JP2001274918A - TV game device, TV control device, control device, incoming call notification method for TV game device, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a video game device capable of surely notifying a user of an incoming call when the incoming call occurs during a game. SOLUTION: The video game device is a CD-ROMI /
An I / F unit 102, a setting RAM I / F unit 103, a controller I / F unit 104, an AVI / F unit 105, and a public telephone line I / F unit 106. Each I / F unit is a control unit. It is controlled by 101. The control unit 101 includes a ROM
(Not shown) that has a CPU (not shown) for executing predetermined control and processing in accordance with a control program stored in the public telephone line 406 via the public telephone line I / F unit 106 during a game. When an incoming call from the user (shown in FIG. 1) is detected, incoming call notification information for notifying the user of this incoming call is generated, and the monitor 403 is connected via the AVI / F unit 105.
(See FIG. 1).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a television game device, a television control device, a control device, an incoming call notification method for a television game device, a program, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a video game device,
An application program (hereinafter referred to as game software) constituting a game is read and executed from a storage medium represented by a CD-ROM or the like, and game information including image information and audio information is transmitted to a monitor such as a television, thereby displaying the game information on the monitor. Is configured to display the game screen. Further, a controller for performing an input operation related to the progress of the game is provided, and by performing an input operation from the controller, the progress of the game, various individual information in the game, and the like can be set. Further, a readable and writable storage medium typified by a memory chip or the like for storing the set information is provided,
When starting the game, the set information can be read from the storage medium as needed.

Further, in recent years, an environment in which an information terminal such as a personal computer (personal computer) can easily access the Internet via a telephone line even at work, at home, and sometimes outdoors has been developed. Along with this, information such as news can be obtained in real time, and an environment in which an unspecified number of people can simultaneously obtain software information such as image information and audio information without choosing time and place is constructed. Will be.

[0004] With the development and construction of such an environment, some video game devices have been added with a function of accessing the Internet. This allows
The Internet can be directly accessed from the video game device, and various information regarding the game software can be more easily downloaded and obtained.

In the video game device having the Internet access function, a terminal provided in the video game device is connected to a telephone line wired indoors, and the Internet can be accessed by a predetermined operation. .

[0006]

In a general household, a video game device is often connected in a branch to a telephone line to which a telephone or a facsimile device is already connected. Even when is connected, if there is an incoming call from the telephone line, the incoming call is detected by the telephone and the telephone rings. here,
When the telephone is off-hook, a call can be made.
However, if there is an incoming call during the game, the user may not notice the ringing of the phone due to the enthusiasm for the game or the volume of the game.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a video game apparatus capable of reliably notifying a user of an incoming call when the incoming call occurs during a game, a method of notifying the incoming call, a program, and a storage medium. is there.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a television control apparatus capable of displaying incoming notification information indicating an incoming call on a display device while the display device is displaying information constituting a software screen. Is to provide.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display device which displays incoming call communication information indicating an incoming call while displaying information constituting a software screen or a received television broadcast. It is to provide a control device capable of displaying.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An input interface for taking in the user's operation via an operation means for allowing the user to perform an operation relating to the progress of the game, and an input interface for transmitting information constituting a game scene of the game to the display device on the display device And a communication interface for communicating with the public telephone line, the communication interface for communicating with the public telephone line, and the public telephone line during the game. And a notifying unit that, when an incoming call is detected, transmits incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the video game device according to the first aspect, the incoming notification information is image information displayed on the display device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the video game device according to the first aspect, the display device has an audio output function, and the incoming notification information is output by the audio output function of the display device. It is characterized by voice information.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the video game device according to any one of the above, when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, game pause means for performing processing for temporarily stopping the game, Game restart means for performing processing for restarting the paused game after the user has responded to the incoming call.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the television game apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the operation means includes an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a restart of the game. The game suspending means can detect an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game and perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game. Performing a process for suspending the game, and the game resuming means, when the user has performed an input operation for instructing resumption of the game after responding to the incoming call, for resuming the suspended game. Is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the video game apparatus according to the fourth aspect, there is provided a response end detecting means for detecting an end of the response to the incoming call by the user, and the game pause means is provided with the game pause means. When an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the process, the game is paused.When the game resuming unit detects the end of the response to the incoming call by the user, the game is paused. A process for restarting the game.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the video game device according to any one of the above, the communication interface includes connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and a telephone.

[0017] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the video game device according to any one of the above, the communication interface has telephone function means, the telephone function means, a handset, detection means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset, It is characterized by comprising response means for responding to the incoming call when an off-hook is detected, and release means for releasing the public telephone line when an on-hook of the handset is detected.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first to sixth aspects.
In the video game device according to any one of the above, the communication interface has a telephone interface, the telephone interface detects connection means for connecting a telephone to the public telephone line, and detects on-hook of the telephone. And a detecting means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the video game device according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the response end detecting means ends the response to the incoming call from the user in response to the detection of the on-hook by the detecting means. It is characterized by detecting that the user has performed the action.

