JPH09191352A - Public communication terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of use for the user in the case of facsimile transmission by adding a facsimile transmission function to a video telephone set connected via a public line network. SOLUTION: In facsimile transmission functions shown in figure, a writings and pictures camera 101 picks up an image of an object and receives an image signal for facsimile transmission and a display section 102 displays the image signal. A facsimile coding section 108 codes an image signal displayed by the display section 102 when a facsimile transmission command is received from a touch panel 103, and the coded image signal is transmitted. Thus, the user confirms an image of recording paper at a facsimile equipment of a transmission destination on which the image signal is outputted by the display section 102. Furthermore, the information terminal function is added and a database managed by a center equipment is used to make reservation with respect to various installations is conducted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a public communication terminal device in which a facsimile transmission function is added to a public communication device for transmitting / receiving at least a voice signal via a public network,
In particular, the usability of the user at the time of facsimile transmission is improved, and an information service function is added to a public communication device that transmits / receives at least a voice signal via a public line network. The present invention relates to a public communication terminal device capable of receiving various services via the center device by operating in accordance with the guidance displayed on.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a public telephone has been widely used as a public communication device for transmitting and receiving at least a voice signal via a public network, and a public video telephone has been delayed in its popularity. Further, the facsimile device and the information terminal device are not widely used as public communication devices.

Furthermore, recently, there are increasing opportunities to make reservations for use in various facilities, but it is difficult to obtain information about the facilities when only the above-mentioned public communication device is used.

For example, accommodation facilities such as hotels have more facilities, improved services, and can be used with credit cards. Therefore, the utilization rate of hotels is increasing more and more. For this reason, accommodation reservation is indispensable to use the hotel. After hotel reservations became popular, a book dedicated to hotel information was published that included a list of hotels in each region, facilities, prices, locations, and service contents so that hotels can be booked with a single phone call. became. However, even if he / she tries to make a reservation call when going out, he / she cannot know the list of hotels, facilities, charges, places, service contents, and the like.

[0005]

At the present time when telephones have become widespread, videophones are annoying because they feel uncomfortable that their image is sent to the other party in another place, and that they feel unnatural. The price of the videophone itself is still high, so it is not widely used.

Although the information terminal can retrieve various information from the center device, since the public terminal is installed only in a specific place such as a station, the number of users is limited and the pay information cannot be retrieved. Videophone,
In order to increase the utilization rate of information terminals, it is necessary to place the device in more places, simplify the operation method so that anyone can use it, and add convenient functions.

To reduce the number of keys that can be selected, the videophone device can increase its functions by using a touch panel and increasing the number of soft keys. The advantage of soft keys is that the keys to be selected are displayed on the screen each time, so there are few hard keys, and there is the point that an explanation can be added near the keys.
Also, the public communication device can simplify the management of billing by enabling the use of a credit card.

Further, by adding the function of an information terminal to a public communication device, it is possible to provide information to facilities such as hotels and to make a reservation and the like, thereby enabling public communication other than public telephones. The device can be popularized.

[0009] When making a reservation for use of various facilities, for example, when making an accommodation reservation for a hotel, at present,
You can only look up a book like a hotel guide and check the phone number to make a reservation directly at the hotel, or go to a travel center etc. and have the reservation procedure done on your behalf. When making a reservation by looking at a book, it is easy to make a reservation with some necessary information, but if you suddenly need to stay overnight, you cannot do a thorough research. In addition, you may have to buy a book, or the map on the book may make it difficult to understand. If you ask a travel center to make a reservation for you, you may have limited options, or you may not be able to find the information you want to know, and you may not be able to find an accommodation until you are satisfied. Further, the travel center has a limited number of business hours and a limited number of places, so it is difficult to make a reservation at an unfamiliar place.

The object of the present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned points, and a video communication device or the like is used as a public communication device, and a facsimile transmission function is added to this device to improve the usability for the user at the time of facsimile transmission. In addition, by adding an information service function to the public communication device, connecting this public terminal to a center machine, and operating according to the guidance displayed on the display unit, various services can be received through the center device. To provide an enabled public communication terminal device.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the object is to provide a public communication terminal device connected to another communication terminal device via a public line network, the public communication terminal device being provided with at least a voice signal. An operation unit that receives the telephone number of the other party, a document image capturing unit that captures an image signal of a subject and captures an image signal, a display unit that displays the image signal captured by the document image capturing unit, and the display An encoding unit for encoding the image signal displayed by the unit, and a network interface line connection for transmitting the image signal encoded by the encoding unit to the public line network based on the telephone number received by the operation unit. In addition, by further comprising a memory card reading unit for storing the fixed phrase and the telephone number of the other party as information, the information recorded on the memory card can be forwarded. It displayed on the display unit, to select one of the one destination telephone number for the displayed template text to convert the template text to image information is accomplished by transmitting to the designated destination.

Further, the above object is to provide a public communication terminal device connected to a center device and another communication terminal device via a public line network, wherein the public communication terminal device is at least a public communication device for transmitting and receiving voice signals. , An operation unit that accepts the telephone number of the other party, an information terminal function that connects with the center device to capture information about various facilities managed by the center device, a display unit that displays the captured information, and a center This is achieved by providing and configuring a network interface line connection unit for controlling connection with a public line network based on the telephone number of the device or the telephone number received by the operation unit.

