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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video telephone equipment, and more
particularly to a video telephone equipment of so-called handy type which
permits a user to transmit and receive pictures and speech with its casing
held in one hand.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a handy type video telephone equipment in the prior art, there has been
proposed a video telephone set wherein a display panel, a control panel
and a speaker are respectively arranged in the upper part, middle part and
lowermost part of the front of the thin body of the telephone set as
disclosed in Japanese Design Registration No. 774750.
Since the prior-art example is furnished with the display panel and the
speaker, the user thereof can receive a picture and speech from the
opposite party of a telephone conversation. This example, however, is
chiefly intended for visual communication and does not sufficiently have
the transmission and reception of speech only taken into account.
Especially, no measure is taken for a case where the user does not want
nearby persons to hear the voice of the opposite party. Further, in the
prior-art example the body cannot stand by itself when it is at such an
angle that the user can easily see the display panel, so that the use of
the telephone set on a table is not considered. Besides, since the display
panel, control panel and speaker are always exposed, countermeasures
against external shocks, dust and malfunctions are not considered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to solve the drawbacks stated
above, and has as its first object to provide a video telephone equipment
which permits a user to transmit and receive pictures and speech with the
casing thereof held in one hand.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a video telephone
equipment which can assume both a vocal telephonic communication attitude
corresponding to speech and a visual telephonic communication attitude
corresponding to both a picture and speech, with the casing thereof held
in one hand by a user, and which ensures good transmission and reception
in each of the attitudes.
The third object of the present invention is to provide a video telephone
equipment which can assume both a carried telephonic communication
attitude with the casing thereof held in one hand by a user and an
installed telephonic communication attitude with the whole equipment
installed on a table or the like, and which ensures good transmission and
reception in each of the attitudes.
The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a compact video
telephone equipment which can transmit and receive pictures and speech
with the casing thereof held in one hand by a user, and which can be
favorably stored with the control panel and display panel thereof
concealed.
In one aspect of performance of the present invention, there is provided a
video telephone equipment, comprising signal processing means for
permitting at least either of a vocal communication and a visual
communication; a speaker which emits received speech for the vocal
communication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-transmitted for
said vocal communication; a display panel which displays a received
picture for the visual communication; a camera which takes a picture
to-be-transmitted for the visual communication; a control panel through
which a user of the video telephone equipment gives an operation command
to the signal processing means; and a casing which is provided with the
display panel, the speaker and the microphone; the display panel being
arranged between the speaker and the microphone on the casing.
In this case, the video telephone equipment should preferably further
comprise camera holding means for holding the camera in a snare in which
an angular position thereof relative to the casing is alterable.
In the second aspect of performance of the present invention, there is
provided a video telephone equipment, comprising signal processing means
for permitting at least either of a vocal communication and a visual
communication; a speaker which emits received speech for the vocal
communication; a casing which is provided with the speaker; a microphone
which accepts speech to-be-transmitted for the vocal communication; a
display panel which displays a received picture for the visual
communication; a camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted for the
visual communication; a control panel through which a user of the video
telephone equipment gives an operation command to the signal the speaker
in a state in which it is detachable from the casing.
In the third aspect of performance of the present invention, there is
provided a video telephone equipment, comprising signal processing means
for permitting at least either of a vocal communication and a visual
communication; a speaker which emits received speech for the vocal
communication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-transmitted for the
vocal communication; a display panel which displays a received picture for
the visual communication; a camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted
for the visual communication; a control panel through which a user of the
video telephone equipment gives an operation command to the signal
processing means; a first casing in which the microphone is encased; a
second casing in which the speaker is encased; and coupling means for
coupling the first and second casings in a state in which angles thereof
are alterable.
In this case, the angle of the first casing should preferably be alterable
both frontwards and rearwards with respect to the angle thereof at which
the first casing is even with the second casing.
Besides, the coupling means may well couple the first and second casings in
a state in which the first casing is slidable perpendicularly to an axial
direction of the coupling.
Further, the video telephone equipment should preferably comprise camera
holding means for holding the camera adjacent to the first casing. The
camera holding means may well hold the camera at coupled parts of the
first and second casings.
