U.S. patent application number 09/731990 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-12 for information processing apparatus and method and display control apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Oba, Haruo, Sawai, Kunihito.
Application Number | 20010000249 09/731990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 13610003 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oba, Haruo ; et al. |
April 12, 2001 |
Information processing apparatus and method and display control
apparatus and method
Abstract
The invention is intended to allow a plurality of users to share
a single apparatus while securing the privacy of each user. A
terminal is made portable and detachable from a base. Data exchange
by radio is made possible between the base and the terminal, and
E-mail or facsimile data that is received by the base through a
telephone circuit is stored in the terminal. A user can remove the
terminal from the base and carry it to his room, and can display a
stored E-mail message or facsimile data there.
Inventors: |
Oba, Haruo; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Sawai, Kunihito; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles L. Hamilton
Limbach & Limbach L.L.P.
2001 Ferry Building
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
13610003 |
Appl. No.: |
09/731990 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09731990 |
Dec 7, 2000 |
|
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09037217 |
Mar 10, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/412.1 ;
348/E7.081; 455/557; 455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/27475 20200101;
H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04M 1/2747 20200101; H04N 21/42206
20130101; G06F 21/6245 20130101; H04M 2250/14 20130101; H04N
21/42209 20130101; H04M 1/27453 20200101; H04N 21/42212 20130101;
H04N 2201/0055 20130101; H04M 1/576 20130101; H04M 1/72445
20210101; H04N 7/147 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101; H04L 51/00
20130101; H04M 1/72403 20210101; H04M 1/72412 20210101; H04N
2201/0089 20130101; H04M 1/7243 20210101; H04M 1/725 20130101; H04N
1/00538 20130101; H04N 1/32523 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/412 ;
455/566; 455/557 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 1997 |
JP |
P09-076606 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first member
to be located at a given position, the first member comprising:
communicating means for communicating with a telephone network;
supplying means for supplying power to a second member; and first
exchanging means for exchanging data wirelessly with the second
member; and the second member being portable and detachable from
the first member, the second member comprising: second exchanging
means for exchanging data wirelessly with the first member;
processing means for processing data that is supplied from the
first member; display means for performing a prescribed display;
and input means for allowing a prescribed input.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising a cordless telephone that is detachable from the
first member.
3. An information processing method of an information processing
apparatus comprising a first member to be located at a given
position and a second member being portable and detachable from the
first member, the information processing method comprising in the
first member: a communicating step of communicating with a
telephone network; a supplying step of supplying power to a second
member; and a first exchanging step of exchanging data wirelessly
with the second member, the information processing method further
comprising in the second member: a second exchanging step of
exchanging data wirelessly with the first member; a processing step
of processing data that is supplied from the first member; a
display step of performing a prescribed display; and an input step
of allowing a prescribed input.
4. An information processing apparatus comprising: storing means
for storing information that is received through a telephone
network; selection means constituted of symbols displayed on a
display device, and selected by a plurality of users, respectively,
to identify themselves in reading out a desired one from among
pieces of information directed to the users that are stored in the
storing means; and output means for reading out, when one symbol of
the selection means is selected, a piece of information
corresponding to the selected symbol from among the pieces of
information stored in the storing mean, and for outputting the
read-out piece of information.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the respective symbols constituting the selection means
have different colors.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
further comprising discriminating means for indicating, when
information directed to a user has been stored in the storing
means, that information directed to the user is stored in the
storing means.
7. An information processing method comprising: a storing step of
storing information that is received through a telephone network; a
preparing step of preparing a plurality of symbols corresponding to
a plurality of users, respectively, so that a selection can be made
from among the symbols for the users to identify themselves in
reading out a desired one from among pieces of information directed
to the users that are stored in the storing step; and an output
step of reading out, when one symbol is selected, a piece of
information corresponding to the selected symbol from among the
pieces of information stored in the storing step, and outputting
the read-out piece of information.
8. An information processing apparatus comprising: storing means
for storing E-mail addresses and telephone numbers of a plurality
of persons to be accessed through a telephone network; manipulation
means to be manipulated in accessing a desired person through the
telephone network; first display means for displaying, when an
instruction to access a certain person by E-mail is made, a
correlation table of the E-mail addresses and the telephone numbers
of the respective persons and information necessary to transmit
E-mail at the same time; second display means for displaying, when
an instruction to access a certain person by telephone, a
correlation table corresponding to that displayed by the first
display means and information necessary for access by telephone at
the same time; and accessing means for accessing, when one person
is selected from the correlation table, the selected person through
the telephone network.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the information displayed by the first display means is a
message to be transmitted by E-mail.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the information displayed by the second display means is an
image of the accessed person.
11. An information processing method comprising: a storing step of
storing E-mail addresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of
persons to be accessed through a telephone network; a manipulation
step in which a manipulation is made in accessing a desired person
through the telephone network; a first display step of displaying,
when an instruction to access a certain person by E-mail is made, a
correlation table of the E-mail addresses and the telephone numbers
of the respective persons and information necessary to transmit
E-mail at the same time; a second display step of displaying, when
an instruction to access a certain person by telephone, a
correlation table corresponding to that displayed by the first
display means and information necessary for access by telephone at
the same time; and an accessing step of accessing, when one person
is selected from the correlation table, the selected person through
the telephone network.
12. A display control apparatus for controlling display of
information on a display device, comprising: first display means
for displaying first information necessary to access a certain
person who is determined by an E-mail address; second display means
for displaying second information necessary to access a certain
person who is determined by a telephone number; first manipulation
means to be displayed together with the first information and to be
manipulated in making a transition from a state that the first
information is displayed to a state that the second information is
displayed; and second manipulation means to be displayed together
with the second information and to be manipulated in making a
transition from the state that the second information is displayed
to the state that the first information is displayed.
13. The display control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
each of the first and second manipulation means is a button
displayed on the display device.
14. A display control method for controlling display of information
on a display device, comprising: a first step of displaying first
information necessary to access a certain person who is determined
by an E-mail address; a second step of displaying second
information necessary to access a certain person who is determined
by a telephone number; a third step of displaying, together with
the first information, a first manipulation portion to be
manipulated in making a transition from a state that the first
information is displayed to a state that the second information is
displayed; and a fourth step of displaying, together with the
second information, a second manipulation portion to be manipulated
in making a transition from the state that the second information
is displayed to the state that the first information is displayed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. 1. Field of the Invention
2. The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus and method and a display control apparatus and method. In
particular, the invention relates to an information processing
apparatus and method and a display control apparatus and method
which enable a single apparatus to be shared by, for instance, a
plurality of family members in a home while a certain level of
privacy is secured.
3. 2. Description of the Related Art
4. Networks as typified by the Internet have spread in recent years
and transmission of a message to a desired person is now commonly
done by E-mail or facsimile in not only places of work but also
homes.
5. Conventionally, in each home, a received facsimile message or
E-mail is displayed on a television receiver or a display device of
a personal computer.
6. However, where E-mail or a facsimile message is displayed on,
for instance, a television receiver, there is a problem that other
family members may be informed of a message that one family member
does not want them to know; that is, his privacy is not
secured.
