`
`(19) Japanese Patent Office
`(12) Published Patent Application (A)
`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`JP H8-65647A
`(43) Published: March 8, 1996
`(51) Int. Cl.6
`H04N 7/14
`ID Symbol
`JPO File No.
`FI
`Technical Indications Section
`Examination Request: Not filed/Number of Claims: 13 FD (Total of 22 pages)
`(21) Application No. H6-218321
`(22) Filed: August 22, 1994
`(71) Applicant: 000003078
`
`
`Toshiba Corporation
`
`
`72, Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
`(72) Inventor: Takashi IDA
`
`
`c/o Toshiba Corporation Research & Development Center
`
`
`1, Komukaitoshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
`(72) Inventor: Toshiaki WATANABE
`
`
`c/o Toshiba Corporation Research & Development Center
`
`
`1, Komukaitoshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
`(72) Inventor: Shinichiro KOTO
`
`
`c/o Toshiba Corporation Research & Development Center
`
`
`1, Komukaitoshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
`(74) Agent:
`Takehiko SUZUE
`
`Continued on the last page.
`
`[Title of Invention] Mobile Videophone Device
`
`[Abstract]
`[Purpose] To provide a mobile videophone device that can be used with hands free.
`[Configuration] It includes image display 202, ring-shaped supporting member 201 to
`support this image display 202 on the upper body of a user so that it is located in a lower
`field of view of the user of the mobile videophone device, image reflecting surface 206
`which is arranged on a front surface of the image display 202 to reflect the user’s face
`image and to transmit an image on the image display 202, and camera 203 to pick up an
`image on this image reflecting surface 206.
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`[Claims]
`[Claim 1] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`an image display means,
`a supporting means for supporting this image display means on the upper body of a user
`so that it is located in a lower field of view of the user of the mobile videophone device,
`an image reflecting means being arranged on a front surface of the image display means
`for reflecting the user’s face image and transmitting an image on the image display means,
`and
`an image pickup means for picking up an image on this image reflecting means.
`[Claim 2] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`an image display means,
`a supporting means for supporting this image display means on the upper body of a user
`so that it is located in a lower field of view of the user of the mobile videophone device,
`an image reflecting means arranged at a position adjacent to the image display means for
`reflecting the user’s face image, and
`an image pickup means for picking up an image on this image reflecting means.
`[Claim 3] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body configured to be foldable, and
`an image pickup means provided in this mobile videophone device main body so as to be
`exposed in either of a state where the mobile videophone device main body is folded or a
`state of not being folded.
`[Claim 4] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body configured to be foldable,
`an image pickup means provided in this mobile videophone device main body so as to be
`exposed in either of a state where the mobile videophone device main body is folded or a
`state of not being folded, and
`a supporting means configured to have a distance from a lowermost part of the mobile
`videophone device main body to the pickup means which is adjustable in a state where the
`mobile videophone device is folded.
`[Claim 5] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body configured to be foldable,
`an image pickup means provided in this mobile videophone device main body so as to be
`exposed in either of a state where the mobile videophone device main body is folded or a
`state of not being folded,
`a first detection means for detecting whether the mobile videophone device main body is in
`a state of being folded or in a state of not being folded,
`a second detection means for detecting whether the mobile videophone device main body
`is in an upright position or in an inverted position, and
`an inverting means for turning a pickup image signal obtained by the pickup means upside
`down when the first detection means detects that the mobile videophone device main body
`is in a state of being folded and the second detection means detects that the mobile
`
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`videophone device main body is in a upright position, and when the first detection means
`detects that the mobile videophone device is in a state of not being folded and the second
`detection means detects that the mobile videophone device main body is in an inverted
`position.
`[Claim 6] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body,
`first and second operating means provided on the left and right side surfaces of this mobile
`videophone device main body, respectively, and
`a setting means for setting to allocate a function to the first and second operation means.
