JPH0746555A - Visitor reception counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a visitor reception counter provide with an unmanned receiving function for visitors and connected to a private telephone system. CONSTITUTION:This counter is provided a front panel 7-1 provided without concealment on a wall surface material 33 of an entrance hall or the like and provided with an image pickup device 17, an image display device 18, a touch panel 24, a microphone 21 and a speaker 20, and an equipment housing part 7-2 projecting by formed on the rear side of the wall surface member 33 and connected to the front panel 7-1. At the connection part of the front panel 7-1 and the equipment housing part 7-2, a step 7-3 is provided so that the equipment housing part side can be dropped from the outer periphery of the front panel so that only the equipment housing part 7-2 can be embedded on the rear side of the wall surface member 33 while abutting the outer periphery of the front panel 7-1 on the inner periphery of an opening formed at the wall surface member 33. Then, a hinge mechanism provided at either the inside part of the outer periphery of the front panel 7-1 or the outside part of the outer periphery of the equipment housing part 7-2 or at one part of both of them so as to be pivotally supported on the surface of walls is provided and integrated with the surface member 33.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a visitor reception counter connected to a private branch exchange which can be connected to an existing private branch exchange (hereinafter, simply referred to as a private branch exchange), and more particularly to a plurality of private branch exchanges connected to the private branch exchange. The voice reception terminal and the image transmission / reception terminal are used to enable two-way communication between multiple premises departments, and a visit reception counter equipped with an image display device and voice input / output device installed in the reception department makes a visit. It relates to a visitor reception counter that connects persons directly to the required on-site departments to perform visitor acceptance work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In offices or business establishments, the mainstream method for receiving visitors is to verbally inform the receptionist waiting at the reception counter and contact the required department. However, this system has a drawback that the personnel efficiency is extremely low because it is necessary to assign a dedicated person to the reception counter.

As a solution to this problem, there has been proposed a system in which a telephone or cable television connected to an office is installed at a reception counter so that a visitor can directly contact a visiting department in the office. By the way, a so-called videophone system in which the communication efficiency is improved by transmitting and receiving the image of the caller in addition to the mutual call by voice, and a so-called videophone system is further developed to make a simultaneous mutual call between a plurality of videophone terminals. Such a so-called video conference telephone system is known.

As the above-mentioned video telephone system and video conference telephone system, those for exchanging still images or pseudo-moving images over a telephone line in a narrow band and those for exchanging moving images by installing a broadband transmission line have been developed. There is. A video conference telephone system of this type is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-197188.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication, an image pickup device for picking up all the conference participants who gathered at the same place is provided, and the speaker is zoomed in and imaged individually according to the voice of the speaker, and the image display of other participants is displayed. It is configured to be displayed on the device or to display a visual mark of a speaker on the image display device of another participant.

In the above system, since only the image of all the participants or the image of the speaker is displayed on the image display device of the participant, the sense of reality accompanying the progress of the conference is poor, Moreover, there is a drawback in that the screen changes frequently, which causes eye fatigue. To solve this,
As disclosed in JP-A-57-208781,
It is also proposed to display the images of all the participants on the image display device of the participants and to identify the speakers by displaying the images of the speakers in a larger area than the images of other participants. .

[0006]

There is no known public telephone call system equipped with the above-mentioned videophone system and having a function of accepting visitors, and when the communication of the premise is used as an image signal system. The use of a separate system for the visit reception still requires the attachment of the reception staff, and has a problem that it hinders the improvement of system efficiency.

As described above, a videophone system and a videoconference phone system are known for conducting a meeting or contact with an image in an office or business establishment (hereinafter referred to as a premises). However, this type of system has a problem in that in addition to requiring a dedicated image / sound switch for exchanging images and sounds, a new line needs to be laid out, resulting in a huge equipment cost.

