JP3334691B2 - Image transmitting / receiving device - 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 transmitting and receiving apparatus, and more particularly, to an image transmitting and receiving apparatus for transmitting and receiving image data bidirectionally via a telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, liquid crystal televisions have become widespread in place of CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes), and are widely used in the fields of in-vehicle use and sports watching.

[0003] In particular, recently, a high-definition liquid crystal television which is small enough to fit in a breast pocket of a shirt has also been developed, and it has become possible to carry the television at any time during commuting or on a business trip. I have.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional liquid crystal television, the only image that can be viewed is a received image of a television broadcast.

[0005] On the other hand, there are many opportunities to use a telephone while away from home, but, of course, only voice can be transmitted by telephone.

As described above, it is unreasonable that only a voice can be transmitted when using a telephone while carrying a liquid crystal television capable of viewing images.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and transmits predetermined image data using a communication line, and uses a liquid crystal display portion of a liquid crystal television to transmit predetermined image data via the communication line. The purpose is to be able to see the sent image.

[0008]

The means of the present invention are as follows. In addition, reference numerals are reference numerals in the drawings, and
An example is shown.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera unit 6 for capturing a subject image as image data, a modulation circuit 7 for modulating the image data captured by the camera unit 6 into a predetermined audio signal, and a modulation circuit 7. A speaker unit 8 for outputting predetermined image data modulated into an audio signal as audio data, a microphone unit 9 for capturing predetermined image data modulated into an audio signal as audio data, and input by the microphone unit 9 a demodulation circuit 10 for demodulating the audio data into the original image data, an image receiving apparatus comprising a display means for displaying the image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit 10 (the display unit 5), wherein the display means And the camera section
6 and the speaker unit 8 constitute the apparatus main body 2
The microphone unit 9 is formed integrally with a housing, and
A second housing detachably provided on a housing constituting the main body 2
It is characterized in that it is integrally formed .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image of a subject
A camera unit 6 to capture, as image data, the camera unit
6 converts the captured image data into a predetermined audio signal.
Modulation circuit 7 for modulating audio signals by the modulation circuit 7.
Outputs adjusted key image data as audio data
A speaker section 8 and a predetermined image data modulated into an audio signal.
A microphone unit 9 to capture data as voice data, the microphone
The audio data input by the unit 9 is restored to the original image data.
And a demodulation circuit 10 for adjusting the
Immediately display means (display unit 5), the displaying the image data
An image transmitting and receiving device provided with the display means and the camera.
The camera unit 6 and the microphone unit 9 constitute the device main body 2
The speaker unit 8 is formed integrally with a housing that
A second case detachably provided on a housing constituting the device main body 2;
It is characterized by being formed integrally with the two housings.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image of a subject
A camera unit 6 to capture, as image data, the camera unit
6 converts the captured image data into a predetermined audio signal.
Modulation circuit 7 for modulating audio signals by the modulation circuit 7.
Outputs adjusted key image data as audio data
A speaker section 8 and a predetermined image data modulated into an audio signal.
A microphone unit 9 to capture data as voice data, the microphone
The audio data input by the unit 9 is restored to the original image data.
And a demodulation circuit 10 for adjusting the
Immediately display means (display unit 5), the displaying the image data
An image transmitting and receiving device provided with the display means and the camera.
The camera unit 6 and the speaker unit 8 constitute the apparatus main body 2.
The microphone unit 9 is formed integrally with a housing
It is connected by a signal line from a housing constituting the device main body 2.
It is a small microphone for transmitting voice.

Further , as in the invention of claim 4,
Item 2. The microphone unit in the image transmitting and receiving apparatus according to the invention of Item 1.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a signal line from the housing constituting the device main body 2.
It is effective to use a small microphone for transmitting
You.

Also, as in the invention of claim 5,
Item 5. The camera unit according to any one of Items 1 to 4,
Image compression for compressing the image data captured by step 6.
A circuit 11 and an image demodulated by the demodulation circuit 10
An image decompression circuit 12 to decompress the data, wherein the variable
The tone adjusting circuit 7 controls the pressure compressed by the image compressing circuit 11.
It is also effective to modulate the reduced image data into an audio signal.

The operation of the means of the present invention is as follows.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image data captured by the camera unit is modulated into an audio signal by the modulation circuit, and output as audio data by the speaker unit. Further, the image data modulated into the audio signal is captured by the microphone unit, and the captured image data is demodulated by the demodulation circuit, and the demodulated image data is displayed on the display unit. That is, the communication times
Image data can be transmitted and received via a line.

