JP3315753B2 - Image communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication terminal device capable of making a telephone call while transmitting and receiving a photographed image and a drawn image via a digital telephone line network, and more particularly to a method for selecting a transmission method of a drawn image. It is configured as follows.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various image communication terminals having a function of transmitting a moving image or a still image photographed by a camera in addition to an audio transmission function as a normal telephone have been developed.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a conventional image communication terminal device, as shown in FIG. 5, a terminal device main body 11 has a handset 1 for inputting / outputting voice, and a monitor (image display means) 2 for displaying an image or a self image from a partner terminal. A camera (imaging means) 3 for shooting a moving image or a still image, a tablet (coordinate input means) 4 for inputting arbitrary coordinates on a display screen, and a keypad for inputting a destination telephone number, mode setting and the like. 5
And the terminal device main body 11 has input terminals I _{1 to} I _3.
, Which distributes various image signals supplied to the output terminals O _{1 to} O ₃ , and a video which combines various image signals supplied via the switcher 6 with a computer image signal output from a controller 9 described later. Combining unit 8 and CP
A controller 9 comprising a U (central processing unit) and a display controller; a codec 10 for compressing / expanding image and audio data and transmitting / receiving a signal multiplexed with various data to / from a partner terminal 13 via a digital line 12 Is provided.

The controller 9 controls the operation of each section of the terminal device by the CPU, and converts the coordinate data input from the tablet 4 into a computer image signal by the display controller and outputs the same.

When transmitting image data using this image communication terminal device, first, a user inputs a telephone number of a transmission partner from the keypad 5 to make a call, and then,
The image data of the moving image or the still image input from the camera 3 and the audio data input from the handset 1 are compressed and multiplexed by the codec 10 and transmitted to the partner terminal for communication.

[0006] In this image communication terminal device, it is possible to add explanatory characters to an image to be transmitted to the other party, or to notify the other party of a notable part by encircling a part of the image. When drawing such a character or a circle indicating a specific portion on a photographed image, a tablet 4 which is a coordinate input device is used. The user touches the tablet 4 with a pen while looking at a monitor that displays the photographed image. Draw characters and figures at desired locations.

The coordinate data indicating the pen touch position of the tablet 4 is converted into a computer image signal by the controller 9, synthesized with the image input from the camera 3 by the video synthesizing unit 8, and compressed and multiplexed by the codec 10. Is transmitted to the partner terminal. The synthesized video signal is also sent from the switcher 6 to the monitor 2 of the own device at the same time, and the captured image to which the drawn image is added is displayed.

[0008]

However, in a conventional image communication terminal device, a drawn image input from a tablet is synthesized with an image picked up by a camera, and a high-level data compression is performed in a codec. For fine characters and the like, when data is expanded and restored on the receiving side, there is a drawback that the drawn image is blurred.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image communication terminal device capable of transmitting information by drawing to a partner in a clear form.

[0010]

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means, an image display means for displaying an image taken by the image pickup means on a display screen, a coordinate input means for inputting arbitrary coordinates on the display screen , The coordinate data input from the coordinate input means
Image signal of the drawn image generated based on the data and the imaging means
Image synthesis to combine the image signal of the captured image output from
Means for synthesizing the drawn image and the photographed image
In an image communication terminal device capable of transmitting an image to a partner terminal, the drawn image and the photographed image are combined.
Input means for the user to select whether or not
Means for synthesizing the drawn image and the photographed image.
Between the selected state and the state where the image composition is not selected.
Notification means for visually informing, and the image by the input means.
When image composition is selected, the image
Synthesis of an image signal of a drawn image and an image signal of the photographed image
And the image combining is selected by the input means.
If not, a drawing image output control means for controlling the coordinate data input from the coordinate input means to be transmitted to the partner terminal in a transmission format different from the image signal is provided.

[0011]

Therefore, when inputting fine character information or the like using the coordinate input means, the image signal is not synthesized,
The coordinate data input from the coordinate input unit, <br/> Me which may be transmitted to the remote terminal in a different transmission format from the image data, the receiving side clear the drawing image that is input to the coordinate input means Can be restored in shape.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, an image communication terminal device according to an embodiment includes a drawn image output control unit 7 to which a signal from a tablet 4 is input. It is determined whether or not the drawn image input from is synthesized with the captured image output from the camera 3 of the terminal itself.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tablet 4 is integrally mounted on a board on which switches such as a transmission key T4 and a numeric keypad T3 are arranged, and a signal output from each switch on the board is provided. Are distributed to necessary blocks through the drawn image output control unit 7. The board further includes a drawn image synthesizing key T9 for the user to select whether or not to combine the drawn image and the captured image, and turns on when image synthesis is selected and turns off when it is not selected. A light emitting diode (LED) T10.

Other configurations of the image communication terminal device main body 11 are the same as those of the conventional device (FIG. 5).

When transmitting moving image or still image data using the image communication terminal device, the user first uses the numeric keypad T3 arranged in the menu area of the board of the tablet 4 to call the other party's telephone. Enter a number and press the call key T4 to make a call. The moving image or still image data inputted from the camera 3 is compressed by the codec 10 together with the audio data inputted from the handset 1, multiplexed and transmitted to the partner terminal.

