JPH0239693A - Multifunctional type video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the title telephone system convenient in use, to increase the number of shared components and to reduce cost by providing integrally the functions of a television broadcast receiving, external television camera reproduction, a facsimile, the recording of a video signal and a sound signal, etc., in addition to the function as a video telephone. CONSTITUTION:In addition to the function of the video telephone to transmit a video through a telephone circuit H, the general television radio wave, a cable television 6, etc., are received by the television broadcast reproducing device, the television broadcast is reproduced on a monitor 3a, and the video photographed by an external television camera 9 is reproduced on the monitor 3a by an external television camera reproducing device. Further, facsimile equipment 8 which transmits a still picture through the telephone circuit in the same way as the video telephone is provided, and the still picture such as a character, a graphic, a photograph can be transmitted. In addition, since a recording device 10 to record the video signal and the sound signal is provided, the video transmitted by the video telephone, the video and sound of the television broadcast, and the video photographed by the external camera 9 can be recorded. Thus, the convenience in use can be improved, and the costs can be reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a multifunctional videophone device, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a multifunctional videophone device, and more specifically, it is a videophone device in which a general videophone device is provided with functions such as a television broadcast receiver and a facsimile device. The present invention relates to a multifunctional videophone device configured to be used for various purposes other than those described above.

(Prior Art) In recent years, still image videophones have been put into practical use for general households.

In such a still image videophone, an optical image (such as a sender's face) is converted into a still image signal by an image sensor on the transmitting side, and this still image signal is subjected to AM modulation, for example, and then transmitted to a general subscriber telephone line. On the receiving side, the image signal transmitted via the telephone line is reproduced on a cathode ray tube.

In the above-mentioned still image videophone, the image signal is converted into sound and transmitted over a telephone line, so the still image can be recorded by recording this still image transmission signal on an audio tape. Therefore, it is possible to record still images of faces and pictures sent by the other party on the phone, as well as the content of telephone conversations, on audio tapes, or to transmit still images that have been previously recorded on audio tapes via telephone lines. It is now possible to use it in various ways.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, the videophone is equipped with a monitor such as a cathode ray tube for playing back the transmitted video, but this cathode ray tube is used only when the video is sent from the other party. There is a lot of waste in using it, and it would be advantageous in terms of cost and usability if the recording device for recording the video signal was also integrated from the beginning.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of multifunctional products that use several stages in one device, so in the present invention, the videophone is also made multifunctional and is equipped with a device that has functions that can be shared. By doing so, the purpose is to improve usability and reduce costs.

<Means for Solving the Problems> Therefore, in the present invention, a television camera is integrally provided, and an image converted into an electrical image signal by the television camera is transmitted via a telephone line. A video telephone device equipped with a monitor for reproducing a video image captured by an external television camera, comprising: a television broadcast reproducing device for receiving a television broadcast and reproducing it on the monitor; and an external television camera for reproducing the image most viewed by an external television camera on the monitor. A multifunctional type that integrally includes a playback device, a facsimile device that transmits still images via the telephone line and obtains a hard copy of the transmitted still images, and a recording device that records video signals and audio signals. The videophone device can now be configured.

(Function) According to the multi-functional videophone device having such a configuration, in addition to the function as a videophone that transmits images via a telephone line, the television broadcast playback device can receive general television radio waves, cable television, etc. TV broadcasts are played back on the monitor, and images taken by an external TV camera are also played back on the monitor by an external TV camera playback device.

Furthermore, a facsimile device is provided which transmits still images via a telephone line in the same way as a videophone, and can transmit still images such as text, charts, photographs, and the like.

In addition, by being equipped with a recording device that records video signals and audio signals, it is possible to record video and telephone audio transmitted by videophones, as well as video and audio of television broadcasts, and video captured by external cameras. is possible.

<Example> The present invention will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a multifunctional video telephone device according to the present invention.

Here, the multifunctional videophone device 1 is a still image videophone that transmits a still image to a predetermined other party via a general telephone line, but has multiple functions other than the videophone.

In order to function as a videophone, the multifunctional videophone device l is equipped with a television camera that converts video into electrical signals using an image sensor such as a CCD (not shown), and the video obtained through the photographing window 2. The image sensor converts (the sender's face and diagram) into an electrical image signal, and reproduces the photographed image on a sub-screen 3a of a cathode ray tube 3 serving as a monitor.

The sender selects an arbitrary still image from the screen reproduced on the child screen 3a, and the still image is converted into sound and transmitted to the other party via the telephone line H. Further, still images transmitted from the other party are also reproduced on the sub-screen 3a.