[0016] Furthermore, the housing constituting the main body of the apparatus has a table.
When the indicating means, the camera section and the speaker section are integrally formed,
Both are detachably provided in the housing that constitutes the device body.
By forming the microphone unit integrally with the second housing,
The entire device can be reduced in size.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the camera unit
Therefore, the captured image data is converted into audio by the modulation circuit.
Signal and output as audio data by the speaker unit.
Is forced. Also, image data modulated into audio signals is
The captured image data
Data is demodulated by the demodulation circuit, and
The image data is displayed on the display. That is, the communication times
Image data can be transmitted and received via a line. Also
Further, a display unit and a camera unit are provided on a housing constituting the apparatus main body.
And the microphone part are integrally formed, and
Speed on the second housing detachably mounted on the housing
The entire device is downsized by integrally forming the
can do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the camera unit
Therefore, the captured image data is converted into audio by the modulation circuit.
Signal and output as audio data by the speaker unit.
Is forced. Also, image data modulated into audio signals is
The captured image data
Data is demodulated by the demodulation circuit, and
The image data is displayed on the display. That is, the communication times
Image data can be transmitted and received via a line. Also
Further, a display unit and a camera unit are provided on a housing constituting the apparatus main body.
And the speaker unit are integrally formed, and
A small transmitting microphone connected by a signal line from the housing
The size of the entire device can be reduced by providing
Can be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided.
Display means, camera section, and speaker
Unit and the main body of the device
A small transmitting microphone connected from the housing by a signal line
By providing this, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1,
Thus, the size of the entire apparatus can be further reduced.

Further , according to the invention described in claim 5,
An image that compresses image data captured by the camera
An image compression circuit and an image captured by the microphone unit
An image expansion circuit for expanding data, wherein the modulation circuit
Represents the compressed image data compressed by the image compression circuit.
By modulating the audio signal,
Compressed image data can be used as image data
Therefore, in addition to the effects of the inventions described in claims 1 to 4, efficiency is high.
Data transmission.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 2 to 5 show an embodiment of the image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the image transmitting and receiving apparatus of one embodiment as viewed from the front, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the image transmitting and receiving apparatus of one embodiment as viewed from the back.

The same parts as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the case where an analog telephone general subscriber line is used as a communication line will be described below.

In FIG. 2, the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 is roughly divided into an apparatus main body 2, an attachment 2a, and a power supply section 3, and the apparatus main body 2 is constituted by a reinforced plastic casing. As shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 5 and a camera unit 6 are integrally provided on a housing of a front part of the apparatus body 2 and a speaker unit is provided on a rear part of the apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIG. The part 8 is provided integrally.

The attachment 2a is composed of a reinforced plastic casing (hereinafter, referred to as a second casing) of the same size as the apparatus main body 2, and a rear portion of the second casing is provided on the rear surface thereof as shown in FIG. A microphone unit 9 is provided integrally with the housing, and an upper end of the attachment 2a has an elastic bellows portion 2b. By attaching the bellows portion 2b to the lower portion of the apparatus body 2, The apparatus main body 2 and the attachment 2a are provided with a speaker section 8 and a microphone section 9 on the back thereof.
Are arranged on the same plane. Incidentally, the distance between the respective center positions of the speaker unit 8 and the microphone unit 9 is about 14 cm in consideration of the interval between the mouthpiece and the earpiece in the receiver of a commercially available telephone. In this embodiment, this distance can be adjusted within a range of about ± 1 cm. The attachment 2a is provided detachably with respect to the apparatus main body 2, and when the attachment 2a is not used, the power supply unit 3 can be directly attached to the apparatus main body 2.

The power supply section 3 supplies a predetermined power supply current to the apparatus main body 2 and each section in the attachment 2a by being attached to the attachment 2a or the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, and specifically, a dedicated nickel-cadmium battery. (Ni-C
d) It is composed of a battery pack containing a storage battery. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 3 attached to the lower part of the attachment 2a is described as an example of a battery pack containing a dedicated nicd storage battery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be used, such as a dry battery pack containing five of them, an AC adapter using an AC (alternating current) power supply, a car adapter using a DC (direct current) battery from a cigar lighter portion of an automobile, or the like.

The display unit 5 is an active matrix type liquid crystal display device of a TFT type having a screen size of 1.4 inches, and R (Red) and G (Green) which are three primary colors.
A high-resolution color liquid crystal display panel of 220 × 279 = 61380 pixels in which pixels corresponding to n) and B (Blue) are arranged in a delta shape.

As shown in FIG. 3, the camera unit 6 is a small C that is detachably provided in the same direction as the display surface of the display unit 5.
This is a CD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, which is connected to the apparatus main body 2 via a video cable (not shown).

