JP2005303683A - Image transceiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constantly display an image at the actual size of an object without limiting the position of the object. <P>SOLUTION: A television conference device 3A measures a distance (an image pickup distance) L between a user 5A serving as the object and a camera 6A by the camera 6A. Therefore, the image pickup distance L can be constantly grasped. Even if the distance from the camera 6A is changed due to the movement of the user 5A, the actual size of the user 5A can be recognized on the basis of the measured image pickup distance L. Consequently, the image of the user 5A can be constantly projected at a full size on a screen 7B of a television conference device 3B without depending on the position of the user 5A to be imaged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transmission / reception device, and is suitable for application to, for example, a video conference device used in a video conference.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, video conference systems that can hold a conference in a remote place by exchanging images and audio between a plurality of video conference apparatuses connected by a dedicated line or the like have become widespread.

  In such a video conference system, it can be considered that a conference can be performed more smoothly if a sense of reality can be obtained as if the conference was held at the same location with a remote party.

Therefore, conventionally, there are a plurality of video conference apparatuses in which the position of the user, the position of the camera that captures the user as the subject, the position of the screen that displays the image, and the position of the projector that projects the image of the other party on the screen are fixed at predetermined positions. By preparing a stand and exchanging images between these video conferencing devices, it is possible to hold a realistic video conference by projecting the user's image on the screen based on the position of the user, camera, screen and projector. Such a video conference system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-32948

  By the way, in order to perform a realistic video conference in such a video conference system, it is necessary to fix the position of the user as described above.

  In other words, if the position of the user changes due to the movement of the user, the positional relationship (that is, the distance) between the user and the camera changes, and the other party's video conference device can project the user's image in life size. Disappear.

  As described above, in the conventional video conference apparatus, there is a problem in that the image of the user cannot be projected in the life size in the other party's video conference apparatus unless the position of the user is set in advance.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an image transmission / reception apparatus that can always display an image in an actual size of the subject without limiting the position of the subject.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, an image transmission / reception apparatus that transmits image data to another image transmission / reception apparatus via a predetermined network and receives image data from the other image transmission / reception apparatus is translucent. A screen, an imaging means attached to the back of the screen, for imaging a subject in front of the screen from the back of the screen, a measuring means for measuring the distance between the subject and the imaging means, and a front of the screen Projection means for projecting an image based on the image data received from another image transmission / reception device and projecting to the front of the screen is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a translucent screen in an image transmission / reception method in an image transmission / reception apparatus that transmits image data to another image transmission / reception apparatus via a predetermined network and receives image data from the other image transmission / reception apparatus. An imaging step of imaging a subject in front of the screen through the screen from the rear of the screen by an imaging means attached to the back surface of the screen, a measuring step of measuring a distance between the subject and the imaging means by the measuring unit, and a screen A projection step of projecting an image based on image data received from another image transmission / reception device onto the front of the screen by a projection unit attached in front of the screen and connected to the screen.

  By measuring the distance between the subject and the imaging means in this way, the position of the subject is always grasped, and even if the position of the subject changes, the actual size of the subject is determined based on the measured distance. Can be recognized.

  According to the present invention, by measuring the distance between the subject and the imaging means by the measuring means, the position of the subject is always grasped, and even if the position of the subject changes, the subject's position is determined based on the measured distance. It is possible to realize an image transmission / reception apparatus that can recognize the actual size and thus can always display an image with the actual size of the subject regardless of the position of the subject to be imaged.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of the video conference system in the present embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the video conference system in the present embodiment as a whole, which is installed in each of the conference room 2A and the conference room 2B at remote locations. The video conference device 3A and the video conference device 3B are configured by being connected via a predetermined network NT.

  Here, the video conference apparatus 3A is placed at one end of a rectangular desk 4A provided in the conference room 2A, for example, and the user 5A in front of the video conference apparatus 3A (in this case, the other end side of the desk 4A) The image is taken by the camera 6A, and an image based on the image data sent from the video conference device 3B is projected onto its own screen 7A.

