JPH06141318A - System apparatus for video conference - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a system apparatus for video conference by which a conference room environment under an independent atmosphere in each side of visuality, space and psychology even when the device is installed to one corner of an office not being an exclusive video conference room. CONSTITUTION:The system is made up of an image pickup display section 1 integrated with an image pickup camera, a display screen for picture display, almost flat when viewing from the front, opened/closed as a wing to both left and right sides of the flat plate with a door representing an image pickup field angle of the camera when the door is open, a background panel 2 comprising panels 2a, 2b being screens arranged opposite to the image pickup display section 1 at a proper distance whose face opposite to the camera is colored in required colors and whose surface state is formed variably, and a table 3 arranged between the image pickup display section 1 and the background panel in which seats of participants of a conference or the like are set within e field angle of the camera, and the image pickup display section 1, the back panel 2 and the table 3 are installed to a location in a room or the like where a location of a video conference is desired to be set at a required interval with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wide open space such as an office where a space which is almost completely separated from another adjacent space by a dedicated conference room or a dedicated partition is not prepared. The present invention relates to a video conference system fixture useful for conducting a video conference with another place distant therefrom.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lot of so-called video conference systems have been proposed as a system for holding a conference in two or more separated places, which is almost the same as a conference held in the same place. Moreover, some of these have been put to practical use.

Conventionally known video conferencing systems utilize a telephone line or the like to record and record the respective images and sounds captured by the television cameras and the like installed at two or more places and the cameras at the respective places. By sending each other to the other party and displaying the audio and video captured and recorded at the other party's place on the screen, a conference or the like can be held between two or more places.

Since many places where such a video conference system is installed are usually formed in an independent space such as a conference room, the conventional video conference system technology is related to video, audio, etc. There have been many developments and researches on shooting, recording technology, transmission, and playback technology.

As described above, the conventional video conference system is
Since it is formed on the premise that it is installed and used in a dedicated space such as a conference room that is formed independently of other spaces, it is possible to use a camera or microphone in a place without such an independent dedicated space. All of them easily pick up ambient noise, and therefore, there are many problems to be solved to install and install the conventional video conference system without a dedicated space.

However, even in a place without a dedicated space, for example, in a place such as an office where the space is considerably wide, such as an office space, audio or video noise in the surroundings can be transmitted to a camera or a microphone. It ’s hard to get in, and again
If an attendee who attends the meeting can set up an environment in the corner of the open space that will not be confused by the noise around him, the above open space can be used. It will be possible to install and install the video conferencing system, and the range of use of the video conferencing system will be expanded.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the present state of the video conference system as described above, the present invention has a wide open space in, for example, an office without a dedicated video conference room or the like formed independently. It is an object of the present invention to provide a series of fixtures for a video conference system capable of forming a conference room environment having an independent atmosphere in each of the visual, spatial, and psychological aspects even when installed in one corner, etc. It is what

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the structure of the present invention has a substantially flat plate shape when viewed from the front by incorporating a camera for photographing and a display screen for displaying images. And a photographing display section formed by providing a door body on both left and right sides of the flat plate-like portion that can be opened and closed in a wing shape and that shows a photographing angle of view of the camera when opened. A background panel body, which is a screen-shaped panel that is arranged to face the display unit at an appropriate distance, and the panel surface facing the camera can be variably formed in a desired color, surface state, and the like, and the photographing display unit. And a table arranged between the background panel body and a table formed so that the seating portion of the attendees at a conference or the like can be set within the angle of view of the camera. In front of the place where you want to set the place of the video conference Imaging display unit, the background panel body, Te - is characterized in that it has to be installed while maintaining each other a predetermined interval Bull.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a video conference system using the furniture of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the video conference system shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a video conference system of the present invention shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an example of a table which is one of the fixtures used, and FIG. 4 is a front view of a background panel body which is one of the fixtures used in the video conference system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 for showing a main part of the background panel body shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing display section of a television conference system fixture according to the present invention, in which a slightly elongated box-shaped main body, for example, a height of about 1500 mm and a depth of 500 to 600.
On the front side of the inside of the box 1a formed to have a size of about 1 mm and a front width of about 1000 mm, a TV camera 1b, a display screen 1c by a CRT or a liquid crystal display, a speaker 1d, a microphone if necessary, It is formed by accommodating a device main body 1e including a transmitter / receiver for TV images, audio, etc. to which these devices are connected.

Reference numerals 1f and 1g denote wing-shaped doors provided on both sides of the front side of the box-shaped main body 1a so as to be openable and closable, and a hinge member (Fig. It is attached to the main body 1a through (not shown).