Further, in the above-mentioned video conference telephone system of the prior art, even if the speaking time of a particular speaker becomes long, the speaker himself often does not notice it, and it is necessary for the participant in the chairman's role to deal with it in detail. was there. Further, in the case of zooming in the image pickup apparatus or using the speaker identification mark on the multi-screen, if the speech is congested, the system is confused and the conference itself is interrupted.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to allow an existing private branch exchange to be used as it is for connection and exchange of voice signals, and to make it possible to arrange image transmitting / receiving terminals side by side with a simple connecting device. The voice transmission / reception terminal (telephone) and the above image transmission / reception terminal are configured as a pair, and the individual call function is equivalent to the conventional videophone. When using the conference function, the images of all the participants in the conference are transmitted / received in each image. Another object of the present invention is to provide a visit reception counter in a local communication device having a reception function of a visitor, which can be displayed on a terminal so that a speaker can be identified and a speech time can be visually recognized.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is provided in an entrance hall or the like for facing a visitor and performing acceptance work by the operation of the visitor himself. A front desk 7-1 which is a visitor reception counter and which is exposed to the wall material 33 such as the entrance hall and at least mounts the imaging device 17, the image display device 18, the touch panel 24, the microphone 21 and the speaker 20; A device housing portion 7-2 that is connected to the front plate and is formed to project toward the back side of the wall material, and the wall material is provided at the connection part between the front plate 7-1 and the device housing 7-2. The device accommodating portion 7-is such that the outer peripheral edge of the front plate 7-1 abuts on the inner peripheral edge of the opening 33-1 formed in 33 and only the device accommodating portion 7-2 is embedded in the back side of the wall surface material. 2 side is the outer edge of the front plate 7-1 There is a step 7-3 that is depressed, and it is provided at least at one position on either the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the front plate 7-1 or the outer side of the outer peripheral edge of the device housing section 7-2, or both. A hinge mechanism 7-1 for pivotally supporting the wall surface 33 is provided and is integrated with the wall material 33.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the front plate 7 is provided.
−1, the portion 7-11 for mounting the image pickup device 17 and the image display device 18 is slightly inclined downward, and the portion 7-12 for mounting the touch panel 24 is formed on the wall surface member 3
It is characterized in that the operation surface of the touch panel 24 is positioned in a substantially upward posture by projecting from 3 to the operation side.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is a visitor reception counter which is provided in an entrance hall or the like, and which is used to face a visitor and perform a reception work by the operation of the visitor himself.
A base 70 having any of a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially truncated cone, a substantially truncated pyramid, and an operation panel 70-20 inclined in at least one direction on the upper surface of the base 70. The operation panel 70-20 is provided with at least the image pickup device 17, the image display device 18, the touch panel 24, the microphone 21, and the speaker 20.

Further, in the invention of claim 4, a portion 7-2 of the operation panel 70-20 where the image pickup device 17 is installed.
1 is an inclined surface which is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to a portion where the image display device 18 and the touch panel 24 are installed. The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that the moving object detector 26 is provided in a part of the base 70. The moving object detector 26 can be composed of an ultrasonic sensor, a heat sensor, and other proximity sensors.

[0014]

In the structure of claim 1 of the present invention,
The front plate 7-1 is a wall material 33 that constitutes an entrance hall or the like.
It protrudes slightly from the front surface of the and is exposed and buried. At least an image pickup device 17, an image display device 18, a touch panel 24, a microphone 21 and a speaker 20 are mounted on the front plate 7-1. A device connected to the front plate and projectingly formed on the back side of the wall material. The housing portion 7-2 is embedded in the wall material 33.

At this time, the step 7-3 formed at the connecting portion between the front plate 7-1 and the device accommodating portion 7-2 shields the opening 33-1 formed in the wall material, and the front plate 7-1. The wall material 33 and the wall material 33 function so as to be observed as a single plate material. The hinge mechanism 7-13 provided on at least one of the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the front plate 7-1 and the outer side of the outer peripheral edge of the device accommodating portion 7-2, or both of them, is used for the reception counter. At the time of maintenance and inspection, it has a function of holding the device housing section 7-2 open in front of the wall member 3, and facilitates access to the housed device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy for the visitor to pick up the image of the visitor and to visually recognize the reception image, and also to operate the touch panel easily. Also,
In the third aspect of the present invention, the base 70 having any of a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially truncated cone, a substantially truncated cone and another pyramid is the operation panel in the entrance direction of a visitor such as an entrance hall. 70-20 is installed. This visitor counter can be installed like an existing entrance hall, and no special installation work is required.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the portion 7-where the image pickup device 17 of the operation panel 70-20 is installed.
Since 21 is an inclined surface that is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to the part where the image display device 18 and the touch panel 24 are installed, the imaging device 17 can be installed while being shielded in the part 7-21. This has the effect of making the imaging device 17 invisible to visitors.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the moving object detector 26 is provided in a part of the front plate 7-1 or a part of the base body 70, it is necessary to separately install a visitor detector. There is no. The above-mentioned visitor detector can be composed of an ultrasonic sensor, a heat sensor, and other proximity sensors.