The invention according to claim 11 is an input interface for inputting the user's input operation through an operation means for allowing the user to perform an input operation relating to the progress of the game, and a game scene of the game on a display device. And a communication interface for communicating with a public telephone line, the method for notifying an incoming call of a video game device, wherein the public communication is performed during the game. Detecting an incoming call from a telephone line; and, upon detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game, transmitting incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface. It is characterized by having.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the incoming call notification method for a video game device according to the eleventh aspect, the incoming notification information is image information displayed on the display device.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the eleventh aspect, the display device has an audio output means, and the incoming notification information is transmitted by the audio output means of the display device. The audio information can be output.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the incoming call notification method for a video game device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game. And performing a process for suspending the game, and performing a process for resuming the suspended game after the user responds to the incoming call.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the fourteenth aspect, the operating means instructs an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and a restart of the game. Input operation to detect an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game and to stop the game when there is an input operation to instruct the game to be paused. Performing a process for restarting the paused game when the user has performed an input operation to instruct restart of the game after responding to the incoming call. .

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for notifying an incoming call of the video game device according to the fourteenth aspect, the method further comprises a step of detecting an end of the response to the incoming call by the user, wherein the public is notified during the game. When detecting an incoming call from a telephone line, performing a process for suspending the game, and detecting a termination of a response to the incoming call by the user, performing a process for resuming the paused game. Features.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, the communication interface connects the public telephone line to the communication interface and a telephone. It is characterized by having connection means for distributing and connecting.

[0027] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects, the communication interface has telephone function means, and the telephone function means A handset; detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; responding means for responding to the incoming call upon detecting off-hook of the handset; and opening to release the public telephone line upon detecting on-hook of the handset. Means.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the incoming call notification method for a video game device according to any one of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects, the communication interface has a telephone interface, and the telephone interface has a telephone interface. And a public telephone line, and a detecting means for detecting on-hook of the telephone.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the method of claim 18 or 19, the response to the incoming call by the user is terminated in response to the on-hook detection of the detecting means. It is characterized by detecting.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input interface for inputting an operation of the user through an operation means for the user to perform an operation relating to the progress of the game;
An output interface for transmitting information constituting the game scene of the game to the display device on a display device, and an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line,
A program for constructing an incoming call notification system on a video game device having a communication interface for performing communication with the public telephone line, wherein the public telephone is used during the game based on an output of the incoming call detection means. A determination module for determining whether an incoming call from a line has been detected, and, when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, displaying the incoming notification information indicating the incoming call via the output interface. And a notification module for transmitting to the device.

[0031] The invention according to claim 22 is the program according to claim 21, wherein the incoming notification information is image information displayed on the display device.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twenty-first aspect, the display device has an audio output function, and the incoming notification information is audio information output by the audio output function of the display device. It is characterized by being.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-third aspects, when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, the game is temporarily stopped. A game pause module that performs a process for stopping the game and a game restart module that performs a process for restarting the paused game after the user responds to the incoming call.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the operating means performs an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a restart of the game. The game pause module may detect an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game and temporarily stop the game when there is an input operation for instructing a pause of the game. Performing a process for stopping, the game resumption module, when there is an input operation for instructing resumption of the game after the user has responded to the incoming call,
A process for resuming the paused game is performed.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twenty-fourth aspect, there is provided a response end detecting module for detecting an end of the response to the incoming call by the user, and the game pause module is configured to execute When an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the automatic execution of a process for temporarily stopping the game, the game resuming module detects the end of the response to the incoming call by the user, the pause A process for restarting the played game is automatically performed.

The invention according to claim 27 is the program according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the communication interface distributes and connects the public telephone line to the communication interface and a telephone. It is characterized by having means.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-sixth aspects, the communication interface has telephone function means, and the telephone function means comprises a handset and the handset. Detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset, responding means for responding to the incoming call when detecting off-hook of the handset, and opening means for releasing the public telephone line when detecting on-hook of the handset. Features.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-sixth aspects, the communication interface has a telephone interface, and the telephone interface is connected to a telephone and the public telephone line. And a detecting means for detecting on-hook of the telephone.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twenty-eighth or the twenty-ninth aspect, the response end detecting module ends a response to the incoming call by the user in response to detection of the on-hook of the detecting means. Is detected.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, an input interface for inputting an operation of the user through an operation unit for the user to perform an operation related to execution of the software, and a screen of the software on a display device are configured. A television control device having an output interface for outputting information to the display device, comprising: a communication interface for performing communication with the communication line, the communication interface having communication detection means for detecting an incoming call from a communication line; When an incoming call from a line is detected, a notifying unit that outputs incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface is provided.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, an input interface for inputting the user's operation through an operation means for allowing the user to perform an operation related to the execution of the software, and the content of the received television broadcast are displayed. Information on the display device constituting the screen of the software,
An output interface for outputting to the display device;
Incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a communication line, a communication interface for performing communication with the communication line, and, when detecting an incoming call from the communication line, incoming call notification information indicating the incoming call via the output interface. And notifying means for outputting to the display device.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention is the control device according to the thirty-second aspect, further comprising a broadcast receiving unit for receiving the television broadcast and outputting the television broadcast to the display device, wherein the notifying means transmits the incoming notification information to the display device. The information is output to the broadcast receiving unit, and the broadcast receiving unit receives incoming notification information from the notifying unit.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect, in the control device according to the thirty-third aspect, the display device is provided.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the control device according to the thirty-second aspect, there is provided a broadcast receiving unit interface for connecting to a broadcast receiving unit for receiving the television broadcast and outputting it to the display device, The notifying unit outputs the incoming notification information to the broadcast receiving unit via the broadcast receiving unit interface, and the broadcast receiving unit inputs the incoming notification information from the notifying unit.

The invention according to claim 36 is characterized in that the program according to claim 21 is stored.

