JP2001148847A - Image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output system that everybody can simply operate by utilizing a television receiver (TV) existing in the center of a life space so as to avoid troubles of correspondence and a problem on installation. SOLUTION: The image output system is provided with an information capture means 1 that captures an iamge or a voice, a trigger means 2 that starts the information capture means 1, an information output means 4 that outputs the captured image or voice to a TV 13, a notice means 3 that notices a user in advance about the fact of captured before the captured image or voice is outputted to the TV 13 and a reply means 5 that replies the captured image or voice.

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 image or sound to an output device.

[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. This system is equipped with a video camera device in addition to a communication device like a conventional door phone on a front-end slave unit installed at the entrance,
Images and sounds can be captured.

[0003] For this reason, a monitor is mounted on an indoor master unit installed indoors, and an image captured by a video camera of an entrance slave unit can be viewed indoors.

[0004] As an example of the usage method, when a visitor presses a call button of the entrance cordless handset, 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 the presence of the visitor by the chime sound notification, and can confirm the image of the visitor displayed on the monitor of the indoor parent device without going to the entrance, and the indoor parent The visitor can be answered using the handset of the machine.

[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] In addition, since the indoor master unit is generally installed on a wall or the like and has a height used by adults, it has been difficult for children to use it.

The present invention eliminates the hassle of responding to the above-mentioned system and the problem of installation in consideration of the fact that a TV is often located at the center of a living space, and an image which can be easily operated by anyone. It is intended to provide an output system.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a slave unit having information capturing means for capturing an image or sound, trigger means for activating the information capturing means, Information output means for outputting the inserted image or sound to a TV (television) serving as an output device, and a notice for notifying that the image or sound has been captured before outputting the captured image or sound to the TV And a master unit having a response unit for responding to the image or sound captured by the information capturing unit.

[0009] Thus, the TV, which is the center of the living space, can be substituted for the system in the home, and a more comfortable and simple system can be provided.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A child device having information capturing means for capturing an image or sound, and trigger means for activating the information capturing means;
Information output means for outputting a captured image or sound to a TV (television) as an output device, and notifying that the captured image or sound has been captured before outputting the captured image or sound to the TV And a master unit having a response unit for responding to the image or sound captured by the information capturing unit, thereby enabling the image or voice captured by the trigger unit to be transmitted. TV
Can be output to

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is the invention according to claim 1.
In the invention described in the above, when notified by notification means,
With the configuration including the means for switching to the captured image of the TV display screen, the captured image can be confirmed without bothering the user.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In the invention described in the above, when notified by notification means,
With the configuration including the means for manually switching to the image in which the TV display screen is captured, it is possible to determine whether or not the user checks the image on the TV.

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

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram 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 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

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. 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 master unit 12 is provided with a master unit microphone 18 for responding to a visitor, a chime 19 for notification, and a response button 20 for starting a response.

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. 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 image capturing section of the information capturing 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 a notification means 3 that the image or the 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. Further, the image signal and the audio signal from the entrance terminal 11 are output to the TV 13 by the information output means 4 (step S4). Thereby, the person in the room can check the image or sound of the visitor on the TV 13.

When a person in the room wants to respond to a visitor, the response is started by pressing the response button 20 of the indoor master unit 12. At this time, the parent device microphone 18 of the indoor parent device 12 becomes operable, and responds to the visitor through this microphone,
The reaction can be confirmed by the image or sound output from the TV 13 (step S5). Note that the response button 20
It is desirable to use a remote control for ease of use.

According to the above procedure, it becomes possible to confirm and respond to the image and sound of the visitor, which has been output on the monitor of the indoor master unit, on the TV at the center of the living space.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration 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 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, 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. 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 the person in the room, a slave unit microphone 16, and a video camera for capturing an image of the visitor. 17 are provided.

The indoor base unit 12 has 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 video / video for outputting an image or sound to the TV 13. Audio output terminal 31 and T
A control signal output terminal 32 for outputting a control signal for switching the screen of V13 is provided.

Here, when listening to the voice of the visitor, TV1
3 equipped speakers 15 and TV
The TV 13 has a video / audio input terminal 41 and a control signal input terminal 42 for receiving a control signal for switching the TV 13 screen from the indoor master unit 12.
3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a description will be given below of a process in which an image or a sound taken in by the entrance cordless handset 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 the visitor visits and the call button 14 is pressed (step S1), it is the image capturing section of the information capturing 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. Further, the information output means 4 converts the image signal and the audio signal from the cordless handset 11 into a video signal and an audio signal for the TV standard, and then outputs them to the video / audio output terminal 31 (step S4).