[0013] Further, the purpose is to display information from the center relating to various facilities as reservation information on the display unit,
Based on the operation instruction displayed on the display unit, it is possible to select and switch the display content from the operation unit, and when the facility to be reserved is determined by searching and selecting the reservation information, the reservation Accept the telephone number of the public communication device that is the destination for the call, make a call to the call destination for the reservation, and if the other party is busy or cannot make the reservation, display the reservation information again on the above display unit and the reservation information It is achieved by searching for and selecting.

Further, the above object is to use the public communication device as a videophone device, the display unit for displaying the image signal as a display unit of the videophone device, and the touch panel in which the operation unit is laminated on the display unit. Alternatively, it can be achieved by also using as an operation unit provided in the videophone device, or by causing a series of operations to be performed by selection and operation instructions sequentially displayed on the display unit.

Further, the purpose is to calculate a charge required for communication based on the own telephone number, the telephone number received by the operation unit, the telephone number of the center device or the partner facility, and the communication time with the partner facility. This is achieved by providing a charge calculation unit and displaying the charge calculated by the charge calculation unit on the display unit.

A function for making a videophone public and enabling a user to take notes on a screen without a writing tool during a call,
Telephone card for payment of charges The redialing function of making a call to another place without removing the credit card,
By adding a facsimile transmission function, it becomes possible to promote the spread of videophones.

Also, by adding the function of the information terminal, it is possible to connect to the center and receive services using various databases managed by the center.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a public communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a public videophone device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the public videophone device. First, referring to FIGS. A public videophone device to which the present invention is applied will be described. 2 and 3, 10 is a numeric keypad, 11 is a reset button, 12 is an on-hook button, 13 is a start button, 14 is a volume control button, 201 is a camera section,
202 is a display unit, 203 is a touch panel, 210 is a codec unit, 220 is an operation control unit, 230 is an overall control unit,
Reference numeral 240 is a power supply unit and 250 is a handset.

As shown in FIG. 2, the public videophone device to which the present invention is applied has a camera unit 2 for capturing an image signal.
01, a display unit 202 for displaying image signals, various guidances, a touch panel 203 for operation input, a codec unit 210, an operation control unit 220, and an overall control unit 23.
0, a power supply 240, and a handset 250.

The codec section 210 has a character superimposing circuit 211, an image output circuit 212, an image decoding circuit 213, an image input circuit 214, and an image encoding circuit 21.
5 and 5. In addition, the operation control unit 220
Is a function key control circuit 221 and a numeric keypad control circuit 22.
2, the overall control unit 230 includes a transmission / reception control circuit 231, a signal multiplex division control circuit 232, a microprocessor 233 for controlling the entire apparatus, an ISDN user network interface control circuit 234, and an ISDN user network. It is configured by the interface control line connection unit 235. The power supply unit 240 is a commercial power plug 24.
A commercial power supply is input from the outside via 1 to supply a constant voltage current to the entire device, and the handset 250 is connected to the device body by a cord.

In FIG. 3, which shows the appearance of the public videophone device having the above-described configuration, the touch panel 203 is superimposed on the display unit 202 so that the user can easily select and execute the service of the public videophone device. In addition, at the bottom of the display unit 202, a ten-key pad 10 for the user to dial, a reset button 11 for canceling the dial or disconnecting the communication,
An on-hook button 12 for making a call without raising the handset 250, a start button 13 for making a call after dialing, and a volume control button 14 for adjusting the volume of the handset 250 are provided. There is.

A signal output by pressing the numeric keypad 10 is output to the numeric keypad control circuit 222, and a signal output by pressing the other keys 11 to 14 is a function key. Control circuit 221
Is output to

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned public videophone device will be described with reference to FIG. 2, assuming that the ISDN signal is transmitted to the videophone device of the other party.

In the public videophone device shown in FIG. 2,
The camera unit 201 captures an image of the user and captures an image signal, and the handset 250 captures the voice of the user as a voice signal. The image signal captured by the camera unit 201 is output to the image input circuit 214, and the image input circuit 214 converts the image signal captured by the camera 201 into the image encoding circuit 21.
5 is output. The image encoding circuit 215 encodes the image signal output from the image input circuit 214 into a signal format suitable for videophone communication, and outputs the encoded image signal to the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232.

On the other hand, the voice signal received by the handset 250 is output to the handset control circuit 231. The transmission / reception control circuit 231 encodes the audio signal captured by the handset 250 into a signal format suitable for videophone communication, and outputs the encoded audio signal to the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232.

The signal demultiplexing / demultiplexing control circuit 232 multiplexes the image signal output from the image coding circuit 215 and the voice signal output from the transmission / reception control circuit 231, and the ISDN.
The signal is converted into a signal equivalent to 2B in the signal, and then output to the ISDN user network interface control circuit 234.

The ISDN user network interface control circuit 234 has a signal corresponding to 2B multiplexed by the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232 and a D channel (16K) which is a line control signal.
bps) signal, converts the signal to a signal equivalent to 2B + D of the ISDN signal, and transmits the signal to the ISDN user network via the ISDN user network interface line connection unit 235. The ISDN user network interface control circuit 234 provides a D channel signal for communication control such as connection / disconnection via the ISDN user network.

As described above, the public videophone device shown in FIG. 2 can transmit the image signal captured by the camera unit 201 and the audio signal captured by the handset 250 to the ISDN user network.

Next, the operation when receiving the ISDN signal transmitted from the other party's videophone device will be described.

In the public videophone device shown in FIG.
The ISDN user network interface control circuit 234
2 of ISDN signals transmitted from the ISDN user network
A signal corresponding to B + D is received via the ISDN user network interface circuit connection unit, a signal corresponding to 2B is separated, and output to the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232.

