JP2001078161A - Videophone device and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce the size and cost of an entire videophone device. SOLUTION: A television receiver 104 is connected as a display of a videophone main unit 101, and an operation of a remote control slave unit 102 for remotely controlling the outgoing / incoming call and display operation of the videophone main unit 101 by transmission / reception of radio waves is performed. While looking at the other party displayed on the handset 104, a call is made with the handset 102, and
An optical transmission unit 207 for transmitting an optical signal is provided.
1, a camera unit 115 that captures an image of a subject in any direction, converts the captured video into video data, an optical sensor 116 that receives an optical signal, and an optical sensor 116 that receives the optical signal. A camera imaging control unit 117 that performs automatic focus adjustment so that a user who has the slave unit 102 in a talking state is imaged with an optimum focus.
And automatically picks up the user who makes the call with the optimal focus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiver for home use or the like which is used as a display of a television telephone set. The present invention relates to a videophone device and an imaging method for making a call using a remote controller while watching.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a video telephone, there has been a stationary video telephone using a wired telephone line, and a portable video telephone using a wireless telephone line has been prototyped.

[0003]

However, in the conventional apparatus, both the stationary video telephone apparatus and the portable video telephone apparatus have a display mounted on the apparatus itself, and in particular, the stationary video telephone apparatus. Then, there is a problem that the entire device becomes large and the cost increases due to the mounted display.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a videophone device and an imaging method capable of reducing the size and cost of the entire device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a remote control handset for connecting a television receiver to a videophone main unit and remotely controlling the outgoing / incoming call and display operation of the videophone main unit by transmitting and receiving light or radio waves. The operation allows the user to make a call with the remote controller while viewing the other party displayed on the television receiver, and also transmits an optical signal from the remote controller, receives the optical signal, and receives the received optical signal. Accordingly, the imaging direction and the focus of the imaging means are adjusted such that the image is focused on the user who has the remote control handset in a talking state and displayed on the television receiver.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A video telephone apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a video telephone main unit having interface means for connecting a display; first control means for displaying an image on the display via the interface means; An output device, and an operation device for operating the videophone main unit.

According to the present invention, the user can listen to the sound from the videophone main unit with the operation device, and the videophone main unit does not need to have a structure in which the display is mounted. The size and cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

[0008] The videophone device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the operation device includes voice input means instead of voice output means.

According to the present invention, the user can input a voice to the videophone main unit using the operation device.

[0010] The videophone device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the operation device includes a voice input / output unit instead of the voice output unit.

According to the present invention, the user can listen to the voice from the videophone main unit and input the voice to the main unit using the operation device.

[0012] In the videophone device according to the present invention, the videophone main unit includes an image pickup means, a distance measurement means for measuring a distance between the image pickup means and the operating device,
A focus control unit configured to control a focus of the imaging unit to be around the audio output unit in accordance with the measured distance.

According to the present invention, the face of the user who is listening to the sound is focused on any one of the sound output means, the sound input means and the sound input / output means provided in the operating device, so that the videophone main unit is provided. It is possible to focus on the user who makes a call and to take an image.

[0014] In the videophone device of the present invention, the videophone main unit has a direction detecting means for detecting a direction of the operating device, and a direction for performing control for adjusting an imaging direction of the imaging means to the detected direction. And control means.

According to the present invention, the image pickup direction of the image pickup means is directed to the face of the user who inputs and outputs the sound by any of the sound output means, the sound input means and the sound input / output means. Can be put in the imaging screen in an appropriate state, and the captured video can be transmitted to the call destination.

[0016] The videophone device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the display is a television receiver.

According to the present invention, the same operation and effect as the above configuration can be obtained even when a television receiver is connected to the videophone main unit.

In the videophone device according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the operation device remotely controls call control and display control of the videophone main unit by transmitting and receiving light or radio waves.

According to the present invention, when operating the videophone main unit, it is possible to operate the videophone main unit from a remote position without any trouble such as clinging to the object or body.

[0020] In the videophone device of the present invention, in the above configuration, the operating device is configured to store information / video data received through the videophone main unit as storage data, and to store the data stored in the storage device. Second control means for reading and transmitting the read data to the videophone main unit, wherein the first control means displays the stored data on a display.

According to the present invention, it is possible to display and confirm video data and the like from a call destination after the call is completed.

[0022] The videophone device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the operation device has a telephone function of making a call with the telephone device via the base station device.

According to the present invention, the remote control handset can be used as a portable telephone device.

