JPH03291043A - Television telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow an idle time of a person not making communication to be utilized effectively by detecting a fault when a data capacity of a coded output is larger than a preset data capacity and sending it to a prescribed terminal equipment when the fault is consecutive for a prescribed number of times or over within a prescribed time. CONSTITUTION:A picture signal inputted from a camera 1 is coded by a coding section 2 and smoothed by a buffer memory 3 at a prescribed transmission speed and the result is sent. The capacity of the buffer is fed back to the coding section 2 and controlled so that the buffer causes no overflow nor underflow. When no moving object exists in a pattern, the capacity of the buffer shows a low capacity. When any change takes place in an object, information is generated and the capacity of the buffer is increased. A fault detection circuit 5 compares the capacity of the buffer with a setting value to detect the occurrence of the fault. When the fault takes place for a prescribed number of times or over within a prescribed time, an automatic dialing section 6 is activated and informs the fault to a specific terminal equipment.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a videophone device that transmits and receives moving images.

(Conventional technology) In recent years, video telephones have been put into practical use due to the development of digital communication networks and communication technology. Conventionally, this type of video telephone equipment has been able to transmit a large amount of information by utilizing the redundancy of video images. Compression is being performed.

For example, spatial redundancy can be calculated using discrete cosine transform (D CT
) or temporal redundancy is removed using motion compensated interframe coding.

Such videophone devices are widely used for face-to-face conversations, meetings, and the like.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional videophone device described above,
While it is used for conversations with people who are far away, there is a problem in that it is uneconomical because it hardly takes up any other time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a video telephone device that can effectively utilize blank time when no communication is being performed.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an imaging camera, an encoding unit that encodes a moving image signal input from the camera, and the encoding unit. In a video telephone device equipped with a buffer memory for matching the data leakage amount of the encoded output outputted by the section with the line speed, in the abnormality detection mode, the data amount of the encoded output is less than the preset data amount. It is equipped with a means for detecting an abnormality when the abnormality is large, and an automatic transmission means for transmitting to a predetermined terminal when the above abnormality continues for a predetermined number of times or more in a fixed time, or means for cumulatively adding the image difference between a frame and a previous frame for a predetermined period of time; means for detecting an abnormality when the cumulative addition value is larger than a set value in an abnormality detection mode; and means for detecting an abnormality when the cumulative addition value is larger than a set value; It is equipped with an automatic transmission means that sometimes sends a message to a specific terminal. The apparatus further includes means for detecting an abnormality around the camera, means for storing image information of the detected abnormality for a predetermined period of time, and means for transmitting the stored image information. In addition, in the image reception state, there is a means for receiving a PIN sent from an in-channel or an out-channel, a means for comparing the PIN with a pre-registered PIN, and when these PINs match, The apparatus is equipped with means for transmitting images.

(Function) In the present invention, by utilizing the fact that a moving image videophone compresses the amount of information by using temporal redundancy, in the abnormality detection mode, the amount of data of the encoded output or the difference between frames is When the cumulative value is larger than a set value, an abnormality is detected, and when this abnormal state occurs more than a predetermined number of times in a certain period of time, the abnormal state is memorized, or only when the password matches by automatic transmission means. Since the information is sent to a specific terminal, abnormalities in the room, for example, can be easily detected even if you are away from home. Furthermore, when receiving notification of an abnormality, by manually entering the password, only the person in question can know the state of the room, ensuring confidentiality.

(Example) Examples of the videophone device of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.
This will be explained based on the diagram.

That is, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of the video telephone device in the first embodiment. The device of this embodiment includes an imaging camera 1, an encoding unit 2 that encodes an image signal input from the camera 1, and a buffer memory 3 that smoothes the encoded image signal to a predetermined transmission rate. and the line control unit 4 are connected in sequence. The buffer memory 3 also includes an abnormality detection circuit 5 that detects an abnormality by comparing the buffer amount in the buffer memory 3 with a pre-registered setting value when a change occurs in the captured image; An automatic transmission section 6 that transmits an abnormality to a specific terminal is sequentially connected, and this automatic transmission section 6 is connected to the line control section 4 described above.

