JPH05292497A - Video conference camera controlling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To recognize the holding condition of the control of video camera at a respective bases in a short time without unwanted operation by providing control display means at base devices. CONSTITUTION:This system is composed of plural bases 10, base devices 10 set at the bases 10, communication network 20 to mutually connect the respective base devices 10, video cameras 1 inside the respective base devices 10, and display screens D on which the photographed results of the video cameras 1 at the respective bases are displayed. And, control display means 100 set at the respective base devices 10 displays the holding states of the control of the video cameras 1 inside the respective base devices 10 on the display screens D at the respective bases. Also, it can be considered that the control display means 100 display the bases 10 which the own base devices 10 hold the control of the video cameras 1 and the bases 10 which the transfer of the control under holding is requested as the holding states of the control.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference camera control system in a video conference system for holding a conference between a plurality of bases.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional video conference system. The video conference system illustrated in FIG. 4 has a video conference device at each of three conference sites (hereinafter, the conference site is referred to as a base 10, and the video conference device is referred to as a base device 10). 10 ₁ , 1
(Referred to as 0 ₂ and 10 ₃ ) are installed, and each base device 10 is connected to each other via a communication network 20.

Each base unit 10 is composed of a video camera 1, a camera control unit 2, a remote control unit 3, a display unit 4, a display control unit 5 and a communication control unit 6, and the video camera 1 is a camera control unit. Under the control of 2, the situation of each base 10 is photographed, delivered to each base device 10 via the communication control device 6 and the communication network 20, and displayed under the control of the display control device 5 of each base device 10. Display on the device 4. Note in FIG. 4, only the configuration of the base device 10 ₁ is displayed in detail,
The other base devices 10 ₂ and 10 ₃ are similar to the base device 10 ₁ and therefore omitted.

The shooting direction and shooting range of each video camera 1 are determined by the remote control device 3 in the local device 10.
Not only is it controlled by the remote control device 3 in the remote site device 10, but also by the remote control device 3 in the remote site device 10.

For example, the camera control device 2 of the site 10 _1.
1, when the control signal of the video camera 1 ₁ is transmitted from the remote controller 3 ₁ of the same bases 10 _1, the camera control unit 2 ₁ grants the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ to the remote controller 3 ₁ In accordance with the operation of the remote control device 3 ₁ , the shooting direction and shooting range of the video camera 1 ₁ are controlled.

The operator of the remote control device 3 ₁ observes the photographing screen of his / her site 10 ₁ displayed on the display device 4 ₁ [hereinafter referred to as a site screen (S ₁ ), the same applies hereinafter], and Recognize that you have control of the video camera 1 ₁ .

In addition, in the camera control device 2 ₁ of the base 10 ₁ ,
When the control signal of the video camera 1 ₁ is transmitted from the remote control device 3 _{2 of} another base 10 (for example, the base 10 ₂ ),
The camera control device 2 ₁ gives the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ to the remote control device 3 ₂ and controls the shooting direction, the shooting range, etc. of the video camera 1 ₁ according to the operation of the remote control device 3 ₂ .

The operator of the remote control device 3 ₂ observes the site screen (S ₁ ) displayed on the display device 4 ₂ in his / her site 10 ₂ to find himself / herself the video camera 1 2.
Recognize that you have gained control of ₁ .

When the remote control devices 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ of a plurality of sites 10 (for example, sites 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ ) simultaneously transmit the control signals of the video camera 1 ₁ to the camera control device 2 ₁ , the camera control is performed. The device 2 ₁ gives a control right to either one of the remote control devices 3 (for example, the remote control device 3 ₁ ) according to a predetermined competition control procedure, and then, according to the operation of the remote control device 3 ₁ , the shooting direction of the video camera 1 ₁ . and is for controlling the shooting range, etc., the remote control device 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ of the operator, each result he was conducted while operation as that won control of the video camera 1 _1, the remote controller 3 ₁ The operator confirms that the site screen (S ₁ ) changes according to his / her operation, and is convinced that he holds the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ .
The operator of the remote control device 3 ₂ notices that the site screen (S ₁ ) does not change according to his / her operation, and determines that he / she does not hold the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ .

[0010]

As is apparent from the above description, in the conventional video conference system, the remote control devices 3 ₁ and 3 of the bases 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ are used.
Or _two of the operator, whether the holding control of the desired video camera 1 _1, while the results of executing the operation of the video camera 1 _1, the site screen (S ₁₎ is changed to their operation as By observing whether or not it will be recognized,
It takes a long time to confirm that the control right is held, and during that time,
There was the inconvenience of performing unnecessary operations.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to recognize the holding status of the control right of the video camera at each base in a short time and without any unnecessary operation.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a plurality of bases, base devices installed in the base 10, and 20 are base devices 1
0 is a communication network interconnecting with each other, 1 is a video camera in each base device 10, and D is a display screen displaying the shooting result of the video camera 1 of each base.