[0046]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the video game device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game device of FIG.

The video game device, as shown in FIG.
A monitor 403 is connected, and video signals,
Device body 401 for outputting an audio signal, and device body 401
And a public telephone line (analog line) 406 which is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for the user to perform operations related to game progress such as starting and ending the game, and a public telephone line (analog line) 406. And a distributor 404. Here, as the monitor 403, a display device such as a television having a function of receiving and displaying a television broadcast and outputting video and audio of game software is used.

As shown in FIG. 2,
CD-ROM interface (hereinafter referred to as CD-ROMI
/ F unit) 102, setting RAM interface unit (hereinafter, setting RAM I / F unit) 103, controller interface unit (hereinafter, controller I / F unit) 104, audiovisual interface unit (hereinafter, AVI / F) ), And a public telephone line interface (hereinafter, public telephone line I / F) 106.

The CD-ROM I / F unit 102 houses a reproducing apparatus for reproducing a CD-ROM in which game software is written, and has a function of driving the reproducing apparatus to read game software from the CD-ROM. In this embodiment, the storage medium for supplying the game software is a CD-R.
Although the OM is used, a DVD-ROM may be used as a storage medium for supplying the game software instead. In this case, a reproducing device capable of reproducing the DVD-ROM may be provided.

The setting RAM I / F unit 103 has a slot in which a memory card can be inserted and removed, and writes and reads information to and from the memory card inserted in the slot. The contents of the game are temporarily written into the memory card, individually set contents are written, and the progress of each game and the set contents can be read from the memory card as necessary. . By reading the progress of each game and the setting contents from the memory card as necessary, for example, even if the game is interrupted, the game can be restarted from the point at which it was interrupted later. In addition, by installing the memory card in another video game device, a game with the same settings can be performed in another video game device.

The controller I / F section 104 is an interface for accommodating the controller 402 (shown in FIG. 1), and generates a signal corresponding to the operation of each operation button of the controller 402.

The AVI / F unit 105 is an interface for converting input information into a signal conforming to the NTSC standard and outputting this signal to the monitor 403 (shown in FIG. 1). The signals output to the monitor 403 include a video signal, a sound signal, and other signals constituting a game screen, a signal indicating an image acquired by the Internet function, and a video indicating incoming notification information generated by incoming notification processing described later. Signal.

The public telephone line I / F unit 106 includes the distributor 4
The main function of this interface is to perform a connection operation for making an Internet connection using the public telephone line 406. And a function of detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line 406.

CD-ROM I / F section 102, setting RA
MI / F section 103, controller I / F section 104, AV
I / F unit 105, each I / F of public telephone line I / F unit 106
The section F is controlled by the control section 101. Control unit 101
Has a CPU (not shown) that executes predetermined control and processing according to a control program stored in a ROM (not shown).

Specifically, the control unit 101 controls the CD-RO
The game software read from the CD-ROM is input via the MI / F unit 102, and processing for generating a game screen is performed according to the game software. This processing includes processing for controlling the progress of the game in accordance with an operation on the controller 402 input via the controller I / F unit 104. Further, the control unit 101
The setting RAM I / F unit 1 is configured to write and read information to and from a memory card in accordance with an operation on the controller 402 input via the controller I / F unit 104.
03 is controlled. Further, the control unit 101 establishes an Internet connection via the public telephone line I / F unit 106, and performs control for downloading corresponding information from the Internet as needed. Further, the control unit 1
01 detects an incoming call from the public telephone line 406 via the public telephone line I / F unit 106 during the game, generates incoming call notification information for notifying the user of this incoming call, and generates the AVI / F unit 105. Is performed to notify the monitor 403 of the incoming call. The details of the incoming call notification process will be described later.

Next, the configuration of the public telephone line I / F unit 106 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the public telephone line I / F unit 106 is connected to the public telephone line 406 distributed via the distributor 404, and detects an incoming call from the public telephone line 406; Public telephone line 4
A 2/4 line conversion circuit 202 for converting two lines of a line into four lines separated for transmission and reception in order to transmit / receive a signal to / from the signal line 06, and one of four lines separated by the 2/4 line conversion circuit 202 It has a modem circuit 203 connected to the line and the other connected to the control unit 101, and a transmitting circuit 204 for transmitting a signal to the public telephone line 406.

The incoming call detection circuit 201 is connected to the public telephone line 40
When an incoming call is detected, a signal indicating that the incoming call is detected is output to the control unit 101. The modem circuit 203
When a dial-up connection is made to a provider that provides an Internet connection service, protocol processing for connecting to the provider, protocol processing for performing communication, and the like are performed via the transmission circuit 204 and the like.

Next, an incoming call notification process in the present video game device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process in the video game device of FIG. This incoming notification processing is executed by the control unit 101 according to a control program stored in the ROM.

When the power is turned on, as shown in FIG.
First, in step S301, an input of a game start instruction from the controller 402 is waited. If there is an input of a game start instruction, the process proceeds to step S302 and the set C is set.
The game software is read from the D-ROM and the game is executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S303 to determine whether an incoming call from the public telephone line 406 is detected based on the output signal of the incoming call detection circuit 201. If no incoming call is detected, the process proceeds to step S312 and the controller 40
It is determined whether the button functioning as the end button of No. 2 has been pressed, and if this button has not been pressed,
It is determined that the game end has not been instructed, and the process returns to step S302 to continue the game and detect an incoming call. When the button functioning as the end button is pressed, it is determined that the game end has been instructed, and the process returns to step S301 to wait for the input of the next game start instruction.
Here, when it is determined that the game end has been instructed,
It is assumed that the game is automatically ended and the game enters a standby state waiting for input of a next game start instruction.