7. Where a message received by E-mail or facsimile is displayed on
a television receiver, screen switching, screen division, or like
processing is needed to display the icon of an urgent facsimile
message or E-mail or view its contents on the television screen.
This causes a problem that a user cannot fully enjoy television
programs during such processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
8. An object of the present invention is to prevent such an event
that a user cannot fully enjoy television programs and to secure
the privacy of each family member.
9. The information processing apparatus according to the first
aspect of the present invention comprises a first member and a
second member. The first member comprises communicating means for
communicating with a telephone network; supplying means for
supplying power to the second member; and first exchanging means
for exchanging data wirelessly with the second member. The second
member comprises second exchanging means for exchanging data
wirelessly with the first member; processing means for processing
data that is supplied from the first member; display means for
performing a prescribed display; and input means for allowing a
prescribed input.
10. The information processing method according to the first aspect
of the present invention comprises, in the first member, a
communicating step of communicating with a telephone network; a
supplying step of supplying power to a second member; and a first
exchanging step of exchanging data wirelessly with the second
member. The information processing method further comprises, in the
second member, a second exchanging step of exchanging data
wirelessly with the first member; a processing step of processing
data that is supplied from the first member; a display step of
performing a prescribed display; and an input step of allowing a
prescribed input.
11. In the information processing apparatus and the information
processing method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, data is exchanged wirelessly between the first member
and the second member. Information is displayed on the second
member that is portable and detachable from the first member.
12. The information processing apparatus according to the second
aspect of the present invention comprises storing means for storing
information that is received through a telephone network; selection
means constituted of symbols displayed on a display device, and
selected by a plurality of users, respectively, to identify
themselves in reading out a desired one from among pieces of
information directed to the users that are stored in the storing
means; and output means for reading out, when one symbol of the
selection means is selected, a piece of information corresponding
to the selected symbol from among the pieces of information stored
in the storing mean, and for outputting the read-out piece of
information.
13. In the above information processing apparatus, a plurality of
symbols are provided to allow a plurality of users to identify
themselves. When one of the plurality of symbols is selected, a
piece of information corresponding to the selected symbol is read
out from the pieces of information stored in the storage
device.
14. The information processing method according to the second
aspect of the present invention comprises a storing step of storing
information that is received through a telephone network; a
preparing step of preparing a plurality of symbols corresponding to
a plurality of users, respectively, so that a selection can be made
from among the symbols for the users to identify themselves in
reading out a desired one from among pieces of information directed
to the users that are stored in the storing step; and an output
step of reading out, when one symbol is selected, a piece of
information corresponding to the selected symbol from among the
pieces of information stored in the storing step, and outputting
the read-out piece of information.
15. In the above information processing method, a plurality of
symbols corresponding to a plurality of users, respectively, are
prepared. When one of the plurality of symbols is selected, a piece
of information corresponding to the selected symbol is read out
from the pieces of information stored.
16. The information processing apparatus according to the third
aspect of the present invention comprises storing means for storing
E-mail addresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to
be accessed through a telephone network; manipulation means to be
manipulated in accessing a desired person through the telephone
network; first display means for displaying, when an instruction to
access a certain person by E-mail is made, a correlation table of
the E-mail addresses and the telephone numbers of the respective
persons and information necessary to transmit E-mail at the same
time; second display means for displaying, when an instruction to
access a certain person by telephone, a correlation table
corresponding to that displayed by the first display means and
information necessary for access by telephone at the same time; and
accessing means for accessing, when one person is selected from the
correlation table, the selected person through the telephone
network.
17. The information processing method according to the third aspect
of the present invention comprises a storing step of storing E-mail
addresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be
accessed through a telephone network; a manipulation step in which
a manipulation is made in accessing a desired person through the
telephone network; a first display step of displaying, when an
instruction to access a certain person by E-mail is made, a
correlation table of the E-mail addresses and the telephone numbers
of the respective persons and information necessary to transmit
E-mail at the same time; a second display step of displaying, when
an instruction to access a certain person by telephone, a
correlation table corresponding to that displayed by the first
display means and information necessary for access by telephone at
the same time; and an accessing step of accessing, when one person
is selected from the correlation table, the selected person through
the telephone network.
18. In the information processing apparatus and the information
processing method according to the third aspect of the present
invention, a correlation table of E-mail addresses and telephone
numbers of respective persons is displayed in each of a case of
accessing a certain person by E-mail and a case of accessing a
certain person by telephone.
19. The display control apparatus according to the present
invention comprises first display means for displaying first
information necessary to access a certain person who is determined
by an E-mail address; second display means for displaying second
information necessary to access a certain person who is determined
by a telephone number; first manipulation means to be displayed
together with the first information and to be manipulated in making
a transition from a state that the first information is displayed
to a state that the second information is displayed; and second
manipulation means to be displayed together with the second
information and to be manipulated in making a transition from the
state that the second information is displayed to the state that
the first information is displayed.
20. The display control method according to the present invention
comprises a first step of displaying first information necessary to
access a certain person who is determined by an E-mail address; a
second step of displaying second information necessary to access a
certain person who is determined by a telephone number; a third
step of displaying, together with the first information, a first
manipulation portion to be manipulated in making a transition from
a state that the first information is displayed to a state that the
second information is displayed; and a fourth step of displaying,
together with the second information, a second manipulation portion
to be manipulated in making a transition from the state that the
second information is displayed to the state that the first
information is displayed.
21. In the display control apparatus and the display control method
according to the present invention, the manipulation portion to be
manipulated in making a transition to the other state is displayed
in each of a state that first information necessary to access a
certain person by using his E-mail address is displayed and a state
that second information necessary to access a certain person by
using his telephone number is displayed.
22. As described above, in the information processing apparatus and
the information processing method according to the first aspect of
the present invention, data is exchanged wirelessly between the
first and second members, information is displayed and a prescribed
input is allowed in the second member, and the second member is
portable. Therefore, it becomes possible for a plurality of users
to immediately check received information while the privacy of each
user is secured. There no longer occurs an event that the use of
other AV devices such as a television receiver is obstructed.
23. In the information processing apparatus according to the second
aspect of the present invention, a plurality of symbols are
allocated to a plurality of users, respectively. When one of the
plurality of symbols is selected, a piece of information
corresponding to the selected symbol is read out from the pieces of
information stored in the storage device and is then output.
Therefore, it becomes possible for the plurality of users to check
received information while the privacy of each user is secured.
24. In the information processing method according to the second
aspect of the present invention, a plurality of symbols
corresponding to a plurality of users, respectively, are prepared.
When one of the plurality of symbols is selected, a piece of
information corresponding to the selected symbol is read out from
the pieces of information stored and is then output. Therefore, it
becomes possible for the plurality of users to check received
information while the privacy of each user is secured.
25. In the information processing apparatus and the information
processing method according to the third aspect of the present
invention, a correlation table of E-mail addresses and telephone
numbers is commonly used in a case of accessing a certain person by
E-mail and a case of accessing a certain person by telephone.
Therefore, a process of exchanging data by E-mail and a process of
exchanging data by facsimile can be executed substantially without
discriminating those processes from each other, i.e., regarding
those processes as substantially the same kind of process.
