JP2007025425A - Lecture collecting/delivering system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an image easily visible and to save labor in a lecture collecting/delivering system for collecting or delivering the ways of the lecture that a lecturer carries out by using a blackboard. <P>SOLUTION: An area sensor 21 divides the surface of the blackboard to a plurality of areas Ea to Ec, and detects the area to which the lecturer T comes into contact or in proximity among the plurality of areas. Also, an image selecting means 32 selectively outputs the image signal of a stationary camera corresponding to the area detected by the area sensor 21 among the stationary cameras 25A to 25C which respectively photograph the respective areas Ea to Ec of the blackboard 2. An identification display means 33 controls lighting of area lamps 22A to 22C and camera lamps 26A to 26C and performs display so as to enable the lecturer T to identify which is the stationary camera selected by the image selecting means among the plurality of the stationary camera and which of the areas of the blackboard the selected stationary camera corresponds to by controlling the lighting of the area lamps 22A to 22C and the camera lamps 26A to 26C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for making it easy to see an image and saving labor in a lecture recording / distribution system for recording or distributing a lecture performed by a lecturer using a blackboard.

  In universities and various schools, not only lecturers give lectures in classrooms where students are present, but also lectures are sent to a monitor in another classroom to allow students in other classrooms to take classes, or via networks such as the Internet. To send to students' terminals. In addition, the lecture contents are recorded in a recording medium in advance and output to a classroom monitor or speaker, or sent to a student's terminal via a network to receive a lecture or a recording medium that records the lecture contents. To distribute to students.

  As a system for recording or distributing the state of the lecture in this way, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the operator C operates the camera 10 as the lecture is performed by the instructor T using the blackboard 2 in the classroom 1. (Sometimes remote control is performed) and the voice of the lecturer T is detected by a microphone (not shown), and the image information of the camera 10 and the voice information of the microphone are distributed in a predetermined format, or a video tape. Or a recording medium such as a DVD (digital video disc).

  When the operator C operates one camera 10 as described above to photograph a lecture, the operator C changes the orientation of the camera 10 in accordance with the movement of the lecturer T moving on the platform 4 and the content of the lecture. However, there is a problem that the image is out of focus and image blurring occurs at that time, and the students who are looking at the image are worried about the image distortion and cannot concentrate on the lecture. there were.

  In addition, at least one worker must be engaged in the shooting from the start to the end of one lecture, and the lecturer T and the worker C must have a close meeting before the lecture starts. For example, when instructor T wants to show the writing part of blackboard 2 that the student wants to pay attention to, the problem that the camera 10 does not point in that direction occurs, the lecture does not proceed smoothly, Even in the case of distribution after recording on a recording medium, significant editing work on the recorded content is required, and labor saving is difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lecture recording / distribution system that solves these problems, makes it easy to view images, allows students to concentrate on lectures, and saves labor.

In order to achieve the above object, the lecture recording / distribution system of the present invention includes:
In a lecture recording / distribution system for recording or distributing lecture images and audio from a lecturer using a blackboard,
An area sensor (21) that divides the blackboard surface into a plurality of areas and detects an area touched by or approached by a lecturer among the plurality of areas;
A plurality of fixed cameras (25A to 25C) for photographing each area of the blackboard;
Image selection means (32) for selectively outputting an image signal of a fixed camera corresponding to an area detected by the area sensor among the plurality of fixed cameras;
Identification that displays so that the instructor can identify which of the plurality of fixed cameras is selected by the image selection means or which area of the blackboard the selected fixed camera corresponds to A display means (33) is provided.

A lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 2 of the present invention is the lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 1,
Area lamps (22A to 22C) are provided around the blackboard at positions corresponding to the respective areas,
The identification display means turns on an area lamp of an area corresponding to the selected fixed camera among the area lamps.

A lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 3 of the present invention is the lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 1,
Camera lamps (26A to 26C) are provided in the vicinity of the fixed cameras,
The identification display means turns on a camera lamp in the vicinity of the selected fixed camera among the camera lamps.

A lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 4 of the present invention is the lecture recording / distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A monitor (27) is provided which displays an image taken by the fixed camera selected by the image selection means so that the lecturer can confirm the image.

A lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 5 of the present invention is the lecture recording / distribution system according to any one of claims 1-4.
A fixed camera for teaching desk (25B) for photographing the area where the teaching desk is provided;
An operation unit (29) provided on the teacher's desk,
The image selection means is configured to selectively output an image signal of the fixed camera for a lecture desk when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit.

  With this configuration, the lecture recording / distribution system of the present invention automatically selects a fixed camera image corresponding to the area when the instructor writes characters on the blackboard or touches the board surface. , Because the instructor can identify the selected fixed camera or the blackboard area corresponding to the selected camera, the lecture can be performed smoothly, and there is no screen distortion caused by the movement of the instructor. it can.

  In addition, it is not necessary to have an operator for shooting and a meeting with the operator, so that significant labor saving is possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a classroom 1 in which a main part of a lecture recording / distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged (student desks and chairs are omitted), and FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a lecture recording / distribution system 20 in a form.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an area sensor 21 is provided in the vicinity of a horizontally long rectangular blackboard 2 fixed to the wall of the classroom 1.

  The area sensor 21 divides the surface of the blackboard 2 side by side, for example, into three areas Ea to Ec, and detects an area where a part of the body of the teacher T or a chalk touches or is close to the area Ea to Ec. Is for. In addition, boundary lines 2a and 2b of the areas Ea to Ec are drawn on the surface of the blackboard 2, and a grid (not shown) serving as a reference for the size of characters to be written on the blackboard 2 is drawn.

  The area sensor 21 may be any of an optical type, an electric type, and a mechanical type, and in the case of an optical type and an electric type, any of a non-contact type and a contact type may be used.

  As an example of the non-contact type optical system, for example, a beam light such as a laser is swept from the corner of the blackboard 2 along the blackboard surface, and the beam light is irradiated to a part of the body of the teacher T or the chalk. An azimuth distance measuring device that receives light from the irradiation point and detects the distance and azimuth to the irradiation point based on the imaging position of the irradiation point and the beam sweep direction can be used. In this case, the range of the azimuth and distance of each area Ea to Ec from the reference position at the corner of the blackboard 2 is set in the determination means in advance, and in which area the azimuth and distance obtained by the azimuth distance measuring device are located. Is determined by the determining means.

  Further, light that covers each area from above (or below) each area Ea to Ec of the blackboard 2 is emitted by a projector, and this light is disposed below (or above) each area Ea to Ec. And a method of identifying a light receiver in which light is blocked by a part of the body of the lecturer T or a choke. In this case, either a method in which the projector emits sweep light or a method in which parallel light is emitted may be used, or a combination of both methods may be used.

  In the case of the non-contact type electric type, for example, the electrode plates for each area are arranged so as to overlap the back side of the blackboard 2, and the teacher T is guided to the body of the teacher T by touching the desired area of the blackboard 2 with his / her hand. The signal component of the commercial power supply is input to the electrode of the area, and the area is specified by comparing the level of the signal input to each electrode.

  In the case of the contact type electric type, for example, an electrode plate for each area is disposed so as to be exposed at a portion of the crosspiece 3 for placing chalk or the like of the blackboard 2, and the instructor T places an electrode under a desired area of the blackboard 2 The signal component of the commercial power source that is touched and guided to the instructor's body is input to the electrode of the area, and the level of the signal input to each electrode is compared to identify the area.

