JP2000175168A - Proxy image communication apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] By displaying substitute images such as arbitrarily variable character images, etc., instead of actual images of a caller on each other's screens, images of one's own emotions and the like can be protected while protecting privacy. That can be communicated. SOLUTION: A substitute image which substitutes for a real image of a caller is stored in an image memory unit 108 in association with various key codes, and under control of a control unit 104, the stored substitute image is stored in a substitute image of the other party. The image memory unit 108 transmits the image to the communication device and receives the substitute image from the other party.
After that, the proxy image of the partner corresponding to the key code transmitted from the partner is read out from the image memory unit 108 and displayed on the display unit 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying a proxy image such as a character image capable of expressing a feeling or the like in place of a real picture of a caller on each other's screen, thereby protecting privacy while protecting privacy. The present invention relates to a proxy image communication apparatus and method capable of transmitting images and the like as images in addition to audio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a telephone device has been used as a communication tool between remote locations. However, in a telephone device, there is no other means than a means of transmitting only voice, and the only way to express emotions is to judge by inflection and loudness of voice. However, it was insufficient as a means of transmitting emotions. Therefore, recently, a videophone device that can communicate with both audio and video has been available.

[0003]

However, in the conventional apparatus, since only the ON / OFF of the camera image can be selected, there is no other way than to select a video phone call using actual video or a telephone call using only audio. When the actual expression is transmitted as it is, there is a problem that a private portion such as a self-portrait or surrounding environment that the user does not want to show is disclosed.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and protects privacy by displaying substitute images such as arbitrarily variable character images, etc., instead of actual images of a caller on each other's screens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a proxy image communication device and method capable of transmitting one's own emotions and the like by using an image.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a storage means includes:
A substitute image that substitutes for the real image of the caller is stored in association with various key codes, and under the control of the control means, the stored substitute image is transmitted to the partner device, and the substitute image is received from the partner. Then, the substitute image corresponding to the key code transmitted from the other party is read out from the storage means and displayed on the display means.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first aspect of the present invention, a storage means for storing a substitute image in place of a real image of a caller in association with various substitute image control codes, The proxy image of the other party corresponding to the proxy image control code transmitted from the other device after transmitting the own proxy image to the other device and receiving the proxy image from the other device and storing it in the storage means. And control means for reading out from the storage means and displaying it on the display means.

[0007] According to this configuration, by displaying a substitute image instead of the actual video of the caller on each other's screen, it is possible to convey one's emotions and the like as images while protecting privacy. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a computer is connected, and interface means for inputting and outputting signals to and from the computer is provided. The proxy image is stored in the storage means via the interface means, and at the time of the storage, the various proxy images are stored in one-to-one correspondence with various proxy image control codes generated in response to various operation inputs from the operation means.
Is adopted to store the information in association with each other.

According to this configuration, it is possible to designate the substitute image created by the user by operating the key operation unit 103.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the control means transmits a substitute image control code generated in response to an operation input from the operation means to the partner device when the line is connected. Use a configuration to send.

According to this configuration, the substitute image control code can be arbitrarily designated, and the own substitute image corresponding to the designated code can be displayed on the other party.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the control means displays the own proxy image stored in the storage means on the display means in response to a first display command operation from the operation means. Take the configuration to display.

According to this configuration, when the substitute image created by the computer is stored in the storage means and registered, the registered substitute image can be confirmed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the substitute image is constituted by a plurality of images for displaying a moving image, and the control means controls the other party's image. A configuration is adopted in which a moving image is displayed on the display means by continuously reading the plurality of images from the storage means in accordance with the substitute image control code.

According to this configuration, not only the expression of expression but also the expression of movement can be taken in as the role of the substitute image, and it is possible to carry out dialogue in sign language and play like a game.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control means comprises:
A configuration is employed in which the substitute image of the other party stored in the storage means is deleted.

According to this configuration, the storage means does not overflow and the privacy of the other party is not lost.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the control means responds to a second display command operation from the operation means when communicating with the partner device. A configuration is adopted in which the own proxy image currently displayed to the other party is displayed on a part of the display means.

According to this configuration, it is possible to control while confirming the substitute image to be displayed to the other party by the substitute image control code.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a video telephone apparatus is provided with the proxy image communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to this configuration, the same function and effect as any of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained in the videophone device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an information terminal device comprises:
A configuration including the substitute image communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is adopted.

