JP4189819B2 - Communication system and button telephone system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system and a button telephone system in which a camera is connected to a button telephone apparatus, and more particularly to a communication system and a button telephone system that allow an image of an outgoing / incoming party to be viewed when an extension is transmitted or an incoming call is received.

Means to determine whether a person is present or absent at each seat by processing an image from a camera that shoots an office, etc., and to read out the determination result as enrollment information. Each seat of an office or the like, comprising: means for displaying the information; means for designating a specific person from the displayed determination results; and means for transmitting a dial signal of a telephone number corresponding to the designated person. A dialing processing method is proposed in which it is determined whether a person is present or absent, the determination result is displayed, and a dial signal is transmitted using the display result (see Patent Document 1). According to this dialing processing method, it is possible to automatically dial when it is determined that the user is enrolled.
JP-A-5-292200

  However, in such a dialing processing method, since the control is limited to a fixed shooting range shot by the camera, the shooting range cannot be moved or zoomed.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems. In an office or the like wider than the fixed shooting range of the camera, the image of the other party can be seen when the extension is transmitted or the extension is received. Oh Ru.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key telephone device including a main device and a plurality of button telephones accommodated in an extension of the main device, and a place where each button telephone is disposed by variably controlling a photographing range. Connects a camera capable of photographing, a terminal device with a display arranged near each key phone and capable of displaying an image captured by the camera, the main device, the camera, and the terminal device with a display A telephone position information storage that stores telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship between a range that can be photographed by the camera and an arrangement location of the plurality of button telephones. And a position of the caller side or the incoming side button telephone in the image-capturing range is detected based on the telephone position information at the time of outgoing / incoming call between any means and any key telephone Detecting means, and means for transmitting the detected position information indicating the detected position to the camera, wherein the camera captures the detected position and means for receiving the detected position information transmitted from the main device. With a display area that is arranged near the button phone on the other party's outgoing or incoming call side, and the shooting range control means for variably controlling the shooting range, A communication system comprising means for transmitting to a terminal device .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key telephone device including a main device and a plurality of button telephones accommodated in the extension of the main device, and a place where each key telephone is arranged by variably controlling a photographing range. Connects a camera capable of photographing, a terminal device with a display arranged near each key phone and capable of displaying an image captured by the camera, the main device, the camera, and the terminal device with a display The terminal device with a display device displays the input position information on the display screen to the camera when displaying the image of the key telephone being photographed by the camera. A camera control signal for changing the shooting range of the camera when displaying the image of the key telephone being shot with the camera and the means for transmitting. Means for transmitting, to the main device, photographing position information corresponding to input position information transmitted from the terminal device with a display, and a camera transmitted from the terminal device with a display. A shooting range control unit that changes a shooting range in response to a control signal; and a unit that transmits an image being captured to the terminal device with a display. A telephone position information storage means for storing telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship with the location of the button telephone; a receiving means for receiving the photographing position information transmitted from the camera; and the photographing indicated by the received photographing position information. communication to the detecting means for detecting a key telephone that is disposed at a position on the basis of the telephone terminal location information, characterized by comprising a means for calling the key telephone described above detect It is a stem.
In the invention according to claim 3 , each key telephone is arranged by variably controlling the main apparatus, a plurality of key telephones having an image display function accommodated in the extension of the main apparatus, and the photographing range. A button telephone device comprising a camera capable of photographing a place, and the main device and a communication network connecting the cameras, wherein the main device includes a range where the camera can be photographed and an arrangement of the plurality of button telephones. A telephone position information storage means for storing telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship with a place, and a position of the calling side or a receiving side key telephone in the photographing range when making or receiving a call between any key telephones. Detection means for detecting based on position information, and means for transmitting detected position information indicating the detected position to the camera, wherein the camera is transmitted from the main device. The means for receiving the detected position information, the photographing range control means for variably controlling the photographing range so as to photograph the detected position, and the image of the position of the photographed transmission side or incoming side key telephone are transmitted or received. a key telephone system characterized in that a means for transmitting via said main device to the other side of the key telephone.