At this time, a control signal for switching the screen of the TV 13 to an image or sound output from the video / audio output terminal 31 is transmitted from the control signal output terminal 32 by the manual screen switching means 7 (step S).
5).

When the TV 13 receives a control signal for screen switching from the control signal input terminal 42,
It switches to the image or audio input from the video / audio input terminal 41.

Thus, after the person in the room hears the announcement,
Automatically converts visitors' images or sounds by TV13
It can be confirmed in V13.

When a 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. At this time, the parent device microphone 18 of the indoor parent device 12 becomes operable, and responds to the visitor through this microphone,
The reaction can be confirmed by the image or sound output from the TV 13 (step S6). Note that the response button 20
It is desirable to use a remote control for ease of use.

According to the above procedure, it is possible to output the image or sound of the entrance to the TV 13 without bothering the people in the room, and even a child can easily confirm who the visitor is. It becomes possible to do.

However, with this system, the TV 13
It is necessary to have the above mechanism on the side. Therefore, as a system for using a general-purpose TV, for example, FIG.
A form such as 1 is conceivable.

The indoor base unit 12 is installed so as to be located in front of the remote control receiving unit of the TV 13, and the indoor base unit 12 is provided with infrared communication means for realizing a remote control function according to the TV 13 to be used. When there is, the indoor master unit 12 issues a command for switching to a screen capable of outputting an image or sound captured by the screen of the TV 13 by the infrared communication means. By using this method, a system can be constructed at lower cost.

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

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. 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 slave unit microphone 16, and a video camera for capturing an image of the visitor. 17 are provided.

The indoor base unit 12 has 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 TV 13 screen for switching to a screen or voice of a front door. Switch button 2
1. A video / audio output terminal 31 for outputting an image or audio to the TV 13, and a control signal output terminal 32 for outputting a control signal for switching the screen of the TV 13.
Is provided.

Here, when listening to the voice of the visitor, TV1
3 equipped speakers 15 and TV
The TV 13 has a video / audio input terminal 41 and a control signal input terminal 42 for receiving a control signal for switching the TV 13 screen from the indoor master unit 12.
3.

Referring to FIG. 6, a description will now be given of a process in which an image and a sound captured by the entrance slave unit 11 are 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 image capturing section of the information capturing 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. Further, the information output means 4 converts the image signal and the audio signal from the cordless handset 11 into a video signal and an audio signal for the TV standard, and then outputs them to the video / audio output terminal 31 (step S4).

When the person in the room wants to confirm who the visitor is by listening to the chime sound, he or she presses the switching button 21 of the indoor master unit. When this button is pressed, the manual screen switching means 7 transmits from the control signal output terminal 32 a control signal for switching the screen of the TV 13 to an image or audio output from the video / audio output terminal 31 (step S5). ).

When the TV 13 receives a control signal for screen switching from the control signal input terminal 42,
It switches to the image or audio input from the video / audio input terminal 41.

Thus, the person in the room can check the image or sound of the visitor on the TV 13.

When a 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. At this time, the parent device microphone 18 of the indoor parent device 12 becomes operable, and responds to the visitor through this microphone,
The reaction can be confirmed by the image or sound output from the TV 13 (step S6). Response button 2
0, the switching button 21 is desirably a remote controller for convenience.

According to the above-described procedure, it becomes possible for a person in the room to selectively output the image or sound of the entrance to the TV 13. For example, when the user does not want to switch the TV 13 screen, it can be automatically switched. There is no.

However, with this system, the TV 13
It is necessary to have the above mechanism on the side. Therefore, as a system for using a general-purpose TV, for example, FIG.
A form such as 1 is conceivable.

The indoor base unit 12 is installed in front of the remote control receiving unit of the TV 13, and the indoor base unit 12 is provided with infrared communication means for realizing a remote control function according to the TV 13 to be used. When the user presses the switching button of the indoor master unit 12 or gives an instruction with a remote controller dedicated to the indoor master unit 12, a screen which can output an image or sound captured by the TV communication screen by the infrared communication means. Issue a command to switch to. By using this method, a system can be constructed at lower cost.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
9 is an operation flowchart of an image output system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, 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 cordless handset 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 has a base unit microphone 18 for responding to the visitor, a chime 19 for announcement, a response button 20 for starting a response, and a video / video for outputting an image or sound to the TV 13. An audio output terminal 31 is provided.

Here, when listening to the voice of the visitor, TV1
3 equipped speakers 15 and TV
Reference numeral 13 denotes a very general-purpose TV 13 having a video / audio input terminal 41.

