JP2001054085A - Mobile terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a mobile terminal device that automatically switches to a voice call mode or a video phone mode depending on a usage state of only a voice call or a video phone communication without a conscious operation of an operator. To do. An image processing unit as a videophone function is provided.
, A receiver 13 for receiving a call in close proximity, a loudspeaker 14 for enlarging and receiving a call, a switching means 12 for switching between a receiver and a loudspeaker, and a voice call mode for talking on the receiver or a videophone mode for talking on the display. State detecting means 16 for detecting whether or not the received voice is output from the receiver when the voice communication mode is detected by the state detecting means, and the received voice is amplified when the videophone mode is detected by the state detecting means. Automatically switch to output from speaker.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal device, and more particularly to a portable terminal device having a videophone function capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving images and sounds.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when attempting to make a videophone call while looking at the other party's face while holding a portable terminal device having a videophone function in his hand, sound is output from a receiver pressed against a normal ear. Then, the distance is too long to hear. Therefore, in the case of a videophone, it is necessary to make a speakerphone call using a speaker for loudspeaker. Therefore, in the conventional portable terminal device, a switch or a key button for switching between a call using a normal audio-only receiver and a call using a speakerphone used for a videophone is provided, and the switch or the key button is used by switching manually. Was like that.

[0003]

However, during the use of the above-mentioned conventional portable terminal device with a videophone function, when a user is talking on a videophone due to factors such as the surrounding noise situation and the content of conversation, It is often the case that the user wants to switch to a call using only the voice of the user, or conversely wants to switch from a normal call to a videophone call. In such a case, switching manually one by one has a problem that switching is troublesome and may interrupt a natural flow of conversation.

[0004] Further, just because it is troublesome to switch to the voice call mode (a call using a voice-only receiver) every time, even during use in the voice call mode, the video phone mode (the call using the loudspeaker of the video phone) is always maintained. In other words, there is a problem in that a portable terminal device using a battery as a driving source consumes power and shortens a talkable time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problem, and automatically switches between a videophone mode and a voice call mode according to the operator's need without intentionally operating the operator. By switching to,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal device with a videophone function that enables a more natural use of the portable terminal device and saves power consumption of a battery to enable a long-time call.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal device comprising: an image processing unit as a videophone function; a receiver for outputting received voice without expanding it; and a loudspeaker for expanding received voice and outputting it. Switching means for switching between the receiver and the loudspeaker, and state detection means for detecting whether the mode is a voice call mode or a videophone mode, and when the state detection means detects the voice call mode, There is a configuration in which the receiving voice is output from the receiver, and when the state detecting means detects the videophone mode, the receiving voice is output from the loudspeaker regardless of the presence or absence of the telephone call. are doing. With this configuration, it is easy to use because the operator does not need to intentionally perform a manual operation, and it is possible to automatically switch between the videophone mode and the voice communication mode as needed by the operator.

The portable terminal device according to the present invention includes a power control unit for controlling power supply to the image processing unit, and when the state detecting unit detects that the portable terminal device has been switched to the voice communication mode. Has a configuration in which power supply to the image processing unit is cut off by the power supply control means. With this configuration,
In the voice call mode, unnecessary power of the image processing unit is automatically shut off, so that power is saved and a long talk time can be secured with a limited battery capacity.

[0008] In the portable terminal device according to the present invention, the image processing unit includes means for extracting luminance information from a camera, and luminance control means for controlling luminance of the display based on the extracted luminance information. It is configured to control the brightness of the display according to the brightness information from the camera during use in the videophone mode. With this configuration, the brightness of the display is automatically controlled by the brightness control means in accordance with the surrounding brightness, so that an optimum screen is obtained, and the current consumption also changes in accordance with the surrounding brightness, so that wasteful power consumption occurs. Can be prevented.

[0009] In the portable terminal device according to the present invention, the image processing section recognizes the magnitude of the luminance of the object to be photographed based on the video signal from the camera, and the portable terminal device operates in a voice communication mode based on the luminance. It is configured to detect whether the terminal is in the videophone mode. With this configuration, the call mode is determined based on the difference in the brightness of the object to be photographed. Therefore, the call mode is easily, automatically, and economically independent of the surrounding brightness and without using a special sensor. Can be detected.

