JP3873232B2 - Multi-use integrated video transmission device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a versatile integrated video transmission device, and in particular, can be used in an in-vehicle videophone, a surveillance video transmission device, a front video transmission device, a portable video transmission device, a surveillance video transmission device with a camera switching function, and the like. The present invention relates to a versatile integrated video transmission apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known that an image input device such as a camera is attached to a notebook personal computer, and an image captured by the camera is taken as a file into a storage device of the notebook personal computer. In addition, a mobile phone in which a camera is fixedly attached to a part of a housing is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, that is, a conventional apparatus based on a personal computer, an image captured by a camera is captured as a file in a storage device of the personal computer and cannot be transmitted in real time. For this reason, the personal computer cannot be used for a video phone, a surveillance video transmission device, a front video transmission device, a portable video transmission device, or the like.
[0004]
In addition, it is difficult to photograph a speaker or the like while talking on a mobile phone with a camera fixedly attached, and there is a problem in convenience and the like. Moreover, the use was only for mobile phones, and it could not be used for many purposes.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a versatile integrated video transmission based on a personal computer that can transmit an image taken by a camera in real time and is excellent in convenience. To provide an apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an audio input / output device, an image input device, means for detecting whether or not the image input device is attached to the apparatus body, and the image input device. means for transmitting an image signal compression coding captured from an image display device for displaying an image signal captured from the image input device, is formed on the surface in the form of overlapping with the image display device, manually input , A transparent touch panel that allows you to enter data and commands ,
Means for detecting a degree of extension of a cable connecting the image input device and the apparatus main body ,
When the image input device is not attached to the apparatus main body, the degree of expansion of the cable connecting the image input device and the apparatus main body is detected, and the compression encoding parameter is changed according to the degree of expansion. It is characterized in that it can be done.
[0007]
This feature is based on a multi-function and compact personal computer that can display images taken with a camera on an image display device, compress and encode data, and manually input data and commands from a touch panel. Therefore, it is possible to provide a versatile integrated video transmission apparatus.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a versatile integrated video transmission apparatus according to the present invention.
[0009]
The versatile integrated video transmission apparatus 1 includes a housing (box) 2, an image display unit 3 made of liquid crystal or the like built in a rectangular shape at the center thereof, and a surface overlapping the image display unit 3. A formed transparent touch panel 4 is provided. In addition, the camera 5 is detachably installed at the upper center of the camera 5 and its orientation can be changed forward and backward. On the right side, for example, the PCMCIA interface 18, the serial interface 23, the Ethernet interface 19, and the USB port 17 are provided. The terminals are exposed. The touch panel 4 functions as a pointing device, and can input data and commands to the apparatus by contact with a human finger.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the versatile integrated video transmission apparatus 1. On the internal CPU 11, software for image compression transmission and reception image decoding is operating. The software is stored in the ROM memory 15, and a memory controller 12, a RAM memory 13, and an image display device 14 are provided as means necessary for displaying the execution result of the software and an operation screen.
[0011]
The I / O controller 16 reads software programs from the ROM memory 15, and input / output interfaces such as a USB port 17, PCMIA interface 18, Ethernet interface 19, audio input / output device 20, serial controller 21, and image input controller 22. It is implemented to exchange data with. A serial interface 23 and a pointing device 24 are connected to the serial controller 21, and data can be input / output between the serial controller 21 and the serial interface 23 and the pointing device 24.
[0012]
An image input device 25 corresponding to the camera 5 is connected to the image input controller 22 and can input video. In addition, a microphone or headphones can be connected to the audio input / output device 20 to input and output (reproduce) audio.
[0013]
Further, a communication modem, ISDN terminal adapter, PHS, mobile phone, etc. can be connected to the USB port 17, PCMIA interface 18 and serial interface 23 to form a communication path. The Ethernet interface 19 can be connected directly to a LAN by connecting an Ethernet cable.
