JP2014169022A - Monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically change the direction of a display part according to the position of the head of a viewer on the rear side of a seat in a monitoring device disposed on the back surface of the seat.SOLUTION: A display part 11, a sound transmission part 12, and an imaging part 13 are disposed on the front surface of a housing of a monitoring device 10. A control part 14 performs an image recognition processing of an image taken by the imaging part 13 so as to detect a marker disposed on a headphone. On the basis of a detected position of the marker, the control part 14 controls a monitor angle adjusting motor 16 via an angle control part 15 so that the display part 11 is oriented to the headphone.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rear seat monitor device to which headphones can be connected.

A rear seat occupant that reproduces audio signals transmitted from the monitor and a monitor device installed on the ceiling with the monitor screen facing the rear seat so that the passenger in the rear seat can enjoy video and music. There is known a rear seat entertainment (RSE) including a headphone for use (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In some cases, the monitor device is installed on the back of the front seat so as not to obstruct the driver's rear view.

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the occupant seated in the rear seat moves to the left or right, the number of people changes, or the passenger gets off on the way, the position and direction of the monitor screen manually. In order to eliminate the troublesome adjustment of the vehicle and storing it on the ceiling, a configuration has been proposed in which the current seating position of the occupant is detected and the position and direction of the monitor screen are changed.

JP 2004-82835 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the seating position of the occupant is detected and the monitor screen is directed in that direction, for example, when the occupant is seated only on the left side of the rear seat, the monitor screen can be directed to the occupant side. . However, the position of the occupant's head varies depending on the state of the rear seat (for example, the reclining angle) and the occupant's physique (for example, whether it is a child or an adult). There was a problem that it was out of the viewing angle and the monitor screen could not be comfortably viewed.

  In addition, when the monitor device is installed in the front seat, the optimal field of view of the monitor screen is determined not only by the state of the rear seat and the occupant's physique, but also by the state of the front seat (for example, the reclining angle). There was a problem of being off the corner.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a monitor device installed on the back of a seat, the direction of the monitor screen is automatically adjusted according to the position of the viewer's head behind the seat. The purpose is to change.

  A monitor device according to the present invention is a monitor device in which a housing is rotatably installed on the back of a seat, provided on a surface of the housing facing the back of the seat, and displaying a video, and the housing An image pickup unit that picks up the rear of the seat, a drive unit that rotates the housing, and an image picked up by the image pickup unit are detected and a marker provided on the headphones is detected. And a control unit that controls the drive unit so that the display unit faces the headphones based on the detection position of the marker.

  According to the present invention, since the position of the headphone marker attached to the head of the viewer behind the seat is detected and the display unit is directed to the headphone, the direction of the display unit is set to the viewer's head position. It can be changed automatically to match. Accordingly, it is possible to comfortably view the video on the display unit regardless of the height and head position of the viewer, the state of the front seat and the rear seat, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitor apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a structure of a monitor device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the rear seat entertainment using the monitor apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of headphones applied to the monitor device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of an angle change of the display unit of the monitor device according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 5A shows an initial angle monitor device and FIG. 5B shows a captured image at the initial angle. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of an angle change of a display unit of the monitor device according to Embodiment 1, FIG. 6A is a monitor device after angle adjustment, and FIG. 6B is a captured image after angle adjustment. Show. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitor apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a structure of a monitor device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the angle change of the display part of the monitor apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2, and shows the state which looked down at the viewer from overhead.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor device 10 according to the first embodiment. An example of the structure of the monitor device 10 is shown in FIG. Moreover, the example which installed this monitor apparatus 10 in the back surface of the front seat of a vehicle is shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a case where a rear seat entertainment of a vehicle is constructed using the monitor device 10 will be described as an example. The monitor device 10 is installed on the back surface of the front seat 1 of the vehicle, recognizes the headphone 3 of the viewer 2 seated on a rear seat (not shown), and the angle of the display unit 11 according to the direction of the headphone 3. Is automatically adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor device 10 includes a display unit 11 that displays a video signal input from the video playback device 4 of the vehicle, and a headphone by converting an audio signal input from the video playback device 4 into infrared rays. 3, an audio transmission unit 12 that transmits to the display unit 3, an imaging unit 13 that captures the direction facing the display unit 11, and a control that detects the position of the headphones 3 from the captured image of the imaging unit 13 and adjusts the angle of the display unit 11 And a drive unit (an angle control unit 15 and a monitor angle adjusting motor 16) that changes the angle of the display unit 11 by rotating the monitor device 10 in accordance with an angle instruction from the control unit 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a display unit 11, an imaging unit 13, and transmission elements 12 a to 12 d are installed on the front surface of the housing of the monitor device 10. The display unit 11 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The imaging unit 13 is a camera, for example. The transmission elements 12a to 12d are, for example, infrared LEDs (light emitting diodes), and the voice transmission unit 12 controls the transmission elements 12a to 12d to convert voice signals into infrared rays and wirelessly transmit the signals.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, support columns 18 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing of the monitor device 10, and the support columns 18 are pivotally supported on a bearing portion 1 a installed on the back surface of the front seat 1. The monitor device 10 is rotatable around the center. The gear 19 fixed to the support column 18 meshes with and rotates with the gear 21 fixed to the motor shaft 20 of the monitor angle adjusting motor 16, whereby the monitor device 10 rotates about the support column 18. The vertical angle of 11 is changed. Further, as the monitor device 10 rotates, not only the display unit 11 but also the audio transmission unit 12 and the imaging unit 13 are changed in the vertical angle.