According to the imaging method of the present invention, a television receiver is connected to a videophone main unit having imaging means, and the videophone main unit is operated by an operation device having any one of audio output means, audio input means and audio input / output means. Operate the device, at the time of this operation, the videophone main unit measures the distance between the imaging means and the operating device, and according to the measured distance, focuses the imaging means on the operating device. It is characterized by performing control to match the surroundings.

According to the present invention, since the video telephone main unit does not need to have a structure in which a display is mounted, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the video telephone as a whole. Since the face of the user listening to the voice is focused on either of the means and the voice input / output means, it is possible to automatically image the user making a call with the videophone main unit in an optimal state.

An imaging method according to the present invention is characterized in that the videophone main unit detects the direction of the operation device and performs control for adjusting the imaging direction of the imaging means to the detected direction.

According to the present invention, since the imaging direction of the imaging means is directed to the face of a user who inputs and outputs voices by any of the voice output means, the voice input means, and the voice input / output means, for example, a call is made by the operating device Can be put in the imaging screen in an appropriate state, and the captured video can be transmitted to the call destination.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a videophone device and a videophone main unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The videophone device shown in FIG. 1 includes a videophone main unit 101 and a remote controller 10 as an operation device.
The videophone main unit 101 comprises:
It is connected to the telephone line 103 and the television receiver 104, and is remotely controlled wirelessly in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 102. However, telephone line 103
Is a communication line such as a public line or a dedicated line.

The videophone main unit 101 is usually installed on the television receiver 104, but may be located anywhere as long as the screen of the television receiver 104 can be seen.

The videophone main unit 101 includes an antenna 1
05, an antenna sharing unit 106, a transmitting / receiving unit 107,
Central control unit 108, modem 109, stabilizing unit 110
, Battery power supply 111, external power supply interface unit 11
2, a display control unit 113, a screen connection interface unit 114, a camera unit 115, an optical sensor 116, and a camera imaging (photographing) control unit 117.

The antenna 105 is of a built-in or telescopic type for efficiently transmitting radio waves to the remote controller 102.

The antenna sharing unit 106 includes an antenna 105
It performs impedance matching and transmission / reception switching for efficiently transmitting / receiving data to / from the device.

Transmission / reception section 107 receives remote control slave 1 received via antenna 105 and antenna sharing section 106.
02 is converted to a signal having a local oscillation frequency and then demodulated, and the demodulated signal is output to the central control unit 108. The signal output from the central control unit 108 is modulated and then converted to a radio frequency. Antenna common part 1
06 and the remote controller 102 via the antenna 105.

The screen connection interface unit 114 is to which the television receiver 104 is connected. In this example,
The connection target is the television receiver 104, but may be a device equipped with a display or the display itself.
For example, a personal computer with a display
Alternatively, a display such as a personal computer may be used.

The display control unit 113 receives image data obtained by an image pickup operation of the camera unit 115 in response to a display instruction from the central control unit 108, or a telephone number or telephone call transmitted from the remote control slave unit 102 in response to the operation. The control for displaying data indicating a partner or the like on the television receiver 104 via the screen connection interface unit 114 is performed.

The modem 109 is connected to the telephone line 103. The modem 109 converts an analog signal such as voice or information transmitted from the telephone line 103 into a digital signal after demodulation and outputs the digital signal to the central control unit 108. The digital signal from the unit 108 is converted into an analog signal after modulation and transmitted to the telephone line 103.

However, when the telephone line 103 is an ISDN line, a modem 109 is connected to the ISDN line via a terminal adapter. In addition, the videophone main unit 1
01 may be an ISDN terminal specification having a network terminating function, and an ISDN line may be connected to the terminating end.

The battery power supply 111 is a power supply for supplying a rechargeable secondary battery or a primary battery to each circuit of the videophone main unit 101.

The external power supply interface section 112 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) for charging a rechargeable secondary battery or supplying power to each circuit section of the videophone main unit 101.

The stabilizing section 110 stabilizes an external power supply connected to the battery power supply 111 or the external power supply interface section 112 and supplies power to each circuit section of the videophone main unit 101.

The optical sensor 116 receives an optical signal emitted from the remote control slave unit 102 and
Output to

The camera image pickup control unit 117 controls the optical sensor 11 when the user operates the remote control slave unit 102 to perform an image pickup operation.
6 so that the optical signal is received at the maximum intensity.
5 by adjusting the lens direction and measuring and obtaining the distance to the remote control handset 102 in accordance with the propagation delay amount of the received optical signal. By controlling the operation of the aperture of the camera unit 115 and the like so that an image is displayed in an optimal state on the display of the videophone device, automatic focus adjustment control for performing optimal focusing and operation of the remote control slave unit 102 are performed. It controls the lens direction, focus adjustment, and the like of the camera unit 115.