[0014]
Next, application examples or application examples of the multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described below. Note that the image compression coding software built in the apparatus 1 has a function of switching coding parameters in accordance with the application. The user can change the encoding parameter from the touch panel 4 using this switching function. For example, when encoding a subject to be photographed with a large amount of motion, the frame skip is set longer and information allocation for each frame is increased. On the other hand, when capturing an image with small motion, processing for reducing the information allocation to one frame and excluding the still portion from the encoding target (background separation) is performed.
[0015]
(1) In-vehicle videophone device FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view when the multipurpose integrated video transmission device 1 is applied to the in-vehicle videophone device. The apparatus main body 1 is fixed to a dashboard or a seat in an automobile using a stand 30 and a metal fitting. As the communication means, a PHS connected to the PCMIA interface 18 via the PCMCIA modem card 31 or a mobile phone 32, or a PHS connected to the USB port 17 by a cord or a mobile phone 32 can be used. The apparatus main body 1 and communication means enable mobile communication.
[0016]
All operations of the apparatus 1 can be performed using the pointing device 24, that is, the touch panel 4. For example, the pointing device 24 can be used to specify a communication partner address, call operation such as connection start, and end operation. A telephone number and a call signal input from the pointing device 24 are displayed on the image display device 14 and are interpreted by the CPU 11 and connected to the USB port 17 or the PCMCIA interface 18 or the like. The data is output to a network not shown in FIG.
[0017]
The video on the transmission side is taken in by the image input device 25 (camera 5) built in the apparatus 1, and is compressed and encoded by the software for image compression transmission in the apparatus 1. The compressed bit stream is input to the communication device via the communication interface and transmitted. That is, the video on the transmission side is compressed and encoded by the path of image input device 25 → image input controller 22 → I / O controller 16 → (memory controller 12 → ROM memory → CPU 11 → RAM memory) in FIG. The data is output to the PHS or the mobile phone 32 via the O controller 16 → USB port 17. Further, the video signal is output from the PHS or the antenna of the mobile phone 32 to a network (not shown).
[0018]
On the other hand, the audio signal is input from the audio input / output device 20, is compressed and encoded through the same path as that of the video signal, and is output to the PHS and the mobile phone 32. Furthermore, it is output to the network via the PHS or the antenna of the mobile phone 32.
[0019]
When there is an incoming call, the CPU 11 in the standby state detects the incoming call and performs a predetermined reception process. The received image / sound signal is taken in by the software inside the apparatus 1 through the communication interface. Thereafter, the received image / audio signal is decoded by the CPU 11 or the like, the image signal is displayed on the image display device 1, and the audio signal is output from the audio input / output device 20.
[0020]
(2) Surveillance Video Transmission Device FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view when the multipurpose integrated video transmission device 1 is applied to the surveillance video transmission device. When used as a surveillance video transmission apparatus, first, the apparatus is fixedly installed at a monitoring point, and an operator uses the pointing device 24 to perform initial setting of the apparatus in advance.
[0021]
The monitoring video signal and / or the audio signal are compressed and encoded by the CPU 11 or the like and sent to the telephone jack via the PCMCIA modem card 31 connected to the PCMCIA interface 18 as in the case of the in-vehicle videophone device. Further, it can be sent to an Ethernet LAN connected to the Ethernet interface 19. Further, it can be sent to a PHS connected to the USB port 17, a mobile phone or the like, or to a network not shown via the PHS, mobile phone or the like.
[0022]
Also, an intruder detection device or the like is separately prepared, an alarm signal from the detection device is input to the device 1 through the serial interface 23, and the device 1 uses the alarm signal as a trigger to display a monitoring video to the supervisor. Transmission can be started. Of course, depending on the mode set at the time of initial setting, it is also possible to continue the transmission of the monitoring video.
[0023]
(3) Front Video Transmission Device FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view when the multipurpose integrated video transmission device 1 is applied to the front video transmission device. If the present apparatus 1 is installed on, for example, a dashboard of an automobile and the camera 5 is installed forward as shown in the figure, the scenery in front of the driving automobile can be photographed and transmitted by the camera 5. . This can be realized by pulling out the detachable camera 5 built in the apparatus 1 from the housing 2, rotating it 180 ° and inserting it into the camera receiver of the housing 2.