  The area sensor 21 is set such that sensitivity is set so as to detect the area when the instructor T operates to specify or touch the board surface, and the instructor T is simply separated from the blackboard 2. The detection area is not changed even if it moves on the platform 4 in the state where

  Area lamps 22A, 22B, and 22C for identifying and displaying the selected area are provided on the upper and lower edges of the areas Ea to Ec of the blackboard 2, respectively. The lower area lamps 22A to 22C are arranged on the upper surface side of the crosspiece 3 of the blackboard 2, for example.

  Further, three fixed cameras 25A, 25B, and 25C for photographing each area of the blackboard 2 are attached to the ceiling of the classroom 1 so as to be suspended.

  The orientations and depths of focus of these fixed cameras 25A to 25C are set in advance so as to match the areas Ea to Eb to be photographed, and the orientation and focal length do not change during the lecture.

  Camera lamps 26 </ b> A to 26 </ b> C are attached in the vicinity of the fixed cameras 25 </ b> A to 25 </ b> C so that the lecturer T can identify from the platform 4 side which fixed camera image is currently selected.

  Further, a monitor 27 for displaying an image of the currently selected fixed camera is attached to a position that can be viewed from the platform 4 near the center fixed camera 25B.

  The classroom 1 is provided with a receiver 28 that receives and demodulates radio waves from a wireless microphone (not shown) used by the lecturer.

  On the other hand, the first operation unit 29 and the second operation unit 30 are provided on the teacher's table 5 arranged at the center of the front end of the platform 4.

  The first operation unit 29 is for the instructor T to designate an image of the part of the teacher's desk 5, and includes an optical sensor, a push button switch, and the like.

  Here, the fixed camera for the teaching desk for photographing the image of the teaching desk part also serves as the fixed camera 25B for photographing the central area Eb of the blackboard 2, but when the teaching desk 5 is in the corner of the classroom 1 Or, if it is at a position that overlaps the boundary portion between the areas Ea to Eb of the blackboard 2, a dedicated fixed camera for the teaching desk may be provided.

  The second operation unit 30 is used when the instructor requests the start and end of recording and distribution. For example, a push button switch or a lamp indicating that recording or distribution is in progress is provided. .

  The image signals Va to Vc of the fixed cameras 25A to 25C are input to the image selection means 32 as shown in FIG.

  The image selection means 32 selectively outputs an image signal of a fixed camera corresponding to an area detected by the area sensor 21 among the plurality of fixed cameras 25A to 25C.

  The identification display means 33 lights the area lamp of the area corresponding to the fixed camera selected by the image selection means 32 among the area lamps 22A to 22C provided on the upper and lower sides of the blackboard 2 to the blackboard 2 side. The instructor who is heading can check the currently selected area, and among the camera lamps 26A to 26C, the camera lamp near the fixed camera selected by the image selection means 32 is selectively turned on, The instructor facing the fixed camera side can check the currently selected fixed camera.

  The image signal selected by the image selection means 32 is input to the monitor 27 and the lecture content recording unit 40.

  The lecture content recording unit 40 receives the recording start operation for the second operation unit 30 by the lecturer T, and combines the image signal selected by the image selection unit 32 and the audio signal output from the receiver 28 with a DVD or the like. Recording is performed in a predetermined format on a recording medium such as a video tape, and the fact that recording is in progress is indicated by lighting the lamp of the second operation unit 30. In addition, upon receiving a recording end operation on the second operation unit 30 by the instructor T, the recording is ended, and the lamp of the second operation unit 30 is turned off to notify the instructor T that the recording has ended.

  In addition, the lecture content distribution unit 41 reproduces the image signal selected by the image selection unit 32 and the audio signal output from the receiver 28 in accordance with the operation of the second operation unit 30. Processing such as distribution to another classroom where possible or distribution in a predetermined video format via a computer network including the Internet is performed. This distribution process may be performed in real time or may be performed using a recording medium recorded by the lecture content recording unit 40.