If it is determined in step S303 that an incoming call has been detected, the flow advances to step S304 to output incoming call notification information to the monitor 403 via the AVI / F unit 105. As a result, an image corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed on the monitor 403 together with the game image, and the user can be notified of the incoming call using this image. Here, the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed over the game screen. In addition, it is possible to set so that the video is displayed at an arbitrary position such as a center position or a corner position of the game screen. When this incoming call occurs, the distributor 4
The telephone 405 connected to the public telephone line 406 via the telephone 04 rings.

Next, the process proceeds to step S305, and it is determined whether or not a button functioning as a stop button of the controller 402 has been pressed. If the button functioning as the stop button of the controller 402 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S306 to determine whether or not the caller has been on-hook for the incoming call, that is, whether or not the incoming call has been terminated. If not, the process returns to step S305. On the other hand, when the incoming call ends, the process proceeds to step S307, in which the output of the incoming call notification information is stopped, and the display of the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information on the monitor 403 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step S312 to determine whether or not the game has ended.

If it is determined in step S305 that the button functioning as the stop button of the controller 402 has been pressed, the flow advances to step S308 to temporarily stop the game. This allows you to pause the game,
The user can answer the incoming call using the telephone 405. That is, it is possible to make a call using the telephone 405 while the game is paused. In the following step S309, the output of the incoming notification information is stopped, and the display of the video corresponding to the incoming notification information on the monitor 403 is turned off.

Next, in step S310, the process waits for pressing of a button functioning as a resume button on the controller 402. When the button functioning as the resume button is pressed, it is determined that the user's response to the incoming call has ended. Proceeding to step S311, the game is restarted. Then, the process proceeds to step S312 to determine whether or not the game has ended.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an incoming call is detected during the game, the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed on the monitor 403, so that the incoming call that occurred during the game can be reliably provided to the user. Can be notified.

In this embodiment, when an incoming call is detected during a game, an image corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed on the monitor 403. Instead of displaying this image, It is also possible to configure to emit a voice indicating that an incoming call has occurred. It is also possible to output video and audio corresponding to the incoming notification information to the monitor 403.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game device of FIG. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process in the video game device of FIG.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a telephone function is added. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the video game device according to the present embodiment is connected to a device main body 401 that outputs a video signal and an audio signal to a monitor 403, and the user starts a game, A controller 402 provided with a plurality of operation buttons for performing operations related to the progress of the game such as the end of the game.
1 and the public telephone line 406 is directly connected.

As in the first embodiment, the apparatus main body 401 has a CD-ROM I / F unit and a setting RAM I / F.
An F section, a controller I / F section, an AVI / F section, and a public telephone line interface section 501 (shown in FIG. 6) are built in.

Public telephone line I / F in the present embodiment
The configuration of the unit 501 will be described in detail.
The F unit 501 includes, as shown in FIG.
, A 2/4 wire conversion circuit 202, a modem circuit 203,
It has a transmission circuit 204 and a telephone circuit 502. The telephone circuit 502 is a circuit for realizing a telephone function.
01 has a call function for making a call.

Next, an incoming call notification process in the present video game device will be described with reference to FIGS. This incoming notification processing is executed by the control unit 101 according to a control program stored in the ROM.

When the power is turned on, as shown in FIG.
First, in step S601, an input of a game start instruction from the controller 402 is waited. When the game start instruction is input, the process proceeds to step 602, and the game is started. Then, in step S603, it is determined whether or not an incoming call from the public telephone line 406 has been detected based on the output signal of the incoming call detection circuit 201. If no incoming call is detected, the process proceeds to step S616, where the controller 4
It is determined whether or not a button functioning as a game end button on 02 has been pressed. If this button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S602 and the game is continued. When a button functioning as a game end button is pressed, the process returns to step S601 and waits for an input of a next game start instruction.

If it is determined in step S603 that an incoming call has been detected, the flow advances to step S604 to output incoming call notification information to the monitor 403 via the AVI / F unit 105. As a result, an image corresponding to the incoming notification information is displayed on the monitor 403. When the incoming call is detected, the telephone circuit 502 sounds.

Next, the process proceeds to step S605, where it is determined whether or not a button functioning as a stop button of the controller 402 has been pressed. If the button functioning as the stop button of the controller 402 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S606, and it is determined whether or not the caller has been on-hook with respect to the incoming call, that is, whether or not the incoming call has ended. If not, the process returns to step S605. On the other hand, when the incoming call ends, the process proceeds to step S607, in which the output of the incoming notification information is stopped, and the display of the video corresponding to the incoming notification information on the monitor 403 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step S616 to determine whether a button functioning as a game end button has been pressed.

If it is determined in step S605 that the button functioning as the stop button of the controller 402 has been pressed, the flow advances to step S608 shown in FIG. 8 to temporarily stop the game. In step S609, the output of the incoming notification information is stopped. Then, the display of the image corresponding to the incoming notification information on the monitor 403 is turned off. The process advances to step S610 to determine whether the user has responded to the incoming call by a predetermined operation.

