Portable image communication terminal equipment

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a portable image communication terminal device.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the development of telephone networks and the spread of wireless communication networks, the spread of portable communication terminals is expected to continue to expand in the future. That is a problem. Therefore, the conventional portable image communication terminal device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

【0003】

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a conventional portable image communication terminal device. In FIG. 5, 1 is a camera for taking a self-portrait, 2 is a microphone for inputting sound, and 3 is a speaker for outputting sound. 4 is a liquid crystal display unit (hereinafter referred to as "LCD") that displays an image from the other party or a self-image. Reference numeral 5 denotes an LCD control unit that controls the display on the LCD 4 (liquid crystal display unit). 6 is a video codec that compresses / encodes the video data captured from the camera 1 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded video data so that it can be displayed on the LCD 4.

【0004】

Reference numeral 7 denotes a voice codec that compresses / encodes the voice data from the microphone 2 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded voice data so that the voice data can be heard by the speaker 3. 8 is a multiplexing / separating unit that multiplexes to simultaneously transmit video / audio data on the communication line or separates the multiplexed video / audio data received from the communication line. 9 is a line interface unit for connecting a terminal to a communication line, 10 is a battery that supplies power to the terminal, and 11 is a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the battery 10.

【0005】

Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation unit for inputting a telephone number, a calling mode, and the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a terminal control unit that controls the entire terminal based on the input from the operation unit 12, and 14 is a remaining amount determination unit that determines the remaining amount of the battery 10 detected by the remaining amount detection unit 11.

【0006】

The operation of the mobile image communication terminal device configured as described above when the remaining battery level is detected will be described.

【0007】

After starting communication with the other party, the remaining battery level detection unit 11 detects the remaining battery level of the battery 10 at regular intervals, and notifies the remaining battery level determination unit 14 of the detected remaining battery level. The remaining amount determination unit 14 determines whether the remaining battery level value notified by the remaining amount detection unit 11 is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, and if it is less than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal control unit 13 Notify to.

【0008】

Then, the terminal control unit 13 instructs the LCD control unit 5 to display a warning message on the LCD 4. This will display a warning message on the LCD4 indicating that the battery is low.

【0009】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the conventional portable image communication terminal device as described above, since it is driven by a battery, when voice / video communication using an LCD is performed, the battery is exhausted and a long-time call is made. Sometimes the battery runs out and the call suddenly hangs up, making it impossible to tell all the requirements.

【0010】

[Means for solving problems]

In the mobile image communication terminal device of the present invention, the remaining battery level is checked at regular intervals during a call, and when the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value, a warning message is displayed on the LCD and then only voice is used. The call mode is switched to and the LCD is turned off.

【0011】

This makes it possible to prevent the call from being suddenly disconnected.

【0012】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention compresses and encodes a video capturing means, an audio input means, an audio output means, a liquid crystal display unit for displaying an image (hereinafter referred to as "LCD"), and input image data. Function to convert, function to compress / encode input audio, function to multiplex encoded video / audio data, function to separate multiplexed video / audio data, compressed / encoded video A function to decompress / decode data and output it to the LCD, a function to decompress / decode compressed / encoded audio data and output it to an audio output means, and send / to transmit multiplexed video / audio data to and from a communication line. Receiving function, inputting phone number, input operation function for setting call mode, etc., function to control the entire terminal based on the input from the input operation function, battery to supply power to the terminal, remaining amount of the battery When the detection means for detecting the above, the determination means for determining the remaining battery level detected by the detection means, and the determination means for determining that the remaining battery level detected by the detection means is equal to or less than the threshold value. It is a portable image communication terminal device provided with a means for displaying a warning message on the LCD, switching the call mode to a voice call, and then turning off the LCD, and the remaining battery level is low. When the value falls below the threshold, the call mode is switched to a voice-only call, so the power consumption of the terminal can be reduced compared to a call using both voice and image, and it has the effect of enabling voice calls for a long time until the battery runs out. ..

【0013】

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the image communication terminal device according to the first aspect, if the remaining battery level is equal to or less than the threshold value when making a call, only voice is heard from the first call. It is a mobile image communication terminal device characterized by being equipped with a means for making a call by switching to the mode of, and if the remaining battery level is less than the threshold value at the time of making a call, it is possible to make a call only in the voice call mode. Therefore, it has the effect of enabling long-term calls with a small battery level.

【0014】

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

【0015】

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile image communication terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a camera for capturing a self-image and 2 is a microphone for inputting audio. , 3 is a speaker for outputting audio, 4 is an LCD for displaying an image from the other party or an own image, and 5 is an LCD control unit for controlling the display on the LCD. 6 is a video codec that compresses / encodes the video data captured from the camera 1 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded video data so that it can be displayed on the LCD 4.

【0016】

Reference numeral 7 denotes a voice codec that compresses / encodes the voice data from the microphone 2 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded voice data so that the voice data can be heard by the speaker 3. 8 is a multiplexing / separating unit that multiplexes to simultaneously transmit video / audio data on the communication line or separates the multiplexed video / audio data received from the communication line.

【0017】

9 is a line interface unit for connecting a terminal to a communication line, 10 is a battery that supplies power to the terminal, and 11 is a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the battery. Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation unit for inputting a telephone number, a calling mode, and the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a terminal control unit that controls the entire terminal based on the input from the operation unit 12, and 14 is a remaining amount determination unit that determines the remaining amount of the battery 10 detected by the remaining amount detection unit 11. Since these are the same as those in the conventional example, they are numbered the same and the description thereof will be omitted.

