JPH1188529A - Video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the inexpensive video telephone system that is accessible to a communication network. SOLUTION: The telephone set has a codec 104 consisting of a companding section 139 that codes/decodes an audio signal and an image signal and of a browser section 140 that interprets various data on a communication network and conducts communication protocol control, a modem 105 converts digital/ analog data forms for data communication on a general public line, a line control section 106 that controls connection to a telephone set 125 and a telephone line 124, and a control section 108 controlling the entire system. In this case, the codec 104 consists of one IC or a chip set and the control section 108 sets either or both of operations of the companding section 139 and the browser section 140 and transfers properly required data to the codec 104.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses an analog or digital telephone line to simultaneously and bidirectionally communicate image data, audio data, and other data to perform videoconferencing, video services, remote monitoring, home care, and the like. The present invention relates to a video conference telephone that can be realized and has functions of various Internet connection devices such as Internet telephony and an e-mail terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the progress of image compression technology and digital communication technology, various video telephone devices or video conference systems have been commercialized as one of various multimedia systems. Most of them are H.264, which is an international standard for image and voice communication systems for ISDN lines. ISD that conforms to H.320 and can transmit large amounts of data at high speed
Utilizes the features of N lines.

On the other hand, with the speeding-up of modems for transmitting digital data using analog telephone lines and the development of image compression technology corresponding to low bit rates, videophones using analog telephone lines with many subscribers have been developed. The development of devices has been active and has been promoted according to the international standard H.264. 324 has been recommended. Hereinafter, a videophone compatible with an analog telephone line will be described.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a conventional videophone device. 20, reference numeral 102 denotes a user interface unit (user I / F); 103A, an input unit;
5 is a modem, 106 is a line control unit, 107A is a display unit,
111 is a front panel, 112 is an IR interface (IR I / F), 113 is an IR remote controller, 115 is an audio interface (audio I / F), 11
6 is a video interface unit (video I / F), 117
Is a microphone, 118 is a camera, 119 and 120 are encoders, and 124 is a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Ne
twork, public switched telephone network) or ISDN telephone line, 125 is a telephone, 126 is a line interface (line I / F), 127 is a telephone interface (telephone I / F), 128 and 129 are decoders, and 130 is a speaker 131, a monitor, 133, an audio interface unit (audio I / F), 134, a video interface unit (video I / F), 401, a videophone device, 402, a codec, 403, a control unit, 404, 4
07 is ROM, 405 and 408 are RAM, 406 is CP
U.

[0005] The video telephone 40 constructed as described above.
Regarding No. 1, each component, function, operation and the like will be described.

[0006] A control unit 403 controls the entire system of the videophone device 401, and a CPU as a controller.
406 and a ROM 407 for storing programs and data,
It is constituted by a memory of the RAM 408.

The codec 402 includes an audio codec for encoding and decoding an audio signal, and an image codec for encoding and decoding an image signal. The audio codec and the image codec may be configured separately or may be integrated.

When the telephone line 124 is an analog general telephone line, ITU-T H.324 is used as an international standard communication system corresponding to a data communication speed of 64 kbps or less, H.263 is used as a moving image coding system, H.223 as multiplexing method
However, H.245 is used as a communication control method, and G.723 is used as a voice coding method. In addition, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) may be used as a still image encoding method.

The modem 105 modulates a digital signal in the video telephone 401 into a signal in the transmission band of the analog telephone line 124 to transmit and receive data at high speed over the PSTN telephone line. Broadband transmission is performed by demodulating the digital signal. In this case, the data transmission speed is 1
4.4kbps v.33 standard, 28.8kbps v.34 standard, 33.6kbps
The v.34bis standard is used.

The input section 103A is used for inputting a voice signal or an image signal. The input unit 103A includes an audio interface unit 115 and a video interface unit 116 for cost reduction and miniaturization. Microphone 1
17 and an external video camera 118 are connected externally. The input unit 103A is usually provided with audio and video encoders 119 and 120. The input unit 103A performs A / D conversion on an audio signal or an image signal input in analog form, and performs codec 40 conversion.
Output to 2.

The display unit 107A includes decoders 128 and 129 for converting digital audio data and image data output from the codec 402 into analog signals, and interfaces 133 and 13 for the speaker 130 and the monitor 131.
4. The display unit 107A is used to display and output image data and audio data of a videophone and various Internet contents to an external device.

A user interface unit 102 is used for inputting a user's instruction.
And an IR interface unit 112. The user interface unit 102 receives characters and commands input from a pointing device such as the IR remote controller 113, a mouse, and a keypad (not shown), and transmits them to the control unit 403.

The line control unit 106 has a PSTN or IS
It comprises a line interface unit 126 for connecting and disconnecting the DN telephone line 124 and the modem 105, and a telephone interface unit 127 for connection to the telephone 125.