When the user answers the incoming call, step S6
Proceed to step S11, set to the call state, and continue to step S612
In, waiting for an on-hook, if an on-hook is detected, the process proceeds to step S613 to disconnect the line. Then, the process proceeds to step S614 to determine whether or not a button functioning as a restart button on the controller 402 has been pressed. If the button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S610. On the other hand, when the button functioning as the resume button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S61.
Then, the game is restarted, and the process proceeds to step S616.

If it is determined in step S610 that the user has not answered the incoming call, the process proceeds to step S6.
The process skips steps 11 to 613 and proceeds to step S614.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an incoming call is detected during the game, the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed on the monitor 403, so that the incoming call generated during the game can be reliably provided to the user. Can be notified. Also, since the telephone circuit 502 is provided, the handset 70
1 makes it possible to make a telephone call and directly connect to the public telephone line 406, eliminating the need to use the distributor 404 as in the first embodiment described above.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game device of FIG. It is.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a function of connecting a telephone to the public telephone line I / F is added.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a video game device according to the present embodiment
A public telephone line 406 is directly connected to the apparatus main body 401, and a telephone 405 is connected to the apparatus main body 401.

As in the first embodiment, the apparatus main body 401 has a CD-ROM I / F unit and a setting RAM I / F.
An F section, a controller I / F section, an AVI / F section, and a public telephone line interface section 801 (shown in FIG. 10) are built in.

Public telephone line I / F in the present embodiment
The configuration of the unit 801 will be described in detail.
The F section 801 includes, as shown in FIG.
1, a 2/4 wire conversion circuit 202 and a modem circuit 203
, A transmission circuit 204, and a telephone I / F circuit 802. The telephone I / F circuit 802 is connected to the external telephone 40
5 for connecting the public telephone line 406 between the telephone 405 and the modem.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the telephone I
Since the / F circuit 802 is provided, the telephone 405 can be connected without using the distributor 404 as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the video game device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the video game device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the above embodiments, the controller 4
The game is paused and restarted by the operation of the game 02. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when an incoming call is detected during a game, the game is automatically paused, and when the end of the response to the incoming call by the user is detected, the paused game is automatically restarted. It is configured as follows.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 101 includes an incoming call control unit 101a and a game control unit 101.
The incoming call control unit 101a controls the display of the incoming call notification information on the monitor 402 in response to the detection of the incoming call, and outputs information indicating the incoming call detection and the end of the response to the incoming call to the game control unit 101b. The game control unit 101b controls the execution of the game, and when the incoming call detection information from the incoming call control unit 101a is input during the execution of the game, the game is paused, and the response end information for the incoming call is input. Control to resume the paused game.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 101 is provided with the CD-ROM I / F unit 1
02, setting RAM I / F 103, controller I / F
F unit 104, AVI / F unit 105, public telephone line I / F
Along with the respective I / F units of the unit 106, the broadcast receiving unit I / F
The F section 107 is connected. This broadcast receiving unit I
/ F section 107 outputs a video signal indicating incoming notification information to a broadcast receiving unit (not shown) incorporated in a television receiver used as monitor 402, and this video signal is received by the broadcast receiving unit. Is superimposed on the video signal of the television broadcast. Thus, if there is an incoming call while watching the television broadcast program with the present video game device connected, the video corresponding to the incoming communication notification is displayed on the monitor 402 together with the program video. The user can be notified of an incoming call that occurred during the call.

Next, the incoming call control unit 10 of the control unit 101
Detection of an incoming call during viewing of a broadcast program by 1a will be described with reference to FIG. The procedure shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the CPU of the incoming call control unit 101a according to a program stored in the ROM.

In the incoming call control unit 101a of the control unit 101,
As shown in FIG. 13, in step S1101, the process waits for an incoming call from the public telephone line 406 to be detected based on the output signal of the incoming call detection circuit 201. The information is output to the broadcast receiving unit via the broadcast receiving unit I / F unit 107. As a result, the broadcast receiving unit displays the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information on the monitor 402 together with the video of the broadcast program, and notifies the user of the incoming call using this video. Here, the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed in a superimposed manner on the broadcast program screen. Further, it is possible to set so that the video is displayed at an arbitrary position such as a center position or a corner position of the broadcast program screen. In addition, the telephone 405 rings in response to the incoming call.

Next, the flow advances to step S1103 to determine whether or not an off-hook operation has been performed for an incoming call.
2, the display of the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is continued. When the off-hook operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S1104, where the output of the incoming call notification information is stopped, the display of the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information on the monitor 403 is turned off, and the call state is set. Then, in step S1105,
It is determined whether or not the caller has been on-hook for the incoming call, that is, whether or not the incoming call has ended. If the incoming call has not ended, the process returns to step S1104. On the other hand, when the incoming call ends, the process proceeds to step S1106, the line is disconnected, and the process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an incoming call is detected during viewing of a broadcast program, the video corresponding to the incoming call notification information is displayed on monitor 403. Can be reliably notified.

When displaying the incoming call notification in step S1102, the broadcast receiving unit I / F 1
It is also possible to instruct the broadcast receiving unit to decrease the volume of the broadcast program via 07 or to instruct the broadcast receiving unit to decrease the volume of the broadcast program in step S1104. Thereby, a favorable communication environment can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, a television receiver is used as the monitor 402, and an example is provided in which a broadcast receiving unit I / F unit 107 connected to a broadcast receiving unit incorporated in the television receiver is provided. Although shown, it is also possible to adopt a device configuration in which the broadcast receiving unit is incorporated in advance.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the program corresponding to the incoming call notification processing is executed by the RO of the control unit 101.
Although an example in which the program is stored in M is shown, the program may be stored in an external storage medium (DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, memory card, or the like). In this case, the control unit 101
The object of the present invention is achieved when the CPU reads and executes this program from the external storage medium, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention. Also, this program may be distributed via the Internet.

