JPH10262162A - Audio and video in-cam system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately grasp the situation of an entire job site and to make communication efficient by adding a liquid crystal monitor to an in-cam system and optionally and selectively recognizing the situation of the job site except a place where a mounting person is located as video information in addition to traffic by means of audio. SOLUTION: Respective in-cam devices 1 are constituted by being integrally made into a heat set through the use of a video signal receiving and reproducing liquid crystal monitor 4 and an image pickup camera 5 in addition to an audio receiving and reproducing head phone 2 and an audio signal originating microphone 3. The liquid crystal monitor 4 is provided with the liquid crystal panel of a high density image element number, a half mirror and a liquid crystal shutter so as to selectively project a video signal from the image pickup camera 5, etc., of another in-cam device 1, which is obtained by way of a matrix device 20, as a virtual image in accordance with the operation of a switch box 10 which is carried by a waist belt 7. A background and the virtual image are displayed by superimposition or selectively displayed by the control of the liquid crystal shutter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an income system capable of communicating with two kinds of information, audio and video.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Headphones and microphones have been integrated into headsets for directing instructions from staff to staff and communicating with each other or with staff in the control room, for example, at live concert venues and show stages. An improved income system is used.

[0003] In this conventional income system, each director or staff is in a hidden position, and issues various necessary instructions by voice based on the situation of the venue or the stage seen from there. While receiving and interacting with each other, he is conducting the operation.

[0004]

However, in the case of such a conventional income system, the situation of the venue and the stage can be seen only from the place where one is, and the situation of other parts cannot be seen. . Therefore, there is a problem that it is not always possible to accurately grasp the overall situation. As a result, in order to confirm the situation, the number of times of communication between the staffs is inevitably increased, and the number of staffs is also required.

[0005] Furthermore, recently, such an income system has come to be used also at a countermeasure site at the time of occurrence of a disaster such as an earthquake, a flood, or a pyroclastic flow due to an eruption of a volcano. However, since it is not possible to see the situation other than the site where the user is, the overall situation cannot be accurately grasped, and there is a problem of lack of mobility.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by adding a liquid crystal monitor to the above-described audio intercom system, it is possible to accurately watch the situation of the site other than the place where the wearer of the intercom is present. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio and video combination type intercom system that solves the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems Each of the inventions of claims 1 to 3 of the present application is configured to have the following effective problem solving means in order to achieve the above object.

That is, the audio and video intercom system according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a headphone for receiving and reproducing an audio signal, a microphone for transmitting an audio signal, and a liquid crystal monitor for receiving and reproducing an image signal. By being set, it is configured to be able to input and reproduce a video signal from another imaging camera installed at a desired place and to monitor it together with the audio.

Therefore, if one or more imaging cameras are installed and placed in a desired place where watching is required according to the situation at the site, images from any of them can be freely viewed as required. It becomes possible to select and monitor.

[0010] As a result, the situation of the site other than the place where the user is located can be accurately grasped without moving the current position.

The audio and video intercom system according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a headphone for receiving and reproducing an audio signal and a microphone for transmitting an audio signal, a liquid crystal monitor for receiving and reproducing a video signal, and an imaging monitor for capturing an image. By integrating the CCD camera into a headset, video signals from another imaging camera installed at a desired location or an intercom mutual imaging camera can be arbitrarily input and reproduced together with audio and monitored, while the intercom can be used. Is transmitted to another video monitor.

[0012] Therefore, the image from another imaging camera installed at a desired place or any one of the intercoms can be freely selected and monitored, and the image from the intercom can be displayed on another image monitor or another image monitor. It can be sent to the LCD monitor of any income.

[0013] As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the situation of the site other than the place where the user is present without moving the current position, and to accurately recognize the situation of the place where the user is present on the other site by using the image. Will be able to tell.

Further, in the audio and video intercom system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the audio and video intercom system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, each of the liquid crystal monitors is set to at least a see-through mode. It is configured with two display modes that can be interchanged with the screen mode.

Therefore, for example, when the see-through mode is selected by increasing the see-through degree of the display unit by a predetermined see-through degree varying means, the transparency of the display unit is increased, and the half state transmitted from another imaging camera is changed. While watching the image, you can also see the outside situation of the place where you are, and if you change the screen mode to a lower see-through degree, the transparency of the display unit will decrease and the image from the other imaging camera will be reduced. Only you can see. Of course, if the transparency of the display unit is further increased in the see-through mode, the display unit can be brought into a nearly transparent complete see-through state, and normal activities can be performed.