The doors 1f and 1g have an opening angle at the time of a video conference shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 by an opening / closing moderation imparting means (a so-called click imparting means) incorporated in the hinge member. As described above, the opening angle is given a role as a view angle display plate showing the left and right view angles of the camera 1b. That is, the camera 1b has the door 1 opened as described above.
A subject such as a person located between the extension lines of f and 1g can be photographed by the camera 1b.
The vertical angle of view of the camera 1b is also defined as a predetermined angle in relation to the background panel body and the table surface described later. Here, if the doors 1f and 1g are fully opened, the door can be opened 180 degrees, but it is optional whether or not the door is formed in this way. Further, since the caster (not shown) or the like is attached to the bottom of the box-shaped body 1a, the photographing display unit 1 can be moved.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 is a background panel body arranged on the opposite surface of the image display unit 1, where 1 is a background panel body.
The center panel 2a is formed of a sheet, and five connecting panels 2b are formed on both sides of the panel 2a. Each of the panels 2a, 2b has a substantially rectangular frame 2c, 2d made of metal or the like from below the frame 2c in the height direction.
Shelves 2e and 2f are provided on the front and back sides of frames 2c and 2d at about 3 positions. Here, nothing is stretched below the shelf 2f in the frame 2d, but it is optional whether or not a sheet-like member having a light shielding property is stretched over this portion. The frame 2c of the center panel 2a is provided with a light-shielding member 2h stretched above and below the shelf 2e and having a light-shielding property to suppress the surface gloss.

On the other hand, each connecting panel 2b has a roll screen mounted on the shelf 2f above the shelf 2f.
Two 2i are formed so that the payout height of the screen 21i can be changed and stopped. 2j is a rolled-out roll screen 2i provided inside each frame 2d.
The height is set to three levels here, and is formed so that the payout height of the screen 21i can be set to any height. It should be noted that instead of the light-shielding member 2h of the center panel 2a, a roll screen is attached to the shelf 2e.
It is optional to provide the 2i. Where the connecting panel 2b
The manner of mounting the roll screen 2i mounted on the shelf 2f is as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, which will be described below.

The left and right vertical members 21d of the frame 2d of the connecting panel 2b are formed with hollow insides at the front and rear surfaces thereof, and a lid 22f is provided at the center of the upper surface to form an opening 21f. Two hollow shelves 2f, 2f are attached. The roll screens 2i and 2i are housed in the hollow interiors 23f and 23f of the shelves 2f and 2f, respectively, and one of the screen screens 21i and 21i is installed above the frame 2d. It is designed so that it can be withdrawn toward. 22i
Is a mounting frame for the roll screen 2i.

The screen curtains 21i of the two roll screens 2i, 2i are made of different materials, colors, surface glosses, etc. on the outer surface sides, and either one of them is used. By selecting and pulling out the screen curtain 21i of the screen 2i, the atmosphere by the panel 2b can be changed. Further, the change of the atmosphere or the like can also be changed by locking the height of the drawn screen 21i by locking one of the locking portions 2j having different heights.

As described above, in the present invention, the contents such as the surface condition and the color of the screen 21i serving as the shielding member of the panel 2b are taken into consideration because the panel 2b is a video image taken by the camera 1b in the video conference. While considering the background, when not using it in a video conference,
Another screen with a different curtain surface 21i
This is because the curtain 21i is pulled out and used to change the atmosphere during the video conference and the visual environment when the video conference is not performed.

In this embodiment, the background panel 2 in the furniture of the present invention formed as described above is, as shown in FIG. 1, as an example, on the facing surface side of the photographing display section 1 in a substantially V-shaped plane. Are arranged in a vertical pattern and are erected on the floor. Here, the background panel 2 is self-supporting by arranging the panels 2a and 2b in a plane substantially V-shaped pattern. Legs (not shown) for assisting the independence of the panels may be provided on the front and rear surfaces of the frames 2c, 2d of any of the panels 2a or 2b.

The background panel 2 is composed of the panels 2a and 2b.
The connected parts of the panels are formed by a hinge member (not shown) that enables swiveling between the panels.
The plane patterns of 2a and 2b may be arbitrarily changed. The distance between the background panel body 2 and the photographing display section 1 is set so that the wing tips on the left and right of the front width of the panel body 2 can cover the angle of view of the camera 1b. The background panel body 2 prevents noise information other than the video conference space formed by the furniture of the present invention, that is, other objects, persons, etc., from being reflected in the image information captured by the camera 1b. Because it is a thing.