The camera holding means should preferably include angle keeping means for
bringing an optic axis of the camera into a direction of an angle of
.theta./2 where .theta. denotes an angle which is defined at the coupled
parts by the first and second casings.
It is preferable that, when the first and second casings are placed one
over the other by altering the coupling angle, their surfaces which
confront each other are substantially identical in shape and in area.
In the fourth aspect of performance of the present invention, there is
provided a video telephone equipment, comprising signal processing means
for permitting at least either of a vocal communication and a visual
communication; a speaker which emits received speech for the vocal
communication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-transmitted for the
vocal communication; a display panel which displays a received picture for
the visual communication; a camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted
for the visual communication; a control panel through which a user of the
video telephone equipment gives an operation command to the signal
processing means; a first casing in which the microphone is encased; a
second casing in which the speaker is encased; a third casing in which the
display panel is encased; first coupling means for coupling the first and
third casings; and second coupling means for coupling the second and third
casings; at least the second one of the first and second coupling means
being capable of altering an angle of the coupling thereof.
In this case, it is preferable that an angle of the first casing is
alterable both frontwards and rearwards at a part thereof coupled by the
second coupling means, with respect to an angle thereof at which the first
casing is even with the third casing.
It is preferable that, when the first and third casings are placed one over
the other by altering an angle of the coupling, their surfaces which
confront each other are substantially identical in shape and in area.
The video telephone equipment should preferably further comprise a hood
which intercepts external light entering the display panel; and hood
fastening engagement means for fastening the hood in engagement with the
second casing. The hood fastening engagement means should preferably
fasten the hood in engagement in a state in which it is openably shut. In
addition, the hood should preferably have a through hole extending between
front and rear surfaces thereof.
The video telephone equipment should preferably further comprise camera
holding means for holding the camera adjacent to the second casing.
In the video telephone equipment constructed as described above, the
speaker and the microphone are so arranged that, when the former is held
to the user's ear, the latter lies near his/her mouth. Besides, the
display panel is arranged between the speaker and the microphone.
In this case, the body of the equipment for encasing the speaker,
microphone and display panel therein may be configured of either the
single casing or the plurality of casings. In the latter configuration,
when the individual casings are coupled by hinges in order that the angles
between the respectively adjacent casings may be alterable, the equipment
can assume a variety of attitudes according to circumstances, such as a
storage attitude for storing the equipment and a visual telephonic
communication attitude for permitting both the vocal and visual
communications.
By the way, since the movable camera is mounted on the casing, the user can
transmit and receive pictures and speech with the casing held in one hand.
Also, since the hood is comprised, the display panel can be prevented from
being affected by the light falling thereon from outside the equipment.
Besides, the speaker is detachably held, and it is usable in both the
attached state and detached state thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, various effects are brought forth
as stated below. Since the equipment can transmit and receive pictures and
speech with the casing held in one hand, the user's movements are not
hampered during transmission and reception. In addition, the equipment can
assume, not only the visual communication attitude which corresponds to
both the picture and speech and in which the casing is located in front of
the user, but also a vocal communication attitude which corresponds to
only speech and in which the speaker and the microphone are respectively
located in the vicinities of the user's ear and mouth, so that the user
can select the telephonic communication attitude which is suitable for the
contents of the information of the telephone conversation. Yet in
addition, the equipment can assume, not only a carried telephonic
communication attitude in which the casing is held in one hand by the
user, but also an installed telephonic communication attitude in which the
casing Is installed on a table or the like, so that the user can select
any of the multifarious telephonic communication attitudes. Besides, in
the working or service state of the equipment, the full length thereof can
be suited to the user's ear and mouth by exposing the control panel and
the display panel, whereas in the stored state of the equipment, the full
length thereof can be shortened with the control panel and the display
panel being concealed, so that the storability and portability of the
equipment are high. Further, since the speaker can be used in the detached
state, the equipment exhibits a high versatility in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the vocal communication attitude
of a video telephone equipment in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the vocal communication attitude
of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the interior functional modules of the
video telephone equipment;
FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of the interior functional modules;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing an ear pad;
FIG. 6 is a right side view for explaining the turning operation of a
camera;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of
the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 8(A), 8(B) and 8(C) are a top view, a side view and a front view,
respectively showing the vocal communication attitude;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of a
video telephone equipment in the second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are a fragmentary front view and a side view,
respectively showing the operating states of the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude of the second
embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of
the second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of
a video telephone equipment in the third embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude of the third
embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view showing a holding mechanism and
hinges for a camera included in the third embodiment;
FIGS. 16(A) and 16(B) are explanatory views showing the angular positions
of the camera in the third embodiment in the state of a narrow open angle
and in the state of a wide open angle, respectively;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the vocal communication attitude of a
video telephone equipment in the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude of the fourth
embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of
the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the operating states of the fourth
embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the visual communication attitude of
a video telephone equipment in the fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude of the fifth
embodiment; and
FIG. 23 is a view for explaining the operating states of the fifth
embodiment.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Now, the embodiments of handy type video telephone equipment according to
the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
1 thru 23.