Further, even when a program corresponding to the above-described incoming call notification processing is stored in a general computer, the same effects as the effects of the present invention described above can be obtained on this computer. For example, if there is an incoming call while the game software is running on a computer connected to a public telephone line, the user can be reliably notified of the incoming call by a program corresponding to the incoming call notification process. The effect can be obtained.

[0097]

As described above, according to the video game apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a communication interface for performing communication with a public telephone line, having an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line, When an incoming call from a public telephone line is detected during the game, there is provided notification means for transmitting incoming call notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface. This incoming call can be reliably notified to the user.

The incoming call notification information can be image information displayed on the display device. Further, the display device has a voice output function, and the incoming call notification information can be voice information output by the voice output function of the display device.

Also, when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, game pause means for performing processing for temporarily stopping the game, and the game is paused after the user responds to the incoming call. By providing a game resuming means for performing a process for resuming the game, the game paused for responding to the incoming call can be easily resumed.

Further, the operating means can perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a resumption of the game. When there is an input operation for detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line and instructing a pause of the game, a process for temporarily stopping the game is performed, and the game resuming unit performs the process after the user responds to the incoming call. When there is an input operation for instructing the restart of the game, by performing processing for resuming the paused game, the game can be paused at a desired timing to respond to the incoming call, This paused game can be resumed at a desired timing.

Further, there is provided a response end detecting means for detecting the end of the response to the incoming call by the user, and the game suspending means for temporarily stopping the game when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game. When the game resuming unit detects the end of the response to the incoming call from the user, the game resuming unit performs a process for resuming the paused game. Resume can be easily performed.

Furthermore, since the communication interface has connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and the telephone, the connection between the public telephone line and the telephone can be easily performed.

Further, the communication interface has telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; and responding means for responding to an incoming call upon detecting off-hook of the handset. And an opening means for opening the public telephone line when the on-hook of the handset is detected, so that it is not necessary to newly prepare the telephone.

Further, the communication interface has a telephone interface, and the telephone interface includes connection means for connecting the telephone to a public telephone line, and detection means for detecting on-hook of the telephone.
The connection with the telephone can be easily performed, and the end of the response to the incoming call of the user can be detected.

Further, the response end detecting means can be configured to detect that the response to the incoming call from the user has ended in response to the detection of the on-hook of the detecting means.

According to the method for notifying an incoming call of a video game device of the present invention, the step of detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line during a game, and the step of detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line during a game. Transmitting the incoming call notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the interface, so that if the incoming call occurs during the game, the incoming call can be reliably notified to the user.

The incoming notification information can be image information displayed on the display device. Further, the display device has a voice output function, and the incoming call notification information can be voice information output by the voice output function of the display device.

Further, when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, a process of performing a process for temporarily stopping the game, and restarting the paused game after the user responds to the incoming call. And a step of performing a process for performing a process for easily resuming a game that has been paused to respond to an incoming call.

Further, the operating means can perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a resumption of the game, and receive an incoming call from a public telephone line during the game. If there is an input operation for detecting the game and instructing to pause the game, a process for suspending the game is performed, and if there is an input operation for instructing to resume the game after the user responds to the incoming call. By performing processing for resuming the paused game, the game can be paused at a desired timing in order to respond to an incoming call, and the paused game is resumed at a desired timing. be able to.

A step of detecting the end of the response to the incoming call from the user is provided. When an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, processing for temporarily stopping the game is performed, and When the end is detected, by performing a process for resuming the paused game, the game can be easily paused and resumed without any operation by the user.

Further, since the communication interface has connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and the telephone, the connection between the public telephone line and the telephone can be easily performed.

Further, the communication interface has telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; and responding means for responding to an incoming call when detecting off-hook of the handset. And an opening means for opening the public telephone line when the on-hook of the handset is detected, so that it is not necessary to newly prepare the telephone.

Further, the communication interface has a telephone interface, and the telephone interface includes connection means for connecting the telephone to a public telephone line and detection means for detecting on-hook of the telephone.
The connection with the telephone can be easily performed, and the end of the response to the incoming call of the user can be detected.

Further, it can be configured to detect that the response to the incoming call from the user has ended in response to the detection of the on-hook of the detecting means.

According to the program of the present invention, a judgment module for judging whether or not an incoming call from a public telephone line is detected during a game based on the output of the incoming call detecting means, and a public telephone line during the game And a notification module that transmits incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface when an incoming call is detected, so that if an incoming call occurs during the game, the user is reliably notified of the incoming call. can do.

[0116] The incoming notification information can be image information displayed on the display device. Further, the display device has a voice output function, and the incoming call notification information can be voice information output by the voice output function of the display device.

When an incoming call from a public telephone line is detected during the game, a game pause module for performing processing for temporarily stopping the game, and the game is paused after the user responds to the incoming call. By having the game restart module for performing the processing for restarting the game, the game paused to respond to the incoming call can be easily restarted.

Further, the operating means can perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a resumption of the game. If there is an input operation for detecting an incoming call from a public telephone line and instructing a pause of the game, the game performs processing for pausing the game. If there is an input operation to instruct resumption,
By performing processing for resuming the paused game, the game can be paused at a desired timing in order to respond to an incoming call, and the paused game can be resumed at a desired timing. Can be.