2k is the center of the background panel body.
The upper frame 22 on the connecting panel 2b on both sides of the panel 2a
d Indirect lighting provided above. This lighting 2k
The light of the light source is applied to the ceiling (not shown) by the window, and the reflected light is emitted to the conference attendees who arrive at the table 3 which will be described later.
This is to prevent strong shadows on the face. The position where the lighting 2k is provided, the number of lightings, and the like are appropriately set according to the size of the video conference hall formed by the furniture of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a table 3 having a top plate which is roughly V-shaped when viewed from above is arranged between the photographing display section 1 and the background panel body 2. The top plate of the table 3 is, here, a center top plate 3a and left and right top plates 3b, which are pivotally supported on both left and right sides and can be opened and closed in a scissor-like manner.
And 3c.

In this embodiment, the center-top plate 3a is
As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a fan is formed in a plane shape like a base paper, and its lower front side is attached to the upper end of a substantially triangular hollow pillar 3d which is erected on the base plate 3e. . On the left and right end sides of the center-top plate 3a, the support shafts 3f,
Left and right top plates 3b, which are rotatably supported by 3g, respectively.
3c are attached at one end side of each. Then, on the other end side of each of the left and right top plates 3b and 3c,
Two leg members 3h, 3i are attached, and these leg members 3h, 3i
By attaching 3i and the shafts 3f and 3g to the center-top plate 3a, the left and right top plates 3b and 3c are provided to be openable and closable with respect to the center-top plate 3a.

In the table 3 shown in FIG. 3, 3j is a floor on which cords such as electric cords and signal cables which are formed on the front side of a hollow support column 3d having a substantially triangular outer shape are projected. A rising duct for starting up from the center top plate 3a and pulling it up to the upper surface side of the center top plate 3a, and a cover body detachably provided on the front end side of the center top plate 3a so as to be flush with the top plate 3a. A slit 3m for leading the cords leading to the duct 3j is provided on the periphery of the cover body 3k. An operation panel (not shown) and a microphone (not shown) of the photographing display unit 1 are provided by being connected to the cords drawn out from the slit 3m of the cover body 3k of the table 3. It is placed on the table.

On the other hand, in the illustrated embodiment, when the left and right top plates 3b and 3c are attracted to each other about their respective shafts 3f and 3g, the front end side of the center-top plate 3a close to the duct 3j. Since it interferes with, the corner parts 3b 'and 3c' on the interfering side are
The so-called butterfly type is formed so that it can be folded vertically. Therefore, this structure may not be necessary depending on the size of the support column 3d supporting the center top plate 3a and the projection of the duct 3j.

A pillar 3d is provided on the front side of the left and right top plates 3b and 3c.
Curtain plates 3q and 3r having folding structure sub-curtain plates 3n and 3p, which are approximately 1/3 of the width, are provided. The curtain plates 3q and 3r are not indispensable as the system fixture for the video conference of the present invention, and it is optional whether or not they are provided from the viewpoint of design.

In the table 3, casters (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the base plate 3e and the lower ends of the leg members 3h and 3i to move the table 3 or move it to the left or right. You may make it easy to open and close the top plates 3b and 3c.

In the present invention, the table 3 is unfolded at the time of use so as to have a top plate shape having a substantially V-shape when viewed from a person who is seated on the table 3 from the camera 1b (three people in this embodiment). ~
This is to make the distance to each person (about 5 people) almost equal. For the same purpose, the background panel body 2 is also arranged so as to have a plane pattern (planar substantially V-shape) along the seating side peripheral edge of the table 3. When the table 3 is not used, the left and right top plates 3b and 3c are attracted to each other about their axes 3f and 3g. In addition to making it compact as a lump, when the whole planar shape is made into an elliptical shape here, it is used for applications other than video conferences, that is, for ordinary meetings and meetings with a small number of people who do not shoot with the camera 1b. This is because it is easy to use.

In the above embodiment, each of the fixtures of the present invention is moved within the open space or the like to make a video conference.
In the case of forming a corner, it takes a certain amount of work to arrange the fixtures so that the distances between the fixtures have a predetermined relationship. Therefore, in the present invention, as an example, a distance measuring means such as a tape measure type or a folding scale type is provided on the lower surface side of the top plate of the table 3, or the distance between the fixtures is realized in a predetermined manner. The furniture is provided with a distance setting index for arranging. In addition to the above example, a measuring means using light, ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, or the like may be incorporated as the measuring means. In addition, the index formed on each fixture for this purpose is formed by a member having a property corresponding to the above-mentioned light, ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, etc. (for example, a property of reflecting, receiving a vibration, or generating an electromotive force). There are also things to do.

