JP2006093883A - Television telephone call device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television telephone call device for switching to external video and voice as well as the captured image and voice of a caller for transmission, and for transmitting the voice of the caller as well as external voice. <P>SOLUTION: The television telephone call device 1 switches to an internal video signal derived from a camera 2 by a video selection switch 19 or an external video signal inputted to external video input terminals 14, 15 for displaying explanation materials, or the like by images and video effectively. A voice selection switch 20 switches to an internal voice signal from a microphone 3 when switching has been made to the internal video signal in linking with the video selection switch 19, and mixes both of external and internal voice signals when switching has been made to the external video signal for transmitting to one's call party. Since the internal voice signal of the caller can also be transmitted after being mixed with the external voice signal, conversation with one's call party regarding the external video signal can be made simultaneously with display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a video communication device that simultaneously performs image communication for displaying images of the other party and audio communication for making a call.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, videophone devices and videoconferencing terminal devices that make calls and conferences while displaying images of the other party are used. A conventional videophone device transmits video from a camera attached to a main body and audio from a microphone to a partner, displays video from the partner, and reproduces voice from the partner (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, as a conventional technique, a conversation with a call partner is performed in the same manner as a voice-only telephone, and a self-portrait is captured by a camera provided in a videophone device, transmitted to the other party, and received from the other party. Is displayed on a display screen provided in a videophone device. Since image communication is performed via a voice telephone line, the image transmitted and received is a still image. Some videophone devices can be connected to other cameras and microphones by external input, instead of cameras and microphones built in the main body. In the videophone device according to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a video camera integrated with a microphone is used as a camera, and an image from the video camera is used so that a television receiver can be used for screen display. A signal and audio signal input unit and a video signal and audio signal output unit to a television receiver are included.

  When recording and reproducing video and audio using a camera-integrated video camera that integrates a microphone into the camera and can capture video and acquire audio, and records and reproduces the acquired video and audio In addition, a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus for adding an external video signal or audio signal or outputting a video signal or audio signal to the outside is also disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2). Therefore, the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be connected to the videophone device according to the invention of Patent Document 1.

  When there are a plurality of participants in at least one of the parties talking to each other, it is called a video conference. In video conferencing, it is necessary to send and receive video in real time in order to approach the state where the conference is actually proceeding, and the amount of information that can be transmitted by the public telephone line network called PSTN from the Public Switched Telephone Network is large. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and a dedicated communication line are used, which are insufficient and have a large amount of information that can be transmitted. However, even with ISDN, it is difficult to transmit and receive complete real-time video, and video is only transmitted and received intermittently. For this reason, even if any of a plurality of participants speaks, it is unclear simply by displaying the captured video, and the addition of a display that identifies the speaker is proposed (for example, Patent Document 3). reference.). In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688, while capturing video of a conference participant with a video camera, audio input to a plurality of microphones distributed in the vicinity of the conference participant is detected, and audio input of a predetermined value or more is input to a specific microphone If there is, the speaker display information is added to the video of the conference participant in the vicinity of the microphone. This is because in the audio signal transmitted to the other party, the audio signals input to the plurality of microphones are mixed and reproduced together, so that information for identifying the speaker is lost.

In recent years, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and FTTH (Fiber To The) have been used in ordinary homes to effectively use digital communication networks such as the Internet.
Home) and other broadband communication lines have been connected at higher speeds than ISDN. In addition, CAble TeleVision calls CATV, a cable television (CAble
TeleVision's distribution line is also used as a broadband communication line for connection to the Internet. If these broadband communication lines are used, it is expected that videophones and videoconferencing can be used more effectively. In addition, since mobile phones are also highly functional, high-speed data communication including moving image data is possible, and since a camera and a display are provided, videophones and teleconferences using mobile phones are becoming possible. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-194786 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-188076 JP-A-61-146083

In videophone and videoconference, it is necessary to transmit not only audio signals but also video signals. The PSTN analog line is formed to transmit an audio signal with a frequency band limited to about 3 kHz. In order to transmit and receive data, a modem is required. A modem that transmits and receives data using a PSTN analog line uses a data compression technique or the like to obtain a maximum transmission speed of about 56 kbps. However, the transmission speed is insufficient for the transmission of video signals necessary for smoothly conducting videophone calls and videoconferences. When the ISDN line becomes widespread, a maximum speed of 64 kbps can be obtained in both directions on the ISDN line. Also, since two lines can be connected simultaneously, a transmission rate of 128 kbps can be obtained by using the two lines simultaneously. These videophones and conferences are international
The H.264 has been decided by the International Telecommunications Union, abbreviated as ITU from the Telecommunication Union. This is done using 320 procedures.

