JP2024053383A - Remote Communication System - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a remote communication system that allows on-site participation in various ways. [Solution] The remote communication system includes a standing wall portion 11 that extends vertically and is formed in a roughly C-shape in plan view, a seat portion 12 that is disposed adjacent to the inside of the standing wall portion 11 at a height lower than the upper end of the standing wall portion 11 and disposed so as to form a space in the center in plan view, a wide-angle camera 21 that is disposed in the space so as to be surrounded by the seat portion 12 and that photographs a user of the seat portion 12, and a display 31 that is disposed at a position higher than the height of the seat portion 12 in a position that allows the user of the seat portion 12 to see it, and that displays an image of the person being photographed that is photographed by another information processing terminal, and further includes a counter 13 that is disposed outside the standing wall portion 11 at a position higher than the height of the seat portion 12 and that can be used from outside the seat portion 12. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Application for exception to loss of novelty has been filed

This disclosure relates to a remote communication system for remote communication with other information processing terminals.

Conventionally, conferencing devices for remote communication such as videoconferencing have been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-85930 A

The conferencing device described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to use by a large number of people because the number of participants on-site depends on the number of camera devices, and it is difficult to participate in remote communication on-site in a variety of ways. Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to solve the above problems.

The remote communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a remote communication system for remote communication with other information processing terminals located at other bases, and includes a vertical wall section that extends along the vertical direction and is formed in a substantially C-shape, substantially U-shape, substantially circular, or substantially elliptical shape in plan view, a seat section that is disposed adjacent to the inside of the vertical wall section at a height lower than the upper end of the vertical wall section and disposed so as to form a space in the center in plan view, a camera that is disposed in the space so as to be surrounded by the seat section and that photographs a user of the seat section, and a display that is disposed at a position higher than the height of the seat section in a position that allows the user of the seat section to be visible and that displays an image of the person photographed by the other information processing terminal, and further includes a counter, at least a portion of which is disposed outside the vertical wall section at a position higher than the height of the seat section and can be used from outside the seat section.

According to the remote communication system according to the first aspect, it is possible to participate in a web conference in various ways, such as in small or large groups. In addition, for example, a user at a counter can participate in remote communication from outside the standing wall.

In the remote communication system according to the first aspect, the upright wall portion may be a panel body or a backrest of a seat.

The remote communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, in which the upper end of the display is positioned higher than the upper end of the standing wall portion.

The remote communication system according to the second aspect described above makes it easier for counter users to participate in remote communication while viewing the display.

The remote communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, further comprising a chair that is arranged on the outside of the standing wall portion and can be used by users of the counter.

According to the remote communication system relating to the third aspect described above, a user at the counter can participate in remote communication while sitting in a chair.

The remote communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, in which the seat is provided with a connection terminal for powering or connecting a communication to a device used by a user of the seat.

The remote communication system according to the fourth aspect described above can improve the convenience of the device for seat users.

The remote communication system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, further comprising an operation panel for adjusting the image displayed on the display.

The remote communication system according to the fifth aspect described above can improve the operability of the display for the seat user.

The remote communication system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, further comprising a processing unit for displaying the results of the image capture by the camera on the other information processing terminal, and the processing unit processes the images so that multiple users using the seat are displayed side-by-side in a panoramic manner on the other information processing terminal.

According to the remote communication system relating to the sixth aspect, multiple users using the seat can be displayed simultaneously on another information terminal, thereby improving the quality of remote communication.

The seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a remote communication system that is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, in which the camera is a wide-angle camera that captures an image of the seat user at an angle of view of 180 degrees or more.

The remote communication system according to the seventh aspect described above can improve the quality of remote communication by eliminating blind spots when photographing a seated user.

The remote communication system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the remote communication system according to the first aspect, in which the camera is capable of photographing the user at the counter.

According to the remote communication system of the eighth aspect, the camera takes a picture of the counter user, and the counter user can be displayed on another information terminal, thereby improving the quality of remote communication.

Note that the contents of the second to eighth aspects above are not necessarily essential components of the remote communication system according to the present invention, and can be omitted or modified as appropriate.