  Further, the processing of the lecture content recording unit 40 and the lecture content distribution unit 41 is not only automatically performed in accordance with only the operation of the instructor T, but may be performed by the operation of the operator of the central control room. is there. In this case, the operator who confirmed the operation of the second operation unit 30 by the instructor performs the start or end operation of recording or distribution, and notifies the instructor T of the state by turning on or off the lamp of the second operation unit 30. To do.

  For example, when a lecture is recorded by the lecture recording / distribution system 20 configured as described above, the lecturer T first operates the first operation unit 29 of the teaching desk 5. As a result of this operation, as shown in FIG. 3, an image of the teaching desk 5 portion taken by the central fixed camera 25B is selected, the image is displayed on the monitor 27, and the camera lamp 26B is turned on.

  The instructor T confirms that the lighting of the camera lamp 26B and the image of the monitor 27 are reflected in the teaching table 5, and operates the second operation unit 30 to instruct the start of recording.

  Upon receiving this instruction, the lecture content recording unit 40 starts recording the image signal and the audio signal selected by the image selection means 32, and notifies the lecturer T of this by lighting the lamp of the second operation unit 30.

  After confirming that the recording has started, the lecturer T faces the fixed camera 25B in the vicinity of the lit camera lamp 26B, tells the lecture to start with the wireless microphone, and starts the lecture. When writing necessary items during the lecture on the blackboard 2, the area of the blackboard 2 is always taken into consideration.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when writing with chalk on the left end area Ea of the blackboard 2 is started, the area sensor 21 detects the area Ea, and the image selection means 32 takes a picture of the teaching desk 5 portion. The image of the fixed camera 25A that is shooting the area Ea is selected from the images of the fixed camera 25B, the area lamps 22A above and below the area Ea are lit, and the camera lamp 26A is lit.

  The lecturer T who writes in the area Ea of the blackboard 2 can confirm that the image of the area Ea in which the writing is performed is selected by turning on the area lamp 22A.

  Further, as described above, the orientation and focus of each fixed camera 25A to 25C are fixed in a state suitable for each area Ea to Ec of the blackboard 2, and switching of images is performed instantaneously, so that defocus and screen Therefore, for example, a student watching this image can concentrate on the lecture.

  However, if a part of the writing by the instructor T protrudes from the area Ea to the adjacent area Eb, the writing to the area Eb is detected by the area sensor 21 and the image is temporarily switched to the image of the area Eb, which is difficult to see. Therefore, it is desirable to write on the blackboard 2 so as to be within one area.

  Moreover, when moving to an adjacent area only for a very short time as mentioned above, you may comprise so that the area sensor 21 or the image selection means 32 may ignore this. For example, if you move from one area to another area and are in that area for more than a certain period of time, it will be determined that the area has changed, and if you return to the original area within a certain period of time, to decide.

  Note that the shooting range of each fixed camera 25A to 25C is set slightly wider than each area, and some of the writing to the adjacent area is displayed, so that part of the writing is in the adjacent area. If it seems that it will stick out, keep touching the area where the teacher T is currently writing, and prevent the area sensor 21 from detecting that it is sticking out to the adjacent area, so that the switching of the image is prevented. Can do. In this case, it is assumed that the area sensor 21 has a structure that does not sense even if the adjacent area is touched before the previously detected area is released.

  Further, as described above, since the grid is provided on the surface of the blackboard 2, by adjusting the size of the characters to the size of the characters, the characters in the image can be appropriately sized and can be displayed on a monitor such as a computer. The problem that the characters are too small to be confirmed when viewed is solved.

  In this way, while the lecturer T writes on the blackboard 2 and the lecture continues, the image of the fixed camera corresponding to the area where the lecturer T is writing with chalk or touching with the hand is selected. The area and the camera are identified and displayed by the area lamps 22A to 22C and the camera lamps 26A to 26C, and further, the selected image is displayed on the monitor 27. Therefore, even when the lecturer T faces the blackboard 2 side, the camera side Even if you are facing, you can check whether the image is selected correctly and proceed smoothly with the lecture.

