JPH07327097A - Image communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an equipment by which two-way communication of image data is made with excellent carrying performance by providing a transmission means for image data having an input section and a transmission section inputting coordinate information, a reception means of image data provided with a reception section and a storage section and a display means to the equipment. CONSTITUTION:The equipment is provided with a touch key input section 2 using an exclusive pen to input an image in a hand-written way, a transmission section 11 sending image data to be inputted, a reception section 10 receiving the image data, a display section 3 displaying the image data inputted by the touch key input section 2 and the image data received by the reception section 10, and a storage section 12 storing the image data inputted by the touch key input section 2 and the image data received by the reception section 10. Through the constitution above, the image data inputted in a hand-written way are sent to other image communication equipment. Furthermore, the image from other information communication equipment is received. Thus, the image is sent/ received simply with other image communication equipment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus for wirelessly performing bidirectional communication of image data.
The present invention relates to an image communication device that allows handwriting input and is suitable for carrying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a pager receiver used for a pager service as a portable device that responds to a wireless call. The pager receiver emits a ringing tone to notify the carrier when the caller corresponds to the assigned number of the pager receiver transmitted through the ordinary telephone line. And in the pager service,
When the called recipient (carryer) calls the calling party, the contact between them is achieved.

[0003] Recent pager receivers have a display section for displaying numbers and characters as well as emitting a ringing tone when an incoming call is received, and displaying the caller's message with the numbers and characters on the display section. Therefore, some have a function of transmitting a message to a receiver (carryer).

On the other hand, as a simple communication device having both a transmitting function and a receiving function and capable of bidirectional communication, a personal wireless device, a transceiver, and the like are in widespread use.

[0005]

However, the conventional pager receiver has the advantage that it can be used in a wide range because the pager service network has a wide range, but it does not have a transmission function. , It is not possible to call other pager receivers with a pager receiver, and to send and receive messages between multiple pager receivers mutually, and when calling another pager receiver, call the other pager receiver. I had to call.

Further, the pager receiver, the personal wireless device, the transceiver and the like are used for communication of voice data and character data, and cannot be used for communication of image data.

Further, the personal wireless device is not very portable and is not suitable for carrying around at any time and performing communication at arbitrary timing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus which is excellent in portability and can perform bidirectional communication of image data.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a transmitting means for transmitting image data, a receiving means for receiving image data, and an image to be transmitted by the transmitting means. An image communication apparatus comprising: data and a display means for displaying the image data received by the receiving means, wherein the transmitting means selectively indicates point coordinates with respect to an input area surface and inputs coordinate information. And an transmitting unit that generates image data based on the coordinate information input to the input unit and transmits the generated image data, and the receiving unit receives the image data. It is characterized by having a receiving unit and a storage unit that stores at least the image data received by the receiving unit.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the transmitting section adds at least its own identification information to the image data to be transmitted and transmits the image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first and second aspects, the display means has a flat display portion, and the input portion is on the flat display portion. Is a coordinate input unit provided in the.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first, second and third aspects, after the image data has been received by the receiving means, the source of the image data is transmitted. And a return means for returning the reception end signal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects, the image data is received and temporarily stored, and the stored image data is stored. An image relay device for transmitting image data to a transmission source of the request signal in response to a request signal for requesting the return of the image data is provided separately.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data based on the input section for selectively instructing the point coordinates on the input area surface to input the coordinate information and the coordinate information input to the input section. Image data having a transmitting unit for generating the generated image data and transmitting the generated image data, a receiving unit for receiving the image data, and a storage unit for storing at least the image data received by the receiving unit. Since the image data of the input image is input by handwriting in the input unit, the image data of the input image is displayed by the display unit and the image data is transmitted by the transmitting unit. Can be transmitted to the image communication device. Further, the image data sent from another image communication device is received by the receiving unit, stored in the storage unit, and the received image data is displayed by the display means.