Next, a data communication procedure in the conventional videophone device 401 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are flowcharts showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device 401.

First, after the power of the video telephone 401 is turned on, an instruction to start a video telephone is given from the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113 (S401).
The control unit 403 determines whether the modem 105 can communicate (S402). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 403 displays on the monitor 131 that communication is not possible (S403, FIG. 22). Modem 105
When it is determined that communication is possible, an instruction is given to the communication partner to dial (S404). As a result, when the electrical connection with the videophone device 401 of the communication partner is established (S405), the data communication speed between the modems 105 is determined.
Initial settings such as a data format are performed (S40).
6) Then, communication of image data, audio data, and the like from the codec 402 is started (S407). When the end of the image communication by the videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113, the control unit 4
03 instructs the modem 105 to disconnect the line (S40).
8), the modem 105 disconnects the telephone line (S40).
9). Thereafter, the user turns off the power of the videophone device 401.

On the other hand, on the Internet, information retrieval / providing systems such as Gopher and WWW, real-time communication using Internet telephony, and various types of multi-media via various media from optical fibers to analog public lines using the TCP / IP protocol. Various applications such as e-mail that sends and receives media content in MIME format are used.

The Internet is formed by connecting a number of networks to each other. In commercial or academic applications, many businesses or non-profit organizations called network service providers (NSPs) or Internet service providers (ISPs) provide Internet access to organizations and individual end users.

Devices such as routers constituting an actual network and various analog and digital lines have been empirically verified for interoperability and selected.

A host connected to the Internet transmits and receives digital data in packets. Packets are sent to the destination via many routers and networks. At this time, routers exchange information on destinations using a routing protocol, and all hosts connected to the Internet receive data directly on an equal basis. It is possible to send and receive.

The connection to the Internet is via a dedicated line IP
IS (Internet Protocol) connection
Basically, the connection between the P and the end user is always made using a dedicated line, but the use cost is high, so it is difficult to use it for individuals. Therefore, the PSTN or IS between the ISP and the end user is called dial-up IP connection.
A form in which a connection is made for as long as necessary using a DN telephone line is widely used.

[0021] Recently, low-cost Internet terminals called network computers (NC) that are optimized for using the Internet through dial-up IP connections have appeared. Here, a conventional Internet terminal compatible with the PSTN telephone line will be described.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a conventional Internet terminal device. In FIG. 23, a user interface (user I / F) 102, a modem 105, a front panel 111, and an IR interface (IRI /
F) 112, IR remote controller 113, PSTN or I
SDN telephone line 124, line interface unit (line I / F) 126, decoders 128 and 129, speaker 1
20, a monitor 131, an audio interface unit (audio I / F) 133, and a video interface unit (video I / F) 134 are the same as those shown in FIG. 107 is a display unit, 135
Is a printer interface (printer I / F), 50
1 is an Internet terminal device, 502 is a browser unit, 5
03 is a control unit, 504 is a line control unit, 505 and 508 are ROMs, 506 and 509 are RAMs, and 507 is a CPU.

The components, functions, operations, and the like of the Internet terminal device 501 configured as described above will be described.

A user interface unit 102 is used for inputting a user's instruction, and a front panel 111
And an IR interface unit 112. The user interface unit 102 receives characters and commands input from a pointing device such as the IR remote controller 113, a mouse, and a keypad (not shown), and transmits them to the control unit 503.

The browser 502 has http, gopher, ftp,
A function that interprets the contents of various contents transmitted and received on the Internet under various protocols such as MIME and outputs information such as documents and images properly, and is necessary when connecting to an ISP via PSTN or ISDN. PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
l) has the function of controlling

The modem 105 modulates a digital signal in the video telephone 501 into a signal in the transmission band of the analog telephone line 124 to transmit and receive data at high speed over the PSTN telephone line, and simultaneously converts the signal from the analog telephone line 124. Broadband transmission is performed by demodulating the digital signal. In this case, the data transmission speed is 1
4.4kbps v.33 standard, 28.8kbps v.34 standard, 33.6kbps
The v.34bis standard is used.

The line control unit 504 has a PSTN or IS
A line interface unit 126 connects and disconnects the DN telephone line 124 and the modem 105.

The display unit 107 includes decoders 128 and 129 for converting digital audio data and image data output from the browser 502 into analog signals, and a speaker 13.
0, a monitor 131, and interfaces 133, 134, and 135 to the printer 132. The display unit 107 is used to display and output image data and audio data of a videophone and various Internet contents to an external device.