  Similarly, the video conference device 3B is placed at one end of a rectangular desk 4B provided in the conference room 2B, for example, and the user 5B in front of the video conference device 3B (in this case, the other end side of the desk 4B) While taking an image with its own camera 6B, an image based on the image data sent from the video conference apparatus 3A is projected onto its own screen 7B.

(2) Configuration of Video Conference Device (2-1) External Configuration Next, the external configuration of the video conference device 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A), (B), and (C). The external configuration of the video conference device 3B is the same as the external configuration of the video conference device 3A described below, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The video conference apparatus 3A includes a semi-transparent screen 7A having a rectangular plate shape that can project the upper body of a human being, and a plate-like support base that extends from the lower end of the screen 7A to the front of the screen 7A. 10A and a projector unit 11A that is attached to the support 10A and projects an image based on image data transmitted from the video conference device 3B on the front surface of the screen 7A.

  Further, a camera unit 6A for imaging the user 5A in front of the screen 7A through the screen 7A from the rear side of the screen 7A is attached to the back surface of the screen 7A via a camera support unit 12A fixed to the support base 10A. It has been. Further, the camera unit 6A is connected to the projector unit 11A via a connection cable 13A.

  Incidentally, this video conference apparatus 3A is assumed to be used by being placed on a desk (for example, desk 4A), and when placed on the desk, the position of the camera unit 6A becomes the height of the line of sight of the user 5A to be imaged. Is set to

  Further, the projector unit 11A has a communication function and can communicate with the video conference device 3B via the network cable 14A and the network NT sequentially.

  The video conference apparatus 3A transmits the image of the user 5A captured by the camera unit 6A from the projector unit 11A to the video conference apparatus 3B via the network cable 14A and the network NT sequentially, and is transmitted from the video conference apparatus 3B. The image of the coming user 5B is received by the projector unit 11A sequentially via the network NT and the network cable 14A, and is projected onto the screen 7A, so that a video conference with the video conference device 3B can be performed. Yes.

  Although not described here, the projector unit 11A of the video conference apparatus 3A incorporates a microphone and a speaker (not shown), and the voice of the user 5A is collected by this microphone and transmitted to the video conference apparatus 3B. In addition, the voice of the user 5B transmitted from the video conference device 3B can be output from the speaker.

(2-2) Circuit Configuration Next, the circuit configuration of the video conference apparatus 3A will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the circuit configuration of the video conference apparatus 3B is also the same as that of the video conference apparatus 3A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit of the video conference apparatus 3 </ b> A includes circuit units (a control unit 20, an image processing unit 21, an audio processing unit 22, a communication processing unit 23, a projection unit 24, and the like provided in the projector unit 11 </ b> A). The microphone 25, the speaker 26) and the camera unit 6A are configured so that the control unit 20 controls the entire system.

  The camera unit 6A is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) having an autofocus function and a field angle adjustment (zoom) function, and converts the captured image into an image signal under the control of the control unit 20 and connects it. The image is sent to the projector unit 11A via the cable 13A.

  The projector unit 11 </ b> A performs a predetermined encoding process on the image signal supplied from the camera unit 6 </ b> A by the image processing unit 21, and sends image data obtained as a result to the communication processing unit 23.

  Further, the projector unit 11A converts the sound collected by the microphone 25 into an audio signal, and obtains audio data by performing a predetermined encoding process on the audio signal by the audio processing unit 22, and obtains the audio data. To send.

  The communication processing unit 23 packetizes the image data supplied from the image processing unit 21 and the audio data supplied from the audio processing unit 22, and transmits them to the video conference apparatus 3B sequentially via the network cable 14A and the network NT. To do.

  In this way, the video conference apparatus 3A transmits the image of the user 5A captured by the camera unit 6A and the voice of the user 5A collected by the microphone 25 to the video conference apparatus 3B.

  When the video conference device 3A receives the packetized image data and audio data transmitted from the video conference device 3B, the communication processing unit 23 integrates the packets of the image data and the audio data, respectively. The transmitted image data is sent to the image processing unit 21, and the sound data is sent to the sound processing unit 22.

  When image data is supplied from the communication processing unit 23, the image processing unit 21 obtains an image signal by performing a predetermined decoding process on the image data, and projects the image signal from the projection unit 24 onto the screen 7A as an image. To do.