Therefore, an image communication device capable of bidirectional communication of image data is provided. Further, by housing the transmitting means, the receiving means, and the display means in a small housing, an image communication device having excellent portability is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmitting section includes:
Since at least the identification information of the user is added to the image data to be transmitted, the transmission source of the image data is clarified by the identification information, and the transmission source is specified when the image data is received. be able to.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the input section is
Since it is a coordinate input section provided on the flat display section of the display means, when drawing an image on the coordinate input section with a dedicated pen or the like,
As the pen tip moves on the coordinate input part, the image is displayed as a miracle of the pen tip, so it is better than when the coordinate input part and the flat display part are provided at different positions. , It is possible to input images by handwriting without feeling uncomfortable.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the receiving means has the returning means for returning the receiving end signal to the source of the image data after the receiving means finishes receiving the image data,
The sender of the image data can confirm that the image data has been reliably transmitted by receiving the reception end signal, and can prevent the transmission error of the image data from occurring.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the image data is received and temporarily stored, and the stored image data is transmitted in response to the request signal requesting the return of the image data. Since the image relay device for original transmission is provided as a separate body, in this image relay device, the image data sent from the image communication device is temporarily stored, and the stored image data is sent in response to the request for return. Since the image data is sent back to the image communication apparatus, a person different from the person who sent the image data to the image relay apparatus can make a return request and receive the image data stored in the image relay apparatus. That is, by using the image relay device like a message board, the image communication device can have a message function.

[0020]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the image communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Among them, FIG. 1 is an external view of an example of the image communication apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image communication apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory area of a storage unit in the image communication apparatus, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a flow of image data reception processing and transmission processing in the image communication apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image communication apparatus 1 is housed in a small casing having excellent portability such as an electronic notebook, and an input unit capable of inputting an image to be transmitted by handwriting. 2 and a display unit 3 which is a display means for displaying an image
And a key input unit 4 for inputting identification information (ID number) or processing instruction peculiar to the device, and an LED (notifying a carrier of the device 1 by lighting or blinking of incoming data from another communication device. Light Emitting Diode) etc.
And the antenna 6, the microphone 7, and the speaker 8 to be pressed when talking (that is, when transmitting voice data) TA
It has an LK button 9.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image communication apparatus 1 includes a receiving section 10 for receiving data sent from another communication apparatus, and a transmitting section 11 for sending data to the other communication apparatus. , A storage unit 12 for storing various data transmitted and received, identification information, etc., a microphone 7 and an amplifier unit (AM
P) 13 is provided as an audio input unit 14, a speaker 8 and an amplifier unit (AMP) 15 as an audio output unit 16, and a control unit 17 for controlling these units.

The input unit 2 includes, for example, an LCD (Li
quid Crystal Display) and a CRT, etc., and is composed of a transparent touch key input section (coordinate input section) and a dedicated pen 20 (see FIG. 1) which are provided so as to be superimposed on each other. Then, the input unit 2 (hereinafter, touch
The key input unit 2 is used. ), The point information is selectively designated by the dedicated pen 20 on the input area surface to detect the coordinate information at the designated position.

The touch key input unit 2 uses, for example, a resistance film method as its input method, and has a resistance film type input region surface in which a pair of transparent electrodes are opposed to each other via a spacer. ing. Regarding the coordinates on the input area surface, the potential at a certain point is measured with a voltage applied to one transparent electrode from one direction (X direction) and a voltage applied to the other transparent electrode from the other direction (Y direction). By doing so, detection is performed based on the resistance division ratio in the resistance film. In this case, the dedicated pen 20 is made of a plastic stick or the like.

Further, as the touch key input unit 2, instead of the resistance film type, an input type of electromagnetic induction type or capacitance type can be used.

In the electromagnetic induction system, the touch key input unit 2
Has an input area surface in which a pair of antenna layers having directivity in each of two intersecting directions (the X direction and the Y direction) is provided via an insulating layer, and the transmission in the dedicated pen 20 is performed. The coordinates are detected by picking up the signals from the coils with the antenna group of those antenna layers. In this case, as described above, the dedicated pen 20 has a built-in transmission coil for transmitting a signal.