  In recent years, broadband communication lines such as ADSL and optical fiber FTTH can be used as described above, and higher-speed communication lines can be used for videophones and video conferences. In particular, ADSL is a technology that superimposes a digital signal at a high frequency on an analog signal subscriber line connecting a PSTN telephone exchange and a user's telephone, so that an existing subscriber line can be used. Widely used. However, although the downlink communication speed from the telephone exchange to the user's telephone is faster, the uplink communication speed from the user's telephone to the telephone exchange has a relatively slow asymmetry, so a large amount of image data is bidirectional. It is not necessarily suitable for videophones and video conferences that are expected to send and receive messages. An optical fiber or CATV distribution line can transmit a large amount of data bidirectionally at a transmission rate of several Mbps or more, and is suitable for a video phone or a video conference. A mobile phone capable of transmitting and receiving moving image data can also be used for videophones and videoconferencing. When using these broadband communication lines, the charge is often fixed. With conventional PSTN and ISDN, pay-as-you-go is charged, and a video call device with a large amount of information to be transmitted increases the charge. However, the fixed charge system reduces the restrictions on the charge.

  When an environment that satisfies the video signal transmission speed for smooth videophone calls and videoconferences is established, videophones and videoconferencing for videophones and videoconferences are more effective for videophones and videoconferences. A function is required. For example, a video signal to be transmitted / received is required to be able to transmit / receive not only an image of a partner imaged by an attached camera or the like but also a video signal input from an external device or the like.

  An apparatus used for a video conference has a function of transmitting materials necessary for the conference. However, if the input destination of the video signal is switched from the attached camera to the outside, the input destination of the audio signal is also switched from the attached microphone to the external device. When a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used as an external apparatus, it is possible to simultaneously transmit video and audio prepared and recorded in advance to the other party. However, in order to communicate own voice to the other party, the input of video and voice must be switched between the attached camera and microphone, and cannot be explained while displaying the document at the other party. Even in a videophone call, it is desired to transmit a video other than the caller. For example, when calling between family members who are far away, assuming that you are making a videophone call while watching a video of a grandson's athletic meet, the video image and the audio recorded at the time of imaging will be transmitted, and at the same time conversation It is also desired to transmit audio for performing.

  The effectiveness of using video calls and video conferencing is that it is possible to add or change the explanation on the spot as needed while watching the reaction of the other party, and this can not be done smoothly. This will impair the effectiveness of video calls and video conferences.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a video communication device capable of switching and transmitting not only a caller's image and sound but also an external video and sound, and capable of transmitting a caller's voice together with the external sound. Is to provide.

The present invention, in a video call device for making a call while mutually displaying the other party's video,
Video imaging means for imaging a caller and deriving an internal video signal;
Voice acquisition means for acquiring the voice of the caller and deriving an internal voice signal;
Video input means for inputting a video signal from an external device as an external video signal;
An audio input means for inputting an audio signal from an external device as an external audio signal;
Video switching means for switching to either an internal video signal derived from the video imaging means or an external video signal input to the video input means, and transmitting to the other party,
In conjunction with the video switching means, when switching to the internal video signal, switch to the internal audio signal, and when switching to the external video signal, mix both the external audio signal and the internal audio signal and transmit to the other party And a voice switching device.