`[Claim 7] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body having an image pickup means and image display
`means,
`first and second operating means provided on the left and right side surfaces of this mobile
`videophone device main body, respectively,
`for making adjustment of rates of
`magnification/reduction of the captured image captured by the image pickup means which
`is displayed on the image display means, and
`a setting means for setting to allocate a function to the first and second operation means.
`[Claim 8] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body having an image pickup means and image display
`means,
`a supporting means for supporting this mobile videophone device main body in a standing
`position, and
`an operation means being provided to be attachable and detachable to the mobile
`videophone device main body for operating the mobile videophone device main body.
`[Claim 9] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly having a battery as a power source, including,
`an image display means,
`a battery power detection means for detecting the power level of the battery, and
`a means for interrupting at least a part of the image display means or changing the display
`mode when the power level detected by this battery power detection means has reached a
`predetermined value or less.
`[Claim 10] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body having a voice input and output,
`a panel provided to be attachable and detachable to and from this mobile videophone
`device,
`an image display means and an image pickup means provided on this panel, and
`a connecting means for mechanically and electrically connecting these image display
`means and image pickup means with the mobile videophone device main body.
`[Claim 11] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body having an antenna,
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`an image display means and an image pickup means, at least either one of which is
`provided to be attachable and detachable to and from this mobile videophone device main
`body, and
`a connecting means for mechanically and electrically connecting at least one of these
`image display means and/or image pickup means configured to be attachable and
`detachable to and from the mobile videophone device main body with the mobile
`videophone device,
`wherein the image display means, the image pickup means, at least a part of a component
`member of the connecting means, and the antenna constitute a space diversity antenna.
`[Claim 12] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`a mobile videophone device main body including an image display means and an image
`pickup means, and
`a supporting means for supporting this mobile videophone device main body at an arbitrary
`position and direction and also working as an antenna for signal transmission and reception.
`[Claim 13] A mobile videophone device for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image
`wirelessly, including,
`an area designation means being capable of designating a plurality of overlapping areas of
`high importance within a receiving image or a transmitting image, and
`an encoding transmitter means for encoding and transmitting image information of the
`plurality of overlapping areas among image information of areas designated by this area
`designation means in higher quality than image information of areas not overlapping.
`
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`[0001] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a mobile videophone device
`for transmitting and receiving a voice and an image wirelessly.
`[0002]
`[Conventional Art] Research on mobile terminal devices that wirelessly transmit and receive
`a voice and image, namely mobile videophone devices, has been advanced. Such a
`mobile videophone device is disclosed in JP H3-109891, for example. By using a mobile
`videophone device, a user can communicate in the same manner as a normal conversation
`while transmitting an image of the user’s own face to the other party and also receiving an
`image of the face of the other party, and thus the convenience is improved.
`[0003] Figure 6 illustrates an appearance of a conventional mobile videophone device. On
`the front surface of mobile videophone device main body 211, a camera 212, display 213,
`microphone 124, speaker 215, and operation button 216 are arranged. Transmission and
`reception of voice signals and image signals are performed through antenna 217. When
`communicating, the mobile videophone device main body 211 is held in one hand in front of
`the face. However, such conventional videophones have the following problems.
`[0004] (1) There are various possible cases where a mobile videophone device is used.
`For example, the possible cases may include when walking or standing on a street, when
`riding on a train, when driving a car, when sitting on a chair or a bench indoors or outdoors,
`when doing a light workout such as jogging, or the like. Among these, it is difficult to use a
`hand for holding or operating a mobile videophone device when driving a car or when
`walking with baggage held in both hands, but at least one hand must be used for holding or
`operating a conventional videophone and it is not adaptable for such usage. Even in other
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`types of usage, it is often inconvenient to have control of one hand restricted in order to use
`a mobile videophone device.