[0016]

As a result, the following advantageous effects can be obtained according to the audio and video intercom system of the present invention.

(1) It is possible to arbitrarily check the situation of a desired place other than the place where the intercom wearer is present without moving, so that each part of the site at the time of show or stage operation can be checked. It is possible to accurately grasp the situation, the overall situation at the disaster site, and the like. As a result, the mobility of the income system is also improved.

(2) The number of times of communication between staff members at the same site can be reduced, and the number of staff members can be reduced.

(3) The use of the income is expanded, and the versatility as a product is enhanced. For example, it is also optimal as a device for guarding important persons such as SP.

[0020]

1 to 3 show the configuration of an audio and video combination type intercom system for a studio, for example, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numerals 1, 1... (Only three sets are shown for convenience of explanation in the figure, but actually a little more) are provided with a plurality of functions each having a communication function using two pieces of information of audio and video. Income device, 10, 1
.. Are provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of intercom devices 1, 1..., And various operation control switches and control volumes 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d for operating their respective operating states. , 10e ・
A portable switch box having a waist belt 7 having an input signal from various installation devices (fixed side) 30 such as a microphone (microphone) on the studio (site) side and an imaging camera described later and other intercom devices 1 1... A matrix device having a system control function for mixing and controlling transmission and reception signals with each other.

The plurality of intercom devices 1, 1...
As shown, a headphone 2 for receiving and reproducing an audio signal, a microphone 3 for transmitting an audio signal, and a color liquid crystal monitor (LCD monitor) 4 for receiving and reproducing an image signal.
And an imaging camera 5 composed of, for example, a very small CCD camera.
Are integrally assembled to the headband 1a as shown in the figure to form a headset.

The liquid crystal monitor 4 is composed of, for example, a small LCD and a prism mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG.
First, the reproduced image is projected forward by a backlight 43 onto a flat half mirror 42 via a diffuser portion and reflected forward, and then is enlarged by a concave half mirror 44 having a predetermined curvature to adjust the degree of opening and closing. It is configured to finally project a virtual image of a predetermined size on a virtual focal point 46 portion through a possible liquid crystal shutter 45.

The liquid crystal monitor 4 can change the transparency of the display image by adjusting the opening / closing degree of the liquid crystal shutter 45 with the see-through degree variable volume 10b of the switch box 10. For example, if the opening degree of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is increased to increase the transparency of the display image,
In the see-through mode, the outside can be seen brightly through the display image, and the image reproduced in an overlapping state with the outside can be seen.

On the other hand, when the closing degree of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is increased to make the liquid crystal shutter 45 almost completely closed, a screen mode is set, in which the outside scene is shut out and only the reproduced image can be viewed. .

When the reproduction of the video is stopped and the opening of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is further increased to increase the transparency,
The display image can be erased to make a substantially complete see-through state.

The main body of the liquid crystal monitor 4 having such a configuration is as follows.
As shown in the figure, the front end portion 6a is mounted via the support frame 6 bent inward at a substantially right angle, for example, so as to correspond only to the left eye of the staff. Is provided with a cover 4a so that light from outside does not enter inside.

The imaging camera 5 is formed of a micro CCD camera as described above, and is attached to the upper portion of the tip 6a of the support frame 6 so as to face forward. The imaging camera 5 appropriately captures an image of the front scene (the situation at the site) of each of the plurality of intercom devices 1, 1..., Converts the image into a video signal, and converts the converted video signal into the microphone. Are input to the matrix device 20 via the switch boxes 10, 10,... Together with the audio signals from 3, 3,.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, for example, each of the above-mentioned intercom devices 1, 1
The first to first CCD cameras which are set up in advance so as to be able to see a predetermined place which cannot be seen from the place where they are attached to each staff wearing Third plurality of studio-side imaging cameras 3
1, 32, 33 and the stand type first microphone 34,
The studio-side equipment 30 such as the clip-type second microphone 35 worn by the performer on the chest is connected to the connection cord 9.
c, and each video signal and audio signal from them are also input.

The audio signal and the video signal from each of these are arbitrarily operated by operating the corresponding source selection operation switches 10e to 10i of the above-mentioned intercom devices 1, 1... Side switch boxes 10, 10. ., And can be arbitrarily monitored by the headphones 2, 2,... And the liquid crystal monitors 4, 4,.

Similarly, the intercom devices 1, 1
.. Also the audio signals and the video signals from the mutual microphones 2, 2,... And the imaging cameras 5, 5,.
By operating the 10 l, it is possible to arbitrarily select and monitor, and the staff can communicate with each other by voice and video.

