JP2001148746A - Image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actualize an image output system that anybody can easily operate by using a TV in the center of living space and eliminating troublesome handling and problems of installation. SOLUTION: This system has an information input means which inputs an image or voice, a trigger means 2 which actuates the information input means 1, a notification means 3 which gives notice of the input of the image or voice by the information input means 1, an answering means 5 which answers to the image or voice inputted by the means 1, and an image output means which outputs the inputted image to a TV 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output technique for capturing an image or sound and outputting the captured image or sound to an output device located at a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, there is a door phone system which takes in images and sounds by a trigger means, outputs the images and sounds to an output device, and gives a notification before output.

[0003] In this system, a video camera device is provided in addition to a conventional telephone device in an entrance terminal installed at the entrance, so that images and sounds can be captured. Therefore, a monitor is mounted on the indoor master unit installed indoors, and an image captured by the video camera of the entrance slave unit can be viewed indoors.

[0004] As an example of the use method, when a visitor presses a call button of the entrance slave unit, a chime sound is generated in the indoor master unit and an image of the visitor is displayed on a monitor. Therefore, the person in the room can recognize that there is a visitor by the chime sound, and can check the image of the visitor displayed on the monitor of the indoor master unit without going to the entrance, and the indoor master unit The handset can be used to respond to the visitor.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned door phone system, even if it is not necessary to go to the front door, the indoor master unit is often installed in a room different from a normal living space, and the chime sound is generated. In the event that the user hears the message, the visitor cannot confirm or respond to the visitor until the indoor master unit is located, which requires an extremely troublesome response.

[0006] Further, since the master unit is installed on a wall or the like and has a height used by an adult, it has been difficult for a child to use the master unit.

[0007] The present invention eliminates the hassle of responding to the above-mentioned system and the problem of installation in consideration of the fact that there is often a TV (television) at the center of the living space.
An object is to provide an image output system that can be easily operated by anyone.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve this problem, the present invention provides an information fetching means for capturing an image or a sound, a trigger means for activating the information fetching means,
, A notifying device for notifying that an image or a sound has been captured by the information capturing device, a response device for responding to the image or the voice captured by the information capturing device, and an information capturing device. An image output means for outputting an image captured by the means or to a TV (television).

This makes it possible to output an image captured by the slave unit to a TV.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A slave unit having information capturing means for capturing an image or sound, trigger means for activating the information capturing means, a notifying means for notifying that an image or sound has been captured by the information capturing means, and information Responding means for responding to an image or sound captured by the capturing means, and an image or TV captured by the information capturing means
With the configuration including the master unit having an image output unit for outputting to a (television), images and sounds can be selectively output.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the image output system.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the image output system according to the present embodiment, the entrance slave unit 11 is connected to the indoor master unit 12, and the indoor master unit 12 is further connected to the TV 13 and the audio output device 50. . Here, it is assumed that the entrance slave unit 11 is installed at the entrance, and the indoor master unit 12, the TV 13, and the audio output device 50 are installed adjacent to each other indoors.

The entrance slave unit 11 has a call button 14 for a visitor to call a person in the room, a speaker 15 for talking with a person in the room, a handset microphone 16, and a video camera for capturing an image of the visitor. 17 are provided.

The indoor parent device 12 is provided with a parent device microphone 18 for responding to a visitor, a chime 19 for notification, and a response button 20 for starting a response.

Hereinafter, the image captured by the entrance cordless handset 11 is
TV13, sound is output to the sound output device 50, and TV1
A process until a person in the room responds to the visitor before step 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, here, the call button 14 serves as the trigger means 2, and when a visitor visits and the call button 14 is pressed (step S1), it is the information taking section of the information taking means 1. The video camera 17 captures the image of the visitor and the slave unit microphone 16 that is a voice capture unit.
To start capturing the voice of the visitor (step S
2).

Subsequently, the chime 19, which is the notification means 3, notifies that the image or sound has been captured, that is, that there is a visitor.
Generates a chime sound and notifies the indoor person (step S3).

Subsequently, the image or sound captured at the entrance is transmitted from the entrance slave unit 11 to the indoor master unit 12 as an image signal and an audio signal through a dedicated line. Then, the image signal from the entrance device 11 is transmitted to the TV 1 by the image output means 4.
3 (step S4). Thereby, the person in the room can check the image of the visitor on the TV 13.

When the person in the room wants to respond to the visitor, the response is started by pressing the response button 20 of the indoor master unit 12 (step S5). Note that the response button 20 is desirably a remote controller for convenience.

At this time, the voice of the visitor, that is, the voice signal from the entrance terminal 11, is output to the voice output device 50 by the voice output means 7 (step S6).

According to the above-described procedure, it becomes possible to confirm and respond to a visitor's image and sound, which have been output on the monitor of the indoor master unit, in front of the TV at the center of the living space. It is possible to confirm who the visitor is.

Further, even when a person in the room turns off the power of the TV, since the sound is output from the sound output device which is another device, it is possible to respond without turning on the power of the TV. There is no need to turn on the TV.

Also, when outputting an image to a TV, it is possible to confirm a visitor without obstructing the watching of the TV program by outputting the image of the visitor as a sub-screen even when watching the TV program. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an image output system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the image output system.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the image output system according to the present embodiment, the entrance slave unit 11 is connected to the indoor master unit 12, and the indoor master unit 12 is further connected to the TV 13. Here, it is assumed that the entrance slave unit 11 is installed at the entrance, and the indoor master unit 12 and the TV 13 are installed adjacent to each other indoors.