A control unit 503 controls the entire system of the Internet terminal device 501, and a CPU 507 as a controller and an RO for storing programs and data.
M508 and a memory such as a RAM 509. Considering the use of e-mail and the like, a storage device with a larger capacity such as a hard disk or a floppy disk may be provided.

Next, the conventional Internet terminal device 50
1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the Internet terminal device 501.

First, when the power of the Internet terminal device 501 is turned on and the user instructs connection with the ISP, the modem 105 dials the ISP (S50).
1). When the electrical connection between the modem 105 of the Internet terminal device 501 and the modem (not shown) of the ISP is established (S502), the communication protocol
Initial settings such as the data transmission speed are performed, and connection to the Internet is completed (S503). After that, the user
Accessing various types of information represented by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators),
Mail can be exchanged via a server that understands the P protocol (S504), and the IP (Informat) of the server corresponding to the specified URL or mail address.
ion Provider) address to DNS (Domain Name System)
After obtaining from the server called m) (S505), a connection is requested to the server (S506). When a connection with the server corresponding to the designated URL or mail address is established (S507), transmission of information is requested (S508), and data such as text and images are transmitted (S509).

If there is another URL or mail address that the user wants to access, the procedure from step 504 is repeated (S510). When termination of access to the Internet is instructed (S511), the telephone line is disconnected (S512), and the power of the Internet terminal device 501 can be turned off.

[0033]

As described above, the conventional stand-alone type videophone and the Internet terminal are similar in hardware configuration, but have different data formats and contents to communicate.
Since the communication protocol and the like are different, there has been a problem that it is not possible to combine them as one composite device.

In this videophone device, the function of encoding and decoding audio and video signals as a videophone codec and the function of accessing various network contents as a browser are constituted by one IC or chipset. It is required to realize a low-cost videophone device that can access a communication network by setting a control unit of the system so that one or both of them operate and appropriately transfer necessary data. Have been. In addition, when used as a videophone, there is a demand for a videophone device capable of connecting videophone devices only by a general public line or connecting via a communication network. Further, there is a demand for a videophone device capable of switching a connection between a videophone and a communication network in real time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to access a communication network, and to connect videophone devices to each other only by a general public line or to connect via a communication network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost videophone device capable of switching connection to a communication network in real time.

[0036]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a video telephone apparatus of the present invention interprets various data on a communication network and a compression / decompression unit for encoding and decoding audio signals and image signals. A codec including a browser unit for controlling a communication protocol, a modem for converting digital and analog data formats for performing data communication on a general public line, and a line control unit for controlling connection to a telephone or a telephone line, A videophone device having a control unit for controlling the entire system, wherein the codec is composed of one IC or chipset, and the control unit sets one or both of the compression / decompression unit and the browser to operate, and the codec And a structure for transferring necessary data as needed.

As a result, a videophone device capable of accessing the communication network can be obtained.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention controls a communication protocol by interpreting various data on a communication network and a compression / decompression unit for encoding and decoding an audio signal and an image signal. A codec having a browser unit, a modem for converting digital and analog data formats for performing data communication on a general public line, a line control unit for controlling connection to a telephone or a telephone line, and controlling the entire system. A videophone device having a control unit, wherein the codec is composed of one IC or chipset, the control unit is set to operate one or both of the compression / decompression unit and the browser, and data necessary for the codec is appropriately provided. Is transferred, and when used as a videophone, the videophone device of the other party is transmitted via the PSTN or ISDN. It is connected, when accessing the communication network has the effect of being connected to the NSP.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the codec has an interface and an address obtaining unit, and the interface performs data conversion between the compression / decompression unit and the browser, and performs address conversion. The acquisition unit notifies the dedicated server on the communication network of the IP address at the time of dial-up connection, and when used as a videophone, the videophone devices are connected only via a general public line or via the communication network. And
It has an effect that data such as a moving image and a sound is transmitted only through a general public line or through a communication network.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the invention described in the above, the codec has an interrupt register, a timer, and a real-time switch, the interrupt register receives a switching signal between a videophone and a browser, the timer supplies timing to the real-time switch, and the real-time switch is an interrupt register. Is a switching request, the connection between the videophone and the communication network is switched in real time at each timing supplied by the timer, and has an effect that the application of the browser and the application of the videophone can be switched in real time.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a videophone device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The video telephone of this embodiment is a PSTN
Alternatively, a connection is made to a video telephone device or an ISP access point of a communication partner via an ISDN telephone line.
H. When operating as a videophone 324 Recommendation. When operating as an Internet terminal, it corresponds to a dial-up IP connection mode. At this time, PPP is used as a protocol between the videophone device and the ISP.