[0024]
In this case, if the image display unit 3 and the transparent touch panel 4 formed on the surface of the image display unit 3 are directed in the room direction, an occupant such as a driver can determine whether the camera 5 is normally projecting a front landscape. The touch panel 4 can be used for other purposes such as (1) the in-vehicle videophone.
[0025]
It should be noted that the processing and transmission such as compression encoding of the video imaged by the camera 5 can be performed in the same manner as in the in-vehicle videophone (1).
[0026]
(4) Portable Video Transmission Device FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view when the versatile integrated video transmission device 1 is applied to a portable video transmission device. In this portable video transmission apparatus, a PCMCIA PHS card 33 is inserted into the PCMCIA interface 18 of the apparatus 1 and a PHS or a mobile phone is connected to the PCMCIA PHS card 33 to compress and transmit the captured video while moving.
[0027]
A PCMCIA type PHS card is most suitable as a communication device, but a PHS or a mobile phone may be connected via the USB port 17 or the PCMCIA interface 18 used in (1).
[0028]
The camera 5 is detachable from the housing 2 and can be extended and contracted. The camera 5 can be accurately captured by removing the housing 5 and directing it in the direction of the subject. The portable video transmission device can be used for news video transmission, videophone, and the like.
[0029]
In this case, a means for measuring the degree of extension of the cable connecting the camera 5 and the apparatus 1 is installed in the apparatus 1, and the CPU 11 is notified when the cable is extended beyond a predetermined length, and an appropriate compression code is obtained. It is possible to automatically switch to the activation parameter. As means for measuring the degree of extension of the cable, for example, means for measuring the number of rotations of a pulley or the like around which the cable is wound, or means for detecting a marker attached to a predetermined length of the cable is used. The detection result can be notified to the CPU 11 via the I / O controller 16 or the like. Further, as a compression encoding parameter, when the cable 5 is extended to a predetermined length or more and the camera 5 is used, the camera 5 is generally used with the camera 5 held in hand. In other words, an image suitable for an image with a shaking background is selected. Conversely, when the cable is used without being stretched beyond a predetermined length, since the camera 5 is generally used while being attached to the apparatus 1, the background of the image projected by the camera 5 is stationary. Yes. Therefore, a compression encoding parameter suitable for encoding an image with a static background is selected.
[0030]
In addition, for example, a micro switch is provided in the mounting portion of the camera 5 of the apparatus 1 so that the camera 5 is turned on when the camera 5 is attached and turned off when the camera 5 is detached. The CPU 11 can be notified via the / O controller 16 or the like. Further, the CPU 11 is turned on when the camera 5 is attached forward and turned off when the camera 5 is attached backward. For example, by adding one more micro switch, the CPU 11 is attached whether the camera 5 is attached forward or backward. Can be detected.
[0031]
The CPU 11 can automatically change the compression encoding parameters depending on whether or not the camera 5 is mounted and the mounting direction. As a result, the nature of the image projected according to the camera status, for example, the image of the in-vehicle image that is captured with the camera attached and the background does not move, the image of the outside of the vehicle imaged with the camera removed, etc. It is possible to automatically switch to an appropriate compression coding parameter in accordance with the nature of a video or the like where the background is fast and the background moves.
[0032]
(5) Surveillance Video Transmission Device with Camera Switching Function FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view when the multipurpose integrated video transmission device 1 is applied to a surveillance video transmission device with a camera switching function. This surveillance video transmission apparatus with a camera switching function is obtained by adding a plurality of image input devices 25, that is, cameras 51 to 54 to the surveillance video transmission apparatus of (2). FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 1 of FIG. In the block diagram, a plurality of image input controllers 22a to 22n are connected in parallel to the I / O controller 16, and image input devices 25a to 25n are connected to the plurality of image input controllers 22a to 22n, respectively. Other reference numerals are the same as or equivalent to those in FIG.
[0033]
Videos from the plurality of cameras 51 to 54 are stored in the ROM memory 15 and taken into image compression / transmission software executed by the CPU 11 or the like. Here, a plurality of videos from the cameras 51 to 54 are allocated to one divided screen as one video signal, or a video from the selected camera is used as one video signal for compression transmission.
