JPH01320884A - Still picture transmission equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically erase an unnecessary pointer to improve the convenience for use by providing a control means which erases a pointer in case of transmission or reception of another still picture during display of the pointer. CONSTITUTION:Still picture information from a camera 4 is transmitted through an encoding and transmission means 6. Encoded information of the still picture from a communication line is decoded by a decoding means 7. The transmitted or received still picture is displayed on a still picture display means 8. Pointer information inputted by a pointer information input means 9 is synthesized with the still picture by a pointer display control means 10 and is displayed together with the still picture by a still picture display means 8. When another still picture is transmitted or received during display of the pointer, the pointer is erased by a control means 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a still image transmission device, and particularly to an improvement of a still image transmission device that encodes and transmits still images input from a camera via a communication line.

[Prior Art] Hereinafter, a conventional still image transmission device will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows a program configuration of a conventional still image transmission device.

As shown in the figure, the devices are connected via a communication line (1).

The device includes a communication means (2) and a keypad (3).
), a camera (4), a monitor image display means (5),
Encoding means (6), decoding means (7), still image display means (8), mouse (9), pointer display control means (10), and each of the above means (2) to (10) and a system control means (11) for controlling the system.

The keypad (3) also includes a monitor command input section (3) for inputting monitor adjustment commands such as reducing or enlarging the transmitted image.
'a), and an image transmission instruction manual unit (
3b) is provided.

Next, the operation of the still image transmission device will be explained.

Two still image transmission devices A and B are connected via a communication line (1).

First, transmission of a still image from device A to device B will be explained.

That is, on the device A side, the device is operated as described later, and a still image is sent to device B.

First, a monitor adjustment command (103a') is input to the apparatus A from the monitor command input means (3a) via the system control means (11).

Next, device A inputs a monitor control signal (111a) to the camera (4) and monitor image display means (5) via the system control means (11).

Then, the device A transmits an image signal (1) transmitted from the camera (4).
01), and the transmitted image signal (101) is reproduced and displayed on the monitor image display means (5).

Therefore, the user of device A can use the monitor image display means (
Before monitoring the image displayed in step 5), a monitor adjustment command (103a) can be inputted from the monitor command input means (3a) to obtain a desired transmitted image.

Then, the user of device A, after completing the monitor adjustment (i.e.,
Once the desired transmission image is obtained), an image transmission instruction (103b) is input from the image transmission instruction input means (3b).

The transmission instruction (
103b), the device A inputs the system control means (
11) sends an image transmission control signal (10) to the encoding means (6).
7b) is sent.

Then, upon receiving the image transmission control signal (107b), the encoding means (6) encodes the transmission image data (101) input from the camera (4) to generate encoded image data (106). and the image encoded data (1(
16) is sent to the system control means (11).

The encoded image data (106) is then sent to the communication line (1) via the system control means (11) and transmitted to device B.

Furthermore, in addition to transmitting the encoded image data (106), the device A displays the transmitted image on the still image display means (8).

Then, device B receives the encoded image data (106) from the communication line (1) via the system control means.

Then, the image encoded data (106) is input to the decoding means (7) and decoded, and then the decoded reproduction signal (
107) to the still image display means (8).

Therefore, since the same image information is displayed on the still image display means (8) of both devices A and B, each user can view the same image information even if the device 1AB is located at a distance from each other. It becomes possible to make a telephone call using the telephone communication means (2).

Here, the images displayed on the still image display means (8) of both devices AB are displayed until the next transmission or reception of encoded image data (104).

Further, in the conventional device, the still image display means (8
) The display and transmission/reception of a pointer that indicates a point of interest in an image displayed on a screen has been put into practical use.

For example, if the user wants to urge the other party to pay attention to point X currently displayed on the still image display means (8) as shown in FIG.
A pointer display command (109) is input into the device using the mouse (9).

The pointer display command (109) is input to the pointer display control means (10) and the system control means (11).

Then, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the pointer sending device displays the pointer (p) on its own static + Ix image display means (8) by combining the still image information and the pointer display. , sends pointer information to the partner device.