Further, according to the present invention, only the image pickup device provided in the above-mentioned visit reception counter can be operated from the image transmission / reception terminal of the office in the premises to remotely monitor or guard the entrance hall.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of a first embodiment of a visitor reception counter according to the present invention, where 7 is a reception counter main body, 7-1 is a front panel, 7-2 is a device accommodating portion, and 7-3 is Steps 7-11 are parts of the front plate 7-1 on which the image pickup device 17 and the image display device 18 are mounted, 7-12
Is a part for mounting the touch panel 24, 7-13 is a hinge mechanism, 17 is a CCD TV camera as an image pickup device, 18
Is a CRT display device as an image display device, 20 is a speaker, 21 is a microphone, 24 is a touch panel, 26
Is an ultrasonic sensor as a moving object detector, and 33 is a wall material.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the essential parts for explaining the construction of the first embodiment of the visitor reception counter according to the present invention.
The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 correspond to the same parts, and 34 is a visitor. 1 and 2, the reception counter main body 7 is exposed on the wall material 33 of the entrance hall, and the front panel 7 on which at least the CCD television camera 17, the CRT display device 18, the touch panel 24, the microphone 21, and the speaker 20 are mounted. 1 and a device accommodating portion 7-2 which is connected to the front plate 7-1 and is formed to project on the back side of the wall member 33.

The front plate 7-1 and the device housing portion 7-2
The opening 33- formed in the wall member 33 is connected to
The outer peripheral edge of the front plate 7-1 is in contact with the inner peripheral edge of No. 1 so that only the device accommodating portion 7-2 is embedded in the back side of the wall surface material, so that the device accommodating portion 7-2 side is the front plate 7-. 1 has a step 7-3 depressed from the outer peripheral edge, and has the front plate 7-1.
Hinging mechanism 7-1 for pivotally supporting the wall surface 33 by being provided at at least one of either the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the device or the outer side of the outer peripheral edge of the device housing section 7-2, or both.
3 and is integrated with the wall surface material 33.

The image pickup device 1 for the front plate 7-1.
7. The portion 7-11 for mounting the image display device 18 is slightly inclined downward, that is, toward the direction of the line of sight of the visitor 34, and the portion 7-12 for mounting the touch panel 24 is operated from the wall surface material 33. The operation surface of the touch panel 24 is positioned in a substantially upward posture by projecting to the side.
The reception counter configured in this manner is in a standby state when no visitor is present, and nothing is displayed on the CRT display device 18, or the company name or "acceptance" is displayed, or other visitor's eyes are displayed. You are displaying a pulling image.

When the visitor 34 approaches, the ultrasonic sensor 26 shown in FIG. 1 detects the visitor 34, and an initial screen for reception is displayed.
For example, a computer-generated image of the reception desk or the characters "Welcome" is displayed, and voice guidance is generated from the speaker 20 as necessary. These images or sounds are stored in the memory of the personal computer described later.

Needless to say, the shape of the reception counter body and the arrangement of the constituent members are not limited to the above.
Hereinafter, by selecting and pressing the guide character or department name displayed on the touch panel 24, the image line and the voice line are connected to the person in charge of the relevant department, etc., and the required requirements are exchanged.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of information displayed on the touch panel, where 24 is a touch panel, 24-1 to 24.
-12 is a selection display portion having a switch function for generating a predetermined code by pressing the display portion. FIG. 11A has a dial operation function of calling the corresponding department by pressing the selection display portions 24-1 to 24-8. For example, when the selection display portion 24-1 is pressed, a call is made to the voice transmission / reception terminal at the president's desk, and at the same time, the image transmission / reception terminal paired with the voice transmission / reception terminal is activated and the handset of the voice transmission / reception terminal is set. The self-portrait of itself is displayed by hooking on, and the image of the calling side is displayed together with the self-portrait as a multi-screen by operating a predetermined button of the voice transmitting / receiving terminal.