Therefore, in the device having such a configuration, an image signal input from the camera 1 is encoded by the encoding section 2, smoothed to a constant transmission speed by the buffer memory 3, and transmitted. The buffer amount is fed back to the encoder 2, and the parameters of the encoder 2 are controlled so that the buffer does not overflow or underflow. The encoder 2 uses temporal redundancy to compress the amount of information, so if there are no moving objects on the screen, almost no information will be generated.
The buffer amount shows a low value. When someone enters the screen or a change occurs in the subject, information is generated and the amount of buffer increases. The abnormality detection circuit 5 compares this buffer amount with a set value and detects that an abnormality has occurred. During a normal call, the abnormality detection circuit 5 is stopped, and it is only necessary to activate the abnormality detection circuit 5 when the power is on and the line is disconnected for a certain period of time or more. When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit 5 and occurs more than a predetermined number of times, an automatic transmission section 6 operates to notify a specific terminal of the abnormality. The phone number of a specific terminal is set in advance. By turning a specific device into a pager, you can receive messages wherever you are.

By the way, when receiving notification of such an abnormality, there are cases where it is desired to confirm the details of the abnormality with an image. In such a case, it is necessary to prevent the image from being viewed by others from the viewpoint of privacy protection, and safety measures must be taken for this purpose.

Therefore, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of a video telephone device in which safety measures are taken. In the drawing, 1
1 is a camera, and an encoding unit 2 and a buffer memory 3 are sequentially connected to this camera 1. The buffer memory 3 and the line control section 4 are connected via a changeover switch 7 that switches whether or not to transmit an image.

Further, an automatic receiving section 8 for receiving a password, etc. is connected to the line control section 4, and this automatic receiving section 8 sends the previously registered password and the received password to the switch 7. It is connected via a password comparison circuit 9 for comparison.

Therefore, in such a videophone device, after the ring tone sounds a plurality of times, the automatic reception section 8 operates and the call state is established. Thereafter, the automatic receiving section 8 receives the password sent through the in-channel or out-channel, and the password comparison circuit 9 compares this password with a pre-registered password.

As a result, if the two passwords match, the image will be transmitted. In this way, it is ensured that the image is sent only to the person in question, thus achieving privacy protection.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of main parts of the videophone device in the second embodiment. In the drawings, 1 is a camera, and an encoding unit 2 that encodes an image signal input from the camera 1 is connected to the camera 1. The encoding unit 2 includes an A/D converter] 0, a preprocessing circuit 11, a subtracter 12, a DCT 13, a quantizer 14, and an encoder 15.
are sequentially connected in series, and the subtracter 12 has:
An adder 16, an inverse DCT 17, and an inverse quantizer 18 are connected in sequence, and the inverse quantizer 18 is further connected between the quantizer 14 and the encoder 15, and one frame memory is connected to the adder 16. and a subtracter 12. Then, the subtracter 12 and DCT 13 of the encoding unit 2
A cumulative adder 20, an abnormality detection circuit 5, an automatic transmission section 6, and a line control section 4 are sequentially connected between the encoder 15 and the encoder 15.
A buffer memory 3 and a line control section 4 are sequentially connected to the buffer memory 3 and the line control section 4.

Therefore, in a device having such a configuration, an image signal input manually from the camera 1 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 10, and subjected to processing such as filtering and subsampling in the preprocessing circuit 11. Then, a subtracter 12 takes a difference from the previous frame image, a DCT 13 performs cosine transformation, a quantizer 14 quantizes, an encoder 15 encodes and outputs. Further, the quantized signal is inversely quantized by an inverse quantizer 18, and inversely cosine transformed by an inverse DCT 17.
The adder 16 adds the previous frame image to obtain a locally decoded image. The locally decoded image is stored in frame memory 19 for use in the next frame.

This encoding unit 2 calculates the spatial redundancy of the moving image using DCT1.
3, and temporal redundancy is reduced by inter-frame differences. If there are no moving objects in the input image, the output of the subtractor 12 will be almost zero. The cumulative adder 20 cumulatively adds the inter-frame differences for a certain period of time, for example, one frame period. If no moving object appears on the screen, the cumulative addition value will be a large value. The abnormality detection circuit 5 detects an abnormality by comparing this cumulative addition value with a certain set value.

Such equipment must always be supplied with power, but in case there is a power outage or the power is intentionally turned off, a backup power supply is installed so that even if the power goes out, the power can be turned off several times. It's safe if you let it work for a while.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of a video telephone device in a third embodiment. In the device of this embodiment, an encoding section 2, a buffer memory 3, and a line control section 4 are sequentially connected to a camera 1, and the encoding section 2 includes a data amount detector 21, an abnormality detection circuit 5, an automatic transmission The unit 6 and the line control unit 4 are sequentially connected.