  In addition, when audio data is supplied from the communication processing unit 23, the audio processing unit 22 performs a predetermined decoding process on the audio data to obtain an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal from the speaker 26.

  In this way, the video conference apparatus 3A projects the image of the user 5B transmitted from the video conference apparatus 3B onto the screen 7A and outputs the sound of the user 5B from the speaker 26.

(3) Life-size image display function By the way, as described above, in a video conference, if a sense of reality can be obtained as if the conference was held at the same location with a remote party, the conference would be smoother. It is thought that can be done.

  Here, in order to realize a realistic video conference, it is important to display an image of the other party who performs the video conference in an actual size (that is, life-size).

  Therefore, the video conference apparatus 3A and the video conference apparatus 3B according to the present embodiment have a life-size image display function for projecting the other party's image on the screen 7A and the screen 7B, respectively. The image display function will be described.

  In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the video conference device 3A transmits the image of the user 5A captured by the camera unit 6A of the video conference device 3A to the video conference device 3B, and the video conference device 3B transmits the image. A case of receiving and projecting on the screen 7B will be described.

  In addition, as a technique for displaying an image in a life-size manner by this life-size image display function, by adjusting a range reflected in the image (hereinafter referred to as an imaging range) in the video conference device 3A on the transmission side, A first method for displaying an image in a life-size manner on the video conference device 3B on the reception side and a portion (hereinafter referred to as a projection portion) on which the received image data is projected in the video conference device 3B on the reception side is adjusted. By doing so, there is a second method in which the receiving side displays an image in a life-size manner, which will be described in order below.

(3-1) First Method In this first method, the video conference device 3A captures an image based on the distance between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A and projection information (described later) on the video conference device 3B side. By adjusting the range, the image of the user 5A is displayed in a life-size manner on the video conference device 3B side.

  The adjustment of the imaging range is performed by adjusting the angle of view of the camera unit 6A. As shown in FIG. 4, the angle of view includes a horizontal angle of view θ1, a vertical angle of view θ2, and a diagonal angle of view θ3. By adjusting the horizontal angle of view θ1, a horizontal imaging range (hereinafter referred to as horizontal D1 can be adjusted. Similarly, by adjusting the vertical field angle θ2 and the diagonal field angle θ3, the vertical imaging range (hereinafter referred to as the vertical imaging range) D2 and the diagonal line respectively. The direction imaging range (hereinafter referred to as a diagonal imaging range) D3 can be adjusted.

  Therefore, if the angle of view is reduced, the subject that appears in the image increases due to the narrowed imaging range, and if the angle of view is increased, the subject that appears in the image decreases as the imaging range widens.

  In practice, when a video conference is performed using the first method, first, the video conference device 3B on the image receiving side has a distance between the projector unit 11B and the screen 7B (hereinafter referred to as a projection distance), The projection angle of the projector unit 11B is transmitted to the video conference device 3A as projection information of the video conference device 3B.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the projection angle includes a horizontal projection angle θ4, a vertical projection angle θ5, and a diagonal projection angle θ6. The display size in the horizontal direction of the image displayed on the screen 7B is determined by these angles and the projection distance. D4 (hereinafter referred to as horizontal projection size) D4, vertical display size (hereinafter referred to as vertical projection size) D5, and diagonal display size (hereinafter referred to as diagonal projection size) D6 are determined. .

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, if the projection distance d is fixed to a predetermined value, the horizontal projection size D4 of the image projected on the screen 7B is calculated from the projection distance d and the horizontal projection angle θ4. Similarly, the vertical projection size D5 and the diagonal projection size D6 can be obtained from the projection distance d and the vertical projection angle θ5, and the projection distance d and the diagonal projection angle θ6, respectively.

  In this way, the video conference apparatus 3B transmits the projection information, which is information on the projection distance d and the projection angle, to the video conference apparatus 3A, so that the display size of the image displayed on its screen 7B is given to the video conference apparatus 3A. It is designed to be able to communicate.

  On the other hand, the video conference device 3A receives the projection information transmitted from the video conference device 3B, and uses the autofocus function of the camera unit 6A as shown in FIG. A distance L (hereinafter also referred to as an imaging distance) L with the user 5A is measured.