26. In the display control apparatus and the display control method
according to the present invention, a manipulation for making a
transition to the other state is possible in each of a state that
first information is displayed and a state that second information
is displayed. Therefore, switching between access by telephone and
access by E-mail can be made quickly. For example, when absence of
a person to communicate with is found by calling him, switching to
access by E-mail can be made immediately. The ease of operation is
thus improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
27. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of
configuration of an information processing apparatus according to
the present invention;
28. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the information processing
apparatus in a state that a telephone 2 and a pen 4 are detached
therefrom;
29. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front-side structure of a
terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1;
30. FIG. 4 is a back view showing a back-side structure of the
terminal 3;
31. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a top-side structure of the
terminal 3;
32. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a bottom-side structure of the
terminal 3;
33. FIG. 7 is a right-hand side view showing a side structure of
the terminal 3;
34. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a front-side structure of the
telephone 2;
35. FIG. 9 is a left-hand side view showing a side structure of the
telephone 2;
36. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a front-side structure of a
base 1 shown in FIG. 1;
37. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a top-side structure of the base
1;
38. FIG. 12 shows a back-side structure of the information
processing apparatus in a state that the terminal 3 is mounted on
the base 1;
39. FIG. 13 shows a front-side structure of the information
processing apparatus in a state that the telephone 2 is mounted on
the base 1;
40. FIG. 14 shows a side structure of the information processing
apparatus in a state that the telephone 2 and the terminal 3 are
mounted on the base 1;
41. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of
the base 1, the telephone 2, and the terminal 3;
42. FIGS. 16 and 17 are a flowchart showing an operation of the
terminal 3;
43. FIGS. 18-24 are photographs of display examples on a LCD of the
terminal 3;
44. FIGS. 25-28 are a flowchart showing an operation of the
terminal 3 in a MAIL/TEL mode;
45. FIGS. 29-32 are photographs of display examples on the LCD of
the terminal 3;
46. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of home net
control in the terminal 3;
47. FIGS. 34 and 35 are photographs showing display examples on the
LCD of the terminal 3;
48. FIGS. 36 and 37 show how transitions occur between displayed
pictures in the terminal 3; and
49. FIG. 38 shows how the information processing apparatus of FIG.
1 is used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
50. Before description of an embodiment of the present invention,
to clarify a correlation between the means of the invention
described in the claims and the components of the embodiment, the
features of the invention will be described below in such a manner
that the respective means are followed, in parentheses, by the
corresponding components (just examples) of the embodiment.
Naturally this description does not mean that the respective means
are limited to the associated components.
51. The information processing apparatus according to the first
aspect of the present invention comprises a first member (for
instance, a base 1 shown in FIG. 1) and a second member (for
instance, a terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1). The first means comprises
communicating means (for instance, a modem 47 shown in FIG. 15) for
communicating with a telephone network; supplying means (for
instance, a charger 42 shown in FIG. 15) for supplying power to the
second member; and first exchanging means (for instance, an RF
transmission/reception section 46 shown in FIG. 15) for exchanging
data wirelessly with the second member. The second member comprises
second exchanging means (for instance, an RF transmission/reception
section 65 shown in FIG. 15) for exchanging data wirelessly with
the first member; processing means (for instance, a CPU 61 shown in
FIG. 15) for processing data that is supplied from the first
member; display means (for instance, an LCD 11 shown in FIG. 15)
for performing a prescribed display; and input means (for instance,
a touch panel 16 shown in FIG. 15) for allowing a prescribed
input.
52. The information processing apparatus according to the second
aspect of the present invention comprises storing means (for
instance, a storage device 64 shown in FIG. 15) for storing
information that is received through a telephone network; selection
means (for instance, symbols 103 shown in FIG. 18) constituted of
symbols displayed on a display device, and selected by a plurality
of users, respectively, to identify themselves in reading out a
desired one from among pieces of information directed to the users
that are stored in the storing means; and output means (for
instance, a CPU 61 shown in FIG. 15) for reading out, when one
symbol of the selection means is selected, a piece of information
corresponding to the selected symbol from among the pieces of
information stored in the storing mean, and for outputting the
read-out piece of information.
53. The information processing apparatus according to the present
invention further comprises discriminating means (for instance,
marks 102 shown in FIG. 18) for indicating, when information
directed to a user has been stored in the storing means, that
information directed to the user is stored in the storing
means.
54. The information processing apparatus according to the third
aspect of the present invention comprises storing means (for
instance, a storage means 64 shown in FIG. 15) for storing E-mail
addresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be
accessed through a telephone network; manipulation means (for
instance, a MAIL/TEL tab 131 shown in FIG. 23) to be manipulated in
accessing a desired person through the telephone network; first
display means (for instance, step S16 shown in FIG. 17) for
displaying, when an instruction to access a certain person by
E-mail is made, a correlation table of the E-mail addresses and the
telephone numbers of the respective persons and information
necessary to transmit E-mail at the same time; second display means
(for instance, step S16 shown in FIG. 17) for displaying, when an
instruction to access a certain person by telephone, a correlation
table corresponding to that displayed by the first display means
and information necessary for access by telephone at the same time;
and accessing means (for instance, a modem 47 shown in FIG. 15) for
accessing, when one person is selected from the correlation table,
the selected person through the telephone network.
55. The display control apparatus according to the present
invention comprises first display means (for instance, step S34
shown in FIG. 25) for displaying first information necessary to
access a certain person who is determined by an E-mail address;
second display means (for instance, step S42 shown in FIG. 25) for
displaying second information necessary to access a certain person
who is determined by a telephone number; first manipulation means
(for instance, a button 141A shown in FIG. 29) to be displayed
together with the first information and to be manipulated in making
a transition from a state that the first information is displayed
to a state that the second information is displayed; and second
manipulation means (for instance, a button 141B shown in FIG. 30)
to be displayed together with the second information and to be
manipulated in making a transition from the state that the second
information is displayed to the state that the first information is
displayed.
56. FIGS. 1-14 show an example of configuration of an information
processing apparatus according to the invention. As shown in these
figures, the information processing apparatus is basically composed
of a base 1, a cordless telephone 2 that is detachably mounted on
the base 1, and a terminal 3. The base 1 is placed on a desk, a
table, or the like. The terminal 3 is a portable one that can
easily be carried by hand when detached from the base 1.
57. As shown in FIG. 3, an LCD 11 having a touch panel 16 on its
front surface is provided at the front side of the terminal 3.
Being transparent, the touch panel 16 allows a user to see a
displayed image of the LCD 11 that is provided at the back side of
the touch panel 16. Provided above the LCD 11, a video camera 12
can photograph a user who is viewing the LCD 11. A microphone 15,
which is provided in the vicinity of the video camera 12, can pick
up voice of the user in this state. A speaker 13 is provided
outside the LCD 11 so as to allow the user who is viewing the LCD
11 to easily hear sound that is output from the speaker 13. A
plurality of buttons 14 to be manipulated to input basic
instructions to the terminal 3 are provided under the LCD 11.
58. As shown in FIG. 5, the top surface of the terminal 3 has, at
its left position, an insertion hole 21 where a pen 4 is to be
inserted. When the user does not use the pen 4, he insert it into
the insertion hole 21. When the user uses the pen 4, he can pick it
up from the insertion hole 21 and make a desired input to the touch
panel 16.
