WO2024079774A1

WO2024079774A1 - Image delivery system, camera support system, image delivery method, and camera support method

Info

Publication number: WO2024079774A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/037789
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雄大石
Original assignee: 株式会社イーネット
Priority date: 2022-10-11
Filing date: 2022-10-11
Publication date: 2024-04-18

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera support device that can be easily combined with existing displays and screens to suppress misalignment in the line of sight of a speaker and maintain the camera tilt at a desired angle, and a corresponding camera support system and camera support method. An image delivery system 1000 includes a display surface 4 on which to display an image, a transparent support plate 11, and a camera 12 secured to the support plate 11. The support plate 11 is provided in front of the display surface 4.

Description

Video distribution system, camera support system, video distribution method, and camera support method

The present invention relates to a video distribution system, a camera support system, a video distribution method, and a camera support method.

In recent years, there have been many opportunities to conduct video conferencing and video distribution using information processing systems such as PCs (personal computers) and tablet computers, where video is sent and received bidirectionally between remote locations connected by communication networks.

Figure 1 shows an example of a typical information processing system used in conventional video conferencing. In this information processing system, a camera is installed outside the display and captures the speaker's image. Usually, the speaker speaks while gazing at the listeners (conference participants, audience, etc.) shown on the display, and therefore never looks towards the camera. As a result, the listeners sometimes feel as if the speaker is not looking at them. In other words, a misalignment in the listeners' gazes occurs.

Patent documents 1 to 6 are prior art solutions to these problems. All of these aim to reduce line-of-sight deviations by installing a camera as close as possible to the listener as projected on a display or projection screen (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as the display surface).

Patent documents 1 to 3 describe a configuration in which a camera is placed behind the display screen and the speaker is photographed through the display screen.

Patent document 4 describes a configuration in which a camera supported by an arm is placed between the display surface and the speaker.

Patent documents 5 and 6 describe a configuration in which a light guide path is placed between the display surface and the speaker, and a camera placed outside the display surface captures an image of the speaker through this light guide path.

JP 2021-113013 A JP 2000-075129 A International Publication No. 2019/207922 JP 2010-147535 A JP 2020-022006 A JP 2000-075129 A

The configurations described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 require a special structure for the display surface. Displays and screens that meet these requirements are expensive, and there is also the problem that they require replacing existing displays and screens.

In this regard, the configurations described in Patent Documents 4 to 6 have the advantage that they can be retrofitted to existing displays and screens. However, with a support structure using an arm as described in Patent Document 4, due to its high degree of freedom, it is necessary to make repeated fine adjustments each time in order to adjust the camera's direction and attitude as desired by the user. Furthermore, with a support structure using an arm, vibrations applied to the arm are easily amplified and transmitted to the camera, and the vibrations are difficult to converge, which can result in blurred images and deterioration of image quality.

In addition, the configurations described in Patent Documents 5 and 6 require a light guide path with a special structure, and precise calibration is required for the camera position, which results in problems such as high costs and difficult and complicated adjustments.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a video distribution system, camera support system, video distribution method, and camera support method that can be easily combined with existing displays and screens, suppress deviation of the speaker's line of sight, and maintain the camera tilt at a desired angle.

Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment, the video distribution system includes a display surface for displaying an image, a light-transmitting support plate, and a camera fixed to the support plate, the support plate being disposed in front of the display surface.
According to one embodiment, the camera is fixed to the support plate with its angle pre-adjusted to a desired angle.
According to one embodiment, the support plate is fixed to the display surface.
According to one embodiment, the support plate has a mechanism for closely contacting, suspending, clamping, or leaning against the display surface.
According to one embodiment, the support plate is freestanding in front of the display surface.
According to one embodiment, the camera support system includes a light-transmitting support plate and a camera fixed to the support plate, the support plate having a mechanism for being fixed to a display surface that displays an image or for being freestanding in front of the display surface.
According to one embodiment, a video distribution method includes the steps of fixing a camera to a light-transmitting support plate and placing the support plate in front of a display surface on which the video is displayed.
According to one embodiment, a camera support method includes a step of fixing a camera to a support plate that is translucent and fixed to a display surface that displays an image or has a mechanism for standing independently in front of the display surface.

The present invention provides a video distribution system, camera support system, video distribution method, and camera support method that can be easily combined with existing displays and screens, suppresses deviation of the speaker's line of sight, and maintains the camera tilt at a desired angle.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional information processing system. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a video distribution system 1000. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage form of a camera support system 1. FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of how the cable 13 is fixed. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of how the cable 13 is fixed. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a camera 12. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a camera 12. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of installation of the support plate 11. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of installation of the support plate 11. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of installation of the support plate 11. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of installation of the support plate 11. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of installation of the support plate 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video distribution system 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The video distribution system 1000 includes a camera support system 1, an information processing device 2, and a display surface 4. The camera support system 1 includes a support plate 11 and a camera 12 supported by the support plate 11. The information processing device 2 includes a processor, memory, an input/output device, a display device, etc., and achieves a predetermined function by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. For example, it inputs an image of a speaker from the camera 12 and transmits it to a video conference system (not shown) or the like, and receives an image of a listener from the video conference system and outputs it to the display device. The display device displays the image on the display surface 4, which will be described later.