[0034]
Whether to transmit multiple images as split-screen video or to selectively transmit which video from the camera is performed by the user at the initial setting, or during monitoring, the monitor uses a command for video switching over the network. Can be realized by sending to the apparatus 1.
[0035]
The configuration and application examples of the multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the description and can be applied to various other applications.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 10 , a versatile integrated video transmission based on a personal computer that can transmit an image taken by a camera in real time and is excellent in convenience. An apparatus can be provided. In addition, it can display images taken with the camera on the image display unit, compress and encode, and input data and commands manually from the touch panel. An integrated video transmission apparatus can be provided.
[0037]
According to the first , second, and fourth aspects of the present invention, appropriate compression encoding parameters are automatically set according to the nature of an image that is highly likely to be transmitted depending on the camera state. Will be able to. This reduces the work of setting appropriate image compression encoding parameters in accordance with changes in the usage environment, and improves convenience in use.
[0038]
Further, according to the inventions of claims 3 and 5 , since the camera is detachable and can be mounted by changing its direction, for example, by 180 °, the portable video transmission device or the front video transmission device used by being mounted on an automobile or the like is used. When used for, it is very convenient.
[0039]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since various input / output interfaces are provided, it can be connected to various external devices. For this reason, it becomes possible to selectively use an external device suitable for the purpose of use.
[0040]
Further, according to the ninth and tenth aspects of the invention, a telephone number and a command for making a call can be manually input from the touch panel, so that an in-vehicle videophone device with good operability can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a versatile integrated video transmission apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the versatile integrated video transmission apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an in-vehicle videophone device as an application example.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a surveillance video transmission device as an application example.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a front video transmission device as an application example.
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a portable video transmission device as an application example.
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a surveillance video transmission apparatus with a camera switching function as an application example.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the surveillance video transmission apparatus with a camera switching function.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus, 2 ... Housing | casing, 3 ... Image display part, 4 ... Touch panel, 51, 54-54 ... Camera, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory controller, 13 ... RAM memory, 14 ... Image display device, 15 ... ROM memory, 16 ... I / O controller, 17 ... USB port, 18 ... PCMCIA interface 19 ... Ethernet interface, 20 ... audio input / output device, 21 ... serial controller, 22, 22a-22n ... image input controller, 23 ... serial interface, 24 ... pointing device, 25, 25a to 25n: image input device, 32: mobile phone or PHS.

Claims (10)

An audio input / output device;
An image input device;
Means for detecting whether or not the image input device is attached to the apparatus main body;
Means for compressing and transmitting an image signal captured from the image input device;
An image display device for displaying an image signal captured from the image input device;
A transparent touch panel that is formed on the surface of the image display device so as to overlap with the image display device and allows manual input of data and instructions ;
Means for detecting a degree of extension of a cable connecting the image input device and the apparatus main body ,
When the image input device is not attached to the apparatus main body, the degree of expansion of the cable connecting the image input device and the apparatus main body is detected, and the compression encoding parameter is changed according to the degree of expansion. versatile integrated video transmission apparatus.   The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compression encoding parameter can be changed from the touch panel.   The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input device includes a camera, and the camera is detachable and can be mounted by changing its orientation. The orientation of the camera in the mounted state, versatile integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it is possible to change the parameters of the compression coding.   The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the camera can be mounted by changing a direction of 180 °.   4. The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the image input devices. Further comprising input and output interface, as said input output interface, serial port, USB port, Ethernet interface, and claims 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one PCMCIA interface according to any one of 6 multi Application-integrated video transmission device. The multi-use integrated video transmission device is used as at least one of a surveillance video transmission device, a front video transmission device, a portable video transmission device, and a surveillance video transmission device with a camera switching function. The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to any one of Items 7 to 7 . Furthermore, it comprises an image signal receiver,
Wherein to display the received image signal to the image display device, the input of the communication destination address from the touch panel, connection initiation, and any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that to be able to operate the termination A versatile integrated video transmission device according to 1. The multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the multipurpose integrated video transmission apparatus is used as an in-vehicle videophone apparatus.

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