The signal demultiplexing control circuit 232 is an ISDN.
A signal equivalent to 2B output from the user network interface control circuit 234 is separated into an image signal and an audio signal, the separated image signal is output to an image decoding circuit 213, and the separated audio signal is transmitted and received by a transmission / reception control circuit. 231.

The image decoding circuit 213 decodes the image signal output from the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232 and outputs the decoded image signal to the image output circuit 212. The image output circuit 212 outputs the image signal output from the image decoding circuit 213 to the character superimposing circuit 211.

The character superimposing circuit 211 is the image output circuit 21.
The image signal output from the image output circuit 2 is output to the display unit 202 to be displayed on the screen, and previously registered figures, characters and the like are superimposed on the image signal output from the image output circuit 212. As a result, the image signal of the ISDN signal transmitted from the other party's videophone device is displayed on the display unit 202.
Can be displayed on the screen, and also figures, characters (various guidances, etc.) can be displayed on the screen.

Further, the transmission / reception control circuit 231 decodes the voice signal output from the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232, and outputs the decoded voice signal to the transmission / reception unit 250.
As a result, the voice signal of the ISDN signal transmitted from the videophone device of the other party can be output.

The microprocessor 233 has a memory (not shown) and has a program on this memory, and controls the operation of each component through the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232.

The embodiment of the present invention realizes a public videophone device with a facsimile transmission function by adding a facsimile transmission function to the public videophone device as described above. In order to add the facsimile transmission function to the public videophone, it is necessary to combine a circuit group necessary for adding the facsimile transmission function (hereinafter referred to as a facsimile transmission circuit) with the public videophone device. At this time, the parts common to the public videophone device and the facsimile transmission circuit can be shared.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile transmission circuit added to a public videophone device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a document camera and 102
Is a display unit, 103 is a touch panel, 104 is an image input frame memory, 105 is an image display frame memory,
106 is a ROM with a built-in encoding algorithm, 107 is a digital signal processor (DSP), 108 is a facsimile encoder, 109 is an image storage memory, 110 is a voice generator, 111 is a memory card controller, 112 is a panel controller, Reference numeral 113 is a modem control unit, 114 is a data built-in RAM, 115 is a control program built-in ROM, and 116.
Is a communication control processor (MPU), 117 is an HDLC controller, 118 is an L1 / L2 controller, and 119 is an IS.
DN interface controller, 120 is ISDN
A user network interface line connection unit, a numeric keypad control unit 121, a numeric keypad 122, and a communication memory (CM) 123.

Since the facsimile transmission circuit shown in FIG. 1 has only to realize the facsimile transmission function, it is a constituent element of an ordinary facsimile apparatus for decoding an image signal transmitted from another facsimile apparatus. Is not shown.

When the facsimile transmission circuit shown in FIG. 1 is combined with the public videophone device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 is also used as the display unit 202 shown in FIGS. The touch panel 103 in FIG. 1 can be shared with the touch panel 203 in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the numeric keypad 122 in FIG. 1 can be shared with the numeric keypad 10 in FIG. The control unit 121
2 can be shared with the ten-key controller 222, and the DSP 107 and MPU 116 in FIG. 1 can be shared with the microprocessor 233 in FIG.

Further, the ISDN user network interface line connection unit 120 in FIG.
One ISDN line can be shared with the N user network interface line connection unit 235. In this case, the ISDN interface controller 119 in FIG. 1 is shared with the ISDN user network interface control circuit 234 in FIG. 2, and the output destination of the L1 / L2 controller 118 in FIG. 1 is the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232 in FIG. In this way, the signal demultiplexing control circuit 232 is configured to control the 2B in the ISDN signal.
It is also possible to set an image signal to be transmitted by facsimile to a considerable signal. Further, the image display frame memory 105 in FIG. 1 is equivalent to the image output circuit 420 in FIG. 2, and the image input frame memory 104 in FIG. 1 is equivalent to the image input circuit 214 in FIG. Can be shared.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the external appearance of a public videophone device with a facsimile transmission function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 40 is a document reading table, 41 is a cover, 42 is a round fluorescent lamp, 43 is a reflecting plate for circular illumination,
Reference numeral 4 is a memory card insertion slot, 45 is an installation base, and other reference numerals are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3 which are commonly used in FIG. 1 are shown in parentheses.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the facsimile transmission circuit other than the document camera 101 is mounted inside the public videophone, and as described above,
In this example, parts common to the public videophone device and the facsimile transmission circuit are shared.

In FIG. 4, a memory card insertion slot 44
When performing a facsimile transmission of a fixed phrase described later,
Since the user inserts the memory card and the memory card insertion slot 44 is arranged on the front surface, the user can easily insert the memory card.
The document reading table 40 is composed of a transparent and flat glass plate. Further, the document camera 101 is mounted upward inside the installation table 45 having the same size as the installation space of the public videophone device, and photographs the document set on the document reading table 40 from below. And round fluorescent lamp 4
2 is mounted inside the installation table 45 such that the center thereof is coaxial with the center of the lens of the document camera 101, and further, in order to concentrate the irradiation light of the round fluorescent lamp 42 on the original, The mold illumination reflection plate 43 is mounted below the round fluorescent lamp 42.