  In accordance with the present invention, the video calling device, for example, in videophone or videoconference, in order to make a call while mutually displaying the other party's video, video imaging means, audio acquisition means, video input means, Audio input means, video switching means, and audio switching means are included. The video imaging means is realized by a camera, for example, and images the caller to derive an internal video signal. The voice acquisition means is realized by a microphone, for example, and acquires the voice of the caller and derives an internal voice signal. The video input unit and the audio input unit respectively input a video signal and an audio signal from an external device as an external video signal and an external audio signal. Since the video switching means switches to either the internal video signal derived from the video imaging means or the external video signal input to the video input means and transmits to the other party, the caller imaged by the video imaging means In addition to this video, an external video signal from an external device can be transmitted to the other party, and explanatory materials can be effectively displayed as images and videos. The audio switching means is linked to the video switching means to switch to the internal audio signal when switched to the internal video signal, and to mix both the external audio signal and the internal audio signal when switched to the external video signal, Send to the other party. Since not only the external audio signal input with the external video signal but also the caller's internal audio signal acquired by the audio acquisition means is mixed with the external audio signal and transmitted, the conversation with the other party on the external video signal can be communicated externally. It can be performed simultaneously with the display of the video signal.

  Further, in the present invention, the voice switching means is linked to the video switching means, and when switching to the internal video signal, the voice signal from the other party of the call is switched to the external video signal. A sound output is derived by switching a sound signal obtained by mixing a sound signal and an external sound signal.

  According to the present invention, when the internal video signal is transmitted to the other party, switching is performed so as to derive the acoustic output of the other party's audio signal from the other party. You can talk to each other while displaying. When sending an external video signal to the other party, it is switched to derive the acoustic output of the audio signal mixed with the other party's audio signal, so you can listen to the external audio that you are sending to the other party, You can make a call with the other party.

  Further, in the present invention, in conjunction with the video switching means, when switched to the internal video signal, it represents the partner video signal from the other party of the call, and when switched to the external video signal, together with the partner video signal, the external video signal It further includes display means for displaying a video signal.

  According to the present invention, when the internal video signal is transmitted to the other party, the other party's video signal is displayed, so that the other party's video is displayed while the other party's video is displayed as in the conventional video call. It can be performed. When the external video signal is transmitted to the other party, the external video signal is displayed together with the other video signal, so that it is possible to make a call with the other party while watching the external video transmitted to the other party.

  Further, the present invention is further characterized in that the caller further includes operation means capable of adjusting the mixed state in the mixing.

  According to the present invention, since the caller can adjust the mixed state in the mixing of the audio signal by the operation means, it is possible to adjust to the appropriate mixed state by looking at the reaction of the other party while talking with the other party. it can.

In the present invention, the video input means and the audio input means are:
For input from video / audio reproduction means for reproducing and deriving video and audio signals;
For input from a video / audio acquisition means for acquiring and deriving a video signal and an audio signal,
It is characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, a video signal and an audio signal recorded in a video recording / reproducing apparatus or the like are reproduced and transmitted to the other party, or a caller receives the video signal and the audio signal by an audio / video acquisition unit such as a video camera. It can be switched to send to the other party while acquiring.

  In the present invention, the external audio signal to be mixed with the internal audio signal is an audio signal input from the video / audio acquisition means.

  According to the present invention, even when, for example, a video camera is connected to the video input unit as the video / audio acquisition unit, the video signal is transmitted to the other party by imaging a place away from the periphery of the video calling device, It is also possible to simultaneously acquire voices spoken in the vicinity of the videophone and transmit them to the other party.

  According to the present invention, not only can an internal video signal for imaging a caller or the like be transmitted to the other party, but it can also be switched to an external video signal input from an external device and transmitted to the other party. When switching to an external video signal for transmission, an internal audio signal such as a caller's voice can be mixed with an external audio signal input from an external device and transmitted to the other party. You can send materials and display them effectively with images and video, and not only external audio signals that are input along with the external video signals but also internal audio signals that can acquire the voice of the caller at the same time Since it can be transmitted to the other party, it is possible to explain easily while talking on materials.

  Further, according to the present invention, similar to a conventional video call, it is possible to make a call with each other while displaying the other party's video, and when transmitting an external video signal to the other side, You can talk to the other party while listening to the external audio you are sending.

  Further, according to the present invention, similar to a conventional video call, it is possible to make a call with each other while displaying the other party's video, and when transmitting an external video signal to the other side, You can talk with the other party while watching the external video you are sending.

  Further, according to the present invention, the mixed state in the mixing of audio signals can be adjusted appropriately while the caller is talking to the other party.

  Further, according to the present invention, a video signal and an audio signal recorded in advance are reproduced and transmitted to the other party, or a caller transmits the video signal and the audio signal to the other party while acquiring the video signal and the audio signal. Can be switched.

