Videophone system and videophone method

Abstract

To provide an videophone system and an videophone method for enabling a user to perform videophone by a simple operation.SOLUTION: A plurality of communication devices communicably connected to each other via a network, each of the plurality of communication devices including a photographing unit capable of photographing a photographing target and transmitting image data photographed by the photographing unit to another communication device, A display unit capable of displaying a first image which is an image captured by another communication device and a second image which is an image of a door stored in advance in a plurality of communication devices, a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the first image and the second image at different times, and an operation unit capable of changing a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed, the display control unit is configured to switch between the first display state and the second display state in response to an operation by the operation unit while the communication devices are connected to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a videophone system and a videophone method for conducting videophone calls between a plurality of communication devices. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, videophone systems for carrying out videophone calls between a plurality of communication devices have been known (see Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-087522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional videophone systems, including the videophone system described in Patent Document 1, require a user to log in to the videophone system and perform a connection operation as a prerequisite. Furthermore, connecting to a videophone system basically requires a caller to "make a call (operation)" and a call recipient to "respond (operation)." However, elderly people and those who are not good at operating machines have difficulty performing the log-in and connection operations and remembering the procedures for the log-in and connection operations. Furthermore, some individuals, due to dementia, physical disabilities, etc., are unable to make calls (operations) or even simple responses (operations).

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a videophone system and a videophone method that allow a user to make a videophone call with simple operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The videophone system of the present invention comprises a plurality of communication devices connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the plurality of communication devices each have a photographing unit capable of photographing an object to be photographed, a communication unit that transmits image data photographed by the photographing unit to another communication device and receives image data photographed by the other communication device from the other communication device, a display unit that can display a first image that is an image photographed by the other communication device and a second image that is an image pre-stored in the plurality of communication devices, a display control unit that causes the first image and the second image to be displayed on the display unit at different times, and an operation unit that can change between a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed, and the display control unit is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state in response to operation by the operation unit when the communication devices are connected to each other.

[0007] In the videophone system of the present invention, the display control section is preferably configured to change between the first display state and the second display state by animation.

[0008] In the videophone system according to the present invention, the animation may be an animation of opening and closing a door.

[0009] In the videophone system of the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of communication devices further has an illuminance detection unit that detects ambient illuminance, and that the communication device having the illuminance detection unit is configured to transmit illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit to another communication device, and that the other communication device that has received the illuminance data is configured to change the display mode of its display unit based on the received illuminance data in the second display state.

[0010] In the videophone system according to the present invention, the other communication device that has received the illuminance data may be configured to change the luminance of the display unit as the display mode of the display unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the videophone method of the present invention is a videophone method for conducting a videophone call between a plurality of communication devices connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network, wherein the plurality of communication devices each take an image of an object to be photographed, transmit the image data of the image to another communication device, receive the image data taken by the other communication device from the other communication device, and simultaneously display a first image which is an image taken by the other communication device and a second image which is an image of the object pre-stored in the plurality of communication devices, and when the communication devices are connected to each other, are capable of switching between a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the videophone system and videophone method of the present invention, a user can make a videophone call with a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an operation for changing between a first display state and a second display state, where FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the first display state and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the second display state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a third image is displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]7A and 7B are diagrams showing a state in which a fourth image is displayed on a display unit according to this embodiment, where FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which the fourth image is displayed in the second display state, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the fourth image is displayed in the first display state. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an image of a human figure is displayed on a display unit in a communication device according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a fifth image and a sixth image are displayed on a display unit in a communication device according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a fifth image and a sixth image are displayed on a display unit in a communication device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, in the present embodiments, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted.

[0015] [Videophone system configuration] 1, a videophone system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of communication devices 100 that are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. The videophone system 1 is a videophone system for making videophone calls between the plurality of communication devices 100.

[0016] The videophone system 1 may be a videophone system for making a videophone call between two communication devices 100, or may be a videophone system for making a videophone call between three or more communication devices 100. In Fig. 1, a videophone system for making a videophone call between two communication devices 100 is shown as an example.

