JPH07162821A - Video telephone equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the video telephone equipment for automatically transferring audio and visual display information as a message by recording a message composed of an audio and a video in a storage means and automatically transferring that message to a transfer party at prescribed time. CONSTITUTION:A hard disk 24 stores the transfer party, time information and transfer message composed of an audio and a video. A CPU 12 compares the transfer time data in the disk 24 with the present time output of a clock part 14 and when the match is detected, the transfer party is automatically dialed. Next, in the case of line connection, the message composed of the image and the voice is read out of the disk 24 and transferred to the party. Thus, the desired transfer party is called at desired transfer time by automatic dialing and the audiovisual information containing not only the voice but also the image can be automatically transmitted to that party as the message. When there are plural transfer parties, it is desirable to transfer the transfer message by successively automatically dialing the transfer parties.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a videophone device, and more particularly to a technique for automatically transferring a desired message to a desired party by utilizing an automatic dial function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-251847 discloses an ordinary telephone (voice-only telephone) having an automatic message function of automatically dialing the telephone number of the other party and transmitting a message (voice message) to the other party. 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, voice as a message is recorded in an audio cassette,
By accessing the subscriber database memory that stores a large number of subscriber telephone numbers, etc., the subscribers (transfer recipients) that meet the preset conditions are selected in order and automatically dialed, and audio is sent to the responding party. The audio from the cassette device is automatically played back and transferred as a message.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, the only message that can be transmitted to the other party is by voice, and visual information that cannot be expressed by voice cannot be transmitted. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a videophone device capable of automatically transferring not only visual information but also information including visual information as a message to the other party.

[0004]

According to the present invention, transfer message storage means for storing a message consisting of voice and image as a transfer message to be transferred to the transfer partner, and transfer for detecting the arrival of the transfer time. Time detection means, automatic dial means for automatically dialing the telephone number of the transfer partner in response to the transfer time detection means, and voice and image stored in the transfer message storage means after automatic dialing by the automatic dial means. And a automatic transfer means for automatically transferring the transferred message to the transfer partner.

According to this structure, the videophone device automatically calls the desired transfer partner at a predetermined transfer time, and the auditory / visual information including not only the voice but also the image is sent to the partner as a message. Can be told automatically. As a result, it is possible to achieve an effective messenger function that cannot be obtained by the conventional automatic message function using only voice. When there are a plurality of transfer partners, the transfer messages may be transferred by automatically dialing the transfer partners in order.

Further, it is preferable that the transfer message storage means stores different transfer messages depending on the transfer partner so that a message suitable for the transfer partner can be transferred. In this case, in order to save the storage capacity of the transfer message storage means, the transfer message may be composed of a common message part shared by a plurality of transfer partners and a unique message part unique to each transfer partner. Alternatively, it is preferable to group transfer partners, prepare independent transfer messages for each group, and send the transfer message of the group to the transfer partner of a predetermined group at the time of transfer. This configuration is effective for various product guides and service guides.

The transfer message to be transferred to the transfer partner can be composed of an image sequence in which an image from the built-in camera of the videophone device and an image recorded in advance are combined, and a voice corresponding thereto. As a first mode of the transfer message creating means for creating a transfer message composed of such an image and a sound, a plurality of still images recorded in advance are prepared, and the still image is displayed in response to a screen switching operation from the user. Drawing 1
You can use a configuration that flips the screen one by one and records the voice that is input accordingly.

As a second mode, a plurality of still images recorded in advance are prepared, the time of each still image is set according to the user's time setting operation, and the voice input according to each set time is recorded. Can be configured to In the third aspect of the transfer message creating means, voice is recorded first, and each still image to be transferred is allocated accordingly. Further, as a preferred configuration example of the present videophone apparatus, a changing means for changing the form of a message to be automatically transferred depending on whether the videophone is an ordinary telephone is provided, and the videophone is composed of an image and a voice. You can forward messages and voice-only messages to ordinary phone parties.