  Further, according to the present invention, for example, even when a video camera is connected and an image of a place away from the periphery of the video calling device is captured and the sound is acquired and transmitted to the other party, the video communication device can speak in the vicinity. Since voice can be acquired and sent to the other party at the same time, conversation can be continued and explanations and explanations can be added.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic system configuration of a video communication device 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. The video communication device 1 includes a camera 2, a camera unit 3 provided with a microphone 3a and a remote control light receiving unit 3b, a display 4, and an adapter body 5. The display 4 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display (PDP), or cathode ray tube (CRT) display, such as a television broadcast receiver image display or a computer or game console image display. Use equipment products. The adapter main body 5 has a function of performing signal processing and communication control necessary for forming the video communication device 1 in combination with products such as the camera unit 3 and the display device. Although the adapter body 5 is provided with an input unit operated by a caller, it can be operated from a remote location using a remote controller 6 that uses infrared rays or radio waves.

  Audio and video as a video call are communicated as packetized data via the Internet. The adapter body 5 is connected to the router 7 via a LAN (Local Area Network) forming communication line. The router 7 is connected to the ADSL line 9 via the ADSL modem 8, for example, and is connected to the Internet from the ADSL line 9. When connected to an optical fiber communication line such as the FTTH line 11, the router 7 is connected to the FTTH line 11 via the subscriber termination device 10, and the FTTH line 11 is connected to the Internet. However, ADSL is set such that the data transfer rate in the downlink direction from the Internet to the terminal is larger than the data transfer rate in the uplink direction, as in the case of browsing Web pages on the Internet. In ADSL, the frequency band of the high frequency is widened to the downstream side and becomes asymmetrical. Therefore, in the video call, the call speed is regulated by the slower data transfer rate in the upstream direction, and the high speed in the downstream direction is effectively used. It is not possible. As with ADSL, there are some xDSL technologies that increase the data transfer rate of the uplink by superimposing high-frequency signals on PSTN analog subscriber lines to increase the bandwidth. It is suitable for a video call. In a video call, the data transfer speed requires bi-directional high speed in order to handle video, so at present, the use of an optical fiber such as FTTH or CATV is preferable to the ADSL line 9.

  The procedure for making a video call over the Internet is the same as the ITU H.264 standard. Instead of 320, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is often used. SIP has a function close to a public telephone network, such as a transfer function and a caller ID notification function, and has a shorter connection time. Although SIP has a simple structure, there are many parameters, and there is no detailed description such as whether it is not clear whether the parameter is set to 1 or 0. There is no problem in the portion where the parameter can be either 0 or 1, but the connection cannot be made in the portion that needs to be set to any one, and there is some difficulty in interconnection. However, with the spread of the Internet, it is expected that procedures in accordance with this method will be widely used and unified in detail. Even now, IP telephones that are called Internet telephones and comply with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) use SIP. Even in a video call, if SIP is used as the connection procedure, mutual communication between the IP phone and the video phone is possible.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic electrical configuration of the video communication device 1 of FIG. The video call device 1 includes a transmitter 1a and a receiver 1b. The transmitter 1 a includes an internal video input terminal 13, external video input terminals 14 and 15, internal audio input terminal 16, external audio input terminals 17 and 18, video changeover switch 19, audio changeover switch 20, a mixing circuit (hereinafter referred to as “ 21), an echo canceller 22, gain adjustment amplifiers 23 and 24, an image encoding circuit 25, an audio encoding circuit 26, and a MIX 27.

  The internal video signal captured by the transmitter 1a and the camera 2 and the internal audio signal acquired by the microphone 3a are input to the internal video input terminal 13 and the internal audio input terminal 16, respectively. An external video signal and an external audio signal from a device integrated with a microphone such as a video camera can be input to the external video input terminal 14 and the external audio input terminal 17, respectively. External video signals and external audio signals output from playback devices such as VTRs and DVDs can be input to the external video input terminal 15 and the external audio input terminal 18, respectively. A packet signal representing image data such that any one of the internal video input terminal 13 and the external video input terminals 14 and 15 is switched by the video switch 19 and input to the image encoding circuit 25 and transmitted to the other party of the call. Is encoded as A packet signal that represents voice data such that any one of the internal voice input terminal 16 and the external voice input terminals 17 and 18 is switched by the voice changeover switch 20 and input to the voice encoding circuit 26 and transmitted to the other party of the call. Is encoded as