[0017] 2, each of the communication devices 100 has an imaging unit 10 capable of imaging a subject to be imaged, an audio input unit 11 to which ambient audio is input, and a communication unit 12 capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from other communication devices 100. In this embodiment, the "subject to be imaged" refers to a user making a video call, the background of the user, etc.

[0018] The communication unit 12 is configured to transmit image data captured by the imaging unit 10, audio data input to the audio input unit 11, operation signals corresponding to operations on an operation unit 15 (described later), and illuminance data detected by an illuminance detection unit 16 (described later) to the other communication device 100. The communication unit 12 is also configured to receive image data captured by the other communication device 100, audio data input to the other communication device 100, operation signals corresponding to operations on an operation unit 15 (described later) of the other communication device 100, and illuminance data detected by the other communication device 100 from the other communication device 100.

[0019] In addition, each of the multiple communication devices 100 has a display unit 13 capable of displaying images, an audio output unit 14 capable of outputting audio, an operation unit 15 that accepts user operations, and an illuminance detection unit 16 that detects the ambient illuminance.

[0020] The display unit 13 is configured to be able to display a first image to a fourth image. In this embodiment, the "first image" is an image captured by another communication device 100. That is, it is an image received by the communication unit 12 from another communication device 100. The "second image" is an image of a door stored in advance in the plurality of communication devices 100. Examples of the door image include an image of a sliding door and an image of a hinged door. The "third image" is an image stored in advance in the plurality of communication devices 100, and is an image indicating that the first operation unit 15a, which will be described later, is in a locked state, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 6, the third image is, for example, an image of a lock. The "fourth image" is an image stored in advance in the plurality of communication devices 100, and is an image indicating that a user using another communication device 100 is being called. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth image is, for example, an image of a bell.

[0021] The audio output unit 14 is configured to output audio input to the other communication device 100. In other words, the communication unit 12 is configured to output audio received from the other communication device 100.

[0022] The operation unit 15 has a first operation unit 15a that can change between a first display state in which a first image is displayed and a second display state in which a second image is displayed, a second operation unit 15b that can change between a locked state that disables the operation of changing from the second display state to the first display state by the first operation unit 15a and an unlocked state that enables the operation of changing from the second display state to the first display state by the first operation unit 15a, and a third operation unit 15c for calling a user who is using another communication device 100.

[0023] The illuminance detection unit 16 is configured to detect the ambient illuminance in the second display state. Note that the illuminance detection unit 16 may be configured to detect the ambient illuminance throughout the first and second display states.

[0024] In addition, each of the multiple communication devices 100 has a display control unit 17 that controls the display unit 13, a volume control unit 18 that controls the audio output unit 14, an operation control unit 19 that controls the operation unit 15, and a memory unit 20 that stores the second to fourth images.

[0025] The display control unit 17 is configured to display the first image and the second image at different times on the display unit 13. Specifically, the display control unit 17 is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state in response to an operation by the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) when the communication devices 100 are connected to each other.

[0026] More specifically, the display control unit 17 is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state using animation. In this embodiment, the animation that changes between the first display state and the second display state is an animation that opens and closes a door. That is, it is an animation that opens and closes the door (second image) displayed in the second display state.

[0027] Furthermore, in the second display state, display control unit 17 is configured to change whether the third image is displayed or hidden on display unit 13 in accordance with an operation by operation unit 15 (second operation unit 15b). Specifically, in the second display state, when second operation unit 15b is operated, display control unit 17 is configured to simultaneously display the second image and the third image on display unit 13 (see FIG. 6), and when second operation unit 15b, which has been operated to display the third image, is operated again, display control unit 17 is configured to hide the third image and display only the second image.

[0028] Furthermore, the display control unit 17 is configured to simultaneously display the fourth image and other images (the first image, the second image, and the third image) on the display unit 13, regardless of the display state of the display unit 13 (see FIG. 7). Specifically, the display control unit 17 is configured to switch between a state in which the fourth image and other images are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 13 and a state in which the fourth image is not displayed and only the other images are displayed, in accordance with an operation by the operation unit 15 (third operation unit 15c), regardless of the display state of the display unit 13. Furthermore, when the display control unit 17 displays the fourth image on the display unit 13, the display control unit 17 is configured to display, together with the fourth image, the time at which the operation unit 15 (third operation unit 15c) was operated on the display unit 13 (see FIG. 7).