`[0005] (2) As a special use of a mobile videophone device, in a case of monitoring a
`pedestrian’s view to another place without holding a mobile videophone device in a hand,
`such as when a police officer rushing to a crime scene monitors a surrounding visual scene
`to a police station, there is a demand that a mobile videophone device be put into a breast
`pocket, for example, so as to have only a camera peeking out. However, the depth of a
`pocket varies by type, and a main body cannot always be put into a breast pocket so as to
`expose only a camera. Also, although there is a demand for monitoring a 360-degree
`range of a surrounding area by a camera, a conventional mobile videophone device cannot
`respond to such a demand.
`[0006] (3) A technology for displaying an image of one’s own face on a display and
`monitoring the size in which it is transmitted is known, but a method in which both a right-
`handed person and a left-handed person can easily adjust the size, that is, magnifications
`in a mobile videophone device using only a fingertip of the hand holding the mobile
`videophone device main body is desired.
`[0007] (4) In some cases, a mobile videophone device is not held in the hand but is used in
`a standing position on a desk, for example. However, a conventional mobile videophone
`device shown in Figure 6 has had problems in that the device is turned over by the force of
`a hand when trying to operate it in the standing position or in that a user’s face image is not
`taken correctly.
`[0008] (5) A mobile videophone device typically incorporates a rechargeable battery
`(secondary battery) as a power source and this is used for signal processing such as input
`and output of a voice/image, encoding/decoding, or the like. Among these, especially the
`output to display and encoding/decoding of an image require a large amount of power. On
`the other hand, a small amount of power is sufficient for the input and output and
`encoding/decoding of a voice. Conventionally, however, there has been a deficiency in that
`a battery runs out quickly for the image processing because the image processing and
`voice processing are always performed simultaneously even when the remaining battery
`level is low.
`[0009] (6) There also is a demand for a mobile videophone device that can be used for a
`type of use in which a speaker of a handset is held to an ear in the same manner as a
`conventional mobile voice phone, which has no discomfort and is more user-friendly. In
`such a type of use, however, a conventional mobile videophone device shown in Figure 6
`cannot take one’s own face image or see a received image.
`[0010] (7) In a case where a mobile videophone device is used while traveling in a train or a
`car, in order to prevent a transmission error, a measure against fading at the time of
`reception becomes necessary. Especially, in order to transmit and receive an image signal
`in a wireless narrow band, a considerable band compression by high-efficiency
`compression encoding is necessary and the transmission error may cause significant
`image deterioration. Conventionally, as a measure against fading, a space diversity
`scheme in which multiple antennae are arranged and output of each of the antennae is
`adaptively switched or combined has been known (for example, JP H4-274625 “Diversity
`Antenna Device”). In this scheme, it is desired that a spatial arrangement of multiple
`antennae be arbitrarily adjusted in order to enhance the performance, but conventionally
`such adjustment of arrangement of antennae is not possible.
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`[0011] (8) Generally, in an image coding transmission device for transmitting image
`information after high-efficiency compression encoding, a technology in which a receiving
`side designates an important area such as a face image of the other party on a transmitting
`side, document image, or the like, for example, and image information in the area is
`transmitted after being encoded at a higher quality than image information in other areas is
`known. In conventional art, however, even if multiple areas designated are overlapping,
`encoding and transmission in the overlapping areas and the non-overlapping areas are
`performed at the same quality, and thus there has been a problem that, even if there is a
`further important area within the important area, an image in the area cannot be displayed
`in high quality.
`[0012] [Problems to be solved by the invention] As described above, a conventional mobile
`videophone device has problems such as (1) when using, it is inconvenient to have control
`of one hand of a user restricted; (2) it cannot take an image of surroundings in a state of
`being stored in a breast pocket of a user; (3) adjustment of magnifications by fingertip
`cannot be made by both a right-handed person and a left-handed person; (4) when using a
`mobile videophone device in a standing position, it is difficult to operate and cannot take
`and transmit a user’s face image properly; (5) a battery runs down quickly and
`communication cannot be continued for a long time; (6) the same type of use as a mobile
`voice phone in which a speaker of a handset is held to an ear to communicate cannot be
`performed; (7) flexibility of antenna arrangement required when a space diversity is
`employed is limited; and (8) when multiple important areas as designated in an image are
`overlapping, even if there is a further important area within the important areas, an image in
`the area cannot be encoded at higher quality and transmitted to be displayed as compared
`with other areas.
