JP2004112820A - Mobile videophone terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically respond to an incoming call and to enable two-way communication including at least an image.
SOLUTION: A memory stores a personal identification number for specifying a partner who has been permitted an automatic answering call, and mode information indicating whether or not the automatic answering mode is set. When an incoming call is received, the CPU first determines whether or not the automatic answering mode is set (S2). If the determination result is "Yes", the CPU stores the password in the received call data and the memory. The password is collated with the password (S4). As a result, if the passwords coincide with each other, a two-way telephone call using images and voices is automatically made available (S5). On the other hand, when the automatic response mode is not set, or when the password is not entered or does not match, the normal response is performed (S3).
[Selection] Fig. 6

Description

The present invention relates to a portable videophone terminal having a camera and a monitor, and capable of transmitting and receiving images and sounds using a wireless public network.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera and a monitor serving as an image input / output unit, and a microphone and a speaker serving as an audio input / output unit have been provided, and an image input by the camera to a communication partner via a public line network and input by the microphone. While receiving the encoded and transmitted audio and receiving and decoding the image and audio transmitted from the communication partner, displaying the image on the monitor and outputting the sound from the speaker, the image from the communication partner is output. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a portable videophone terminal that allows a user to talk while watching.

On the other hand, as an automatic answering function of a telephone, the following is conventionally known.
(1) A function (so-called P-mail) of automatically receiving a message transmitted by the other party by automatically going off-hook when a call is detected in the mobile phone terminal.
(2) Used when a telephone user is absent or unable to answer a call, such as when eating at a quiet restaurant, at a concert hall, or attending an important meeting. Function that automatically responds to the caller on behalf of the caller and records the message (so-called answering machine).

(3) A function that is often seen in automobile telephones and automatically receives an incoming call when an incoming signal is detected so that both parties can talk. This makes it possible to go off-hook without touching the telephone and to have a conversation while driving.
(4) A basic function of facsimile, a function of receiving data by connecting a line when an incoming signal is detected.

However, none of these functions realizes a smooth two-way call using images and sounds after an automatic answer. Moreover, the conventional automatic answering function is based on the assumption that all incoming calls from an unspecified number of callers are answered, and cannot satisfy a request to automatically answer only an incoming call from a specific caller.

Furthermore, if the mobile videophone terminal is provided with a function that allows the sender terminal to remotely control the receiver terminal, even if the receiver is unfamiliar with the complicated operation, it can smoothly perform both operations including images. In addition to realizing a two-way call, it is also possible to perform complicated operations on behalf of the caller. In addition, if such a function is provided, it can be applied to monitoring use of a portable videophone terminal.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable smooth two-way communication with a party unfamiliar with the operation of a mobile videophone terminal, To enable two-way communication by automatically responding only to an incoming call, and to enable remote control of a receiver terminal from a sender terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, a portable videophone terminal of the present invention comprises: an image display means for displaying an image; a data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving image data and voice data to / from a counterpart terminal; Control means for automatically answering the call and enabling transmission and reception of at least image data by the data transmission / reception means.

In this configuration, since the automatic response to the incoming call from the partner terminal and at least two-way communication by transmitting and receiving an image is enabled, even if the receiver is unfamiliar with the operation of this type of portable videophone terminal, Two-way communication including images can be smoothly performed.

A portable videophone terminal according to the present invention includes an information storage unit for storing information for identifying a predetermined partner, and comparing received data at the time of an incoming call with information stored in the information storage unit to determine the predetermined partner. Determining means for determining whether the call is an incoming call from the user, and the control means is capable of transmitting and receiving by the data transmitting and receiving means only when the determining means determines that the call is from a predetermined partner. It is characterized by the following.

With this configuration, two-way communication by automatic response can be selectively performed only for an incoming call from a specific caller. Therefore, security of the receiver can be ensured. In addition, as information for specifying a predetermined partner, for example, one or both of a caller number and a password are adopted.