[0029] Note that display control unit 17 may be configured to hide the fourth image and display only the other image without operating operation unit 15 (third operation unit 15c) when the fourth image and the other image are simultaneously displayed on display unit 13. That is, for example, after the fourth image and the other image are simultaneously displayed on display unit 13, the fourth image may be hidden and only the other image may be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, several seconds).

[0030] Furthermore, the display control unit 17 may be configured to hide the fourth image and display only the other images when the third operation unit 15c on which an operation to display the fourth image has been performed is operated again, or may be configured to hide the fourth image and display only the other images when either the third operation unit 15c on which an operation to display the fourth image has been performed or the third operation unit 15c on which an operation to display the fourth image has not been performed is operated. In the present embodiment, as an example, the description will be given assuming that the display control unit 17 is configured to hide the fourth image and display only the other images when either the third operation unit 15c on which an operation to display the fourth image has been performed or the third operation unit 15c on which an operation to display the fourth image has not been performed is operated.

[0031] In this embodiment, "in response to an operation by the operation unit" includes both an operation by the operation unit 15 of one's own communication device 100 and an operation by the operation unit 15 of another communication device 100. That is, the display control unit 17 is configured to change the display state of the display unit 13 based on the operation unit 15 of one's own communication device 100 when the operation unit 15 of one's own communication device 100 is operated, and is configured to change the display state of the display unit 13 based on an operation signal received by the communication unit 12 in response to each operation on the operation unit 15 of the other communication device 100 when the operation unit 15 of the other communication device 100 is operated.

[0032] Furthermore, in the second display state, the display control unit 17 is configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 based on the illuminance data received by the communication unit 12. Specifically, the display control unit 17 is configured to change the luminance of the display unit 13 as the display mode of the display unit 13. For example, when the surroundings of the other communication device 100 are bright, the display control unit 17 brightens the display unit 13, and when the surroundings of the other communication device 100 are dark, the display control unit 17 darkens the display unit 13.

[0033] From this perspective, the second image is preferably an image that allows the user of communication device 100 to objectively recognize the brightness of display unit 13 and the second image, and is preferably an image that includes a mixture of translucent and non-translucent portions, such as an image of a door with glass or an image of a shoji screen. In this case, display control unit 17 preferably changes the display mode of only the translucent portions of the second image (the glass portion of the door or the paper portion of the shoji screen) depending on the ambient brightness of the other communication device 100, and preferably changes the brightness (luminance), color, etc. of the translucent portions of the second image. In this embodiment, as an example, the second image will be described as an image of a shoji screen.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, each communication device 100 is described as having an illuminance detection unit 16, but this is not limiting, and at least one communication device 100 among the plurality of communication devices 100 may have an illuminance detection unit 16. In this case, it is preferable that the communication device 100 having the illuminance detection unit 16 is configured to transmit illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit 16 to the other communication devices 100, and that the other communication devices 100 that have received the illuminance data are configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 based on the received illuminance data in the second display state.

[0035] The volume control unit 18 is configured to control the volume of the audio output unit 14 in accordance with a volume adjustment button (not shown). The volume control unit 18 is also configured to cause the audio output unit 14 to output a ringing tone when the third operation unit 15c is operated. Specifically, the volume control unit 18 is configured to cause the audio output unit 14 to output a ringing tone for a predetermined time (e.g., several seconds) after the third operation unit 15c is operated. Note that in this embodiment, "when the third operation unit is operated" includes both an operation by the third operation unit 15c of the communication device 100 itself and an operation by the third operation unit 15c of another communication device 100. That is, the volume control unit 18 is configured to, when the third operation unit 15c of the communication device 100 is operated, cause the audio output unit 14 to output a ring tone based on the third operation unit 15c of the communication device 100 itself, and, when the third operation unit 15c of the other communication device 100 is operated, cause the audio output unit 14 to output a ring tone based on an operation signal received by the communication unit 12 indicating that the third operation unit 15c of the other communication device 100 has been operated.