  For example, at the end of the lecture, the lecturer T returns to the position of the teaching desk 5 and operates the first operation unit 29 to select an image of the fixed camera 25B, and the switching of the image is performed by turning on the camera lamp 26B and the monitor 27. In the image, the end of the lecture is notified, and the second operation unit 30 instructs the end of recording.

  Upon receiving this instruction, the lecture content recording unit 40 stops the recording of the image and the sound, and turns off the lamp indicating that the recording is in progress.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first operation unit 29 is for switching to the image of the teaching desk part. However, the first operation unit 29 can arbitrarily select the images in the areas Ea to Ec of the blackboard 2. There may be. Further, the selected image signal may be confirmed on a monitor provided on the teaching desk 5.

  Further, a computer or an interface for computer connection is provided in the teaching desk 5, and the image selected by the image selection means 32 is displayed on the computer monitor of the teaching desk 5, and the first operation section 29 and the second operation section are displayed. Instead of the operation 30, an instruction to start or end the recording of the lecture content may be performed by operating the computer of the teaching desk 5.

  In the above description of the operation, the case where the image and the sound are recorded on the recording medium is described. As described above, the image selected by the image selection unit 32 and the sound signal demodulated by the receiver 28 are The lecture content distribution unit 41 can simultaneously distribute to multiple classrooms, play back in real time on the classroom monitor and speakers, and let the students in the classroom take lectures, or students via a computer network such as the Internet It may be delivered to the terminal in real time. Furthermore, the lecture content recorded in the recording medium by the lecture content recording unit 40 may be edited as necessary and distributed by the lecture content distribution unit 41.

Figure of classroom to which lecture recording system of embodiment of this invention is applied Overall configuration diagram of the embodiment The image figure for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention The image figure for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention Configuration of conventional lecture recording system

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Classroom, 2 ... Blackboard, 5 ... Teacher, 20 ... Lecture recording system, 21 ... Area sensor, 22A-22C ... Area lamp, 25A-25C ... Fixed camera, 26A-26C ... Camera Lamp ... 27 ... Monitor, 28 ... Receiver, 29 ... First operation section, 30 ... Second operation section, 32 ... Image selection means, 33 ... Identification display means, 40 ... Lecture content recording section , 41 …… Lecture content distribution department, T …… Lecturer

Claims (5)

In a lecture recording / distribution system for recording or distributing lecture images and audio from a lecturer using a blackboard,
An area sensor (21) that divides the blackboard surface into a plurality of areas and detects an area touched by or approached by a lecturer among the plurality of areas;
A plurality of fixed cameras (25A to 25C) for photographing each area of the blackboard;
Image selection means (32) for selectively outputting an image signal of a fixed camera corresponding to an area detected by the area sensor among the plurality of fixed cameras;
Identification that displays so that the instructor can identify which of the plurality of fixed cameras is selected by the image selection means or which area of the blackboard the selected fixed camera corresponds to Lecture recording / distribution system characterized by providing display means (33). Area lamps (22A to 22C) are provided around the blackboard at positions corresponding to the respective areas,
2. The lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the identification display means turns on an area lamp of an area corresponding to the selected fixed camera among the area lamps. Camera lamps (26A to 26C) are provided in the vicinity of the fixed cameras,
2. The lecture recording / distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the identification display means turns on a camera lamp in the vicinity of the selected fixed camera among the camera lamps.   The lecture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a monitor (27) for displaying an image taken by the fixed camera selected by the image selection means so that a lecturer can confirm the image. Recording / distribution system. A fixed camera for teaching desk (25B) for photographing the area where the teaching desk is provided;
An operation unit (29) provided on the teacher's desk,
The said image selection means is comprised so that the image signal of the said fixed camera for teachers may be selectively output, when predetermined operation is made with respect to the said operation part. Lecture recording / distribution system described in any one.

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