Further, when pointer information is received, the pointer display information is combined with the image information currently displayed on the still image display means (8) via the pointer display control section (10), and a pointer display is performed.

Then, the pointer remains displayed until a command to erase the pointer is manually given via the mouse (9) or until information about erasing the pointer is received from the partner device.

Therefore, by transmitting and receiving pointer information, it becomes possible to make more reliable telephone calls using still images.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional still image transmission device is configured as follows, the pointer displayed in combination with the still image on the still image display means is displayed at - degree. The pointer remains displayed unless a pointer erasure signal is inputted from the pointer information input means (the mouse (9) in the conventional example) or a pointer erasure signal is not received from the communication line.

Therefore, even if a new still image is displayed, there is a problem in that the pointer used for the previously displayed still image remains.

The present invention has been made with the aim of solving the above-mentioned problems, and provides an easy-to-use still image transmission device that can automatically erase unnecessary pointers when displaying a new still image. With the goal.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a still image transmission device according to the present invention that achieves two objects.

As shown in the figure, the still image transmission device includes a means for encoding and transmitting still image information (6) input from a camera (4).
), a decoding means (7) that receives and decodes encoded information of a still image from a communication line, and a still image display means (8) that displays the transmitted or received still image. pointer information input means (9) for inputting pointer information of a pointer indicating a position of particular interest in a still image;
), and pointer display control means (10) for performing a composite display of input or received pointer information and the still image in the still image display means (8), and transmitting and receiving the still image and the pointer during a call. In a still image transmission device that performs
) or reception (117), the control means (13) erases the pointer.

[Function] By configuring the still image transmission device according to the present invention as described above, when a new still image is transmitted or received, the pointer display control means controls whether to display a new still image or not. The displayed pointer is determined to be unnecessary information, and the pointer is automatically deleted.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the still image transmission device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, the present invention is applied to a still image transmission device in which a monitor image display means and a still image display means are shared by a single display means, and the control means (13) is replaced by a system control section (11).
) shows the block configuration of the shared device, and the same reference numerals as in the conventional example in FIG. 4 are given, and the explanation will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the device includes a transmission communication line (1
a) and a receiving communication line (1b) to other devices (not shown).

The device includes a keypad (3), a television camera (4), an encoding unit (6), a decoding unit (7), a display unit (8), a mouse (9), and a system control unit. Part (11)
, an image display control section (12), and a pointer display control section (
10).

A feature of this embodiment is the system control unit (11), and as shown in FIG. 3(A), when a new still image is transmitted or received, the pointer display control unit (10)
) outputs a pointer erase instruction to

As shown in FIG. 3(B), the pointer display control unit (10) constantly monitors the pointer display/erase command (111d) output from the system control unit (11), and issues the pointer display command. When input, the pointer display signal is output until the pointer deletion command is input, so that the device of this embodiment can automatically delete the pointer when a new still image is transmitted or received.

The system control unit (11) also includes a keypad (3).
), when a monitor command (103a) is input, a control signal (111a) is turned on and output.

Furthermore, the system control unit (11) is connected to the other device via the communication line (1b). ] Upon receiving the encoded image data (106), the decoding unit (7) manually outputs a decoding completion signal (107b) indicating completion of decoding of all the received encoded image data, and the control signal (111a) is Output off.

On the other hand, when the pointer display control section (10) receives a pointer deletion command from the system control section (11), it turns off the pointer display signal (110a).

The image display control unit (12) receives the control signal (111
a), the transmission image data (104) input from the camera (4), and the pointer display signal (110a) output from the pointer display control section (22) are read, and the three signals are The monitor display is performed only when the state is on, on, or off, and the control signal (11
1a) is off and the decoded reproduction signal (107) is on, a still image is displayed.

Furthermore, the image display control unit (12) is configured to display a pointer display signal (110a) on and pointer information (110b).
) is on, the pointer information is displayed in combination with the still image information.