[0036] The operation control unit 19 is configured to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to an operation by the second operation unit 15b. Specifically, the operation control unit 19 is configured to set the first operation unit 15a to the locked state when the second operation unit 15b is operated in the second display state, and to set the first operation unit 15a to the unlocked state when the second operation unit 15b, which has been operated to set the first operation unit 15a to the locked state, is operated again.

[0037] In this embodiment, "in response to an operation by the second operating unit" includes both an operation by the second operating unit 15b of one's own communication device 100 and an operation by the second operating unit 15b of another communication device 100. That is, the operation control unit 19 is configured to change between the locked state and the unlocked state based on the second operating unit 15b of one's own communication device 100 when the second operating unit 15b of one's own communication device 100 is operated, and is configured to change between the locked state and the unlocked state based on an operation signal received by the communication unit 12 indicating that the second operating unit 15b of the other communication device 100 has been operated.

[0038] In this embodiment, the communication device 100 may be a single device including the imaging unit 10 to the storage unit 20, or may be a device in which at least one of the imaging unit 10 to the storage unit 20 is configured separately.

[0039] [Example of communication device] As an example of the communication device 100 according to this embodiment, a patient communication device 100A used by a patient admitted to a hospital and a family communication device 100B used by a family member of the patient will be described below as shown in Fig. 3. The patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are connected to each other via a network NW so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0040] [Configuration of patient communication device] The patient communication device 100A is installed in a patient room HRA in a hospital where a patient is hospitalized. In the patient communication device 100A, the imaging unit 10 is a camera, the audio input unit 11 is a microphone, the display unit 13 is a television or monitor, the audio output unit 14 is a speaker, the operation unit 15 is a remote control (see FIG. 4), and the illuminance detection unit 16 is an illuminance sensor. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 10 and the illuminance detection unit 16 are included in a single device. As shown in FIG. 4, the audio input unit 11 and the audio output unit 14 are provided in the operation unit 15. The configuration of the patient communication device 100A is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the imaging unit 10 and the illuminance detection unit 16 may be configured separately, or the audio input unit 11, the audio output unit 14, and the operation unit 15 may be configured separately. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the audio output unit 14 is described as being provided in the operation unit 15, but this is not limitative, and the audio output unit 14 may be provided in the display unit 13.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the first operation unit 15a is an "open / close" button, the second operation unit 15b is a "lock" button, and the third operation unit 15c is a "call" button.

[0042] In the patient communication device 100A, the single device including the imaging unit 10 and the illuminance detection unit 16, the operation unit 15 including the audio input unit 11 and the audio output unit 14, and the display unit 13 are configured separately. The communication unit 12, the display control unit 17, the volume control unit 18, the operation control unit 19, and the storage unit 20 are provided within the single device including the imaging unit 10 and the illuminance detection unit 16.

[0043] [Configuration of family communication devices] The family communication device 100B is a tablet terminal and is installed in the home HA where the patient's family lives. The family communication device 100B may be a tablet terminal loaned from the hospital where the patient is hospitalized and equipped with the configuration of the communication device 100 according to the present embodiment, or may be a tablet terminal or PC terminal owned by the patient's family to which the configuration of the communication device 100 according to the present embodiment has been added.

[0044] In the family communication device 100B, the photographing unit 10 is a camera provided on the tablet terminal, the audio input unit 11 is a microphone provided on the tablet terminal, the display unit 13 and the operation unit 15 are displays provided on the tablet terminal, the audio output unit 14 is a speaker provided on the tablet terminal, and the illuminance detection unit 16 is an illuminance sensor provided on the tablet terminal.

[0045] In addition, the first operation unit 15a is an "open / close" button similar to that of the patient communication device 100A displayed on the display unit 13, the second operation unit 15b is a "lock" button similar to that of the patient communication device 100A displayed on the display unit 13, and the third operation unit 15c is a "call" button similar to that of the patient communication device 100A displayed on the display unit 13.

[0046] In the family communication device 100B, the communication unit 12, the display control unit 17, the volume control unit 18, the operation control unit 19, and the storage unit 20 are provided in a tablet terminal that is the family communication device 100B. In this way, the family communication device 100B is a single device that includes the imaging unit 10 to the storage unit 20.

