JPH0298293A - Picture transmitter receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure easy to see picture by picking up a picture of an object through image pickup communication and sending the picked-up picture to an opposite party and receiving the picture from the opposite party and displaying it on a monitor thereby providing a lighting device whose radiating direction is switched. CONSTITUTION:A lamp as a lighting device is fitted to a main body of a television telephone set 1 and the radiating direction of the lamp is fitted in a rocking free way to the main body of the television telephone set 1 so as to be switched selectively in the horizontal direction and the front downward direction of the television telephone set 1. A sharp picture is ensured by lighting a face of a photographer as an object by using the lamp 6 at the image pickup. Moreover, since the upper face of a table 5 is lighted by the lamp 6 before or after the image pickup, the memo on the table 5 is read easily and telephone talking is attained while observing the memo. Thus, even if the telephone set is placed at the corner of the room, a sharp and easy to see picture is ensured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an image transmitting/receiving device used in videophones and the like.

<Prior Art> The following are conventional examples of image transmitting/receiving devices used in videophones and the like.

That is, a subject is photographed with a television camera, and this image is displayed as a moving image on a monitor. Then, the photographer visually checks the images on the monitor, and when he/she finds an image that he/she likes, selects the image and stores it in the memory. The stored image (still image) is then transmitted over a telephone line to the other party's monitor for display.

Furthermore, the image sent from the other party is temporarily stored in the memory and then displayed on the monitor.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> By the way, since videophones are usually placed in the corner of a room, when the photographer faces the videophone, he or she has to turn his back to the lighting in the room. There was a problem with the camera being backlit, making it difficult to take clear images.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image transmitting/receiving device that can ensure easy-to-see images.

<Means for Solving the Problems> Therefore, in claim 1, the present invention provides a method for photographing an image of a subject using a photographing device, transmitting the photographed image to the other party, and receiving an image from the other party. The display is displayed on a monitor, and is equipped with a lighting device that can switch the direction of illumination.

Further, in a second aspect of the present invention, the photographing device is attached to the main body of the device so that its photographing direction can be switched, and includes an image reversing means for reversing the transmitted image vertically and horizontally with respect to the subject.

<Function> According to claim 1, the object is illuminated by a lighting device to ensure a clear image even when placed in a corner of a room, and the illumination direction of the lighting device can be switched. It is now possible to irradiate notes, etc. by holding it.

Further, in claim 2, the photographing direction of the photographing device is switched, and the transmitted image is reversed vertically and horizontally with respect to the subject, so that when photographing a subject diagonally below the device, You can now send an image that is easier to see by inverting the image.

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

1 and 2 show an embodiment corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention.

In the figure, a television camera 2 as a photographing device and a monitor 3 such as a CRT for displaying images photographed by the television camera 2 are attached to the main body of a television telephone 1. Further, a lamp 4 as a lighting device is attached to the main body of the videophone 1, and the lamp 4 is arranged so that the illumination direction of the lamp 4 can be selectively switched between the horizontal direction and the front downward direction of the videophone 1. It is attached to the main body so that it can swing freely. 5 is a table.

According to this configuration, when photographing, as shown in FIG. 1, the lamp 6 illuminates the face of the photographer as the subject to ensure a clear image. In addition, after or before taking a photo, the top surface of the table 5 can be illuminated with a lamp 6 as shown in Figure 2, making it easier to read the memo on the table 5, so you can make a phone call while looking at the memo. It is possible and convenient.

3 and 4 show another embodiment corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same elements as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and their explanations will be omitted.

That is, the lamp 6 is swingably attached to the main body of the videophone 1 so that the direction of irradiation of the lamp 6 can be changed.

Further, the television camera 7 is swingably attached to the main body of the video telephone 1 so that the photographing direction of the television camera 7 can be switched to substantially the same direction as the irradiation direction of the lamp 6.

According to this configuration, the irradiation direction of the lamp 6 and the photographing direction of the television camera 7 can be switched at the same time as shown in FIGS. It is convenient because the television camera 7 can be directed to the memo on the table 5 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the distance from the TV camera 7 to the photographer's face is about 50 to 60 cm, while the distance from the TV camera to the table 5 is about 20 cm.
In order to photograph both of them clearly, it is best to change the focus in conjunction with the switching operation. Furthermore, when photographing the photographer's face, the photographing magnification of the television camera 7 is set so that the entire face and part of the shoulder are covered with the screen of the monitor 3, while when photographing the contents of the memo, It is desirable to set the photographing magnification of the television camera 7 so that the contents of the video can be read with the resolution of the device of the video telephone 1, and it is preferable to change the focal length of the television camera 7 according to the photographing direction.