In addition, a handset 4 for initialization on the telephone is hung on the side of the cathode ray tube 3, and this handset 4
You can make normal phone calls.

The multi-functional videophone device 1 also functions as a normal television receiver (television broadcast reproducing device), and transmits television broadcast radio waves through an antenna (V It F antenna, U) IP antenna) 5. You can receive broadcasts from any channel and play them on a cathode ray tube. In addition to the general television broadcasts received by antennas as mentioned above, there are also cable televisions (CAT V; conunununi).
ty antenna television, cab
It is also possible to reproduce satellite broadcasts received by a satellite broadcasting antenna 7 or a parabolic satellite broadcasting antenna 7.

Note that the television sound is reproduced by the speaker 14 provided on the side.

A facsimile (facsimile machine) 8 is installed on the top of the main body of the multifunctional videophone device 1, and by setting a document and dialing the facsimile telephone number of the other party, text, figures, photographs, etc. of the document can be sent. The still image is converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the other party via a telephone line (same as the telephone line in videophone calls), and the other party can obtain a hard copy of the transmitted still image. .

Furthermore, a surveillance television camera (external television camera) 9 is connected to the multi-functional video telephone device 1, and is used to monitor visitors by installing it at an entrance, for example. The television camera is equipped with an external television camera reproducing device that reproduces images of the entrance etc. that are displayed on a sub-screen 3a of the cathode ray tube 3. Incidentally, a plurality of the above-mentioned surveillance television cameras 9 are provided, and a surveillance television camera 9 selected from these
The image may be played back on the cathode ray tube 3.

On the other hand, below the cathode ray tube 3 of the multifunctional videophone device l, a video tape recorder (VT
R) 10 and a magnetic disk drive device 11 are provided.

The video tape recorder 10 can record, for example, received television broadcasts, etc., onto a video tape set through the insertion slot 10a, and the video tape recorder 10 can reserve a program to be recorded in advance and automatically record it. It is equipped with functions such as an answering machine function and a function to record a counterprogram of the program (channel) being displayed on the CRT 3.

The magnetic disk drive device 11 is used to set a magnetic disk (video floppy) on which still images taken by, for example, an electronic still video camera are recorded, and to play back the still images recorded on this video floppy. The magnetic disk is reproduced by inserting the magnetic disk into the camera 1 through the insertion slot 11a, and the reproduced still image is displayed on the cathode ray tube 3.

In addition, the multifunctional videophone device 1 includes a keyboard 12.
is connected, and by operating this keyboard I2, it is possible to specify a telephone number, invert the parent-child relationship in the cathode ray tube 3, etc. Furthermore, a mouse (pointing device) 13 is attached to the keyboard 12, and the mouse 13 can be used to enlarge a specified area on the screen and to specify a selection in a list displayed on the screen. ing.

Note that the keyboard 12 is used to connect the multifunctional videophone device 1.
It is also possible to function as a personal computer or word processor. It is also possible to adopt a touch screen method for operation, so that when you touch the part displayed on the cathode ray tube, it acts as a switch.

Next, based on Table 1 below, the responses to various reception conditions when using the multifunctional videophone device 1 will be explained.

First, if you receive a call while receiving a TV broadcast (watching a TV program),
At this time, if the VTR10 is stopped, in order to avoid missing a program due to telephone communication, the program being received is automatically recorded during the call, and still images transmitted from the other party are recorded on the CRT 3. Monitor on screen 3a.

In addition, if the VTR10 is in a reserved state when a call is received, the TV program will be automatically recorded when the user cancels the reservation, and if there is no need to record the current TV program, the VTR10 will be in a reserved state. Automatic recording during a phone call will not be possible unless you cancel it.

At this time as well, the still image of the videophone call is monitored on the sub-screen 3a.

Furthermore, if you are recording the program you are monitoring when you receive a call, you will not miss the program due to the phone call, so the TV audio will be automatically reduced and the still image of the video call will be displayed on the sub-screen 3a. do. In this case, the recording is a different program (different channel than the one being monitored).
The same applies when .

On the other hand, if a facsimile is received while a TV broadcast is being received, no response will be taken during recording to prevent you from missing the TV program you are watching as described above. If the program is not reserved and is in a reservation state, if the reservation is canceled by the user's selection, the program being received will be recorded, and the system will be in automatic reception mode (if there is a facsimile transmission, this transmission will be accepted without any need for any operation). If not, the user performs a reception operation, so that the TV program is automatically recorded.