59. As shown in FIG. 8, the telephone 2 is provided with a speaker
32 and a microphone 33 at upper and lower positions, respectively.
Buttons 31 for input of numbers etc. are provided between the
speaker 32 and the microphone 33.
60. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the base 1 has recesses 1A and 1B
for accommodating the telephone 2 and the terminal 3,
respectively.
61. Although not shown in any of FIGS. 1-14, contacts for supplying
power from a charger 42 (see FIG. 15) of the base 1 to a secondary
battery 35 (see FIG. 15) that is incorporated in the telephone 2
are provided between the base 1 and the telephone 2. Similarly,
contacts for supplying power from the charger 42 of the base 1 to a
secondary battery 66 (see FIG. 15) of the terminal 3 are provided
between the base 1 and the terminal 3.
62. FIG. 15 shows an example of internal electrical configuration
of the base 1, the telephone 2, and the terminal 3. The base 1 is
provided with a microcomputer 45 having a CPU 43 and a memory 44.
The microcomputer 45 controls operations performed in the base 1.
An RF transmission/reception section 46 exchanges, by radio, data
with an RF transmission/reception section 65 of the terminal 3, an
AV controller 53, or a character input device 54. A power circuit
41 supplies power to the respective sections in the base 1 as well
as supplies charging power to a secondary battery 66 of the
terminal 3 and a secondary battery 35 of the telephone via a
charger 42.
63. A modem 47 performs interface processing of an communication
between a telephone circuit 51 and the microcomputer 45. An
interface 48 performs interface processing of data that is
exchanged between the external AV controller 53 and the
microcomputer 45 via an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers) 1394 bus 52.
64. In the telephone 2, the secondary battery 35 supplies power to
the respective sections. A control section 36 controls an RF
transmission/reception section 34 in accordance with an instruction
from buttons 31, and makes it exchange data with the RF
transmission/reception section 65 of the terminal 3 or the RF
transmission/reception section 46 of the base 1. A microphone 33
captures an audio signal originating from a user and outputs it to
the RF transmission/reception section 34. A speaker 32 outputs an
audio signal that is supplied from the RF transmission/reception
section 34.
65. The terminal 3 is provided with a microcomputer 63 having a CPU
61 and a memory 62. The microcomputer 63 controls various
operations performed in the terminal 3. The touch panel 16 captures
data that is input with the pen 4 and supplies the captured data to
the microcomputer 63. The microcomputer 63 executes various
processes in accordance with a manipulation signal from buttons 14
or an input from the RF transmission/reception section 65, and
makes the LCD 11 perform proper display and stores various
information in the memory 62 or a storage device 64.
66. Being a solid-state memory or a hard disk drive, the storage
device 64 stores an E-mail message and facsimile data that are
transmitted externally, audio data that is transmitted via the
telephone 2, and other data. The RF transmission/reception section
65 supplies the microcomputer 63 with data that is input, by radio,
from the RF transmission/reception section 46 of the base 1 or the
RF transmission/reception section 34 of the telephone 2, or data
that is input, by radio, from the AV controller 53. Further, the RF
transmission/reception section 65 can receive character data that
is transmitted by radio from the character input device 54.
67. When an ID card 71 is inserted in the terminal 3, the
microcomputer 63 can read it and thereby identify a user. Further,
the microcomputer 63 supplies data that is captured with the video
camera 12 or the microphone 15 to the RF transmission/reception
section 46 of the base 1, the RF transmission/reception section 34
of the telephone 2, or the AV controller 53 via the RF
transmission/reception section 65. The speaker 13 emits sound based
on an audio signal of a prescribed form that is input from the
microcomputer 63. The secondary battery 66 supplies necessary power
to the respective section of the terminal 3.
68. Next, an operation of the terminal 3 will be described with
reference to a flowchart of FIGS. 16 and 17. As soon as the power
of the terminal 3 is turned on, the CPU 61 executes a process of
automatically recording E-mail or facsimile data when it is
transmitted via the telephone circuit 51. Specifically, upon
reception of such data via the modem 47, the CPU 43 of the base 1
makes the RF transmission/reception section 46 transmit, by radio,
the received data to the RF transmission/reception section 65 of
the terminal 3. Upon reception of that data via the RF
transmission/reception section 65, the CPU 61 of the terminal 3
stores it in the storage device 64.
69. Whereas always executing the above process, the CPU 61 also
executes the process shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. At step S1, the CPU
61 executes a process of displaying a menu picture. Specifically,
the CPU 61 generates menu picture data as shown in FIG. 18, and
outputs it to the LCD 11 to make the LCD 11 display a menu picture.
A display example of FIG. 18 includes five symbols 103 that
symbolize the human shape. Names corresponding to the respective
symbols 103 are shown under the respective symbols 103. That is,
the symbols 103 are correlated with respective family members of a
home in which the information processing apparatus is used and the
names of the family members are shown under the respective symbols
103. The names are registered in the storage device 64 by a user by
manipulating the character input device 54 in each home.
70. In the display example of FIG. 18, the names Jon, Laura, Mike,
Jane, and Greg are allocated to the respective symbols 103 in order
from the left. The symbols 103 have different colors, for instance,
blue, green, gray, pink, and yellow in order from the left.
71. A window 101 is shown approximately at the center of the menu
picture, and various information that is exchanged via the
telephone circuit 51 is shown in the window 101. In this display
example, the information shown in the window 101 includes the
number (5) of received E-mail and the number of (2) of received
telephone calls (item "TEL"). In the information processing
apparatus, news delivery is made via the telephone circuit 51.
Whether delivery has been made is indicated by the item "WEB." In
this example, the item "WEB" is associated with characters "NON"
because no delivery has been made.
72. When recording is reserved with respect to a video tape
recorder (VTR) (not shown) that is connected the AV controller 53
via the IEEE 1394 bus 52, the details of the reservation are shown
at the item "VTR." In this display example, the reservation is such
that a broadcast program on the 86th channel will be recorded from
PM 4:30 to 5:00.
73. Further, assume a case that reservation of a ticket was
requested to a certain agent through the Internet, for instance. In
the display example of FIG. 18, if a reservation result of the
ticket has been transmitted from the agent through the Internet, it
is shown at the item "AGENT."
74. Marks 102 are shown at the right end of the window 101 in
association with each information. Each mark 102 has the same color
as the corresponding symbol 103. For example, if the two marks 102
located on the right of the item "E-Mail" have colors blue and
gray, it means that E-mail messages have been transmitted to Jon
and Mike who are given the blue and gray symbols 103, respectively,
and stored in the storage device 64. If the marks 102 located on
the right of the item "TEL" have colors pink and blue, it means
that telephone calls arrived that were directed to Jane and Jon who
are given the pink and blue symbols 103, respectively. If the mark
102 located on the right of the item "VTR" has a color yellow, it
means a reservation by Greg who is given the yellow symbol 103.
Similarly, if the mark 102 located on the right of the item "AGENT"
has a color green, it means that this information is directed to
Laura who is given the green symbol 103.