  A control unit 17 including the control unit 14, the angle control unit 15, and the monitor angle adjusting motor 16 may be provided inside the housing of the monitor device 10, or outside the housing (for example, the front seat 1). It may be provided.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the headphone 3 applied to the monitor device 10 according to the first embodiment. In the illustrated example, two markers 5 and 6 are arranged at portions to be worn on the left and right ears of the headphones 3. In addition, the audio receiving unit 7 provided in the headphones 3 receives the infrared rays wirelessly transmitted from the audio transmitting unit 12 of the monitor device 10 and converts them into audio signals.

Since the display unit 11 of the monitor device 10 is angle-adjusted according to the direction of the markers 5 and 6, in order for the display unit 11 to face the viewer 2 in front of the line of sight, It is desirable to arrange the markers 5 and 6 at a place where the height is substantially the same as the height of the marker. Further, as the angle of the display unit 11 is adjusted, the transmission elements 12a to 12d of the audio transmission unit 12 are also directed in the direction of the markers 5 and 6, so that the audio reception unit 7 of the headphone 3 receives the audio of the transmission elements 12a to 12d. In order to surely enter the transmission range, it is desirable to arrange the audio receiving unit 7 near the markers 5 and 6 in the headphones 3.
The arrangement of the markers 5 and 6 and the voice receiving unit 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In the monitor device 10, when the viewer 2 views the video and audio of the video reproduction device 4, when the control unit 14 detects the input of the video signal and the audio signal, the video signal is displayed on the display unit 11. At the same time, an audio signal is output from the control unit 14 to the audio transmission unit 12, and the audio transmission unit 12 converts the audio signal into infrared rays and wirelessly transmits it to the headphones 3 worn by the viewer 2.

  At this time, depending on the height and head position of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat, the viewer 2's line of sight deviates from the optimum viewing angle of the display unit 11, so that the viewer can view comfortably. There are cases where it is not possible. Similarly, the sound receiving unit 7 of the headphone 3 may be out of the sound transmission range of the transmitting elements 12a to 12d of the monitor device 10, and the sound signal may not be received stably.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the monitor device 10 recognizes the positions of the markers 5 and 6 of the headphones 3 and directs the display unit 11 to the recognized positions.
Specifically, first, the control unit 14 acquires a captured image from the imaging unit 13, performs image recognition processing or the like, recognizes the markers 5 and 6, and detects coordinates in the captured image of the recognized markers 5 and 6. . Subsequently, when the coordinates of the markers 5 and 6 are above the center coordinate of the captured image, the control unit 14 determines that the rotation direction of the monitor device 10 is upward, while the coordinates of the markers 5 and 6 are the center of the captured image. If it is below the coordinates, the rotation direction of the monitor device 10 is determined to be downward. Then, the rotation direction is instructed from the control unit 14 to the angle control unit 15, and the angle control unit 15 controls the forward / reverse rotation of the monitor angle adjusting motor 16 according to the rotation direction. The monitor angle adjustment motor 16 rotates the monitor device 10 upward or downward about the support column 18 to change the vertical angle of the display unit 11. By repeating the above processing until the coordinates of the markers 5 and 6 coincide with the center coordinates of the captured image, the display unit 11 is directed toward the markers 5 and 6 of the headphones 3.

