JPH0738869A - Desk-integrated video conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of respective equipments by arranging a display part and a work desk so that the surface of the display part and the surface of the tabletop part of the work desk are in level. CONSTITUTION:A display 3 is installed at the center part of the tabletop part of the work desk 1. An adjusting function and a dialing function, etc., are arranged on a console panel 11. The respective equipments installed on the tabletop part are arranged having their top surfaces in level with the tabletop. Then when a television conference is not held, the tabletop part is made flat with a transparent plate 15, so the desk is usable as a normal work desk, but when video a conference is held, the panel 11 is operated to attend the conference through the same operation with a general video conference device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a desk-integrated type video conference device in which a video conference device and a work desk are integrated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional video conference apparatus. In the figure, 51 is a display for displaying received video, 52 is a camera for shooting conference attendees, 53 is a speaker for outputting received audio, 54 is a control panel for operating each component, 55 is a transmission / reception video signal and transmission / reception. A communication control unit for performing encoding / decoding processing of a voice signal and transmission control processing with a line, 56 is a microphone for inputting voice, 57
Is the console. The conventional video conference device is configured as described above, and this device is installed and used in a dedicated conference room. Therefore, even if a small number of people hold a meeting, they will use the meeting room exclusively, resulting in a large loss of space. The loss was also great. Therefore, recently, a video conferencing device for a conference of two to three people has been developed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of such a video conference apparatus for a small number of people. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those of the video conference apparatus for the large conference shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 59 is a handset used when making a personal call. Then, such a video conference apparatus for a small number of people is generally installed and used on a work desk.

[0003]

However, since the video conferencing device occupies a part of the space on the work desk, there is a problem that the efficiency of the office work is hindered when it is not used for the conference.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video conference apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the space on the work desk.

[0005]

A desk-integrated type video conference apparatus according to the present invention includes a display section for displaying a received image, a camera section for capturing a transmitted image, a speaker for outputting a received sound, and a transmitted sound. A microphone for input and a control panel with dials and other operation / display functions are provided on the top plate of the work desk, and at least the surface of the display and the top plate of these devices are arranged flush with each other. In addition, the working desk has a built-in communication control unit for performing encoding / decoding processing of the transmitted / received video signal and the transmitted / received audio signal, and transmission control processing with the line.

Further, a handset is provided in place of the speaker for outputting the received voice and the microphone for inputting the transmitted voice.

Further, a headset is provided in place of the speaker for outputting the received voice and the microphone for inputting the transmitted voice.

[0008]

In the desk-integrated type video conference apparatus configured as described above, the display section displays the received video, the camera section captures the transmitted video, the speaker outputs the received voice, and the microphone inputs the transmitted voice. To do. The control panel has dials and other operation / display functions. Each of these devices is provided on the top plate portion, and among these devices, at least the surface of the display unit and the surface of the top plate are arranged flush with each other. Further, the communication control unit is built in the work desk, and performs transmission / reception video signal and transmission / reception audio signal encoding / decoding processing and transmission control processing with the line.

The handset has the functions of a speaker for outputting received voice and a microphone for inputting transmitted voice, and can be used by a user with one hand.