75. At step S2, the CPU 61 waits until reception of an input. When
a certain input is made, the process goes to step S3, where a
password input picture display process is executed. At this step,
the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a password input picture
that is exemplified in FIG. 19. Buttons 121 are shown at a lower
position of this picture. A user inputs his own password by
touching desired ones of the buttons 121. Naturally, the password
of each user (i.e., each symbol 103) has been input in advance and
registered in the storage device 64.
76. At step S4, the CPU 61 judges whether the password that has
been input by the user corresponds to the input that was made at
step S2. If the input password does not correspond to the input of
step S2, the process returns to step S1, where a menu picture is
again displayed.
77. For example, when a user touches the item "E-Mail" with the pen
4 in a state that the menu picture of FIG. 18 is displayed, E-mail
messages can be read out from the storage device 64. In this
example, only the E-mail messages directed to Jon and Mike who are
give the blue and gray symbols 103, respectively, have been
received at the present time. Therefore, to secure the users'
privacy, even if Laura, for instance, touches the item "E-Mail"
with the pen 4, no E-mail messages should be displayed as long as a
password that is input by her is not Jon's or Mike's password. To
this end, if it is judged at step S4 that the input password does
not correspond to the input of step S2, the process is prohibited
from going to the following steps.
78. In this example, if an instruction to read out E-mail
information is made at step S2 and Jon's or Mike's password is
input, the input password should correspond to the input of step
S2. If this is the case, the process goes to step S5, where it is
judged whether the item touched with the pen 4 at step S2 is a
person key (i.e., symbol 103). If the touched item is a symbol 103,
it means that the user intends to do something by using the
terminal 3. Therefore, the process goes to step S12.
79. If it is judged at step S5 that the touched item is not a
symbol 103, the process goes to step S6, where it is judged whether
the touched item is the item "WEB" (WEB key). If the touched item
is the WEB key, the process goes to step S7, where the CPU 61
executes a WEB picture display process. That is, the CPU 61 causes
the LCD 11 to display a picture as exemplified in FIG. 20 as a WEB
picture for accessing a given server through the Internet, for
instance.
80. If it is judged at step S6 that the touched item is not the WEB
key, the process goes to step S8, where it is judged whether the
touched item is the E-mail key. If it is judged that the touched
item is the E-mail key, the process goes to step S9, where a
MAIL/TEL picture display process is executed. That is, the CPU 61
causes the LCD 11 to display a MAIL/TEL picture as shown in FIG.
21. E-mail messages so far received are read out from the storage
device 64 and shown in this picture. More correctly, only E-mail
massages directed to the user (symbol 103) corresponding to the
input password are displayed. With this measure, the privacy of a
plurality of family members can be secured even in a case where the
terminal 3 is shared by them.
81. On the other hand, if it is judged at step S8 that the touched
item is not the E-mail key, the process goes to step S10, where it
is judged whether the touched item is the item "VTR" (VTR key). If
it is judged that the touched item is the VTR key, the process goes
to step S11, where a HOME NET picture display process is executed.
In this case, a HOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed
on the LCD 11.
82. If it is judged at step S10 that the touched item is not the
VTR key, it is judged which of the remaining keys was touched and a
process corresponding to a judgment result is executed.
83. On the other hand, if it is judged at step S5 that the a person
key (symbol 103) was touched on the menu picture, the process goes
to step S12 where the CPU 61 executes a function picture display
process. That is, the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a
function picture as exemplified in FIG. 23. The number (2) of
E-mail messages directed to the symbol 103 corresponding to the
password that was input to the window 101 and the number (1) of
telephone calls (item "TEL") directed to the same symbol 103 are
shown in this function picture. The display example of FIG. 23 is
of a case where the user of the blue symbol 103 input his password.
While in the menu picture of FIG. 18 the number of E-mail messages
is 5 and the number of telephone calls is 2 (the number of E-mail
messages or telephone calls directed to all family members and
stored in the storage device 64), the function picture of FIG. 23
shows the number of only the E-mail messages or telephone calls
directed to Jon who is given the blue symbol 103.
84. When a user wants to see, for instance, E-mail messages, he
touches the characters "E-Mail" (information key) shown in FIG. 23
with the pen 4. At step S13, the CPU 61 judges whether an
information key has been selected. If it is judged that an
information key has been selected, the process goes to step S14,
where the CPU 61 reads out information corresponding to the
selected information key and causes the LCD 11 to display it. For
example, when a user has selected the information key of "E-Mail",
the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a MAIL/TEL picture as shown
in FIG. 21 and show E-mail messages directed to Jon of the blue
symbol 103 (the E-mail messages shown in the display example of
FIG. 21 are not ones directed to Jon).
85. As shown in FIG. 23, three tabs 131 of "WEB," "MAIL/TEL," and
"HOME NET" are shown at the bottom. By selecting one of those tabs
131, a transition to the corresponding mode is effected. The tab
"WEB" is selected in the case of accessing a given server through
the Internet, for instance. The tab "MAIL/NET" is selected in the
case of transmitting E-mail or making a telephone call. The tab
"HOME NET" is selected in the case of controlling an electronic
device connected to the IEEE 1394 bus 52.
86. If it is judged at step S13 that no information key has been
selected, the process goes to step S15, where it is judged whether
any of the three tabs 131 has been selected. If it is judged none
of the tabs 131 have been selected, the process goes to step S12 to
repeat the ensuing process.
87. If it is judged at step S15 that one of the tabs 131 has been
selected, the process goes to step S16, where a transition to the
corresponding mode is made and a picture corresponding to the
selected tab 131 is displayed. For example, when the tab "WEB" has
been selected, the WEB mode is established and a WEB picture as
shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the LCD 11. When the tab
"MAIL/TEL" has been selected, the MAIL/TEL mode is established and
a MAIL/TEL picture as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. When the tab
"HOME NET" has been selected, the HOME NET mode is established and
a HOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed.
88. A button 142 as a home return key is shown at the top-right
corner of each of the displayed pictures of the three respective
modes shown in FIGS. 20-22. The button 142 is manipulated to return
to the menu picture in a state that one of the three modes is
established. Therefore, in a state that one of the pictures of
FIGS. 20-22 is displayed, it is judged at step S17 whether the home
return key (button 142) has been turned on. If it is judged that
the home return key has been turned on, the process returns to step
S1, where the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a menu picture as
shown in FIG. 18.
89. If it is judged at step S17 that the button 142 has not been
manipulated, the process goes to step S18, where it is judged
whether a tab key has been selected. As shown in FIGS. 20-22, three
tab keys 131 are shown in the picture of each mode. A transition to
another mode can be effected in each mode by selecting the
corresponding tab key. Among the three tabs 131, the tab of the
current mode is shown above the other tabs to allow a user to
recognize the current mode.
90. At step S18, it is judged whether any of the three tabs 131 has
been selected. If it is judged that one of the tabs 131 has been
selected, the process goes to step S16, where a transition to the
mode corresponding to the selected tab is made and a picture of the
selected mode is displayed.