Therefore, in such a device, in the encoding unit 2, the generated code amount or the data amount equivalent to it is detected by the data amount detector 21.
When the amount of data exceeds a predetermined value, a signal indicating an abnormality is sent to the abnormality detection circuit 5, and a control signal is generated. As for the amount of data, for example, inter-frame difference information and intra-frame information may be compared to find out whether or not the inter-frame difference information is occurring frequently for a certain period of time.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of a video telephone device in a fourth embodiment. In the device of this embodiment, an encoding section 2, a buffer memory 3, and a line control section 4 are sequentially connected to a camera 1, and an automatic transmission section 6, an abnormality detection circuit 5, and a sensor are further connected to the line control section 4. 22 are connected in sequence. The sensor 22 may be one that detects an abnormal object within a predetermined distance, such as an ultrasonic element, or one that detects an abnormal object having a temperature within a predetermined range, such as an infrared temperature detection camera. Furthermore, there are devices that detect abnormal objects by distance measurement using an optical sensor or a stereo camera, and the abnormality detection circuit 5 receives abnormal object detection signals from one or more of these sensors 22 and performs control. It will send a signal.

Moreover, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of the video telephone device in the fifth embodiment. The device of this example is
An encoding section 2, a buffer memory 3, a changeover switch 23, and a line control section 4 are sequentially connected to the camera 1.

Further, an abnormality detection circuit 5, a memory 24 for storing abnormal images, and a changeover switch 23 are connected in sequence to the encoding section 2. The memory 24 and buffer memory 3 are connected.

Therefore, in the apparatus having such a configuration, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 detects an abnormality, the image is immediately written into the memory 24 and held therein. This stored image can be changed to the switch 2 as needed when connecting the line.
3 to enable viewing from a remote location. still,
One image may be recorded in this memory 24, but a plurality of images may be stored and read out sequentially.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a video video telephone can be used for indoor monitoring while the user is away, and it is possible to know indoor abnormalities while away from home. The above-mentioned problem can be solved by the effect that it is possible to see the status of the .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 6 show embodiments of the device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of main parts of the videophone device in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a videophone device with safety measures. 3 is a block diagram of the main parts of the videophone device in the second embodiment, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main parts of the videophone device in the third embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the main parts of the videophone device in the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the main parts of the video telephone apparatus in the fifth embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Camera, 2... Encoding part, 3... Buffer memory, 4... Line control part, 5... Abnormality detection circuit 6... Automatic transmission part, 7.23... Changeover switch, 8... Automatic reception section, 9... Password comparison circuit, 20... Cumulative adder, 21... Data amount detector, 22... Sensor, 24... Memory. Attorney Hidekazu Miyoshi 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 6 Office 11 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Saki-shi Toshiba General Research Co., Ltd. 11 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Saki-shi Toshiba Sogo Research Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An imaging camera, an encoding unit that encodes the moving image signal input from the camera, and a buffer memory for matching the data leakage amount of the encoded output output from the encoding unit with the line speed. In a videophone device equipped with the following: means for detecting an abnormality when the amount of data of the encoded output is larger than a preset amount of data in an abnormality detection mode; 1. A video telephone device comprising automatic calling means for transmitting to a predetermined terminal. (2) An imaging camera, an encoding unit that encodes the moving image signal input from the camera, and a buffer memory for matching the data leakage amount of the encoded output output from the encoding unit with the line speed. A videophone device comprising: means for cumulatively adding the image difference between the current frame and the previous frame of the encoded image signal for a predetermined period; 1. A videophone device comprising: a means for detecting; and an automatic means for transmitting a call to a specific terminal when the abnormality continues for a predetermined number of times or more in a predetermined period of time. (3) The videophone device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the videophone device enters the abnormality detection mode when the line is disconnected for a predetermined period of time or more in the energized state. (4) Automatic reception means that puts the image into a reception state after the ring tone sounds a plurality of times; means for receiving a PIN number sent by the in-channel or out-channel in the reception state; and the received PIN number. 3. The videophone device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for comparing the password with a pre-registered password; and means for transmitting the image when the password matches. (5) A camera for imaging, an encoding unit that encodes the moving image signal input from the camera, and a buffer memory for matching the data leakage amount of the encoded output output by the encoding unit to the line speed. A videophone device comprising a means for detecting an abnormality around the camera, a means for storing image information of the detected abnormality for a predetermined period of time, and a means for transmitting the stored image information. A videophone device featuring: