JP7793773B2 - Videophone system and videophone method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a videophone system and a videophone method for conducting videophone calls between multiple communication devices.

Videophone systems for conducting videophone calls between multiple communication devices have been known for some time (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-087522

Conventional videophone systems, including the videophone system described in Patent Document 1, require users to log in to and connect to the videophone system as a prerequisite. Furthermore, connecting to a videophone system basically requires the caller to make a call (operation) and the recipient to respond (operation). However, elderly people and those who are not good at operating machines face the problem of difficulty in performing login and connection operations and remembering the procedures for login and connection operations. Furthermore, some individuals, due to dementia, physical disabilities, etc., are unable to make calls (operations), let alone perform simple responses (operations).

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a videophone system and a videophone method that allow users to make videophone calls with simple operations.

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. The plurality of communication devices each have a photographing unit capable of photographing a subject, 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 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.

In the videophone system of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit is configured to change between the first display state and the second display state using animation.

In the videophone system of the present invention, the animation may be an animation of opening and closing a door.

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 receives 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.

In the videophone system of the present invention, the other communication device that receives the illuminance data may be configured to change the brightness of the display unit as the display mode of the display unit.

The videophone method of the present invention is a videophone method for conducting videophone calls between multiple communication devices connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other, and is characterized in that the multiple communication devices each take an image of a subject to be photographed, transmit the image data of the image to another communication device, receive the image data photographed by the other communication device from the other communication device, and simultaneously display a first image, which is an image photographed by the other communication device, and a second image, which is an image of the subject pre-stored in the multiple 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.

The videophone system and videophone method of the present invention enable users to make videophone calls with simple operations.

1 is a block diagram showing a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a videophone system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit according to the present embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an operation for changing between a first display state and a second display state, in which FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the first display state and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the second display state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a third image is displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment. 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. 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. 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. 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.

The following describes preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention, using the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the inventions claimed in the claims, and not all 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.

[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.

The videophone system 1 may be a videophone system for making videophone calls between two communication devices 100, or a videophone system for making videophone calls between three or more communication devices 100. Figure 1 shows, as an example, a videophone system for making videophone calls between two communication devices 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the multiple communication devices 100 has an imaging unit 10 capable of imaging the subject to be imaged, an audio input unit 11 to which ambient audio is input, and a communication unit 12 capable of sending and receiving data with other communication devices 100. In this embodiment, the "subject to be imaged" refers to the user making the video call, the user's background, etc.

The communication unit 12 is configured to transmit image data captured by the image capture unit 10, audio data input to the audio input unit 11, operation signals corresponding to each operation of the operation unit 15 (described below), and illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit 16 (described below) 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 each operation of the operation unit 15 (described below) of the other communication device 100, and illuminance data detected by the other communication device 100 from the other communication device 100.

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.

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 pre-stored in multiple communication devices 100. Examples of door images include an image of a sliding door or an image of a hinged door. The "third image" is an image pre-stored in multiple communication devices 100, and is an image indicating that the first operation unit 15a, described below, is in a locked state. As shown in FIG. 6, an example of the third image is an image of a lock. The "fourth image" is an image pre-stored in multiple communication devices 100, and is an image indicating that a user using another communication device 100 is being called. As shown in FIG. 7, an example of the fourth image is an image of a bell.

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

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 using 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 using the first operation unit 15a, and a third operation unit 15c for calling a user using another communication device 100.

The illuminance detection unit 16 is configured to detect the ambient illuminance in the second display state. The illuminance detection unit 16 may also be configured to detect the ambient illuminance throughout the first display state and the second display state.

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.

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, when the communication devices 100 are connected to each other, 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).

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. In other words, it is an animation that opens and closes the door (second image) displayed in the second display state.

In addition, in the second display state, the display control unit 17 is configured to change whether the third image is displayed on the display unit 13 in response to operation by the operation unit 15 (second operation unit 15b). Specifically, in the second display state, when the second operation unit 15b is operated, the display control unit 17 is configured to simultaneously display the second image and the third image on the display unit 13 (see FIG. 6), and when the second operation unit 15b, which has been operated to display the third image, is operated again, the display control unit 17 is configured to hide the third image and display only the second image.

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 displaying the fourth image on the display unit 13, the display control unit 17 is configured to display, on the display unit 13, the time at which the operation unit 15 (third operation unit 15c) was operated, along with the fourth image (see FIG. 7).

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

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 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 this 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.

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. In other words, when the operation unit 15 of one's own communication device 100 is operated, 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, and when the operation unit 15 of another communication device 100 is operated, the display control unit 17 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.

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 brightness of the display unit 13 as the display mode of the display unit 13. For example, the display control unit 17 brightens the display unit 13 when the surroundings of the other communication device 100 are bright, and darkens the display unit 13 when the surroundings of the other communication device 100 are dark.

From this perspective, it is preferable that the second image be an image that allows the user of the communication device 100 to objectively recognize the brightness of the display unit 13 and the second image, and is preferably an image that mixes translucent and non-translucent portions, such as an image of a door with glass or an image of a shoji screen. In this case, it is preferable that the display control unit 17 change 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 it is preferable to change the brightness (brightness) or 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.

In the above-described embodiment, each communication device 100 is described as having an illuminance detection unit 16, but this is not limited thereto, and at least one of the multiple 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 receive 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 volume control unit 18 is configured to control the volume of the audio output unit 14 in response to a volume adjustment button (not shown). The volume control unit 18 is also configured to cause the audio output unit 14 to output a ring 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 ring 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 operation by the third operation unit 15c of one's own communication device 100 and operation by the third operation unit 15c of another communication device 100. In other words, the volume control unit 18 is configured so that, when the third operation unit 15c of the communication device 100 is operated, the volume control unit 18 causes 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, the volume control unit 18 causes 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.

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

In this embodiment, "in response to operation by the second operation unit" includes both operation by the second operation unit 15b of one's own communication device 100 and operation by the second operation unit 15b of another communication device 100. In other words, when the second operation unit 15b of one's own communication device 100 is operated, the operation control unit 19 is configured to change between the locked state and the unlocked state based on the second operation unit 15b of one's own communication device 100, and when the second operation unit 15b of another communication device 100 is operated, the operation control unit 19 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 operation unit 15b of the other communication device 100 has been operated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the communication device 100 may be a single device equipped with the imaging unit 10 to the memory unit 20, or may be a device in which at least one of the imaging unit 10 to the memory unit 20 is configured separately.

[Example of a communication device]
As an example of the communication device 100 according to this embodiment, a patient communication device 100A used by a patient hospitalized in a hospital and a family communication device 100B used by the patient's family 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.

[Configuration of patient communication device]
The patient communication device 100A is installed in a patient room HRA in a hospital where the 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. Note that 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 .

Also, as shown in Figure 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.

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

[Configuration of Family Communication Device]
The family communication device 100B is a tablet terminal and is installed in the home HA where the patient's family resides. The family communication device 100B may be a tablet terminal provided by 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.

In the family communication device 100B, the imaging 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 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.

Furthermore, 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.

In the family communication device 100B, the communication unit 12, display control unit 17, volume control unit 18, operation control unit 19, and memory unit 20 are provided within the 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 through the memory unit 20.

[Videophone method]
4 to 7, a videophone method using the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. 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.

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. As shown in FIG. 5(b), a second image is displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B. In other words, the display unit 13 is in the second display state, and the patient or the patient's family member can start a video call at any time by pressing the first operation unit 15a.

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 also detects the illuminance around the family communication device 100B and transmits the illuminance data to the patient communication device 100A. The display control units 17 of the patient communication devices 100A and 100B then change the brightness of the display unit 13 based on the received illuminance data.

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, the second image, a sliding screen, 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. In other words, the display state switches from the second display state to the first display state, allowing the patient and the patient's family to see each other's images.

Furthermore, in the first display state, when the patient or the patient's family operates the first operation unit 15a, the second image, a shoji screen, gradually closes 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 shoji 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 switches from the first display state to the second display state, and the patient and the patient's family can no longer see each other's images.

Furthermore, in the second display state shown in Figure 5(b), for example, if the patient operates the second operation unit 15b, a third image, a lock icon, is displayed along 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 Figure 6. At this time, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B cannot be operated to change 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.

When the patient then operates the second operation unit 15b again, the third image, the lock icon, 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) appears. At this time, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B can be operated to 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.

Furthermore, for example, in the second display state shown in FIG. 5(b), when the patient operates the third operation unit 15c, a fourth image, a bell icon, is displayed along 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). Furthermore, when the third operation unit 15c is operated, a ringtone 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, for example, the caller wants to see the other person's appearance when the caller cannot see the other person's image in the second display state or the like.

When the patient or patient's family member subsequently operates the third operation unit 15c, the fourth image, the bell icon, 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 Figure 5(b) appears. Note that operation using the third operation unit 15c may be performed in the first display state shown in Figure 5(a) (see Figure 7(b)), or in the locked state shown in Figure 6.

When the patient communication device 100A and/or the family communication device 100B are powered off, the video call ends. By restarting the powered-off patient communication device 100A or the family communication device 100B, the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B are once again 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.

[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 has 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 first image and the second image to be displayed on the display unit 13 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.

With the videophone system 1 having this configuration, when 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 videophone calls. Furthermore, because a videophone call can be started simply by operating the operation unit 15, there is no need to wait for the communication device 100 used by the other party to connect or to receive confirmation or a response from the other party, which is usually required for a videophone call, so there is also the advantage that videophone calls can be made easily at any time.

Another advantage is that 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 their behalf, thereby reducing the burden on other users. Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, the second image is an image of a person, which is a familiar image in everyday life, so there is also the advantage that even if the other party on the video call is not displayed on the display unit 13, the user does not feel isolated or lonely.

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 the input operations related to logging in or connecting, or the patient may feel lonely because they can only meet with their family for a limited time, such as when visiting them.

In addition, 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. With a videophone system 1 having such a configuration, anyone from children to the elderly can intuitively understand how to open and close a door without having to be explained how to operate it beforehand, and this has the advantage of being playful and having excellent design.

In addition, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, at least one of the multiple 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 receive 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. A videophone system 1 having this configuration has the advantage that, in the second display state, i.e., when 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.

Furthermore, in the videophone system 1 according to this embodiment, the other communication device 100 that receives 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 depending on the brightness of the person on the other end of the videophone call, which has the advantage of providing a sense of daily life even when the person on the videophone call is not displayed on the display unit 13. Furthermore, as mentioned above, this is particularly useful when a videophone call is made between a patient and their family, as the patient may feel lonely because they are alone in their hospital room, for example.

[Modification]
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.

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

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.

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, etc. 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 a user using the communication device 100 that transmitted the illuminance data.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 15 is described as having a second operation unit 15b and a third operation unit 15c, but this is not limited to this, and the configuration may include only one of the second operation unit 15b and the third operation unit 15c, or may not include the second operation unit 15b or the third operation unit 15c.

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

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 in the second display state based on the illuminance data received by the communication unit 12. However, in addition to or instead of this, the following configuration may also 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, and 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.

Furthermore, the display mode may be configured to change, for example, whether to display or hide an image of a human figure on the display unit 13. Specifically, the display control unit 17 may be configured to display an image of a human figure on the display unit 13 when it determines from the received human detection data that a person is present around the communication device 100 that transmitted the human detection data (see Figure 8), and not to display an image of a human figure on the display unit 13 when it determines that a person is not present around the communication device 100 that transmitted the human detection data.

In this case, the human detection unit may be the image capture unit 10 or a human presence sensor. Furthermore, in this specification, "human detection data" refers to data indicating whether or not a person is present around the communication device 100.

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 a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the operation of the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a), and may be configured to change the display mode of the display unit 13 depending on the time elapsed until the change from the second display state to the first display state. With this configuration, even if the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated in the second display state, a video call is not immediately initiated, 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 user privacy protection.

Specifically, the display control unit 17 may be configured to display a fifth image on the display unit 13 when the 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 the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) was operated (since the fifth image was displayed). In other words, in this configuration, the display unit 13 is configured to be able to display the fifth image.

Here, the "fifth image" is an animated image that shows the passage of time 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 Figures 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 Figures 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.

Note that the fifth image is not limited to an animated image of a timer. For example, it may be an animated image of a lamp gradually flashing, a countdown animation, or any other animated image.

Furthermore, although 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, this is not limited to this, and the display mode of the display unit 13 may be changed, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 13 indicating the elapsed time until the display state is changed from the second display state to the first display state (e.g., "A video call will start in 10 seconds.").

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated in the second display state, 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).

This configuration has the advantage of making it possible to confirm which user is initiating a video call before the video call begins. For example, when the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is operated on the patient communication device 100A installed in the hospital room HRA, the patient's family can confirm whether it was the patient or the nurse who operated the operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a).

The sixth image may be displayed only on the display unit 13 of a 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 a communication device 100 whose operation unit 15 (first operation unit 15a) is being operated and the display unit 13 of a 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.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that video calls can be made between multiple communication devices 100, but in addition to this, it is also possible to configure the communication devices 100 to be able to exchange messages between them. In other words, each communication device 100 may have a message function.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that video calls can be made between multiple communication devices 100, but in addition to this, a configuration may also 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.

In the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 17 is described as displaying a third image on the display unit 13 (i.e., simultaneously displaying 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 from the first display state to the second display state and display the third image on the display unit 13 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. This configuration has the advantage of improving user convenience, since 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).

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the initial connection of each communication device 100 may be performed using a two-dimensional matrix code. Specifically, the display control unit 17 of the patient communication device 100A may be configured to display a two-dimensional matrix code on the display unit 13, and the imaging unit 10 of the family communication device 100B may be configured to read the two-dimensional matrix code displayed on the display unit 13 of the patient communication device 100A, thereby connecting the patient communication device 100A and the family communication device 100B so that they can communicate with 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 those who are not good at operating machines can easily make videophone calls.

Note that 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.

In addition, 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 also have the following configuration. That is, 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.

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 darker, thereby preventing the user from feeling dazzled.

It is clear from the claims that such modifications are included within the scope of the present invention.

1: Videophone system 10: Image capture unit 11: Audio input unit 12: Communication unit 13: Display unit 14: Audio output unit 15: Operation unit 15a: First operation unit 15b: Second operation unit 15c: Third operation unit 16: Illuminance detection unit 17: Display control unit 18: Volume control unit 19: Operation control unit 20: Storage unit 100: Communication device

Claims (3)

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 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 is configured to change 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;
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. 2. The videophone system according to claim 1 , wherein 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. 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 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 is configured to change 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;
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.