Further, the portable videophone terminal of the present invention includes an image display unit for displaying an image, a data transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving image data and audio data to / from a partner terminal, and information for identifying a predetermined partner. An information storage unit for storing, a reception unit that compares received data at the time of an incoming call with information stored in the information storage unit, and determines whether the call is from the predetermined partner; And control means for receiving remote operation of the terminal by the other party when it is determined that the call is received from the other party.

With this configuration, even if the receiver is unfamiliar with the operation of this type of mobile videophone terminal, smooth bidirectional communication including images can be realized, and the caller can perform complicated terminal operations on behalf of the receiver. It is possible to do. In addition, it is possible to apply the portable videophone terminal to an application like a monitoring television. In addition, as information for specifying a predetermined partner, for example, one or both of a caller number and a password are adopted.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Automatically responds to an incoming call from the other party's terminal and enables at least two-way communication by transmitting and receiving images. In this case, two-way communication including images can be performed smoothly, and operability and convenience can be improved.

(B) Since the automatic answering communication can be selectively performed only for a call from a specific caller, it is possible to respond to a call from a caller who has no acquaintance or is not very close. In this way, the security of the receiver can be maintained, and there is no danger that the private side will be peeped without permission.

(C) Since it is possible to execute a remote control command transmitted together with image data and voice data from the calling terminal, even if the receiver is unfamiliar with the operation, not only smooth two-way communication but also The caller can perform a complicated operation on behalf of the receiver, and can perform two-way communication that makes full use of the functions of the mobile videophone terminal.
In addition, the portable videophone terminal can be used as a monitoring television.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable videophone terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the portable videophone terminal shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile videophone terminal 20 includes a display (image display means) 21 formed of a liquid crystal plate on the front of the terminal body 20a. The display 21 displays communication function information and / or image information of the portable telephone device such as a telephone number and an electric field pictogram.

カ メ ラ The terminal body 20a is provided with a camera 22 on the upper front side thereof, and an image is taken by the camera 22. Further, a plurality of operation keys 23 are provided below the display 21, and various operations can be performed by pressing these keys 23.

{For example, the keys 23a and 23b are hook switches. When the key 23a is pressed, the hook is turned off, and when the key 23b is pressed, the hook is turned on. A key 23c is a switch for switching a call mode. By depressing the key 23c, the call mode is switched to any one of a voice mode using only voice, an image mode using only images, and a VP mode using images and voices. Can be. Further, a key 23 for setting an automatic response mode is provided.

The terminal body 20a is provided with a speaker 25 on the side of the camera 22 in the upper part, and a microphone 26 below the terminal. Voice input is performed by the microphone 26. Sounds, alarms, etc. are issued. An extendable antenna 27 is provided at the upper end of the terminal body 20a. A built-in wireless unit (data transmitting / receiving means) not shown in FIGS. Communication of voice data is performed.

The other side of the terminal body 20a is provided with an external power supply connection section 28 connected to an AC power supply such as an outlet via an adapter and an external audio output section 29 connected to an earphone or the like. In addition, the terminal body 20a is provided on the back side thereof with a battery cover 24 which is detachably attached to a storage section in which a battery is stored. The battery cover 24 is rotatable within a predetermined angle range. There is provided a stand 24a connected to the. By rotating the stand 24a in a direction to widen the angle, the terminal body 20 is supported in a state of being inclined with respect to the installation surface.

The key operation at the time of calling is usually performed by pressing the key 23 and inputting the telephone number of the other party, and then pressing the key 23a to go off-hook. Usually, this is performed by pressing the key 23a in response to a ringtone or a ringtone to set the mobile phone to an off-hook state. , The other party's portable videophone terminal 20 automatically responds to the incoming call, and two-way communication with images and sounds becomes possible.

Next, functions and operations of the mobile videophone terminal 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (control means) for controlling the entire terminal, and 2 denotes a memory (information storage means) for storing various data. In addition to the control program, the memory 2 stores information (hereinafter, referred to as a personal identification number) for specifying the other party to whom the automatic answering call is permitted, image data externally input, and the like.

First, transmission and reception of images and sounds performed after connection to a line will be described. As described above, the call mode of the portable videophone terminal 20 is, as described above, a voice-only voice mode and an image-only image in accordance with the state of the changeover switches 3, 4, and 5 driven in response to the pressing operation of the key 23c. Mode and VP mode based on images and sounds.