  Here, a specific example of the angle change of the display unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5A shows the monitor device 10 at the initial angle, and FIG. 5B shows a captured image 13a captured by the imaging unit 13 in that state. FIG. 6A shows the monitor device 10 after the angle adjustment, and FIG. 6B shows a captured image 13a captured by the imaging unit 13 in that state.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the monitor device 10 at the desired angle is not perpendicular to the line of sight of the viewer 2, and the viewer 2 of the rear seat 8 cannot view the display unit 11 from the front. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, since the markers 5 and 6 on the captured image 13a are above the center coordinates, the control unit 14 instructs the angle control unit 15 to rotate upward, and the monitor The angle adjusting motor 16 rotates the monitor device 10 upward about the column 18.

  As the monitor device 10 rotates upward, the markers 5 and 6 on the captured image 13a approach the center coordinates. When the markers 5 and 6 reach the center coordinates as shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 14 ends the upward rotation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the display unit 11 is directed to the direction of the markers 5 and 6 of the headphones 3, so that the viewer 2 can easily view the display unit 11.

  Further, by arranging the markers 5 and 6 at substantially the same height as the eyes of the viewer 2 in the headphones 3, the viewing direction of the viewer 2 is displayed when the display unit 11 faces the direction of the markers 5 and 6. The viewer 2 can view the display unit 11 from the front in the vertical direction perpendicular to the unit 11. Thereby, since the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display of the display part 11 may be narrow, an inexpensive thing can be used.

  Further, the transmission elements 12a to 12d of the voice transmission unit 12 are installed on the same surface as the display unit 11, and the voice transmission range of the transmission elements 12a to 12d (that is, the infrared irradiation range) is changed by changing the angle of the monitor device 10. ) Will also change. Since the display unit 11 and the transmission elements 12a to 12d are arranged on the same plane, when the monitor device 10 rotates and the display unit 11 faces the headphone 3, the audio transmission range of the audio transmission unit 12 is also reduced. 3 (FIG. 6A). As a result, the transmitting elements 12a to 12d and the sound receiving unit 7 of the headphone 3 are automatically adjusted to the optimum reception angle, and the sound signal can be stably received on the headphone 3 side.

  Therefore, the viewer 2 can enjoy video and music comfortably regardless of the height and head position of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat 8.

  In addition, when the control part 14 cannot recognize the markers 5 and 6 from the captured image 13a, there is no viewer 2, or the front seat 1 is reclined excessively and the monitor apparatus 10 is not in the position which can be viewed, etc. The situation can be considered. In such a case, the video signal output from the control unit 14 to the display unit 11 is stopped and video display on the display unit 11 is stopped, or the audio signal output to the audio transmission unit 12 is stopped and wireless to the headphones 3 is performed. The transmission may be stopped.

  In addition, when the control unit 14 can recognize only one of the markers 5 and 6 from the captured image 13a, the viewer 2 is facing sideways, or the viewer 2 is shifted from just behind the front seat 1. The situation such as being in can be considered. In such a case, there is a high possibility that the headphones 3 are out of the audio transmission range of the audio transmission unit 12 and the reception state is deteriorated. Therefore, the output of the audio signal from the control unit 14 to the audio transmission unit 12 is stopped and the headphones Wireless transmission to 3 may be stopped.

  Thus, based on the recognition status of the markers 5 and 6, the power consumption can be reduced by stopping the operations of the display unit 11 and the voice transmission unit 12 when not needed.

  In addition, when the input of the video signal from the video playback device 4 is interrupted, the control unit 14 may instruct the angle control unit 15 to return the monitor device 10 to the initial position.