The remote communication system according to the present invention has the following advantages:

The remote communication system according to the first aspect enables on-site participation in a web conference in a variety of ways.

The remote communication system according to the second aspect makes it easier for counter users to participate in remote communication.

According to the remote communication system of the third aspect, a customer at the counter can participate in remote communication while sitting in a chair.

The remote communication system according to the fourth aspect can improve the convenience of the device for seat users.

The remote communication system according to the fifth aspect can improve the operability of the display by the seat user.

The remote communication system according to the sixth aspect can improve the quality of remote communication.

The remote communication system according to the seventh aspect can improve the quality of remote communication.

The remote communication system according to the eighth aspect can improve the quality of remote communication.

1 is a front perspective view showing a remote communication system according to an embodiment; 1 is a side perspective view showing a remote communication system according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a remote communication system according to an embodiment. Cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. Cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen of another information terminal.

The following describes a conference system, which is one embodiment of a remote communication system according to the present invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The conference system according to this embodiment is used to enable a user to perform remote communication (such as a web conference) using images and audio between themselves and other information processing terminals (such as personal computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.) located at other locations.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the conference system according to this embodiment is mainly composed of a furniture unit 1, chairs 16, a central support stand 20, a wide-angle camera 21, an audio input/output unit 22, a display 31, an operation console 32, an operation panel 33, and a processing device 34. Each device that composes the conference system is connected to other information processing terminals by the processing device 34, which is equipped with a communication means, via a communication line (not shown) such as an Internet line.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the furniture unit 1 is composed of a vertical wall portion 11, a seat portion 12, a counter 13, a stand 14, and an outer wall 15. As shown in Figure 3, the furniture unit 1 is formed in a circular shape (approximately C-shape) with a portion cut out, and this cut-out portion is configured as an entrance/exit 2 to the furniture unit 1. The shape of the furniture unit 1 can also be other shapes such as an approximately U-shape, an approximately circle, or an approximately oval shape in a plan view. In this case, the furniture unit 1 can also be configured without an entrance/exit 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the furniture unit 1 has a standing wall portion 11 extending vertically. A seat portion 12 is provided adjacent to the inside of the standing wall portion 11, and is positioned at a height lower than the upper end of the standing wall portion 11 and forms a space in the center when viewed from above. The seat portion 12 has a cushion 12a positioned on the upper part of a cushion support portion 12b. In the furniture unit 1 according to this embodiment, the standing wall portion 11 functions as a backrest for the seat portion 12. In this embodiment, a case in which six users (users A to F) are sitting on the seat portion 12 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cushion support portion 12b of the seat portion 12 is provided with a connection terminal 12c for powering or connecting a device (such as a personal computer) used by the user of the seat portion 12. This improves the convenience of the device for the user of the seat portion 12.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the furniture unit 1 includes a counter 13 that is provided integrally with the standing wall portion 11 at a position higher than the height of the seat portion 12 on the outside of the standing wall portion 11. A number of chairs 16 are arranged around the counter 13. This allows the counter 13 to be used from the outside of the seat portion 12 while standing around the counter 13 or while sitting on the chairs 16. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which three users (user a, user b, and user c) are sitting on the chairs 16.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a part of the furniture unit 1 is formed with a stand 14 instead of a counter 13. An outer wall 15 is erected on the outside of the stand 14. The top surface of the stand 14 is configured so that devices such as a display 31 can be placed on it.

In this embodiment, the display 31 is positioned higher than the height of the seat 12 in a position that allows the user of the seat 12 (user A to user F) to see it. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 31 displays an image of the person being photographed by another information processing terminal. This allows users of the conference system according to this embodiment to engage in remote communication such as a web conference while viewing an image of a user (person being photographed) of another information processing terminal located at another base.