In the capacitance type, the touch key input unit 2
Is an input area surface in which a transparent glass substrate having X electrodes scanned in one direction (X direction) and a transparent glass substrate having Y electrodes scanned in the other direction (Y direction) are provided through an insulating layer. The coordinate is detected by detecting a signal for scanning the X electrode and the Y electrode via the capacitance of the transparent glass substrate by the dedicated pen 20. In this case, the dedicated pen 20 has a pen switch and an amplifier, and is connected to an external controller via a cable (signal line).

In any of the methods, the touch key input unit 2 is connected to the control unit 17, and controls the coordinate information of the point coordinates detected by being selectively instructed by the dedicated pen 20 on the input area surface. It is output to the unit 17.

The display unit 3 is, for example, LC as described above.
The image data received by the receiving unit 10 is displayed. Further, the display unit 3 receives the image data based on the coordinate information of the point coordinate group input by the touch key input unit 2 from the control unit 17 and displays it. Since the information input by the touch key input unit 2 and displayed on the display unit 3 is transparently displayed on the input area surface of the touch key input unit 2 immediately after input, the dedicated pen 2
By 0, it is displayed as if the handwriting input is performed on the input area surface. In other words, touch
When the image is drawn on the key input unit 2 with the dedicated pen 20, as the pen tip moves on the input area surface of the touch key input unit 2, the image is displayed on the display unit 3 according to the miracle of the pen tip. Since it is displayed, it is possible to input the image by handwriting without feeling uncomfortable.

The LCD and its drive circuit have a general structure. For example, the LCD has a stripe-shaped scan electrode and a signal electrode with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and a scan electrode selected by a time-division drive system drive circuit. To the column, a simple matrix liquid crystal display device that forms a screen by sending a display signal from a signal electrode, or an active matrix liquid crystal display device that has a switch for each pixel.

As described above, the key input unit 4 inputs the ID number of the transmission destination device or its own ID number at the time of transmission, switches ON / OFF of the communication device 1, selects various modes, It is for inputting a processing command for performing other operations, and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed key to the control unit 17. For example, the key input unit 4 includes a reply key 40 to be pressed when returning new image data to the sender after receiving the image data, and the touch key input unit 2
A transmission key 41 to be pressed when transmitting image data based on the input coordinate information, a confirmation key 42 to be pressed to confirm the coordinate information input from the touch key input unit 2, and a ten key are provided.

The receiving unit 10 has, for example, a well-known configuration as a specific low-power transceiver, receives image data and audio data via the antenna 6, and sends the received image data to the control unit 17, for example, , And sends the received voice data to the voice output unit 16.

Like the receiving unit 10, the transmitting unit 11 has, for example, a configuration known as a specific low power transceiver,
The image data based on the coordinate information input by the touch key input unit 2 is received from the control unit 17, and the voice data is received from the voice input unit 14. Then, the transmitter 11
Transmits the received image data and audio data via the antenna 6.

In addition to image data and audio data, the data to be transmitted include the header, the ID number of the destination, and the own ID.
A number etc. is added. Therefore, according to the image communication device 1, the transmission destination can be specified when transmitting the image data, and the transmission source of the data becomes clear when the transmitted image data is received. The time required to transmit the image data to which the additional data such as the header and the ID number that can be specified is transmitted is, for example, that the input area surface of the touch key input unit 2 is composed of a dot matrix of 192 dots vertically and 255 dots horizontally. In that case, since binary data of 48960 dots is transmitted at 4800 BPS (Bit Per Second) which is a standard for specific low power communication, it takes about 10 seconds per screen. If the image data is transmitted after being compressed by a known data compression method, the coordinate information input by the touch key input unit 2 is handwritten picture information. Since it is compressed, the time required for transmission is about several seconds per screen.

Here, the standard of the antenna 6 is the same as that of the specific low power transceiver.

The storage unit 12 stores its own ID number, a specific ID number of a friend or business partner, a group code assigned to each group based on friendship relationships, and coordinate information input by the touch key input unit 2. It stores image data (image data to be transmitted) based on the image data, image data received by the receiving unit 10, and the like, and is stored in a RAM (Random Acc
ess Memory) etc.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 12 stores an area 50 for storing its own ID number, an area 51 for storing its own group code (group ID number), data relating to friends (name, group). Address area 52 for storing code, ID number, etc., data relating to received image data (image data, sender's ID number, etc.)
Is divided into memory areas such as a reception data area 53 for storing data, a transmission data area 54 for storing data relating to image data to be transmitted (image data, destination ID number, etc.), and each ID number and each data. Control unit 17
Or output to the control unit 17.