The markers 5 and 6 only need to be recognizable by image recognition processing, and for example, light emitting elements such as infrared LEDs are used. When an infrared LED is used, modulation is performed so that the imaging unit 13 does not misrecognize light other than the infrared LEDs of the markers 5 and 6, so that the control unit 14 can reliably recognize the markers 5 and 6 from the captured image. To do.
For example, as the markers 5 and 6, a two-dimensional image of a specific pattern may be used.
Although two markers 5 and 6 are used in the illustrated example, the present invention is not limited to this.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the monitor device 10 in which the housing is installed on the back surface of the front seat 1 so as to be rotatable up and down is provided on the surface facing the rear of the front seat 1 of the housing, A display unit 11 for displaying an image, an imaging unit 13 for imaging the rear of the front seat 1 and a drive unit (angle) The control unit 15 and the monitor angle adjustment motor 16) and the image captured by the image capturing unit 13 are subjected to image recognition processing to detect the markers 5 and 6 provided in the headphones 3, and based on the detection positions of the markers 5 and 6. Thus, the control unit 14 is configured to control the drive unit so that the display unit 11 faces the headphones 3. For this reason, the direction of the display unit 11 can be automatically changed according to the head position of the viewer 2 seated behind the front seat 1. Therefore, the display unit 11 can be comfortably viewed regardless of the physique and head position of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the monitor device 10 has a configuration in which the audio transmission unit 12 that wirelessly transmits an audio signal is disposed on the surface of the housing where the display unit 11 is provided. For this reason, when the direction of the display unit 11 is automatically changed in accordance with the position of the head of the viewer 2 seated behind the front seat 1, the audio transmission range of the audio transmission unit 12 is also automatically headphones. 3 directions can be changed. Therefore, the sound signal can be stably received on the headphone 3 side regardless of the physique and the position of the head of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when the control unit 14 is configured to detect the modulated light of the light emitting element provided in the headphone 3 as the markers 5 and 6, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of disturbance light. The display unit 11 can be directed to the headphones 3 more reliably.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, when the control unit 14 cannot detect the markers 5 and 6 from the captured image, it is possible to reduce power consumption when not required by adopting a configuration in which no video is displayed on the display unit 11. .

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when the markers 5 and 6 are provided in the parts to be worn on both ears of the headphone 3, when the control unit 14 cannot detect at least one of the markers 5 and 6 from the captured image. By adopting a configuration in which the audio signal is not wirelessly transmitted from the audio transmission unit 12, it is possible to reduce power consumption when unnecessary.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the vertical angle of the monitor device 10 is adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vertical and horizontal angles can be adjusted as in the second embodiment. Good.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the monitor device 10 according to the second embodiment. An example of the structure of the monitor device 10 is shown in FIG. 7 and 8, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Moreover, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are used in the following description.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the monitor device 10 includes an angle control unit 15-1 that changes the angle in the vertical direction, a monitor angle adjusting motor 16-1, and an angle control unit 15-2 that changes the angle in the left-right direction. And a monitor angle adjusting motor 16-2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, support columns 18-1 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing of the monitor device 10. 18-1 is pivotally supported, and the monitor device 10 can be rotated in the vertical direction with respect to the frame body 30 around the column 18-1. The gear 19-1 fixed to the column 18-1 meshes with the gear 21-1 fixed to the motor shaft 20-1 of the monitor angle adjusting motor 16-1, and rotates, so that the monitor device 10 becomes the column. The angle in the vertical direction of the display unit 11, the audio transmission unit 12, and the imaging unit 13 is changed by rotating in the vertical direction about 18-1.

  Moreover, the support | pillar 18-2 is provided in the upper and lower surfaces of the frame 30, the support | pillar 18-2 is pivotally supported by the bearing part 1b installed in the back surface of the front seat 1 (FIG. 3), and the monitor apparatus 10 is provided. The frame 30 can be rotated in the left-right direction around the support post 18-2. The gear 19-2 fixed to the column 18-2 meshes with the gear 21-2 fixed to the motor shaft 20-2 of the monitor angle adjusting motor 16-2 and rotates to thereby monitor the entire frame 30. The apparatus 10 rotates in the left-right direction around the column 18-2, and the angles in the left-right direction of the display unit 11, the voice transmission unit 12, and the imaging unit 13 are changed.

  The control unit 14 performs image recognition processing or the like on the captured image of the imaging unit 13 to recognize the markers 5 and 6, and the monitor device 10 has the coordinates of the markers 5 and 6 coincide with the center coordinates of the captured image. The vertical and horizontal rotation directions are determined, and the vertical and horizontal rotation directions are instructed to the angle controllers 15-1 and 15-2. The angle control units 15-1 and 15-2 control the forward / reverse rotation of the monitor angle adjusting motors 16-1 and 16-2 in accordance with the instructed rotation direction, so To change.

