KR20070059808A - Device and method for connecting video phone in the set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for connecting a video phone in a set-top-box are provided to allow a set-top-box to automatically turn on TV when a user has a phone call while the TV is turned off. A set-top-box(103) includes a transceiver(202), a video phone processor(203), and a TV power processor(204). The transceiver performs communication with a telephone network, a telephone, and a TV receiver. The video phone processor provides a video phone function between an external telephone connected to the telephone network and the telephone. The video phone processor outputs an image through the TV receiver and transmits a speech signal to the telephone when the video phone function is executed. The TV power processor confirms whether the TV receiver is turned on or off when a video phone call signal is received from the video phone processor through the telephone network or a user picks up the receiver in response to the video phone call signal and turns on the TV receiver when the TV receiver is turned off.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING VIDEO PHONE IN THE SET-TOP BOX}

1 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of connecting a video telephone when the TV is powered off according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of immediately turning on a TV power when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a signal flow diagram for directly turning on the TV power when receiving a video call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of turning on the TV power when the user lifts the handset when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a signal flowchart illustrating a procedure of turning on a TV power when a user lifts a handset when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

101: Internet 102: PSTN

103: set-top box 105: TV

106, 107: Telephone 202: Transceiver

203: video telephone processor 204: TV power processor

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a set top box in which a display device is replaced by a TV in a video phone over the Internet, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for connecting a video phone in a set top box when the TV is turned off.

A set top box (STB) refers to a device that is connected to a TV in the home to receive cable or satellite broadcasting in the home. Set-top boxes generally have a function of amplifying or removing noise from an antenna and transmitting the corresponding video signal to a TV according to a channel desired by the viewer. These set-top boxes must be equipped with a suitable device depending on whether the TV is analog or digital. The set-top box can be roughly classified into cable TV, satellite broadcasting (BS, CS), and digital terrestrial broadcasting (DVB). The basic system configuration is very similar, but CATV does not require an antenna, while BS, CS or DVB requires an antenna. Recently, high-level infotainment through digital cable, terrestrial and satellite services is rapidly developing worldwide, which is expected to lead to the rapid production increase of set-top boxes.

On the other hand, there is a stand-alone video telephone that can operate independently as a conventional video telephone system and a video communication using a computer, a TV-type video telephone using a television as a display device. The TV-type video telephone is generally serviced by a TV-connected set-top box. However, video communication using a standalone videophone and a computer has a problem that is difficult for a general user who is not good at a computer, or a person who has a feeling of rejection of a new device.

In addition, the TV-type video telephone application No. 1995-0047237 "Video transmission / reception apparatus and method using TV (TV)", Application No. 10-2004-0024269 "TV-connected video telephone set-top box using a high-speed communication network", etc. It is mentioned in a number of cases. However, in the related art, when a call is received from a counterpart, the user selects a call button and a TV screen function by using a remote controller, and the screen and voice call are possible through the TV. Therefore, the TV-type video phone according to the prior art has a disadvantage in that the user must select the call button and the TV screen function by using the remote control even when the TV is turned off.

In particular, in the TV-type video phone according to the prior art, the voice call is made through the phone, and when only the video is made through the TV, it is inconvenient to turn on the TV to find the TV remote control while holding the phone.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a video telephone service in a set top box in which a display device is replaced with a TV. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for connecting a video telephone in a set-top box that can be turned on automatically.

In addition, another object of the present invention, a set-top box that can check the caller when the caller is registered even when the TV power is on or off, and also can check the caller's phone number through the TV screen even if the caller is not registered The present invention provides an apparatus and method for video telephony connection.

Set-top box according to the present invention for achieving the above object, Transmitting and receiving unit for performing communication with the telephone network, telephone and TV; An external telephone coupled to the telephone network and a video telephone call function of the telephone, wherein a video telephone processor outputs a video screen through the TV and transmits audio to the telephone during a video telephone call; And when the video telephone processor receives a video telephone call signal through the telephone network or when a user picks up the telephone receiver in response to the video telephone call signal, checks the state of the TV power and the TV power is off. And a TV power processing unit for turning on the power of the TV.