In the figure, 9a is the switch box 1
Reference numeral 9b denotes a connection cord with the intercom device 1 and reference numeral 9b denotes a connection cord with the matrix device 20 of the switch box 10.

As described above, in the audio and video intercom system of the present invention, the intercom devices 1, 1...
The headphone 2, 2,...
And microphones for transmitting audio signals, and liquid crystal monitors for receiving and reproducing video signals.
.. the imaging cameras 5, 5,... Being integrated into a headset to be installed at a desired location that cannot be seen by the wearer of the intercom devices 1, 1,. The video signals from the plurality of imaging cameras 31 to 33 and the plurality of intercom devices 1, 1... Can be arbitrarily changed by the switches of the switch box 10 carried on one's waist. While input and reproduction are performed and monitored, the video signals from the imaging cameras 5, 5,... Of the own intercom devices 1, 1,. ,
4... Can be transmitted arbitrarily.

Therefore, images from any of the other imaging cameras 31, 32, 33 installed at a plurality of desired locations and each of the intercom devices 1, 1... To monitor the video and send the video from the user's own to any other party.

As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the situation of the site other than the place where the user is present without moving the current position, and to accurately recognize the situation of the place where the user is present on the other site by using the image. Will be able to tell.

Further, in the same configuration, the plurality of intercom devices 1, 1... Each of the liquid crystal monitors 4, 4,.
Has a liquid crystal shutter 45 as described above,
For example, it is configured such that monitoring can be performed in at least two display modes that can be changed between a see-through mode and a screen mode.

Therefore, the switch box 10,
When the opening / closing degree of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is changed so as to increase the opening degree by the see-through degree variable volume 10b of 10..., The transparency of the display image portion increases, and the other imaging cameras 31, 32, 33, 5, 5 5 ...
You can also see the outside situation of the place where you are while watching the half-state image sent from the camera. On the other hand, if the closing degree of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is increased, the transparency of the image portion of the display decreases. And shut out the outside scenery and take the other imaging cameras 31, 32, 33, 5,
5 can be viewed only. Of course, in the see-through mode, if the transparency of the display image portion is further increased,
It can be made almost transparent and completely see-through,
Normal activities can also be performed.

As a result, according to the audio and video intercom system of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

(1) It is possible to arbitrarily check the situation of a desired place other than the place where the intercom wearer is present without moving by himself. It is possible to accurately grasp the situation, the overall situation at the disaster site, and the like. As a result, the mobility of the income system is also improved.

(2) The number of times of communication between staff members at the same site can be reduced, and the number of staff members can be reduced.

(3) The use of the income is expanded, and the versatility as a product is enhanced. For example, it is a very convenient product for guarding key persons such as SPs.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the signal connection between the switch boxes 10, 10,... Of the intercom devices 1, 1,. Connection of signals between microphones 3, 3,... And imaging cameras 5, 5,... And headphones 2, 2,. Although they are configured to be connected in a wired manner by a cord, they may be connected to each other in a wireless manner by providing a battery power source, a transmitter, and a receiver, and may directly transmit and receive signals. Needless to say.

In the above-described embodiment, the degree of opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter 45 is changed by the see-through degree variable volume 10b so that a half-state image can be viewed. Can be changed to a video ON / OFF type without a half state by attaching the front side to the front side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an audio and video combination type income system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal monitor in the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an intercom device, 2 is a headphone, 3 is a microphone, 4 is a liquid crystal monitor, 5 is an intercom-side imaging camera, 1
0 is a switch box, 20 is a matrix device, 31,
32 and 33 are studio-side imaging cameras.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup camera installed in a desired location together with audio by forming a headset integrally with a liquid crystal monitor for receiving and reproducing video signals in addition to a headphone for receiving and reproducing audio signals and a microphone for transmitting audio signals. An audio and video intercom system characterized in that a video signal from the computer can be input and reproduced and monitored. 2. A headset integrally comprising a headphone for receiving and reproducing an audio signal and a microphone for transmitting an audio signal, a liquid crystal monitor for receiving and reproducing a video signal, and a CCD camera for capturing an image. An audio and video intercom system, wherein a video signal from another installed imaging camera is input, reproduced, and monitored, and a video signal from the intercom can be transmitted to another video monitor. 3. The audio and video intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal monitor has at least two display modes, a see-through mode and a screen mode, which can be changed mutually.