Furthermore, as a preferred configuration example of the present video telephone apparatus, a response detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a response from the transfer partner called by automatic dialing is provided, and when there is a response, the transfer message is transferred immediately. If there is no response (due to absence, busy, etc.), the transfer time updating means updates the transfer time after a predetermined time, and when the updated transfer time arrives, the other party is automatically dialed again to try to transfer the transfer message. Good. As a result, reliable message transfer can be realized.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of the videophone device of this 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 voice processing unit 38, and the wireless unit 40 are connected. The interface unit 18 is an interface between the videophone device and the telephone line 44 (for example, ISDN line), and image information and audio information are transmitted and received through the interface unit 18 during the line connection of the videophone. Typically, the immediate image (self-portrait) captured by the camera unit 32 is output from the interface unit 18 to the telephone line 52 as transmission image data via the image processing unit 30 and the multiplexing unit 48. In addition, the voice input from the handset 44 is transmitted to the wireless unit 4
After passing through the voice processing unit 38 via the channels 2 and 40, the multiplexing unit 4
In 8 the image is multiplexed with the image and output from the interface section 18 to the telephone line 52 as transmission voice data. on the other hand,
The 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 section 18 to the multiplexing section 5
It is separated through 0, is decoded by the voice processing unit 38, and is typically reproduced from the speaker of the handset 44 via the wireless units 42 and 40.

In FIG. 1, the handset 44 is a so-called cordless telephone, and in addition to the transmitter and the receiver, a keyboard (disposed on a hidden surface in FIG. 1) and a wireless unit connected to these elements. 42, this radio unit 4
2 has a built-in antenna connected to it. Signal transmission / reception between the cordless telephone 44 and the main body is performed wirelessly between the built-in antenna of the cordless telephone 44 and the antenna 41 of the main body.

The disk controller 22 connected to the outside of the main body (FIG. 1) of the videophone device is the hard disk 2.
4 is a hard disk driver. The hard disk 24 is used as a storage medium for various databases and reception data and fixed transmission data (in the auto messenger mode). The disk controller 22 is connected to the image processing unit 30 and the audio processing unit 38,
It is possible to read and write image data and audio data to the hard disk 24. IC card I / O26
Controls input / output of data to / from the IC card 28, and the IC card 28 can store image data and audio data.

According to this embodiment, the clock section 14 functions as a time measuring means for measuring the present time. Since the message is automatically transferred, the time information is read from the clock unit 14 and used for detecting the transfer time.

According to this embodiment, the video telephone apparatus has an auto messenger function for automatically transferring a transfer message composed of images and voice to a desired transfer partner.
The video telephone device composes a desired transfer message consisting of an image and a sound under the instruction of the user. The image is composed of a sequence of images in which a camera image (moving image) from the camera unit 32 and a plurality of previously recorded still images are combined. The videophone device stores the created transfer message in the hard disk 24. When the transfer time arrives, the videophone device automatically dials the telephone number of the transfer partner. Then, the image + voice transfer message is read from the hard disk 24 to the other party who responded (off-hook), and the transfer process is executed via the line.

The automatic transfer function of the image + voice message of the present video telephone will be described below in detail. <Creation of Transfer Message> As described above, the present videophone device creates a transfer message of image + voice under the instruction of the user. Several aspects are possible for this, 1
Examples are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 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 the transfer partner and transfer time to (FIG. 4) from the keyboard 46. Next, in 3-2, the user operates the keyboard 46 to arrange a plurality of prerecorded still images (set the order and respective times t1 to t4). Next, when a command for creating a transfer message is input by operating the keyboard 46 (3-3), the CPU 12 starts a timer (3-4) and starts recording audio (3-5), and the camera unit 32. Record video from (3-
6). Hereinafter, the screen is turned over on the display unit 34 in time according to the time sequence of the still images set in 3-2, 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 in a timely manner 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 (3-8). After the end operation from the keyboard 3-9 (3-9), the CPU 12 keeps the camera unit 32 for a predetermined time.
(3-10), and the transfer message creation process is completed.

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 prerecorded still images are prepared, and still images are responded to in response to the user's switching operation. The screens may be turned one by one and the input voice may be recorded accordingly.
Alternatively, the voice may be recorded first, and the still image to be transferred may be allocated while the voice is reproduced. The CPU 12 records the transfer message, which is the creation result, in the hard disk 24.

FIG. 5 illustrates the transfer message memory 240 placed on the hard disk 24. The transfer message memory 240 shown in the figure is a transfer partner / time information memory 241, a time table 242, and a voice recording memory 24.
3, moving picture 1 (first moving picture of image sequence as shown in FIG. 4) recording memory 244, moving picture 2 (last moving picture of image sequence as shown in FIG. 4) recording memory 245, and still picture (still picture of FIG. 4) Image No. 1 to No. 3) A recording memory 246 is included.