  Then, the video conference device 3A obtains the display size of the image shown on the screen 7B of the video conference device 3B from the received projection information, and based on the display size of the image and the imaging distance L measured by the camera unit 6A, the camera The angle of view of the part 6A is adjusted.

  In practice, when the control unit 20 of the video conference device 3A specifies the horizontal projection size D4 of the image projected by the video conference device 3B based on the projection information, the control unit 20 is at a position away from the camera unit 6A by the imaging distance L. The horizontal angle of view θ1 of the camera unit 6A is adjusted so that the user 5A is imaged in the horizontal imaging range D1 that is equal to the horizontal projection size D4. Similarly, the control unit 20 of the video conference apparatus 3A adjusts the vertical view angle θ2 and the diagonal view angle θ3 according to the vertical projection size D5 and the diagonal projection size D6, respectively.

  In this way, the video conference apparatus 3A allows the user 5A to change the angle of view according to the display size of the image displayed on the screen 7B of the video conference apparatus 3B based on the measured imaging distance L and the projection information on the video conference apparatus 3B side. Image.

  Then, the video conference apparatus 3A transmits the image data of the captured image to the video conference apparatus 3B, and the video conference apparatus 3B projects an image based on the image data onto its own screen 7B.

  Thus, according to the first method, the video conference device 3A has the display size of the image displayed on the screen 7B of the video conference device 3B based on the measured imaging distance L and the projection information on the video conference device 3B side. Even if the distance between the user 5A and the camera unit 6A changes by capturing the user 5A with the combined angle of view, the image of the user 5A is always projected on the screen 7B with a life size on the video conference device 3B side. Can do.

(3-2) Second Method Next, the second method will be described. In the second method, the video conference device 3B adjusts the projected portion of the received image data based on imaging information (described later) on the video conference device 3A side, thereby making the user 5A's image life-size. It is designed to display.

  In practice, when a video conference is performed using the second method, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the video conference device 3A on the side of capturing an image uses the autofocus function of the camera unit 6A to An imaging distance L between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A as a subject is measured.

  Further, the camera unit 6A of the video conference apparatus 3A images the user 5A with a predetermined angle of view set in advance. Note that the angle of view in this case is set so that the imaging range of the camera unit 6A is larger than the display size of the image displayed on the video conference device 3B side.

  That is, the horizontal angle of view θ1 is set so that the horizontal imaging range D1 of the camera unit 6A is larger than the horizontal projection size D4 of the image projected on the video conference device 3B side. Similarly, the vertical angle of view θ2 The diagonal angle of view θ3 is also set to a predetermined angle.

  The video conference apparatus 3A captures a preset angle of view (horizontal angle of view θ1, vertical angle of view θ2, and diagonal angle of view θ3) of the camera unit 6A and an imaging distance L measured by the camera unit 6A. As information, together with this imaging information, image data of an image captured by the camera unit 6A is transmitted to the video conference device 3B.

  Here, since this imaging information is information on the angle of view and the imaging distance L of the camera unit 6A, the imaging range of the camera unit 6A (horizontal imaging range D1, vertical imaging range D2, and diagonal imaging range D3) is shown. Yes. Therefore, the video conference apparatus 3A can transmit the imaging information to the video conference apparatus 3B, thereby transmitting the range reflected in the captured image to the video conference apparatus 3B.

  On the other hand, when the video conference device 3B receives the imaging information and image data transmitted from the video conference device 3A, based on this imaging information, the control unit 20 uses the imaging range (horizontal imaging range D1, The vertical imaging range D2 and the diagonal imaging range D3) are calculated.

  Further, the video conference device 3B is configured such that the control unit 20 uses the projection angle (horizontal projection angle θ4, vertical projection angle θ5, and diagonal projection angle θ5) and the projection distance d and the display size (horizontal projection size) of the image displayed on the screen 7B. D4, vertical projection size D5 and diagonal projection size D6) are calculated.