[0047] [How to make a video call] Next, a videophone method using the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. As an example of the videophone method using the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, a videophone method using a videophone system for making a videophone call between the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B will be described below.

[0048] When the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are activated, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are connected to each other via the network NW so that they can communicate with each other, and the second image is displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B, as shown in Fig. 5(b). That is, the display unit 13 is in the second display state, and the patient or the patient's family can start a video call at any time by pressing the first operation unit 15a.

[0049] When the display unit 13 is in the second display state, the illuminance detection unit 16 of the patient communication device 100A detects the illuminance around the patient communication device 100A and transmits the illuminance data to the family communication device 100B. The illuminance detection unit 16 of the family communication device 100B detects the illuminance around the family communication device 100B and transmits the illuminance data to the patient communication device 100A. Then, the display control units 17 of the patient communication devices 100A and 100B change the brightness of the display unit 13 based on the received illuminance data.

[0050] When the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are connected to each other, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, when the patient operates the first operation unit 15a, a sliding screen, which is the second image, gradually opens on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the first image is completely displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. That is, the display state switches from the second display state to the first display state, and the patient and the patient's family can see each other's images.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first display state, when the patient or the patient's family operates the first operation unit 15a, the second image, a sliding screen, is gradually closed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the second image, a sliding screen, is completely displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. In other words, the display state is switched from the first display state to the second display state, and the patient and the patient's family cannot see each other's images.

[0052] 5(b), for example, when the patient operates the second operation unit 15b, a third image, a lock icon, is displayed together with the second image displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B, as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B cannot be changed from the second display state to the first display state using the first operation unit 15a. This has the advantage that the image can be blocked and locked when the patient does not want others to see their image, for example, while they are changing clothes or during an examination.

[0053] When the patient then operates the second operation unit 15b again, the lock icon, which is the third image, disappears on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B, and the display unit 13 enters the second display state shown in FIG. 5(b). At this time, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B can change from the second display state to the first display state using the first operation unit 15a. Note that in the above example, the first operation unit 15a is locked by operating the second operation unit 15b of the patient communication device 100A. Therefore, to unlock the first operation unit 15a, the second operation unit 15b of the patient communication device 100A, which is the operation that locked the first operation unit 15a, must be operated. The first operation unit 15a cannot be unlocked by operating the second operation unit 15b of the family communication device 100B.

[0054] 5(b), for example, when the patient operates the third operation unit 15c, a fourth image, a bell icon, is displayed together with the second image displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B, as shown in FIG. 7(a). When the third operation unit 15c is operated, a ring tone is output (sounded) for a predetermined period of time by the audio output unit 14 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. This has the advantage that the caller can be called when the caller wants to see the caller's appearance even when the caller cannot see the video of the caller in the second display state or the like.

[0055] Thereafter, when the patient or the patient's family operates the third operation unit 15c, the bell icon, which is the fourth image, disappears from the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B, and the second display state shown in Fig. 5(b) is displayed. Note that the operation using the third operation unit 15c may be performed in the first display state shown in Fig. 5(a) (see Fig. 7(b)) or in the locked state shown in Fig. 6.

[0056] When the power of both or either one of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B is cut off, the videophone call ends. Note that by restarting the patient communication device 100A through the family communication device 100B that have been cut off, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are again connected to each other via the network NW so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the second image is displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B.

[0057] [Advantages of the videophone system according to this embodiment] As described above, the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of communication devices 100 connected to each other via the network NW so as to be able to communicate with each other. Each of the plurality of communication devices 100 comprises an imaging unit 10 capable of imaging a subject to be imaged, a communication unit 12 that transmits image data captured by the imaging unit 10 to the other communication devices 100 and receives image data captured by the other communication devices 100 from the other communication devices 100, a display unit 13 that can display a first image that is an image captured by the other communication devices 100 and a second image that is an image pre-stored in the plurality of communication devices 100, a display control unit 17 that causes the display unit 13 to display the first image and the second image at different times, and an operation unit 15 that can change between a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed. The display control unit 17 is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state in response to an operation by the operation unit 15 when the communication devices 100 are connected to each other.