The transmission data area 54 has a capacity capable of storing data for, for example, 10 screens, and when the storage capacity of the transmission data area 54 becomes full, the old image data is erased in order. .

The voice input unit 14 and the voice output unit 16 are used when performing voice data communication similarly to the conventional specific low power transceiver, and have the same configuration as the specific low power transceiver. .

The control unit 17 controls each of the above-mentioned units, and although not particularly shown, a CPU (Central Processing)
Unit) and its ROM (Read Only)
Memory) etc.

The control unit 17 receives the additional data such as the coordinate information and the ID number input from the touch key input unit 2 and the key input unit 4, generates the image data based on the coordinate information, and generates the generated image. The data is output to the display unit 3 for display, the generated image data and additional data are output to the storage unit 12 and stored in the transmission data area 54, and the additional data is added to the image data to transmit the data. And send it to.

Further, the control unit 17 receives the image data and the additional data received by the receiving unit 10 from the receiving unit 10, outputs the data to the storage unit 12 and stores the data in the received data area 53, and the display unit. 3, and the image data and the ID number of the transmission source are displayed. At that time, the control unit 17 outputs an ON signal for turning on or blinking the LED to the notification unit 5 to turn on or blink the LED.

The control unit 17 outputs to the amplifier unit 13 of the voice input unit 14 a control signal for controlling amplification of voice data based on the voice input by the microphone 7 and output to the transmission unit 11. Similarly, the control unit 17 outputs, to the amplifier unit 15 of the audio output unit 16, a control signal for controlling amplification of the audio data received by the reception unit 10 and output to the speaker 8.

Next, the operation of the image communication apparatus 1 configured as above will be described.

First, the initial setting will be described.

In the initial setting, the key input section 4 is used to input the self ID number and group code, and the ID number and group code of a friend or the like. The input own ID number and own group code are the area 50 storing the own ID number and the area 5 storing the group code in the storage unit 12.
1 and the ID number of a friend or the like and the group code of a friend or the like are stored in the address area 52. In addition,
The group code is an ID number common to image communication devices such as friends, and by specifying the group code,
All image communication devices having the same group code, that is, groups, can be simultaneously communicated.

The image data receiving operation will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the on / off switch (not shown) of the image communication apparatus 1 is pressed and the power is turned on, the image communication apparatus 1 is constantly in a communication data transmission / reception standby state. . In that state, when the communication data is received by the receiving unit 10 via the antenna 6 (step S10), the presence or absence of the destination ID number or group code added to the image data is confirmed (step S11). And the added I
If the D number and the group code do not match the ID number of the user and the group code to which the user belongs, the process returns to the standby state, and if they match (step S12), further image data is received (step S13), and notification is given. The section 5 informs that there has been a reception.

The received image data and the ID number of the sender are stored in the received data area 53 of the storage unit 12, and when a display command is input by the key input unit 4, the image stored in the received data area 53 is stored. Data and sender ID
The number and the number are displayed on the display unit 3 (step S14).

On the other hand, when it is confirmed in step S11 that the ID number and the group code are not added, the image data is received (step S15), and the notification unit 5 notifies the reception. Then, the image data and the ID number of the transmission source are stored in the reception data area 53 of the storage unit 12.
When the display command is input from the key input unit 4, the image data stored in the received data area 53 is displayed on the display unit 3 (step S16).

Within a predetermined time after receiving the image data,
When the reply key 40 of the key input unit 4 is pressed (step S
17) The image input state is entered. In that state, when coordinate information is input from the touch key input unit 2, image data is generated based on the coordinate information, and the image data is confirmed by pressing the confirmation key 42 of the key input unit 4 ( Step S18). The determined image data is stored in the storage unit 1.
The transmission source ID number added to the image data received in step S13 or step S15 is stored in the transmission data area 54 of No. 2 and the transmission key 41 of the key input unit 4 is pressed. It is added as a number and transmitted from the transmission unit 11 (step S2
0), the receiving operation is completed and the standby state is resumed.