  When the external audio input terminal 17 or the external audio input terminal 18 is selected by the audio selector switch 20, the MIX 21 receives the audio signal of the internal audio input terminal 13 from the external audio input terminal 17 or the external audio input terminal 18. The voice signal and the gain adjustment amplifier 23 are mixed to obtain a voice to be transmitted to the other party of the call. Although the gain adjusting amplifier 23 is described in a simplified manner, the voice changeover switch 20 is switched to input the external voice input terminal 17 or the external voice input terminal 18 in conjunction with the voice changeover switch 20. Only when the audio selector switch 20 is switched to the internal audio input terminal 16 so that the internal audio signal input to the internal audio input terminal 16 is mixed by the MIX 21, there is almost no gain and is input. Audio signals are not mixed with the MIX 21.

  The gain adjustment amplifier 23 enables the gain to be adjusted when the audio selector switch 20 is switched to the external audio input terminal 17 or the external audio input terminal 18.

  Outputs from the image encoding circuit 25 and the audio encoding circuit 26 are synthesized by the MIX 27 and transmitted to the Internet.

  The receiving unit 1b includes a speaker 30, a MIX 31, a separation circuit 32, an audio decoding circuit 33, an image decoding circuit 34, and a VMIX 35. The speaker 30 sonicates the received audio signal and outputs it as a sound wave 30s. The MIX 31 can mix the external audio signal input to the external audio input terminal 17 or the external audio input terminal 18 via the gain adjustment amplifier 24 with the other party audio signal from the other party to be played back by the speaker 30 and reproduce it simultaneously. To. Although the gain adjusting amplifier 24 is described in a simplified manner, the voice changeover switch 20 is switched to input the external voice input terminal 17 or the external voice input terminal 18 in conjunction with the voice changeover switch 20. Only when the audio switch 20 is switched to the internal audio input terminal 16 so that the external audio signal input to the external audio input terminal 17 or the external audio input terminal 18 is mixed with the MIX 31, there is almost no gain. In this state, the input audio signal is not mixed with the MIX 31.

  A video call signal received via the Internet or the like is separated by the separation circuit 32 into a voice packet signal and an image packet signal. Separation by the separation circuit 32 is performed according to data indicating the type of packet signal. The packet signal for voice is decoded into an analog voice signal by the voice decoding circuit 33, input to the MIX 31, sounded by the speaker 30, and reaches the ear of the caller. The image packet signal is decoded into an analog or digital image signal by the image decoding circuit 34 according to the form of the signal used in the display 4, mixed with the video signal from the transmission unit 1 a by the VMIX 35, and displayed. 4 is displayed as an image.

  The VMIX 35 displays the received video from the other side received by the receiving unit 1b and the transmitted video transmitted to the other side by the transmitting unit 1a in various forms such as picture-in-picture processing. In picture-in-picture processing, for example, a large screen is used to display either received video or transmitted video, a display area for a small screen is provided in the large screen, and the other transmitted video or received video is displayed. indicate. The display area of the small screen can be moved in the large screen.

  An echo canceller 22 is provided between the MIX 21 and the speech encoding circuit 26. The echo canceller 22 generates sound when the sound wave 30s of the other party's audio signal output from the speaker 30 is input to the microphone 3a, the microphone attached to the video camera input to the external audio input terminal 17, or the like. Signals are sent to the other party, sounded by the other party's speaker, input to the other party's microphone and received as the other party's voice signal repeatedly, forming a loop, preventing howling that would cause an oscillation state To be provided. In order to prevent this loop formation, an echo canceller 22 can be provided that can prevent howling by removing frequency components that contribute to loop formation.

  The gains of the video switch 19 and the gain adjustment amplifiers 23 and 24 can be switched or adjusted by the operation of the operation unit of the adapter body 5 or a caller to the remote controller 6. When the video switch 19 is switched to either the internal video input terminal 13 or the external video input terminals 14 and 15 in conjunction with the switching of the video switch 19, the audio switch 20 It is switched to either the audio input terminal 16 or the external audio input terminals 17 and 18, respectively.