FIG. 3B shows the selection display portions 24-1 to 24-14.
-8 does not enter into the calling operation only by the selection, but is pressed by pressing the dial display 24-12. Reference numerals 24-10 and 24-11 are paging operation units when there are a large number of department names, and are effective when the organization introduces them to a large office.

It is also possible to display a message for operating instructions on the touch panel in the message display portion 24-13. According to this embodiment, the visitor only operates the touch panel to communicate with the person in charge of the required department, such as the CCD television camera 17 and the CRT display device 18.
Allows you to announce your intentions and exchange requirements,
It is possible to automate the reception work and improve the work efficiency.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the construction of the second embodiment of the visitation reception counter according to the present invention, in which 70 is a substantially cylindrical reception counter base and 70-20 is an operation panel inclined in one direction. The same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to the same parts. In the figure, the operation panel 70-20 is provided with a CCD television camera 17, a CRT display device 18, a touch panel 24, a speaker 20 and a microphone 21.

Further, the CCD television camera 17 portion installed above the inclined surface of the operation panel 70-20 is an inclined surface which is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to the portion where the image display device 18 and the touch panel 24 are installed. The CCD TV camera 17 can be easily installed in the direction of visitors. The ultrasonic sensor 26 is installed on the visitor access side of the base body 70.

Since the operation of the configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, repeated description will be omitted. The base body 70 is not limited to the cylindrical shape described above, but may be a truncated cone, a truncated pyramid or the like, or a shape similar to these.
The operation panel is not limited to the upper surface of the base body, but may be installed on the side surface or the like.

According to the present embodiment, the visitor reception counter can be easily moved as one device and can be placed at any place in the existing cost hole, so that the introduction is easy. In addition, in both the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor 26 may be separately attached to a required place such as a reception hall.

Next, the visit reception counter of the present invention is operated.
A system configuration for making the operation will be described. Figure 5 is the main
On-premise communication device for operating the Ming visit counter
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the
One or two or more including images captured by the image capturing means
Image display means for displaying images on the same screen
Multiple image transmission / reception terminals 1₁~ 1_nAnd the plurality of
Digital exchange provided as a pair with the image transmission / reception terminal
A plurality of voice transmission / reception terminals 2 which are exchange-connected with each other₁~ 2 _n
And a predetermined number of units exchanged by the general-purpose private branch exchange.
Corresponding to the audio signal of
The image signal is transmitted based on the audio signal to the image transmitting / receiving end.
A video switcher 4 for connecting to each of the end devices;
The image signal from the video switching device 4 is transferred to the image transmitting / receiving terminal.
Each image display means is divided and combined at a predetermined division ratio.
Screen divider 5 for displaying the image, and the image display means
The composite ratio of the specific image displayed on the
A combination ratio changer 6 that changes as a function of the signal duration,
Video switching device 4, screen divider 5 and composition ratio changing device 6
Control device 8 for controlling the telephone based on the voice signal of the private branch exchange
And an image monitor that displays the initial guidance image and the response image,
Visitor imaging method to image visitors, multiple internal signatures
Displaying and touching the displayed internal signature
The touch panel that outputs the calling signal to the relevant department
Voice input / output with microphone, microphone and speaker
It will be installed in the required reception department with integrated means.
At least a visit reception counter 7 is provided, and the image transmission / reception is performed.
Terminal 1₁~ 1_nAnd the voice transmitting / receiving terminal 2₁~ 2_nphase
Allows two or more participants to talk with each other
The designated number specified on the touch panel of the visitor reception counter 7
Image captured by image transmitting / receiving terminal and corresponding sound
The voice signal of the voice transmitting / receiving terminal is transferred to the image switching device and the digital signal.
Image display of the above-mentioned visitor reception counter through the Tal switch 3.
Connected to the device and speaker to enable communication with visitors
It is a thing.

The digital exchange 3 is connected to the analog output of the existing private branch exchange 30, and the call with the conventional ordinary telephone exchanged by the existing private branch exchange 30 is the same as before. In the above-mentioned structure, the image pickup means of the image transmission / reception terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n picks up an image of a calling party or a called party, sends it to the image switch 4, and displays it on the image display means as a multi-screen.