Reference numeral 100 is a control right display means provided in each base unit 10 according to the present invention.

[0014]

The control right display means 100 displays the holding state of the control right of the video camera 1 in each base device 10 on the display screen (D) of each base.

The control right display means 100 includes a base 10 where the own base device 10 holds the control right of the video camera 1,
It is considered to display the base 10 that is requested to transfer the control right that is being held as the control right holding state.

Therefore, since the control right holding status of the video camera at each site can be immediately recognized by observing the display screen, it is not necessary to operate an extra video camera, which is convenient for the video conference system. And operability are greatly improved.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 is a diagram showing a video conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a video camera control process in FIG. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings. In addition, the target video conference system is the three base devices 10 and the communication network 20 as in FIG.
Shall consist of

Also in FIG. 2, the three base units 10
Of these, the configuration of only the base device 10 ₁ is displayed in detail, and the other base devices 10 ₂ and 10 ₃ are omitted.
2, a control base display unit 21, a control right memory 23 and a timer 24 are provided in the camera control device 2 of each base device 10 as the control right display means 100 in FIG.

In the control right memory 23, control right holding information (C) indicating the remote control device 3 currently holding the control right of the video camera 1 of each base 10 [individual remote control devices 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ and 3 ₃ (C ₁ ), (C ₂ ), and (C ₃ ), and the same applies to the following], and the remote control device 3 that currently requests the transfer of control right exists. By doing so, the control right request information (R) indicating the requesting remote control device 3 is set to the video camera 1 ₁ , 1
It is stored in the ₂ and 1 ₃ in the corresponding region 231, 232, and 233.

The control point display unit 21 is a display.
The data displayed on the display device 4 via the control device 5 is displayed.
A part of the display screen (D) shows video clips of each site 10.
Control base screen (S which shows the control right holding state of camera 1)_C)
The site screen (S₁), (S ₂) And (S₃) With
indicate.

The control base screen (S _C ) is displayed in the areas (Sd ₁ ) and (Sd ₁ ) corresponding to the video cameras 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ and 1 _3.
d ₂₎ and (Sd ₃₎ is composed of a control site display unit 21, the video camera 1 _i corresponding region remote control unit 3 of own base 10 holds the control right (S
d _i ) (where i is any one of 1 to 3) is displayed in red, and the remote control device 3 of the other base 10 holds the video camera 1 _j corresponding area (Sd _j ) (where j is ≠ i) is displayed in green, and the remote control device 3 of the own site 10 is still holding the control right.
_When the transfer of the control right is requested to the _i from the remote control device 3 of the other base 10, the video camera 1 _i corresponding area (Sd _i ) displayed in red is blinked.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the video conference system is started, the processor 22 in the camera controller 2 in each base unit 10 causes each video camera 1 ₁ , 1 in the control right memory 23 to operate. _The control right holding information (C ₁ ), (C ₂ ) and (C ₃ ) should be stored in the ₂ and 1 ₃ corresponding areas 321, 232 and 233, respectively, and all the control right request information (R) should be deleted. Due to
The control right of each video camera 1 is given to the remote control device 3 in the own site device 10 (step S1 in FIG. 3).

Each control point display unit 21 controls the control point screen (S _C ) on the display screen (D) displayed on the display device 4 based on the contents stored in each control right memory 23.
To control.

For example, the control base display section 21 _{1 at the} base 10 ₁ is the video camera 1 ₁ in the control base screen (S _C1 ).
The corresponding area (Sd ₁₁ ) is displayed in red, the video cameras 1 ₂ and 1 ₃ corresponding areas (Sd ₂₁ ) and (Sd ₃₁ ) are displayed in green, and the control point display unit 21 _{2 at the point} 10 ₂ displays
The video camera 1 ₂ corresponding area (Sd ₂₂ ) in the control base screen (S _C2 ) is displayed in red, and the video camera 1 ₁ and 1 ₃ corresponding areas (Sd ₁₂ ) and (Sd ₃₂ ) are displayed in green. point of control display unit 21 ₃ in _3, the control base screen (S _C3) in a video camera 1 ₃ corresponding region of (Sd ₃₃₎
Is red, and the video camera 1 ₁ and 1 ₂ corresponding area (Sd
₁₃ ) and (Sd ₂₃ ) are displayed in green.