  Accordingly, the video calling device 1 is, for example, a video phone or a video conference. In order to make a call while displaying images of the other party on the display 4, the video calling device 1 and a microphone that is a voice acquisition unit are used. 3a, external video input terminals 14 and 15 as video input means, external audio input terminals 17 and 18 as audio input means, video switch 19 as video switching means, and audio switch as audio switching means 20 and so on. The video image pickup means is realized by the camera 2 such as a CCD image pickup device, for example, and picks up the caller to derive an internal video signal. The voice acquisition means is realized by the microphone 3a such as a condenser microphone, and acquires the voice of the caller to derive the internal voice signal. The video input unit and the audio input unit respectively input a video signal and an audio signal from an imaging device or a playback device, which are external devices, as an external video signal and an external audio signal. Since the video switching means switches to either the internal video signal derived from the video imaging means or the external video signal input to the video input means and transmits to the other party, the caller imaged by the video imaging means In addition to this video, an external video signal from an external device can be transmitted to the other party, and explanatory materials can be effectively displayed as images and videos. The audio switching means is linked to the video switching means to switch to the internal audio signal when switched to the internal video signal, and to mix both the external audio signal and the internal audio signal when switched to the external video signal, Send to the other party. Since not only the external audio signal input with the external video signal but also the caller's internal audio signal acquired by the audio acquisition means is mixed with the external audio signal and transmitted, the conversation with the other party on the external video signal can be communicated externally. It can be performed simultaneously with the display of the video signal.

  When the video switch 19 is switched to transmit the internal video signal to the other party, the voice switch 20 switches the audio signal so that the sound output of the partner voice signal from the other party is derived from the speaker 30. Therefore, similarly to the conventional video call, it is possible to make a call with each other while displaying the other party's video on the display 4. When the video switch 19 is switched to transmit the external video signal to the other party, the sound output of the voice signal obtained by mixing the partner voice signal with the external voice signal by the MIX 31 is derived from the speaker 30. Therefore, the user can talk with the other party while listening to the external voice transmitted to the other party.

  When the video changeover switch 19 is switched to transmit the external video signal to the other party, the VMIX 35 displays the external video signal together with the partner video signal from the other party on the display 4 so that it can be transmitted to the other party. You can make a call with the other party while watching the external video.

  In addition, the gain adjustment amplifiers 23 and 24 allow the caller to adjust the mixed state of the audio signal mixing by operating means such as the operation unit of the adapter body 5 or the remote controller 6, so that the other party can talk while talking to the other party. By looking at the reaction on the side, it can be adjusted to an appropriate mixing state.

  In addition, video signals and audio signals recorded in a video recording / reproducing apparatus or the like are reproduced and input from the external video input terminal 15 and the external audio input terminal 18 and transmitted to the other party, or the caller receives a video camera or the like. The video / audio acquisition means can be switched so as to input from the external video input terminal 14 and the external audio input terminal 17 and transmit to the other party while acquiring the video signal and audio. Furthermore, if video / audio acquisition means such as a video camera is connected to the external video input terminal 15 and the external audio input terminal 18, the internal audio signal acquired by the microphone 3a can be mixed with the external audio signal. Even when a video camera, for example, is connected to the external video input terminal 15 and the external audio input terminal 18 to image a place away from the periphery of the video call device 1 and transmit the video signal to the other party, the video call Voices spoken around the device 1 can be simultaneously acquired by the microphone 3a and transmitted to the other party.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic electrical configuration of a video communication device 51 as still another embodiment of the present invention. Portions corresponding to those of the video communication device 1 in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In the video communication device 51, the external video input terminal 52 and the external audio input terminal 53 are each provided with only one system, and the video changeover switch 54 and the audio changeover switch 55 linked thereto are provided with an internal video signal, an external video signal, and an internal audio signal. The two systems for the external audio signal are switched. That is, the video switch 54 switches between the internal video input terminal 13 to which the camera 2 is connected and the external video input terminal 52. The audio changeover switch 55 switches between the a side that is the internal audio input terminal 16 from the microphone 3 and the b side that is the external audio input terminal 53 in conjunction with the video changeover switch 54.