In addition, the multi-functional videophone device 1 is configured to manually receive a signal from a doorbell installed at the entrance (not shown), and when the doorbell warns that there is a visitor, The video captured by the camera 9 is automatically monitored on the sub-screen 3a of the cathode ray tube 3, but since you will not miss a program while recording the program you are watching, you can monitor the video from the surveillance TV camera 9 at your discretion. It may also be displayed on the screen.

Here, if there is a visitor while you are on the phone, you may not want the person on the other end of the phone to know about the conversation you are having with the visitor through the doorbell, so if you are talking to the visitor while answering the doorbell, It is desirable to have a confidential communication function that prevents the other party from hearing the contents of the call. Note that the user is free to transmit the image of the doorbell to the other party on the phone if necessary.

Next, what to do when a video tape is being played back by the VTR10, or when a video floppy containing still images taken with an electronic still camera is set in the magnetic disk drive device 11 and still images are being played back. This will be explained according to Table 2.

If a call comes in while a video is being played, the system automatically reduces the TV audio so as not to interfere with the call, and then stops playing the video if the call exceeds a certain amount of time. If the video playback is stopped midway, the tape is rewound to the point where the call is received at the same time as the telephone conversation ends, and playback is resumed from the screen when the call was received. On the other hand, when the video floppy is being played, the automatic video floppy advance (
Trunk feed) is stopped at - time.

In addition, the multifunctional videophone device 1 is equipped with a function that notifies you that there is an incoming call from another party during a call and allows you to interrupt the call with the other party. If you receive a call from a different party, you can switch to the other party who called you.

Fax 8 while playing video or video floppy
There is no problem if it is in auto reception mode, which automatically receives a facsimile when a facsimile is received, but if it is not automatic reception, the user needs to perform the reception operation, so when the facsimile reception is finished, Rewind the videotape to the point where the fax was received and start playing it again.

In addition, when a visitor is notified by the doorbell while a video or video floppy is being played, the image most visible by the surveillance television camera 9 is automatically displayed on the sub-screen 3a of the cathode ray tube 3. The parent-child relationship of the screen is reversed, and the surveillance TV camera 9 is placed on the large parent screen side.
It is also possible to display a video or a video floppy playback screen on the sub-screen 3a.

Furthermore, if you are on the phone when the doorbell announces a visitor, the cathode ray tube 3 is not in use, so the surveillance television camera 9 is placed on the cathode ray tube 3.
The video may be displayed, or the child screen 3a may be used.

Note that when making a call using the multifunctional videophone device 1 shown in this embodiment, a telephone number is registered in advance on a magnetic disk (video floppy), and this magnetic disk is set in the magnetic disk drive device 11. By that,
By displaying a telephone number on the cathode ray tube 3 or by registering one telephone number on each magnetic disk and selectively setting the magnetic disk, the telephone number will be automatically read out and the phone number corresponding to that telephone number will be automatically read out. It is also possible to perform automatic dialing by configuring a signal to be output to a telephone line.

Furthermore, with the multifunctional videophone device 1 shown in this embodiment, it is also possible to make a call while playing a videotape or video floppy. You can also play and view video tapes and video floppies. Furthermore, the video and audio transmitted via the telephone line can be recorded, and the video and audio that have been recorded in advance can be transmitted via the telephone line.

Here, the cathode ray tube 3 is used for multiple purposes, such as for a videophone for receiving television broadcasts, for playing back a surveillance television camera 9, and also for a video tape recorder (TR) for recording images, sounds, and their oil signals. )H) and the magnetic disk drive device 11 are integrated, it is easy to record and reproduce necessary information, and by combining them in this way, the number of shared parts is increased, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, the multifunctional videophone device according to the present invention not only functions as a videophone, but also can receive television broadcasts and playback images from an external television camera.

By integrating functions such as facsimile, video signal, and audio signal recording, it is easier to use than when preparing separate devices with each function, and it also reduces the number of shared parts. This has the effect of being advantageous in terms of cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a multifunctional videophone according to the present invention. ■...Multi-functional videophone device 3...CRT 3a...Small screen 4...Handset 5...
Antenna 6...Cable TV 7...Satellite antenna 8...Facsimile 9...Surveillance TV camera IO...Video tape recorder 11
...Magnetic disk drive device

Claims (1)

[Claims] A video telephone device that is integrally equipped with a television camera, transmits images converted into electrical image signals by the television camera via a telephone line, and is equipped with a monitor that plays back the images transmitted via the telephone line, a television broadcast playback device that receives television broadcast and reproduces it on the monitor;
an external TV camera playback device that plays back images shot by an external TV camera on the monitor; a facsimile device that transmits still images via the telephone line and obtains a hard copy of the transmitted still images; A multifunctional videophone device characterized by integrally comprising a recording device for recording audio signals.