[0058] According to the videophone system 1 having such a configuration, when the communication devices 100 are connected to each other, the first display state and the second display state can be changed simply by operating the operation unit 15, which has the advantage that even elderly people and people who are not good at operating machines can easily make a videophone call. Also, because a videophone call can be started simply by operating the operation unit 15, there is no need to wait for a connection of the communication device 100 used by the other party to the videophone call or to get the other party's confirmation or response that accompanies a videophone call, so there is also the advantage that a videophone can be made easily at any time.

[0059] In addition, if a user attempting to make a video call is unable to perform the login or connection operations, another user does not have to perform the login or connection operations on behalf of the user, which has the advantage of reducing the burden on the other users. Furthermore, in the video phone system 1 according to this embodiment, since the second image is an image of a door, which is a familiar image in everyday life, there is also the advantage that the user does not feel isolated or lonely even when the other party on the video call is not displayed on the display unit 13.

[0060] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when a video call is made between a patient and their family, this is particularly useful because, depending on the patient's condition, the patient may not be able to perform input operations related to logging in or connecting, or the patient may feel lonely because they can only meet for a limited time, such as when visiting the patient.

[0061] Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 17 is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state using animation. Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, the animation is an animation of opening and closing a door. The videophone system 1 having such a configuration has the advantages that the operation method for opening and closing a door can be intuitively understood by anyone, from children to the elderly, without prior explanation of the operation method, and that it is playful and has excellent design.

[0062] Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, at least one of the plurality of communication devices 100 further includes an illuminance detection unit 16 that detects ambient illuminance, and the communication device 100 having the illuminance detection unit 16 is configured to transmit illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit 16 to the other communication devices 100, and the other communication devices 100 that have received the illuminance data are configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 based on the received illuminance data in the second display state. The videophone system 1 having such a configuration has the advantage that, in the second display state, i.e., in a state in which the other party of the videophone call is not displayed on the display unit 13, it is possible to check whether the other party of the videophone call is available for videophone communication.

[0063] Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, the other communication device 100 that has received the illuminance data is configured to change the brightness of the display unit 13 as the display mode of the display unit 13. According to the videophone system 1 having such a configuration, in the second display state, the brightness of the door displayed on the display unit 13 changes according to the brightness of the person on the other end of the videophone call, which has the advantage of allowing a sense of daily life even when the person on the other end of the videophone call is not displayed on the display unit 13. Furthermore, as described above, this is particularly useful when a videophone call is made between a patient and his / her family, because the patient may feel lonely because he / she is alone in his / her hospital room, for example.

[0064] [Variations] The videophone system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0065] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 17 is described as changing the first display state and the second display state by an animation of a door opening and closing, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the configuration may simply change whether the second image is displayed or not.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that at least one of the multiple communication devices 100 has an illuminance detection unit 16, but this is not limited to this, and the communication device 100 may be configured not to have an illuminance detection unit 16.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication device 100 is described as being configured to change the brightness of the display unit 13 as the display mode of the display unit 13, but this is not limited to this. For example, the communication device 100 may display a sun icon, a moon icon, or the like as the display mode of the display unit 13, so that a user using the communication device 100 that has received illuminance data can determine the state of the user using the communication device 100 that transmitted the illuminance data.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 15 has been described as having the second operation unit 15b and the third operation unit 15c, but this is not limited to this, and the operation unit 15 may be configured to have only one of the second operation unit 15b and the third operation unit 15c, or may not have the second operation unit 15b or the third operation unit 15c.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the videophone system 1 has been described as being used to make videophone calls between a patient and the patient's family, but it is not limited to this and may be used, for example, to make videophone calls between a patient and the patient's friend, or to make videophone calls between a patient, a family member, and a hospital staff member such as a doctor, or to make videophone calls between a care recipient residing in a nursing facility and the care recipient's family, or for other purposes.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 17 is described as being configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 based on the illuminance data received by the communication unit 12 in the second display state, but in addition to or instead of this, the following configuration may be provided: That is, at least one communication device 100 of the multiple communication devices 100 may have a human detection unit that detects people present in the vicinity, the communication device 100 having the human detection unit may be configured to transmit human detection data detected by the human detection unit to the other communication devices 100, and the display control unit 17 of the other communication devices 100 that have received the human detection data may be configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 in the second display state based on the received human detection data.