FIG. 1 thru FIGS. 8(A)-8(C) illustrate the first embodiment of the handy
type video telephone equipment according to the present invention.
The exterior structure of this embodiment will be outlined with reference
to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are front and rear perspective views of this
embodiment, respectively. The handy type video telephone equipment
generally indicated by numeral 1 is mainly constructed of the body 2
thereof which is thin and flat and which is in a vertically long shape, a
camera 3 which is turnably mounted on the right side surface of the body
2, an ear pad 4 which is foldably mounted on the upper part of the front
of the body 2, a speaker 6 which is arranged at the central part of the
ear pad 4, an antenna 21 which is mounted on the right side of the top
surface of the body 2, and a battery assembly 9 which is detachably
mounted on the lower part of the rear surface of the body 2. In addition,
a grip 35 (chamfered parts 35a) is formed extending from the rear surface
of the handy type video telephone equipment 1 to both the side surfaces
thereof.
A display panel 11, a transmission/reception key 12, a termination key 13,
a control panel 14, function keys 15, and a microphone 16 are arranged on
the front surface of the body 2, in addition to the ear pad 4.
Here, the schematic layout of functional modules inside the equipment 1
will be explained.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the functional modules, while FIG. 4 is
a schematic layout view of the functional modules. The handy type video
telephone equipment 1 is furnished with a main circuit board 17 which
includes a processor and a memory, a communication device 18 which
includes a radio/video coded, a cord reel 19, the speaker 6, the display
panel 11 which is comprised of a liquid crystal, a control circuit board
20, the microphone 16, a battery 90 which constitutes the battery assembly
9, the antenna 21, and the camera 3.
The main circuit board 17 is arranged on the rear side of the upper part of
the internal structure (shown in FIG. 4) inside the body 2. The
communication device 18 and the display panel 11 are arranged in front of
the main circuit board 17. The control circuit board 20 is arranged below
the display panel 11, and the microphone 16 is below the control circuit
board 20.
The battery 90 is located below the main circuit board 17. As shown in FIG.
2, the battery assembly 9 is detachably attached to a rear cover 8.
The antenna 21 is arranged obliquely above the communication device 18 on
the right side thereof. This antenna 21 is mounted on a fixture 21a (refer
to FIG. 1) which is formed on the right side of the upper part of a front
cover 7.
The camera 3 is arranged on the right side of the main circuit board 17 and
the communication device 18, and on the lower side of the antenna 21. This
camera 3 is turnably mounted at the right outside position of the front
cover 7 as seen from FIG. 1.
The cord reel 19 serves to take up a connection cord 5 (refer to FIG. 5)
which transmits a signal to the speaker 6. As best shown in FIG. 5, the
cord reel 19 is arranged in the state in which it is buried halfway in the
ear pad 4. In this regard, the speaker 6 is detachably held on the rotary
shaft 28 of the cord reel 19.
Next, the structures of the individual components will be explained in
detail.
The body 2 is externally configured of the front cover 7 and the rear cover
8 as clearly shown in FIG. 2. Most of the components stated above are
packaged between the front cover 7 and the rear cover 8. These covers 7
and 8 are joined through a rubber packing into a drip-proof structure.