The portable terminal device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the state detecting means includes a touch sensor and determines whether the mode is the voice call mode or the videophone mode based on the presence or absence or degree of a touch. With this configuration, in the case of the voice call mode, the touch sensor is pressed against the face, so that an appropriate threshold value is set for the ratio between the area of the touch surface and the area of the skin that touches the touch surface. , The CPU recognizes this and can easily and automatically determine the call mode.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. First, an external configuration of a mobile terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view and (B)
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside with the side wall removed. The mobile terminal device shown in FIG. 1 includes a camera 1 for capturing an image to be sent to a communication partner, a display 3 for viewing an image sent from the communication partner, and a receiver for listening to the ear of a received voice. 2, a loudspeaker 6 for loudspeaking the received voice and a microphone 5 for inputting own voice
And a key switch button 4 for operating the portable terminal device.

When the user operates the portable terminal device constructed as described above and talks while looking at the screen of the display 3, he / she operates the portable terminal device away from his / her ears, so that the other party's voice is louder. It is necessary to output from the speaker 6. On the other hand, it is necessary to switch to the receiver 2 having a low volume when the user talks with the portable terminal device close to the ear, and when the receiver 2 is used, the user looks at the display 3 to bring the portable terminal device close to the ear. Cannot be performed, and the camera 1 is also located at a close distance to the face, so that a meaningful image cannot be captured. Therefore, when talking using the receiver 2, for example,
No image-related functions such as the camera 1 and the display 3 are required.

A portable terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the use state is detected and the mode is automatically switched between a voice call mode and a video phone mode.

Next, the configuration of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal device shown in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 7 that controls the entire mobile terminal device, a communication control unit 8 and a wireless unit 9 for the mobile terminal device to perform communication by radio waves,
An image processing unit 10 including image processing means, a camera, a display, and the like as a videophone function, a voice processing unit 11 for processing voice, and a receiver 13 for receiving voice.
And a microphone 15 for inputting an operator's voice.
State detecting means 16 for detecting whether the call state is the videophone mode or the voice call mode, a battery 17 which is a power supply of the portable terminal device, and a power supply control means 18 for controlling on / off of the power supply. It consists of.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a description will be given of a method of automatically switching a call mode (a video call mode or a voice call mode) by an operation of a portable terminal device having a video phone function in one embodiment of the present invention. . When the portable terminal device is brought closer to the ear, the state detecting means 16 detects that the use state of the portable terminal device is a call using the receiver 13 and notifies the CPU 7. Therefore, the CPU 7 sets the switching means 1
2 is switched to output the received voice from the receiver 13. At the same time, the CPU 7 controls the power control unit 18 to cut off the power of the image processing unit 10. Conversely,
When the portable terminal device is removed from the ear, the state detecting means 16 detects that the use state of the portable terminal device is a call using the loudspeaker 14 and notifies the CPU 7 of the fact. Therefore, the CPU 7 controls the switching means 12 to switch the received voice so that the received voice is output from the loudspeaker 14. CPU7
At the same time, the power supply control unit 18 is controlled to turn on the power of the image processing unit 10 so that an image can be displayed. By controlling as described above, switching between the receiver 13 and the loudspeaker 14 and turning on / off the power of the image processing unit 10 can be automatically performed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a display brightness control method as an operation of the portable terminal device with a videophone function in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the brightness control means of the portable terminal device with a videophone function according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the image processing unit 20 has a brightness control unit 23 for controlling the brightness of the display 22 inside or outside, and extracts a brightness signal of a shooting target from a video signal output from the camera 21 in the image processing unit 20. Then, the CPU 7 controls the brightness control means 23 to automatically adjust the brightness of the display 22 based on the magnitude of the brightness signal, and to control the brightness to be optimum. As described above, by automatically controlling the brightness of the display 22 by the brightness control means 23, an optimal screen can be obtained, and the current consumption also changes according to the surrounding brightness, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption. it can.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a method of determining a call mode and automatic switching of a portable terminal device having a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the call mode determination and automatic switching means of the portable terminal device with a videophone function according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, the image processing unit 20
In, a luminance signal is extracted from the video signal from the camera 21, and the CPU 7 determines a call mode of the videophone mode or the voice call mode from the information of the luminance signal. That is, in the case of the voice call mode using the receiver 13, since the camera is pressed against the face, the magnitude of the luminance signal becomes extremely small and is clearly distinguished from the case of the videophone mode. In other words, since the determination of the call mode is made based on the difference in the magnitude of the brightness of the photographing target or the result of performing a similar operation, the threshold value of the CPU 7 is appropriately set, so that it is influenced by the surrounding brightness. Without this, it is possible to easily and reliably detect the call mode.