The camera unit 115 includes a camera imaging control unit 11
7. The subject is imaged according to the control of Step 7, and the video signal of the optical system obtained by this imaging is converted into a digital signal (video data).
And outputs the result to the central control unit 108.

The central control unit 108 controls the transmission of the audio signal received from the telephone line 103 to the remote controller 102 via the transmission / reception unit 107, and transmits the image corresponding to the video signal received from the telephone line 103 to the television receiver 104. And a command to control the operation of the camera unit 115 in response to an operation signal from the remote controller 102 received by the transmission / reception unit 107.
17; control for transmitting video data from the camera unit 115 to the called party via the telephone line 103; and monitoring of the video data from the camera unit 115 to the television receiver 104 in a display method such as a two-screen or partial screen. Display control and other control of each unit are integrally performed.

The remote controller 102 as an operation device
As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 203, the antenna sharing unit 204, the transmitting / receiving unit 205, and the central control unit 206
, An optical transmission unit 207, a receiver 208, and the microphone 20
9, a key operation unit 210, a data memory unit 211,
The configuration includes a stabilizing unit 214, a battery power supply 212, and an external power interface unit 213.

The antenna 203 is connected to the videophone main unit 1
It is of a built-in type for efficiently transmitting radio waves to 01.

The antenna sharing unit 204 includes the antenna 203
It performs impedance matching and transmission / reception switching for efficiently transmitting / receiving data to / from the device.

The transmission / reception unit 205 converts the signal from the videophone main unit 101 received via the antenna 203 and the antenna sharing unit 204 into a signal having a local oscillation frequency, demodulates the signal, and centrally controls the demodulated signal. Part 2
In addition to outputting to the videophone main unit 101, the signal output from the central control unit 206 is modulated, converted to a radio frequency, and transmitted to the videophone main unit 101 via the antenna sharing unit 204 and the antenna 203.

The light transmission unit 207 transmits an optical signal for focusing under the control of the central control unit 206 when a call is made by the remote control handset 102 or when an image captured by the camera unit 115 is monitored. What to send.

The receiver 208 is an earphone, a speaker, or the like, and converts an audio signal received by the transmission / reception unit 205 into audio.

The microphone 209 converts the sound to be transmitted into a sound signal.

The key operation unit 210 is provided with function keys such as numeric keys and symbols, an imaging on / off switch, and the like, for making and receiving calls, registering telephone numbers, and turning on / off imaging of the videophone main unit 101. A control operation such as an operation is performed. The signal generated by the operation is output to the central control unit 206.

The data memory unit 211 stores text data and video data such as telephone numbers, names and names of destinations, memos using characters, and the like.

The battery power supply 212 is a power supply for supplying a rechargeable battery or a primary battery to each circuit unit of the remote controller 102.

The external power supply interface unit 213 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) for charging the rechargeable secondary battery or supplying power to each circuit unit of the remote controller 102.

The stabilizing section 214 stabilizes the external power supply connected to the battery power supply 212 or the external power supply interface section 213 and supplies power to each circuit section of the remote control slave unit 102.

The central control unit 206 controls each unit in accordance with various input operations to be described later from the key operation unit 210, and controls the videophone main unit 1 received via the transmission / reception unit 107.
The control according to the instruction-related signal from 01 is performed in a unified manner.

The operation of the videophone device having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step ST301, the user turns on the power of the videophone main unit 101. this is,
It is turned on by a power supply on / off switch (not shown) provided in the videophone main unit 101, or the remote controller 1
02 is turned on by a switch provided on the key operation unit 210 for turning on and off the power of the videophone main unit 101.

At this time, if the imaging on / off switch provided on the key operation unit 210 is also turned on in step ST302, the videophone main unit 101 transmits the light transmission unit 207 of the remote control slave unit 102 in step ST303. The optical signal transmitted from is detected by the optical sensor 116.

In response to this detection, in step ST304, the camera imaging control section 117 controls the camera section 115 to be in an automatic tracking state.

That is, in step ST305, the camera imaging control section 117 adjusts the lens direction of the camera section 115 so that the optical signal is received by the optical sensor 116 at the maximum intensity.

Then, in step ST306, camera imaging control section 117 obtains the distance to remote control handset 102 in accordance with the received light signal, and in step ST307, remote control handset 102 is held in a talking state. The user performs automatic focus adjustment so that the camera unit 115 captures an image with an optimum focus.