As shown in FIG. 6, the time table 242 shows each event time in the image sequence, that is, the start time t0 of the moving image 1 and sound in the case of FIG. 4, and the switching time t1 of each of the still images No1 to No3. ~ T3, the start time t4 of the moving image 2 and the end time tE are stored. Actually, the times t0 to tE are stored in the form of a relative time (time difference) from the transfer time (correctly, the detection of the off-hook auto of the other party) indicated by the time information of the memory 241.

<Automatic transfer of image / voice message> According to the present invention, the purpose is to transfer an image plus voice message.
Several embodiments are possible depending on the application. Here, description will be given separately depending on whether the transfer destination is singular or plural, and whether the transfer message is singular (common) or plural (different). FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the automatic transfer mode in which a transfer message is sent to one transfer partner. In this automatic transfer mode, the transfer message memory 240 as described in FIG. 5 can be used.

In 7-1, the CPU 12 causes 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 (the arrival of the transfer time) is detected, the process proceeds to 7-2. Here, the CPU 12 automatically dials the transfer partner using the telephone number of the transfer partner stored in the time partner memory 241. Next, in the response detection step 7-3, if the line is connected (there is a response due to the off-hook of the other party), 7-4 is used to identify whether the other party is a videophone or a normal (voice only) telephone. In step -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, proceed to 7-6 and transfer the voice-only message. In addition, (image +
Since the voice message recorded in the area 243 of the (voice) transfer message memory 240 usually has the content on the assumption that the image is sent to the other party, a separately prepared voice message is used as the voice message sent in 7-6. Good. Thus, the desired message can be transmitted to the other party by changing the form of the transferred message depending on whether the telephone of the other party is the videophone or the ordinary telephone.

After the transfer of the transfer message is completed, the CPU 12
Is a confirmation message (for example, if you hear this message, it will tell you if the person you called actually picked up the call and received the message, or if the person you were on was absent and your phone was in answering mode).

[Outer 1] Please push ()) (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 of FIG. 9) (7-9). It is regarded as a telephone and the message transfer completion flag to the answering machine is written in the communication report memory (7-10).

If the line is not connected due to the absence of the other party or busy in 7-3, the procedure proceeds to 7-11 to test the number of times of automatic dialing to the other party. If the automatic dialing has not reached the predetermined number of times, 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-mentioned message transfer is performed. If the auto dialing to the other party has reached the predetermined number of times (7-11),
The other party is regarded as absent and the transfer incomplete flag is written in the communication report memory (7-13).

As described above, when the other party does not respond to the auto dialing due to absence, busy, etc., reliable message transfer can be achieved by updating the transfer time after a predetermined time.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an automatic transfer mode for transferring a plurality of different image + sound 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.

Transfer message database 340 of FIG.
Is an example in which transfer partners are grouped and have different transfer messages independent of each other. 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 product and service guidance.

Step 8-1 of the flow chart of FIG.
In 8-2, the CPU 12 accesses the transfer message database as illustrated in FIG. 9, and the transfer partner record 340R in which the transfer time corresponding to the current time from the clock unit 14 is recorded (name, as shown in FIG. 9, Telephone number, message number, time, and communication result items). When the transfer time arrives, the process proceeds to 8-3 and the telephone number of the partner written in the transfer partner record 340R is automatically dialed. At 8-4, the presence or absence of a response (off-hook) to the other party to this auto dial is tested. If there is a response (line connection), the procedure goes to 8-5 to identify whether the other party's telephone is a videophone or an ordinary telephone. Then, the transfer message No. written in the transfer partner record 340R is used for the other party of the videophone, and the message data of (image + sound) as shown in FIG. 5 is read out 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 normal telephone partner (8-7). After the message is transferred, the confirmation is inquired, and if there is a confirmation operation from the partner (8-8), the message transfer completion flag is written in the communication result column of the transfer partner record 340R (8-9) If the confirmation cannot be obtained, the communication is performed. The message transfer completion flag to the answering machine is written in the result column (8-10).

When the other party does not respond to the auto dialing (8-4), the same processing as in the case of FIG. 7 is performed.
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 processing (writing of the transfer incompletion flag) in the case of no response to the predetermined number of automatic dialing is performed. When there are a plurality of transfer partners, the same message body is used in common, and the message portion unique to the transfer partner such as a greeting to the transfer partner is given its information for each transfer partner, whereby the storage capacity of the transfer message memory can be saved.