Further, there is provided a response end detecting module for detecting the end of the response to the incoming call from the user, and the game pause module is for temporarily stopping the game when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game. When the game resumption module detects the end of the response to the incoming call from the user, the game resumption module performs a process for resuming the paused game, so that the game can be temporarily stopped and executed without the user performing an operation. The restart can be easily performed.

Further, since the communication interface has connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and the telephone, the connection between the public telephone line and the telephone can be easily performed.

Further, the communication interface has telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; and responding means for responding to an incoming call upon detecting off-hook of the handset. And an opening means for opening the public telephone line when the on-hook of the handset is detected, so that it is not necessary to newly prepare the telephone.

Further, the communication interface has a telephone interface, and the telephone interface includes connection means for connecting the telephone to the public telephone line, and detection means for detecting on-hook of the telephone.
The connection with the telephone can be easily performed, and the end of the response to the incoming call of the user can be detected.

Further, the response end detecting module can be configured to detect that the response to the incoming call from the user has ended in response to the detection of the on-hook of the detecting means.

According to the television control apparatus of the present invention, the television control device has an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from the communication line, and a communication interface for communicating with the communication line; Notification means for outputting incoming call notification information indicating an incoming call to the display device via the interface, so that the display device displays the incoming call on the display device while displaying information constituting the software screen. Incoming call notification information can be displayed.

According to the control device of the present invention, the input interface for taking in the user's operation through the operating means for the user to perform the operation related to the execution of the software, and the contents of the received television broadcast are displayed. An output interface for outputting information constituting a software screen on the display device to the display device, an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from the communication line, a communication interface for performing communication with the communication line, and a communication Notification means for outputting an incoming notification information indicating an incoming call to the display device via the output interface when an incoming call from the line is detected, so that the display device can display information constituting a software screen or a received television broadcast. During the display, incoming communication information indicating an incoming call can be displayed on the display device.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, since the program according to claim 21 is stored, when an incoming call occurs during a game, the incoming call can be reliably notified to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the video game device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process in the video game device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process in the video game device of FIG. 5;

8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call notification process in the video game device of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a video game device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a public telephone line I / F provided in the video game device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a video game device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a video game device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an incoming call notification process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 control unit 102 CD-ROM I / F unit 103 setting RAM I / F unit 104 controller I / F unit 105 AVI / F unit 106, 501, 801 public telephone line I / F unit 107 broadcast receiving unit I / F unit 201 incoming call Detection circuit 401 Device main body 402 Controller 403 Monitor 404 Distributor 405 Telephone 406 Public telephone line 502 Telephone circuit 701 Handset 802 Telephone I / F circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/00 H04M 1/00 U 11/06 11/06 H04N 5/44 H04N 5/44 AZ 5 / 45 5/45

Claims (36)