  In this way, the range reflected in the received image data (horizontal imaging range D1, vertical imaging range D2 and diagonal imaging range D3), and the display size of the image reflected on the screen 7B (horizontal projection size D4, vertical projection size) The control unit 20 of the video conference apparatus 3B that calculated D5 and the diagonal projection size D6) corresponds to the display size of the image displayed on the screen 7B from the received image data 30, based on these, as shown in FIG. A portion to be extracted is extracted by the video processing unit 21, and this portion is projected as a projection portion 31 onto the screen 7B.

  Thus, according to the second method, the video conference device 3B can change from the received image data 30 to its own screen 7B on the basis of the imaging information that is information on the angle of view and the imaging distance L on the video conference device 3A side. By extracting a portion corresponding to the display size of the image to be projected and using this portion as the projection portion 31, even if the distance between the camera unit 6A on the video conference device 3A side and the user 5A changes, the image of the user 5A is always displayed. Can be projected on the screen 7B with a life size.

(4) Operation and Effect In the above configuration, in the first method, the video conference device 3A receives the projection information that is information of the projection distance d and the projection angle from the video conference device 3B, and the camera unit 6A and the user 5A. Is measured by the camera unit 6A.

  Based on the received projection information and the measured imaging distance L, the video conference apparatus 3A captures the user 5A at an angle of view that matches the display size of the image displayed on the screen 7B of the video conference apparatus 3B. It transmits to the video conference apparatus 3B.

  Thus, according to the first method, even if the distance between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A in the video conference apparatus 3A changes, the image of the user 5A is always projected on the screen 7B of the video conference apparatus 3B in a life-size manner. be able to.

  Furthermore, according to the first method, the video conference apparatus 3A adjusts the angle of view based on the projection information transmitted from the video conference apparatus 3B, so that the projection distance d and the projection angle of the video conference apparatus 3B are fixed. There is no need to keep it. That is, regardless of the projection conditions on the video conference device 3B side, it is possible to always project the image of the user 5A on the screen 7B of the video conference device 3B with a life size.

  Furthermore, according to the first method, an image corresponding to the projection condition of the video conference apparatus 3B is captured in advance and transmitted, so that the data amount of the image to be transmitted can be minimized.

  On the other hand, in the second method, the video conference device 3A measures the distance (imaging distance) L between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A with the camera unit 6A, and images the user 5A with a predetermined angle of view.

  Then, the video conference apparatus 3A transmits imaging information that is information on the imaging distance L and the angle of view, and image data of an image captured by the camera unit 6A to the video conference apparatus 3B.

  Based on the received imaging information, the video conference device 3B extracts a portion corresponding to the display size of the image displayed on its screen 7B from the received image data, and projects this portion on the screen 7B as a projection portion.

  Thereby, according to the second method, even if the distance between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A in the video conference apparatus 3A changes, the image of the user 5A is always projected on the screen 7B of the video conference apparatus 3B in life-size. be able to.

  Furthermore, according to the second method, the video conference device 3B extracts a part of the received image data as the projection portion 31 based on the imaging information transmitted from the video conference device 3A. There is no need to fix the angle of view. That is, regardless of the imaging conditions on the video conference device 3A side, the image of the user 5A can always be projected on the screen 7B of the video conference device 3B.

  Further, in these first and second methods, the user 5A's image is captured in real size, so that the other party (user 5B) who views the user 5A's image naturally adjusts the visual convergence angle and the lens focus. Can also reduce eye fatigue.

  According to the above configuration, the video conference apparatus 3A always grasps the imaging distance L by measuring the distance (imaging distance) L between the user 5A as a subject and the camera unit 6A by the camera unit 6A, and the user Even if the distance from the camera unit 6A changes due to the movement of the 5A, the actual size of the user 5A can be recognized based on the measured imaging distance L, and thus the user 5A always captures the image regardless of the position of the user 5A. An image of the user 5A can be projected on the screen 7B of the video conference apparatus 3B in a life-size manner, and similarly, an image of the user 5B transmitted from the video conference apparatus 3B can be projected on the screen 7A in a life-size format.

  The video conference apparatus 3A according to the present embodiment does not need to fix the positions of the video conference apparatus 3A and the user 5A, and has a compact configuration in which the camera unit 6A, the screen 7A, and the projector unit 11A are integrated. It can be carried anywhere, and it is much more convenient than before.