Voice transmitting / receiving terminal 2₁~ 2_nIs preferably
Built-in microphone and speaker, so-called hands-free
It has a telephone function, and its audio signal is preferably digital.
Bidirectional transmission and reception via the digital exchange 3
To be done. The video switcher 4 is the image transmission / reception terminal 1.₁~ 1_nof
A plurality of image signals from the image pickup means are supplied to the digital exchange 3
Switch according to the voice exchange operation of. Screen divider 5 is video
Compress and combine multiple image signals from switch 4 into one screen
Each image transmission / reception terminal 1 ₁~ 1_nSent to the image display means
Believe.

The composition ratio modifier 6 modifies the area of the composite image of the screen divider 5 with time under the control of the controller 8 in relation to the duration of the corresponding voice exchange signal. It controls the compression / synthesis operation of the divider 5. This area change is preferably controlled so as to increase with time. Then, the control device 8 uses the digital exchange 3
On the basis of the exchanged audio signal of 1. One or more screen dividers 5 can be added, and the added screen divider 5'can be used for video / audio communication or a conference with other similar local communication devices. . This screen divider 5 may be one in the case of only contact or conference within the exchange service of the digital exchange 3.

With this structure, while viewing the images of the participants of a plurality of departments who have participated at the same time on the multi-screen, a meeting, a contact or a conference is held, and the display area of the image of the speaker is displayed according to the voice duration of the speaker. Changes (for example, expands). Therefore, it becomes possible for the speaker himself and all participants to recognize the speaker and the time of the speaker, and it is possible to carry out an efficient meeting, contact or a meeting.

Further, the visit reception counter 7 displays an initial guide image (for example, "Welcome. Please press the desired department name displayed on the touch panel" etc.) with a female smile on the image display device, Further, in response to the visitor detection of an appropriate human body sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, the above-mentioned guidance by voice is pronounced, and the self-portrait of the visitor imaged by the visitor imaging means is displayed according to the touch panel operation of the visitor, Then, a calling signal is sent to the department. The operation instruction may be displayed on the touch panel, and in that case, only the guide image such as the female image is displayed on the image display device.

Then, when the image of the visitor is displayed on the image display means of the image transmitting / receiving terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n of the called department, and when the employee of the called department responds to the image, the above The response image is displayed on the image display device. A microphone and a speaker are installed in the outpatient reception terminal device 7, and the visitor receives the instruction and the instruction from the department while looking at the image display device.

The visit reception counter 7 may always display the initial guidance image on its image display device, or may start its operation based on the detection signal of the human body sensor. When the operation is started based on the detection signal of the human body sensor, the visitor image capturing device may capture the visitor and display the image as a self-portrait on the image display device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a specific structure of the private branch communication apparatus connected to visit reception counter according to the invention, 1 ₁ to 1 _n is the image receiving terminal, 2 ₁ to 2 _n
Is a voice transmission / reception terminal that is exchange-connected with a general-purpose private branch exchange, 3 is a digital exchange, and 4 is an image signal output from the image transmission / reception terminal corresponding to a plurality of predetermined voice signals exchanged with the digital exchange. A video switcher 5 for connecting to each of the image transmitting / receiving terminals based on the exchanged audio signal is connected to the video switcher and a plurality of image transmitting / receiving terminals to transfer the image signal from the digital exchange to the image transmitting / receiving terminal. A screen divider for dividing and combining with each image display means at a predetermined division ratio for display, and 6 is a function of the duration of the corresponding audio signal for the combination ratio of the specific image displayed on the image display means. The composite ratio changer 7 changes the display ratio, 7 is an image monitor that displays the initial guide image and the response image, a visitor image capturing unit that captures a visitor, and a plurality of internal signatures are displayed and displayed. A visitor reception counter, which is integrally provided with a touch panel for outputting a call signal to the in-house department by touching the in-house signature, voice input / output means having a microphone and a speaker, and is installed in a required in-house department, 8 Is a control device for controlling the video switching device 4, the screen divider 5 (5 ') and the composition ratio changing device 6 on the basis of the exchange voice signal of the digital exchange 3, 10 ₁ to 10 _n are image transmitting / receiving terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n and voice transmission / reception terminals 2 ₁ to 2 _n
User terminal consisting of a pair, 11 is a CCD television camera (or other video camera) which is an image pickup means, 12 is a liquid crystal display device (or a CRT display device or another display device) which is an image display means, 13 Is a video signal controller, 14 is a speaker, 15 is a microphone, 16 is a telephone circuit, 17 is a CCD television camera (or other video camera) which is a visitor imaging means, and 18 is a CRT display device (or liquid crystal) which is an image display device. Display device, other display device), 19 is a video signal controller, 20 is a speaker, 21 is a microphone, 22 is a telephone circuit, 23 is a modulator / demodulator (modem),
24 is a touch panel, 25 is a control device for controlling the operation of the visit reception counter 7, 26 is an ultrasonic moving object detector (ultrasonic sensor) as a human body sensor, and 30 is an existing private branch exchange.