[VP mode]
When the call mode is set to the VP mode, the changeover switches 3, 4, and 5 are all operated to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The image captured by the camera 22 is encoded by the image codec 11 and sent to the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 12. On the other hand, the audio input by the microphone 26 is sent to the audio codec 13 for image communication via the changeover switch 4, where it is encoded and sent to the multiplexing / demultiplexing means 12.

The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 12 multiplexes the image data from the image codec 11 and the audio data from the audio codec 13 for image communication. The multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing the image data and the audio data is sent to the time-division multiplexing circuit 14 via the changeover switch 3 and transmitted from the antenna 27 via the radio unit 15.

Conversely, when the other party's portable videophone terminal 20 receives the multiplexed data via the antenna 27, the multiplexed data is transmitted to the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit via the radio unit 15, the time division multiplexing circuit 14, and the changeover switch 3. 12 where it is separated into image data and audio data.

The separated image data is decoded by the image codec 11, and the image is displayed on the display 21. The separated sound data is decoded by the sound codec 13 for image communication, and sound is emitted from the speaker 25.

[Audio mode]
When the call mode is set to the voice mode, all of the changeover switches 3, 4, and 5 are operated to the states shown by the broken lines in FIG. The voice inputted by the microphone 26 is sent to the voice codec 16 for voice communication via the changeover switch 4 and encoded, and transmitted from the antenna 27 via the changeover switch 3, the time division multiplexing circuit 14 and the radio section 15. Is done.

Conversely, when the other party's portable videophone terminal 20 receives the audio data through the antenna 27, the audio data is transmitted to the audio codec 16 for audio communication via the radio unit 27, the time-division multiplexing circuit 14, and the switch 3. To be decoded, and a sound is emitted from the speaker 25.

[Image mode]
When the call mode is set to the image mode, only the changeover switch 4 is operated to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The image captured by the camera 22 is encoded by the image codec 11 and transmitted from the antenna 27 via the multiplexing / demultiplexing means 12, the changeover switch 3, the time division multiplexing circuit 14, and the radio unit 15.

Conversely, when the other party's portable videophone terminal 20 receives the image data via the antenna 27, the image data is transmitted via the radio unit 15, the time division multiplexing circuit 14, the changeover switch 3, and the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 3, The image is sent to the image codec 11 and decoded, and the image is displayed on the display 21.

[Outgoing / Incoming calls]
The calling party normally presses the key 23 to enter the telephone number of the other party, and then presses the key 23a to make a call. The mobile video phone terminal 20 of the other party automatically responds to this call. In order to realize a two-way call using images and voices, it is necessary to key in a password following the telephone number of the other party.

Then, in addition to the other party's telephone number and the like, call data including VP identification data indicating that the call mode is the VP mode and a key-input personal identification number are transmitted from the calling portable videophone terminal 20. (See FIG. 5). This call data is input to the CPU 1 of the other party's portable videophone terminal 20 via the antenna 27, the radio unit 15, and the time division multiplexing circuit 14.

Next, the CPU 1 performs the processing shown in FIG. In this figure, the "automatic answering mode" means that when there is an incoming call from a specific party to which the automatic answering call is permitted, the user goes off-hook without pressing the key 23a, and a two-way talking in the VP mode is possible. Mode. On the other hand, the "normal response mode" refers to a response mode in which a two-way call is not possible unless the key 23a is pressed even if there is an incoming call from the calling party. These modes can be switched by pressing the key 23, and the memory 2 stores mode information indicating whether or not the "automatic response mode" is set.

When the CPU 1 detects an incoming call (step S1), the CPU 1 determines whether or not an automatic answering mode is set by a key operation (step S2). This determination is made based on the mode information stored in the memory 2. If the determination result in step S2 is "No", that is, if the automatic response mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S3, and a normal response process is performed.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S2 is "Yes", that is, if the automatic response mode is set, authentication of the calling method is performed (step S4). This authentication is performed based on whether or not the password in the outgoing call data received by the determining unit (determining means) (not shown) in the CPU 1 matches the password stored in the memory 2 in advance. If a plurality of passwords are stored in the memory 2, the determination is made for all the passwords.

If the result of the determination in step S4 is "No", that is, if the calling party has not input the password or the input password is different, the process proceeds to step S3, and the normal response process is performed. Is On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S4 is "Yes", that is, if the password entered by the calling party is valid, it is determined that the call has been received from the party to whom the automatic answering call has been permitted. The process proceeds to step S5, where an automatic answering call is performed.

In step S5, the CPU 1 connects the line by going off-hook, regardless of whether or not the key 23a is pressed, and enables two-way communication in the VP mode. At this time, when the call mode on the receiving side is set to the voice mode or the image mode, the switches 3, 4, and 5 are operated by the control signal from the CPU 1, and the call mode is automatically switched to the VP mode. .

As described above, the mobile videophone terminal 20 according to the present embodiment automatically responds to an incoming call from the other mobile videophone terminal 20 and enables two-way communication with images and voices. Even if the receiver is a child or an elderly person who is not good at complicated terminal operations, the two-way communication using images and voices can be smoothly performed, and operability and convenience are improved.

In addition, since the automatic answering call can be selectively performed only for incoming calls from specific callers, for incoming calls from callers who do not know or have a close relationship, The security of the receiver is maintained, and the possibility that the private side is peeped without permission can be eliminated. Of course, if the terminal is turned off, no automatic answering call is made.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mobile videophone terminal 20 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it can accept a remote operation from the mobile videophone terminal 20 on the caller side, and the basic functions and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. This is the same as the portable videophone terminal 20. Therefore, only the differences will be described below using the same reference numerals.

The memory 2 stores a personal identification number for specifying the other party who has permitted the remote operation of the portable videophone terminal 20 equipped with it. Then, the determination unit (determination means) of the CPU 1 determines whether or not the password and the password in the received call data match, and if they match, accepts a remote operation from the calling party. .

{Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the transmission data transmitted from the mobile videophone terminal 20 of the transmitting method includes a control command for remote operation in addition to the audio data and the image data. Then, the CPU 1 identifies the type of each data (sound, image, command, etc.) by the header section, and executes the control command when recognizing the header section indicating that the subsequent data is a control command for remote operation. I do.

As described above, the mobile videophone terminal 20 of the present embodiment not only executes a control command based on a key operation or a control program stored in a memory, but also executes an image Since remote control commands transmitted together with data and voice data can be executed, even if the recipient is unfamiliar with the terminal operation, not only can the two-way call including images be realized, but also the caller Can perform a complicated operation on behalf of the receiver, and can perform a two-way call that makes full use of the functions of the mobile videophone terminal 20. In addition, the portable videophone terminal 20 can be used as a monitoring television.

In the above embodiment, the permission of the automatic response and the remote operation is described exclusively depending on the personal identification number. However, in order to further enhance the security and identify the sender, the calling number (caller number) is used. May be used as an element for determining permission of an automatic response and a remote operation. Since the calling number is conventionally generally known, the description is omitted here.

1 is a front view of a portable videophone terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a right view of a portable videophone terminal. It is a left view of a portable video telephone terminal. It is a functional block diagram of a portable videophone terminal. It is a figure which shows some call data transmitted from a portable video telephone terminal. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by a CPU of the mobile videophone terminal when a call is received. It is a figure showing the data sequence transmitted from the portable video telephone terminal concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 CPU (control means)
2 memory (information storage means)
15 Wireless unit (data transmission / reception means)
21 Display (image display means).

Claims (2)

Image display means for displaying an image,
Data transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving image data and audio data to and from the other terminal,
Information storage means for storing information for identifying a predetermined partner,
Determining means for comparing received data at the time of an incoming call with information stored in the information storage means to determine whether the call is from the predetermined partner;
A control means for receiving a remote operation of a self-terminal for two-way communication by the other party when the determination means determines that the call is an incoming call from the other party; Video phone terminal. 2. The portable videophone terminal according to claim 1, wherein the information for specifying the predetermined partner is one or both of a caller number and a password.

Images