On the other hand, when the reply key 40 is not pressed in step S17, the ID number of the transmission source is designated as the transmission destination, and the data of "transmission OK" (reception end signal) is transmitted to the transmission unit 1.
1 is transmitted (step S21), the reception operation is terminated, and the state is again in the standby state. In this way, the image communication device 1
However, since it has a return means for returning the reception end signal to the transmission source after the reception of the image data, the transmission source of the image data surely transmitted the image data by receiving the reception end signal. Can be confirmed, and the occurrence of transmission error of image data can be prevented.

The image data transmission operation will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the on / off switch (not shown) of the image communication apparatus 1 is pressed and the power is turned on, the image communication apparatus 1 is constantly in a communication data transmission / reception standby state. . In that state, when the point coordinate group is selected and designated by the dedicated pen 20 on the input area surface of the touch key input unit 2, the coordinate information of the point coordinate group is input. Then, image data based on the coordinate information is generated (step S
30), the image data is confirmed by pressing the confirm key 42 of the key input unit 4 (step S31), and the confirmed image data is stored in the transmission data area 54 of the storage unit 12.

Then, the transmission keys 41, I of the key input unit 4
D key (not shown) and group key (not shown)
Depending on which one is pressed, the subsequent operation is classified depending on the case (step S32).

When the transmission key 41 is pressed, the image data to be transmitted confirmed in step S31 is added to the I
The D number is added, and the image data and the additional data are transmitted to the unspecified number by the transmission unit 11 (step S3).
3) Then, the transmission operation is completed and the state of waiting is resumed. .

When the ID key is pressed in step S32, the ID number of the transmission destination is subsequently input by the key input unit 4 or the ID number of the transmission destination stored in the address area 52 of the storage unit 12 is selected. Thus, the transmission destination is specified (step S34). When the transmission key 41 is pressed with the destination specified (step S35), step S3
The ID number of the transmission destination and its own ID number are added to the image data to be transmitted, which is determined in step 1, and the image data and the additional data are transmitted to the transmission destination of the ID number designated by the transmission unit 11 (step S36). ). The ID of the destination
The number is stored in the transmission data area 54 of the storage unit 12 together with the transmitted image data.

When the image data or the like arrives at the communication device of the transmission partner after the transmission is completed, data indicating that the data has been received may be returned from the transmission partner, but when it is received (step S37), the display is made. "Transmission OK" is displayed on the section 3 (step S38), the transmission operation is terminated, and the standby state is resumed.

If the group key is pressed in step S32, then the group code of the destination is selected by inputting the group code by the key input unit 4 or by selecting the group code stored in the address area 52 of the storage unit 12. Is specified (step S39). When the transmission key 41 is pressed while the group is specified (step S40), the group code of the transmission destination and its own ID number are added to the image data to be transmitted confirmed in step S31, and the image data and The additional data is transmitted to the designated group by the transmission unit 11 (step S41), the transmission operation is completed, and the standby state is resumed. The group code of the transmission destination is stored in the transmission data area 54 of the storage unit 12 together with the transmitted image data.

Although not shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4, the image communication apparatus 1 has the following image data transfer function. The transfer operation will be described.

When the on / off switch of the image communication apparatus 1 is pressed to turn on the power, the image communication apparatus 1 is always in a communication data transmission / reception standby state. In that state, when the receiving unit 10 receives the communication data to which the group code to which the user belongs belongs or the communication data which does not specify the destination through the antenna 6, the image data of the communication data is received.

The received image data and the ID number of the sender are stored in the received data area 53 of the storage unit 12, and the received communication data such as the image data and the ID number of the sender remain the same. The data transfer is completed by transmitting from the transmitting unit 11 to another image communication apparatus. The received image data and the ID number of the transmission source are displayed on the display unit 3 when a display command is input by the key input unit 4.