A camera 12 is fixed at a desired position on the support plate 11. It is also preferable that at least a portion of a cable 13, which is required when connecting the camera 12 to an information processing device 2 (not shown) via a wired connection, is fixed on the support plate 11.

FIG. 3 shows an example of how the camera support system 1 is used. The camera support system 1 is installed in front of the display surface 4, which is installed facing the speaker, i.e., between the display surface 4 and the speaker.

Here, display surface 4 refers to a device having a surface on which an image is displayed, and includes, for example, a display or a screen. Displays include, for example, liquid crystal displays, organic electroluminescence displays, and cathode ray tube displays. Screens include, for example, boards or curtains onto which an image is projected by a projector or a projection-type head-up display.

The camera support system 1 is installed so that the camera 12 is oriented so that it can capture the speaker. The camera 12 is also installed in a position so that the camera 12 fits within the display surface 4 when viewed from the speaker, i.e., so that the display surface 4 can be seen through the camera 12. During a video conference, the speaker sees the image transmitted through the support plate 11, i.e., the image of the listener displayed on the display surface 4 behind the support plate 11. In this state, when the camera 12 fixed to the support plate 11 captures an image of the speaker, the speaker's line of sight is directed toward a position close to the camera 12, and so the misalignment of the speaker's line of sight, which was a problem in the past, is significantly reduced.

The components of the camera support system 1 will now be described in further detail.

The support plate 11 is a translucent plate.

The material of the support plate 11 is preferably light-transmissive and strong enough to support the camera 12 and maintain its position. For example, when the support plate 11 is to be free-standing, leaned against the display surface 4, hung, or clamped, it is preferable that the material has a rigidity sufficient to prevent unexpected bending or vibration. Typically, glass or resin-based materials such as acrylic, polypropylene, polycarbonate, etc. may have such characteristics, but are not limited to these. Note that, when the support plate 11 is to be in close contact with the display surface 4, etc., the support plate 11 may be made of a relatively soft material. Typically, resin-based sheets such as polypropylene and polycarbonate may have such characteristics, but are not limited to these. Such materials allow the support plate 11 to be rolled or folded, improving portability. In addition to these characteristics, materials with functionality such as UV protection and blue light protection may also be used.

The camera 12 is connected to the information processing device 2 (not shown) by wire or wirelessly. The shape and size of the camera 12 can be any shape and size, but if a small webcam of about 5 mm square is used, it is unlikely to get in the way when viewing the image of the listener displayed on the display surface 4. In addition, it is preferable that the camera 12 is fixed to the support plate 11 with the tilt (mainly the left-right tilt around the optical axis of the lens in this document) adjusted to the desired angle in advance. For example, in applications where an image without tilt is preferred, such as video conferencing, the tilt of the camera 11 is adjusted to be approximately horizontal in advance so that when the support plate 11 is installed in an ideal form as described below, an image that is approximately horizontal without left-right tilt around the optical axis of the lens is output.

When the camera 12 is connected to the information processing device 2 by wire, it is preferable that at least a part of the cable 13 connecting the two is fixed on the support plate 11. In this case, the cable 13 extending from the camera 12 should be laid on the support plate 11 not in a vertical direction (above or below the camera 12) (FIG. 4), but in a diagonal or horizontal direction (FIG. 5). In other words, when the horizontal direction is 0 degrees, the cable is extended in a range of, for example, 0 degrees to 80 degrees, 100 degrees to 260 degrees, or 280 degrees to 360 degrees. In this embodiment, the camera 12 and the cable 13 may unavoidably cover characters and the like displayed on the display surface 4. If the cable 13 extends in a diagonal or horizontal direction, the hidden characters and the like can be read by vertically scrolling the display contents of the display surface 4. However, if the cable 13 extends in a vertical direction, the characters and the like may remain hidden in the shadow of the cable 13 even when vertically scrolled, making them difficult to read.

The number of cameras 12 is arbitrary. Typically, one camera 12 is fixed on the support plate 11 as shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the camera 12 is positioned on the support plate 11 so as to be located near the center of the display surface 4 as seen by the speaker. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, multiple cameras 12 may be fixed on the support plate 11. In this case, for example, the information processing device 2 on the speaker's side, the information processing device on the listener's side, or a server system that relays between the two, can execute a process to select which camera 12 to display the image captured by.

The camera 12 may be fixed on the support plate 11 so that it cannot be removed, or it may be fixed so that it can be removed. For example, a method for fixing so that it cannot be removed is to fix the camera 12 to the surface of the support plate 11 by gluing or screwing. Alternatively, the camera 11 may be fitted into a through hole or recess formed in the support plate 11 and then fixed by gluing or screwing. For example, a method for fixing so that it can be removed is to provide a magnet or metal in advance on an arbitrary location on the support plate 11 and on the camera 12, and magnetically attach the two to each other. Alternatively, the camera 11 may be fitted into a through hole or recess formed in the support plate 11 and fixed by friction or the like. The cable 13 can also be fixed to the support plate 11 in a similar manner.

