JPH0799643A - Video conference device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly send the picture of a user himself to the other party of a video conference or the like by providing an object plate in a dark box formed in the vicinity of a video camera and putting him in a position where he can plainly see the object plate, CONSTITUTION:A monitor 6 on which the screen of the other party is projected and a video camera 4 which photographs the user side to send the picture to the other party are arranged one over the other. A display device provided with an aperture part 2 in the dark box is set in the vicinity of the video camera. An object plate 3 is provided in the dark box in parallel with the aperture part 2. The object plate 3 of the display device is moved forward or backward in parallel with the aperture face so that the angle is set in accordance with the viewing angle of the camera lens moved by zooming of the video camera. The position where the user can see the object plate 3 is changed by this movement. Since the viewing angle of the lens of the video camera and the angle at which the user can see the object 3 from the front of the aperture part 2 are matched to each other, the picture of the user himself is correctly sent to the other party when he is put in the position where he can see the object plate 3 as plainly as possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for transmitting and receiving audio and video data to and from each other such as a video conference and a videophone, and particularly, the position of the participant within a video conference or the like is within a proper usage range. The present invention relates to a video conference device that clearly indicates whether there is any.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, 1) As shown in the prior art in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 63-78484 "Television Communication Conferencing Equipment", a monitor television showing the range shown in this television camera and a television receiver showing the other party. I set it up and watched the situation being sent to the other person on the monitor, and I knew if my position was definitely on the screen, and I knew the range that could be used correctly. 2) In some cases, such as the actual telecommunication 63-78484 "television communication conferencing device", there is provided a means for displaying the range displayed on the remote operation panel at hand. 3) Divide the display used for communication like the Kyocera KV-4000 type TV conference system, show the screen of the other party on the main screen, show the image sent from here on the sub screen, and show the range that can be imaged. It is being appreciated.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, in the case of 1), the television of two systems is completely required, and in the case of 2), the display means is provided on the remote panel at hand. It was necessary to prepare an expensive system because it was necessary. Further, in the example of 2), the conference and the conversation are performed while looking at the screen of the other party and not while looking at the remote panel, so that another dedicated operation person for operating such a device is not added. I was supposed to be unable to have a conversation with. In the case of 3), it is necessary to provide video systems for substantially two systems in order to make such a high-level screen configuration, and in addition, it is necessary to provide a complicated electronic circuit for forming a composite screen. There is a problem that the device becomes an expensive device such as a large-sized display is required to make the parent and child two screens. In addition, it is difficult to handle, and the device is difficult for general people to use. In addition, in such video conference systems that do not have a screen such as 3) small screen method or separate 1) 2), in order to expand the shooting range, the camera shakes its head, and in order to create a good-looking screen. The use of cameras with a variable zoom ratio has increased. In that case, there was a problem that it was not possible for the participant who is looking at the screen of the other party to clarify whether it is within the range of the image sent to the other party unless it is copied on the screen. Moreover, for those on the side but not at the conference, I would definitely not see it, but I could not confirm that it was.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to solve these problems and provides an inexpensive device that is easy for anyone to handle.

A monitor for displaying the screen of the other side and a video camera for displaying this side and sending an image to the other side are arranged above and below. The orientation of the video camera is determined by a turntable that is inserted between the video camera and the monitor and that can be moved by instructions from either or both. Attach the following indicators near the video camera.

The display is provided with an opening in a dark box made of a material whose internal reflection is difficult, and an object plate is provided in the dark box parallel to the opening. The illuminated target plate can be seen through the opening from a position in front of the opening.

The rectangle of the opening and the rectangle of the target plate are made similar to the rectangle of the screen, the surfaces of the opening and the target plate are parallel to each other, and the center lines of the rectangles are aligned on one axis. Put.

If the angle of view of the lens of the video camera and the angle of view of the object plate from the front of the opening are made the same, the image of the object can be correctly viewed by placing itself in a position where the object plate can be seen as best as possible. Can be sent to.

[0009]

According to the video conference and the video telephone of the present invention, the user can be notified with a cheap and simple device that the current position of the user is a suitable place to send this screen to the other party. Can be done. In a standard usage situation where you continue to talk while watching the screen of the monitor, there is a position where you can see the target plate in the display installed near the camera near the monitor in the largest possible area. , It shows that the position is suitable for correctly sending the image to the other party, so that the optimum location can be easily known and used.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 are schematic views of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram. FIG. 2 shows a layout relationship and a display relationship of main components of the display. FIG. 3 shows the movement of the visible limit line with the movement of the target plate. FIG. 4 shows a layout of the optical system without the lens barrel of the video camera, the relationship between the motors of the drive system, and the layout of the target plate.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be described. A monitor 6 for displaying the screen of the other side, and a video camera 4 for displaying this side and sending an image to the other side are arranged above and below. The orientation of the video camera is determined by the turntable 5 inserted between the video camera and the monitor. When the camera is aimed at an object, the gear 22 attached to the motor 11 for the focus lens moves the gear 22, and the helicoid screw 21 moves the focus lens 20 back and forth to perform an autofocus operation.

The following display is attached near the video camera. The display is provided with an opening 2 in a dark box 1 made of a material that does not easily reflect inside. The opening may be covered with transparent glass or resin.