In FIG. 1, a user interface unit (user I / F) 102, a modem 105, a line control unit 1
06, display unit 107, front panel 111, IR interface unit (IRI / F) 112, IR remote controller 11
3. Audio interface unit (Audio I / F)
115, video interface unit (video I / F) 11
6, microphone 117, camera 118, encoder 119,
120, telephone line 124, telephone 125, line interface unit (line I / F) 126, telephone interface unit (telephone I / F) 127, decoders 128, 129,
A speaker 130, a monitor 131, a printer 132, an audio interface unit (audio I / F) 133,
A video interface (video I / F) 134 and a printer interface (printer I / F) 135 are shown in FIG.
0, which are the same as those in FIG. 23, and therefore, are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. 101 is a videophone device, 103 is an input unit, 104 is a codec, 108 is a control unit, 114 is I
R keyboard, 122, 137 are ROM, 123, 13
8 is a RAM, 136 is a CPU, 139 is a compression / decompression unit, 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a browser unit.

The video telephone device 10 thus configured
Regarding No. 1, each component, function, operation and the like will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, a video telephone device 101 according to the present embodiment has a user interface unit 102
, An input unit 103, a codec 104, a modem 105, a line control unit 106, a display unit 107, and a control unit 108.

The user interface unit 102 is used for inputting a user's instruction.
And an IR interface unit 112. The user interface unit 102 receives characters and commands input from the IR remote controller 113, a pointing device such as a mouse and a keypad (not shown), and an IR keyboard 114, and transmits them to the control unit 108.

The input section 103 is used for inputting an audio signal or an image signal. Input unit 1 for cost reduction and miniaturization
Reference numeral 03 denotes a built-in video camera 121, an audio interface unit 115, and a video interface unit 116. The microphone 117 and the external video camera 118 are connected externally. The input unit 103 is usually provided with audio and video encoders 119 and 120, and converts an analog audio signal or image signal into an A / D signal.
The output is converted and output to the codec 104.

The codec 104 has one or more I
C, and has a compression / decompression unit 139 and a browser unit 140. The compression / decompression unit 139 includes an image codec and an audio codec. H.263 and the speech coding method G.264. Encoding and decoding of an image signal and an audio signal corresponding to 723 are performed. The audio codec and the image codec may be configured separately or may be integrated. In addition, the multiplexing scheme H.264. 223, Communication control system H.223 245, JPEG (Join
t Photographic Experts Group) has been implemented,
H. 324 can implement an international standard communication scheme.

Further, the browser section 140 stores http, gophe
A function that interprets the contents of various contents transmitted and received on the Internet under various protocols such as r, ftp, MIME, etc., and properly outputs information such as documents and images.
It has a function of controlling PPP, which is a communication protocol required when connecting to the ISP via TN or ISDN. In the browser section 140, the NT
When an SC TV receiver is used for the monitor 131, a font that has been subjected to anti-aliasing processing to prevent image quality deterioration is used.

The codec 104 has a RISC (Reduce
A chip having an architecture in which a d Instruction Set Computer (microcontroller) type and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) are integrated into one chip is used, and functions as a videophone and an Internet browser are realized by a program operating on the chip. A software solution is adopted. The RISC is mainly used for control of the entire codec 104, multiplexing, communication protocol control, and the like, and the DSP is used for image processing and audio processing. Further, memories such as a ROM 122 and a RAM 123 are connected for program codes and various data.

The modem 105 modulates a digital signal in the video telephone apparatus 101 into a signal in the transmission band of the analog telephone line 124 and transmits a signal from the analog telephone line 124 at the same time in order to transmit and receive data at high speed over the PSTN telephone line. Broadband transmission is performed by demodulating the digital signal. In this case, the data transmission speed is 1
4.4kbps v.33 standard, 28.8kbps v.34 standard, 33.6kbps
The v.34bis standard is used.

The line control unit 106 has a PSTN or IS
It comprises a line interface unit 126 for connecting and disconnecting the DN telephone line 124 and the modem 105, and a telephone interface unit 127 for connection to the telephone 125.

The display unit 107 includes decoders 128 and 129 for converting digital audio data and image data output from the codec 104 into analog signals, and the speaker 1.
30, a monitor 131, and interfaces 133, 134 and 135 to the printer 132. The display unit 107 displays video data and image data and audio data of various Internet contents on an external device,
Used to output.

The control unit 108 controls the entire system of the videophone device 101 and controls the CPU as a controller.
136 and a memory such as a ROM 137 or a RAM 138 for storing programs and data. Considering the use of e-mail and the like, a storage device with a larger capacity such as a hard disk or a floppy disk may be provided. The control unit 108 downloads one or both of the program codes of the compression / decompression unit 139 and the browser unit 140 to the codec 104 when the videophone device 101 is turned on, thereby setting them to operate, and after the operation starts. The necessary data is transferred to the codec 104 as needed.