`[0013] The present invention is intended to solve such problems of a conventional mobile
`videophone device. That is, the first purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile
`videophone device that can be used without using a hand.
`[0014] The second purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone
`device that can take an image of the surroundings of a user in a state of being stored in a
`breast pocket.
`[0015] The third purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone device
`that enables both a right-handed person and a left-handed person to easily carry out an
`operation such as adjustment of magnifications by fingertip.
`[0016] The fourth purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone
`device that is easy to operate and can properly take a user’s face image and transmit even
`when it is used in a standing position.
`[0017] The fifth purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone device
`that can perform communication for a long period of time even when a battery is used.
`[0018] The sixth purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone device
`that can employ the same type of use as a mobile voice phone in which a speaker of a
`handset is held to an ear to communicate.
`[0019] The seventh purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone
`device that has the great flexibility required for the antenna arrangement when carrying out
`space diversity.
`[0020] The eighth purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile videophone
`device that can encode, transmit and display image information in a particularly important
`
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`area as designated in multiple overlapping important areas on an image in higher quality
`than image information in other important areas.
`[0021] [Means to Solve the Problems] In order to achieve the first purpose, a mobile
`videophone device according to the first invention is characterized by including an image
`display means, a supporting means for supporting this image display means on a user’s
`upper body so as to be located in a lower part of view of a user of the mobile videophone
`device, an image reflecting means that is arranged on the front surface of the image display
`means for reflecting the user’s face image and transmitting an image on the image display
`means, and an image pickup means for taking an image on this image reflecting means.
`[0022] Another mobile videophone device according to the first invention is characterized
`by including an image display means, a supporting means for supporting this image display
`means on a user’s upper body so as to be located in a lower part of view of a user of the
`mobile videophone device, an image reflecting means that is arranged in a position
`adjacent to the image display means for reflecting the user’s face image, and an image
`pickup means for capturing an image on this image reflecting means.
`[0023] A mobile videophone device according to the second invention is characterized by
`including a mobile videophone device main body that is configured to be foldable and an
`image pickup means that is provided in this mobile videophone device main body so as to
`be exposed either in a state that the mobile videophone device main body is folded or in a
`state of not being folded.
`is
`invention
`the second
`to
`[0024] Another mobile videophone device according
`characterized by including a mobile videophone device main body that is configured to be
`foldable, an image pickup means that is provided in this mobile videophone device main
`body so as to be exposed either in a state that the mobile videophone device main body is
`folded or in a state of not being folded, and a supporting means that is configured to have a
`distance from the lowermost part of the mobile videophone device main body to the image
`pickup means so as to be adjustable in a state that the mobile videophone device main
`body is folded.
`is
`invention
`the second
`to
`[0025] Another mobile videophone device according
`characterized by including a mobile videophone device main body that is configured to be
`foldable, an image pickup means that is provided in this mobile videophone device main
`body so as to be exposed either in a state that the mobile videophone device main body is
`folded or in a state of not being folded, a first detection means for detecting whether the
`mobile videophone device main body is in a state of being folded or in a state of not being
`folded, a second detection means for detecting whether the mobile videophone device
`main body is in an upright position or in an inverted position, an inverting means for turning
`an image signal obtained by the image pickup means upside down when the first detection
`means detects that the mobile videophone device main body is in a state of being folded
`and also the second detection means detects that the mobile videophone device main body
`is in an upright position or when the first detection means detects that the mobile
`videophone device main body is in a state of not being folded and also the second
`detection means detects that the mobile videophone device main body is in an inverted
`position.