  When an external audio signal acquires a sound signal with a microphone and converts the sound signal into a sound signal, the path switch 56 acquires the other party's voice signal to be reproduced by the speaker 30 and transmits it to the other party. Since a loop that is reproduced by the speaker and acquired by the microphone may be formed, switching to the c side is performed so that the echo canceller 22 enters the path of the audio signal. When the external audio signal input to the external audio input terminal 53 is a reproduction output such as a VTR or a DVD, the microphone to be acquired is not used even if the other party audio signal is made acoustic from the speaker 30. Switch to the d side so that the echo canceller 22 does not enter the path. The audio signal is mixed by MIX57. The gain adjustment amplifier 58 amplifies an external input audio signal such as a VTR or DVD. In this way, the echo canceller 22 can prevent howling even if the same external audio input terminal 53 is connected to a microphone or the like that needs to be subjected to howling prevention. Further, when transmitting reproduced sound or the like that does not require howling prevention measures, it is possible to avoid the influence on the sound quality by not passing through the echo canceller 22.

  In the video communication devices 1 and 51 of each embodiment, the video camera and the display 4 are connected to the adapter main body 5, but may be configured to be integrated as a video phone device or a video conference device. . The adapter device 5 can also be realized by having a general-purpose computer device connected to the Internet read the program. Further, it can be integrated in the form of a mobile phone, and a video call can be performed via a wireless data communication line or a mobile phone network.

  Also, a signal containing both video and audio, for example, using a mobile phone as an external device, and simultaneously inputting the video signal and the audio signal through an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) for connecting to a personal computer. It can also be separated inside. Furthermore, video and audio can be input to the connected mobile phone from another mobile phone via the mobile phone communication network. Furthermore, using a wireless terminal or PDA having a configuration similar to that of a mobile phone, video and audio can be input through wireless data communication such as Bluetooth. In addition, a presentation application program or the like can be operated on a personal computer or the like, and output image data can be input as an external video signal. Furthermore, when a battle game using the Internet is performed on a personal computer or a game machine, it is possible to battle while watching the opponent if it is transmitted and received as an external video or audio of a video call.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic system configuration | structure of the video call apparatus 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the video communication device 1 of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows schematic electrical structure of the video call apparatus 51 which is other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,51 Video call apparatus 1a, 51a Transmission part 1b, 51b Reception part 2 Camera 3 Camera part 3a Microphone 3b Remote control light-receiving part 4 Display 5 Adapter main body 6 Remote control 13 Internal video input terminal 14, 15, 52 External video input terminal 17, 18, 53 External audio input terminal 19, 54 Video selector switch 20, 55 Audio selector switch 21, 27, 31, 57 MIX
22 Echo canceller 23, 24, 58 Gain adjustment amplifier 30 Speaker 35 VMIX
56 Route selector switch

Claims (6)

In a video calling device that makes a call while displaying the other party's video each other,
Video imaging means for imaging a caller and deriving an internal video signal;
Voice acquisition means for acquiring the voice of the caller and deriving an internal voice signal;
Video input means for inputting a video signal from an external device as an external video signal;
An audio input means for inputting an audio signal from an external device as an external audio signal;
Video switching means for switching to either an internal video signal derived from the video imaging means or an external video signal input to the video input means, and transmitting to the other party,
In conjunction with the video switching means, when switching to the internal video signal, switch to the internal audio signal, and when switching to the external video signal, mix both the external audio signal and the internal audio signal and transmit to the other party And a voice switching device.   The voice switching means is linked to the video switching means, and when switching to the internal video signal, the voice signal from the other party of the call is switched to the external video signal. The video call device according to claim 1, wherein an audio output is derived by switching an audio signal obtained by mixing the signals.   In conjunction with the video switching means, when switched to the internal video signal, it represents the partner video signal from the other party of the call, and when switched to the external video signal, the external video signal is displayed together with the partner video signal. 3. The video call device according to claim 1, further comprising display means.   The video call device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising operation means that allows the caller to adjust the mixing state in the mixing. The video input means and the audio input means are:
For input from video / audio reproduction means for reproducing and deriving video and audio signals;
For input from a video / audio acquisition means for acquiring and deriving a video signal and an audio signal,
The video call device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   6. The video call device according to claim 5, wherein the external audio signal mixed with the internal audio signal is an audio signal input from the video / audio acquisition means.

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