The example shown in FIG. 4 is one example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the round fluorescent lamp 42, another illumination may be used. However, for example, a portion of the facsimile transmission circuit other than the document camera 101 may be mounted inside the installation table 45.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation procedure of the user when performing facsimile transmission using the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function according to the embodiment of the present invention described above. The operation procedure of facsimile transmission will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, although not shown in the display unit 102, a guidance prompting the user to select whether to use the videophone service or the facsimile transmission service. Is displayed. Here, when the user presses a key indicating that the facsimile transmission service is used, the display unit 102
, A function selection screen 501 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the function selection screen 501 displays a guidance prompting the user to select either normal facsimile transmission or fixed-text facsimile transmission, which will be described later. In this state, when the user sets a document to be transmitted as a facsimile on the document reading stand 40 and instructs a key (here, “1” key) indicating normal facsimile transmission on the touch panel 103, the display screen is displayed. Shifts from the function selection screen 501 to the image selection screen 502.

The image selection screen 502 displays the image signal read from the original set on the original reading table 40. Since this image signal becomes an image output on the recording paper by the destination facsimile machine, the user can easily determine the position and content of the document while looking at the displayed image signal.

The user decides the position and contents of the original to be sent by facsimile, and a key (in this case, a key) indicating that fact.
When the "select" key) is specified on the touch panel 103,
The same image signal that is displayed at that time,
The image is stored as an image signal to be transmitted by facsimile, and then the display screen shifts from the image selection screen 502 to the continuous image input screen 503.

The continuous image input screen 503 displays a guidance asking the user whether or not the document reading work has been completed. When the user wants to send a document of a plurality of pages by facsimile, the user is informed that there is a next page. Touch the key shown here (the "next page" key here)
3 key, and when the document reading work is finished, a key indicating that the work is finished (here, the "end" key)
On the touch panel 103.

When the user specifies the "next page" key on the continuous image input screen 503, the display screen returns from the continuous image input screen 503 to the image selection screen 502, and when the user specifies the end key, the display screen changes to Continuous image input screen 5
03 to the telephone number input screen 504.

On the telephone number input screen 504, guidance is displayed to prompt the user to enter the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus which is the transmission destination. In this state, the user inputs the telephone number of the destination facsimile device using the ten-key pad 122, and indicates on the touch panel 103 a key (here, "transmission" key) indicating that facsimile transmission is to be started. As a result, the display screen becomes the telephone number input screen 504.
To the charge display screen 505.

The charge display screen 505 displays guidance that the registration for facsimile transmission is completed and the result of calculation of the fee for facsimile transmission. While the charge display screen 505 is being displayed, a call is made to the destination facsimile machine based on the telephone number input by the user, and the image signal read from the original and accumulated is transmitted. It is transmitted to the facsimile machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram in which the flow of signals is written in the necessary parts of FIG. 1 to explain the operation of facsimile transmission, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of facsimile transmission.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function will be further described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9.

In the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function, the panel control unit 112 confirms that the key indicating the normal facsimile communication (here, the "1" key) is instructed on the function selection screen 501. Since this is detected (step 901), the document camera 101 captures an image signal by capturing an image of the document set on the document reading stand 40 as indicated by an arrow 608 in FIG. 6 (step 9).
02), the captured image signal is stored in the image input FM 104 as indicated by an arrow 607 in FIG.

The image signal stored in the image input FM 104 is controlled by the DSP 107, and the arrow 60 in FIG.
6, the image data is transferred to the image display FM 105, and is displayed on the display unit 102 as indicated by the arrow 609 in FIG. 6 (step 903). As a result, the display unit 102
From the function selection screen 501 to the image selection screen 502
Move to

Since the above-described processing is performed in real time, when the user moves the original on the original reading table 40 or changes the original to be set on the image selection screen 502, the original moves along with the original. , Display unit 10
The image signal displayed at 2 is also changed.

With the image selection screen 502 displayed, the panel control unit 112 indicates that the original document to be facsimile-transmitted has been decided (here, the "selection" key).
Is detected (step 904), D
The SP 107 displays the image display FM 104 through the image display F 104.
The transfer of the image signal to M105 is stopped (step 90).
5). Thereby, at that time, the FM 105 for image display
Since the image signal stored in is not updated, the image signal displayed on the display unit 102 becomes a still image, and the display unit 102 shifts the display screen from the image selection screen 502 to the continuous image input screen 503.

When the DSP 107 stops the transfer of the image signal from the image input FM 104 to the image display FM 105, the image signal (still image) stored in the image display FM 105 is indicated by an arrow 605 in FIG. As shown, it is transferred to the facsimile encoding unit 108. The facsimile encoding unit 108 encodes the transferred image signal into a signal format suitable for facsimile transmission according to an algorithm stored in the encoding algorithm built-in ROM 106. The image signal encoded by the facsimile encoding unit 108 is controlled by the DSP 107, and the image signal shown in FIG.
As indicated by the arrow 604, the image storage memory 109 is transferred to the image storage memory 109 through the CM 123.
(Step 906).

When the continuous image input screen 503 is displayed, the panel control unit 112 detects that a key indicating that there is a next page (here, the "next page" key) is instructed (step 907), changing the display screen of the display unit 102 from the continuous image input screen 503 to the image selection screen 5
Shift to 02. As a result, the processing shown in FIG. 9 returns to the processing from step 902.

Further, the panel control section 112 confirms that a key (here, “end” key) indicating that the reading operation of the original document is completed is instructed while the continuous image input screen 503 is displayed. When detected (step 90)
7), the display screen of the display unit 102, the continuous image input screen 5
03 to the telephone number input screen 504.