According to this configuration, the same effect as any of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained in the information terminal device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a computer is provided with the proxy image communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to this configuration, the same operation and effect as in any one of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained in a computer.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the own apparatus, a substitute image which substitutes for a real image of a caller is stored in association with various substitute image control codes. To the counterpart device, and after receiving and storing the proxy image similarly transmitted from the counterpart device, reads out the storage proxy image of the counterpart corresponding to the proxy image control code transmitted from the counterpart device. To be displayed. According to this method, by displaying a substitute image instead of the actual video of the caller on each other's screen, it is possible to convey one's emotions and the like in an image while protecting privacy.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a substitute image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the proxy image communication device shown in FIG. 1 is applied to, for example, a wired or wireless videophone device.

The proxy image communication device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a speaker 101, a microphone 102, and a key operation unit 103.
, The control unit 104, the encoder 105, and the decoder 1
06, a communication unit 107, an image memory unit 108, an image switching unit 109, a display unit 110, and an image input / output unit 11
1 and a personal computer (personal computer) interface unit 112.

The personal computer interface unit 112 is connected to a personal computer (not shown) by a dedicated cable, and inputs and outputs various instructions and control signals including proxy image data to and from the connected personal computer to and from the proxy image communication apparatus 100. Things.

The substitute image is a CG image or the like produced by computer graphics technology, which replaces the real image of the caller. For example, an image of a person's face, a picture of the whole body, etc., arranged by himself using computer graphics, a character image, a mangatic image, or a symbol, code, pictogram, pictogram, mark, etc. It is an image that can be expressed. Further, the image may be an image obtained by capturing a photograph of one's own face, a photograph of the whole body, or the like with a scanner.

The image input / output unit 111 inputs and outputs substitute image data between the personal computer interface unit 112 and the image switching unit 109.

The image switching unit 109 is controlled by the control unit 104 to switch between the personal computer interface unit 112 and the display unit 110, between the personal computer interface unit 112 and the image memory unit 108, or between the display unit 110 and the image The switching is performed so that the substitute image data is transmitted to and from the memory unit 108.

The display unit 110 displays a substitute image based on substitute image data according to the display control of the control unit 104.

The image memory unit 108 stores its own substitute image data from the personal computer via the personal computer interface unit 112 in accordance with the storage control of the control unit 104, and stores the substitute image data received from the partner's substitute image communication device. This stores the substitute image data.

At the time of storage from the personal computer, the key operation unit 1
Various key codes generated by operating the numeric keys 0 to 9 and the function keys such as # provided in the key operation unit 103 in accordance with the instruction operation of the control unit 103 or the storage operation of the control unit 104 in response to the instruction operation from the personal computer. The proxy image data is stored in one-to-one correspondence.

That is, the own substitute image data stored in the image memory unit 108 can be prepared in a kind corresponding to the number of all key codes. However,
Here, it is assumed that the key operation unit 103 includes numeric keys and function keys, but any type such as a dial type, a rotary type, and an electrostatic type integrated with the display unit 110 may be used.

The encoder 105 encodes a substitute image control signal based on a key code generated by the control unit 104 in response to an operation of the key operation unit 103 and outputs it to the communication unit 107.

The decoder 106 decodes the other party's substitute image control signal received by the communication unit 107 and
4 is output.

In addition to the various controls described above, the control unit 104 controls incoming and outgoing calls to the telephone line, controls the processing of audio signals input from the microphone 102, and controls the speaker 101 in accordance with the operation of the key operation unit 103. It controls the processing of the audio signal and controls the cooperation with the personal computer via the personal computer interface unit 112.

When a line is connected to the other party, the set of the substitute image data stored in the image memory unit 108 is transmitted to the substitute image communication apparatus of the other party. Further, control is performed to read out the substitute image data of the other party according to the key code which is the received substitute image control signal of the other party from the image memory unit 108 and display the substitute image on the display unit 110.

The proxy image data stored in the image memory unit 108 is read out by operating the key operation unit 103 and displayed on the display unit 110. The control of displaying the substitute image of the user on the display unit 110 is performed for confirmation or the like when the substitute image is registered by the personal computer.
This is done to check the substitute image displayed by the other party during a call. Since the substitute image of the other party is displayed during the call, the substitute image is displayed on a part of the display unit 110 to the extent that the substitute image is not disturbed.