  Furthermore, the video conference apparatus 3A of the present embodiment matches the line of sight of the users by attaching the camera unit 6A to the back of the translucent screen 7B and the eye height of the user 5A to be imaged. This makes it possible to hold a more realistic video conference.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where the distance between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A as a subject is measured by the autofocus function of the camera unit 6A has been described. The invention is not limited to this. For example, a distance sensor that measures the distance to the user 5A may be provided in the vicinity of the camera unit 6A, and the distance between the camera unit 6A and the user 5A may be measured by the distance sensor. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the size of the screen 7A is set to a size that can reflect the upper body of a human has been described. In practice, this size is 40 to 60 [cm] horizontally and 60 vertically. About 80 [cm] is desirable.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the translucent screen 7A is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an opaque screen may be used. In this case, it is necessary to provide a hole for the camera unit 6A to image the user 5A at a predetermined position of the opaque screen.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the camera unit 6A is attached to the back surface of the screen 7A via the camera support unit 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera unit 6A is connected to the screen. You may make it attach directly to the back surface of 7A.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the microphone 25 and the speaker 26 are provided in the projector unit 11A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the speaker 26 is connected to a predetermined position (camera unit) of the screen 7A. The wireless small microphone may be attached to the clothes of the user 5A. This makes it possible to hold a more realistic video conference.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the video conference apparatus 3A is connected to the network NT via the network cable 14 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is connected to the network NT, for example. The connection method is not limited.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the video conference apparatuses 3A and 3B serving as image transmission / reception apparatuses has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a device that can specify the size of a screen. If so, the present invention may be applied to various devices such as a television receiver and a notebook personal computer.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the video conference apparatus 3A in which the camera unit 6A, the screen 7A, and the projector unit 11A are integrated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, You may make it apply this invention to the video conference apparatus of the structure which respectively modularized.

  In this case, for example, if an existing projector and a translucent screen on which the camera is attached are prepared, and a connection module for connecting to the camera and a predetermined network is attached to the projector, the video conference A teleconference with a sense of reality can be performed using an existing projector without separately preparing a dedicated projector.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user 5A and the user 5B have a one-to-one video conference between the video conference device 3A and the video conference device 3B has been described. Not limited to this, a one-to-many or many-to-many video conference may be performed.

  In this case, for example, on the video conference device 3A side that is the imaging side, the imaging range is widened so that a plurality of users are reflected in the image. On the video conference device 3B side, a part where a specific user is reflected is extracted from image data reflected by a plurality of users based on the size of the image shown on the screen 7B, and this part is projected. Thus, a realistic video conference can be performed even in a one-to-many or many-to-many video conference.

  Further, in this case, the user who is emitting sound may be recognized as a specific user in conjunction with the sound emitted by the user. Furthermore, if the images reflected by a plurality of users are reduced and projected onto the screen 7B as a sub-screen, the overall situation of the other party can be grasped.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the video conference is performed by the first method, the video conference device 3B transmits the projection information to the video conference device 3A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the projection conditions of the video conference apparatus 3A and the video conference apparatus 3B are equal and the size of the image projected by the video conference apparatus 3B is the same as that of the video conference apparatus 3A, this projection information is transmitted. You don't have to.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the horizontal field angle θ1, the vertical field angle θ2, and the diagonal field angle θ3 are adjusted as the field angles has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the horizontal field angle θ1. And the vertical angle of view θ2 may be adjusted, or if the image aspect ratio is fixed, the diagonal angle of view θ3 may be adjusted. The same applies to the case where the angle of view information is transmitted.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the video conference apparatus 3B transmits the horizontal projection angle θ4, the vertical projection angle θ5, and the diagonal projection angle θ6 to the video conference apparatus 3A as projection angle information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the horizontal projection angle θ4 and the vertical projection angle field angle θ5 may be transmitted. If the aspect ratio of the image is fixed, only the diagonal projection angle θ6 may be transmitted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the video conference is performed by the camera unit 6A as the imaging unit and the measurement unit, the projector unit 11A as the projection unit, the control unit 20 as the adjustment unit, and the image processing unit 21 as the extraction unit. Although the case where the apparatus 3A is configured has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the video conference apparatus 3A may be configured with various other configurations. The same applies to the video conference apparatus 3B.