The speaker section 8 is composed of, for example, a dynamic cone speaker, and as shown in FIG. 3, a speaker hole 8b formed inside a sound insulating wall 8a which is provided in a ring shape on the back of the apparatus main body 2. Output audio data. In the present embodiment, a dynamic cone speaker has been described as an example of the speaker unit 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a loudspeaker or a dome loudspeaker of a full-surface drive type.

The microphone section 9 is composed of, for example, an electret condenser type microphone. As shown in FIG. 3, the sound insulating wall 9 is provided on the back of the attachment 2a.
The audio data is input from a microphone hole 9b drilled inside a. In the present embodiment, an electret condenser microphone is described as an example of the microphone unit 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dynamic microphone is used as the microphone used in the microphone unit 6. It does not matter.

Further, a power switch 21, a power indicator 22, a tuning button 23, a volume dial 24, an earphone terminal 2
5, video on / off switch 26, video changeover switch 2
7. Various operation switches such as an image capture switch 28 are provided.

The power switch 21 is a switch for selecting whether or not a power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 3 is supplied to the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1. The power indicator 22 is provided by an LED (Light Emitting Diode). It is configured to light when the power switch 21 is turned on.

The tuning button 23 is used to increase or decrease the tuning frequency, and the volume dial 24 is used to adjust the earphone volume. The earphone terminal 25 is a terminal for connecting an earphone that also serves as a wire antenna, and also has a function as an antenna terminal.

The video on / off switch 26 is connected to the display 5
A video switch 27 is a toggle switch for instructing whether to display an LCD screen on the display unit 5. The video switch 27 is a toggle switch for switching and displaying a transmission screen or a reception screen as a video to be displayed on the display unit 5. The switch 28 is a switch for instructing storage of an image displayed on the display unit 5 as image data in a predetermined memory.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. In FIG. 4, the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 includes a power supply unit 3, a television tuner unit 4, a display unit 5, a camera unit 6, a modulation circuit 7, a speaker unit 8, a microphone unit 9, a demodulation circuit 10, an image compression circuit 11, an image expansion unit. A modulation circuit 7, a demodulation circuit 10, an image compression circuit 11, an image expansion circuit 12, a control circuit 13, and a key operation unit 14 are each connected to a bus B. Have been.

As described above, the power supply section 3 is constituted by a battery pack having a built-in NiCd (Ni-Cd) storage battery. When the power switch 21 is turned on, a predetermined power supply voltage is applied to the apparatus main body 2 and the attachment 2a. Are supplied to each part of the apparatus.

The TV tuner unit 4 includes a tuner 31 and
The tuner 31 selectively receives a predetermined television wave, outputs a video signal to the buffer memory 45 in the image expansion circuit 12 via the ADC 32, and outputs an audio signal as shown in FIG. The ADC 32 outputs a signal to the speaker unit 8.
A video signal, which is an analog signal input from the controller, is converted into a digital signal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 5 displays a DD (Di
splay Driver) 33 and LCD (Liquid Crystal Displ)
ay) 34. Note that DD3 in FIG.
3 is a video input terminal, and OUT is a video output terminal.

The DD 33 is a display drive unit that drives the LCD 34 to display an image on the LCD 34 based on a video signal input from the image expansion circuit 12 or a video signal input from the video input terminal IN. Typically, the input video signal is 220 × 279
A predetermined bit of analog video signal (analog RGB)
), And output to the LCD 34.

The LCD 34 is composed of a color liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel (not shown). The LCD 34 in this embodiment has a small flat fluorescent tube (not shown) as its backlight (backlighting). Z) is used.

The camera unit 6 includes a lens 35 and a CCD 36
It is composed of

The lens 35 is an optical lens made of glass or plastic provided on the apparatus main body 2 of the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1, and the CCD 36 generates an electric signal based on the intensity of light formed by the lens 35. The electric signal (analog signal) is output to the image compression circuit 11.

The modulating circuit 7 comprises a buffer memory 37 and a data modulating section 38, as shown in FIG.

The buffer memory 37 includes a data modulation section 38
This temporarily stores and holds the compressed image data to be modulated.

The data modulating section 38 includes a buffer memory 37
The digital signal held in the communication line (in this case,
A "modulator (modulato) that converts and transmits a transmission signal (analog signal) that can be transmitted over an analog telephone general subscriber line)
r)), and the data modulation unit 38 in the present embodiment captures image data by voice using an analog telephone general subscriber line, so that the data transmission rate is 1200 bps. Is set.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the speaker section 8 is bored inside the sound insulating wall 8a by pressing the sound insulating wall 8a erected on the apparatus main body 2 against the mouthpiece of the receiver 101 of the telephone. Speaker hole 8b (see FIG. 3)
The audio data is output to the mouthpiece via the communication port, and the television audio received by the tuner 31 is output. The sound insulation wall 8a is made of, for example, a flexible member such as synthetic rubber.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the microphone unit 9 presses the sound insulating wall 9a provided on the attachment 2a against the earpiece of the telephone receiver 101 of the telephone so that the microphone is formed inside the sound insulating wall 9a. Hole 9b (FIG. 3)
) Is inputted from the earpiece. The sound insulation wall 9a is made of, for example, a flexible member such as synthetic rubber.