While the telephone number input screen 504 is displayed, the ten-key controller 121 accepts the input of the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine, and then the panel controller 112 starts the facsimile transmission. When the MPU 116 detects that the key (here, “transmission” key) indicating is designated (step 908), the MPU 116 stores the image in the image storage memory 109 according to the control program stored in the control program built-in ROM 115. The transmitted image signal is transmitted by facsimile (step 91).
6).

That is, the image signal stored in the image storage memory 109 is first transferred to the modem control unit 113 and modulated as shown by an arrow 603 in FIG. As shown, the HDLC controller 1
17, the HDLC procedure processing is performed, and as shown by arrows 601 and 610 in FIG. 6, the L1 / L2 controller 118, the ISDN interface controller 11
ISDN user network interface line connection unit 1 after being transferred to the ISDN and converted to the ISDN interface
Facsimile transmission via 20.

At this time, the ISDN interface controller 119 is controlled by the MPU 116 to call the facsimile machine as the transmission destination on the basis of the telephone number accepted by the ten-key controller 121, and to communicate with the transmission destination facsimile machine. Perform processing to connect the ISDN line between them.

Further, at this time, the MPU 116 calculates the fee for facsimile transmission based on the telephone number of the public videophone apparatus with the facsimile transmission function, the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus as the transmission destination and the transmission time of the image information. (Step 914), the panel control unit 112
The display screen of the display unit 102 is changed from the telephone number input screen 504 to the charge display screen 505, the charge is displayed, and the completion of the transmission registration is displayed (step 91).
5).

In addition to the above-described facsimile transmission, the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention can further perform the one-touch operation using a memory card to transmit a fixed phrase by facsimile. I am trying.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation procedure of the user when performing the facsimile transmission of a fixed text by using the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function according to the embodiment of the present invention described above. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of facsimile transmission of a fixed text will be described with reference to FIG.

As in the case described with reference to FIG. 5, the display unit 10
Although not shown in FIG. 2, guidance for urging the user to select whether to use the videophone service or the facsimile transmission service is displayed in 2. here,
When the user presses a key indicating that the facsimile transmission service is used, the function selection screen 701 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 102. This screen is the same as the screen 501 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the function selection screen 701 displays guidance for urging the user to select normal facsimile transmission or fixed-text facsimile transmission, which will be described later. In this state, the user inputs a key (in this example
When the “2” key) is designated on the touch panel 103, the display screen changes from the function selection screen 701 to the card insertion solicitation screen 702.

On the card insertion invitation screen 702, guidance for urging the insertion of a memory card is displayed. Here, when the user inserts a memory card (not shown) into the memory card insertion slot 44, the display screen shifts from the card insertion solicitation screen 702 to the fixed phrase selection screen 703.

On the fixed phrase selection screen 703, one or more fixed phrases and the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine are displayed, and further, a guidance prompting the user to select a fixed phrase to be transmitted by facsimile is displayed. . The fixed text and the telephone number are converted into image signals by expanding the character code stored in advance in the memory card into a character font.

While the fixed phrase selection screen 703 is displayed, the user selects a key (in this case, the key) indicating a desired fixed phrase.
When the "1" key is instructed on the touch panel 103, and further, the key indicating the start of facsimile transmission (here, the "transmission" key) is instructed on the touch panel 103, the display screen changes to the fixed phrase selection screen 703. To the charge display screen 704.

On the fee display screen 704, guidance that the registration of the facsimile transmission is completed and the result of calculating the fee for the facsimile transmission is displayed.
While the charge display screen 704 is being displayed, a call is made to the destination facsimile machine based on the telephone number stored in advance in the memory card, and the fixed phrase stored in advance in the memory card. The image signal of the fixed phrase selected by the user is transmitted to the destination facsimile machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the signal flow is entered in the necessary parts of FIG. 1 in order to explain the operation of facsimile transmission of a fixed form sentence. Next, the fixed form of the public videophone device with the above-mentioned facsimile transmission function is described. The operation of facsimile transmission of a sentence will be further described with reference to the flows shown in FIGS.

In the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function, the panel control unit 112 has instructed the key (here, the "2" key) indicating the facsimile communication of the fixed text on the function selection screen 701. In step 901, the display unit 102 changes the display screen from the function selection screen 701 to the card insertion invitation screen 70.
Move to 2.

When the memory card is inserted into the memory card insertion slot 44 (step 909), the memory card control unit 111 reads the fixed form sentence and the character code of the telephone number which are stored in advance in the memory card, and the memory card control unit 111 shown in FIG. Arrow 807
As shown in, the read character code
Store in AM114.

The character code stored in the data built-in RAM 114 is controlled by the MPU 116, expanded into a character font and converted into an image signal (step 91).
0). The image signal expanded into this character font is transferred to the image display FM 105 through the CM 123 as shown by an arrow 806 in FIG. 8 and displayed on the display unit 102 as shown by an arrow 808 in FIG. The part 102 is
The display screen is shifted from the card insertion solicitation screen 702 to the fixed phrase selection screen 703 (step 911).

With the fixed text selection screen 703 displayed, the panel control section 112 displays a key indicating a fixed text (here, "1" key) and a key indicating that facsimile transmission is to be started (here. Then, when it is detected that the "transmission" key) is instructed (step 912), the DSP 107
Among the image signals of the fixed form sentence stored in the image display FM 105, the image signal of the fixed form sentence indicated by the key detected by the panel control unit 112 is transmitted by facsimile in the same manner as in the normal facsimile transmission. (Step 913-
Step 916).