Therefore, the image display control section (12) automatically deletes the pointer when a new still image is transmitted or received.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The transmitting device performs the following operations and then transmits still image information (encoded image data).

First, the user of the transmitting device inputs a monitor command (103a) through the monitor command input means (3a) of the keypad (3).

Then, the transmitting side device causes the image display control unit (21) to display the camera (4) based on the control signal (111a).
The transmission image data (104) read in is sent to the image display section (8), and the transmission image data (104) is displayed on the image display section (8).

Next, the user of the transmitting device monitors the screen of the image display unit (8) and displays the desired transmitted image data (104).
The monitor adjustment is performed using the monitor command manual means (3a) until the following is obtained.

When the user of the transmitting device obtains the desired transmission image data (104), the user manually issues a transmission instruction (103b) to the device using the transmission instruction input means (3b).

Then, when the transmitting side device inputs the transmission instruction (103b), the system control unit (11) sends a transmission start command (111b) to the encoding unit (6).

The encoding unit (6) receives the transmission start command (111b)
When inputting ? of the transmitted image data (104) captured from the camera (4)? 1 and outputs the image naturalization data (106) to the system control unit (11).

Then, the system control unit (11) sends the encoded image data (106) to the transmission communication line (1b).

On the other hand, the encoded image data (106) is decoded by the decoding section (7) of the transmitting device and displayed on the display section (8) as still image information.

The still image is transmitted by the transmitting device as shown below.

Next, the flow of the receiving side device will be explained.

First, the receiving side device receives the encoded image data (106) via the receiving communication line (1b).

At this time, the system control section (11) and image display control section (21) of the receiving side device perform the following control.

That is, when the system control unit (11) of the receiving side device receives the encoded image data (106) and the control signal (111a) is in the OFF state,
7), a decoding command (111c) indicating sequential decoding of the encoded image data (106) is output.

Therefore, the image display control section (21) receives the control signal (111
The off signal of a) and the decoded signal (107) are input, and the decoded signal (107) is output to the image display section (8) to display the received image.

Further, when the control signal (111a) is in an off state when receiving the image encoded data (106), the entire image encoded data (106) of the image encoded data (106) is sent to the decoding unit (7). After receiving, a decoding command (111c) is output to instruct the start of decoding.

Then, the decoding unit (7) stores all the received encoded image data (106) in the buffer memory unit (7a),
The entire image encoded data (106) is decoded and the decoded signal (107) is stored in the frame memory (7c).

Furthermore, upon completion of decoding, the decoding section (7) outputs a decoding completion signal (107b) to the system control section (11). Then, when the system control unit (11) receives the decoding completion signal (107b), the system control unit (11) receives the control signal (111).
A) OFF output is performed.

Therefore, when the image display control unit (21) receives a decoded reproduction signal (107) of the received encoded image data (106) when performing monitor adjustment (that is, when the control signal (111a) is in the on state) The frame memory section (7c
), and after completion of decoding all received encoded image data (106), transmit image data (104) is sent to the image display section (8).

Then, after the decoding is completed (that is, the decoding completion signal (1
07b) is input to the system control unit (11) and the control signal (111a) is turned off), the decoded reproduction signal (107) is read out from the frame memory unit (7c) and the image display unit (8) Send to.

The still image is displayed on the receiving device as shown below.

Next, transmission and reception of pointer information will be explained.

First, the transmission of pointer information will be explained.

The pointer information input means (9) outputs an ON signal for a pointer display command (109a) and a pointer operation command (109a).
9b) is input to the system control unit (11).

Then, the pointer information input means (9) inputs the pointer coordinate information (109c) read by the pointer information input means (9) to the pointer display control section (10).

When the system control unit (11) manually issues a pointer display command (109a), the system control unit (11) transmits an ON signal of the pointer display command signal (111d) to the pointer display control unit (10).
Output to.

The pointer display control unit (10) generates a pointer display signal based on the ON signal of the pointer display signal (110a) and the pointer coordinate information (109c) read at a predetermined period from the pointer information input means (9). The pointer image information (110b)=16- is output to the image display section control section (12).