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the shooting range of the camera is remotely controlled so that, when an incoming / outgoing call is made between any of the key telephones, the calling side or the incoming side key telephone is shot and displayed. Therefore, without using a plurality of cameras, the image of the other party can be viewed at the time of extension call or extension call in an office or the like wider than the fixed shooting range of the camera .
According to the invention according to claim 2, since a phone call can be made by a position input operation on a screen displaying an image taken by a camera whose shooting range is variably set, without using a plurality of cameras, In an office or the like wider than the fixed shooting range of the camera, it is possible to make an extension call by a position input operation on the screen while viewing the image .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system according to the present embodiment includes a main telephone 1 and N (N ≧ 2) button telephones 2-1 to 2-N accommodated therein, and N (N ≧ 2) personal computers. (Hereinafter referred to as a PC) 3-1 to 3-N and a TV camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 4. The main apparatus 1 is connected to one or more telephone lines 7 and is connected to the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N through an extension transmission path 5. The PC 3 and the camera 4 are connected to the main apparatus 1 via a communication network 6 such as a wireless or wired LAN. The main apparatus 1, the PC 3, and the camera 4 can perform data communication with each other via the communication network 6.

  The key telephones 2-1 to 2-N are arranged on, for example, an office desk, and the PCs 3-1 to 3-N are arranged near the button telephones 2-1 to 2-N. In addition, the camera 4 is installed at a position where the place where the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N and the PCs 3-1 to 3-N are arranged can be photographed, and can change the photographing range by panning and tilting. Thus, it is possible to photograph all places where the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N and the PCs 3-1 to 3-N are arranged.

  The main device 1 manages the state of the telephone line 7 and the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N, and controls the main device 1 as a whole, and the external line interface unit 12 controls the termination of the telephone line 7. An extension interface unit 13 that accommodates the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N via the extension line 5, an exchange processing unit 14 that exchanges and connects the external line interface unit 12 and the extension interface unit 13, and a communication network 6 The communication interface unit 15 that performs processing for data communication via the network, and the storage unit 16 that stores various control information, external line information, extension information, and the like necessary for control by the control unit 11 in association with each other.

  2, 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configurations of the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N, PC3-1 to 3-N and the camera 4 in FIG. In FIG. 1, the key telephones 2-1 to 2-N have the same configuration and the PCs 3-1 to 3-N have the same configuration. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the key telephone 2 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire key telephone 2, an extension interface unit 22, an audio processing unit 23, a display unit 24, each connected to the control unit 21. An operation unit 25 and a storage unit 26 are provided. The extension interface unit 22 communicates with the main apparatus 1 via the extension transmission path 5, and the voice processing unit 23 generates a ringing tone and various notification sounds. The display unit 24 has an LCD or the like, and displays various information sent from the control unit 21. The operation unit 25 includes various keys such as a dial key, an outside line key, and a hook switch, and sends information input by the operator using these keys to the control unit 21. The storage unit 26 is a ROM in which programs and the like used when the control unit 21 executes various processes is stored in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores various data and the like when the control unit 21 executes various processes, It consists of an EEPROM or the like for storing telephone position information, which will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the PC 3 includes a control unit (CPU) 31 that controls the entire PC 3, and a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and a communication interface unit that are connected to the control unit 31. It consists of 35. The storage unit 32 is a ROM that stores programs and data used in advance when the control unit 31 executes various processes, and temporarily stores various data when the control unit 31 executes various processes. And a hard disk for storing image data and the like. The operation unit 33 is a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and is used for inputting various instructions to the PC 3. The display unit 34 includes an LCD or the like, and displays various instructions input from the operation unit 33, image data taken by the television camera 4, and the like. The communication interface unit 35 performs processing necessary for performing data communication via the communication network 6 between the main apparatus 1 and the television camera 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the television camera 4 includes a lens 41, an imaging unit 42 that converts light focused by the lens 41 into an image signal, and predetermined signal processing for the image signal generated by the imaging unit 42. A camera signal processing unit 43 that performs (gain control, A / D conversion, data compression, etc.), a control unit 44 that performs overall control of the TV camera 4, a storage unit 45 and a communication interface connected to the control unit 44 The control unit 44 controls the zoom magnification of the lens 41 under the control of the control unit 44, and the control of the control unit 44 controls the driving of the camera drive mechanism (not shown) to pan and tilt the camera 4. And a pan / tilt control unit 48.

  The storage unit 45 is a ROM that stores programs and data used in advance when the control unit 44 executes various processes, and temporarily stores various data when the control unit 44 executes various processes. And an EEPROM in which data for generating shooting position identification information, which will be described later, is stored. The communication interface unit 46 performs processing necessary for data communication via the communication network 6 between the camera signal processing unit 43 and the control device 44.