  Moreover, the control part 14 may stop operation | movement of the display part 11 and the audio | voice transmission part 12 at the time of unnecessary based on the recognition condition of the markers 5 and 6 on a captured image similarly to the said Embodiment 1. FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the angle change of the display unit 11 and shows a state where the viewer 2 is looked down from above. By adjusting the angle of the display unit 11 by rotating the monitor device 10 not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction, the viewer 2 can view the display unit 11 from the front.

  Further, since the transmitting elements 12a to 12d of the sound transmitting unit 12 and the sound receiving unit 7 of the headphone 3 are adjusted to the optimum reception angle, the sound signal can be stably received on the headphone 3 side. In FIG. 8, four transmission elements 12 a to 12 d are arranged in the left-right direction on the front surface of the housing of the monitor device 10 to ensure a wide sound transmission range in the left-right direction. By adopting a configuration in which the direction is changed, the number of transmitting elements 12a to 12d can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the monitor device 10 in which the casing is installed on the back surface of the front seat 1 so as to be able to rotate up and down and right and left is provided on the surface facing the rear of the front seat 1 of the casing. The display unit 11 that displays the video, the imaging unit 13 that images the rear of the front seat 1 and the imaging unit 13 that are disposed on the surface of the casing 11 and the casing are rotated in the vertical and horizontal directions. Markers 5 provided on the headphones 3 by performing image recognition processing on images captured by the drive units (angle control units 15-1 and 15-2 and monitor angle adjusting motors 16-1 and 16-2) and the imaging unit 13. , 6 and a control unit 14 that controls the drive unit so that the display unit 11 faces the headphones 3 based on the detection positions of the markers 5 and 6. For this reason, the direction of the display unit 11 can be automatically changed according to the head position of the viewer 2 seated behind the front seat 1. Therefore, the display unit 11 can be comfortably viewed regardless of the physique and head position of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the monitor device 10 has a configuration in which the audio transmission unit 12 that wirelessly transmits an audio signal is arranged on the surface on which the display unit 11 of the housing is provided. For this reason, when the direction of the display unit 11 is automatically changed in accordance with the position of the head of the viewer 2 seated behind the front seat 1, the audio transmission range of the audio transmission unit 12 is also automatically headphones. 3 directions can be changed. Therefore, the sound signal can be stably received on the headphone 3 side regardless of the physique and the position of the head of the viewer 2 and the reclining angles of the front seat 1 and the rear seat.

In the present invention, any constituent element of the embodiment can be modified or any constituent element of the embodiment can be omitted within the scope of the invention.
In the above description, the monitor device installed on the back surface of the front seat of the automobile is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the monitor device may be installed on the back surface of a mobile object including a railroad, a ship, an aircraft, .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front seat, 1a, 1b, 31 Bearing part, 2 Viewers, 3 Headphones, 4 Video | video reproducing | regenerating apparatus, 5,6 Marker, 7 Audio | voice receiving part, 8 Rear seats, 10 Monitor apparatus, 11 Display part, 12 Voice transmission , 13 Imaging unit, 14 Control unit, 15, 15-1, 15-2 Angle control unit (drive unit), 16, 16-1, 16-2 Monitor angle adjustment motor (drive unit), 17 Control unit, 18, 18-1, 18-2 support, 19, 19-1, 19-2, 21, 21-1, 21-2 gear, 20, 20-1, 20-2 motor shaft, 30 frame.

Claims (5)

A monitor device in which the housing is rotatably installed on the back of the seat,
A display unit that is provided on a surface of the housing facing the back of the seat and displays an image;
An imaging unit that is disposed on a surface of the housing provided with the display unit, and that images the rear of the seat;
A drive unit for rotating the housing;
An image recognition process on the image captured by the imaging unit to detect a marker provided on the headphones, and a control unit that controls the driving unit so that the display unit faces the headphones based on a detection position of the marker; A monitor device comprising:   The monitor apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an audio transmission unit that is disposed on a surface of the housing provided with the display unit and wirelessly transmits an audio signal.   The monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects modulated light of a light emitting element provided in the headphones as the marker.   4. The monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit does not display an image when the control unit cannot detect the marker from the image. 5. When the marker is provided on each part to be worn on both ears of the headphones,
5. The voice transmission unit according to claim 2, wherein the voice transmission unit does not wirelessly transmit a voice signal when the control unit cannot detect at least one of the markers from the image. 6. Monitor device.

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