This situation may be displayed on the television receiver 104 on a monitor. In this case, when an operation for performing monitor display is performed from the key operation unit 210, the operation instruction signal is received by the videophone main unit 101, and the central control unit 10
A monitor 8 displays the video data captured by the camera unit 115 on the television receiver 104 in a display method such as a two-screen or partial screen. At this point, since the other party is not displayed, it may be displayed on the entire surface. Here, the user can check the display state while viewing the self-image displayed on the monitor.

Next, in step ST308, when the user performs a calling operation from the key operation unit 210, a call is connected to the called party via the videophone main unit 101, and in step ST309, the camera unit is connected. 11
The own video data captured in step 5 is transmitted to the call destination, and in step ST310, the call state is established.

In this call state, the video of the other party is displayed on the television set 104, and the user can have a conversation while watching the displayed video of the other party. At this time, if the user is in the monitor display state, the user can have a conversation while viewing his own image and the other party's image displayed by a display method such as a two-screen or a partial screen.

On the other hand, if the imaging ON / OFF switch is turned off in step ST302, the own video data is not transmitted to the call destination, and the display of the call destination is displayed on the display of the call destination.
Your own image is not displayed.

Then, assuming that the conversation has ended, in step ST311, after performing a call termination operation for disconnecting the call using the key operation unit 210, in step ST312,
The power of the videophone main unit 101 is turned off.

In addition, remote control handset 102 stores text data and video data from the other party received via videophone main unit 101 in data memory unit 112, and thereafter stores the stored data in the videophone unit. Main unit 1
An operation of displaying the image on the television receiver 104 via the “01” is performed.

This is because the central control unit 206 of the remote controller 102 responds to a storage operation from the key operation unit 210,
In addition to performing control to store the received data in the data memory unit 112, in response to a display operation from the key operation unit 210,
The data stored in the data memory unit 112 is read and transmitted to the videophone main unit 101, and the videophone main unit 10 is read.
One central control unit 108 controls to display the data received from the remote control slave unit 102.

Further, the optical transmitter 2
07, a transmission unit for transmitting a position information signal of the remote control handset 102 via the transmission / reception unit 205, and the camera imaging control unit 117 of the videophone main unit 101 causes the camera unit 115 to respond to the position information signal. May be performed.

As described above, according to the video telephone of this embodiment, video receiver 104 is connected as the display of video telephone main unit 101, and the incoming / outgoing call and display operation of video telephone main unit 101 are controlled by light or light. By operating the remote controller 102 that performs remote control by transmitting and receiving radio waves, a call is made with the remote controller 102 while looking at the other party displayed on the television receiver 104.

As a result, it is not necessary to mount a display on the videophone device itself, so that the entire device and the cost are not increased due to the display as in the related art. In other words, the size and cost of the entire videophone device can be reduced.

The remote control slave unit 102 is provided with an optical transmission unit 207 for transmitting an optical signal.
1, a camera unit 115 that captures an image of a subject in any direction, converts the captured video into video data, an optical sensor 116 that receives an optical signal, and an optical sensor 116 that receives the optical signal. And a camera imaging control unit 117 that performs automatic focus adjustment so that a user who has the remote control handset 102 in a call state is imaged with an optimum focus. The subject can be automatically imaged with the optimum focus.

Further, the camera imaging control unit 117 performs the automatic focus adjustment of the camera unit 115 in response to the automatic focus adjustment operation of the camera unit 115 performed by the remote control slave unit 102. The focus of the camera unit 115 is set to an optimal state in accordance with the operation of, so that a user or another subject can be imaged in an optimal state.

Further, since the central control unit 108 of the videophone main unit 101 displays the image picked up by the camera unit 115 on the television receiver 104 on a monitor, the user can confirm the image picked up. Can be.

Further, since the central control unit 108 of the videophone main unit 101 displays both the call partner and the video imaged by the camera unit 115 on the television receiver 104, the central control unit 108 displays the call partner while watching the call partner. The video taken by the other videophone device can be confirmed.

The central control unit 2 of the remote controller
06 stores the information / video data received via the videophone main unit 101 in the data memory unit 112, reads out the stored data, transmits the data to the videophone main unit 101, and performs central control of the videophone main unit 101. Part 108
However, since the stored data is displayed on the television receiver 104, it is possible to display and confirm video data and the like from the callee after the call is finished.

Further, since the videophone main unit 101 is provided with interface means for connecting a display other than the television receiver 104, an apparatus having a display such as a personal computer or the display itself can be connected.

Further, remote control slave unit 102 may be provided with the function of a portable telephone device. In this case, the remote controller 10
2 can be used as a mobile phone device.