Each processor 22 has its own video camera 1.
Monitoring whether there is a request to transfer control
(Step S2). In this state, the base 10₂Limo
Controller 3₂But base 10₁Video camera 1₁of
The camera controller 2 is requested to transfer control right.₂Against
Deo camera 1 ₁When the control right request signal of
Control device 2₂Processor 22 in₂Is the control right memory 23
₂Video camera 1₁Correspondence correspondence area 231₂Control rights to
Possession information (C₁) Is stored, the
The current video camera 1 via the network 20₁Control of
Base device 10 in possession₁In contrast, the video camera 1₁of
Transfer the control right request signal.

[0026] In the base unit 10 _1, the processor 22 ₁ of the camera control unit 2 ₁ is the remote control unit 3 ₂
When the control right request signal of the video camera 1 ₁ transferred from the communication network 20 and the communication control device 6 ₁ is received from the mobile phone (step S3), the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area 231 ₁ in the control right memory 23 ₁ is received. , And stores the control right request information (R ₂ ) indicating that the transfer of the control right is requested from the remote control device 3 ₂ .

Control base display unit 21₁Is the control right memory 2
Three₁Video camera 1₁Corresponding area 231₁Requires control right
Job information (R₂) Is newly stored,
Display controller 5₁Display device 4 via
₁Display screen (D₁) Upper control base
Screen (S_C1) Of the video camera 1 displayed in red ₁
Corresponding area (Sd₁₁) Flashes and the video camera 1₁Control
Other remote control device 3₂Or 3₃Needs delegation
The request is displayed (step S4).

The control base display unit 21 ₁ is a video camera 1 ₁
When the corresponding area (Sd ₁₁ ) is blinked, the processor 22 ₁
Activates the timer 24 ₁ and waits for whether the rejection signal is transferred from the remote control device 3 ₁ (step S
5).

Remote control device 3₁The operator of
Play device 4₁Display screen (D₁)
Control base screen (S_C1) Of the video camera displayed in red
LA 1 ₁Corresponding area (Sd₁₁Observe that) started blinking
And own site 10₁Video camera 1₁Transfer of control of
To other bases 10₂Or 10₃Remote control device 3₂
Or 3₃Recognizes that the
If there is no objection to the delegation, the remote control device 3₁From what
The rejection signal is sent to the camera controller 2₁Not send to.

Camera control device 2₁Processor 22 in₁
Is the timer 24₁Until the time of the predetermined timer is announced
The remote control device 3₁The rejection signal is not transferred from
If it does (step S6), the remote control device 3₂
Video camera 1 requested by₁The transfer of control of the
Controller 3₁Is judged to be permitted by
Right memory 23₁Video camera 1₁Corresponding area 231₁Within
Control right holding information (C ₁) Control right holding information (C₂) To
Control right request information (R₂) Is deleted,
The permission signal for the previously transferred control right request signal is
Signal control device 6₁And the base device 1 via the communication network 20
0₂And send it back to timer 24₁To reset.

Control site display unit 21₁Is the control right memory 2
Three₁Video camera 1₁Corresponding area 231₁Control of
Information (C₁) Is the control right holding information (C₂), And
Control right request information (R₂) Is deleted
And the display controller 5 ₁Display device via
Setting 4₁Display screen (D₁)Inside
Control base screen (S_C1) Is displayed in red and blinking
Video camera 1₁Corresponding area (Sd₁₁) Is displayed in green
Let's have a video camera 1₁Control of other remote control devices
Three₂Or 3₃Show that it has been delegated to (step
S7).

[0032] In contrast bases 10 _2, the processor 22 ₂ of the camera control unit 2 within ₂ receives the allowable signal transferred from the site _device 101, the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ to the remote controller 3 ₂ Recognizing that it has been delegated, the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area 231 in the control right memory 23 _2
The control right holding information (C ₁ ) stored in ₂ is updated to the control right holding information (C ₂ ).

Control site display unit 21₂Is the control right memory 2
Three₂Video camera 1₁Corresponding area 231₂Control of
Information (C₁) Is the control right holding information (C₂) Was updated to
When and are detected, the display controller 5₂Through de
Display device 4₂Display screen displayed on
(D₂) Control base screen (S_C2), Displayed in green
Video camera 1₁Corresponding area (Sd₁₂) Is displayed in red
Let's have a video camera 1 ₁Control right of own remote control device
Three₂Show that it has been delegated to.

The operator of the remote control device 3 _{2 determines} that the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area (in green) on the control site screen (S _C2 ) in the display screen (D ₂ ) displayed on the display device 4 ₂ ( Observe that Sd ₁₂ ) has turned red, recognize that the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ has been transferred, and immediately operate the remote control device 3 ₂ to start the control of the video camera 1 _1. Camera 1 ₁
Control signal is transferred to the base device 10 ₁ via the communication network 20.

[0035] In the base 10 _1, the camera control unit 2
Processor 22 ₁ in _1, based on the control signals transferred via the communication network 20 and the communication control device ₆₁ from the remote controller 3 _2, and controls the video camera 1 ₁ (step S8).