[0071] Furthermore, as a display mode, for example, the display control unit 17 may be configured to change whether to display or hide an image of a human silhouette on the display unit 13. Specifically, the display control unit 17 may be configured to display an image of a human silhouette on the display unit 13 when it determines from the received human detection data that a person exists around the communication device 100 that transmitted the human detection data (see FIG. 8), and may be configured to not display an image of a human silhouette on the display unit 13 when it determines that a person does not exist around the communication device 100 that transmitted the human detection data.

[0072] In this case, the human detection unit may be the image capture unit 10 or a human presence sensor. In addition, in this specification, “human detection data” is data indicating whether or not a human is present around the communication device 100.

[0073] Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configuration, the display control unit 17 may also have the following configuration. That is, the display control unit 17 may be configured to change the second display state to the first display state after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) was operated, and may be configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 according to the time lapse from the second display state to the first display state. With such a configuration, even if the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated in the second display state, a videophone call is not started immediately, which has the advantage of preventing a user who is not operating the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) from being surprised and improving the protection of the user's privacy.

[0074] Specifically, display control unit 17 may be configured to display a fifth image on display unit 13 when operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated in the second display state, and to hide the fifth image and change to the first display state after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) was operated (since the fifth image was displayed). That is, in this configuration, display unit 13 is configured to be able to display the fifth image.

[0075] Here, the "fifth image" is an animated image that shows the time lapse from when the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated to when the display state is changed from the second display state to the first display state. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the fifth image is, for example, an animated image of a timer, and preferably an animated image of a timer and a human figure. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the animated image of the human figure is an animated image that moves left and right while the animated image of the timer is displayed.

[0076] The fifth image is not limited to an animated image of a timer, but may be, for example, an animated image of a lamp gradually blinking, an animated image of a countdown, or any other animated image.

[0077] Furthermore, the display control unit 17 has been described as changing the display mode of the display unit 13 by displaying the fifth image on the display unit 13, but this is not limited to this. For example, the display mode of the display unit 13 may be changed by displaying a message on the display unit 13 indicating the time elapsed until the display state is changed from the second display state to the first display state (for example, "A video call will start in 10 seconds.").

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the second display state, when the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated, the display control unit 17 may be configured to display on the display unit 13, in addition to the fifth image, an image (hereinafter referred to as the "sixth image") captured by the capture unit 10 of the communication device 100 whose operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated, and to hide the fifth image and sixth image and change to the first display state after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) was operated (since the fifth image and the sixth image were displayed).

[0079] This configuration has the advantage that it is possible to confirm which user is about to start a video call before the video call is started. For example, when the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) of the patient communication device 100A provided in the hospital room HRA is operated, the patient's family can confirm whether it is the patient or the nurse who has operated the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a).

[0080] The sixth image may be displayed only on the display unit 13 of the communication device 100 whose operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is not being operated, or may be displayed on both the display unit 13 of the communication device 100 whose operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is being operated and the display unit 13 of the communication device 100 whose operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is not being operated, but it is preferable that it be displayed on both.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that videophone calls can be made between a plurality of communication devices 100, but in addition to this, a configuration may be adopted in which messages can be exchanged between a plurality of communication devices 100. In other words, each communication device 100 may have a message function.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that videophone calls can be made between a plurality of communication devices 100, but in addition to this, a configuration may be adopted in which advertisements are delivered to the display unit 13. Specifically, advertisements may be delivered to the display unit 13 in the second display state.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 17 is described as causing the display unit 13 to display the third image (i.e., simultaneously display the second image and the third image) when the operation unit 15 (second operation unit 15b) is operated in the second display state. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 17 may change the first display state to the second display state and cause the display unit 13 to display the third image when the operation unit 15 (second operation unit 15b) is operated in the first display state. That is, the display control unit 17 may switch from the first image to the second image and simultaneously display the second image and the third image on the display unit 13 when the operation unit 15 (second operation unit 15b) is operated in the first display state. With this configuration, the second image and the third image can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit 13 in the first display state without requiring operation by the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a), which has the advantage of improving user convenience.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the initial connection of each communication device 100 may be performed using a matrix two-dimensional code. Specifically, the display control unit 17 of the patient communication device 100A may be configured to display a matrix two-dimensional code on the display unit 13, and the imaging unit 10 of the family communication device 100B may be configured to read the matrix two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A, thereby allowing the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B to be communicatively connected to each other. This eliminates the need for a login operation, which is a required operation in conventional videophone methods, thereby reducing the burden on the user and providing the advantage that even elderly people and people who are not good at operating machines can easily make videophone calls.

