KR100220392B1 - Switching control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system in which a plurality of cameras and a personal computer are connected. More particularly, the present invention relates to a switching control device for controlling an arbitrary camera output signal of a plurality of camera output signals to be output to the personal computer.

The switching control device includes an input unit for inputting first and second image pickup images of different subjects (data), a detection unit for detecting a high frequency signal from the second image signal input to the input unit, and an output signal of the detection unit. And a switching unit for selectively outputting one of the first and second image pickup signals, and outputting an image signal from one or more cameras. Transfer it to your computer.

Description

Switching controller

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional camera and a personal computer connection system.

2 is a connection diagram of a conventional camera and a personal computer.

3 is a block diagram showing a camera and a personal computer connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a state diagram of the connection between the camera and the personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of the switching control device shown in FIG.

6 is another embodiment of the switching control device shown in FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1,11,11 ': Camera 8,18: Personal computer

21: switching control device 33: detector

34,39 control unit 35,40 switching unit

37,38: High pass filter

The present invention relates to a system for connecting a plurality of cameras and a personal computer, and more particularly to a switching control device for controlling any camera output signal of the plurality of camera output signals to be output to the personal computer.

In a conventional video conferencing system using a camera, a single camera is used to photograph a speaker or a presentation material. In this case, the camera needs to move toward the talker or the material as needed, so the instability of the image caused by the shake during the camera movement is exposed as a problem that cannot be solved.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a conventional video conferencing system having such a problem will be described in more detail.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional camera and a personal computer connection system.

The configuration of the camera system 1 includes a lens 2 for inputting an image or material of a subject, a photoelectric conversion unit 3 for converting an optical signal input to the lens 2 into an electrical signal, and the photoelectric A gain adjuster 4 for converting the image signal output from the converter 3 into an image signal of a predetermined size is included.

An analog / digital conversion section 5 for converting the image signal subjected to the gain adjustment into a digital signal is connected to the output terminal of the gain adjustment section 4. The digital signal processing unit 6 which inputs the image signal converted into the digital signal by the analog / digital conversion unit 5 generates and outputs a luminance signal and a chromaticity signal under the control of the control unit 7.

In the camera system 1 configured as described above, the image signal signal-processed into the luminance signal and the chromaticity signal is displayed on the monitor 10 through the video board 9.

The following describes a process of displaying image data processed by a conventional camera having the above configuration through a personal computer.

2 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between a conventional camera and a personal computer. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the camera is usually installed on the personal computer monitor 10. In this case, the camera lens 2 captures the face of the person sitting in front of the personal computer monitor.

In this way, the image of the subject is input to the lens 2 as an optical signal, and the input optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion section 3 in synchronization with the reference clock signal and output. The output signal of the photoelectric conversion section 3 is applied to the gain adjusting section 4 so that only pure image data is controlled and outputted to an appropriate gain value corresponding to the light amount of the subject. The gain-adjusted image signal is converted into a digital signal by the analog / digital signal converter 5, and the converted digital signal is input to the digital signal processor 6 to output an analog luminance signal and a chromaticity signal or a digital method. Print the data.

The control unit 7 transmits the appropriate control signals and data necessary for making the luminance signal and the chromaticity signal even when the data is transmitted to the digital signal processor 6, and the signal output from the digital signal processor 6 is a personal computer. It is displayed on the monitor 10 through the video board 9 of 8).

That is, as described above, the conventional system has a main purpose of capturing a conversation, and in order to capture the presentation material, an additional operation of moving the material in front of the camera or moving the camera is required.

This is because there is only one port that allows a personal computer to be connected to a camera, which causes a problem of taking images with a single camera while alternating data with the talker.

This problem can not suppress the shaking of the image displayed on the monitor, and also cause the user's inconvenience due to the camera movement.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching control device for controlling an output signal of an arbitrary camera among a plurality of camera output signals to be output to a personal computer in a system using a plurality of cameras and a personal computer.

In a system using a plurality of cameras and a personal computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the switching control device is configured to capture one of the first and second imaging signals of different subjects (data). An input means for inputting a signal, a detection means for detecting a high frequency signal from a second image signal input to the input means, and an image pickup signal selected from one of the first and second phase signals according to an output signal of the detection means It comprises a switching means for outputting.

In the switching control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a camera (such as a video conference system) and a personal computer are connected to photograph a subject (data) with a plurality of cameras, and under the control of a control unit, a necessary subject (data) is selectively monitored. Can be displayed on the screen.

That is, a plurality of cameras are mounted at appropriate positions, and switching control is performed so that one of the output signals of the cameras is transmitted to the personal computer. The switching control first detects a camera outputting an image signal, and when one or more cameras outputs an image signal, selects an output signal of an arbitrary camera under the control of a control unit and transmits it to the personal computer.

The control operation of the controller may be performed under a user's selection, or may be performed under a selection operation that is already set. For example, a plurality of camera output signals may be sequentially output at intervals of a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, a switching control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram showing a camera and a personal computer connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described. A lens 12 for inputting an image of a subject as an optical signal, a photoelectric conversion unit 13 for converting an optical signal input to the lens 12 into an electrical signal, and an output signal of the photoelectric conversion unit 13 A gain controller 14 for amplifying by a predetermined amount, an analog signal / digital signal converter 15 for converting the output signal of the gain controller 14 into a digital signal, and the analog signal / digital signal converter 15 The first camera 11 is constituted by a digital signal processing unit 55 which outputs the output signal of the control unit 17 into a luminance signal and a chromaticity signal under the control of the control unit 17.

The second camera 11 ′ is configured in the same configuration as the first camera 11.