The remote control device 3₁The operator of
Display device 4₁Display screen (D
₁) Control base screen (S_C1) In red
Camera 1₁Corresponding area (Sd₁₁) Has begun to flash
Observe and own video camera 1₁Transfer of control of
Remote control device at base 3₂Or 3₃Requested by
That they are aware of the transfer of control
For example, remote control device 3 ₁Rejection signal from camera control device
Setting 2₁Transfer to.

The processor of the camera control unit 2 ₁ 22 ₁
If the refusal signal is transferred from the remote control device 3 ₁ by the time the timer 24 ₁ notifies the elapse of a predetermined timer time (step S6), the video camera 1 ₁ requested by the remote control device 3 ₂ It is judged that the transfer of the control right of the control right is rejected by the remote control device 3 _1, and the control right holding information (C ₁ ) stored in the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area 231 ₁ in the control right memory 23 ₁ is updated. Without doing so, only the control right request information (R ₂ ) is deleted, the permission signal for the previously transferred control right request signal is not returned, and the timer 24 ₁ is reset.

The control base display unit 21 ₁ is provided with the control right memory 2
3 ₁ of a video camera 1 ₁ control right request information of the corresponding region (R
_When it is detected that ₂ ) is deleted, the control base screen (S _C1 ) in the display screen (D ₁ ) displayed on the display device 4 ₁ via the display control device 5 ₁
It is displayed in red and the blinking of the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area (Sd ₁₁ ) is stopped, and it is displayed that the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ has not been transferred to another remote control device 3 ₂ or 3 ₃ (step S7). ).

On the other hand, at the base 10 ₂ , even if the camera control device 2 ₂ transfers the control right request signal to the base device 10 ₁ , as long as the permission signal is not returned, the video camera 1 ₁
The control right holding information (C ₁ ) stored in the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area 231 ₂ in the control right memory 23 ₂ is recognized as the control right is not transferred to the remote control device 3 _2.
Maintain the current status.

The control point display unit 21 ₂ is the control right memory 2
3 the video camera 1 in _{2 1} in the corresponding area 231 ₂ control right holding information (C ₁₎ has control information held (C ₂₎ for not updated, the display screen (D ₂₎ in which it is displayed on the display device 4 ₂ On the control base screen (S _C2 ) of the above, the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area (Sd ₁₂ ) displayed in green is maintained as it is, and the control right of the video camera 1 ₁ is not transferred to the remote control device 3 _2. Is displayed.

The operator of the remote control device 3 ₂ displays the display screen (D ₂ ) displayed on the display device 4 _2.
Observe that the video camera 1 ₁ corresponding area (Sd ₁₂ ) on the control base screen (S _C2 ) in the inside maintains the green display,
It recognizes that the control of the video camera 1 ₁ has not been delegated, to perform the transfer request operation again control right from after a while.

As is apparent from the above description, according to this embodiment, the remote control device 3 of the own site 10 holds the control right of the video camera 1 of each site 10 on the display screen (D) of each site. and whether are displayed by the control base screen (S _C), the self remote controller 3
Control operation can be performed with peace of mind for the video camera 1 that holds the control right, and when a new control right is requested, the request result is immediately displayed on the control site screen (S _C ). Therefore, when the transfer has been completed, the operation of the video camera 1 can be immediately started.

It is to be noted that FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples of the present invention until now. For example, the display state of the control base screen (S _C ) is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and many others are possible. However, the effect of the present invention does not change in any case. Further, the video conference system to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the one including the three base devices 10, and various modifications may be considered. In any case, the effect of the present invention is obtained. Does not change.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned video conference system, the status of holding the control right of the video camera at each site can be immediately recognized by observing the display screen, and therefore, an extra video camera is provided. It is not necessary to perform the operation of, and the convenience and operability of the video conference system are significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a video conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a video camera control process in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional video conference system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Video Camera 2 Camera Control Device 3 Remote Control Device 4 Display Device 5 Display Control Device 6 Communication Control Device 10 Bases, Base Device 20 Communication Network 21 Control Base Display Unit 22 Processor 23 Control Right Memory 24 Timer 100 Control Right Display Means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A base device (10) installed in a plurality of bases (10) is mutually connected via a communication network (20),
In the video conference system for conducting a conference between each of the bases, the base device (10) indicates the holding status of the control right of the video camera (1) in each of the base devices (10) and the display screen of each base ( A video conference camera control system characterized in that a control right display means (100) for displaying in D) is provided. 2. The control right display means (100) is requested to transfer the control right held by the base (10) where the own base device (10) holds the control right of the video camera (1). The video conference camera control system according to claim 1, wherein the base (10) is displayed as a holding state of the control right.