In the figure, image transmitting / receiving terminals 1 ₁ to 1
The CCD TV camera 11 of _n captures an image of the caller when the caller performs a call operation, displays the image on the liquid crystal display device 12 of the image transmitting / receiving terminal, and captures the image of the callee. Then, it is sent to the video switcher 4 and displayed as a single image or a multi-screen image on the liquid crystal display device 12 of the image transmission / reception terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n of the called party.

The voice transmitting / receiving terminals 2 ₁ to 2 _n preferably have a microphone and a speaker built therein and have a so-called hands-free telephone function, and their voice signals are exchange-connected via the digital exchange 3 and are bidirectional between each other. Sent and received. The video switching device 4 switches a plurality of image signals from the CCD television cameras 11 of the image transmitting / receiving terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n according to the voice exchange operation of the digital exchange 3 and divides the screen when multi-screen display is performed. The device 5 compresses and synthesizes a plurality of image signals from the video switching device 4 into one screen, and transmits the image signals to the liquid crystal display device 12 of each of the image transmission / reception terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n for display.

The synthesizing ratio modifier 6 is adapted to increase the area of the synthesized image of the screen divider 5 with time under the control of the controller 8 in relation to the duration of the corresponding voice exchange signal. It controls the compression / synthesis operation of the divider 5.
Then, the control device 8 controls the changing operation of the plural image combining ratio of the combining ratio changing unit 6 and the image changing operation of the image changing unit 4 based on the exchange voice signal of the digital exchange 3. It is possible to add one (5 ') or more to the screen divider 5, and the added screen divider 5'can be used for communication or conference using other images / voices with other similar local communication devices. It can be carried out. This screen divider 5 is set to 1 in case of only contact or conference within the exchange service of the digital exchange 3.
One is enough.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the state of the multi-screen displayed on the display means (liquid crystal display device) 12 of the image transmitting / receiving terminal in the private speaking device which connects the visit reception counter according to the present invention. The display state when a telephone call is simultaneously performed is shown, and 121 to 124 are images of call participants. In the figure, for example, an image 121 is a self-portrait of a user who uses the user terminal, and 121 to 124 are images of users who use other user terminals.

When the four parties are ready for a call, the images of all the participants are displayed in the same area on the liquid crystal display device 12 of each image transmitting / receiving terminal as shown in this figure. The control device 8 shown in FIG. 6 starts the timing operation of the timer for individually monitoring the duration of the voice signal to be communicated from this stage, and gives the synthesis ratio change signal to the synthesis ratio changer 6.

FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams of the area change of the image when a particular participant (here, the participant of the image 121) continues to speak, and FIG. 8 is the participant. Shows the state in which he started speaking, and the area is displayed slightly larger than the images of the other participants. When, for example, 30 seconds have passed from the state of FIG. 8, the speaker 121 as shown in FIG.
The image area of is enlarged, and thereafter, for example, every 10 seconds, the display area is further enlarged as shown in FIGS.

From this display state, the participant can know which participant is speaking and how long he is speaking, and the speaker can recognize that he is performing alone. it can. In a call such as a briefing session where only a specific participant is allowed to speak, the image of the reporter occupies the entire screen, and in this case, the images of other participants that are unnecessary are substantially. It also has the effect of being hidden.