【0018】

Further, the remaining amount determination unit 14 is composed of a call mode control unit 15 that switches the call mode to a voice call when the remaining amount of the battery 10 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Further, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for switching the call mode according to the remaining battery level in the mobile image communication terminal of the present invention.

【0019】

The mobile image communication terminal device configured as described above will be described below. When the connection with the other party is completed and the call is started, the remaining battery level detection unit 11 detects the remaining battery level of the battery 10 at regular intervals and notifies the remaining battery level determination unit 14 of the detected remaining battery level value ( Step 101).

【0020】

The remaining battery level determination unit 14 determines whether or not the detected remaining battery level value is equal to or less than a preset threshold value (step 102). If the remaining battery value is below the threshold value, the terminal control unit 13 is notified. The terminal control unit 13 instructs the LCD control unit 5 to display a warning message to switch the call mode to the voice call mode because the battery level is low, and also instructs the call mode control unit 15 to set the call mode to voice only. Instruct to switch to the call.

【0021】

Then, the LCD control unit 5 displays the designated message on the LCD 4 (step 103), and the call mode control unit 15 switches the call mode to the voice-only mode (step 104). Further, when the call mode control unit 15 notifies the terminal control unit 13 that the call mode has been switched to the voice call, the terminal control unit 13 notifies the LCD control unit 5 to turn off the LCD 4. LCD control 5 turns off LCD 4 (step 105).

【0022】

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a mobile image communication terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where 1 is a camera for taking a self-image and 2 is a microphone for inputting audio. , 3 is a speaker for outputting audio, 4 is an LCD for displaying an image from the other party or an own image, and 5 is an LCD control unit for controlling the display on the LCD.

【0023】

6 is a video codec that compresses / encodes the video data captured from the camera 1 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded video data so that it can be displayed on the LCD 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a voice codec that compresses / encodes the voice data from the microphone 2 or decompresses / decodes the compressed / encoded voice data so that the voice data can be heard by the speaker 3. 8 is a multiplexing / separating unit that multiplexes to simultaneously transmit video / audio data on the communication line or separates the multiplexed video / audio data received from the communication line.

【0024】

9 is a line interface unit for connecting a terminal to a communication line, 10 is a battery that supplies power to the terminal, and 11 is a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the battery.

【0025】

Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation unit for inputting a telephone number, a calling mode, and the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a terminal control unit that controls the entire terminal based on the input from the operation unit 12, and 14 is a remaining amount determination unit that determines the remaining amount of the battery 10 detected by the remaining amount detection unit 11. Reference numeral 15 denotes a remaining amount determination unit 14, which is a call mode control unit that switches the call mode to voice call when the remaining amount of the battery 10 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Since these are the same as those in the first embodiment, they are numbered the same and the description thereof will be omitted.

【0026】

Further, 16 is composed of a call mode control unit 16 that switches the call mode to voice call when the remaining amount of the battery 10 is equal to or less than the threshold value at the time of making a call. Further, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the portable image communication terminal of the present invention.

【0027】

The mobile image communication terminal device configured as described above will be described below. When the call mode image is set from the operation unit 12, the telephone number is input and the call command is issued, the call mode control unit 16 checks the call mode (step 201).

【0028】

If the outgoing call mode is the video / voice call mode, the remaining amount detection unit 11 is instructed to detect the remaining amount of the battery 10 (step 202). Then, the remaining amount detecting unit 11 detects the remaining amount of the battery 10 and notifies the remaining amount of the detected battery remaining amount value to the remaining amount determination unit 14 (step 203).

【0029】

If the remaining battery value is below the threshold value, the terminal control unit 13 is notified (step 204). The terminal control unit 13 instructs the call mode control unit 16 to switch the call mode to the voice call mode. Then, the outgoing call mode control unit 16 switches the outgoing call mode to the voice call mode (step 205), and gives an outgoing call instruction to the line interface unit (step 206). As a result, the other party terminal is connected in the voice call mode.

【0030】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the call mode control unit is provided to turn off the LCD and switch to a voice-only call when the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value, a warning message is displayed. From to when the battery runs out, the call time is longer than when making a call using both voice and image, which makes it possible to convey all the requirements by voice.

【0031】

In addition, by providing a call mode control unit so that if the remaining battery level is below the threshold value, you can only make a call in voice-only mode, you can talk for a long time with a small battery level. Become.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

Functional block diagram of the portable image communication terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]

A flowchart showing a flow of processing for switching a call mode according to the remaining battery level of the mobile image communication terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 3]

Functional block diagram of the portable image communication terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 4]

A flowchart showing a flow of processing for switching the transmission mode according to the remaining battery level of the portable image communication terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 5]

Functional block diagram of a conventional mobile image communication terminal device [Explanation of symbols]

1 camera 2 microphone 3 speakers 4 LCD 5 LCD control unit 6 Video codec 7 voice codec 8 Multiplexing / Separation 9 Line interface section 10 battery 11 Remaining amount detector 12 Operation unit 13 Terminal control unit 14 Remaining amount judgment unit 15 Call mode control unit 16 Outgoing mode control unit