Next, a data communication procedure in the conventional videophone device 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
4 are flowcharts showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device 101.

First, when the power of the videophone device 101 is turned on, a screen for selecting whether to start the videophone or the browser is displayed on the monitor 131 (S10).
1). Front panel 111 or IR remote controller 11
When the instruction to start the browser is given in step 3, the control unit 108 downloads the program code of the browser to the codec 104 (S102). Next, the control unit 108
It is determined whether or not 05 is communicable (S102a, FIG. 4). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 108 displays on the monitor 131 that communication is not possible (S104, FIG. 3). When it is determined that the modem 105 can communicate, the user instructs connection with the ISP (S105). As a result, an electrical connection is established between the modem 105 of the videophone device 101 of the communication partner and the modem of the ISP (S106), and initial settings such as a data transmission speed and a communication protocol are performed between the modems 105 (S1).
07), connection to the Internet is completed.

Thereafter, the user can access various types of information represented by the URL,
Mail can be exchanged via a server that understands the P protocol (S108), and after obtaining the IP address of the server corresponding to the specified URL or mail address from a server called DNS (S109),
Request a connection to the server (S110).
When a connection with the server corresponding to the specified URL or mail address is established (S111), transmission of information is requested (S112). Subsequently, data such as text and images are transmitted. At this time, the control unit 108 separately transmits data used by the browser unit 140 such as fonts as needed (S113).

If there is another URL or mail address that the user wants to access (S114), the procedure from step 108 is repeated. When the end of the access to the Internet is instructed (S115), the modem 105 disconnects the telephone line (S121), and the user turns off the power of the videophone device 101.

When the start of the videophone is instructed in step 101, the control unit 108 downloads the videophone program code to the codec 104 (S10).
2). Next, the control unit 108 determines whether the modem 105 can communicate (S103). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 108 displays on the monitor 131 that communication is not possible (S104, FIG. 3). When it is determined that the modem 105 can communicate, the user instructs the communication partner to dial (S11).
6). As a result, when an electrical connection with the videophone device 101 of the communication partner is established (S117), the modem 10
Initial settings such as a data communication speed and a data format are performed among the five devices (S118), and thereafter, communication of image data and audio data from the codec 104 is started (S1).
19). Front panel 111 or IR remote control 1
13 instructs the end of the video communication by the videophone, the control unit 108
4 (S120), the modem 105 disconnects the telephone line 124 (S121), and the user turns off the power of the videophone device 101.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the system control CPU 136, when the videophone device is started up, uses the codec 10 having the architecture in which the RISC type microcontroller and the DSP are integrated into one chip.
4, one or both of a videophone and an Internet browser program are downloaded, and necessary data is appropriately transferred to the codec 104 even after the operation is started. The decryption function and the function of accessing various Internet contents as a browser can be realized by one IC, and a low-cost videophone device capable of accessing the Internet can be realized.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a partial block diagram partially showing a videophone apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Since only the codec of the videophone device of the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment, this point will be described. The other parts than the codec are the same as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the input unit 103 and the modem 10
5, display unit 107, control unit 108, ROM 122, RA
The M123, the compression / decompression unit 139, and the browser 140 are the same as those in FIG. 1
01A is a videophone device, 201 is a codec, 202
Denotes an interface unit, and 203 denotes an address obtaining unit.

The videophone device 10 thus configured
About 1A, each component, function, operation | movement, etc. are demonstrated.

The codec 201, as shown in FIG.
It includes a compression / decompression unit 139, a browser unit 140, an interface unit 202, and an address acquisition unit 203.

The interface unit 202 includes the compression / decompression unit 1
39 transfers the compressed and multiplexed audio data and image data obtained from the input unit 103 to the browser unit 140, and simultaneously compresses and decompresses the data from the browser unit 140.
And transmits it to the display unit 107 appropriately. At this time, the browser unit 140 transmits and receives the multiplexed audio data and image data to and from the videophone device 101A of the communication partner dial-up connected via the Internet via PPP.

When starting a dial-up videophone call, the address acquisition unit 203 notifies the dedicated server on the Internet of the IP address borrowed from the ISP using electronic mail, and transmits the IP address of the communication partner.
After receiving the IP addresses, the videophone is started after the IP addresses are exchanged with each other. Note that the address obtaining unit 203 does not operate when the user has a unique IP address.

Next, a data communication procedure in the videophone device 101A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 are flowcharts showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device 101A.

First, when the power of the videophone device 101A is turned on, a screen for selecting which of the videophone and the browser is started is displayed on the monitor 131 (S2).
01). Front panel 111 or IR remote control 1
When an instruction to start a browser is given in S13 (S202), the control unit 108 determines whether or not the modem 105 can communicate (S203, FIG. 11). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 108 displays on the monitor 131 that communication is not possible (S204, FIG. 10).