With this configuration, while seeing the images of the participants of a plurality of departments (maximum 4 departments in this embodiment) who participated at the same time on a multi-screen, a meeting, a contact or a conference is performed, and according to the voice duration of the speaker. The display area of the speaker's image is enlarged. Therefore, it becomes possible for the speaker himself and all participants to recognize the speaker and the time of the speaker, and it is possible to carry out an efficient meeting, contact or a meeting.

As described above, the visit reception counter 7 connected to such an operation system has the CRT display device 1.
An initial guidance image (for example, "Welcome. Please press the desired department name displayed on the touch panel 24." etc. with a female smile) is displayed on 8, and the ultrasonic sensor 26 detects the visitor. The above voice guidance is pronounced, and the CCD is displayed in response to the operation of the touch panel 24 by the visitor.
A self-portrait of the visitor captured by the TV camera 17 is displayed, and then a call signal is sent to the department.

The above operation instruction may be displayed on the touch panel 24. In that case, only the visitor guidance information image such as the above female image may be displayed on the CRT display device 18. On the touch panel 24, a group of signatures forming an organization such as the business office is displayed, and a visitor selects and designates a desired group signature from the group of signatures and presses the portion with a finger. In response to this pressing, an identification code such as an extension number of the selected department is generated and transmitted to the digital exchange 3 through the modem 22.

In the following, the digital exchange 3 connects the visit reception terminal 7 to a predetermined terminal of the local user terminals 10 ₁ to 10 _{n by} a known exchange operation and calls. Then, the image of the visitor is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 12 of the image transmission / reception terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _n of the called department, and when the person in charge of the called department responds to the image, the visitor receives the image. The response image is displayed on the CRT display device 18, which is the image monitor on the side.

The microphone 21 and the speaker 20 installed at the visit reception counter 7 allow the visitor to see the image display device such as the CRT display device 18 and receive the instruction and the instruction from the department concerned. The existing private branch exchange 30 and the digital exchange 3 use the analog output lines of the existing private branch exchange 30 in a required number corresponding to the number of user terminals 1 ₁ to 1 _{n and} the number of visitor reception terminals 7. And then connected.
The video switcher 4 is provided with a line module and a microcomputer, takes in the signal of the analog output line to the module, and connects the image signal from the CCD television camera 11 to the liquid crystal display device 12 according to a procedure preprogrammed in the microcomputer. To do.

The data required for processing the programmed procedure is, for example, as follows. Data 1: Respond to extension hold Data 2: Respond to extension call received Data 3: Interrupt incoming call to extension Data 4: Hold extension call Data 5: Automatic transfer of transfer hold call Data 6: Extension conference call data 7: End extension call Data 8: Extension / reception of extension data 9: Transfer of extension response data 10: Missed conference call data 11: Busy and idle state ... By analyzing each data item as described above, necessary data is displayed on the screen divider 5 and video. RS-232C on the switching unit 4
It is transferred under the standard at a speed of 9600 bps, for example. The above data processing is not an essential part of the present invention, and thus its details will not be described.

It should be noted that the control device 8 can also be in charge of the above-mentioned data processing and data analysis functions. Further, the data of the initial guide image displayed on the CRT display device 18 of the visit reception counter 7 and the data such as the department name displayed on the touch panel 24 are stored in the memory of the personal computer as the control device 25, and according to the required program. It is read and displayed on the CRT display device 18 or the touch panel 24.

[0056] Incidentally, the existing private branch exchanger 30, also ordinary phone that does not parallel the image receiving terminal is connected, the user terminal device 1 _1, which is connected to the digital switch 3
When calling this general telephone from the 1 _n side, a predetermined number (special number, eg, 7) is pushed. by this,
You can make calls as usual. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an operation mode of the inside user terminal of the in-house communication device to which the visit reception counter according to the present invention is connected. The same reference numerals as those in FIGS. User's office desk,
Reference numeral 51 is a wideband line of the image transmitting / receiving terminal 1 ₁ , and 52 is a narrow band line (telephone line) of the voice transmitting / receiving terminal 2 ₁ .

As shown in the figure, the user terminal 10 on the inside of the premises of the in-house communication device equipped with the visit reception function according to the present invention.
_The image transmission / reception terminal 1 ₁ and the voice transmission / reception terminal 2 ₁ which compose ₁ are placed independently on the user's office desk 50 so that their positions can be moved. In particular, the image transmission / reception terminal 1 ₁ is used. It is possible to set the position at the optimum orientation, distance and angle with respect to the seat position and posture of the person.
The position setting of the image receiving terminal 1 ₁ can select the optimum posture by performing while watching the portrait to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 12.