In the communication device 1, in order to prevent the same data from being received many times or from receiving the data transmitted by itself, in the receiving operation, the same data is received within a certain period (for example, one minute). When data is received again, or after sending the same data as its own data for a certain period of time (for example,
When it is received within 1 minute), the received data is ignored, and the data is not stored in the storage unit 12 or displayed on the display unit 3.

Further, this image communication apparatus 1 uses a microphone 7, a speaker 8 and a TALK button 9 as a normal specific low power transceiver when a designation for performing voice communication is inputted by the key input unit 4. Can be used.

According to the image communication apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above, the touch key input unit 2 capable of handwriting an image using the dedicated pen 20 and the transmitting unit 11 for transmitting the data of the input image. And a receiving unit 10 for receiving image data
A display unit 3 for displaying the image data input by the touch key input unit 2 and the image data received by the receiving unit 10, and the image data input by the touch key input unit 2 and the image data received by the receiving unit 10. Since the image data input by handwriting can be sent to the other image communication apparatus and the image data can be received from the other image communication apparatus, the other image is stored. Image data can be easily exchanged with the communication device.

In addition, since the received image data can be displayed at any timing by storing the received image data, it is not necessary to respond to the sender at the same time as the image data is received. And it can be done easily.

Further, by using a small-sized case such as an electronic notebook or a pager receiver as the case of the image communication apparatus 1, the portability is excellent.

Further, since each image communication apparatus 1 has an ID number and a group code, it is possible to communicate image data within a specific party or group by designating the ID number or group code of the destination. it can. Further, since image data can be sent to an unspecified number of image communication devices (that is, a person who carries the communication device) by not designating the ID number or group code of the transmission destination, the image communication device of the present invention. You can also use 1 as a bulletin board.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the image communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

The second embodiment is an example of an image communication system using the image communication apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in combination with an image relay apparatus described below. FIG. 6 shows an example of the image relay apparatus. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a memory area of a storage unit in the image relay apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of image data transmission / reception processing in the image relay apparatus. is there.
In the second embodiment, the same points as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The image communication device used in this second embodiment is the same as the image communication device 1 of the first embodiment.

The image relay apparatus 100 is provided separately from the image communication apparatus 1, and as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 11 for receiving the data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 1.
0, and a transmission unit 111 that transmits data to the image communication device 1.
And a storage unit 112 for storing various data sent and received and identification information, and a control unit 11 for controlling these units.
3 and an antenna 114.

The receiving unit 110 has a well-known configuration as, for example, a specific low power transceiver, receives image data and the like via the antenna 114, and sends the received image data and the like to the control unit 113. The image data sent to the control unit 113 is stored in the storage unit 112 by the control unit 113.

At this time, the image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 1 is addressed to the image relay apparatus 100 (that is, an ID number unique to each image relay apparatus 100) and the destination of the image data itself ( That is, the ID number and group code of the other party who receives the image data relayed by the image relay apparatus 100, the ID number of the sender, and the transmission time data are added. If there is no destination of the image data itself, or if the destination of the image data itself is a code or the like that is addressed to an unspecified large number, the image data relayed by the image relay device 100 is It is transmitted to an unspecified number of image communication devices 1, ... Without limiting the destination.

Further, the receiving section 110 receives a signal (return request signal) requesting the return of the image data, which is sent from the image communication apparatus 1.

The transmitting unit 111, like the receiving unit 110,
For example, the control unit 11 has a well-known configuration as a specific low-power transceiver and stores image data and the like stored in the storage unit 112.
3 and receives through the antenna 114 and transmits.
In addition to image data, the data to be sent includes the ID of the sender
Numbers and calling time data are added.

The storage unit 112 stores the destination of the image data itself, the ID number of the transmission source, the data of the reception time (that is, the transmission time of the image communication apparatus 1), and the viewer (that is, the image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 1). Image data from the image relay device 100
It stores the ID number of the person who has been sent from the user), the image data, and the like, and is configured by a RAM or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 112 stores an area 6 for storing the ID number of the destination of the image data itself.
0, an area 61 for storing the sender's ID number, an area 62 for storing the reception time data, an area 63 for storing the viewer's ID number, and an image data storage area 64. The ID number and the data are received from the control unit 113 or output to the control unit 113. It should be noted that in this example, since the image data is stored after being compressed, the storage unit 112 has a capacity capable of storing data of 100 screens or more, for example. Is erased after a predetermined time has passed from the time of storage.