Besides, a receptacle 10 for receiving the ear pad 4 therein is provided
in the front upper part of the front cover 7 (refer to FIG. 7).
As shown in FIG. 1, the ear pad 4 is formed with a lug 26a at the middle
part of the lower end thereof, and the lug 26a is turnably or swingably
coupled to a socket 26b which is formed in the front cover 7. Thus, the
ear pad 4 is freely opened and shut with a fulcrum at the lower end
thereof (exactly, at a pin 26c shown in FIG. 5). In the state in which the
ear pad 4 is shut, the rear part thereof is received in the receptacle 10
and is made to feel unitary with the body 2. On the other hand, in the
state in which the eat pad 4 is opened, it can be utilized as a hood which
prevents external light from entering the display panel 11 disposed
underneath. The opened state of the ear pad 4 is indicated at broken lines
in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, a concavity 27 centrally having the rotary shaft 28 is
formed in the front surface of the ear pad 4. The cord reel 19 is fitted
into the concavity 27, and is held so as to be rotatable about the rotary
shaft 28. The front side of the cord reel 19 is exposed or uncovered.
Thus, when the exposed part 29 is rotated by hand, the cord 5 can be taken
up into a cord takeup space 19a. Besides, the exposed part 29 is in the
shape of a mortar, and it is centrally formed with a recess in which the
speaker 6 can be detachably received (hereinbelow, the recess shall be
called the "speaker fixture 30"). By the way, the depth of the speaker
fixture 30 is smaller than the thickness of the speaker 6. This is
intended to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the speaker 6
owing to the fact that, even when the speaker 6 is received in the speaker
fixture 30, the former is partially protruded in front of the latter. The
construction of the ear pad 4 adapted to be openably shut, is intended to
cause this ear pad 4 to function as the hood. Accordingly, when such a use
as the hood is not considered, the ear pad 4 and the speaker 6 may well be
fixedly arranged at the upper part of the front of the body 2.
In addition, the speaker fixture 30 is furnished with a detector switch 30a
which detects whether or not the speaker 6 is attached. Thus, the attached
or detached state of the speaker 6 is decided on the basis of a signal
produced through the detector switch 30a, and the sound volume of the
speaker 6 is automatically adjusted to an appropriate level corresponding
to the state of use.
It is also possible for the speaker fixture 30 and the speaker 6 to be
respectively provided with contacts, and for a voice signal to be input to
the speaker 6 through the contacts without the intervention of the cord 5.
In this case, the speaker 6 can be supplied with the voice signal through
the contacts when it is attached to the speaker fixture 30, and through
the cord 5 when it is used as an earphone. Alternatively, the speaker 6
can be rendered wireless. Incidentally, any drip-proof measure should also
preferably be taken for the contacts.
In this manner, this embodiment is so constructed that the sound volume and
tonal quality of the speaker 6 can be automatically altered in
correspondence with the state of use thereof.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connection cord 5 of the speaker 6 is stored up in
the cord takeup space 19a of the cord reel 19 via an inlet 31.
Incidentally, the inlet 31 is formed by cutting away part of the marginal
edge of the concavity 27.
In drawing out the speaker 6, the user of the equipment first pinches the
speaker 6 and detaches it from the speaker fixture 30. Subsequently,
he/she draws the speaker 6 toward him/her while pinching it. Then, the
cord reel 19 is rotated, and the connection cord 5 is delivered out of the
cord takeup space 19a. On the other hand, in setting up the speaker 6, the
user rotates the exposed part 29 in the takeup direction of the cord reel
19 by hand, thereby taking up the connection cord 5 into the cord takeup
space 19a. Lastly, he/she attaches the speaker 6 to the speaker fixture
30. Although, in this embodiment, the cord reel 19 is partially exposed
outside the ear pad 4 in order to manually perform the operation of taking
up the cord 5, it may well be entirely contained in the ear pad 4 or the
body 2 by providing an automatic takeup mechanism which includes, for
example, a torsion spring.
The camera 3 is endowed with an autofocusing function and an angle-of-view
adjusting function (enlargement, telescopy). As best shown in FIG. 1, the
camera 3 has one end side thereof coupled with a pivot 32 which is mounted
on the right side surface of the body 2 with respect to the display panel
11 and which extends substantially perpendicularly to the side surface.