When the modem 105 determines that communication is possible, the user instructs connection with the ISP (S20).
5). As a result, the videophone device 101A of the communication partner is
An electrical connection between the modem 105 and the ISP modem is established (S206), and the data transmission speed between the modems 105 and
Initial settings such as a communication protocol are performed (S207), and connection to the Internet is completed.

Thereafter, the user can access various types of information represented by the URL,
Mail can be exchanged via a server that understands the P protocol (S208), and after obtaining the IP address of the server corresponding to the specified URL or mail address from a server called DNS (S209),
A connection is requested to the server (S210).
When a connection with the server corresponding to the designated URL or mail address is established (S211), transmission of information is requested (S212).
Data such as an image is transmitted.
In step S213, data such as fonts used by the browser unit 140 is transmitted as needed.

If there is another URL or mail address that the user wants to access (S214, FIG. 7), step 2
Steps 08 and after are repeated. If termination of access to the Internet is instructed (S216), the modem 10
5 disconnects the telephone line (S217), and the user turns off the power of the videophone device 101A.

When the start of the videophone is instructed in step 202, the control unit 108 selects whether to start the videophone using only the PSTN or ISDN telephone line or the Internet videophone via the Internet (S218). .

At step 218, PSTN or ISD
When the videophone using only the N telephone line is selected, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the modem 105 can communicate (S229, FIG. 9). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 108 displays on the monitor 131 that communication is not possible (S204, FIG. 10). Modem 1
When it is determined that 05 is communicable, the user instructs the communication partner to dial (S230). As a result, when an electrical connection with the videophone device 101A of the communication partner is established (S231), initial settings such as data communication speed and data format are performed between the modems 105 (S232). Communication of image data and audio data is started (S233).
When the end of video communication by videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113, the control unit 108 instructs the modem 105 to disconnect the telephone line 124 (S234), and the modem 105 disconnects the telephone line 124. (S217, FIG. 7), the user turns off the power of the videophone device 101A.

If an Internet videophone is selected in step 218, control unit 108 determines whether or not modem 105 can communicate (S219). When the modem 105 determines that communication is not possible, the control unit 108
Displays that communication is not possible (S204, FIG. 1)
0). When it is determined that the modem 105 can communicate, the user instructs connection with the ISP (S220). This establishes an electrical connection between the modem 105 of the videophone device 101A of the communication partner and the modem of the ISP (S
221), initial settings such as data transmission speed and data format are performed between the modems 105 (S222), and connection to the Internet is completed.

After that, when the connection to the Internet is in a dial-up form, the address acquisition unit 205 transmits the IP address borrowed from the ISP to the dedicated server for IP address exchange existing on the Internet, and performs communication. The other party's videophone device 101A
Is received (S223).

Next, the videophone device 101A of the communication partner
Is requested for connection (S224). When a connection with the videophone device 101A having the designated IP address is established (S225, FIG. 7), communication of multiplexed audio data and image data is requested (S22).
6), data communication is started (S227).

Next, the front panel 111 or IR
When the end of the image communication by the videophone is instructed by the remote controller 113 (S228), and when the user accesses the Internet or has a URL or a mail address (S214), the control unit 108 selects the service to be used. Is determined to be an Internet telephone (S215, FIG. 8), and if it is determined to be an Internet telephone, the procedure of steps 223 to 228 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is repeated. When it is determined that an application other than the Internet telephone is used, the procedure after step 208 (FIG. 11) is executed.

If there is no site to be accessed in step 214 and the end of access to the Internet is instructed (S216), control unit 108 instructs modem 105 to request disconnection of telephone line 124, and modem 105 transmits telephone line 1
24 is disconnected (S217), and the user sets the video telephone 1
Turn off the power of 01A.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the compression / decompression unit 139 and the browser unit 14
0, an interface unit 202, and an address acquisition unit 203. The interface unit 202 transmits image data and audio data between the compression / decompression unit 139 and the browser unit 140, and the address acquisition unit 203 is a videophone that is dial-up connected to the Internet. By enabling data communication between devices, video and audio encoding and decoding are performed by codecs both when the videophone devices are connected only via general public lines and when connected via the Internet. Since it is possible to use the terminal 201, not only normal video telephony but also Internet telephony can be used. In particular, long-distance communication can be realized at low cost.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 12 is a partial block diagram partially showing a videophone apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Since only the codec of the videophone device of the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment, this point will be described. Embodiment 1 for parts other than the codec
Is the same as

In FIG. 12, the input unit 103, the modem 1
05, display unit 107, control unit 108, ROM 122, R
The AM 123, the compression / decompression unit 139, the browser unit 140, the Internet unit 202, and the address acquisition unit 203 are the same as those in FIG. 1
01B is a videophone device, 301 is a codec, 302
Is a real-time switch, 303 is a timer, and 304 is an interrupt register.