  In the storage unit 45 (EEPROM) of the television camera 4, as shown in FIG. 5A, variable range information of the zoom magnification of the lens 41 of the television camera 4, variable range information of the pan angle and tilt angle of the television camera 4. Is stored at the time of installation or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the current pan angle information, tilt angle information, and zoom magnification information are stored in the storage unit 45 (RAM) of the television camera. Based on these pieces of information, the control unit 44 creates information (hereinafter referred to as shooting position identification information) that indicates the range that can be shot and the position that is currently being shot as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5C, a matrix of 10 vertical elements, 9 horizontal elements (hereinafter referred to as 10 × 9) means that the shootable range is divided into 10 × 9. In this figure, the part where characters are entered is the range currently being photographed, and the position of each matrix within the range is distinguished.

  The shooting position identification information includes shooting range information indicating a shooting range, shooting position information indicating a current shooting position, and zoom magnification information. For example, (a1, j9) is used as the shootable range information using the upper left end and the lower right end of the matrix, and (b2 = AI, b3 = AII, b4 = AIII, b5 = AIV, c2 = BI). ,..., F5 = EIV), each position obtained by dividing the currently captured range by 20 is associated with a matrix position obtained by dividing the shootable range by 90. The zoom magnification information is, for example, size information in matrix units in a range that is being photographed at 1 ×. This shooting position identification information is created in real time and stored in the storage unit 45 (RAM) as shooting position identification information. In FIG. 5C, the shootable range is 10 × 9, but it goes without saying that the value may be different from this.

  The storage unit 16 of the main apparatus 1 has a button telephone position information table indicating where the plurality of button telephones 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in the shootable range of the camera 4 as shown in FIG. Stored. In this figure, “inside 10” means a key telephone with extension number 10 and indicates that it is arranged at the position b2.

This key telephone position information table is created, for example, by the following procedure.
First, shooting is performed with the shooting range of the camera 4 set to the upper left corner of the shooting range, and the image data, shooting range information, and shooting position information are sent to any one PC (here, PC3- 1). In FIG. 6, if the size of the shooting range is 5 × 4, the range (a1, e4) is shot. In the PC 3-1, the received shootable range information, shooting position information, and image data are stored in the storage unit 32.

  Next, the camera 4 is panned to the right, the range (a5, e8) that is right next to (a1, e4) is shot, and the image data, shootable range information, and shooting position information are transmitted via the communication network 6. Transmit to the main device 1. Thereafter, in the same manner, the camera 4 is shot to the lower right corner of the shootable range while panning and tilting. In PC3-1, after storing the image data of the entire shootable range from the camera 4, the combined panorama image is displayed on the display unit 34, and the matrix indicating the shootable range is superimposed on the panorama image and displayed. To do. Next, the user selects the image of the key telephone displayed on the display screen with the mouse of the operation unit 33, and inputs the extension number from the keyboard. By performing this operation for all the key telephones displayed on the display screen, the key telephone position information table shown in FIG. 6 is created and stored in the storage unit 32 (hard disk). This button telephone position information table is transmitted to the main apparatus 1 and PC 3-2... 3-N via the communication network 6 and stored in the storage units 16 and 32, respectively.

The operation of the communication system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[Inbound / outbound operation by key telephone 1]
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of an example of an extension outgoing / incoming operation. In this figure, when an operation for selecting a key telephone having the extension number 23 is performed from the operation unit 25 of the caller's key telephone, the operation is detected by the control unit 21, and the selection signal for the extension 23 is transmitted to the extension interface. The data is transmitted to the main apparatus 1 via the unit 22 and the extension transmission path 5 (step S1).

  In the main apparatus 1, the extension number 23 selection signal is received by the extension interface unit 13 and sent to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 refers to the key telephone position information stored in the storage unit 16, and after detecting that the key telephone with the extension number 23 is located at the position h 6 in the shootable range of the camera 4, A signal requesting image data at the shooting position h6 is transmitted to the camera 4 via the communication interface unit 15 and the communication network 6 (step S2).

  In the camera 4, a signal requesting image data at the shooting position of h 6 is received by the communication interface unit 46 and sent to the control unit 44. The control unit 44 refers to the shooting position identification information stored in the storage unit 45, and controls the pan / tilt control unit 48 to take the shooting position of h6 (step S3). Next, the camera 4 transmits the image data at the shooting position of h6 to the PC (outgoing side PC) disposed near the outgoing side button telephone via the communication interface unit 46 and the communication network 6 (step S4). ).