The demodulation circuit 10 comprises a data demodulation section 39 and a buffer memory 40, as shown in FIG.

The data demodulation unit 39 converts an analog audio signal transmitted through a communication line (in this case, an analog telephone general subscriber line) and input from the microphone unit 9 into a digital signal decodable by the control circuit 13. Return demodulator (demo
dulator)), and the data demodulation unit 39 in the present embodiment captures image data by an audio signal using an analog telephone general subscriber line. Therefore, the data transmission speed is 1200 bps. Is set to

The buffer memory 40 includes a data demodulating unit 39
The compressed image data demodulated by the above is temporarily stored and held.

The image compression circuit 11 has an ADC (Analog to Analog).
A digital converter (A / D converter) 41, a video memory (VRAM) 42, a data compression unit 43, and a buffer memory 44 are provided.

The ADC 41 converts an image signal (analog signal) input from the camera unit 6 into a signal (digital signal) that can be processed in the image compression circuit 11 and outputs the signal to the video memory 42.

The video memory 42 is a VRAM (Video R)
AM) and is a semiconductor image memory for storing image data (digital data) output from the ADC 41.

The data compression unit 43 converts the image data stored in the video memory 42 into a predetermined encoding method, that is,
For example, JPEG (Joint Photographic (Coding) Expert) according to the type of image to be handled (in this case, a still image)
s Group), performs compression (encoding) processing based on DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), quantization, and Huffman coding for each 8 × 8 pixel block, and buffers the compressed image data. The data is output to and stored in the memory 44. In this case, 110 × 160 pixels and a maximum of 409
Image data to be sent as color video signals of six colors (12 bits) is composed of a luminance signal (hereinafter, referred to as Y signal) corresponding to 220 × 279 pixels and a color signal (hereinafter, referred to as C signal) corresponding to 4096 colors. It has a function of processing as a YC signal, and the above-described 220 × 279 pixel 12-bit digital image data is converted into 110 × 160 pixel 12-bit image data. The data compression ratio of the compressed image data to be transmitted is about 7/100 (about 68/1000) from the relationship with the image quality after compression and decompression.
It has become.

The buffer memory 44 includes a data compression unit 43
And temporarily stores the compressed image data that has been data-compressed, and the image data stored in a compressed state in the buffer memory 44 is output to the modulation circuit 7 based on a control command from the CPU 49. .

The image expansion circuit 12 includes a buffer memory 4
5, data decompression unit 46, video memory (VRAM) 4
7. It comprises a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter: D / A converter) 48.

The buffer memory 45 temporarily stores and holds the compressed image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit 10. The image data stored in the buffer memory 45 in a compressed state is controlled by a control command from the CPU 49. Is output to the data decompression unit 46 based on

The data decompression unit 46 includes a buffer memory 45
For example, JPEG (Joint Photographic (Coding)) according to a predetermined encoding method for the compressed image data stored in the image data, that is, a type of an image to be handled (in this case, a still image).
Experts Group) performs an expansion (decoding) process based on DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), quantization, and Huffman coding for each 8 × 8 pixel block, and outputs the expanded image data to a video. The data is output to and stored in the memory 47. In this case, 110 × 160 pixels and a maximum of 40
Image data sent as a 96-color (12-bit) color video signal is converted from a luminance signal (hereinafter, referred to as Y signal) equivalent to 220 × 279 pixels and a color signal (hereinafter, referred to as C signal) equivalent to 4096 colors. Has a function of processing as a YC signal.
The 2-bit data is converted into digital image data of 12 bits at 220 × 279 pixels. The data compression ratio of the transmitted compressed image data is about 7/100 (about 68/10) from the relation with the image quality after compression / decompression.
00).

The video memory 47 is a VRAM (Video R)
AM), and is a semiconductor image memory for storing image data (digital data) expanded by the data expansion unit 46.

The DAC 48 converts an image signal (digital signal) of image data stored in the video memory 47 into a signal (analog signal) that can be displayed by the display unit 5 and outputs the signal. In this embodiment, since an analog data driver is used as the data driver of the LCD 34 to perform multi-gradation display, the DAC (D / D
A converter) is required.
When a digital data driver is used as the data driver, the DAC 48 becomes unnecessary.