When the drawn image drawn using the tablet 4 is combined with the captured image, the user depresses the drawn image combining key T9 to turn on the LED T10. This drawing image synthesis key T9
As shown in FIG. 4, each time the button is depressed, an instruction to combine images (S1) and an instruction not to combine images (S1)
2) are alternately output, and the LED T10 is turned on only when the instruction for synthesizing the image (S1) is issued.

The drawing image output control unit 7 notifies the controller 9 and the switcher 6 when the instruction to synthesize the image is given, and when the coordinate data is input from the tablet 4, the coordinate data is sent to the controller 9. Output. The controller 9 converts the input coordinate data into a computer image signal and sends it to the video synthesizing unit 8.
This computer image signal is combined with the image signal input from the camera 3 and output to the switcher 6.

The composite image data output from the switcher 6 is compressed and multiplexed by the codec 10 and transmitted to the partner terminal. At the same time, the composite image data is transmitted from the switcher 6 to the monitor 2 of the own device. Is displayed.

On the other hand, when transmitting fine character information or the like using the tablet 4, the user presses the drawn image synthesizing key T9 and selects an instruction (S2) not to synthesize an image. This instruction is transmitted from the drawn image output control unit 7 to the controller 9 and the switcher 6.

At this time, when the coordinate data is input from the tablet 4, the drawn image output control section 7 outputs the coordinate data to the controller 9, and the controller 9 converts the coordinate data into the X, Y coordinate specified in advance. The data is converted into a data transmission format and transmitted to the codec 10 via a different route from the captured image data.

The codec 10 compresses image data captured by the camera, and transmits drawn image data to the partner terminal in a transmission format of X, Y coordinate data.

Therefore, in this case, since the drawn image is not subjected to compression / decompression similar to that of the image data, the received partner terminal can restore the drawn image in a clear form.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the operation of the drawn image output control unit 7.

Step 1: If there is an input signal, the drawn image output control section 7 determines whether or not the input signal is a signal from a group of switches in the menu area.
If so, a process corresponding to each switch is performed.

Step 3: When the input signal is a signal from the tablet 4, it is determined whether or not the drawn image synthesizing key T9 instructs the synthesizing of the drawn image and the photographed image. Is instructed, the controller 9 is instructed to convert the coordinate data input from the tablet 4 into an image signal, and at the same time, the switcher 6 is notified that the input image from the camera 3 is to be synthesized, and step 6; The coordinate data input from the tablet 4 is output to the controller 9.

Step 5: In step 3,
When instructing not to combine images, the switcher instructs the controller 9 to convert the coordinate data input from the tablet 4 into the specified transmission format, and simultaneously switches not to combine the input image from the camera 3. Step 6: The coordinate data input from the tablet 4 is output to the controller 9.

When synthesizing an image, not only is the image taken by the camera of the own terminal and the drawn image input by the tablet of the own terminal synthesized, but also the drawn image input from the tablet of the partner terminal is converted. They can also be synthesized together.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiment, in the image communication terminal device of the present invention, it is possible to select whether or not to combine an image photographed by a camera with a drawn image inputted from a tablet. Therefore, even when transmitting a drawn image such as fine character information, it is possible to clearly restore the drawing side by selecting transmission of the drawn image alone.

Further, in the image communication terminal device of the present invention, switching of whether or not to combine images can be executed by a simple operation, so that it is very convenient to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment in an image communication terminal device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of an arrangement of a tablet board in the image communication terminal device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a drawn image output control unit in the apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a transition diagram showing a change in a setting mode of a drawn image synthesis key in the apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image communication terminal device.

[Description of Signs] 1 Handset 2 Monitor 3 Camera 4 Tablet 5 Keypad 6 Switcher 7 Draw Image Output Control Unit 8 Image Synthesis Unit 9 Controller 10 Codec (Image Transmission Means) 11 Image Communication Terminal Device 12 ISDN 13 Other Image Communication Terminal apparatus

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/38-1/393 H04M 11/00-11/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A pickup means, and a coordinate input means for inputting image display means for displaying an image taken of the imaging means on a display screen, any coordinates of the display screen, the coordinate input hand
Of the drawing image generated based on the coordinate data input from the column
Image signal and image of the captured image output from the imaging means
; And a video synthesis means for synthesizing a signal, the graphic image
Transmitting a composite image of the image and the photographed image to a partner terminal.
In the image communication terminal device capable of performing the operation, whether or not the drawn image and the photographed image are combined is used.
Means for the user to select, and an image of the drawn image and the photographed image by the input means
The state where the combination is selected and the state where the image combination is not selected
Notification means for visually notifying the state, and when the image synthesis is selected by the input means.
Transmits the image signal of the drawn image and the
The image signal of the shadow image is combined with the image signal.
When the image composition is not selected, the coordinates
Image communication terminal apparatus characterized by the image signal coordinate data inputted from the force means and a graphic image output control means for controlling to transmit to the other party terminal in a different transmission format. 2. The image synthesizing means according to claim 1 , wherein said coordinate input means comprises:
And the image output from the imaging means.
Shadow image and depiction image input from the coordinate input means of the partner terminal
2. The image communication according to claim 1, wherein
Communication terminal device.