[0029]

As described above, the video conference system fixture of the present invention has a wide range of functions in offices and the like.
For example, a background panel body is first installed in one corner of the punse space, the photographing display body is arranged on the opposite surface of the panel body, and a table is installed between them so that the surroundings can be visually recognized. It is possible to easily form a space for a video conference that has a psychologically sufficiently partitioned feeling. In this arrangement, by utilizing the distance measuring means or the distance setting index, it is possible to easily realize the one in which the distance between the fixtures is set to a predetermined interval.

Further, in the above conference space, since there is a panel body having a monotone panel surface as a background within the angle of view of the facing surface of the camera, the camera is used by those who attend the video conference. And a part of the table in which those people are seated is photographed, and only the screen curtain of the background panel body is reflected in the background, so it is possible to photograph video information without visual noise. .

Further, since the table has a planer shape of the top plate so that the distance to the person who arrives at the television from the camera is substantially equal, it is possible to grasp the figure of the conference attendees well. Easy to do. Further, the distance between the background panel body and the camera is set to be substantially equal within the angle of view, so that the optical role of the background panel body can be substantially uniform.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a video conference system formed by the furniture of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the video conference system shown in FIG.

3 is a plan view showing a part of an example of a table used in the video conference system of the present invention shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a background panel body used in the video conference system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

1. FIG. 5 is a view showing a main part of the panel body shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a partial cross section taken along line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 shooting display 2 background panel 2a, 2b panel 2c, 2d frame 2e, 2f shelf 3 table 3a center top 3b, 3c left, right top 3d hollow column 3e base 3f, 3g Support shaft 3h, 3i Leg member

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shinji Shibuya 1-280, Higashi Koigokubo, Kokubunji City, Tokyo Inside Design Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd. (72) Masashi Kato 1 Awaji-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Chome 6-11 Itoki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomokazu Takagawa 1-6-11 Awajicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Itoki Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A camera for shooting and a display screen for displaying an image are incorporated to have a portion which is substantially flat when viewed from the front, and can be opened and closed in a wing shape on both left and right sides of the flat portion. And a screen-shaped panel which is formed by providing a door body showing a shooting angle of view of the camera when the door is opened, and a panel which is arranged to face the shooting display unit at an appropriate distance. A background panel body in which a panel surface facing the camera can be variably formed to have a desired color and surface condition, and a table arranged between the photographing display section and the background panel body for meeting or the like. The seating part of the attendee comprises a table formed so as to be set within the angle of view of the camera, and the photographing display part, the background panel body, and the table are set in a place where the place of the video conference is desired to be set in the room or the like. So that they are installed at a required distance from each other. System fixtures for video conferencing characterized by 2. The door body is formed so as to also serve as a display screen cover door which covers the entire display screen when closed.
System fixtures for video conferencing in. 3. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the background panel body is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from above. 4. The background panel body is configured such that panel bodies having a required unit width can be folded, and the panel bodies can be arranged so as to be adjustable so that the entire planar shape is a desired shape such as a dogleg shape. System fixture for video conferencing in any one of 1-3. 5. The background panel body is of a roll screen type having a screen curtain extending from the lower part of the panel body to the upper half side of the panel having a required unit width. 5. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 3, further comprising a shielding means. 6. A roll screen having a variable feeding height.
The screen-type shielding means is provided by arranging two rolls of screen curtains having different colors, surface conditions, materials, etc. in parallel, and either one or both of the screen curtains from the floor. 6. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 5, wherein the system fixture is extended to a desired height for use. 7. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 1, wherein the background panel body is provided with an illuminating means for the table side at an upper portion or an appropriate portion thereof. 8. The system fixture for video conferencing of claim 7, wherein the lighting means is an indirect lighting means for a person arriving at the table. 9. The planar shape of the table on the occupant side is formed so as to have a substantially arc-shaped outer peripheral shape so that each occupant is positioned at substantially equal distances in terms of radiation as seen from the camera. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 1. 10. The system fixture for video conferencing according to claim 9, wherein the table has a top plate having a structure that can be opened and closed substantially like scissors when viewed from above. 11. A distance measurement to at least one of the photographing display unit, the table, and the background panel body in order to form and hold a relative distance between the photographing display unit, the table, and the background panel body in a predetermined manner. The system fixture for video conferencing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising means or an index for setting a relative distance.