JPH0637927A - Video telephone device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a response at the time of absence by validly utilizing the function of a video telephone device. CONSTITUTION:A picture signal from a camera 1, and a voice signal from a microphone 2 are preliminarily stored as a response message in a response message storage means 3. When a calling is operated from the other party through a telephone line 6 at the time of absence, it is detected by an incoming call detecting means 7. A speech path controlling means 12 turns ON changeover switches 8 and 9 in response to a signal indicating the presence of the incoming call from the incoming call detecting means 7, and a response message transmitting means 5 transmits the response message constituted of the voice signal and the picture signal read from the response message storage means 3 to the telephone line 6. After the response message is transmitted, the speech path controlling means 12 turns OFF the changeover switch 9, and turns ON a changeover switch 10, and a business message storage means 13 stores a business message from the other party.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a videophone device having an answering machine function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a telephone device that transmits voice information via a public telephone line automatically receives a call when it is absent, sends a voice response message to the other party, and records a voice message from the other party. The one that has an answering machine function is used. The videophone device can send its face, a message, and the like as image information to the other party, and display the image information from the other party on the screen while simultaneously having a voice conversation. Since image information contains a large amount of information, effective information transmission can be performed in a short time. The videophone device also has an answering machine function, which sends a voice response message to the other party and records the message from the other party in both voice and image.

[0003]

In the conventional answering machine function of the videophone device, the response message sent to the other party after the automatic incoming call is only voice information. Although the videophone device is provided with a means for photographing an image and a means for storing an image, only the voice information is sent as a response message, so that the function as a videophone device is fully exerted. Not not. Further, although a terminal device called a TV door phone in which an image information transmission function is added to an intercom can be connected to the video phone device, the function of the video phone device is not fully utilized in displaying a message when absent. .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a video telephone device which can effectively transmit a message in the absence of the user by fully utilizing the functions of the video telephone device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a videophone device having an answering machine function for automatically receiving an incoming call in response to a call from the other party when the user is absent and recording a message from the other party in both voice and image. In response message storage means for pre-storing a response message in the absence of both in voice and image, and a response stored in the response message storage means for detecting a call from the other party via a telephone line in the absence. And a response message sending means for sending a message to the other party.

Further, according to the present invention, a response message is added as character information to the response message storage means, and the response message sending means is adapted to superimpose the added response message on an image as an overlay. It is characterized by transmitting.

Further, the present invention provides a videophone device having an answering machine function which automatically receives an incoming call in response to a call from the other party at the time of absence and records a message from the other party by both voice and image. A video telephone device main body provided with a response message storage means for storing a response message in advance in both voice and image, and a terminal device capable of displaying voice and image, which is connected to the video telephone device main body through a communication line. And a response message stored in the response message storage means is sent to and displayed on the terminal device side when there is a call from the terminal device when the user is absent.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the videophone device having the answering machine function includes the reply message storing means and the reply message sending means. In the response message storage means, a response message when the user is absent is stored in advance in both voice and image. When the call from the other party via the telephone line is detected when the user is absent, the reply message sending means sends the reply message stored in the reply message storage means to the other party. Since the response message includes both voice and image, it is necessary to display the contact information or destination as an image as text information so that accurate information can be transmitted in a short time and effectively utilize the functions of the videophone device. You can

Further, according to the present invention, the character information superimposed on the image is transmitted as a response message. You can communicate your name, destination, contact information more clearly.

Further, according to the present invention, the main body of the videophone device having the answering machine function includes the response message storage means. The terminal device is connected to the main body of the videophone device via a communication line. When there is a call from the terminal device when the user is absent, the response message stored in the response message storage means is sent to the terminal device side and displayed.
Since the terminal device displays the response message by voice and image stored in the response message storage means by voice and image, the terminal device is installed near the entrance of the house, for example, and the information transmission to the visitor when he / she is absent is made by the videophone. It is possible to effectively utilize the functions of the device and to perform effectively.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic electrical configuration relating to a videophone device and an answering machine function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera 1 for inputting image information captures an image of one's face, landscape, destination or contact, which is an image to be used in a response message or the like. The voice response message is input from the microphone 2 and recorded. The response message input from the camera 1 or the microphone 2 is stored in the response message storage means 3. It is also possible to add a response message as character information to the image information in the response message by the superimposing writing means 4. For example, it is also possible to overwrite the character information such as one's name, telephone number, contact address and telephone number as a so-called superimpose. The response message sending means 5 reads the response message stored in the response message storage means 3 and sends it to the telephone line 6 or the like.

When an incoming call is received from the other party via the telephone line 6, the incoming call detection circuit 7 makes a decision, and when not present, a predetermined response process is performed. Changeover switch 8,
9 and 10 are used for sending a response message after automatic incoming call and storing a message message from the other party.

Since the telephone line 6 is a two-line type subscriber line, the input and output are separated by a two-line / four-line conversion circuit 11 connected via a changeover switch 8 to form a four-line type transmission line. Convert. The call path control means 12 responds to the signal from the incoming call detection means 7 indicating that there is an incoming call, and switches the switches 8 to
Control for switching 10 or the like is performed. The message sent from the other party via the telephone line 6 is stored in the message storage means 13 as voice and image information. The message message stored in the message message storage unit 13 and the response message transmitted from the response message transmission unit 5 are displayed as voice and image information by the monitor 15 via the reproduction unit 14.

The change-over switches 16 and 17 controlled by the communication path control means 12 are provided for changing over the information transmission path to the TV door intercom 18 which is a terminal device. The TV intercom 18 has a camera for image input, a microphone for audio input, a display for image display, a speaker for audio output, and the like, and is mounted near the entrance door of the house. Of the above, the electric circuit portion excluding the camera 1, the microphone 2, the telephone line 6, the monitor 15, and the TV doorphone 18 constitutes the telephone circuit 20.

FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of a videophone device including the structure shown in FIG. Portions corresponding to those in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. A control circuit 21 is provided for various controls of the telephone circuit 20. In the control circuit 21,
An input start switch 22 for instructing to start inputting a response message and an absent switch 23 for instructing the videophone device to be absent are connected. The television camera 1, the microphone 2, the monitor 15, the control circuit 21, the input start instruction switch 22, and the absence switch 23 constitute a telephone device body 24. The TV intercom 18 is connected from the telephone device body 24 via a communication line 25. The TV intercom 18 is provided with a call switch 26. The call switch 26 is used by a visitor to notify the visit when the TV intercom 18 is installed near the entrance door.

FIG. 3 shows a procedure for inputting a response message using the embodiment shown in FIG. In step a1, the input start switch 22 for starting the response message input
To start the input operation. In step a2,
Image information is captured by the camera 1 and stored in the response message storage means 3 as an image signal. Step a3
Then, voice information is recorded from the microphone 2 and stored in the response message storage means 3 as a voice signal.

Next, at step a4, the superimpose writing means 4 is instructed whether or not to write information for superimpose display. When performing the superimpose display, the process proceeds to step a5, and information such as a character to be displayed is input from the keyboard or the like to the superimpose writing means by overwriting the image information. When superimpose display is not performed in step a4,
Or when the character input in step a5 is completed, step a
At 6, the response message input process is terminated.

FIG. 4 shows the answering machine function when there is a call from the other party via the telephone line 6 in the embodiment shown in FIG. When there is an incoming call from the other party via the telephone line 6, the incoming call detection means 7 gives a signal indicating the incoming call to the communication path control means 12 in step b1. Step b
In 2, in response to the signal indicating that there is an incoming call, the communication path control means 12 sets the changeover switch 8 to the ON state, the changeover switch 9 to the ON state and the changeover switch 10 to the OFF state.
By this operation, the transmission path of the response message is formed. The image signal and the audio signal recorded as a response message in the response message storage means 3 are given to the 2-wire to 4-wire conversion circuit 11 via the response message sending means 5 and the changeover switch 9. The 2-wire / 4-wire conversion circuit 11 converts the response message given as an input signal of the 4-wire transmission line into a 2-wire signal for the subscriber line, and the changeover switch 8
To the telephone line 6 via. When the transmission of the response message is completed, the process proceeds to step b3.

At step b3, the communication path control means 12 turns off the changeover switch 9 and turns on the changeover switch 10.
And From the other party connected via the telephone line 6,
In response to a response message indicating that the user is absent, a voice signal or an image signal of the message is sent as a message of the message. The message sent is the changeover switch 8
Is supplied to the 2-line to 4-line conversion circuit 11 and is provided as a 4-line output to the message storage means 13 via the change-over switch 10 for storage. When the storage of the message is completed, the process proceeds to step b4 and the communication path control means 12
Turns off the changeover switch 8 to open the telephone line 6.

Next, the operation of connecting the TV intercom 18 will be described. When the absent switch 23 shown in FIG. 2 is turned on and there is a visitor, the visitor operates the call switch 26. The signal generated by this operation is given to the communication path control means 12, and the changeover switch 16 is in the ON state,
The changeover switch 17 is turned off. Changeover switch 1
6 is normally in the OFF state. As a result, the response message transmitted from the response message transmitting means 5 is given to the TV intercom 18. Since the image signal and the audio signal stored in the response message storage means 3 are displayed on the TV intercom 18, the visitor is provided with the absence information by the audio and the image. When the sending of the voice message is completed, the communication path control means 12 turns off the changeover switch 16 and turns on the changeover switch 17. As a result, the message and the image from the visitor are given to the message storage unit 13 and stored therein. When the storage of the message and the image is completed, the changeover switch 17 is turned off and the operation is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make effective use of the functions of the videophone device and to make a response in the absence of voice and images.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to send a response message in the absence of a person to the other party by both voice and image, so that efficient information transmission can be performed by image information. The functions of the videophone device can be fully utilized.

Further, it is possible to display the character information by superimposing on the image so that the information can be transmitted more clearly.

Further, according to the present invention, since the response message can be sent to the terminal device by voice and image and displayed when the user is absent, the terminal device is attached near the entrance of the house and the information is transmitted to the visitor when he is absent. Can be done effectively.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a videophone device including the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Camera 2 Microphone 3 Response Message Storage Means 4 Superimpose Writing Means 5 Response Message Sending Means 6 Telephone Line 7 Incoming Call Detecting Means 8-10, 16, 17 Changeover Switch 11 2 Wire 4 Wire Converting Circuit 12 For Call Path Control Circuit 13 Message storage circuit 15 Monitor 18 TV intercom 21 Control circuit 22 Input start switch 23 Absence switch 24 Telephone device body 25 Communication line 26 Call switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A videophone device having an answering machine function that automatically receives an incoming call in response to a call from the other party when the user is absent and records a message from the other party in both voice and image. , A response message storage means that stores in advance both voice and image, and a response that detects a call from the other party via the telephone line when not present and sends the response message stored in the response message storage means to the other party A videophone device comprising a message sending means. 2. A response message is added to the response message storage means as character information, and the response message sending means sends the added response message so that it is overlaid on an image as a superimpose. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A videophone device having an answering machine function for automatically receiving an incoming call in response to a call from the other party when the user is absent and recording a message from the other party in both voice and image. Includes a videophone device main body provided with a response message storage unit that stores in advance both voice and images, and a terminal device capable of displaying voice and images, the videophone device main body being connected via a communication line. A videophone device, characterized in that, when there is a call from the terminal device when the user is absent, the response message stored in the response message storage means is sent to the terminal device side for display.