The control circuit 13 has a CPU (Central Processes).
sing Unit) 49, RAM (Random Access Memory) 5
0, ROM (Read Only Memory) 51.

The CPU 49 outputs various control signals for controlling each unit in the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 to each circuit via the bus B. The CPU 49 operates as a destination image transmitting / receiving apparatus (for example, a television). A receiver for receiving image data transmitted from a telephone device or the like, demodulating the image data by the demodulation circuit 10, and outputting the demodulated compressed image data from the bus B to the data decompression unit 46 via the buffer memory 45. It is.

The RAM 50 is a semiconductor memory for storing program data used in the program processing executed by the CPU 49, compressed image data, audio data, and the like.

The ROM 51 is a semiconductor memory for storing programs, data, and the like used in the image transmitting / receiving device 1.

The key operation section 14 is composed of various operation key switches such as the above-mentioned video on / off switch 26, video changeover switch 27, image capture switch 28, etc. Is performed by the CPU 49.

The bus B is a common signal path for connecting the modulation circuit 7, the demodulation circuit 10, the image compression circuit 11, the image expansion circuit 12, the control circuit 13, and the key operation unit 14, respectively.
It is composed of an address bus for designating addresses and a data bus for transferring data.

The image data handled in this embodiment is color image data of one screen of 11096 pixels and 4096 colors (12 bits), and the image data amount of one screen is 11
0 × 279 × 12 = 21,200 bits (about 25.8 kilobytes). This is approximately 68 /
The data is collectively compressed to 1000 to form image data of 14400 bits.
200 bits are transmitted, that is, 12 seconds (= 144
00 ÷ 1200), an intermittent still image is transmitted at a rate of one frame.

Therefore, the data actually transmitted in one second is image data of 17,600 bits (about 2.15 kilobytes) obtained by dividing 211,200 bits by 12, and the image data of 17,600 bits is about 68
The video code is compressed to / 1000 and includes image data of 1200 bits.

In general, a liquid crystal display device is extremely thin, easy to reduce in size and weight, and is easily compared with an image display means such as a CRT.
Compared to a simple matrix type LCD, a high-quality, multi-gradation color display is required because it can control finer halftones, secure a high contrast ratio, and have a fast response speed compared to a simple matrix type LCD. It is an effective device in the field, and in particular, an active matrix type LCD using a TFT as a three-terminal element can obtain high image quality comparable to a CRT.

In the present embodiment, a flat fluorescent tube (not shown) is used as a backlight in order to further utilize the excellent advantages of the liquid crystal display device, thereby achieving further miniaturization.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operation of the control circuit 13 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The CPU 49 in the control circuit 13
The program corresponding to the processing operation of
3 is stored in the ROM 51.

The image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 in this embodiment
Receives a television broadcast by the television tuner unit 4,
Each of the operation modes, that is, a mode in which the received broadcast is displayed on the display unit 5, that is, a mode that operates as a television, and a mode that operates as an image data transmitting and receiving apparatus by transmitting and receiving predetermined image data from an analog telephone general subscriber line Have.

When operating as a television, the power switch 21 is turned on, and the tuning button 23 is operated to tune to a radio wave from a desired television broadcasting station. The earphone volume is adjusted by the volume dial 24, and an optimal volume is set.

When the user wants to hear only the sound when receiving the television broadcast, the display 5 is turned off by pressing the video on / off switch 26.

When operating as an image data transmitting / receiving apparatus, first, the operation mode is changed by depressing the video changeover switch 27, and as shown in FIG. By pressing the sound insulating wall 8a formed on the back side of the main body 2 and the sound insulating wall 9a formed on the back side of the attachment 2a against the earpiece of the receiver 101 of the telephone during a call, the sound from the speaker unit 8 is pressed. A data output standby state and an audio data input standby state by the microphone unit 9 are set.

The transmission process and the reception process of the image data will be described separately below.

(Transmission Processing) In the audio data output standby state, the image data captured from the camera unit 6
The image data stored in the video memory 42 via 41 is compressed by the data compression unit 43 and stored in the buffer memory 44.

The compressed image data stored in the buffer memory 30 is output to the bus B based on a command from the CPU 49, and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 37 in the modulation circuit 7 via the bus B.

Next, the data modulating section 38 sequentially reads out the written compressed image data from the buffer memory 37, modulates the read compressed image data, and converts the modulated compressed image data as audio data from the speaker section 8. It is output and transmitted to a communication partner via a communication line (in this case, an analog general subscriber line).

On the other hand, the image data (digital data) written in the video memory 42 is also written in the video memory 47.

The image data stored in the video memory 47 is D / A converted by the DAC 48 and
3 and the DD 33 displays the image data on the LCD 34.

