

Next, when a communication message including image data from the transmitting station is received (step 605), the communication message is stored in the image data storage unit 44 via the image data transmission / reception unit 43 of FIG. 4 (step 605). 606).

Then, a line disconnection signal is input from the calling station (step 60).
The process ends based on 7).

As described above, when the analog line is used, since the function of the transmitting station cannot be known in advance, a response to the answering machine function message including a notification that image data communication is possible is made only by voice data. Then, storage processing of a communication message including voice data and image data from the other party is performed.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, according to each example, a video telephone (monochrome, color) which is used by connecting to an analog public network, a digital public network, and various dedicated lines. ) Has an answering machine function related to image data, so that voice and image data can be received and stored even when the receiving user is absent. Then, the user can reproduce it later.

〔The invention's effect〕

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, transmission of audio | voice and image information at the time of absence of a receiving side is enabled, and the performance of a video telephone can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration of the video telephone according to the present invention to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation for registering an answering machine message, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation of the answering machine function of the videophone in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a reference example of the configuration according to the present invention in the configuration of the video telephone set according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a message telephone function message registration processing operation according to the present invention of the video telephone in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of the answering machine function control operation of the videophone in FIG. 4 according to the present invention. 1: Main control unit, 2: Answering machine function control unit, 3: Counterpart function detection unit,
4: Answering machine function notification message selection unit, 5: Received message storage control unit, 10: Control unit, 11: Line interface, 12: Operation unit, 13: Image data transmission / reception unit, 14: Voice / image data storage unit, 1
5: Image input unit, 16: Image display unit, 17: Voice transmission / reception unit, 18: Handset, 19: Speaker, 40: Control unit, 41: Line interface, 43: Image data transmission / reception unit, 44: Image data storage unit, 47: voice transmission / reception unit, 48: voice storage unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 1/64-1/658 H04M 11/00-11/10 H04N 1/10 H04N 1/32-1 / 36 H04N 1/42-1/44 H04N 7/10 H04N 7/14-7/173 H04N 7/20-7/22

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An audio / image data storage means for storing at least audio data input via audio input means or a digital line and image data input via image input means or the digital line. An answering machine function control method for a videophone for transmitting and receiving voice data and image data via the digital line, wherein the voice / image data storage means indicates that a message including image data can be stored. The function message is registered in advance by voice and image, and when a call is made from the calling station via the digital line, the call is transmitted based on the function notification information notified from the calling station via the digital line. It is determined whether the station is a videophone or not. Voice mail control method videophone, characterized in that the message for turn function selected from the voice and the image data storage means and sends to the originating station. 2. An audio data storage means for storing at least audio data input via audio input means or a digital line, and image data storing image data input via image input means or the digital line. An answering machine function control method for a videophone, comprising: storage means for transmitting and receiving voice data and image data via the digital line, wherein the voice data storage means can store a message including image data. The message for the answering machine function indicating the effect is registered in advance by voice, and when there is a call from the calling station via the digital line, based on the function notification information notified from the calling station via the digital line. It is determined whether or not the calling station is a videophone, and if it is determined to be a videophone, the answering machine function Voice mail control method for videophone Sage read from the sound data storage means, characterized in that sending to the originating station. 3. The answering machine function control method for a videophone set according to claim 1, wherein the message is sent from the calling station via the digital line in response to the answering machine function message. A method of controlling an answering machine function of a video phone, comprising storing voice data or image data and outputting the data based on an output request from a user. 4. Based on a function notification from a calling station calling via a digital line, it is determined whether or not the calling station is a videophone, and if it is determined that it is a videophone, image data can be received. Is transmitted to the transmitting station, the voice data and the image data transmitted from the transmitting station are stored, and if it is determined that the mobile phone is not a videophone, the message is composed of voice. A communication control method for a videophone, comprising: transmitting a message to the transmitting station; and storing voice data transmitted from the transmitting station.