91. If it is judged at step S18 that none of the tabs 131 have been
selected, the process goes to step S19, where it is judged whether
any of the other buttons (keys) has been selected. If it is judged
that none of the other buttons have been selected, the process
returns to step S17 to repeat the ensuing process. If it is judged
at step S19 that one of the other buttons has been selected, the
process goes to step S20, where a process corresponding to the
selected button is executed
92. For example, when a desired E-mail message is selected from the
list of previously received E-mail messages that is shown in a
window 201 in the MAIL/TEL picture of FIG. 21 by moving the cursor,
the information of the newly selected E-mail is shown in a bottom
window 202. FIG. 24 shows a state that the contents of another
E-mail is displayed. In the display example of FIG. 24, information
that has been received via facsimile is displayed in the window
202.
93. As described above, in the embodiment of the invention, the
E-mail information and the facsimile information are handled as
substantially the same type of information.
94. Next, the process of the MAIL/TEL mode will be described in
detail with reference to a flowchart of FIGS. 25-28. This process
is executed in a state that any of MAIL/TEL pictures shown in FIGS.
21-24 is displayed (i.e., in the MAIL/TEL mode).
95. First, at step S31, the CPU 61 judges whether an input for a
received mail selection process has been made. As described above,
this selection is done by selecting a desired one from the received
mail list shown in the window 201 of, for instance, FIG. 21 by
using the cursor. When a certain mail message has been selected,
the process goes to step S32, where the selected mail is read out
from the storage device 64 and displayed on the LCD 11. That is,
when another received mail message is selected in a state that a
certain received mail message is displayed as shown in FIG. 21, the
newly selected mail is displayed in the window 202 as shown in FIG.
24.
96. If it is judged at step S31 that none of the received mail
messages have been selected, the process goes to step S33, where it
is judged whether a mail button (for instance, a button 141B shown
in FIG. 21) has been selected. If the mail button has been
selected, the process goes to step S34, where a mail generation
picture display process is executed.
97. If it is judged that the mail button (button 141B) has not been
turned on, the process goes to step S41, where it is judged whether
a telephone button (for instance, a button 141A shown in FIG. 21)
has been turned on. The button 141A is manipulated in the case of
making a telephone call or receiving a call. If it is judged that
the button 141A has been turned on, the process goes to step S42,
where a video phone picture display process is executed.
98. On the other hand, if it is judged at step S41 that the button
141A has not been turned on, the process goes to step S43, where it
is judged whether any of the other ones of the buttons 141 shown in
FIG. 21 has been turned on. If it is judged that one of those
buttons has been turned on, the process goes to step S44, where a
process corresponding to the manipulated button is executed. If it
is judged that none of those buttons have been turned on, the
process returns to step S31 to repeat the ensuing process.
99. If it is judged at step S33 that the mail button 141B has been
turned on, the process goes to step S34, where the mail generation
picture display process is executed and a mail generation picture
as exemplified in FIG. 29 is displayed on the LCD 11. In the
display example of FIG. 29, a table stored in the storage device 64
and correlating E-mail addresses (URLs) with telephone numbers is
displayed in a window 211 together with the names of related
persons. A space where to input a title of mail to be transmitted
is displayed in a window 212 under the window 211. A space where to
input a body of the mail to be transmitted is displayed in a window
213 under the window 212.
100. In a state that this type of mail generation picture is
displayed, a user generates mail to be transmitted at step S35. For
example, when the user wants to write E-mail, for instance, he
inputs a title and a body by manipulating the character input
device 54. The characters thus input are transmitted by radio and
received by the RF transmission/reception section 65. Upon
reception of a signal of the input characters, the CPU 61 causes
the LCD 11 to display the text data at a proper position (window
212 or 213).
101. On the other hand, when the user wants to generate facsimile
mail, he causes the AV controller 53 to read out a document for
transmission with a scanner (not shown) and transmit data of the
read-out document to the RF transmission/reception section 65 by
radio. Alternatively, the AV controller supplies the data to the
base 1 via the IEEE 1394 bus 52 and the data is then transmitted
from the RF transmission/reception section 46 by radio and captured
by the RF transmission/reception section 65. The CPU 61 causes the
CPU 213 to display the facsimile image data thus captured.
102. At step S36, the user judges whether to transmit E-mail. If
E-mail is to be transmitted, the process goes to step S37, where
the user selects the mail address (URL) of a person to whom the
mail is to be sent from the correlation table shown in the window
211 of FIG. 29. This is done by moving the cursor to the
corresponding position. If the selection is made, the process goes
to step S38, where the CPU 61 executes a process of sending the
E-mail that was written at step S35 to the person (URL) that was
selected at step S37.
103. Specifically, the CPU 61 requests, via the RF
transmission/reception section 65, the CPU 43 of the base 1 to send
the E-mail and outputs the data of the E-mail to be sent. The CPU
43 of the base 1 captures the command and data via the RF
transmission/reception section 46 and controls the modem 47 to make
it access the person of the specified URL. The CPU 61 then causes
the modem 47 to send the E-mail to the person (URL) accessed.
104. If it is judged at step S36 that the mail to be sent is not
E-mail, it means that a facsimile message should be sent.
Therefore, the process goes to step S39, where the user selects the
telephone number of a person to whom a facsimile message is to be
sent from the correlation table shown in the window 211 of FIG. 29.
This is done also by moving the cursor to the position of the
telephone number of that person. When a telephone number has been
selected, the process goes to step S40, where the CPU 61 executes a
process of sending the facsimile document that was generated at
step S35 to the facsimile machine of the telephone number that was
specified at step S39. Also in this case, the CPU 61 supplies a
transmission command and data to the base 1 via the RF
transmission/reception section 65. In the base 1, the CPU 43
receives the command and data via the RF transmission/reception
section 46 and controls the modem 47 to make it transmit the
facsimile data to the specified person via the telephone circuit
51.
105. On the other hand, if it is judged at step S41 that the button
141A (telephone button) shown in FIG. 21 has been turned on, the
process goes to step S42, where a video phone picture display
process is executed and a video phone picture as exemplified in
FIG. 30 is displayed on the LCD 11. In this display example, a
screen for displaying an image of a person to talk with is
displayed in a top window 221 and a table indicating a correlation
among names of persons, mail addresses, and telephone numbers is
displayed in a window 222. The correlation table displayed in the
window 22 is the same as that displayed in the window 211 of FIG.
29.
106. While in the picture of FIG. 29 for generating E-mail or a
facsimile document the correlation table is displayed at the top
position, in the picture of FIG. 30 for telephone conversation the
correlation table is displayed at the bottom position. The reason
for this arrangement is as follows. With the picture of FIG. 30, a
user talks with the other person by telephone while watching his
image that is displayed in the window 221. If the window 221 in
which to display an image of the other person were is located at
the bottom position (if the window 222 for the correlation table
were located at the top position, the user would have
downward-directed eyes in his image that is taken by the video
camera 12 that is located at the top of the terminal 3. The
arrangement of FIG. 30 is employed to avoid this problem. That is,
by locating the window 221 in which to display the other person's
image close to the video camera 12, the user's image can be
captured with a proper angle.