Thus, the camera 3 is turnable frontwards and rearwards relative to the
body 2. As indicated by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 6, the turnable angles
of the camera 3 are in a range of frontward 120.degree. .about. rearward
120.degree.. In addition, the pivot 32 is provided with radial ribs (not
shown) at intervals of, for example, 5.degree., so that the camera 3 can
be fixed at any desired angle (though stepwise). Besides, the view points
of the display panel 11 and the camera 3 are brought into coincidence to
the utmost. The reason therefor is that, unless the camera 3 photographs
the front of the person speaking, namely, the user, then the photographed
person does not face frontways in a picture displayed on the video
telephone set of the opposite person of the telephonic communication, so
an unnatural impression is given.
As shown in FIG. 6, a lens portion 24 provided at the distal end of the
camera 3 is slidable in the longitudinal direction of this camera 3
relative to the body thereof. On the other hand, an indent 25 into which
the foremost end of the lens portion 24 can be snugly fitted is formed at
the lower end of the fixture 21a of the antenna 21 (refer also to FIG. 1).
In a case where the lens portion 24 is pulled up and is brought into
engagement with the indent 25 in the state (shown in FIG. 6) in which the
longitudinal direction of the camera 3 agrees with that of the telephone
equipment 1, the camera 3 can be fixed into a storage state. In the
storage state, the lens portion 24 can be protected from waterdrops and
dust (refer to FIG. 6).
As shown in FIG. 1, a pause button 37 is provided at the rearmost end of
the camera 3. When the pause button 37 is depressed under the telephone
conversation based on the visual telephonic communication function of the
equipment 1, the photographing operation of the camera 3 (or the
transmission of a photographed picture) is temporarily stopped.
Accordingly, when the pause mode is utilized in case of, for example,
turning the camera 3 during the telephone conversation, an unwanted
picture taken during the turning operation can be cut. In the case of
suspending the photographing, the signal of a specified display picture
(for example, a picture which is blue over the whole area thereof) may
well be transmitted instead of the photographed picture.
The display panel 11 is covered with a semitransparent plate 22 (refer to
FIG. 1). The semitransparent plate 22 serves for the protection of the
display panel 11, and so forth. It is provided to be even with the front
cover 7.
The control panel 14 in this embodiment is made of a liquid-crystal panel
which is furnished with a touch panel, and which displays ten-keys and
several operation keys within a rectangular compartment. The user can
enter an input by fingering the operation key which corresponds to his/her
designation. It is to be understood, however, that the control panel 14 is
not restricted to the liquid-crystal panel.
As best shown in FIG. 1, the function keys 15 consist of a button 15a for
changing-over the visual telephone function and vocal telephone function
of the equipment 1, a button 15b for changing-over the picture frames of
the control panel 14, and buttons 15c, 15d for scrolling the picture frame
of the control panel 14.
The grip 35 (refer to FIG. 2) is constituted by, not only the rear surface
of the body 2, but also the battery assembly 9. Since the grip 35 has the
corners of both the sides of the lower part thereof chamfered as indicated
by symbols 35a, it fits the user's hand, and it permits the user to firmly
hold the handy type video telephone equipment 1 even in one hand.
A power source switch 33 disposed on the left side surface of the body 2
serves to bring the handy type video telephone equipment 1 into a standby
state. Needless to say, a call can be accepted even in the standby state.
By the way, in this embodiment, the power source switch 33 is arranged on
the left side on the premise that the handy type video telephone equipment
1 is usually carried in the left hand. It is a matter of course, however,
that this causes almost no problem even when the user uses the equipment 1
while carrying it in the right hand.
The battery assembly 9 can be detached when slid in the direction of a
thick arrow indicated in FIG. 2. In addition, the surface of the battery
assembly 9 is formed with a toughened portion 34, so that this battery
assembly 9 is handled with ease in the attachment and detachment thereof.
An unlocking switch 36 for the battery assembly 9 is disposed above this
battery assembly 9 on the rear surface of the body 2. Further, charging
terminals 23 (shown in FIG. 1) disposed on the bottom surface of the body
2 are connected with the terminals of a separate charging apparatus when
the battery 90 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the battery assembly 9 is to be
charged.
