JP3489166B2 - Videophone equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone, and more particularly to a technique for automatically transferring a desired message to a desired party by using an automatic dial function. 2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 1 (1999) discloses an ordinary telephone (voice-only telephone) having an automatic message function for automatically dialing the telephone number of a partner and transmitting a message (voice message) to the partner. 251847, JP-A-2-95078
And Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-55792.
For example, in the automatic message device of Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-55792, a voice as a message is recorded on an audio cassette,
Accessing a subscriber database memory storing a large number of subscriber telephone numbers and the like, sequentially selecting subscribers (transfer destinations) that meet preset conditions, automatically dialing, and providing audio to a respondent. The sound from the cassette device is automatically reproduced and transmitted as a message. [0003] However, in the prior art, the message that can be conveyed to the other party is only by voice, and visual information that cannot be expressed by voice cannot be conveyed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a videophone device capable of automatically transferring an information message containing not only auditory information but also visual information to a partner. [0004] The present invention provides a telecommunications system.
A moving picture recording means for recording a moving picture in a biphone device;
Still image recording means for recording multiple still images, and audio recording
Register the voice recording means to
Destination registration means to record and time to record transmission time
Registration means, message creation means, automatic transmission means,
And the message creation means is provided by a keyboard.
Based on the operation of the user, a message is sent from the destination registration means.
Set the destination to send the message to, and
Set the time to send the message from the
While displaying multiple still images from the recording means,
Set multiple still images to be selected and sent from the
Voice is recorded by voice recording means, and
Video, and combine the video with multiple still images and audio.
Create a combined message, said video
And multiple still images are started at the time table information
Time, switching time and end time are set, and the automatic transmission means
Is the message created by the message creating means.
To the set destination at the set time.
Providing a video phone device that automatically sends
Is what you do. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the videophone device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the overall configuration. CPU 12, clock unit 14, program ROM 1 on system bus 10
6, interface unit 18, RAM 20, disk controller 22, IC card I / O 26, image processing unit 3
0, the audio processing unit 38, and the wireless unit 40 are connected. The interface unit 18 is an interface between the videophone device and a telephone line 44 (for example, an ISDN line). Image information and audio information are transmitted and received via the interface unit 18 while the videophone line is connected. Typically, the immediate image (own image) captured by the camera unit 32 is output to the telephone line 52 as transmission image data from the interface unit 18 via the image processing unit 30 and the multiplexing unit 48. The voice input from the handset 44 is transmitted to the radio unit 4.
After passing through the audio processing unit 38 via 2 and 40, the multiplexing unit 4
The data is multiplexed with the image at 8 and output from the interface unit 18 to the telephone line 52 as transmission audio data. on the other hand,
Image data received from the telephone line 52 is separated through the multiplexing unit 50, decoded by the image processing unit 30, and typically displayed on the display unit 34. The voice data received from the telephone line 52 is transmitted from the interface unit 18 to the multiplexing unit 5.
0, is decoded by the audio processing unit 38, and is typically reproduced from the speaker of the handset 44 via the wireless units 42 and 40. In FIG. 1, a handset 44 is a so-called cordless telephone. In addition to a transmitter and a receiver, a keyboard (disposed in a hidden and invisible plane in FIG. 1) and a radio unit connected to these elements are provided. 42, this radio unit 4
2 having a built-in antenna connected to the antenna. The transmission and reception of signals between the cordless telephone 44 and the main body are performed wirelessly between the built-in antenna of the cordless telephone 44 and the antenna 41 of the main body. A disk controller 22 connected to the outside of the main body (FIG. 1) of the videophone device is a hard disk 2
4 is a hard disk driver that drives the H.4. The hard disk 24 is used as a storage medium for various databases and reception data and fixed transmission data (under the auto messenger mode). The disk controller 22 is connected to the image processing unit 30 and the audio processing unit 38,
Image data and audio data can be read from and written to the hard disk 24. IC card I / O26
Controls input / output of data to / from the IC card 28. The IC card 28 can store image data and audio data. According to this embodiment, the clock section 14 functions as a clock means for clocking the current time. For automatic message transfer, the time information is read from the clock unit 14 and used for detecting the transfer time. According to this embodiment, the present videophone device has an automatic messenger function for automatically transferring a transfer message composed of an image and a sound to a desired transfer destination.
This videophone device creates a desired transfer message consisting of an image and a sound under the instruction of the user. The image is composed of an image sequence in which a camera image (moving image) from the camera unit 32 and a plurality of still images recorded in advance are combined. The videophone device stores the created transfer message in the hard disk 24. When the transfer time arrives, the video telephone automatically dials the telephone number of the transfer partner. Then, an image + voice transfer message is read from the hard disk 24 to the other party who has responded (off-hook), and transfer processing is executed via the line. Hereinafter, an automatic transfer function of image and voice messages of the videophone device will be described in detail. <Preparation of Transfer Message> As described above, the present videophone device prepares a transfer message of image + voice under the instruction of the user. Several embodiments are possible for this, one example of which is shown in FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the transfer message creation mode, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram thereof. First, in 3-1 the user sets and inputs a transfer partner and a transfer time t0 (FIG. 4) from the keyboard 46. Next, in 3-2, the user operates the keyboard 46.