[0085] The patient communication device 100A is configured to automatically display a matrix type two-dimensional code when started up, and the family communication device 100B is configured to automatically start up the imaging unit 10 when started up, but this is not limited to this.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 17 has been described as changing the brightness of the display unit 13 based on the illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit 16 of the other communication device 100. However, in addition to this, the display control unit 17 may be configured to change the brightness of the display unit 13 based on the illuminance data detected by its own illuminance detection unit 16. More specifically, the display control unit 17 brightens the display unit 13 when the surroundings of its own communication device 100 are bright, and darkens the display unit 13 when the surroundings of its own communication device 100 are dark.

[0087] This has the advantage that, for example, when the surroundings of one's own communication device 100 are dark and the surroundings of another communication device 100 are bright, the display unit 13 of one's own communication device 100 will not become brighter but will become dark, thereby preventing the user from feeling dazzled.

[0088] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1: Videophone system 10: Photography Department 11: Audio input section 12: Communications Department 13: Display section 14: Audio output section 15:Operation unit 15a: 1st operation part 15b: 2nd operation section 15c: 3rd operation section 16: Illuminance detection unit 17: Display control section 18: Volume control section 19: Operation control section 20: Storage section 100: Communication equipment

Claims

1. a plurality of communication devices connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other; the plurality of communication devices, an imaging unit capable of imaging an object to be imaged; a communication unit that transmits image data captured by the imaging unit to another communication device and receives image data captured by the other communication device from the other communication device; a display unit capable of displaying a first image, which is an image captured by the other communication device, and a second image, which is an image of the door stored in advance in the plurality of communication devices; a display control unit that causes the first image and the second image to be displayed on the display unit at different times; an operation unit capable of switching between a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed; and The display control unit is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state in response to an operation by the operation unit when the communication devices are connected to each other. A videophone system characterized by:

2. The display control unit is configured to change the first display state and the second display state using animation.

2. The videophone system according to claim 1.

3. The animation is an animation of a door opening and closing.

3. The videophone system according to claim 2.

4. At least one of the plurality of communication devices further includes an illuminance detection unit that detects ambient illuminance, the communication device having the illuminance detection unit is configured to transmit illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit to another communication device, The other communication device that has received the illuminance data is configured to change the display mode of the display unit based on the received illuminance data in the second display state.

4. The videophone system according to claim 1, wherein the videophone system is a videophone system.

5. The other communication device that has received the illuminance data is configured to change the luminance of the display unit as the display mode of the display unit.

5. The videophone system according to claim 4.

6. the display control unit is configured to change the second display state to the first display state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation unit was operated, The display control unit is configured to change the display mode of the display unit in accordance with the elapsed time until the display state is changed from the second display state to the first display state.

4. The videophone system according to claim 1, wherein the videophone system is a videophone system.

7. A videophone method for conducting a videophone call between a plurality of communication devices connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network, comprising: Photographing an object to be photographed by each of the plurality of communication devices; Transmitting the captured image data to another communication device, and receiving the image data captured by the other communication device from the other communication device; a first image, which is an image captured by the other communication device, and a second image, which is an image of the door pre-stored in the plurality of communication devices, are displayed at different times; In a state where the communication devices are connected to each other, a first display state in which the first image is displayed and a second display state in which the second image is displayed can be changed. A videophone method comprising:

Images