  In the sending PC, the image data from the camera 4 is received by the communication interface unit 35 and sent to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 stores the received image data in the storage unit 32, and then reads and displays the received image data on the display unit. Accordingly, the caller can perform an operation for calling extension number 23 after confirming that there is a person on the receiving side by looking at the key telephone of extension number 23 or an image in the vicinity thereof on display unit 34. This operation is detected by the control unit 21, and a dial signal of extension number 23 is transmitted to the main apparatus 1 via the extension interface unit 22 and the extension transmission path 5 (step S5). When the main device 1 receives the dial signal of extension number 23, it transmits a call signal from the extension interface unit 13 to the key telephone set of extension number 23 (step S6). The caller can wait for the callee to answer the call while looking at the key telephone of extension number 23 or the vicinity thereof, and can make a call while looking at the image.

[Inbound / outbound operation by key telephone 2]
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of another example of the extension calling / receiving operation. In this sequence diagram, the explanation of the data flow inside the key telephone, the main apparatus and the camera, and the communication between the key telephone and the main apparatus are performed via the extension transmission path 5, and the camera, the main apparatus, The description that the communication with the PC is performed via the communication network 6 is the same as in the case of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, when an operation for calling the key telephone having the extension number 23 is performed on the key telephone on the calling side, a dial signal for the extension number 23 is transmitted to the main apparatus 1 (step S11). The main apparatus 1 receives the dial signal of extension number 23 and refers to the key telephone position information to detect that the key telephone number of extension number 23 is located at the position h6 in the shootable range of the camera 4 Thereafter, a signal requesting image data at the photographing position h6 is transmitted to the camera 4 (step S12). Next, the main device 1 transmits a calling signal from the extension interface unit 13 to the key telephone of extension number 23 (step S13).

  The camera 4 receives the signal requesting the image data of the shooting position of h6, refers to the shooting position identification information, and controls the pan / tilt control unit 48 to shoot the shooting position of h6 (step S14). . Next, the camera 4 transmits the image data at the shooting position of h6 to a PC (hereinafter referred to as a called-side PC) arranged near the incoming-side button telephone (step S15).

  The receiving PC receives the image data from the camera 4, stores it in the storage unit 32, reads it, and displays it on the display unit 34. Therefore, the callee can answer the call while looking at the image around the button telephone on the calling side while viewing the image on the display unit 34, and can make a call while looking at the image.

[Extension transmission by PC]
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when an extension is transmitted from the PC. In this sequence diagram, as in FIG. 8, description of the data flow inside the device and the data transmission medium between the devices is omitted.

  First, when the caller starts up the camera control software of a PC (hereinafter referred to as a caller PC) arranged near the key telephone used by the caller and performs an image data request operation on the screen of the display unit 34 ( In step S21), the control unit 31 of the originating PC creates an image data request signal and sends it to the camera 4 (step S22). Upon receiving the image data request signal, the camera 4 transmits the image data currently being shot and the shooting position identification information to the sending PC (step S23). In the transmission side PC, the received image data and shooting position identification information are stored in the storage unit 32, and then the image data is read and displayed on the display unit. Here, when the range currently being photographed is as shown in FIG. 5, an image in the range given with diagonal lines in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 34 of the originating PC.

  Next, the caller operates the pointing device of the caller PC, puts the pointer on the image of the callee key telephone or the person nearby, and clicks (step S24). Here, it is assumed that the pointer is placed on the image of a person near the telephone having the extension number 14 and clicked. When the originating PC detects the operation of the mouse and refers to the shooting position identification information stored in the storage unit 32 and detects that the position of BIII is clicked, it sends the position information BIII to the camera 4. Transmit (step S25).

  Upon receipt of the position information BIII, the camera 4 refers to the shooting position identification information stored in the storage unit 45 and detects that the position information BIII is the position of c4 in the shootable range in the image currently being shot. (Step S26). Next, the camera 4 transmits position information c4 to the main apparatus 1 (step S27).

  When the main apparatus 1 receives the position information c4, the main apparatus 1 refers to the key telephone position information stored in the storage unit 16, and determines that the extension number of the key telephone placed at the position of c4 is 14 (step S28). ). Next, the main device 1 transmits a calling signal to the key telephone of extension number 14 (step S29).

  In this way, the caller automatically operates the pointing device such as the mouse while viewing the office image displayed on the display device of the PC and selects the image of the key telephone or the like to be called. Can make outgoing calls.