According to the operation, a plurality of still images recorded in advance are arranged (order and each time t1 to t4 are set). Then keyboard 4
When a command for creating a transfer message is input by the operation of (6) (3-3), the CPU 12 starts a timer (3-4), starts recording voice (3-5), and A moving image is recorded (3-6). Hereinafter, 3-2
The screen is turned over on the display unit 34 in a timely manner in accordance with the time arrangement of the still images set in the above, and while watching this, the voice is input from the user and recorded. During this time, the user can change the arrangement of the screens as needed by the screen changing operation. That is, when a screen change operation is performed from the keyboard 46 (3-7), the CPU 12 records the operated screen number and the change time indicated by the timer output (3-7).
8) After the end operation from the keyboard 3-9 (3-9),
The CPU 12 records the moving image from the camera unit 32 for a predetermined time (3-10), and completes the transfer message creation processing. As a method of creating a transfer message, the time setting operation of each screen in 3-2 described above is omitted, a plurality of previously recorded still images are prepared, and the still images are prepared in response to the user's switching operation. May be turned on the screen one by one, and the sound input in accordance with the turn may be recorded.
Alternatively, the audio may be recorded first, and the still image to be transferred may be allocated while reproducing the audio. The CPU 12 records a transfer message as a creation result on the hard disk 24. FIG. 5 illustrates a transfer message memory 240 located on the hard disk 24. The illustrated transfer message memory 240 includes a transfer partner / time information memory 241, a time table 242, and a voice recording memory 24.
3, moving image 1 (first moving image of the image sequence as shown in FIG. 4) recording memory 244, moving image 2 (last moving image of the image sequence as shown in FIG. 4) recording memory 245, and still image (still image of FIG. 4) (Image No. 1 to No. 3) Recording memory 246 is included. As shown in FIG. 6, the time table 242 stores each event time in the image sequence, that is, in FIG. 4, the start time t0 of the moving image 1 and the sound, and the switching time t1 to each of the still images No1 to No3. To t3, the start time t4 of the moving image 2, and the end time tE. Actually, the times t0 to tE are stored in the form of a relative time (time difference) from the transfer time indicated by the time information in the memory 241 (more precisely, detection of the off-hook auto of the other party). <Automatic Transfer of Image and Voice Message> According to the present invention, the purpose of the present invention is to transfer an image plus voice message.
Several embodiments are possible depending on the application. Here, the description will be made according to whether the transfer partner is singular or plural, and whether the transfer message is singular (common) or plural (different). FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an automatic transfer mode for sending a transfer message to one transfer partner. In this automatic transfer mode, the transfer message memory 240 as described in FIG. 5 can be used. At 7-1, the CPU 12 sets the time information memory 24
The transfer time data of No. 1 is compared with the current time output of the clock unit 14, and if a match (arrival of the transfer time) is detected, the process proceeds to 7-2. Here, the CPU 12 uses the telephone number of the transfer partner stored in the time partner memory 241 to automatically dial the transfer partner. Next, if the line is connected (response by off-hook of the other party) at the response detection step 7-3, the other party is identified as a videophone or a normal (voice only) phone at 7-4. Proceeding to -5, the image and voice messages are read from the transfer message memory 240 and transferred to the other party. If the other party is an ordinary telephone, the process proceeds to step 7-6 to transfer a voice-only message. (Image +
The voice message recorded in the area 243 of the voice message memory 240 usually has a content that presupposes that an image is to be transmitted to the other party. Therefore, it is preferable to use a separately created voice message to be transmitted in 7-6. Good. As described above, by changing the form of the transfer message depending on whether the telephone of the transfer partner is a videophone or a normal telephone, a desired message can be transmitted to the partner. After the transfer of the transfer message is completed, the CPU 12
A confirmation message (for example, if you hear this message, you will be asked to confirm whether the other party has actually answered the phone and received the message, or whether the other party is away and your phone is in answering machine. 1) (Please press.) (7-7). If there is a confirmation operation from the other party (7-8), a message transfer completion flag is set in the communication report memory (communication result column in the transfer message memory 340 in FIG. 9) (7-9). Assuming that the message is a telephone call, a message transfer completion flag to the answering machine is written in the communication report memory (7-10). If it is determined in step 7-3 that the line is not connected due to the absence of the partner or the busy state, the process proceeds to step 7-11, and the number of times of auto dialing to the partner is tested. If the automatic dialing has not reached the predetermined number, the transfer time is updated after a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (7-1).
2). As a result, the videophone device automatically dials the other party after a predetermined time, and if the line is connected there, the above-described message transfer is performed. If the automatic dialing to the opponent has reached the predetermined number (7-11),
The transfer incomplete flag is written into the communication report memory assuming that the other party is absent (7-13). As described above, when there is no response from the other party to the auto-dialing due to the absence, the busy state, or the like, the transfer time is updated after a predetermined time, so that a reliable message transfer can be achieved. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an automatic transfer mode for transferring a plurality of different image + voice transfer messages to a plurality of persons. In this automatic transfer mode, a transfer message (database) memory 340 as shown in FIG. 9 can be used. The transfer message database 340 of FIG.