In this way, when the communication state of the portable terminal device is detected, the CPU 7 controls the switching means 12 based on the determination of the communication mode, and determines that the mode is the voice communication mode if the brightness of the photographing target is low. The mode is automatically switched to the receiver 13, and if the brightness of the shooting target is large, the mode is determined to be the videophone mode, and the mode is automatically switched to the loudspeaker 14. At the same time, the CPU 7 turns off the power to the image processing unit 10 when using the receiver 13 as described above,
When the loudspeaker 14 is used, the power to the image processing unit 10 is controlled to be turned on, so that useless power consumption can be prevented.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a method of detecting a call state by a touch sensor of a portable terminal device having a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration including a touch sensor of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the touch sensor 24 and the LC
An LCD display with a touch sensor is configured by D25. When the touch sensor 24 of the LCD display is pressed against the face, the state detecting means 16 detects the touch and determines that the voice communication mode is the voice communication mode by the receiver 13. When the touch sensor 24 is not pressed against the face, an appropriate threshold value is set. Is determined to be the videophone mode using the loudspeaker 14.

As an appropriate threshold value, for example, in the case of a voice communication mode using the receiver 13, the touch sensor 2
4 is pressed against the face, and if an appropriate threshold value is set for the ratio between the area of the touch surface and the area of the skin that touches the touch surface, the CPU 7 determines it and automatically sets it. The call mode can be recognized. Also,
By using the touch function of the touch sensor 24, various controls can be performed, and an easy-to-use portable terminal device can be obtained. As the state detecting means 16, any other means may be used as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, in addition to those described above.

[0021]

The present invention is constructed as described above. In particular, by automatically switching the received voice between the videophone mode and the voice communication mode according to the change of the communication state, the operator can be conscious. Since there is no need to perform a switching operation, it is easy to use, and a call that does not hinder the natural flow of conversation can be performed.

The present invention is configured as described above.
In the voice call mode, unnecessary power of the image processing unit is automatically cut off, thereby saving power and ensuring a long talk time with a limited battery capacity.

The present invention is configured as described above, and in particular,
By automatically controlling the brightness of the display according to the brightness of the shooting target by the brightness control means, an optimal screen can be obtained, and the current consumption also changes according to the brightness of the shooting target, preventing unnecessary power consumption Can be done.

The present invention is configured as described above.
Since the call mode is determined based on the difference in the brightness of the shooting target, the call mode can be detected simply, automatically, and economically without being affected by the surrounding brightness and without using a special sensor. Can be done.

The present invention is configured as described above.
In the case of the voice call mode, the touch sensor is pressed against the face, so that the touch sensor can be reliably switched, and an appropriate threshold is set for the ratio of the area of the touch surface to the area of the skin that touches the touch surface. Is set, the CPU can determine the call mode and reliably recognize the call mode, and various controls can be performed by using the touch function, thereby providing an easy-to-use portable terminal device. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B are diagrams showing a configuration of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a brightness control unit of the portable terminal device with a videophone function according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a call mode determination and automatic switching unit of the portable terminal device with a videophone function according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration including a touch sensor of a portable terminal device with a videophone function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Receiver 3 Display 4 Key switch button 5 Microphone 6 Loudspeaker 7 CPU 8 Communication control part 9 Wireless unit 10 Image processing part 11 Audio processing part 12 Switching means 13 Receiver 14 Loudspeaker 15 Microphone 16 State detection means 17 Battery 18 Power supply Control means 19 Key switch 20 Image processing unit 21 Camera 22 Display 23 Brightness control means 24 Touch sensor 25 LCD 26 LCD controller

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image processing unit as a videophone function, a receiver for outputting received voice without expanding it, a loudspeaker for expanding received voice and outputting the same, and switching means for switching between the receiver and the loudspeaker. State detecting means for detecting whether the mode is a voice call mode or a videophone mode, and outputs a reception voice from a receiver when the state detection means detects the voice call mode; A mobile terminal device for automatically switching a call mode regardless of whether a call is made or not so that a received voice is output from a loudspeaker when a videophone mode is detected. 2. A power supply control means for controlling power supply to the image processing unit, wherein when the state detection means detects that the portable terminal device has been switched to a voice communication mode, the power supply control means is provided. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply to the image processing unit is shut off by the following. 3. An image processing unit comprising: means for extracting luminance information from a camera; and luminance control means for controlling luminance of the display based on the extracted luminance information, wherein the image processing unit is used in the videophone mode. 3. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled in accordance with brightness information from the camera. 4. The image processing section recognizes the magnitude of the luminance of the object to be photographed based on a video signal from the camera, and determines whether the portable terminal device is in a voice call mode or a video phone mode according to the magnitude of the luminance. 3. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of the mobile terminal is detected. 5. The state detecting means includes a touch sensor,
The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal device is configured to determine whether the mode is the voice call mode or the videophone mode based on the presence or absence or degree of the touch.