[Claims] 1. An input interface for allowing a user to take in an operation of the user through an operation unit for performing an operation related to the progress of the game, and information forming a game scene of the game on a display device. A video game device having an output interface for transmitting to a public telephone line, a communication interface for performing communication with the public telephone line, and a communication interface for performing communication with the public telephone line. And a notifying unit that, when detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line, transmits incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface. 2. The video game device according to claim 1, wherein the incoming call notification information is image information displayed on the display device. 3. The display device has an audio output function,
2. The incoming call notification information is audio information output by an audio output function of the display device.
The video game device according to claim 1. 4. When a call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, game pause means for performing processing for temporarily stopping the game; and after the user responds to the call, The video game device according to claim 1, further comprising: a game resuming unit configured to perform a process for resuming the paused game. 5. The operation means can perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a resumption of the game. During the game, if there is an input operation for detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line and instructing a pause of the game, a process for temporarily stopping the game is performed, and the game resuming unit includes: 5. The video game according to claim 4, wherein, when the user has performed an input operation for instructing resumption of the game after responding to the incoming call, a process for resuming the paused game is performed. apparatus. 6. An end-of-response detecting means for detecting an end of a response to the incoming call by the user, wherein the game suspending means detects an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game. A process for suspending a game is performed, and the game resuming unit performs a process for resuming the suspended game when detecting an end of a response to the incoming call by the user. Item 5. The video game device according to item 4. 7. The television according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface includes connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and a telephone. Game equipment. 8. The communication interface includes telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detecting means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; 7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a response unit for responding, and a release unit for releasing said public telephone line when an on-hook of said handset is detected.
The video game device according to any one of the above. 9. The communication interface includes a telephone interface, the telephone interface including a connection unit for connecting a telephone to the public telephone line, and a detection unit for detecting on-hook of the telephone. The video game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 10. The television according to claim 8, wherein the response end detection unit detects that the response to the incoming call by the user has ended in response to the detection of the on-hook of the detection unit. Game equipment. 11. An input interface for accepting an input operation of the user via an operation means for allowing the user to perform an input operation relating to the progress of the game, and information constituting a game scene of the game on a display device. An incoming call notification method for a video game device comprising an output interface for transmitting to a display device and a communication interface for communicating with a public telephone line, wherein an incoming call from the public telephone line is received during the game. Detecting, and upon detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game, transmitting incoming call notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface, Notification method of the incoming video game device. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the incoming call notification information is image information displayed on the display device.
An incoming call notification method for the video game device according to the above. 13. The display device has audio output means,
2. The incoming call notification information is audio information that can be output by an audio output unit of the display device.
The method for notifying an incoming call of the video game device according to claim 1. 14. A process for suspending the game when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, and the pause after the user responds to the incoming call. 14. A method for notifying an incoming call of a video game device according to claim 11, further comprising a step of performing processing for restarting the played game. 15. The operating means can perform an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a restart of the game, and perform the input operation during the game. If there is an input operation for detecting an incoming call from the telephone line and instructing a pause of the game, a process for temporarily stopping the game is performed, and the game is resumed after the user responds to the incoming call. The method of claim 14, wherein when there is an input operation for instructing the game, a process for resuming the paused game is performed. 16. A process for detecting an end of a response to the incoming call by the user, wherein when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, a process for temporarily stopping the game is performed. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, upon detecting the end of the response to the incoming call by the user, performing a process for resuming the paused game. 17. The communication interface according to claim 1, further comprising connection means for distributing and connecting said public telephone line to said communication interface and a telephone.
15. The method for notifying an incoming call of a video game device according to any one of 1 to 14. 18. The communication interface includes telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detection means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; 17. The video game apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a responding unit that responds, and an opening unit that opens the public telephone line when an on-hook of the handset is detected. Method. 19. The communication interface includes a telephone interface, the telephone interface including a connection unit for connecting a telephone to the public telephone line, and a detection unit for detecting on-hook of the telephone. The method for notifying an incoming of a video game device according to any one of claims 11 to 16. 20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the end of the response to the incoming call by the user is detected in accordance with the detection of the on-hook by the detection unit.
10. The method for notifying a video game device of an incoming call according to claim 9. 21. An input interface for taking in the user's operation via an operation means for allowing the user to perform an operation related to the progress of the game, and information forming a game scene of the game on a display device. An incoming call notification system is constructed on a video game device having an output interface for transmitting to the public telephone line and incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line, and having a communication interface for communicating with the public telephone line. A determining module for determining whether or not an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game based on an output of the incoming call detecting means; and When detecting an incoming call from the telephone line, the control unit transmits incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface. And a notifying module. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the incoming call notification information is image information displayed on the display device.
The described program. 23. The program according to claim 21, wherein said display device has an audio output function, and said incoming notification information is audio information output by an audio output function of said display device. 24. A game pause module for performing processing for temporarily stopping the game when an incoming call from the public telephone line is detected during the game, and after the user responds to the incoming call. The program according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising: a game restart module that performs processing for restarting the paused game. 25. The operating means is capable of performing an input operation for instructing a pause of the game and an input operation for instructing a resumption of the game. During the game, when there is an input operation for detecting an incoming call from the public telephone line and instructing a pause of the game, a process for pausing the game is performed, and the game restart module includes: 25. The program according to claim 24, wherein if the user has performed an input operation for instructing resumption of the game after responding to the incoming call, a process for resuming the paused game is performed. 26. A response end detection module for detecting an end of a response to the incoming call by the user, wherein the game pause module detects an incoming call from the public telephone line during the game. A process for suspending a game, wherein the game resuming module performs a process for resuming the suspended game when detecting an end of a response to the incoming call by the user. Item 25. The program according to Item 24. 27. The communication interface according to claim 2, further comprising connection means for distributing and connecting the public telephone line to the communication interface and a telephone.
The program according to any one of 1 to 24. 28. The communication interface includes telephone function means, the telephone function means comprising: a handset; detection means for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the handset; The program according to any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising: responding means for responding; and releasing means for releasing the public telephone line when an on-hook of the handset is detected. 29. The communication interface includes a telephone interface, the telephone interface including connection means for connecting a telephone to the public telephone line, and detection means for detecting on-hook of the telephone. The program according to any one of claims 21 to 26. 30. The program according to claim 28, wherein the response end detection module detects that the response to the incoming call by the user has ended in response to the detection of the on-hook of the detection unit. . 31. An input interface for inputting an operation of the user through an operation unit for the user to perform an operation related to execution of software, and information forming a screen of the software on a display device is displayed on the display device A television control device having an output interface for outputting, comprising an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a communication line, a communication interface for communicating with the communication line, and detecting an incoming call from the communication line. Then, a notifying means for outputting incoming notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface is provided. 32. An input interface for inputting an operation of the user through an operation unit for the user to perform an operation related to execution of the software, and the software on a display device for displaying the content of the received television broadcast. Information constituting the screen of the above, an output interface for outputting to the display device, incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming call from a communication line, a communication interface for performing communication with the communication line, and And a notifying means for outputting, upon detection of an incoming call, incoming call notification information indicating the incoming call to the display device via the output interface. 33. A broadcast receiving unit that receives the television broadcast and outputs the received broadcast information to the display device, wherein the notifying unit outputs the incoming notification information to the broadcast receiving unit, and the broadcast receiving unit includes 33. The control device according to claim 32, wherein incoming notification information from the notification means is input. 34. The control device according to claim 33, further comprising the display device. 35. A broadcast receiving unit interface for connecting to a broadcast receiving unit that receives the television broadcast and outputs the received television broadcast to the display device, wherein the notifying unit performs the incoming call notification via the broadcast receiving unit interface. 33. The control device according to claim 32, wherein information is output to the broadcast receiving unit, and the broadcast receiving unit inputs incoming notification information from the notification unit. 36. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 21.