That is, the DSP 107 first transfers the image signal of the fixed text to be transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile encoding unit 108, as indicated by an arrow 805 in FIG.
The facsimile encoding unit 108 encodes the transferred image signal into a signal format suitable for facsimile transmission according to an algorithm stored in the encoding algorithm built-in ROM 106. The image signal encoded by the facsimile encoding unit 108 is controlled by the DSP 107, and as shown by an arrow 804 in FIG.
The image is transferred to the image storage memory 109 through and is stored in the image storage memory 109 (step 913).

Next, the MPU 116 displays the image signal stored in the image storage memory 109 according to the control program stored in the control program built-in ROM 115, as shown by an arrow 809 in FIG.
8 and then modulated, and then transferred to the HDLC control unit 117 for performing HDLC procedure processing as shown by an arrow 803 in FIG. 8, and as shown by arrows 802 and 801 in FIG.
The data is transferred to the L1 / L2 controller 118 and the ISDN interface controller 119 to be converted into an ISDN interface, and then transmitted by facsimile via the ISDN user network interface line connection unit 120 (step 916).

At this time, the ISDN interface controller 119 is controlled by the MPU 116 to call the destination facsimile machine based on the telephone number indicated by the character code of the telephone number stored in the data built-in RAM 114. , To connect an ISDN line to the destination facsimile machine.

Further, at this time, the MPU 116 determines, based on the telephone number of the public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function and the telephone number of the facsimile device as the transmission destination.
Calculate the fee for fax transmission (Step 91
4), the panel control unit 112 shifts the display screen of the display unit 102 from the telephone number input screen 504 to the charge display screen 505, displays the charge, and displays completion of transmission registration (step 915).

According to the above-described public videophone device with the facsimile transmission function according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the image signal is captured by using the document camera 101,
As long as it can be set on the document reading stand 40, even if it is a three-dimensional object, the captured image signal can be transmitted by facsimile by photographing it.

Further, since the guidance for operation is displayed on the display section 102, the user can perform facsimile transmission by a simple operation. In addition, the user can send a fixed phrase stored in advance in the memory card by facsimile with a simple operation. Further, the user can send the phone call to the facsimile device having the telephone number stored in the memory card in advance. Facsimile transmission can be performed without entering a number.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the image on the recording paper of the image signal output from the destination facsimile apparatus can be confirmed on the display unit 102 before the facsimile transmission.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the character code of the fixed phrase stored in advance in the memory card is converted into an image signal by expanding the character font,
Although the converted image signal can be transmitted by facsimile, the present invention generates a voice signal from a character code of a fixed phrase stored in advance in a memory card and transmits the generated voice signal as a voice mail. You can also do so.

For the transmission of such a voice mail, the voice generation unit 110 shown in FIG. 1 is caused to generate a voice signal from the character code of the fixed sentence stored in the data built-in RAM 114, and the MPU 116 makes the control program built-in ROM 1
According to the control program stored in 15, the audio signal generated by the audio generation unit 110 is transmitted to the HDLC control unit 11
7 and perform HDLC procedure processing, then L1 / L
This can be realized by transferring the data to the 2 controller 118 and the ISDN interface controller 119, converting the ISDN interface to the ISDN interface, and then transmitting the ISDN interface via the ISDN user network interface line connection unit 120.

As a result, the user can send the fixed phrase stored in advance in the memory card as a voice mail.

The above-described embodiment of the present invention realizes a public videophone device with a facsimile transmission function by combining a facsimile transmission circuit with the public videophone device. However, the present invention is not a public videophone. Any public communication device that can be connected to a public line network can be applied. For example, a public telephone may be combined with a facsimile transmission circuit.

Further, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described as having one telephone number pre-stored in the memory card, the present invention may store two or more telephone numbers in the memory card. You may In this case, the user may select the telephone number of the destination facsimile device in the same manner as the operation of selecting the fixed phrase.

Further, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described as having two fixed phrases stored in advance in the memory card, the present invention may store three or more fixed phrases in the memory card. Alternatively, only one fixed phrase may be stored in advance in the memory card. Especially,
When one fixed phrase and one telephone number are stored in the memory card, the fixed phrase can be automatically transmitted by facsimile when the memory card is inserted.

Further, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described as having the facsimile transmission function added to the above-mentioned public videophone device, the present invention further allows reservation registration for various facilities from the public videophone device. It is possible to add an information terminal function that makes it possible to perform.

In this case, the above-mentioned public videophone device is connected to the center device, and various databases stored in the center device can be loaded into the public videophone device device, so that the videophone and the information can be stored. It is possible to realize a public terminal device that also has the function of a terminal. And to emphasize the advantages of the videophone, it is possible to make a call to another place without taking out the card for paying the fee, a memo function to take notes on the screen even if there is no writing instrument during the call. In addition to the redialing function, cash for payment of a fee, and a telephone card, a function of enabling a credit card or the like is added. Further, the function of the information terminal described above can be added to the public videophone device to which the facsimile transmission function described above is added. In this case, the facsimile transmission function only needs to be capable of transmitting an A5 size document.

The public videophone device to which the information terminal function is added displays a guidance for reading information on the screen so that anyone can use it. The user can perform all the processes by operating according to the guidance. All the operations are performed with soft keys, and necessary keys are displayed for each guidance screen. The user can make reservations for various facilities by selecting a required key from the keys displayed on each guidance screen.

As reservations for various facilities, reservations for leisure facilities such as golf courses and campsites, seat reservations for railroads, airlines, reception reservations for medical institutions such as hospitals, accommodation reservations for inns, hotels, etc. are made. Conceivable.