Next, the proxy image registration processing in the proxy image communication apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step ST201, a personal computer creates substitute image data corresponding to various key codes.

In step ST202, the personal computer is connected to the personal computer interface unit 112, and the created various proxy image data is stored in the image memory unit 108 of the proxy image communication apparatus 100.

In this case, a substitute image registration command is output from the personal computer to the control unit 104 via the personal computer interface unit 112, and the control unit 104, which has received this command, switches the image switching unit 109 between the personal computer interface unit 112 and the image memory unit. Switch to the path connecting 108 and then
Various proxy image data from a personal computer is stored via the image input / output unit 111.

At this time, in step ST 203, various key codes are associated with the substitute image data stored in the image memory unit 108 by operating the key operation unit 103.

At this time, the user's own substitute image data stored in the image memory unit 108 is displayed on the display unit 110 by operating the key operation unit 103, and it is confirmed which key code is associated with which substitute image. You may.

Next, the proxy image transmission / reception processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in the case of transmitting and receiving a substitute image, it is assumed that the mode is switched from the camera imaging mode of the videophone device to the substitute image mode.

In step ST301, the key operation unit 10
A call is made to the other party by a call operation from the third party.

When the call is connected to the other party's proxy image communication device by this call, in step ST302, control section 104 reads out the set of own proxy image data stored in image memory section 108, and the other party's proxy image is read. Send to communication device.

Similarly, in step ST 303, the substitute image data of the partner transmitted from the partner is received and stored in image memory unit 108.

After this storage, in step ST304, default (arbitrarily designated) images are displayed on the display units 110 of the mutual proxy image communication devices. That is, the other party's substitute image data corresponding to the arbitrary key code which is the received other party's substitute image control signal is read from the image memory unit 108 and displayed on the display unit 110.

In step ST305, it is determined whether a substitute image is to be received or transmitted.

Here, if it is transmission, step ST30
In 6, which proxy image is displayed to the other party is operated by operating the key operation unit 103.

In step ST307, the key code generated by the control unit 104 by the execution is
In step ST308, the substitute image control signal encoded by the communication unit 10
7 to the other party. Thereafter, step ST313
If it is determined in step ST305 that the call has not ended, the process returns to step ST305 and repeats the above.

On the other hand, if it is reception, step ST309
In step ST310, after the communication unit 107 receives the substitute image control signal of the other party,
In step ST311, the other party's substitute image data corresponding to the obtained key code is read from the image memory unit 108 under the control of the control unit 104. In step ST312, the display unit 110
Will be displayed.

At this time, the substitute image of the user currently being transmitted to the other party may be displayed on a part of the display unit 110 by the display operation of the key operation unit 103. Thereafter, if it is determined in step ST313 whether or not the call has ended, if the call has not ended, the process returns to step ST305 and repeats the above.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST313 whether or not the call has ended, if the call has ended, the call is ended in step ST314, and in step ST315, the call is stored in the image memory unit 108 of the own proxy image communication apparatus. The control unit 104 deletes the substitute image data of the partner.

In the above description, the proxy image communication device 100
Although it is assumed that the present invention is applied to a wired or wireless videophone device, it may be an information terminal device having a personal computer function or a personal computer.

The substitute image may be, for example, a set of a plurality of frame-advanced images. In this case, the operation is expressed by displaying these images continuously and repeatedly by a substitute image control signal. be able to.

As described above, according to the substitute image communication apparatus of the present embodiment, the substitute image that replaces the real image of the caller is stored in the image memory unit 108 in association with various key codes. By the control, the stored proxy image is transmitted to the proxy image communication device of the partner, and the proxy image is received from the partner and the image memory unit 108 is received.
Then, the substitute image corresponding to the key code transmitted from the other party is read out from the image memory unit 108 and displayed on the display unit 110.

Thus, by displaying a substitute image instead of the actual video of the caller on each other's screen, it is possible to convey one's own emotions and the like while protecting privacy. With the real expression of the actual image of the self-portrait, it is sometimes difficult to convey the meaning, and sometimes it is difficult to convey the expression correctly to the other party due to the surrounding environment situation and camera angle, but by using the substitute image in this way It can provide privacy and convey emotional expression.