The data in the first line from the top in FIG. 7 is applied to the people in group A, and the person with the ID number 0987 is 5:05 pm.
The image data is transmitted at 0 minutes, and the image data is viewed by a person with ID number 0061 (belonging to the group A). Also, the data on the second line from the top in the figure is
If the ID number is 0123, and the ID number is 0001
Indicates that the image data has been sent at 19:20 and that the image data has not been viewed. Furthermore, the data in the third line from the top in the figure is directed to an unspecified number of people, and the person with ID number 0001 sends the image data at 19:30, and the image data is in an unviewed state. It means that

The control unit 113 controls each of the above-mentioned units, and is composed of a CPU and a ROM storing the program thereof, which is not particularly shown.

The control unit 113 receives the image data and the like received by the receiving unit 110 from the receiving unit 110, outputs the received data and the like to the storage unit 112 and stores the data therein, and at the same time, a return request signal from the image communication apparatus 1. The corresponding image data or the like is read from the storage unit 112 according to the above, and is output to the transmission unit 111 to be transmitted. In addition, the control unit 113
Generates an erasing signal and outputs the erasing signal to the storage unit 112 in order to erase the image data and the like after a predetermined time has elapsed from the storage time.

Here, the standard of the antenna 114 is the same as that of the specific low power transceiver.

Next, the operation of the image relay device 100 configured as above will be described. Image relay device 100
Is always in a transmission / reception standby state of communication data, and in the standby state, the communication data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 1 to its own image relay apparatus 100 is received by the receiving unit via the antenna 114. When it is received at 110 (step S
50) Further, it is determined whether the received communication data includes image data (step S51).

If there is image data, the image data is received and stored in the storage unit 112 together with the additional data (step S52). A group of image data that has been transmitted and received by the image relay device 100 before that (including those that do not limit the group designation or the destination) and that is the source of the image data of this time, etc. Of these, the image data that has not been browsed by the sender this time is searched (step S53). The search for the unbroken data is performed by comparing the ID number of the sender of this time with the destination content of the pixel data stored in the storage unit 112.

On the other hand, in step S51, when the received image data does not include image data, for example, when the transmission source simply transmits the ID number of the transmission source, in such a case, the process proceeds to step S53. Is searched for unviewed data, and the process proceeds to step S54.

In step S54, if there is unbroken data, the unbroken data (or if there are plural unbroken data, all of them), the ID of the sender of the unbroken data.
Area 6 for returning the data such as the number and the reception time to the sender of the communication data received in step S50 and storing the ID number of the viewer in the storage unit 112.
Write the viewer's ID number in 3 (step S5
5) The relaying operation of the image is completed and the standby state is resumed.
On the other hand, in step S54, if there is no unviewed data, the relay operation of the image is finished as it is, and the standby state is resumed.

In the above example, the image data or the like transmitted from the image communication apparatus 1 to the image relay apparatus 100 or the ID number of the simple transmission source is the image data return request signal.

In the image relay device 100, the ID number of the image communication device 1 that has transmitted the image data is stored in the storage unit 1.
12, the same data is stored in the same image communication device 1.
Never send to.

According to the image communication system of the second embodiment, the image communication apparatus 1 transmits the image data which has received the image data and is temporarily stored, to the sender of the request signal in response to the return request signal. When used in combination with the image relay device 100, the image relay device 100 can be used like a message board having a post office box.
Can have a message function. In particular, it is effective to install the image relay device 100 at a workplace, a meeting place of a circle, or the like, or at a public facility such as a railway station or a service area of a highway.

The image communication apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but the circuit configuration and the operation thereof can be variously changed as long as the image data can be sent / received and stored by handwriting. It goes without saying that there is.