Here, when the video changeover switch 27 is pressed, a television broadcast reception screen is displayed as a video to be displayed on the LCD 34, and when pressed again, it is transmitted via an analog telephone general subscriber line. The display of the image data is performed. The above switching display is performed alternately each time the video switching switch 27 is pressed.

Further, when the user wants to record his / her own image (transmitted image) displayed on the LCD 34 during a call, the operator presses the image capture switch 28,
The image data stored in the buffer memory 44 is stored in the RAM 5
0 is stored.

In this case, as described in the transmission processing, the data amount of the compressed image data for one screen is about 2
Since the image data storage area of the RAM 50 is 256 Kbytes, the image data can be stored in about 10 Kbytes.
Can be stored for the screen.

In the case where the state of the communication line deteriorates during communication and the quality of the transmitted image deteriorates significantly, the CPU 49 automatically transmits the image data according to the judgment of the CPU 49 based on the transmitted image data. You may make it stop.

(Reception Processing) In a standby state for inputting audio data, when compressed image data modulated to audio data is transmitted from a communication partner via an analog telephone general subscriber line, the compressed image data is input from the microphone unit 9. The audio signal is demodulated by the data demodulation unit 39 and stored in the buffer memory 40.

The compressed image data stored in the buffer memory 40 is output to the bus B based on a command from the CPU 49, and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 45 in the image expansion circuit 12 via the bus B.

Next, the data decompression unit 46 sequentially reads out the written compressed image data from the buffer memory 45, decompresses the read compressed image data, and writes the decompressed image data to the video memory 47.

The image data (digital data) written in the video memory 47 is D / A converted by the DAC 48, output to the DD 33, and displayed on the LCD 34 by the DD 33.

Here, when the image changeover switch 27 is depressed, a television broadcast reception screen is displayed as an image to be displayed on the LCD 34. When the image changeover switch 27 is depressed again, the image is transmitted via an analog telephone general subscriber line. The incoming image data is displayed. The above switching display is performed alternately each time the video switching switch 27 is pressed.

Further, when it is desired to record a partner image (received image) displayed on the LCD 34 during a call, the image data stored in the buffer memory 45 is saved by pressing the image capture switch 28 by the operator. RA
It is stored in M50.

In this case, as described in the above-described transmission processing, the data amount of the compressed image data for one screen is about 2
Since the image data storage area of the RAM 50 is 256 Kbytes, the image data can be stored in about 10 Kbytes.
Can be stored for the screen.

If the condition of the communication line deteriorates during communication and the quality of the transmitted image deteriorates significantly, the CPU 49 automatically determines the image data based on the transmitted image data. The reception may be stopped.

That is, in the present embodiment, the data transmission speed (120) of the compressed image data transmitted through the communication line is used.
0 bps), image data (211200 bits) for one screen displayed on the LCD 34 is transmitted at a rate of one screen in 12 seconds, thereby transmitting high-quality images on an analog general subscriber line. Is done. That is, the screen size of the LCD 34 is 1.4 inches, and one screen is 110 × 160 pixels × 12 bits (4096 colors) = 2
Since it has 11,200-bit data, image data is transmitted at a rate of one frame per 12 seconds. However, as the number of pixels and the number of colors (number of gradations) of one screen increases and decreases due to the change in screen size, The time for transmitting image data for one screen is changed.

Specifically, for example, the mode for transmitting image data in 4096 colors is set to the normal mode, and the number of pixels (1
When the mode for displaying 65536 colors (16 bits) with 10 × 160 pixels) is the high image quality mode, and when transmitting image data in the high image quality mode, the image data amount for one screen is 110 × 160 × 16 = 281600 bits (approximately 34.4 kilobytes), and 1
The image data is 9200 bits, and the time obtained by dividing the 19200 bits by the number of bits that can be transmitted per second (1200 bits) (that is, 19200 ÷ 1200 = 16)
An intermittent still image is transmitted at a rate of one frame per second).

FIGS. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is an external view of an image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to another embodiment as viewed from the front.
FIG. 7 is an external view of an image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to another embodiment as viewed from the back.

The same parts as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the case where an analog telephone general subscriber line is used as a communication line will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 of this embodiment has the attachment 2a of the above-described embodiment.
Is omitted, the apparatus main body 2 and the power supply section 3 are directly mounted, and the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a voice input terminal Ain, and as shown in FIG. A telephone pickup microphone 61, which is a small microphone for transmission, is provided.