The dimensions of the handy type video telephone equipment 1 are as will
now be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 8(A)-8(C). The height h2 of the
body 2 is set at 164 [mm], the lateral width W1 thereof at 64 [mm], and
the thickness D1 thereof at 29 [mm]. The height h3 of the equipment 1
including the antenna 21 is set at 205 [mm], and the lateral width W2
thereof at 80 [mm]. The distance h1 between the speaker 6 and the
microphone 16 is set at 130 [mm], and the length h4 of the camera 3 at 59
[mm]. The thickness D2 of the equipment 1 including the ear pad 4 is set
at 35 [mm], while the thickness D3 of the lower end of the body 2 is set
at 30 [mm]. Besides, the camera 3 is in the shape of a circular cylinder
which has a diameter of 15 [mm]. By the way, in this embodiment, the
speaker 6 and the microphone 16 are disposed projecting beyond the
arrangement plane of the control panel 14. It may be said, however, that
the speaker 6 and the microphone 16 lie, in effect, substantially even
with the body 2.
The geometries of the equipment 1 and its constituents, especially the size
(h2, W1, D1) of the body 2 and the distance (h1) between the speaker 6 and
the microphone 16, suffice for embracing the functions which are required
for the equipment 1. Moreover, they have been determined considering the
facility of carrying the equipment 1 in one hand, the operability of the
equipment 1, etc. By way of example, the distance h1 has been determined
as one according to which, when the speaker 6 (as set on the ear pad 4) is
held to the user's ear, the microphone 16 comes near to the user's mouth.
Accordingly, the geometries are not restricted to the aforementioned ones,
and slight differences in the concrete values are not problematic, either.
Incidentally, an expression "casing" used in claim 1 signifies a concept
which contains, not only the body 2, but also the ear pad 4 having the
speaker 6 directly fixed thereto, in this embodiment. "Camera holding
means" stated in claim 2 corresponds to the pivot 32, etc. in this
embodiment.
On the other hand, "casing" stated in claim 3 corresponds to the body 2 in
this embodiment, and "speaker holding means" corresponds to the ear pad 4,
the speaker fixture 30, etc.
Next, the usage of the equipment 1 will be described.
In this embodiment, the handy type video telephone equipment 1 can assume
two telephonic communication attitudes; a visual telephonic communication
attitude which corresponds to the visual telephone function (pictures and
speech), and a vocal telephonic communication attitude which is suitable
for the vocal telephone function (only speech). Owing to the presence of
the grip 35, the equipment 1 can be firmly held even in one hand in both
the telephonic communication attitudes.
First, the user turns ON the power source switch 33 disposed on the left
side surface of the body 2, thereby bringing the equipment 1 into the
standby state. In this state, the equipment 1 can accept a call from the
telephone equipment of any opposite person. Here, since the power source
switch 33 is arranged near the thumb of the user's left hand carrying the
equipment 1, the user can manipulate the switch 33 while holding the
equipment 1 in his/her left hand, without specially changing the carrying
hand. When a channel has been established between the user's equipment 1
and the opposite equipment, a ringing tone is emitted from the speaker 6.
Then, the user can receive the information after depressing the
transmission/reception key 12. In this case, whether or not the telephone
communication is to deal with only speech is decided on the basis of the
signal of the communication device 18 by the processor, and the decided
result is displayed on the display panel 11. When the telephone
conversation has ended, the user can bring the equipment 1 into the
standby state again by depressing the termination key 13.
In a case where the user operates the equipment 1 as a video telephone set,
he/she grasps the grip 35 in his/her left hand and manipulates the
pertinent components with his/her right hand. By way of example, when the
user is to start the transmission of the information in the standby state
by the use of the visual telephone function, he/she slides the lens
portion 24 of the camera 3 downwards and disengages it from the indent 25
using his/her right hand. Besides, he/she turns the camera 3 to the
position of a desired angle (refer to FIG. 7). Subsequently, he/she
depresses the transmission/reception key 12 to bring the display panel 11
and the control panel 14 into the ON states thereof. Further, he/she
selects th | | |