  The present invention can be used for a video conference apparatus.

It is an approximate line figure showing the whole video conference system composition in this embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the external appearance structure of a video conference apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows the circuit structure of a video conference apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows an angle of view and an imaging range. It is a basic diagram which shows the magnitude | size of the image reflected on a projection angle and a screen. It is a basic diagram which shows the magnitude | size (horizontal direction) of the image reflected on a screen. It is an approximate line figure showing adjustment of a field angle in the 1st method. It is a basic diagram which shows the imaging range in a 2nd method. It is a basic diagram which shows extraction of a projection part.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Video conference system, 2A, 2B ... Conference room, 3A, 3B ... Video conference device, 5A, 5B ... User, 6A, 6B ... Camera unit, 7A, 7B ... Screen, 10A, ... Support base, 11A, 11B ... projector unit, 12A ... camera support unit, 13A ... connection cable, 14A ... network cable, 20 ... control unit, 21 ... image processing unit, 22 ... audio processing unit, 23... Communication processing unit, 24... Projection unit, 25... Microphone, 26.

Claims (11)

In an image transmission / reception device that transmits image data to another image transmission / reception device via a predetermined network and receives image data from the other image transmission / reception device,
A translucent screen,
An imaging means attached to the back of the screen, for imaging a subject in front of the screen through the screen from the back of the screen;
Measuring means for measuring the distance between the subject and the imaging means;
An image transmission / reception device comprising: a projection unit that is attached to the front of the screen in connection with the screen, and that projects an image based on image data received from the other image transmission / reception device onto the front of the screen. . Adjusting means for adjusting the angle of view of the imaging means;
The adjusting means is
Based on the distance measured by the measuring unit, the angle of view of the imaging unit is adjusted so as to capture an image that matches the display size of the image projected on the other image transmitting / receiving device side. The image transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1. The adjusting means is
Projection information indicating the display size is received together with the image data from the other image transmission / reception device, and the image is picked up based on the distance measured by the measurement unit so as to capture an image corresponding to the received projection information. The image transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the angle is adjusted. Display size of an image projected from the received image data to the screen based on the imaging information, when the imaging information indicating the distance between the subject and the imaging unit is received from the other image transmission / reception device together with the image data. The image transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an extracting unit that extracts a portion corresponding to. The imaging means is
The image transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission / reception apparatus is attached at the same height as the line of sight of the user. The image transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen, the imaging unit, and the measurement unit are detachably attached to the projection unit. In an image transmission / reception method in an image transmission / reception apparatus that transmits image data to another image transmission / reception apparatus via a predetermined network and receives image data from the other image transmission / reception apparatus.
An imaging step of imaging a subject in front of the screen through the screen from the back of the screen by imaging means attached to the back of the translucent screen;
A measuring step of measuring a distance between the subject and the imaging unit with a measuring unit;
A projection step of projecting an image based on the image data received from the other image transmission / reception device onto the front of the screen by projection means attached to the screen in front of the screen. Image transmission / reception method. An adjustment step of adjusting an angle of view of the imaging unit so as to capture an image in accordance with a display size of an image projected on the other image transmitting / receiving device side based on the distance measured in the measuring step; The image transmission / reception method according to claim 7. In the adjustment step above,
Projection information indicating the display size is received from the other image transmission / reception device, and the angle of view is adjusted based on the distance measured in the measurement step so as to capture an image corresponding to the received projection information. The image transmission / reception method according to claim 8. Imaging information indicating the distance between the subject and the imaging means is received from the other image transmission / reception device together with the image, and based on the imaging information, the received image data is converted into a display size of an image to be projected onto the screen. The image transmission / reception method according to claim 7, further comprising an extraction step of extracting a corresponding part. In the imaging step,
The image transmission / reception method according to claim 7, wherein the subject is imaged by the imaging unit attached at the same height as the line of sight of the user.

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