Further, remote control slave unit 102 may be provided with a function of a portable videophone device. In this case, the remote control handset 102 can be used as a portable videophone device, and the self video captured by the camera unit 115 of the videophone main unit 101 can be displayed on the display of the remote control handset 102 on the monitor.

In addition, the optical transmission unit 207 is
02, the optical sensor 116 may be provided in the remote control slave unit 102, and not only light, but also a transmission / reception means of a radio wave having a strong directivity may be provided to reduce the delay time of the radio wave. You can also find the distance.

Further, the receiver 20 of the remote controller
8 and the microphone 209 and the videophone main unit 101,
The audio signal is transmitted via a wired audio signal line having a variable length. The imaging control unit 117 may adjust the focus of the camera unit 115.

There are at least the following two methods for making the length of the audio signal line between the remote controller slave unit 102 and the videophone main unit 101 variable and measuring the length.

The first method is to use the remote control handset 102 or the videophone main unit 101 or the remote control handset 10
2 and the videophone main unit 101 are provided with means for winding a fixed-length audio signal line, and the length of the audio signal line wound by this means or the length of the audio signal line not wound Then, the distance between the remote control handset 102 and the videophone main unit 101 is measured.

The second method is to use an elastic body for the audio signal line, or to wind the audio signal line in a coil shape, for example, according to the length between the remote control slave unit 102 and the videophone main unit 101. It is assumed that the tensions of the audio signal lines are different from each other.
Measure the distance to 1.

The receiver 20 of the remote controller
Instead of the microphone 8 and the microphone 209, an inner phone having a receiver and a microphone function may be used, and the distance between the inner phone and the main body may be measured.

Further, the imaging direction according to the arrival direction of the radio wave,
Alternatively, the camera unit 115 that captures an image in an imaging direction corresponding to the direction in which the tension of the audio signal line is applied may be replaced by
, The camera unit 11 is moved in the direction of the subject provided with the receiver 208 and the microphone 209 or the inner phone.
It becomes easier to take an image with the camera 5 facing.

The remote controller 102 and the receiver 2
08, microphone 209, etc. and videophone main unit 101
The focus and imaging direction of the camera unit 115, which is adjusted according to the distance and direction from the camera unit 115, are not directly adjusted by the remote controller slave unit 102, the receiver 208, the microphone 209, or the like, and are not adjusted to the center of the user's face as the subject. Remote control slave unit 102, receiver 208,
It is desirable to adjust the focus and direction to a statistical value of the positional relationship according to the center of the user's face as the subject with respect to the microphone 209 or the like, or to a position corrected by a value arbitrarily set by the user.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The size and cost of the entire videophone device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a videophone device and a videophone main device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control handset in the videophone device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a telephone call process of the videophone device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Videophone main unit 102 Remote control handset 103 Telephone line 104 Television receiver 108 Central control unit of videophone main unit 115 Camera unit 116 Optical sensor 117 Camera imaging (photographing) control unit 206 Central control unit of remote control subunit 207 Light transmission Unit 211 Data memory unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A videophone main unit comprising: an interface unit for connecting a display; a first control unit for displaying an image on the display via the interface unit; and a videophone main unit comprising an audio output unit. A videophone device comprising: an operation device for operating the videophone. 2. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device includes voice input means instead of the voice output means. 3. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device includes a voice input / output unit instead of the voice output unit. 4. The videophone main unit includes: an imaging unit; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between the imaging unit and the operation device; and a focus of the imaging unit according to the measured distance. 4. The videophone device according to claim 1, further comprising: focus control means for performing control for adjusting the surroundings of the audio output means. 5. A videophone main unit comprising: a direction detecting unit for detecting a direction of an operation device; and a direction control unit for performing control for adjusting an imaging direction of an imaging unit to the detected direction. The videophone device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the display is a video receiver. 7. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device remotely controls call control and display control of the videophone main unit by transmitting and receiving light or radio waves. 8. An operation device, comprising: storage means for storing information / video data received via the videophone main unit as storage data; reading out the storage data of the storage means and transmitting the readout data to the videophone main unit. 8. The videophone device according to claim 1, further comprising a second control unit, wherein the first control unit displays the stored data on a display. 9. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device has a telephone function of making a call with the telephone device via the base station device. 10. A television receiver is connected to a videophone main unit having an image pickup means, and the videophone main unit is operated by an operation device having any one of audio output means, audio input means and audio input / output means, During this operation, the videophone main unit measures the distance between the imaging unit and the operation device, and performs control to focus the imaging unit on the operation device according to the measured distance. An imaging method in a videophone device, comprising: 11. The videophone apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the videophone main unit detects a direction of the operation device and performs control for adjusting an imaging direction of the imaging unit to the detected direction. Method.