The installation method of the support plate 11 will now be explained.

As described above, the support plate 11 is placed between the display surface 4 and the speaker. In this case, at least a part of the support plate 11 must cover the display surface 4, i.e., at least a part of the support plate 11 must overlap the display surface 4 when viewed from the speaker, and the camera 11 must be fixed to the overlapping portion.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the support plate 11 can be attached to the surface of the display surface 4. Typically, an adsorption layer made by applying an adsorbent such as silicone rubber is provided on one side of the support plate 11, and the adsorption layer is attached to the display surface 4. This method has the advantage of preventing the surrounding environment from being unintentionally reflected on the support plate 11. Another advantage is that the installation space for the support plate 11 can be minimized, making it less subject to spatial constraints.

As another method of directly attaching the support plate 11 to the display surface 4, for example as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to simply lean the support plate 11 against the display unit 4. In this case, legs 111 may be formed on the lower part of the support plate 11, and the support plate 11 may be installed by the legs 111. For example, if the display surface 4 is the display of a laptop computer, a set of legs 111 may be placed on the ground so as to straddle the laptop computer body, making it possible to lean the support plate 11 against the laptop computer without affecting its operability.

As another method for directly attaching the support plate 11 to the display surface 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to suspend the support plate 11 from the top of the display unit 4. In this case, the shape of the support plate 11 may be rectangular, T-shaped, L-shaped, etc. Since the upper edge of the display surface 4 is usually considered to be approximately horizontal, by engaging, i.e., hooking, the support plate 11 with this upper edge, the support plate 11 suspends stably in front of the display surface 4. This prevents the support plate 11 from wobbling or rotating left and right, making it easier to maintain the inclination of the camera 11 at a desired angle. For example, a hook 112 can be provided on the support plate 11, and the support plate 11 can be suspended from the display surface 4 by the hook 112.

As another method of directly attaching the support plate 11 to the display surface 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is also possible to fix the support plate 11 by clamping it to the display unit 4. In this case, a clamping jig 113 such as a clip or screw is provided on the support plate 11. Since the upper edge of the display surface 4 is usually considered to be approximately horizontal, by fixing the clamping jig 113 to this upper edge, the support plate 11 can be stably suspended in front of the display surface 4. The clamping jig 113 may also be fixed to the side edge of the display surface 4. In this case, if the support plate 11 is attached in a way that prevents it from rotating, it is possible to maintain the angle of the camera 11 at a desired angle.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the support plate 11 may be made to stand on its own in front of the display surface 4. In this case, legs 111 are formed on the lower part of the support plate 11, and the support plate 11 can stand on its own using the legs 111. This method has the advantage that the support plate 11 can be installed without placing a burden on the display surface 4. It is also effective in cases where the support plate 11 cannot be directly attached to the display surface 4, such as when the display surface 4 is installed far away or the size of the display surface 4 is very large.

In this embodiment, by installing a translucent support plate 11 to which a camera 12 is fixed in front of the display surface 4, it is possible to place the camera 11 close to the line of sight of the speaker who is gazing at the display surface 4. This makes it possible to prevent misalignment of the line of sight during a video conference.

In addition, in this embodiment, the camera 12 is fixed to the support plate 11 with its tilt adjusted to the desired angle in advance. The support plate 11 is also provided with a mechanism for installing the camera in a state where unexpected rotation is unlikely to occur. This makes it easy to maintain the tilt of the camera 11 at the desired angle.

In addition, in this embodiment, the camera 12 is fixed to the support plate 11, so the camera 12 is less likely to vibrate and the image is less likely to become blurred.

Furthermore, the camera support system 1 according to this embodiment can be used in combination with an existing display, screen, etc., in other words, as an add-on. Furthermore, it does not require complicated calibration, etc. Therefore, it can be introduced at low cost and is easy to operate.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the materials, shapes, and other attributes of the components described above are merely examples, and can be replaced with other elements that can perform similar functions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1000 Video distribution system 1 Camera support system 11 Support plate 111 Leg 112 Hook 113 Clamping jig 12 Camera 13 Cable 2 Information processing device 4 Display surface

Claims

a display surface for displaying an image;
A light-transmitting support plate;
a camera fixed to the support plate;
The support plate is provided in front of the display surface.
2. The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the camera is fixed to the support plate with its angle pre-adjusted to a desired angle.
The video distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the support plate is fixed to the display surface.
The video distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the support plate has a mechanism for closely contacting, suspending, clamping, or leaning against the display surface.
The video distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the support plate is self-supporting in front of the display surface.
A light-transmitting support plate;
a camera fixed to the support plate;
A camera support system, wherein the support plate is provided with a mechanism for being fixed to a display surface that displays an image or for being independently disposed in front of the display surface.
Fixing a camera to a light-transmitting support plate;
and placing the support plate in front of a display surface on which an image is displayed.
A camera support method comprising the steps of: fixing a camera to a support plate that is translucent and is fixed to a display surface that displays an image, or that has a mechanism for allowing the camera to stand independently in front of the display surface.