Further, a personal computer is connected, and a personal computer interface unit 112 for inputting and outputting signals to and from the personal computer is provided. The control unit 104 transmits various proxy images created by the personal computer via the personal computer interface unit 112. The image data is stored in the image memory unit 108, and at this time, various proxy images are stored in a one-to-one correspondence with various key codes generated in response to various operation inputs from the key operation unit 103.

As a result, the proxy image created by the user can be designated by operating the key operation unit 103.

Further, the control unit 104 transmits a key code for selecting a substitute image generated in response to an operation input from the key operation unit 103 to the partner when the line is connected to the partner's substitute image communication device. Therefore, the proxy image corresponding to the key code can be displayed on the other party.

Further, the control unit 104 operates the key operation unit 103
Is displayed on the display unit 110 in response to a display command operation from the user. Therefore, the proxy image created by the personal computer is stored in the image memory unit 108 and registered. In doing so, the registered proxy image can be confirmed.

The substitute image is composed of a plurality of images for displaying a moving image, and the control unit 104 reads the plurality of images continuously from the image memory unit 108 according to the key code of the other party. As a result, the moving image is displayed on the display unit 110, so that not only the expression of expression but also the expression of movement can be adopted as the role of the substitute image. In particular, a sign language or a sign is sent using the movement of the hand. Thereby, conversation and the like can be enjoyed, and further, a game-like play such as rock-paper-scissors can be performed.

Since the control unit 104 deletes the partner's substitute image stored in the image memory unit 108 when the line is disconnected, the image memory unit 108 does not overflow and impairs the privacy of the partner. Such a thing disappears.

Further, when communicating with the other party, the control unit 104 displays the own proxy image currently displayed on the other party in response to the display command operation from the key operation unit 103.
Is displayed on a part of the image, so that it is possible to control while confirming the substitute image to be displayed to the other party by the key code.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By displaying proxy images such as arbitrarily variable character images, etc., instead of actual images of the caller on each other's screens, it is possible to convey one's emotions and the like as images while protecting privacy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a proxy image communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a substitute image registration process in the substitute image communication device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a substitute image transmission / reception process in the substitute image communication device according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 103 key operation unit 104 control unit 108 image memory unit 110 display unit 112 personal computer interface unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a substitute image in place of a real image of a caller in association with various substitute image control codes, and transmitting the stored own substitute image to a partner apparatus when a line is connected. After receiving the substitute image from the partner device and storing it in the storage unit, the substitute image of the partner corresponding to the substitute image control code transmitted from the partner device is read out from the storage unit and displayed on the display unit. A proxy image communication device comprising: 2. A computer connected to the computer, comprising interface means for inputting and outputting signals to and from the computer, wherein the control means stores various proxy images created by the computer in the storage means via the interface means. 2. The surrogate according to claim 1, wherein, at the time of the storage, the various proxy images are stored in a one-to-one correspondence with various proxy image control codes generated in response to various operation inputs from operation means. Image communication device. 3. The substitute image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits a substitute image control code generated in response to an operation input from the operation unit to the partner device when the line is connected. Communication device. 4. The surrogate according to claim 3, wherein the control means displays the own surrogate image stored in the storage means on the display means in response to a first display command operation from the operation means. Image communication device. 5. The substitute image is composed of a plurality of images for displaying a moving image, and the control means continuously reads the plurality of images from the storage means according to a substitute image control code of the other party. 5. The substitute image communication device according to claim 1, wherein a moving image is displayed on the display means. 6. The substitute image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the partner's substitute image stored in the storage unit when the line is disconnected. 7. The control means displays, on a part of the display means, its own substitute image currently displayed to the other party in response to a second display command operation from the operation means when communicating with the other apparatus. The substitute image communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. A videophone device comprising the substitute image communication device according to claim 1. 9. An information terminal device comprising the proxy image communication device according to claim 1. Description: 10. A computer comprising the proxy image communication device according to claim 1. 11. An own device stores a substitute image in place of a real image of a caller in association with various substitute image control codes, and transmits the stored own substitute image to a partner device when a line is connected. Receiving and storing the proxy image similarly transmitted from the partner device, reading and displaying the stored proxy image of the partner corresponding to the proxy image control code transmitted from the partner device, Proxy image communication method.