Referring to FIG. 8, a description will be given of a process until 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. 8, 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 image capturing section of the information capturing 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 that the image or the 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. Further, the information output means 4 converts the image signal and the audio signal from the cordless handset 11 into a video signal and an audio signal for the TV standard, and then outputs them to the video / audio output terminal 31 (step S4).

The TV 13 receives a video / video from the indoor master unit 12.
From the audio output terminal 31, the video / video
The audio input terminal 41 is connected by a cable. A general-purpose TV has a video / audio input terminal 41 provided with a video switching button on a remote controller or the like. Each video / audio input terminal 41 input to the TV 13 is given a name such as video 1 or video 2. The screen can be switched accordingly.

Therefore, the person in the room can use the remote controller or the switch to display the screen displayed on the TV 13 in the indoor master unit 1.
The screen is switched to the screen of the video / audio input terminal 41 connected to 2 and displayed.

Thus, the person in the room can check the image or sound 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. At this time, the parent device microphone 18 of the indoor parent device 12 becomes operable, and responds to the visitor through this microphone,
The reaction can be confirmed by the image or sound output from the TV 13 (step S5). Note that the response button 20
It is desirable to use a remote control for ease of use.

According to the above procedure, an inexpensive system can be constructed by utilizing the function of a TV with a video input terminal which is widely used.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the image output system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, 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. 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 has a base unit microphone 18 for responding to a visitor, a chime 19 for announcement, a response button 20 for starting a response, and an R button from an external antenna.
An RF signal input terminal 52 for inputting an F signal;
An RF signal output terminal 51 for outputting the F signal to the TV 13 is provided.

Here, when listening to the voice of the visitor, the TV 1
3 equipped speakers 15 and TV
13 is an R for inputting an RF signal from an external antenna.
This is a general-purpose TV 13 having an F signal input terminal 61. Normally, the RF signal input to the indoor master unit 12 is
The data is output to the TV 13 as it is.

Hereinafter, the processing from the time when the image and the sound captured by the entrance cordless handset 11 are output to the TV 13 until the person in the room responds to the visitor in front of the TV 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, here, the call button 14 serves as the trigger means 2, and when the visitor visits and the call button 14 is pressed (step S 1), it is the image capturing section of the information capturing means 1. Video camera 17
The microphone 1 for the slave unit, which is a part that captures the image and sound of the visitor
6 to start capturing the voice of the visitor (step S
2).

Subsequently, the chime 19 serving as 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.

Here, the information output means 4 performs a process of embedding the image signal and the audio signal from the entrance terminal 11 into the RF signal input from the external antenna according to the standard. At this time, the channel in which these signals are embedded is an empty channel or a channel set by the user in advance.

For example, here, the image and sound of the entrance are embedded in channel 12. These embedded RF
The signal is output from the RF signal output terminal 51 to the TV 13 again (step S4).

Therefore, the person in the room switches the channel of the TV 13 to 12 channels here using a remote controller or a switch, and displays the channel.

Thus, the person in the room can check the image or sound 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. At this time, the parent device microphone 18 of the indoor parent device 12 becomes operable, and responds to the visitor through this microphone,
The reaction can be confirmed by the image or sound output from the TV 13 (step S5). Note that the response button 20
It is desirable to use a remote control for ease of use.

According to the above procedure, even the TV 13 without the video input terminal can check the image and sound of the visitor.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, a slave unit having information taking-in means for taking in an image or sound, trigger means for activating the information taking-in means, Output means for outputting to a TV (television) which is an output device, notifying means for notifying that the captured image or sound has been captured before outputting to the TV, and information capturing And a base unit having a response unit for responding to the image or sound captured by the unit,
Images and sounds captured by the trigger means can be output to the TV, and the TV, which is the center of the living space, can be substituted for a home system, and a more comfortable and simple system can be provided. In addition, in order to use a general-purpose electric appliance called a TV, it becomes possible to record the captured images and sounds on a VCR.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration 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 configuration 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 configuration 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.

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram of an image output system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of an image output system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of an image output system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an image output system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A slave unit having information capturing means for capturing an image or sound, and trigger means for activating the information capturing means; ), A notifying means for notifying that the captured image or sound has been captured before outputting the captured image or sound to the TV, and an image or sound captured by the information capturing means. An image output system comprising: a base unit having a response unit for responding to voice. 2. An image output system according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching to a captured image of a TV display screen when notified by said notification means. 3. An image output system according to claim 1, further comprising means for manually switching to an image taken from a TV display screen when notified by said notification means. 4. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the switching of the TV display screen to the captured image is realized by switching the video input of the TV. 5. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the switching of the TV display screen to the captured image is realized by switching the TV channel.