The entrance slave unit 11 has a call button 14 for a visitor to call a person in the room, a speaker 15 for talking with a person in the room, a handset microphone 16, and a video camera for capturing an image of the visitor. 17 are provided.

The indoor base unit 12 includes a base unit microphone 18 for responding to a visitor, a chime 19 for notification, a response button 20 for starting a response, and a speaker 21 for outputting a captured voice. Is provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, a description will be given of a process until an image or a sound captured by the entrance slave unit 11 is output to the TV 13 and a person in the room responds to the visitor in front of the TV 13.

As shown in FIG. 4, here, the call button 14 serves as the trigger means 2, and when a visitor visits and the call button 14 is pressed (step S1), it is the information taking section of the information taking means 1. The video camera 17 captures the image of the visitor and the slave unit microphone 16 that is a voice capture unit.
To start capturing the voice of the visitor (step S
2).

Subsequently, the chime 19, which is the notification means 3, notifies that the image or sound has been captured, that is, that there is a visitor.
Generates a chime sound and notifies the indoor person (step S3).

Subsequently, the image or sound captured at the entrance is transmitted from the entrance slave unit 11 to the indoor master unit 12 as an image signal and an audio signal through a dedicated line. Then, the image signal from the entrance device 11 is transmitted to the TV 1 by the image output means 4.
3 (step S4). Thereby, the person in the room can check the image of the visitor on the TV 13.

When the person in the room wants to respond to the visitor, the response is started by pressing the response button 20 of the indoor master unit 12 (step S5). Note that the response button 20 is desirably a remote controller for convenience.

At this time, the voice of the visitor, that is, the voice signal from the entrance slave unit 11 is output by the voice output means 7 to the indoor master unit 1.
The signal is output from the second speaker 21 (step S6).

According to the above procedure, a more simplified system can be constructed without providing another voice output device for outputting voice from the indoor master unit.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an image output system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the image output system.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the image output system of the present embodiment, the entrance slave unit 11 is connected to the indoor master unit 12, and the indoor master unit 12 is further connected to the TV 13. The indoor slave unit 31 is a device that can communicate with the indoor master unit 12 wirelessly or by wire. It is desirable that the indoor slave unit 31 be small in size and easily move in place from the viewpoint of convenience.

The entrance slave unit 11 has a call button 14 for a visitor to call a person in the room, a speaker 15 for talking with a person in the room, a handset microphone 16, and a video camera for capturing an image of the visitor. 17 are provided.

The indoor base unit 12 is provided with a base unit microphone 18 for responding to a visitor, a chime 19 for notification, and a response button 20 for starting a response. The indoor child device 31 is provided with a speaker 32 for reproducing an audio signal from the indoor parent device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a description will be given below of a process in which an image or a sound captured by the entrance terminal 11 is output to the TV 13 and a person in the room responds to the visitor in front of the TV 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, here, the call button 14 serves as the trigger means 2, and when the visitor visits and the call button 14 is pressed (step S1), it is the information taking section of the information taking means 1. The video camera 17 captures the image of the visitor and the slave unit microphone 16 that is a voice capture unit.
To start capturing the voice of the visitor (step S
2).

Subsequently, the chime 19, which is the notification means 3, notifies that the image or sound has been captured, that is, that there is a visitor.
Generates a chime sound and notifies the indoor person (step S3).

Subsequently, the image or sound captured at the entrance is transmitted to the indoor master unit 12 as an image signal and an audio signal from the entrance slave unit 11 through a dedicated line. Then, the image signal from the entrance device 11 is transmitted to the TV 1 by the image output means 4.
3 (step S4). Thereby, the person in the room can check the image of the visitor on the TV 13.

When the person in the room wants to respond to the visitor, the response is started by pressing the response button 20 of the indoor master unit 12 (step S5). Note that the response button 20 is desirably a remote controller for convenience.

At this time, the voice of the visitor, that is, the voice signal from the entrance slave unit 11 is output by the audio output means 7 to the indoor slave unit 3.
It is output from one speaker 32 (step S6).

For example, by using the above-mentioned remote controller, cordless handset of a telephone, or a portable terminal such as a PDA as the indoor handset 31, portability is increased and a more convenient system can be constructed.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, a slave unit having information capturing means for capturing an image or sound, trigger means for activating the information capturing means, Notifying means for notifying that sound has been captured, response means for responding to the image or sound captured by the information capturing means, and image or TV (television) captured by the information capturing means. ), And a master unit having an image output means for outputting images and sounds can be selectively output, and a comfortable and simple system can be provided. In addition, TV
This makes it possible to record captured images and audio on a video deck, etc., thereby expanding the usage applications.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the image output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an image output system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of an image output system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an image output system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of an image output system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information acquisition means 2 Trigger means 3 Notification means 4 Image output means 5 Response means 7 Audio output means 11 Entrance cordless handset 12 Indoor master unit 13 TV 50 Audio output device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A slave unit having information capturing means for capturing an image or a voice, trigger means for activating the information capturing means, and an image or a voice captured by the information capturing means. Notifying means for notifying, responding means for responding to an image or sound captured by the information capturing means, and image output or image output to a TV (television) captured by the information capturing means An image output system comprising: a master unit having: 2. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the master unit has audio output means for outputting the captured audio to an audio output device different from the TV. 3. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the audio output device output by the audio output means is provided in a master unit. 4. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the audio output device output by the audio output means is a device capable of communicating with a master unit.