In addition, the video telephone connection method in the set-top box according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the first step of receiving a video telephone call signal over the telephone network; A second step of checking a state of a TV power source; A third step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is off; And a fourth step of outputting a pre-stored video screen to the TV at the same time as ringing the telephone in response to the video telephone call signal.

In addition, the video telephone connection method in the set-top box according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the first step of receiving a video telephone call signal over the telephone network; Determining whether there is a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number of the video call signal; A third step of checking a state of a TV power source; A fourth step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is off; And a fifth step of outputting a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number to the TV at the same time as ringing the telephone in response to the video call signal when there is a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number. It is characterized by including.

In addition, the video telephone connection method in the set-top box according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the first step of receiving a video telephone call signal over the telephone network; Ringing a telephone in response to the video telephone call signal; A third step of checking a state of a TV power supply when a user picks up the receiver in response to a ring tone of the telephone; And a fourth step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is off.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that reference numerals and like elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for connecting a video telephone when the TV is powered off according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a video telephone connection apparatus according to the present invention includes a set-top box 103, a camcorder 104, a TV 105, a telephone 106 for voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and a general telephone 107. Include.

The set-top box 103 is a device that connects to the TV 105 to receive a cable or satellite broadcast at home, and includes a digital cable television (D-CATV) function, and is equipped with a video telephone module. It is. The video phone module supports a video phone, and can be purchased and installed when a user wants to receive a video phone through the TV 105. The set-top box 103 is combined with the Internet 101 and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 102, which are external telephone networks, and the camcorder 104, the TV 105, and the VoIP telephone 106 in the home. And a regular telephone 107.

On the other hand, when a call is received from the external telephone networks 101 and 102, the set-top box 103 rings the telephones 106 and 107 and outputs a video signal to the camcorder 104 or the TV 105 at the same time. In this case, when the power of the TV 105 is in an OFF state, the set-top box 103 performs a function of automatically turning on the power of the TV 105.

Here, according to the present invention, the method of connecting the video phone by automatically turning on the power of the TV 105, the first video call received when the ringtone at the same time automatically turn on the power of the TV and the video screen is already stored There is a method of outputting a second video telephone call and a video screen by automatically turning on the TV when the user answers the telephone call. The first method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and the second method will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

On the other hand, when the video call is completed, the set-top box 103 performs a function of returning the power of the TV 105 to its original state.

2 is a block diagram of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the set top box 103 according to the present invention includes a control unit 201, a transceiver 202, a video telephone processor 203, a TV power processor 204, and a memory 205.

The control unit 201 controls the overall video telephone connection procedure performed on the set top box 103. The transceiver 202 communicates with an external telephone network and a TV in the home.

The video call processor 203 outputs an audio signal during a video call through the phone, and outputs a video signal through the TV. Also, when an incoming call is received from the outside, the video call processor 203 plays a ring tone through the phone and simultaneously stores the memory ( 205 outputs the video screen stored in the TV through the TV. In addition, the video telephone processor 203 may further include a function of outputting a calling number of a received external telephone through a TV.

The TV power processing unit 204 detects the power supply state of the TV when a call is received from an external telephone network, and automatically turns on the power supply of the TV when the TV power is increased. At this time, the time to turn on the TV may be a time when the telephone ringing or the user responds by picking up the handset, which can be arbitrarily selected by the user in the menu of the set-top box 103.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of immediately turning on the TV power when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting a previously stored video screen by automatically turning on the TV with a ringing sound when receiving a video call, which is the first of the two methods mentioned above.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a video call is received by the set-top box (S301), the set-top box checks whether there is a video screen stored as a calling party number (S202). The set-top box determines whether there is a stored video screen (S303), and if the stored video screen exists, the step S304 is performed, and if not, the step S307 is performed.