By connecting the above-mentioned visitor reception counter to the above-mentioned in-house communication device, it is possible to eliminate the need for personnel for responding to the visitor, and the visitor can easily inform his / her intention.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Existing private branch exchanges can be easily connected without modification, visitors can be effectively accepted, and communication can be efficiently performed on the premises of offices and business offices, resulting in operational effects. Can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of a visitor reception counter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of essential parts for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment of the visit reception counter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of information displayed on the touch panel of the visit reception counter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a second embodiment of the visit reception counter according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a private branch communication device to which the visit reception counter of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a private branch communication device to which a visit reception counter according to the present invention is connected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state of a multi-screen displayed on the display means of the image transmitting / receiving terminal in the private speaking device connecting the visit reception counter according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an area change of an image when a particular participant continues to speak, showing a state in which the participant starts to speak.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an area change of the image when a particular participant continues to speak.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an area change of the image when the speech of a specific participant continues.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operating mode of a user terminal on the premises of the in-house communication device to which the visit reception counter according to the present invention is connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ₁ to 1 _n Image transmission / reception terminal 2 ₁ to 2 _n Audio transmission / reception terminal 3 Digital exchange 4 Video switcher 5 Screen divider 6 Composite ratio changer 7 Visit reception counter (main unit) 7-1 Front panel 7-2 Equipment Housing 7-3 Step 7-11 Front panel image pickup device, image display device mounting part 7-12 Touch panel mounting part 7-1 Hinging mechanism 8 Control device 10 _{1-10 n On-} premises user terminal 11 CCD TV camera as image pickup means 12 Liquid crystal display device as image display means 13 Video signal controller 14 Speaker 15 Microphone 16 Telephone circuit 17 CCD TV camera as visitor image pickup means 18 CRT display device (or liquid crystal) Display device) 19 Video signal controller 20 Speaker 21 Microphone 22 Telephone circuit 23 Modulator / demodulator (modem) 24 Touch panel 25 Control device for controlling operation of visit reception counter 26 Moving object detector 30 Existing private branch exchange.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reception counter, which is provided in an entrance hall or the like to face a visitor and perform reception work by the operation of the visitor himself, which is exposed on a wall material of the entrance hall or the like and is imaged. A front plate on which at least a device, an image display device, a touch panel, a microphone, and a speaker are mounted; and a device accommodating portion that is connected to the front plate and is formed to project on the back side of the wall material, the front plate and the The device accommodating portion is configured such that the outer peripheral edge of the front plate abuts the inner peripheral edge of the opening formed in the wall surface material at the connection portion with the device accommodating portion so that only the device accommodating portion is buried on the back side of the wall surface material. And a side having a step stepped down from the outer peripheral edge of the front plate, and at least one of an inner portion of the outer peripheral edge of the front plate or an outer portion of the outer peripheral edge of the device accommodating portion, or both.
A visitor reception counter, characterized in that it is provided with a hinge mechanism for pivotally supporting the wall surface at a location and is integrated with the wall material. 2. The portion of the front plate, on which the image pickup device and the image display device are mounted, is slightly inclined toward the lower side, and the portion on which the touch panel is mounted is mounted on the operation side from the wall surface material. A visitor reception counter characterized in that the operation surface of the touch panel is positioned in a substantially upward posture by being projected to the front. 3. A visitor reception counter, which is provided in a front hall or the like and faces a visitor to perform a receiving operation by the operation of the visitor, which is substantially cylindrical, substantially frustoconical, or substantially conical. Each has a base having any of truncated pyramids and other pyramids, and an operation panel inclined in at least one direction on the upper surface of the base, and at least an image pickup device, an image display device, a touch panel, a microphone, and a speaker on the operation panel. A visitor reception counter characterized by being provided. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the operation panel on which the image pickup device is installed is an inclined surface raised at a predetermined angle with respect to a portion on which the image display device and the touch panel are installed. Visitor reception counter. 5. The visit reception counter according to claim 1, wherein a moving object detector is provided on a part of the base.