When using the videophone device according to the embodiment of the present invention to which the function of the information terminal is added for the reservation of various facilities, the user instructs the reservation of the facilities. When the device is activated, the videophone device according to the embodiment of the present invention first connects to the center device using the telephone number of the facility reservation center stored in advance in the device itself.

When the center device receives the call and the connection is completed, the center device sends an initial screen for reservation and prompts the user to input what kind of facility he / she wants to make a reservation for.
For example, when a hotel reservation is instructed, various pieces of information related to the hotel managed by the center are sequentially transmitted, and the processing proceeds interactively with the user. All processing is done by soft keys according to the guidance. By operating according to the guidance, the user can decide the accommodation hotel while looking at the hotel information and automatically call the hotel without dialing. Can be applied. Also, on the screen, the hotel overview, services,
You can display photos of the room.

Hereinafter, a case where a hotel reservation is made using the video telephone device according to the embodiment of the present invention to which the function of the information terminal is added will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation when making a hotel reservation according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the screen display when making a hotel reservation according to the operating procedure.

When the use of the videophone device according to the embodiment of the present invention having the information terminal function is started, the reservation center is called by the telephone number of the reservation center stored in the device itself to connect with the center. . The center sends an initial screen for facility reservation to the videophone device. As a result, a menu for making reservations for various facilities (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 102 of the videophone device as an initial screen.

When the user selects the hotel reservation from this screen and presses the hotel reservation button, the Japan map screen 1101 is displayed on the display unit 102 (step 10).
01). This map of Japan is divided into regions, and if you press the region where the hotel you want to stay is, a detailed map of that region will be displayed. For example, when “Kanto” is selected on the Japan map screen 1101 (step 1002), the screen of the display unit 102 is the detailed city map screen 11 for the Kanto region.
The process proceeds to 02 (step 1003).

When the user presses the city to stay in while the detailed city map screen 1102 is displayed, a list of station names near the city is displayed. For example, when "Tokyo" is selected on the detailed city map screen 1102 of the Kanto region (step 1004), the display screen moves to the main station list screen 1103 in Tokyo (step 1005). On the display screen showing a list of station names, select the station closest to the place where you want to stay, and a list of hotels near that station will be displayed. For example, if "Omotesando" is selected on the main station name list screen 1103 in Tokyo (step 100)
6), the display screen is a list of hotels around Omotesando Station 11
The process moves to 04 (step 1007).

On the screens 1101 to 1103 described above,
A button 1110 "from the beginning" and a button 1111 "previous screen" are displayed on the screen. If you press "From the beginning", all the hotel reservation screens are closed and the initial screen is displayed. Also, if you press "Previous screen", you will move to the previous screen. Furthermore, on the hotel list screen 1104, a “next candidate” button 1112 and a “previous candidate” button 1
And 113 are displayed. Click the "Next Candidate" button to move to the next page, or the "Previous Candidate" button to move to the previous page.

When the hotel list screen 1104 is displayed, the user presses the "next candidate" button and the "previous candidate" button to select an accommodation hotel from the hotel list screens 1104 and 1105 (step 1008). Then, when the name of the accommodation hotel is pressed, detailed information of the hotel is displayed. On the hotel detailed information screen 1106, guest room type, charge, location, room photograph, number of reservations, etc. can be viewed (step 1009).

On the hotel detailed information screen 1106,
"Next candidate" button 1114 "Previous candidate" button 1115
Although the "reservation call" button 1116 is displayed, when the "next candidate" and "previous candidate" buttons are pressed, detailed information is displayed in the numerical order of the hotel list. Also, "Reservation call"
When the button is pressed (step 1010), the terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention inquires of the user whether or not to call the hotel on the screen (step 1011), and when the user answers to call, the terminal device automatically A phone is connected to the hotel on the screen (step 1012). During connection, a connecting screen 1108 is displayed, and when the "cancel" button 1117 displayed on this screen is pressed, the connection with the hotel can be canceled. When the phone is connected to the hotel, the display screen becomes a normal call screen.

When communication cannot be made with the hotel (step 1013) due to the number of people being filled, differences in conditions, etc., the user presses the normal call screen redial button (step 1018). As a result, the communication is once terminated (step 1019), the process returns to step 1007, the display screen is changed to 1104, and the process of selecting the next hotel and making a reservation can be continued. A hotel reservation is made by communication with the hotel (step 1013), and when the user puts on the handset (step 1014), the fee payment card is ejected (step 1017) and the process ends.

Although the description is omitted here, after the reservation is made, the charge display screen may be displayed to display the charge as in the case described above.

Further, normally, on the above-mentioned normal call screen, a button for continuing the call without removing the card during the call is displayed. When this button is pressed, the communication is temporarily terminated. You can call the following places without removing the card. When the button is pressed in a state where the screen is changed from the "reservation call" to the call screen, it is a call for hotel reservation, and in this case, the processes of steps 1018 and 1019 are performed.