The headset is a headphone provided with a microphone function, and the user can freely use both hands.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Example 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a work desk main body, and 3 is a display for displaying a received image. The display 3 is installed substantially at the center of the top of the work desk body with the display facing upward. Reference numeral 5 denotes a camera installed on the top of the work desk 1 for photographing the attendees of the conference. The camera 5 is located at a predetermined distance from the position where the attendees of the conference sit so that all the attendees of the conference can be photographed. is set up. Reference numeral 7 is a microphone for inputting voice, 9 is a speaker for outputting received voice, and these devices are installed on the top of the work desk 1 on the side where the conference attendees are seated. Reference numeral 11 denotes a top panel portion of the work desk 1, which is a control panel installed on the seating side of conference attendees. The control panel 11 has a dial function,
For example, a device start-up / termination function, a camera angle adjusting function, a voice adjusting function, a telephone dialing function, etc. are installed. Reference numeral 13 denotes a handset housed in a concave portion on one side of the top plate, and the handset 13 is used when the present apparatus is used as a videophone. Each of the devices installed on the top plate is arranged such that its upper surface is flush with the top plate or is located slightly below the top plate.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a transparent plate installed on the surface of the top plate, and the transparent plate 15 covers the entire surface of the top plate. However, it should be appropriately considered so as not to hinder the functions and operations of the above-mentioned devices. There is. That is, holes are provided in the microphone 7 and the speaker 9 so as not to interfere with voice recording and output, and an openable lid and the like are provided in the operation panel 11 and the handset 13. Reference numeral 17 denotes a first storage unit, which stores parts other than the operation unit of each device installed on the top plate described above. Reference numeral 19 denotes a second storage unit provided in the sleeve portion of the work desk 1, and the second storage unit 19 performs encoding / decoding processing of transmission / reception video signals and transmission / reception audio signals and transmission control processing with a line. The communication control unit 21 is stored.

Next, a method of using the present embodiment having the above structure will be described. When not in video conference, use as a normal work desk. At this time, since the top plate is flush with the transparent plate 15, the entire surface of the top can be effectively used as in a normal working desk. When a video conference is held, the operation panel 11 is operated and the conference is performed by the same operation as that of a general video conference apparatus.

The locations of the components are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. For example, if the communication control unit 21 is integrated into an LSI and a single board is realized,
It can also be stored in the first storage unit 19. By doing so, the sleeve portion of the work desk can be effectively used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which both the microphone 7 and the speaker 9 and the handset are provided has been shown, but one of them can be omitted according to the user's request. Further, the display 3 is provided with a hinge mechanism at one end thereof so that the display 3 can be used during a video conference.
The screen may be pivoted about the hinge so that the screen is located in front of the user. By doing this, the image becomes easier to see.

Example 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the microphone 7, the speaker 9 and the handset 13 of the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, a headset 23 in which headphones and a microphone are integrated is used. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. With the headset 23, the microphone is placed near the mouth of the user, so that a voice call can be made and the voice from the other party is not leaked to the outside, and the quietness in the office can be maintained. , The confidentiality can be improved.

[0016]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the display section, the camera section, the speaker, the microphone, and the control panel are installed on the top panel of the work desk, and the surface of the display section and the top panel are installed. Since the surfaces are arranged so as to be flush with each other, the operability of each device is improved, and the entire top surface can be effectively used when a meeting is not held.

Further, since a handset having the functions of a speaker and a microphone is installed, when making a telephone call individually,
You can keep the silence in the office and excel in confidentiality.

Further, since the headset is installed, the confidentiality is excellent, both hands are free, and the office work efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional video conference device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional video conference apparatus for a small number of people.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Working Desk 3 Display 5 Camera 7 Microphone 9 Speaker 11 Control Panel 13 Handset 15 Transparent Plate 17 First Storage Section 19 Second Storage Section 21 Communication Control Section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A control panel having a display unit for displaying a received image, a camera unit for picking up a transmitted image, a speaker for outputting a received sound, a microphone for inputting a transmitted sound, a dial and other operation / display functions. Are installed on the top plate of the work desk, and at least the surface of the display unit and the surface of the top plate are arranged flush with each other, and the transmission / reception video signal and the transmission / reception audio signal are encoded / decoded. A desk-integrated type video conferencing apparatus, characterized in that a communication control unit for performing an encryption process and a transmission control process with a line is built in the work desk. 2. The desk-integrated type video conferencing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a handset is provided in place of the speaker for outputting the received voice and the microphone for inputting the transmitted voice. 3. The desk-integrated type video conferencing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a headset is provided in place of the speaker for outputting the received voice and the microphone for inputting the transmitted voice.