A target plate 3 is provided in a dark box parallel to the opening. The target plate can be made of a diffusion plate made of a semitransparent resin or the like which is illuminated from the rear by a light emitting diode or the like provided in a dark box.

FIG. 2 shows a layout relationship and a display relationship of main constituent elements of the display. Place the rectangular surface of the opening parallel to the rectangular surface of the target plate. Place the center lines of the rectangles on one axis. The two rectangles should be similar to the rectangle shown on the video camera screen.

As shown in FIG. 2, a straight line (indicated by a dotted line) connecting the farthest corners of the opening and the target plate intersects each other between these two rectangles. The angle that spreads from this one point should be the same as the angle of view of the lens of the video camera.

The display device moves back and forth so that the target plate is parallel to the aperture plane so that the angle is set according to the angle of view of the camera lens moved by the zoom of the video camera. Along with this back and forth movement, the positional relationship in which the target plate can be seen changes. This relationship is shown by FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a layout of the optical system from which the lens barrel of the video camera is removed, the relationship between the motors of the drive system, and the layout of the target plate. Here, a variable magnification lens group 17, a rotating cam 18 placed around, a gear 14 attached to a part of the cam,
A driving motor 15 and its gear 13, a gear 12 meshed with the gear 13, a rotary cam 16 attached to the gear 12,
A pin 25 slidably combined with the cam 16 and an object plate 3 that is moved back and forth while being held parallel to the opening surface 2 by the pin 25 are provided.

The angle of view of the camera lens changes as the zoom ratio changes depending on the zoom lens in the lens.
This movement is controlled by the participants' wishes. The drive motor 15 drives the variable power lens by gear drive to change the zoom ratio. At the same time, also move the other combined gear 12. As a result, the rotary cam 16 moves to move the pin 25 and the target plate 3.

This movement coincides with the fact that when the variable power lens 17 moves toward the light receiving element 24 such as CCD, the object plate 3 moves away from the opening 2 and the zoom ratio moves to the telephoto end.
Conversely, when moving away from the CCD, the target plate approaches the opening, and the angle of view of the lens and the viewing angle of the target plate through the opening match.

If it is confirmed at the start of the operation that the user's image has been sent well to the other party, the following operations will be performed thereafter.
You can send the appropriate screen from here.

Since the angle of view of the lens of the video camera and the angle at which the target plate can be seen from the front of the opening are matched, moving the eyes to the display placed in the vicinity while looking at the screen of the other party, the target plate is formed as much as possible. By placing yourself in a position where you can see well, you can correctly send your own image to the other party.

Although not shown in the figure, if a microphone for recording voice is arranged on the camera, the voice transmitted to the other party will also be the most suitable place for recording at the position indicated by this display.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, the object plate 3 is attached to the pin of the variable power lens by the arm 26 so as to perform the same movement. When the gear 14 attached to the rotary cam 18 is rotated by the gear 13 attached to the drive motor 15, the pin attached to the lens is moved by the slit attached to the rotary cam to move back and forth.

If the zoom ratio of the video camera is changed according to the wishes of the communication participants, it is possible to show the photographing range in which the target plate can also move back and forth through the opening.

Further, the same effect can be obtained by connecting not only the gear and the arm but also the connected product of the lever having the long hole to the connection between the target plate and the variable power lens.

[0027]

As described above, according to the configuration and method of the video conference and the video telephone of the present invention, even if the equipment of the monitor and the video system is only one system, the other party can be monitored by the monitor. Even though it is a normal use situation where you continue to look at the screen, you can see the target plate in the display placed near the camera from time to time and try to look at the target plate as large as possible I can continue to send it out.

Further, it is possible to know the optimum position for communication and communication with a simple device without requiring a complicated operation, so that it is possible to avoid a problem due to misuse.

Since the equipment is simple, the cost is low and the effect is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a layout relationship and a display relationship of main components of the display device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the movement of a visible limit line accompanying the movement of a target plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the interlocking relationship between the lens system of the video camera and the target plate.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a lens barrel and a slit of a rotary cam.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the interlocking relationship between the lens system and the target plate, showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Dark Box 2 Opening Part 3 Target Plate 4 Video Camera 5 Rotating Stand for Changing Direction and Angle of Video Camera 6 Monitor 10 Lens Barrel 11 Drive Motor for Focus Lens 12 Gear 13 Gear 14 Gear 15 Drive Motor for Variable Magnification Lens 16 Rotation Cam 17 Variable-magnification lens group 18 Rotating cam 19 Master lens group 20 Focus lens group 21 Focus lens helicoid screw 22 Gear 23 Gear 24 Photodetector such as CCD 25 Pin 26 Arm

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A video conferencing device, such as a video conference or a video telephone, which can transmit and receive data such as audio and video to and from each other by using a communication line, and a video camera placed close to a monitor. A display that moves in tandem, an explicit means to clearly show that the screen of this side where the video conference participant is currently is sent to the other side, and a light emission almost similar to the monitor screen Alternatively, a display means composed of the illuminated target plate is provided in the dark box with the opening of the display, and it is possible to confirm whether or not the position of the participant is optimal by looking at the target plate. Video conferencing equipment.