In the two camera systems 11 and 11 'configured as described above, the image signal signal-processed into the luminance signal and the chromaticity signal is input to the switching control device 21 through the lines 31 and 32. The switching controller 21 selects one image signal among the image signals input through the two lines and transmits the image signal to the video board 9, and the image signal input to the video board 9 is the monitor 10. Is displayed.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed block diagram of the switching control device shown in FIG. That is, the image data output from the first camera system 11 is applied to the first input terminal of the switching unit 35, and the image data output from the second camera system 11 ′ is the switching unit 35. Is input to the second input terminal of.

The image data output from the second camera 11 ′ determines whether an image signal is present through the detection unit 33, and transmits the determined signal to the control unit 34. The switching operation of the unit 35 is controlled.

Now, the operation of selecting a certain camera output signal and displaying it on a monitor in a system connecting a plurality of cameras to a personal computer will be described.

4 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between a camera and a personal computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the first camera 11 is located at the top of the monitor 20, and the second camera 11 ′ is a place where the black board 27 can be photographed. Located in

In this way, the first camera 11 is in a position to take a picture of the talker, and the second camera 11 'can take a picture of the material, and the first camera 11 takes a picture of the talker, and the second camera. 11 'images the data.

The process from the first and second cameras 11 and 11 'to input the talker and the material into the lenses 12 and 12' and to make the luminance signal and the chroma signal from the digital signal processor 16 and 16 'is conventional. It is the same as, so it is omitted.

The image signal subjected to the signal processing by the digital signal processing unit 16, 16 'by the above-described process is input to the switching control device 21 so that an arbitrary camera output signal is selected and outputted. The process is as follows.

The image data output from the first camera 11 (signal photographed by the speaker) and the image data output from the second camera 11 '(signal photographed) are input to the switching unit 35.

On the other hand, since the first camera 11 and the second camera 11 'does not always output the image data, the second camera 11' detects whether the image data exists.

It is determined that the detection unit 33 inputs the output signal of the second camera 11 'to detect whether there is a high frequency signal in the detection unit. The signal detecting the presence or absence of the high frequency signal is input to the controller 34 to recognize that there is output of image data from the second camera 11 'when the high frequency signal is present. That is, the detector 33 uses a normal high pass filter.

If it is determined that the image data is also output from the second camera 11 'by the detection process as described above (this means that the presentation material is on the black board 27, the material is on the black board). If not, the high frequency signal is not detected in principle.), And the control unit 34 controls the switching unit 35 to output the output signal of the second camera 11 'that is capturing the data. do.

The switching operation of the switching unit 35 selects an output signal of the second camera 11 'by the operation of the control unit. Therefore, the output signal of the second camera 11' is converted into a switching unit 35 and a video board ( 19) is displayed on the monitor.

In this process, the control unit 34 intervenes the switching operation of the switching unit 35, such as displaying the presentation material for a predetermined time by the control operation of the control unit, and then displaying a dialog for a predetermined time. Of course it can be controlled.

In addition, although only two cameras for photographing a subject (material) are shown in the accompanying drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, more than that are possible. In other words, when the output terminals of one or more cameras are connected to the switching control device 21, the image signals outputted from the multiple cameras are once input to the switching control device 21, and the image is output from the switching control device 21. The camera outputting the signal is determined, and one image signal is selected and transmitted to the personal computer 18.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switching control device shown in FIG.

The configuration includes a first high pass filter 37 for detecting a high frequency signal from an output signal of the first camera 11 and a second high pass for detecting a high frequency signal from an output signal of the second camera 11 '. Filter 38 is included.

In addition, input signals output from the two filters 37 and 38 determine whether there is an image signal, and optionally one of the output signals of the first and second cameras 11 and 11 'is a personal computer ( A control unit 39 for controlling the switching unit 40 to be transmitted to 18 is included.

Referring to the operation of the switching control device having this configuration, the first camera 11 picks up the dialog and outputs the signal, and the second camera 11 'picks up the data and outputs the signal. At this time, the first and second high pass filters 37 and 38 detect whether image signals are output to the first and second cameras 11 and 11 '. In other words, when the high frequency signal is detected by the first and second high pass filters 37 and 38, the first and second cameras 11 and 11 'recognize that the image signal is being output.

That is, the control unit 39 receives the output signals of the first and second cameras 11 and 11 'and is applied to the switching unit 40 and receives the detection signals of the first and second high pass filters 37 and 38. Recognizes which camera is outputting the image signal and controls the switching unit 40.

At this time, when a high frequency signal is detected by both the first and second high pass filters 37 and 38, the controller 39 preferentially selects the output signal of the second camera 11 'that is capturing the data. If the mode high frequency signal is not detected by the first and second high pass filters 37 and 38, the switching unit 40 is turned off to block the signal line.

As described above, the image signal output through the switching unit 40 under the control of the control unit 39 is displayed on the monitor 20 through the video board 19.

As described above, when the switching control device according to the embodiment of the present invention needs to monitor and display the dialog and the data alternately, it is possible to control and display the display for a predetermined time under the control of the control unit, and it is optional without the cumbersome operation such as the movement of the camera. There is an advantage that can display an image signal.

Claims (3)

Input means for inputting first and second image pickup signals of different subjects (data), detection means for detecting a high frequency signal from the second image signal inputted to the input means, and an output signal of the detection means And switching means for selectively outputting one of the first and second image pickup signals. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control means for inputting the detection output of the detection means to control the first imaging signal to be output to the switching means when it is recognized that there is no high frequency signal in the second imaging signal. Switching controller. Input means for inputting one or more imaging signals of different subjects (data), detection means for detecting a high frequency signal from each imaging signal input to the input means, and one or more imaging signals input to the input means And switching means for selectively outputting any of the picked-up signals, and control means for controlling the switching operation of the switching means in accordance with an output signal of the detection means.