107. In the state that the video phone picture is displayed in the
above manner, the process goes to step S45, where it is judged
whether a call from the other person has arrived. If it is judged
that a call has arrived, the process goes to step S47, where a call
arrival button (for example, a button 161A shown in FIG. 30) is
caused to flash, whereby the user can recognize call arrival. At
this time, the CPU 61 causes the speaker 13 to emit call arrival
sound. At step S48, the CPU 61 judges whether the button 161A (call
arrival button) has been turned on. If it is judged that the button
161A has not been turned on, the process returns to step S45 to
repeat the ensuing process. If it is judged at step S48 that the
button 161A (call arrival button) has been turned on, the process
goes to step S49, where the CPU 61 executes call arrival
process.
108. Specifically, the CPU 61 requests, via the RF
transmission/reception section 65, the CPU 43 of the base 1 to
execute a call arrival process. In response to this request, the
CPU 43 controls the modem 47 and makes it to execute the call
arrival process. As a result, the telephone circuit is closed.
109. When the telephone circuit has been closed, the process goes
to step S50, where the user start speaking by telephone. The CPU 61
supplies the user's voice that is captured with the microphone 15
to the base 1 via the RF transmission/reception section 65. The CPU
43 of the base 1 transmits the user's voice that is captured via
the RF transmission/reception section 46 to the other person via
the modem 47. Further, when receiving, via the modem 47, an audio
signal that is transmitted from the other person, the CPU 43
supplies it to the terminal 3 via the RD transmission/reception
section 46. In the terminal 3, the audio signal originating from
the other person is received by the RF transmission/reception
section 65 and output from the speaker 13.
110. When a video signal is transmitted from the other person
together with the audio signal, at step S51 an image of the other
person is displayed in the window 221. FIG. 31 shows a state that
an image of the other person is displayed in the window 221 in this
manner.
111. At step S52, the CPU 61 executes a self monitor display
process, whereby a self monitor where to display the user's own
image is displayed in a window 231. At step S53, the CPU 61 judges
whether a self-image display button (button 232 shown in FIG. 31)
in the window 231 has been turned on. The user turns on the button
232 when he wants to transmit his own image and have it displayed
in the window 221 of the terminal 3 of the other person. If it is
judged that the self-image display button 232 has been turned on,
the process goes to step S54, where a default image that has been
registered in advance in the storage device 64 is read out and
displayed in the window 231 as a self-image. With this measure, for
example, when the user receives an unexpected call and he does not
want to transmit his current image to the other person, he can
transmit an image that has been registered in advance in the
storage device 64. A registered image that is displayed first may
be an image corresponding to the input password.
112. The window 231 has a button 233 to change the image to be
displayed in the window 231 (i.e., the image to be transmitted to
the other person). At step S55, it is judged whether the button 233
has been turned on. If it is judged that the button 233 has been
turned on, the process goes to step S56, where the CPU 61 reads out
another image stored in the storage device 64 or captures a current
image of the user just taken by the video camera 12, and displays
the image in the window 231. FIG. 32 shows a display example in
this state. If it is judged at step S55 that the change button 233
has not been turned on, step S56 is skipped.
113. At step S57, it is judged whether a preset time has elapsed.
If the preset time has not elapsed yet, the process returns to step
S55 to repeat the ensuing process. If it is judged that the preset
time has elapsed, the process goes to step S58, where a process of
transmitting an image currently displayed in the window 231 to the
other person. That is, the CPU 61 transmits data of the image being
displayed in the window 231 to the base 1 via the RF
transmission/reception section 65. Upon reception of this image
data via the RF transmission/reception section 46, the CPU 43 of
the base 1 transmits it to the other person via the modem 47. The
user's image that is transmitted in this manner is displayed in the
window 221 of the terminal 3 of the other person.
114. At step S59, it is judged whether a button for finishing a
call (button 161B shown in FIG. 32) has been manipulated. If the
button 161B has not been manipulated, the CPU 61 waits until it is
manipulated. The user turns on the button 161B when he wants to
finish a call. Upon manipulation of the button 161B, the process
goes from step S59 to step S60, where the CPU 61 executes a process
of opening the telephone circuit. Then, the process returns to step
S31 to repeat the ensuing process.
115. If it is judged at step S53 that the self-image display button
232 has not been turned on, the process goes to step S59 skipping
steps S54-S58. That is, in this case, the user's registered image
is not transmitted to the other person and only a vocal
communication is performed.
116. On the other hand, if it is judged at step S45 that there is
no call arrival, the process goes to step S46, where it is judged
whether the mail button (button 141B shown in FIG. 30) has been
turned on. If it is judged that the mail button 141B has been
turned on, the process returns to step S34, where the mail
generation picture display process is executed. Then, the ensuing
process is executed. As described above, pictures for making a
telephone call or receiving a call (for instance, the picture of
FIG. 30) has the button 141B for making a transition to a picture
of generating mail, and pictures for generating mail (for instance,
the picture of FIG. 29) has the button 141A for making a transition
to a picture for making a telephone call or receiving a call.
Therefore, a transition from one kind of picture to the other kind
can be effected easily.
117. If it is judged at step S46 that the mail button 141B has not
been turned on, a process of making a telephone call to the other
person is executed at steps S61 onward.
118. In this case, at step S61, the user inputs the telephone
number of a person to call. This may be done by selecting, with the
cursor, a desired one of the preregistered telephone numbers from a
correlation table shown in the window 222 of FIG. 30 or
manipulating the character input device 54. If a certain telephone
number is input in this manner, the process goes to step S62, where
the CPU 61 executes the process of displaying a self monitor for
displaying a self-image. As a result, the window 231 as exemplified
in FIG. 31 is superimposed on the picture as shown in FIG. 30.
119. At step S63, it is judged whether a button 232 (self-image
display button) in the window 231 has been turned on. If it is
judged that the button 232 has not been turned on, the process goes
to step S64, where it is judged whether a call button (button 161A
in FIG. 30) has been turned on. If it is judged that the button
161A has not been turned on, the process returns to step S61 to
repeat the ensuing process.
120. If it is judged at step S63 that the button 232 in the window
231 has been turned on, the process goes to step S65, where the
registered picture display process is executed. That is, the CPU 61
reads out the default image that has been stored in advance in the
storage device 64 and has it displayed in the window 231. Also in
this case, the image corresponding to the input password is
displayed in the window 231. At step S66, it is judged whether the
button 233 in the window 231 has been turned on. If the button 233
has been turned on, the process goes to step S67, where the CPU 61
reads out another image that is stored in the storage device or an
image captured by the video camera 12. At step S65, the CPU 61
causes the thus-obtained image to be displayed in the window 231.
In this manner, when necessary, the user manipulates the change
button 233 to has a desired image displayed in the window 231. If
it is judged at step S66 that the change button 233 has not been
turned on, the process goes to step S64, where it is judged whether
a call button 161A has been turned on.
121. If it is judged at step S64 that the call button 161A has been
turned on, the process goes to step S68, where the CPU 61 executes
a process of calling the telephone number that was input at step
S61. Specifically, the CPU 61 requests, via the RF
transmission/reception section 65, the CPU 43 of the base 1 to
perform a calling operation. When receiving this request from the
CPU 61 via the RF transmission/reception section 46, the CPU 43
controls the modem 47 and makes it start an operation of calling
the specified telephone number.
