US 2001/0041586 A1 · COMMUNICATION TERMINAL APPARATUS

Abstract

A communication terminal apparatus is separated into a housing that is capable of video/voice communications, and a housing that is capable of only voice communications. Since functions of the housing that is capable of only the voice communications are limited, the housing becomes small, can be stored in a pocket or the like, and can immediately go off-hook upon reception of an incoming call. Upon reception of a videophone communication request, the user goes off-hook using the housing that is capable of only the voice communications to immediately make voice communications with the partner terminal, and can switch the communication mode to the video/voice communications using the housing that is capable of the video/voice communications, as needed. Hence, even a communication terminal having a videophone function can comprise a video input/output function without impairing its portability and storability.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A communication terminal system in which one communication terminal is constructed by at least first and second housings, characterized in that

said first housing comprises radio communication means for making a communication with another communication terminal by radio, and first communication means for making a communication with a housing other than said first housing,
said second housing comprises second communication means for making a communication with a housing other than said second housing, and
said first housing can make a video communication including at least a moving image and/or still image with another communication terminal, said second housing can make at least a voice communication with said other communication terminal, or said first housing can make at least a voice communication with another communication terminal, and said second housing can make a video communication including at least the moving image and/or still image with another terminal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Communication terminal apparatus

Life of this patent

Communication terminal apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27