An example of such a transfer message memory is shown at 440 in FIG. This transfer message memory 440 stores a plurality of beginning, ending and body message parts. One transfer message is composed of a beginning message, a body message, and an end message. The opening and closing messages include a greeting for the transfer recipient. The main body (main body) message represents a message (for example, information about a specific product) expressed by an image and a voice. Therefore,
In the transfer message memory 440 of FIG. 10, the beginning message and the ending message are prepared for each partner, and the body message is prepared for each message.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of message transfer using the transfer message memory 440. First, in 11-1, the CPU 12 reads out (transfers) the message of the (unique) opening portion corresponding to the transfer partner from the transfer message memory 440 and transfers it. Next, in 11-2, a body message (a message portion common to a plurality of transfer partners) representing a message composed of an image and a voice is read out and transferred. Finally, in 11-3, the message at the tail end unique to the transfer partner is read and transferred.

In this way, the storage capacity of the transfer message memory can be saved by constructing the transfer message of image + voice with the part unique to each transfer partner and the part common to a plurality of transfer partners. Although the description of the embodiment has been completed, various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0031]

As described above in detail, according to the video telephone apparatus 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 partner. , A message that is difficult to convey with a conventional message device can be transmitted by auditory and visual expression information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a videophone device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a videophone device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a transfer message creation mode.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of creating a transfer message of image and sound.

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 a different transfer message for each transfer destination.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a transfer message database in which transfer partners are grouped.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a transfer message memory.

11 is a flow chart of message transfer using the transfer message memory of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 14 Clock part 16 Program ROM 24 Hard disk (transfer message storage medium) 240, 340, 440 Transfer message memory

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A transfer message storing means for storing a message consisting of voice and image as a transfer message to be transferred to a transfer partner, a transfer time detecting means for detecting arrival of a transfer time, and a response to the transfer time detecting means. Automatic dialing means for automatically dialing the telephone number of the transfer destination, and after the automatic dialing by the automatic dialing means, the transfer message consisting of the voice and the image stored in the transfer message storing means is read out and automatically transferred to the transfer destination. A videophone device, comprising: 2. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein:
The videophone device, wherein the automatic dial means and the automatic transfer means have means for automatically dialing a plurality of transfer partners in sequence and then transferring the transfer message. 3. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein:
A television characterized in that the transfer message storage means stores different transfer messages depending on a transfer partner, and the automatic transfer means transfers different transfer messages depending on a transfer partner according to the stored contents of the transfer message storage means at the time of transfer. Telephone device. 4. The videophone device according to claim 3,
The transfer message storage means stores a transfer message composed of a common message part shared by a plurality of transfer partners and a unique message part unique to each transfer partner. A videophone device for transferring a transfer message comprising a unique message part and a common message part. 5. The videophone device according to claim 3,
The transfer message storage means stores a plurality of different transfer messages independent for each group of transfer partners, and the automatic transfer means identifies the group to which the transfer partner belongs at the time of transfer, and transfers the transfer message to the group. A videophone device characterized by. 6. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein:
The transfer message transferred to the transfer partner by the automatic transfer means is composed of an image sequence in which an image from the built-in camera of the videophone device and a prerecorded image are combined, and a corresponding voice. Videophone device. 7. The videophone device according to claim 1,
The transfer message creating means for creating the transfer message further comprises: means for preparing a plurality of still images recorded in advance; and one still image in response to a switching operation by a user. A videophone device comprising: a screen updating means for turning the screens one by one; and a recording means for recording a voice inputted in accordance with the screen turning by the screen updating means. 8. The videophone device according to claim 1,
The transfer message creating means for creating the transfer message further comprises: a means for preparing a plurality of still images recorded in advance; and a time for each of the still images according to a time setting operation by the user. A videophone device comprising: a time setting means for setting; and a recording means for recording a voice input according to the time set by the time setting means. 9. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein:
The transfer message creating means further comprises a transfer message creating means for creating the transfer message, wherein the transfer message creating means first records a voice, and a means for allocating a still image to be transferred in accordance with the voice recorded by the voice recording means. A videophone device comprising: 10. The videophone device according to claim 1, further comprising changing means for adding a form of a message to be automatically transferred depending on whether the transfer destination telephone is a videophone or an ordinary telephone. A videophone device characterized in that a message composed of an image and a voice is transferred to a transfer partner, and a voice-only message is transferred to an ordinary phone transfer partner. 11. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein a response detecting means for detecting whether or not the transfer partner responds to the automatic dialing, and a transfer time when the response detecting means detects no response from the transfer partner. And a transfer time updating means for updating after a predetermined time.