`[0026] A mobile videophone device according to the third invention is characterized by
`including a mobile videophone device main body, first and second operation means that are
`respectively provided on the left and right side surfaces of this mobile videophone device
`
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`main body, and a setting means for setting functions allocated to the first and second
`operation means.
`[0027] Another mobile videophone device according to the third invention is characterized
`by including a mobile videophone device main body, first and second operation means that
`are respectively provided on the left and right side surfaces of this mobile videophone
`device main body for adjusting the magnification/reduction rate of an image taken by the
`image pickup means and displayed by the image display means, and a setting means for
`setting functions allocated to the first and second operation means.
`[0028] A mobile videophone device according to the fourth invention is characterized by
`having a mobile videophone device main body including an image display means and an
`image pickup means, a supporting means for supporting this mobile videophone device
`main body in a standing position, and an operation means that is provided to be attachable
`to and detachable from the mobile videophone device main body for operating the mobile
`videophone device main body.
`[0029] A mobile videophone device according to the fifth invention is a mobile videophone
`device having a battery as a power source, characterized by including an image display
`means, a battery power detection means for detecting the power level of the battery, and a
`means for deactivating at least a part of the image display means or changing a display
`mode when the power level of the battery detected by this battery power detection means
`is at a predetermined value or lower.
`[0030] A mobile videophone device according to the sixth invention is characterized by a
`mobile videophone device main body having a voice input and output, a panel that is
`provided to be attachable to and detachable from this mobile videophone device main body,
`an image display means and an image pickup means provided in this panel, and a
`connector means for connecting these image display means and image pickup means to
`the mobile videophone device main body mechanically and electrically.
`[0031] A mobile videophone device according to the seventh invention is characterized by
`including a mobile videophone device main body having an antenna, an image display
`means and an image pickup means, at least either one of which is provided to be attachable
`and detachable to this mobile videophone device main body, and a connecting means for
`mechanically and electrically connecting at least one of these image display means and/or
`image pickup means configured to be attachable and detachable to the mobile videophone
`device main body with the mobile videophone device, wherein the image display means,
`the image pickup means, at least a part of a component member of the connecting means,
`and the antenna constitute a space diversity antenna.
`[0032] Another mobile videophone device according to the seventh invention is
`characterized by including a mobile videophone device main body having an image display
`means and an image pickup means, and a supporting means for supporting this mobile
`videophone device main body in an arbitrary position and direction while working as an
`antenna for transmitting and receiving a signal.
`[0033] A mobile videophone device according to the eighth invention is characterized by
`including an area designating means that can designate a plurality of overlapping areas of
`high importance within a received image or a transmitted image, and an encoder
`transmitter means for encoding and transmitting image information in the plurality of
`overlapping areas in higher quality than image information in areas not overlapping among
`image information in the area designated by this area designating means.
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`[0034] [Effects] (1) In a mobile videophone device according to the first invention, an image
`display means is located in a user’s lower field of view and on the upper body of the user,
`and thus, use with both hands free and also without having the main body block the view
`becomes possible.
`[0035] Furthermore, by taking an image from an image reflecting means provided on the
`front surface of the image display means or an image reflecting means arranged at a
`position adjacent to the image display means, the distance from the image pickup means to
`a face can be substantially extended to approximately twice the length and even a camera
`with the same view angle can expand the pickup range of an image.
`[0036] (2) In a mobile videophone device according to the second invention, by using a
`supporting means of a mobile videophone device main body for adjusting the length from
`the lowermost part of the main body to the pickup means, taking an image with the pickup
`means peeking out from a breast pocket becomes possible.
`[0037] In addition, by having the pickup means exposed even in a state that the main body
`is folded, it can take an image while protecting the display means. Furthermore, in a case
`where an image is turned upside down by folding or when using in a standing position, by
`inverting the image information, taking an image with the right side up becomes possible.