Next, the image display control unit (12) outputs the decoded signal (107
) with the pointer image information (110b) and output to the image display section (8).

On the other hand, the pointer display control section (10) outputs a pointer information transmission request signal (110C) and the pointer coordinate information (110d) to the system control section (11). pointer information is sent.

Therefore, on the pointer information transmitting side, the image display section (8)
You can send pointers while monitoring.

Next, the operation of the pointer information receiving side device will be explained.

The pointer information receiving side device is a system control unit (11)
When the pointer information is received via the pointer information, it outputs a pointer information reception request signal (111e) and the received pointer coordinate information (110d) to the pointer display control section (10).

Then, the pointer display control unit (10) of the pointer information receiving side device generates pointer image information (110b) generated based on the on signal of the pointer display signal (11Oa) and the received pointer coordinate information (110d). is output to the image display control section (12).

Then, when the pointer display control section (10) manually inputs the ON signal of the pointer display signal (110a), the image display control section (12) automatically outputs the decoded signal (107).
and pointer image information (110b) are combined and displayed.

Next, automatic deletion of the pointer when updating a still image, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained.

First, it is assumed that the next still image is transmitted from the device A side after the monitor adjustment as described above.

That is, from the keypad (3) of device A, the transmission instruction (
103b) is input to the system control unit (11),
The system control unit (11) determines that a new still image has been transmitted, and outputs a pointer display command signal (111d) to the pointer display control unit (10) of device A by turning off the pointer display command signal (111d).

Then, the pointer display control section (10) of device A outputs the pointer display signal (110a) to the image display control section (12).

Therefore, the image display control section (12) only displays the transmitted still image.

Also, on the device B side, ? via the communication line (1b). 1
When the naturalization data is received, the system control unit (11
) sends a pointer display command signal (111) to the pointer display control unit (10) on the assumption that a new still image has been received.
d) is turned off and output.

Then, the pointer display control unit (10) of device B outputs the pointer display signal (110a) to the image display control unit (12).

Therefore, the image display control section (12) only displays the received still image.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when a new still image is transmitted or received while the pointer is being displayed, pointer information is automatically deleted. Further, although this embodiment shows an example in which a single display is used as the monitor display means and the still image display means, the same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a separately installed device.

"Effects of the Invention" - As explained, according to the present invention, when a new still image is transmitted or received while pointer information is being displayed, the currently displayed pointer information is replaced with unnecessary information. Since the configuration is configured so that the still image is automatically erased, it is possible to obtain a still image transmission device that is easy to use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a still image transmission device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a still image transmission device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of pointer deletion in the device of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of a conventional still image transmission device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of pointer information. In the figure, (9) is a pointer information input means (mouse)
, (10) is a pointer display control section, (11) is a system control section, and (12) is an image display control section. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts. Agent: Masuo Oiwa, patent attorney (two others) Pointer display Was the command entered? System control unit pointer deletion control Figure 3 (A) Flow of pointer display Figure 3 (B) Pointer L 5 Explanatory drawing procedure amendment (voluntary) 5g ``'; + 'rq 4s Number of Commissioners of the Patent Office 1q
1. Indication of the case: Japanese Patent Application No. 155/1983 2. Title of the invention: Still image transmission device 3. Person making the amendment: 5. Detailed description of the invention in the specification to be amended. 6. Contents of correction

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for encoding and transmitting still image information input from a camera; a decoding means for receiving and decoding encoded still image information from a communication line; and a means for encoding and transmitting still image information input from a camera; still image display means for displaying; pointer information input means for inputting pointer information of a pointer indicating a position of particular interest in the displayed still image; and pointer information input or received by the still image display means. A pointer display control unit that performs composite display with the still image, and a still image transmission device that transmits and receives a still image and a pointer during a call, wherein a new still image is not transmitted or received while the pointer is being displayed. 1. A still image transmission device comprising: control means for erasing a pointer when a pointer is detected.