The videophone device 10 configured as described above
The components, functions, operations, and the like of 1B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the codec 301 includes a compression / decompression unit 139, a browser unit 140, an interface unit 202, an address acquisition unit 203, a real-time switch 302, a timer 303, and an interrupt register 304.

When the user instructs switching between the browser and the videophone using the IR remote controller 113 or the IR keyboard 114, the signal is written to the interrupt register 304 in the codec 301 via the control unit 108.

The timer 303 controls the timing for switching between the videophone and the browser by the real-time switch 30.
Feed to 2.

The real-time switch 302 has a timer 3
The contents of the interrupt register 304 are checked at regular intervals according to the signal from the controller 03, and when a request to switch between the videophone, the Internet videophone, and the browser is written, these applications are switched.

Next, a data communication procedure in the videophone device 101B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19 show the video telephone device 101.
6 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in B.

In FIG. 13, step 213 indicates step 213 (FIG. 11) in the second embodiment. The operation before step 213 is the same as in the second embodiment. That is, when the browser is operating in the videophone device 101B, data such as text and images, and data required by the browser unit 140 such as fonts are transmitted, and the user wants to access other URLs or URLs. If you have an email address (S30
1), as shown in FIG. 19, steps 208 to
Step 213 is repeated, and communication is repeated.

During this period, if there is a request for switching the application from the user, the control unit 108 writes a switching request signal into the interrupt register 304. The real-time switch 302 checks the contents of the interrupt register 304 at regular intervals based on the timing signal output from the timer 303 (S302), and repeats the steps 301 and 302 when there is no request for switching.
If the switching request signal has been written in the interrupt register 304, and if it is a switching request to the videophone, as shown in FIG.
4 (FIG. 9); otherwise, the steps 205 to 213 (FIG. 11) are executed as shown in FIG. 16 (S304).

Referring to FIG. 14, videophone device 101B
, A videophone is operating, and codec 301
If the communication of image data, communication data, etc. from the camera has been started (S233, FIG. 9), the end of the video communication by the videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113 (Step 234, FIG. 9). , The transmission of the data stream is continued (S30).
5). That is, in step 305, the control unit 108 determines whether data transmission is in progress.

If a request for switching the application is received from the user during this time, the control unit 108 writes a switching request signal into the interrupt register 304. The real-time switch 302 checks the contents of the interrupt register 304 at regular intervals based on the timing signal output from the timer 303 (S306), and repeats the steps 305 and 306 if there is no switching request (S307). Switching request signal is interrupt register 3
If it is written in 04, if it is a request to switch to the Internet videophone, the procedure of steps 220 to 228 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is executed as shown in FIG. 18; The procedure of steps 205 to 213 (FIG. 11) is executed as shown in FIG.
8).

When the end of video communication by videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113 in step 305, the model 105 disconnects the telephone line (S217, FIG. 7), and the user turns on the power of the videophone device 101B. Is turned off (FIG. 7).

Referring to FIG. 15, video telephone device 101B
After the Internet videophone is operating in step S22, communication of voice data and image data is requested (S22).
6, FIG. 7), when data communication is started (S22).
7, FIG. 7), the transmission of the data stream is continued sequentially until the end of the image communication by the Internet videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113 (step 228, FIG. 7) (S30).
9). That is, in step 309, the control unit 108 determines whether image data is being transmitted.

During this period, if there is a request for application switching from the user, the control unit 108 writes a switching request signal into the interrupt register 304. The real-time switch 302 checks the contents of the interrupt register 304 at regular intervals based on the timing signal output from the timer 303 (S310), and repeats the steps 227, 309, and 310 if there is no switching request (S311). ).

The switching request signal is output from the interrupt register 30
4, if it is a request to switch to a videophone, as shown in FIG.
The procedure of step 234 (FIG. 9) is executed; otherwise, steps 205 to 213 (FIG. 1) are executed as shown in FIG.
The procedure of 1) is executed (S312).

If the end of image communication by the Internet videophone is instructed by the front panel 111 or the IR remote controller 113 in step 309, the control unit 108 determines whether there is another URL or mail address accessed by the user on the Internet. Is determined (S21
4, FIG. 7), and the control unit 108 executes the procedure after step 214.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the compression / decompression unit 139 and the browser unit 14
0, interface unit 202, address acquisition unit 203,
A real-time switch 302, a timer 303, and an interrupt register 304 are provided. When a user instructs to switch between a browser and a videophone, the signal is written to the interrupt register 304, and the timer 303 is used to switch timing between the videophone and the browser. Is supplied to the real-time switch 302 and the real-time switch 30
The control unit 2 checks the contents of the interrupt register 304 at regular intervals based on a timing signal from the timer 303, and switches the applications when a request to switch between a videophone, an Internet videophone, and a browser is written. Since the videophone and the Internet browser can be switched in real time by the codec 301 in accordance with the instruction from 108,
There is no need for the user to perform a special operation such as resetting the videophone device 101B for switching, and operability can be improved.