`[0038] (3) In a mobile videophone device according to the third invention, it becomes
`possible
`to easily and appropriately make an adjustment
`to
`the
`rate of
`magnification/reduction of the captured image, or the like while a captured image is
`displayed in a part or the whole of the image display, and also easy operation by both a
`right-handed person and a left-handed person becomes possible by setting two types of
`arrangements of functions of the operation means that can be switched to one for right-
`handed and another for left-handed.
`[0039] Moreover, the operation means is arranged on a side surface of the main body, and
`thus operation by fingertip while holding the main body becomes easy.
`[0040] (4) In a mobile videophone device according to the fourth invention, an operation
`means can be detached from a mobile videophone device main body in a state of being
`supported in an upright position on a desk or the like, and thus, a user’s face image can be
`properly taken and transmitted, and also prevention of turn-over or blurring of the captured
`image by pressing an operation button on the main body becomes possible.
`[0041] (5) In a mobile videophone device according to the fifth invention, when the power
`level of the battery is at a predetermined value or lower, by disabling at least a part of the
`image display means or changing the mode of display, the battery’s power consumption is
`reduced and thus minimum voice communication can be maintained for a long time period.
`(6) In a mobile videophone device according to the sixth invention, by having an image
`display means and image pickup means provided in the operation panel, these can be
`protected and also a handset of the main body can be put to an ear in the same manner as
`a conventional mobile voice phone when communicating by voice only.
`[0042] (7) In a mobile videophone device according to the seventh invention, by forming a
`space diversity antenna with at least a part of components of the image display means, the
`image pickup means, and the connecting means, and an antenna, the flexibility of the
`antenna arrangement required for space diversity is enhanced.
`[0043] Furthermore, by giving some flexibility such as rotatability/extendibility to the
`connecting means, there is a benefit in that positioning the image display means and image
`pickup means becomes easy.
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`[0044] (8) In a mobile videophone device according to the eighth invention, in a case where
`multiple important areas designated in an image are overlapping, image information in
`especially important overlapping areas is encoded, transmitted and displayed in higher
`quality than image information in other important areas.
`[0045] [Embodiments] Embodiments of the present invention are described below using the
`drawings.
`[0046] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is an external view of a mobile videophone device
`according to the present embodiment. In this Figure, supporting member 201 is formed
`from an elastic material such as plastic and is a ring-shaped member having a part that is
`separated. Display 202 such as a liquid crystal display and camera 203 are supported by
`this supporting member 201 while each of the angles can be changed.
`[0047] Display 202 is supported by a side of supporting member 201, and camera 203 is
`supported by a side adjacent to this so as to be faced in a direction of display 202.
`Supporting member 201 is made hollow, and a cord of earphone 204 having input and
`output combined, that is, having functions of both microphone and speaker, is pulled out
`from inside thereof so that a length of the cord can be extended by pulling earphone 204.
`[0048] An earphone may be arranged in the separated part (cut) in supporting member 201
`so as to be put to both ears and used like a stethoscope. Thus, an operation such as
`extending or shortening a cord of earphone 204 becomes unnecessary. Not-illustrated
`processing circuits for image or voice are stored in case 205 fixed by supporting member
`201.
`[0049] As shown in Figure 2, when using this device, supporting member 201 is worn
`around a user’s neck. In this state, display 202 is positioned below the user’s face, and
`thus the user can see an image on display 202 without its view blocked.
`[0050] As above, a mobile videophone device according to the present embodiment can be
`used with both hands free and without having a view blocked by the main body.
`[0051] Camera 203 may be fixed around display 202 as shown in Figure 3, but only a part
`of a face can be taken as an image if the view angle of camera 203 is not large enough,
`while an image can be distorted if a camera having a large view angle is used. In the
`present embodiment, image reflecting surf