In step S304, the set top box checks the state of the TV power source. When the TV power state is OFF, the set-top box automatically turns on the TV power and stores the existing state of the TV power as OFF (S305), and then rings the telephone while transmitting the stored video screen to the TV (S306). If the TV power state is ON, the set-top box immediately executes S306.

In step S307, the set top box checks the state of the TV power supply. When the state of the TV power is OFF, the set-top box automatically turns on the TV power and stores the existing state of the TV power as OFF (S308), and then rings the telephone while transmitting the stored default screen to the TV (S309). ). If the result of the check in S307 is that the TV power source is ON, the set-top box immediately executes step S309.

When the user picks up the phone and makes a phone call (S310 and S311), the set-top box captures a video screen during the phone call (S312). When the telephone call is completed, the set-top box confirms with the user whether to save the captured screen and then determines whether to save the stored screen (S313). In this case, the stored screen may be used when transmitting to the TV as a call video screen during the next video call. .

On the other hand, when the user is absent or not answering the call, the set-top box checks the existing state of the TV power source (S310, S314). If the existing TV power state is off, the set-top box returns the power to the original state by turning off the TV (S315).

4 is a signal flowchart illustrating a procedure of immediately turning on a TV power when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, first, the set-top box 103 receives a video telephone call signal from the Internet or PSTNs 101 and 102 which are external telephone networks (S401). The set top box 103 transmits a TV power status request signal to the TV 105 (S402). The set top box 103 receives the TV power status information signal in response to the TV power status request signal (S403). The TV power state information signal includes information on whether the current TV 105 power state is ON or OFF. When the TV 105 is in the OFF state, the set top box 103 transmits a TV power ON command signal to the TV 105 to turn on the TV 105 (S404). The above steps S402 and S403 may be performed before receiving the video telephone call signal in S401. In addition, S404 may be omitted when the power supply state of the TV 105 is in the ON state.

The set-top box 103 transmits a pre-stored video screen to the TV 105 at the same time as the user rings the phone until the user answers the receiver, and the TV 105 outputs the video screen (S405). At this time, the set-top box 103 checks the caller number of the video call signal and, if there is a pre-stored video signal corresponding to the caller number, transmits the video signal corresponding to the caller number to the TV 105 and sends the caller number. If it is not confirmed or there is no video signal corresponding to the calling party number, the video signal of the default state stored in advance is transmitted to the TV 105. In addition, even when the video phone call signal is for a general phone call, not a video phone, the set-top box 103 transmits a pre-stored video signal to the TV 105 and outputs the caller number through the TV 105 screen. You can print

On the other hand, when the user lifts the handset to perform a video call in response to a video call call (S406), the set-top box 103 captures a video screen (S407). In this case, the captured screen may be stored by the user's selection after the video call is completed, and the stored video screen may be used as a stored video signal in S405 when a video call is received from the caller number next time.

When the video telephone call is completed, the set top box 103 sends a TV power return command signal to the TV 105 to return the power state of the TV 105 to its original state. In this case, when the power of the TV 105 is originally in the ON state, S408 may be omitted.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of turning on the TV power when the user lifts the handset when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting a video screen by automatically turning on the power of the TV when the user picks up the receiver when receiving a video telephone call, which is the second of the two methods mentioned above.

Referring to FIG. 5, the set-top box receives a video telephone call signal from an external telephone network and rings the telephone (S501). In step S502, the set-top box performs the procedure after step S503 when the user picks up the handset to receive the video call and terminates the step if the user does not receive it.

In step S503, the set-top box checks the power state of the TV, automatically turns on the TV power when the TV power state is OFF (S504), and immediately after step S505 when the TV power is ON.

When the user makes a phone call (S505), the set-top box captures an image screen during the phone call (S506). When the telephone call is completed, the set-top box confirms with the user whether to save the captured screen and then decides whether to save the captured screen (S507). In this case, the stored screen is ringed when the first method mentioned above, that is, a video call is received. At the same time it can be used as an image signal to be output through the TV screen.