Is an example in which transfer destinations are grouped and different transfer messages are provided independently for each group. In the case of FIG. 9, the group to which the transfer partner belongs is indicated by the transfer message No. (for example, # 10) entered in the transfer message column. Therefore, at the time of transfer, the videophone device accesses the corresponding transfer message data from the transfer message No. and transfers it to the other party. Such a transfer message database is suitable for applications such as guidance of goods and services. Step 8-1 in the flowchart of FIG.
In step 8-2, the CPU 12 accesses the transfer message database as illustrated in FIG. 9, and transfers the transfer time corresponding to the current time from the clock unit 14 to the transfer partner record 340R (as shown in FIG. Phone number, message number, time, communication result). When the transfer time arrives, the process proceeds to 8-3, and the telephone number of the other party written in the transfer partner record 340R is automatically dialed. The presence / absence of the other party's response (off-hook) to this auto-dial is tested in 8-4, and if there is a response (line connection), the process proceeds to 8-5 to identify whether the other party's telephone is a videophone or a normal telephone. The message data of (image + voice) as shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the transfer message number written in the transfer partner record 340R is read out to the other party of the videophone call and transferred to the other party (8-6). The message data of only the voice corresponding to the transfer message No. (the group to which the transfer partner belongs) written in the transfer partner record 340R is read and transferred to the ordinary telephone partner (8-7). After the message transfer, the confirmation is inquired. If there is a confirmation operation from the other party (8-8), a message transfer completion flag is written in the communication result column of the transfer partner record 340R (8-9). The message transfer completion flag to the answering machine is written in the result column (8-10). If there is no response from the other party to the auto dialing (8-4), the processing is performed in the same manner as in FIG.
That is, 8-11 to 8 corresponding to 7-11 to 7-13 in FIG.
At -13, the transfer time is updated, and the absence process (write of the transfer incomplete flag) is performed in the case of no response to the predetermined number of auto-dialings. When there are a plurality of transfer partners, the same message body is used in common, and a message portion unique to the transfer partner such as a greeting to the transfer partner is provided with the information for each partner, so that the storage capacity of the transfer message memory can be saved. An example of such a transfer message memory is shown in FIG. The transfer message memory 440 stores a plurality of beginning, end, and body message parts. One transfer message is composed of a head message, a body message, and a tail message. The opening and ending messages contain a greeting to the forwarding party. The main body (main) message represents a task (for example, guidance of a specific product) expressed by an image and a sound. Therefore,
In the transfer message memory 440 of FIG. 10, a beginning message and an end message are prepared for each party, and a body message is prepared for each message. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a message transfer using such a transfer message memory 440. First, at 11-1, the CPU 12 reads the message at the beginning (unique) corresponding to the transfer partner from the transfer message memory 440 and transfers it. Next, in step 11-2, a text message (a message portion common to a plurality of transfer destinations) representing a message composed of images and sounds is read and transferred. Finally, at step 11-3, the message at the end part unique to the transfer partner is read and transferred. In this way, the storage capacity of the transfer message memory can be saved by configuring the image + voice transfer message with a portion unique to each transfer partner and a portion common to a plurality of transfer partners. The description of the embodiment is finished above, but various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. As described in detail above, according to the video telephone of the present invention, a real message including not only voice but also image at the transfer time can be automatically transferred to a desired transfer destination. Therefore, even a message that is difficult to convey with a conventional message device can be conveyed by auditory and visual expression information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external view of a videophone device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a videophone device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a transfer message creation mode. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of creating an image and audio transfer message. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a transfer message memory. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a time table. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an automatic transfer mode. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an automatic transfer mode for transferring different transfer messages for each transfer partner. FIG. 9 is a view showing a transfer message database in which transfer partners are grouped. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the transfer message memory. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of message transfer using the transfer message memory of FIG. 10; [Description of Signs] 12 CPU 14 Clock section 16 Program ROM 24 Hard disk (transfer message storage medium) 240, 340, 440 Transfer message memory

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-192657 (JP, A) JP-A-57-65951 (JP, A) JP-A-63-133747 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 305256 (JP, A) JP-A-4-286263 (JP, A) JP-A-62-179288 (JP, A) JP-A-5-300146 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N ^7/ 14-7/173

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] In a videophone device, a moving image recording means for recording a moving image and a plurality of still images are recorded.
A still image recording unit, an audio recording unit for recording audio,
Destination registration means for registering destinations to send messages
Time registration means for recording the transmission time, and a message
Message creation means , and automatic transmission means , wherein the message creation means comprises
A message is sent from the destination registration means based on the operation.
Set the destination to send to, and use the time registration
Set the time to send the message, and
Multiple selections while displaying multiple still images
Select multiple still images to send and
Sound is recorded by the step, and the moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means.
Record and combine video, multiple still images and audio
The video and the
Start time and switching of still images according to timetable information
A time and an end time are set, and the automatic sending means is operated by the message creating means.
The created message is sent to the set destination.
Automatically sent at the set time.
B telephone device.