[0111]

As described above, according to the present invention, a public communication device for transmitting and receiving at least an audio signal via a public line network, for example, a public telephone having a facsimile transmission function, which is a videophone device added with a facsimile transmission function. It is possible to improve the usability of the user when transmitting the facsimile of the communication device. Also, by adding an information service function to this public communication device, connecting this public communication device to the center, displaying information from the center, and performing operations according to the guidance displayed on the display unit, various services For example, it is possible to provide a service for making reservations for various facilities.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile transmission circuit added to a public videophone device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public videophone device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance of a public videophone device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an appearance of a public communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a user when performing normal facsimile transmission using the public communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram in which a signal flow is entered in necessary parts of FIG. 1 in order to explain a normal facsimile transmission operation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a user when performing facsimile transmission of a fixed text by using the public communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram in which a signal flow is entered in necessary parts of FIG. 1 in order to explain an operation of facsimile transmission of a fixed phrase.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of facsimile transmission.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when making a hotel reservation using the public communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen display according to an operation procedure when a hotel reservation is made.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Numeric keypad 11 Reset button 12 On-hook button 13 Start button 14 Volume control button 40 Original scanning table 41 Cover 42 Round fluorescent lamp 43 Round illumination reflector 44 Memory card insertion slot 45 Installation table 101 Document camera 102 Display section 103 Touch panel 104 Image Input Frame Memory 105 Image Display Frame Memory 106 ROM with Built-in Encoding Algorithm 107 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 108 Facsimile Encoding Unit 109 Image Storage Memory 110 Sound Generation Unit 111 Memory Card Control Unit 112 Panel Control Unit 113 Modem Control unit 114 RAM with built-in data 115 ROM with built-in control program 116 Communication control processor (MPU) 117 HDLC control unit 118 L1 / L2 controller 11 9 ISDN interface controller 120 ISDN user network interface line connection unit 121 numeric keypad control unit 122 numeric keypad 201 camera unit 202 display unit 203 touch panel 210 codec unit 211 character superimposing circuit 212 image output circuit 231 image decoding circuit 214 image input circuit 215 image encoding Circuit 220 Operation control unit 221 Function key control circuit 222 Numeric keypad control circuit 230 Overall control unit 231 Transmission / reception control circuit 232 Signal demultiplexing control circuit 233 Microprocessor 234 ISDN user network interface control circuit 235 ISDN user network interface line connection unit 240 Power supply unit 241 Commercial power plug 250 Handset

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Yasuo Inoue 216 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Ltd. Information & Communication Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kaoru Fujishima 4-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Japan Telecom Within the corporation

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A public communication terminal device connected to another communication terminal device via a public network, the public communication terminal device being provided with at least a public communication device for transmitting and receiving a voice signal, and a telephone number of a partner. An operation unit that accepts, a document image capturing unit that captures an image signal of a subject, a display unit that displays the image signal captured by the document image capturing unit, and a code that encodes the image signal displayed by the display unit And a network interface line connection unit for transmitting the image signal encoded by the encoding unit to the public line network based on the telephone number received by the operation unit. Communication terminal equipment. 2. A memory card reading unit for storing a fixed phrase and a telephone number of the other party as information, the information recorded in the memory card is displayed on the display unit, and the displayed fixed phrase is displayed. 2. The public communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein one of the destination telephone numbers and one of the destination telephone numbers are selected, the fixed phrase is converted into image information, and the image information is transmitted to the designated destination. 3. The touch panel in which the public communication device is a videophone device, the display unit for displaying the image signal is also used as the display unit of the videophone device, and the operation unit is laminated on the display unit, or 2. The operating unit provided in the videophone device is also used as the operating unit.
Alternatively, the public communication terminal device described in 2. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein a series of operations from the capturing of the image signal by the document image capturing section to the transmission of the image signal is performed by selection of sequential display on the display section and operation instruction. 3. The public communication terminal device as described in 3. 5. A charge calculation unit for calculating a charge required for communication is further provided based on the own telephone number, the telephone number received by the operation unit, and the communication time, and the charge calculation is performed on the display unit. 5. The public communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the charge calculated by the unit is displayed. 6. A public communication terminal device connected to a center device and another communication terminal device via a public line network,
The public communication terminal device is connected to at least the public communication device that transmits and receives voice signals, and the operation unit that receives the telephone number of the other party and the center device are connected to take in various service information managed by the center device. An information terminal function, a display unit for displaying the captured information, and a network interface line connection unit for controlling the connection with the public line network based on the telephone number of the center device or the telephone number received by the operation unit. A public communication terminal device characterized by being provided with. 7. The touch panel in which the public communication device is a videophone device, a display unit for displaying information fetched from a center device is also used as a display unit of the videophone device, and the operation unit is laminated on the display unit. 7. Alternatively, the public communication terminal device according to claim 6, which is also used as an operation unit provided in the videophone device. 8. The various service information managed by the center device is information on various facilities, and the fetched information is displayed as reservation information on the display unit,
It is possible to select and switch the display contents from the operation unit based on the operation instruction displayed on the display unit, and when the facility to be reserved is decided by searching and selecting the reservation information, reservation The public communication terminal device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a telephone number of a public communication device which is a telephone destination for is received. 9. The public communication terminal device according to claim 8, wherein after receiving the telephone number of a public communication device which is a telephone destination for reservation, the call is automatically transmitted to the telephone destination for reservation. . 10. After automatically calling a telephone number for reservation, when the other party is busy or cannot make a reservation, the reservation information is displayed again on the display section so that the reservation information can be searched and selected. The public communication terminal device according to claim 9, wherein 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein a series of operations from the acquisition of information from the center device to the connection to the reservation facility are performed by selection and operation instructions sequentially displayed on the display unit. Public communication terminal device according to 1 of 10. 12. The charge required for communication is calculated based on the own telephone number, the telephone number received by the operation unit, the communication time with the center device, the telephone number of the partner facility, and the communication time with the partner facility. 12. The public communication terminal device according to claim 6, wherein a charge calculation unit is further provided, and the display unit displays the charge calculated by the charge calculation unit.