FIG. 6 is a signal flowchart illustrating a procedure of turning on a TV power when a user lifts a handset when receiving a video call according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, the set-top box 103 receives a video telephone call signal from the Internet or PSTNs 101 and 102, which are external telephone networks, and rings the telephone (S601). When the user picks up the receiver in response to the video telephone call (S602), the set-top box 103 transmits the TV power status request signal to the TV 105 (S603). At this time, the set-top box 103 receives the TV power status information signal in response to the TV power status request signal (S604).

The TV power state information signal includes information on whether the current TV 105 power state is ON or OFF. When the TV 105 is in the OFF state, the set-top box 103 transmits a TV power ON command signal to the TV 105 to turn on the TV 105 (S605). S603 and S604 may be performed before receiving the video telephone call signal in S601. In addition, S605 may be omitted when the TV 105 power state is ON.

On the other hand, the set-top box 103 captures the video signal while outputting the video signal to the TV 105 during the video call (S606). In this case, the captured screen may be stored by the user's selection after the completion of the video call, and the stored video screen may be used as the stored video signal in S405 described in FIG. 4 when the next video call is received from the caller's number. have.

When the video telephone call is completed, the set top box 103 sends a TV power return command signal to the TV 105 to return the power state of the TV 105 to its original state. At this time, when the power supply of the TV 105 was originally in the ON state, S607 may be omitted.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

According to the present invention as described above, even when the TV power is off, even if the user turns on the TV by the remote control, the TV screen is automatically turned on, so that the user can easily use the videophone.

In addition, according to the present invention, if the other party is registered even when the TV power is turned on or off, the other party can be confirmed on the TV screen, and even the caller who is not registered has the advantage of knowing the other party's telephone number through the TV screen. . In particular, even a general telephone user who does not know the calling number has an advantage of using the method to identify the other party through the TV.

Claims (10)

A transceiver for performing communication with a telephone network, a telephone, and a TV; An external telephone coupled to the telephone network and a video telephone call function of the telephone, wherein a video telephone processor outputs a video screen through the TV and transmits audio to the telephone during a video telephone call; And When the video telephone processor receives the video telephone call signal through the telephone network or when the user picks up the telephone receiver in response to the video telephone call signal, checks the state of the TV power supply and when the TV power is off. Set-top box comprising a TV power processing unit for turning on the power. The method of claim 1, And the video telephone processor outputs a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the calling party number to the TV when the video telephone call signal is received through the telephone network. In the video phone connection method in the TV power off state performed in the set-top box, A first step of receiving a video telephone call signal through a telephone network; A second step of checking a state of a TV power source; A third step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is off; And And a fourth step of outputting a pre-stored video screen to the TV at the same time as ringing with a telephone in response to the video telephone call signal. The method of claim 3, And capturing a screen of the video telephone call when the user performs a video telephone call by picking up the handset of the telephone. The method of claim 4, wherein And the screen of the captured video telephone call is set as the pre-stored video screen. The method of claim 3, And when the video telephone call is completed, returning the power state of the TV to the power state of the TV identified in the second step. The method of claim 3,  And if the user does not answer the video call, returning the power state of the TV to the power state of the TV identified in the second step. In the video phone connection method in the TV power off state performed in the set-top box, A first step of receiving a video telephone call signal through a telephone network; Determining whether there is a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number of the video call signal; A third step of checking a state of a TV power source; A fourth step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is off; And A fifth step of outputting a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number to the TV while ringing a telephone in response to the video telephone call signal when a pre-stored video screen corresponding to the caller number exists. The video telephone connection method in the set-top box, characterized in that. The method of claim 8, wherein the fifth step If there is no pre-stored video screen corresponding to the calling party number, video call connection in the set-top box is characterized by ringing a telephone in response to the video call signal and transmitting a default video screen to the TV. Way. In the video phone connection method in the TV power off state performed in the set-top box, A first step of receiving a video telephone call signal through a telephone network; Ringing a telephone in response to the video telephone call signal; A third step of checking a state of a TV power supply when a user picks up the receiver in response to a ring tone of the telephone; And And a fourth step of turning on the power of the TV when the power of the TV is turned off.

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