122. At step S69, it is judged whether the other person has
responded. If it is judged that the other person has not responded
yet, the process goes to step S73, where it is judged whether the
finish button 161B has been turned on. If it is judged that the
finish button 161B has not been turned on, the process returns to
step S68 to continue the process of calling the other person. If it
is judged at step S73 that the finish button 141B has been turned
on, the process goes to step S74, where the calling operation is
stopped. Then, the process returns to step S45 to repeat the
ensuing process.
123. If it is judged at step S69 that the other person has
responded, the process goes to step S70, where a circuit closing
process is executed. A conversation by telephone is started at step
S71. At step S72, it is judged whether an image is displayed in the
self monitor (i.e., whether the button 232 is turned on). When the
user wants to transmit his image to the other person, he
manipulates the button 232 so that the image preregistered in the
storage device 64 or his own image currently captured by the video
camera 12 is displayed in the window 231. If an image is displayed
in the window 231 (i.e., if the self-image display button 232 is
turned on), the process goes to step S58, where a process of
transmitting the same image as displayed in the window 231 to the
other person is executed.
124. If it is judged at step S72 that the button 232 has not been
turned on, step S58 is skipped. Then, the process goes to step S59,
where the CPU 61 waits until the finish button 161B is turned on.
Is the finish button 161B has been turned on, the process goes to
step S60, where the circuit opening process is executed. Then, the
process returns to step S45.
125. It goes without saying that a user can make a telephone call
in an ordinary manner by using the telephone 2.
126. Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 33, a detailed
description will be made of the home net control that is performed
in a state that the HOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is
displayed. To control a desired device, at S101 a user performs a
manipulation of selecting the device to be controlled. For example,
the user selects, by moving the cursor, an AV device to be
controlled from among AV devices that are connected to each other
via the IEEE 1394 bus 52. If a desired device is selected, the
process goes to step S102, where the CPU 61 executes a process of
displaying control buttons for controlling the selected AV device.
FIG. 34 shows an example of control buttons 171 displayed on the
LCD 11. In this example, a television receiver (TV), a video
cassette recorder (VCR), and a digital video disc (DVD) are
selected as AV devices to be controlled and control buttons 171 are
displayed.
127. At step S103, the user selects a desired button from among the
buttons 171 that are displayed on an AV device basis as shown in
FIG. 34 and makes a control instruction. If one of the buttons 171
of the AV devices is manipulated, a process corresponding to the
manipulated control button 171 is executed at step S104.
128. At this time, the CPU 61 transmits a command corresponding to
the manipulated control button 171 to, for instance, the AV
controller 53 directly or via the base 1. When capturing the
command that is supplied by radio or via the IEEE 1394 bus 52, the
AV controller 53 controls the AV device in accordance with the
command. FIG. 35 shows an example of a picture that is displayed in
a case of receiving an image of the 120th channel with the
television receiver and recording it with the video cassette
recorder.
129. FIGS. 36 and 37 show how transitions occur between displayed
pictures shown in FIGS. 18-24, 29-32, and 34-35. As shown in these
figures, when a certain input is made in the menu picture of FIG.
18, the password input picture of FIG. 19 is displayed. If the WEB
key is selected and a password is input, the WEB picture of FIG. 20
is displayed. If a password is input in a state that the E-Mail key
is selected, the MAIL/TEL picture of FIG. 21 is displayed. If a
password is input in a state that the VTR key is selected, the HOME
NET picture of FIG. 22 is displayed.
130. If a password is input in a state that a symbol is selected,
the function picture of FIG. 23 is displayed. If the tab MAIL/TEL
is selected in the function picture of FIG. 23, the picture of FIG.
21 is displayed.
131. In each of the three modes of WEB, MAIL/TEL, and HOME NET
shown in FIGS. 20-22, a transition to another, desired mode can be
made by selecting the corresponding tab that is displayed in each
picture. Further, in each of these three modes, the process can
return to the menu picture of FIG. 18 when the home return key
(button 142) is selected.
132. If another received mail is selected in the MAIL/TEL picture
of FIG. 21, the contents of the newly selected mail are displayed
as shown in FIG. 24.
133. If the mail button 141B is selected in the MAIL/TEL picture of
FIG. 21, the mail generation picture is displayed as shown in FIG.
29. If the telephone button is selected in the mail generation
picture of FIG. 29, a transition to the video phone picture of FIG.
30 occurs. If the mail button 141B is selected in the video phone
picture of FIG. 30, the mail generation picture of FIG. 29 is
restored.
134. If a call arrives in a state that the video phone picture of
FIG. 30 is displayed, an image of the other person is displayed in
the window 221 of FIG. 31 and the window 231 is displayed. If the
button 232 in the window 231 is turned on, a self-image is
displayed in the window 231 as shown in FIG. 32 and is transmitted
to the other person.
135. If a desired AV device is selected in the HOME NET picture of
FIG. 22, buttons for controlling the selected AV device are
displayed as shown in FIG. 34. If a desired control button is
manipulated in the display state of FIG. 34, the control and
display corresponding to the manipulated button are performed as
shown in FIG. 35.
136. The terminal 3 is portable; it can easily be removed from the
base 1 and carried. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38, usually the
base 1 is located in room A and the telephone 2 and the terminal 3
are mounted on the base 1. When a telephone call arrives, a
conversation can be performed in an ordinary manner by using the
telephone 2 if it is not necessary to watch an image of the other
person. Naturally, if a user wants to make a conversation by
telephone while watching an image of the other person, he may do it
in room A by using the terminal 3 in the state that the terminal 3
is mounted on the base 1. Further, the user can control other AV
devices in room A by radio by using the terminal 3.
137. If E-mail or a facsimile message arrives from a third person
in the above state, the CPU 43 captures its data via the modem 47
and transmits it to the terminal 3 via the RF
transmission/reception section 46. The CPU 61 of the terminal 3
captured the data via the RF transmission/reception section 65 and
stored it in the storage device 64. In this manner, a received
facsimile message or E-mail is automatically stored in the storage
device 64.
138. When E-mail or a telephone call arrives, a person who sent the
E-mail or made the telephone call is identified and an
identification result is displayed in the menu picture of the
terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 18. By viewing the menu picture, a user
can recognize whether E-mail etc. directed to him has arrived by
checking whether the colors of respective marks 102 coincide with
the color of the symbol 103 that is assigned to him. If necessary,
a user can carry the terminal 3 to his room B, where he can read
out E-mail that is directed him and read its contents (see FIG.
38).
139. Although in the above embodiment data exchange between the
base 1, the telephone 2, and the terminal 3 is performed by using a
radio signal, it may be performed by using infrared light. The
essential point is the wireless communication.
140. As described above, since E-mail or a facsimile message is
automatically received in the terminal 3 and stored in the storage
device 64, it is not necessary to display received information on a
television receiver or the like. For example, even where the
television receiver is not turned on, such information can
automatically be received and stored. Therefore, each family member
can immediately recognize arrival of even urgent information. Since
E-mail or a facsimile message can be displayed on the terminal 3
itself to allow its recognition, there does not occur an event that
arrival of such information prevents other family members from
fully enjoying television programs, unlike the case of displaying
such information on the television. Further, since the terminal is
portable, a user can carry it to his room and check it there.
Therefore, even if the terminal 3 is shared by a plurality of
family members, their privacy can be secured.
* * * * *