[0098]

As described above, according to the video telephone apparatus of the first aspect, a compression / expansion unit for encoding and decoding audio signals and image signals and a communication protocol for interpreting various data on a communication network. A codec with a browser unit for control, a modem for converting digital and analog data formats for data communication over general public lines, a line control unit for controlling connection to telephones and telephone lines, and the entire system And a control unit for controlling the codec, wherein the codec is composed of one IC or chipset, the control unit is set to operate one or both of the compression / decompression unit and the browser, and By transferring necessary data, the functions of encoding and decoding audio and video signals as a videophone codec and browser Since the various access function to the Internet content and can be implemented in a single IC, the advantageous effect is obtained that it is possible to achieve a possible low-cost videophone apparatus access to the Internet.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
Wherein the codec has an interface and an address acquisition unit, the interface performs data conversion between the compression / decompression unit and the browser, and the address acquisition unit assigns an IP address for dial-up connection to a dedicated address on the communication network. When notifying the server and using it as a videophone, the videophone devices are connected only via a general public line or via a communication network, so that the videophone devices are connected only via a general public line and the Internet. Since video and audio encoding and decoding can be performed by the codec in both cases when connected via, it can be used not only as normal video telephony but also as Internet telephony, especially at long distances. Can be realized at low cost Results can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
Or the invention according to 2, wherein the codec has an interrupt register, a timer, and a real-time switch, the interrupt register receives a switching signal between a videophone and a browser, the timer supplies timing to the real-time switch, and the real-time switch By switching the connection between the videophone and the communication network in real time at each timing supplied by the timer when the content of the interrupt register is a switching request, the videophone and Internet browser can be switched in real time by the codec according to the instruction from the control unit. Therefore, there is no need for the user to perform a special operation such as resetting the videophone device for switching, and an advantageous effect that operability can be improved can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a videophone device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial block diagram partially showing a videophone device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a partial block diagram partially showing a videophone device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

14 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

19 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a conventional videophone device.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the videophone device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a conventional Internet terminal device.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a data communication procedure in the Internet terminal device of FIG. 23;

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 101A, 101B Videophone device 102 User interface unit (user I / F) 103 Input unit 104, 201, 301 Codec 105 Modem 106 Line control unit 107 Display unit 108 Control unit 111 Front panel 112 IR interface unit (IRI / F) ) 113 IR remote controller 114 IR keyboard 115 Audio interface unit (audio I /
F) 116 Video interface (video I / F) 117 Microphone 118 Camera 119, 120 Encoder 122, 137 ROM 123, 138 RAM 124 Telephone line 125 Telephone 126 Line interface (line I / F) 127 Telephone interface (telephone I) / F) 128, 129 Decoder 130 Speaker 131 Monitor 132 Printer 133 Audio interface (audio I /
F) 134 Video interface unit (video I / F) 135 Printer interface unit (printer I / F) 136 CPU 139 Compression / decompression unit 140 Browser unit 202 Interface unit 203 Address acquisition unit 302 Real-time switch 303 Timer 304 Interrupt register

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takao Miyazaki 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A codec comprising a compression / decompression unit for encoding and decoding an audio signal and an image signal, and a browser unit for interpreting various data on a communication network and controlling a communication protocol, and performing data communication over a general public line. A modem that converts between digital and analog data formats to do
A videophone device having a line control unit for controlling connection to a telephone or a telephone line, and a control unit for controlling the entire system, wherein the codec includes one IC or chipset, and the control unit includes the compression unit. A videophone device wherein one or both of a decompression unit and the browser are set to operate, and data necessary for the codec is appropriately transferred. 2. The codec has an interface and an address acquisition unit, the interface performs data conversion between the compression / decompression unit and the browser, and the address acquisition unit communicates an IP address at the time of dial-up connection. 2. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein when the videophone device is notified to a dedicated server on a network and used as a videophone, the videophone devices are connected to each other only via a general public line or via a communication network. 3. The codec has an interrupt register, a timer, and a real-time switch. The interrupt register receives a switching signal between a video phone and the browser, and the timer supplies timing to the real-time switch. 3. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the realtime switch switches the connection between the videophone and the communication network in real time at each timing supplied by the timer when the content of the interrupt register is a switching request. .