The telephone pickup microphone 61 is composed of a microphone main body 62 and a belt portion 63 having a planar engaging portion. As shown in FIG. By pressing the sound insulation wall 8a formed on the back side of the telephone set 2 and fixing the microphone body 62 of the telephone pickup microphone 61 to the earpiece of the receiver 101 of the telephone during a call by the belt portion 63, The audio data output standby state by the speaker unit 8 and the audio data input standby state by the microphone unit 9 are set.

The following operation is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

That is, in this embodiment, the speaker unit 8 and the microphone unit 9 can be securely fixed at the target position regardless of the distance between the mouthpiece and the earpiece of the telephone.
By eliminating the attachment 2a, the size can be further reduced as compared with the above-described embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment, image data can be transmitted and received via the communication line by the audio signal from the speaker unit 8 and the microphone unit 9.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, in order to record the transmitted image, another recording apparatus (for example, an audio cassette tape recorder or the like) is required for recording. However, in this embodiment, If it is desired to record an image during a call by installing the large-capacity RAM 50, the user can easily save a desired image by pressing the image capture switch 28. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a memory card 71 composed of a nonvolatile flash memory or the like may be used in place of the RAM 50. By storing the received image in the memory card 71, By exchanging 71, a plurality of images can be stored.

In this case, the memory card 71 storing a plurality of image data can be printed out by mounting the memory card 71 on a video printer 81 as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing an example of the video printer 81. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 82 denotes a slot for mounting the memory card 71, 83 denotes a power switch, and 84 denotes various operation switches.
8 bits for each of the three primary colors R, G, B, 256
This is a sublimation type thermal transfer color printer that outputs gradations (16,770,000 colors).

Further, the conventional apparatus is generally made on the premise of a stationary type, and once installed, it is impossible to move it to another place and use it. By improving the image quality of the liquid crystal display device, it is possible to reduce power consumption and to reduce the size and weight of the device by adopting a color TFT type liquid crystal display device instead of the conventional CRT as the display device. ing. In this case, a small flat fluorescent tube is used for the backlight used in the liquid crystal display device, thereby increasing the LC.
The D34 portion can be further reduced in thickness, and can be significantly reduced in size and weight.

A video cassette recorder (VCR), such as a composite video input / output terminal or an analog / digital RGB input / output terminal, is provided as a video input terminal to the ADC 32 for outputting an input signal from the tuner 31 to the buffer memory 45. It is also possible to connect to a video device including a laser disk player (LDP) or a computer. For example, a video image can be displayed on the display unit 5 by connecting a video cassette recorder or the like having a video output terminal. It is possible.

The compression method of image data is not limited to the JPEG algorithm in this embodiment, but may be, for example, a block coding method, a predictive coding method, an orthogonal transform coding method, or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the speaker 8 is formed on the device body 2 and the microphone 9 is formed on the attachment 2a. However, the microphone 9 is formed on the device body 2. Needless to say, the speaker unit 8 may be formed on the attachment 2a side.

[0113]

According to the present invention, according to the first aspect of the invention, the image data captured by the camera section is modulated into an audio signal by the modulation circuit, and output as audio data by the speaker section. Also, image data modulated into an audio signal is captured by a microphone unit, and the captured image data is demodulated by a demodulation circuit, and the demodulated image data is displayed on a display means. Data can be sent and received. Ma
In addition, a display unit and a camera unit
The speaker unit is integrally formed, and the main unit is
Microphone in the second housing detachably provided in the housing that constitutes
By forming the parts integrally, the whole device can be miniaturized.
Can be.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the camera unit controls
The captured image data is converted to an audio signal by the modulation circuit.
And output it as audio data by the speaker unit.
You. Also, the image data modulated to the audio signal is
And demodulate the captured image data
Circuit and demodulated image data
Is displayed on the display means, so that image data can be
Data can be sent and received. Furthermore, the device body
Display means, camera unit and microphone unit are
It is formed physically and attached to the housing that
The speaker unit is integrally formed with the detachable second housing.
By doing so, the entire device can be downsized.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the camera unit
The captured image data is converted to an audio signal by the modulation circuit.
And output it as audio data by the speaker unit.
You. Also, the image data modulated to the audio signal is
And demodulate the captured image data
Circuit and demodulated image data
Is displayed on the display means, so that image data can be
Data can be sent and received. Furthermore, the device body
Display means, camera unit and speaker unit
Is it integrally formed and the case that constitutes the main body of the device?
A small microphone for transmission connected by a signal line
Thus, the entire device can be reduced in size.

Further , according to the present invention, an apparatus
Display means, camera section, and speaker
Unit and the main body of the device
A small transmitting microphone connected from the housing by a signal line
By providing this, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1,
Further, the entire apparatus can be downsized.