In each of the above embodiments, the image communication device 1
The image relay device 100 is a communication device having a standard equivalent to that of the specific low power transceiver, but the invention is not limited to this.
It may be applied to a personal handy phone (PHP). In that case, it is very effective if the image relay apparatus 100 is provided in a part or all of the base stations of the PHP.

Further, the communication standard of the image communication apparatus 1 and the image relay apparatus 100 is not limited to the standard equivalent to the specific low power transceiver, but may be equivalent to the standard for commercial radio, amateur radio, mobile phone and the like. .

[0093]

According to the first aspect of the invention, based on the input section for selectively pointing the point coordinates to the input area surface and inputting the coordinate information, and the coordinate information input to the input section. Image data transmission means having image data generation and a transmission unit for transmitting the generated image data, a reception unit for receiving the image data, and a storage unit for storing at least the image data received by the reception unit. Since the image data receiving means and the display means for displaying the image data are provided, the image is manually input in the input section, the image data of the input image is displayed by the display means, and the image data is transmitted by the transmitting section. Can be transmitted to another image communication device. Further, the image data sent from another image communication device is received by the receiving unit, stored in the storage unit, and the received image data is displayed by the display means.

Therefore, an image communication apparatus capable of bidirectional communication of image data is provided. Further, by housing the transmitting means, the receiving means, and the display means in a small housing, an image communication device having excellent portability is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmitting section is
Since at least the identification information of the user is added to the image data to be transmitted, the transmission source of the image data is clarified by the identification information, and the transmission source is specified when the image data is received. be able to.

According to the invention described in claim 3, the input section is
Since it is a coordinate input section provided on the flat display section of the display means, when drawing an image on the coordinate input section with a dedicated pen or the like,
As the pen tip moves on the coordinate input part, the image is displayed according to the miracle of the pen tip, so it is better than when the coordinate input part and the flat display part are provided at different positions. , It is possible to input images by handwriting without feeling uncomfortable.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the receiving means has the returning means for returning the receiving end signal to the sender of the image data after the receiving means finishes receiving the image data,
The sender of the image data can confirm that the image data has been reliably transmitted by receiving the reception end signal, and can prevent the transmission error of the image data from occurring.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image data is received and temporarily stored, and the stored image data is transmitted in response to the request signal requesting the return of the image data. Since the image relay device for original transmission is provided as a separate body, in this image relay device, the image data sent from the image communication device is temporarily stored, and the stored image data is sent in response to the request for return. Since the image data is sent back to the image communication apparatus, a person different from the person who sent the image data to the image relay apparatus can make a return request and receive the image data stored in the image relay apparatus. That is, by using the image relay device like a message board, the image communication device can have a message function.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an example of an image communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image communication apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory area of a storage unit in the image communication device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of image data reception processing in the image communication apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of image data transmission processing in the image communication apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image relay device used in combination with the image communication device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory area of a storage unit in the image relay device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of image data transmission / reception processing in the image relay apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 image communication device 2 touch key input unit (transmission means, input unit) 3 display unit (display unit) 10 reception unit (reception unit) 11 transmission unit (transmission unit) 12 storage unit (reception unit) 100 image relay device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transmission means for transmitting image data, a receiving means for receiving the image data, and a display means for displaying the image data to be transmitted by the transmitting means and the image data received by the receiving means. An image communication apparatus, wherein the transmitting means selectively inputs point coordinates to an input area surface to input coordinate information, and image data based on the coordinate information input to the input portion. And a receiving unit that receives the image data, and a storage unit that stores at least the image data received by the receiving unit. An image communication device comprising: 2. The image data to be transmitted is transmitted by the transmitting unit,
The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device adds at least its own identification information for transmission. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the display unit has a flat display unit, and the input unit is a coordinate input unit provided on the flat display unit. Communication device. 4. The image according to claim 1, further comprising return means for returning a reception end signal to the source of the image data after the receiving means has finished receiving the image data. Communication device. 5. An image relay apparatus for receiving and temporarily storing image data, and transmitting the stored image data to a transmission source of the request signal in response to a request signal requesting return of the image data. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image communication apparatus is provided as a separate body.