A first side wall 11a is provided at one end (the end on the counterclockwise side) of the furniture unit 1. A second side wall 11b is provided at the other end (the end on the clockwise side) of the furniture unit 1. In the furniture unit 1, the space between the first side wall 11a and the second side wall 11b is formed as an entrance/exit 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a cylindrical central support base 20 is provided in a space formed in the center of the seat 12 in a plan view so as to be surrounded by the seat 12. A wide-angle camera 21 and an audio input/output unit 22 are arranged on the upper surface of the central support base 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wide-angle camera 21 is composed of a first camera that photographs users (users A to C) located in a first shooting area R1 of the seat 12, and a second camera that photographs users (users D to F) located in a second shooting area R2 of the seat 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the wide-angle camera 21 photographs users (users A to F) on the seat 12 with an angle of view of 180 degrees or more using the first and second cameras.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the display screen Da of the other information processing terminal, the photographing result of the first shooting area R1 by the first camera is displayed on the first display section D1. Also, the photographing result of the second shooting area R2 by the second camera is displayed on the second display section D2 adjacent to the first display section D1.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the conference system according to this embodiment, the wide-angle camera 21 captures not only the users in the seats 12 (users A to F), but also the users at the counter 13 (users a to c). This allows users of other information processing terminals to remotely communicate not only with the users in the seats, but also with the users at the counter 13.

The audio input/output unit 22 is composed of a sound collection microphone and a speaker. The sound collection microphone collects the voices of users of the conference system. The speaker outputs the voice of the person being photographed, which is collected by another information processing terminal.

A control console 32 is provided near the central support stand 20. The control console 32 is equipped with an operation panel 33 that is operated by a person in charge of remote communication (e.g., a moderator). In the conference system according to this embodiment, the operation panel 33 is disposed near the seat 12, so that the user of the seat 12 can adjust the image displayed on the display 31 while sitting on the seat 12.

As shown in Figure 5, the space below the mounting base 14 houses a processing device 34, which is a processing section that performs image processing to display the results of photography by the wide-angle camera 21 on another information processing terminal, and audio processing to output the results of sound collection by the sound collection microphone of the sound input/output section 22 from another information processing terminal. As shown in Figure 6, the processing device 34 performs video processing so that multiple users using the seat 12 are displayed side-by-side in a panoramic manner on the display screen Da of the other information processing terminal.

In the conference system, the display 31, the operation panel 33, the wide-angle camera 21, and the audio input/output unit 22 are connected to the processing device 34 by a communication means (not shown). The processing device 34 also performs image processing to display images transmitted from other information processing terminals on the display 31, and audio processing to output audio transmitted from other information processing terminals from the speaker of the audio input/output unit 22.

As described above, in the conference system according to this embodiment, the furniture unit 1 is provided with a counter 13 that can be used from outside the seat 12. This allows not only a small number of people to participate in remote communication such as a web conference using only the seat 12, but also a large number of people to participate using both the seat 12 and the counter 13. Users of the counter 13 can also participate in remote communication from outside the standing wall 11.

In addition, in the conference system according to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper end of the display 31 is positioned higher than the upper end of the standing wall portion 11. This makes it easier for users at the counter 13 to participate in remote communication while viewing the display 31, even from outside the standing wall portion 11.

The conference system according to this embodiment further includes a chair 16 that is placed on the outside of the standing wall portion 11 and can be used by a user of the counter 13. This allows the user of the counter 13 to participate in remote communication while sitting on the chair 16.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, in the conference system according to this embodiment, the seat 12 is provided with a connection terminal 12c for powering or connecting communication to the device used by the user of the seat 12. This improves the convenience of the device for the user of the seat 12.

The conference system according to this embodiment also includes an operation panel 33 for adjusting the image displayed on the display 31. This improves the operability of the display 31 for the user of the seat 12.

The conference system according to this embodiment also includes a processing device 34, which is a processing unit for displaying the results of photography by the wide-angle camera 21 on another information processing terminal. The processing device 34 processes the images so that multiple users using the seat 12 are displayed side-by-side in a panoramic manner on the other information processing terminal, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows multiple users using the seat 12 to be displayed simultaneously on the other information terminal, improving the quality of remote communication.

In addition, in the conference system according to this embodiment, the wide-angle camera 21 captures the user of the seat 12 with a viewing angle of 180 degrees or more. This eliminates blind spots when capturing an image of the user of the seat 12, thereby improving the quality of remote communication.