Further , as in the invention described in claim 5,
An image that compresses image data captured by the camera
An image compression circuit and an image captured by the microphone unit
An image expansion circuit for expanding data, wherein the modulation circuit
Represents the compressed image data compressed by the image compression circuit.
By modulating it to audio signals, image data
Can use compressed image data that is compressed as
Therefore, in addition to the effects of the inventions according to claims 1 to 4,
Data transmission is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image transmitting / receiving device according to the embodiment as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the image transmission / reception device according to the embodiment as viewed from the back.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the image transmitting / receiving device in one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of an image transmitting and receiving apparatus according to another embodiment, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an image transmitting and receiving apparatus according to another embodiment, as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of an image transmitting / receiving device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of still another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an external view illustrating an example of a video printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image transmission / reception apparatus 2 Device main body 2a Attachment 2b Bellows part 3 Power supply part 4 TV tuner part 5 Liquid crystal display part 6 Camera part 7 Modulation circuit 8 Speaker part 8a Sound insulation wall 8b Speaker hole 9 Microphone part 9a Sound insulation wall 9b Microphone hole 10 Demodulation circuit 11 Image Compression circuit 12 Image expansion circuit 13 Control circuit 14 Key operation unit 21 Power switch 22 Power indicator 23 Tuning button 24 Volume dial 25 Earphone terminal 26 Image on / off switch 27 Image switch 28 Image capture switch 31 Tuner 32 ADC 33 DD 34 LCD 35 lens 36 CCD 37 buffer memory 38 data modulation section 39 data demodulation section 40 buffer memory 41 ADC 42 video memory 43 data compression section 44 buffer memory 45 buffer Buffer memory 46 data expansion unit 47 video memory 48 DAC 49 CPU 50 RAM 51 ROM 61 telephone pickup microphone 62 microphone body 63 belt unit 71 memory card 81 video printer 82 slot 83 power switch 84 various operation switches B bus IN video input terminal OUT video output Terminal Ain Audio input terminal

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-110988 (JP, A) JP-A-4-132482 (JP, A) JP-A-4-119060 (JP, A) JP-A-3-7487 (JP) JP-A-63-278448 (JP, A) JP-A-58-220552 (JP, A) JP-A-3-38960 (JP, U) JP-A-59-25862 (JP, U) JP-A 58-191757 (JP, U) Actual opening 58-191756 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 7/10 H04N 7/14-7/173 H04N 7 / 20-7/22

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera section for capturing a subject image as image data, a modulation circuit for modulating the image data captured by the camera section into a predetermined audio signal, and a predetermined image modulated by the modulation circuit into an audio signal. A speaker unit for outputting data as audio data, a microphone unit for capturing predetermined image data modulated into an audio signal as audio data, and a demodulation circuit for demodulating audio data input by the microphone unit to original image data. A display means for displaying image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit , comprising:
The camera unit and the speaker unit constitute the device main body.
And the microphone unit is integrally formed with the housing.
Second housing detachably provided on the housing constituting the main body
Image transmission / reception device formed integrally with
Place. 2. A method for capturing a subject image as image data.
A camera part and image data captured by the camera part
A modulation circuit for modulating a signal, and a predetermined image data modulated to an audio signal by the modulation circuit.
A speaker section for outputting the audio data as audio data, and predetermined image data modulated into the audio signal as audio data.
And a microphone section for capturing the audio data input by the microphone section.
And a display for displaying image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit.
Means for transmitting and receiving an image, comprising:
The camera unit and the microphone unit constitute the apparatus main body.
That is integrally formed with the housing, the speaker unit, the instrumentation
Second housing detachably provided on the housing constituting the main body
Image transmission / reception device formed integrally with
Place. 3. A method for capturing a subject image as image data.
A camera part and image data captured by the camera part
A modulation circuit for modulating a signal, and a predetermined image data modulated to an audio signal by the modulation circuit.
A speaker section for outputting the audio data as audio data, and predetermined image data modulated into the audio signal as audio data.
And a microphone section for capturing the audio data input by the microphone section.
And a display for displaying image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit.
Means for transmitting and receiving an image, comprising:
The camera unit and the speaker unit constitute the device main body.
The microphone unit is formed integrally with the housing
Transmissions connected by signal lines from the housing that makes up the main unit
An image transmitting and receiving apparatus characterized by being a small-sized microphone for use. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microphone unit comprises the apparatus main body.
A small microphone for transmission that is connected by a signal line from the housing
2. The image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image transmission / reception according to claim 1,
In the apparatus, the image data captured by the camera unit is compressed.
Image compression circuit for expanding the image data demodulated by the demodulation circuit
An image decompression circuit , wherein the modulation circuit is configured to compress the image compressed by the image compression circuit.
An image characterized by modulating compressed image data into an audio signal.
Image transmitting / receiving device.