5 to 9 show an embodiment corresponding to claim 3 of the present invention. In this embodiment, only the main parts will be explained, and since the other parts are the same as those in FIGS. 3 and 4, their explanation will be omitted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a CCD (charge coupled device) 2 is attached to the front surface of the disc-shaped holding member 11.
An optical image of a subject is formed on the CD 12 via an optical lens 13. Further, at the center of the rear surface of the holding member 11, a rotating shaft 14 is attached via a ball joint (not shown), and one end of a coil spring 15 is attached.

A protruding portion 11a is formed protruding from the rear surface of the holding member 11.

Further, a hole 17 is formed in the camera body 16, and this hole 1
7, the rotating shaft 14 and the coil spring 15 are inserted as shown in FIG. Further, the other end of the coil spring 15 is locked to the camera body 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, an arc-shaped groove 18 is formed in the camera body 16 with the hole 17 as the center, and the groove 18 is deepest at the center and gradually becomes shallower toward both ends. is formed.

The protruding member 11a of the holding member 11 is inserted into this groove 18.

When photographing the photographer's face, etc., as shown in FIG.
a is located at the deepest part of the groove 18. Also, diagonally downward C
When directing the CD 12, move the holding member 11 to the rotating shaft 14.
When the holding member 11 is rotated by 180°, the protruding portion 11a is withdrawn from the groove 18 as shown in FIG. 9, the holding member 11 is tilted, and the CCD 12 is directed diagonally downward. At this time, CCD1
2 has been rotated by 180'', so the image taken by the CCD 12 is an image in which both the top and bottom and the left and right sides are reversed with respect to the subject.

Here, the holding member 11 and the CCD 12 constitute image reversing means.

Therefore, when a memo is placed on a table so that it is oriented in the correct direction as viewed from the photographer's side, and the memo is photographed by the CCD 12, the image taken by the CCD 12 and displayed on the monitor will be The orientation is the same as the orientation of the memo when viewed directly from the position (regular orientation).

Therefore, it is possible to provide an image that is easy to see on the monitor, and it is also possible to send an image that is easy to see to the other party.

FIG. 1O shows another embodiment corresponding to claim 2.

That is, by switching the increment/acry terminal of the address counter 21, the operation is switched between an increment operation and a decrement operation. Specifically, an increment operation is performed when the input is at H level, and a decrement operation is performed when the input is at L level.

When inputting an image to the memory 22 in the normal orientation, the address counter 21 is zeroed by a start signal indicating the input timing of the image signal, and an increment operation is performed by a clock signal synchronized with the image data.

Thereby, the image data is stored in the addresses of the memory 22 in order from zero to the final address.

Conversely, when inputting an image whose top, bottom, left, and right are reversed to the memory 22, the address counter 21 is input with a start signal.
is preset to the final address, and the decrement operation is thereafter performed in synchronization with the clock signal. As a result, the image data is sequentially stored at addresses in the memory 22 from the final address to zero. Therefore, the address counter 21 constitutes image reversing means.

When the image data stored in the memory 21 is read out and displayed on the monitor, a reset and increment operation is performed using the vertical synchronization signal, clock signal, etc. from the signal generation circuit. Furthermore, when transmitting to the other party, a start signal and a clock signal are obtained from a modem (modulation/demodulation circuit), and the image data stored in the memory 21 is transmitted to the other party.

Incidentally, when writing to the memory, the data may be written in the usual manner, and when the data continues to be written, the data may be read from the memory in the reverse direction.