In addition, in the conference system according to this embodiment, the wide-angle camera 21 is configured to be able to capture an image of the user at the counter 13. This allows the user at the counter 13 to be displayed on another information terminal, improving the quality of remote communication.

[Other Modifications]
The above embodiment can be modified as appropriate as shown in the other modified examples shown below. Each modified example described in this specification may be applied in combination with other modified examples to the extent that no contradiction occurs.

In the furniture unit 1, the counter 13 only needs to be formed on a portion of the outside of the vertical wall portion 11, and does not necessarily need to be formed around the entire circumference of the vertical wall portion 11 as in this embodiment. Also, in the furniture unit 1, the height of the counter 13 may be set at a position lower than the top end of the vertical wall portion 11.

The counter 13 can also be fixed to the outer surface of the standing wall 11 via a bracket or the like. The counter 13 can also be separate from the standing wall 11, and an independent high counter or a piece of furniture with a top can be placed on the outside of the standing wall 11.

In the furniture unit 1, the upright wall 11 can be configured not as a panel body, but as a backrest that is integral with the seat 12. The furniture unit 1 can also be configured to have an approximately U-shape, a approximately circular shape, an approximately elliptical shape, or the like, when viewed from above.

The display 31 provided in the conference system may not be a free-standing display as in this embodiment, but may be fixed to the inner surface of the standing wall portion 11. The display 31 may also be placed on the counter 13. The number of displays 31 is not limited to three as in this embodiment, but may be one, two, four or more.

The upper end of the display 31 may be positioned lower than the upper end of the standing wall portion 11. The conference system may also be configured without the chair 16 or the operation panel 33. The seat portion 12 may also be configured without the connection terminal 12c.

It is also possible to use a normal camera rather than a wide-angle camera. It is also possible to configure the camera so that it does not capture images of users at the counter. It is also possible to configure the camera to process images so that multiple users using the seating area can be displayed in sequence by switching the display screen on another information processing terminal.

1. Furniture unit 2. Entrance
11 standing wall portion 11a first side wall
11b Second side wall 12 Seat
12a Cushion 12b Cushion support portion 12c Connection terminal 13 Counter
14 Mounting table 15 Outer wall
16. Chair
20 Central support stand 21 Wide-angle camera (camera)
22 Audio input/output unit
31 Display 32 Operation console
33 Operation panel 34 Processing device (processing unit)
A-F: Seated users a-c: Counter users R1: First shooting area R2: Second shooting area
Da Display screen (other information processing terminal)
D1 First display section D2 Second display section

Claims (8)

A remote communication system for performing remote communication with another information processing terminal located at another base,
A vertical wall portion extending in a vertical direction and formed in a substantially C-shape, a substantially U-shape, a substantially circular shape, or a substantially elliptical shape in a plan view;
A seat portion is disposed adjacent to the inside of the vertical wall portion at a height lower than the upper end of the vertical wall portion and disposed so as to form a space in the center in a plan view;
A camera is arranged in the space so as to be surrounded by the seat, and captures an image of a user of the seat;
a display disposed at a position higher than the height of the seat in a position that allows a user of the seat to view the image, the display displaying an image of the person being photographed captured by the other information processing terminal;
The remote communication system further comprises a counter, at least a portion of which is located outside the standing wall portion at a position higher than the height of the seat portion and accessible from outside the seat portion. The remote communication system according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the display is positioned higher than the upper end of the standing wall portion. The remote communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a chair arranged on the outside of the standing wall portion and available for use by users of the counter. The remote communication system according to claim 1, wherein the seat is provided with a connection terminal for powering or connecting a device used by a user of the seat. The remote communication system of claim 1 further comprising an operation panel for adjusting the image displayed on the display. a processing unit for displaying the photographing result of the camera on the other information processing terminal,
The remote communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit performs image processing so that a plurality of users using the seat are displayed side-by-side in a panoramic manner on the other information processing terminal. The remote communication system according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a wide-angle camera that captures the seat user with a viewing angle of 180 degrees or more. The remote communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the camera is capable of photographing a user at the counter.

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