For example, the present invention can be modified as shown in the following (1) to (4).
(1) When the button telephone to be called is not displayed when performing step S24 in FIG. 9, a request to move the shooting range is made to the camera 4. When making this request, the display unit 34 displays shooting position identification information as shown in FIG. 5 along with the image data currently being shot, and a movement key for moving (panning, tilting) the shooting range. A movement instruction corresponding to the operation of the movement key is transmitted to the camera 4. The camera 4 changes the shooting range by panning and tilting according to the movement instruction, and transmits the image data after the change of the shooting range to the transmission side PC. The sending PC displays the image after the shooting range is changed based on the received image data. The caller performs the operation in step S24 described above while viewing the displayed image.
(2) If the key telephone to be called is displayed when performing step S24 in FIG. 9, the shooting range of the camera 4 is changed so that the key telephone is displayed in the center of the display screen. .
(3) Instead of storing the shooting position identification information (information indicating the shootable range and the current shooting position) in the PC 3, only the shooting position information (information indicating the current shooting position) is stored.
(4) Have the key telephone 3 also function as the PC 3.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the key telephone in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the camera in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the key telephone position information in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the transmission / reception operation | movement in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the transmission / reception operation | movement in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the transmission operation | movement by PC in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the image displayed when performing the transmission operation | movement by PC in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main apparatus, 2 ... Key telephone, 3 ... PC, 4 ... Camera, 11, 21, 31, 44 ... Control part, 15, 35, 46 ... Communication interface part 16, 26, 32, 45... Storage unit, 34... Display unit, 48.

Claims (3)

A key telephone device comprising a main device and a plurality of key telephones accommodated in the extension of the main device, a camera capable of photographing a place where each key phone is arranged by variably controlling a photographing range, and each button Communication provided with a display-equipped terminal device arranged near a telephone and capable of displaying an image taken by the camera, and a communication network connecting the main device, the camera, and the display-equipped terminal device A system,
The main apparatus is a telephone position information storage means for storing telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship between a range that can be photographed by the camera and an arrangement location of the plurality of key telephones, and when a call is made between any key telephones Detecting means for detecting the position of the key telephone on the calling side or the receiving side in the shootable range based on the telephone position information, and means for transmitting the detected position information indicating the detected position to the camera. ,
The camera includes means for receiving detected position information transmitted from the main device, shooting range control means for variably controlling a shooting range so as to take a picture of the detected position, and a button telephone set on the calling side or the receiving side. And a means for transmitting the image of the position to a terminal device with a display arranged near the key telephone on the other party of the outgoing or incoming call . A key telephone device comprising a main device and a plurality of key telephones accommodated in the extension of the main device, a camera capable of photographing a place where each key phone is arranged by variably controlling a photographing range, and each button Communication provided with a display-equipped terminal device arranged near a telephone and capable of displaying an image taken by the camera, and a communication network connecting the main device, the camera, and the display-equipped terminal device A system,
When the terminal device with a display is displaying an image of a key telephone photographed by the camera, means for transmitting input position information on the display screen to the camera and photographing by the camera Means for transmitting to the camera a camera control signal for changing the shooting range of the camera when displaying an image of a key telephone;
The camera shoots in accordance with means for transmitting shooting position information corresponding to the input position information transmitted from the terminal device with a display to the main device and a camera control signal transmitted from the terminal device with a display. An imaging range control means for changing the range; and means for transmitting the image being captured to the terminal device with a display,
The main apparatus includes telephone position information storage means for storing telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship between a range in which the camera can shoot and an arrangement location of the plurality of key telephones, and shooting position information transmitted from the camera. Receiving means for receiving, detecting means for detecting a key telephone set installed at a photographing position indicated by the received photographing position information based on the telephone position information, and means for calling the detected key telephone A communication system characterized by the above. A main device, a plurality of key telephones having an image display function housed in the extension of the main device, and a camera capable of photographing a place where each key telephone is arranged by variably controlling a photographing range; A key telephone system comprising a communication network for connecting the main device and the camera,
The main apparatus is a telephone position information storage means for storing telephone position information indicating a correspondence relationship between a range that can be photographed by the camera and an arrangement location of the plurality of key telephones, and when a call is made between any key telephones Detecting means for detecting the position of the key telephone on the calling side or the receiving side in the shootable range based on the telephone position information, and means for transmitting the detected position information indicating the detected position to the camera. ,
The camera includes means for receiving detected position information transmitted from the main device, shooting range control means for variably controlling a shooting range so as to take a picture of the detected position, and a button telephone set on the calling side or the receiving side. key telephone system characterized in that the image position, and means for transmitting via said main apparatus to the outgoing or incoming of the mating button telephone.

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