Even in this configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

In addition to the above configuration, the following measures may be taken as shown in FIGS. 11 to 24.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, a table 32 is integrally formed with the lower part of the main body of the videophone 31 so as to protrude forward. In this way, the memo can be placed on the table 32 and photographed by the television camera 7, so that the distance or angle from the television camera 7 is constant. For this reason,
The photographing conditions of the television camera 7 can be adjusted to these conditions, and clear images can be ensured. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 12, the photographable range A may be clearly indicated on the top surface of the table 32. Also, if you use the surface of the table as a whiteboard for writing, you won't need to prepare memo paper.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, table 3
A rotary table 33 is provided on the top of the rotary table 33. When writing a memo, the front end of the rotary table 33 is lowered as shown in FIG. 13 to make writing easier. As shown in FIG. 14, it may be raised diagonally upward to face the television camera 7.

Furthermore, when not writing memos or taking pictures, it is better to store the table to make it more compact.As an example, as shown in FIG. One example is one that can be freely attached and brought into close contact with the front lower part of the videophone 31 when not in use.

Also, on the other side, a table 32 as shown in FIG.
B can be freely attached to the lower part of the main body of the video phone 31 and stored in the lower part of the video phone 31 when not in use.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, on the top surface of the table 32,
A pressure sensor 33 is provided in which a large number of lead wires are arranged vertically and horizontally at predetermined intervals. Then, characters, figures, etc. may be written on a memo sheet placed on the pressure sensor 32, and the pressure sensor 32 may detect these based on pen pressure and display them on a monitor or transmit them to the other party. In this case, there is no need to change the orientation of the television camera and lamp, so the structure is simplified, and since the pressure sensor 33 directly detects the pen pressure, a clear image can be ensured.

In addition, in the above case, if you write a mistake on a memo and erase it with an eraser, it would be inconvenient if the erasing pressure is sensed and it is written in the memory and displayed or sent.
As shown in FIG. 8, a mode changeover switch 34 is provided.

By selecting a mode using the mode changeover switch 34, it is possible to select a pattern in which a portion is written in the memory when pressure is applied, a pattern in which characters in the memory are erased, and a pattern in which neither writing nor erasing is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a clip 35 for holding a memo sheet and a microswitch 36 for detecting whether or not a memo sheet is held between the clips 35 are provided at one end of the pressure sensor 33. Also good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, a plate 37 on which a numeric keypad or the like is printed is attached to one side of the table 32 so as to be freely rotatable. When the plate 37 is stacked on the pressure sensor 33, the pressure sensor 33 detects the operation of the numeric keypad on the plate 37 by switching the microswitch 38, and operates the videophone according to the operation, and when the plate 37 is not stacked, the pressure The sensor 33 is used to read images such as characters and figures.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, a line-shaped reading device 39 may be attached to one end of the table 32 instead of the pressure sensor, and the reading device 39 may be used to read characters, figures, etc. on the memo paper.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a storage section 40 for storing memo paper may be formed in the main body of the videophone 31, and as shown in FIG. A cutter 42 for cutting the roll paper may be provided at the front end of the one table 32 formed inside the main body. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24, a linear reading device 43 may be attached to the front end of the table 32.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention has the following features in claim 1:
Since a lighting device is provided that can switch the direction of illumination, it is possible to ensure a clear and easy-to-see image even when placed in a corner of a room, and it is also possible to illuminate notes, etc. below. In addition, in claim 2, the image to be transmitted is reversed vertically and horizontally with respect to the subject, so that when the photographing device is directed diagonally downward and the photograph is taken, the memo or the like is directed toward the person taking the photograph. However, we were able to secure the image seen from the photographer's side,
You can send images that are easy to see.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the same effect, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment corresponding to claim 1. , FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the action of the above, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment corresponding to claim 2, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of other main parts of the same, and FIG. 7 is a diagram of the same as above Other side views, FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the same operation, FIG. 1O is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment corresponding to claim 2, and FIGS. 11 to 24. 2A and 2B are configuration diagrams respectively showing modifications of the same as above.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image transmitting/receiving device that photographs an image of a subject using a photographing device, transmits the photographed image to the other party, and receives the image from the other party and displays it on a monitor, the irradiation direction is switched. An image transmitting/receiving device characterized by being equipped with a lighting device. (2) In an image transmitting/receiving device that photographs an image of a subject using a photographing device, transmits the photographed image to the other party, and receives the image from the other party and displays it on a monitor, the photographing device is configured to: An image transmitting/receiving device comprising an image reversing means attached to the main body of the device and reversing the transmitted image vertically and horizontally with respect to the subject so that the photographing direction can be switched.