JP2007124140A - Photographing device and communication conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device capable of changing panning at high speed, while having a simple configuration, so as to clearly photograph the video of a speaker (especially, a face), and to provide a communication conference system. <P>SOLUTION: Sound collection beams corresponding to a plurality of areas are formed with a microphone array including a plurality of microphones 2A-2M. A sound signal processor 4 selects the sound collection beam with the largest signal strength among the sound collection beams, and detects the area with the existence of a sound source. Images photographed with cameras 3A-3C are synthesized by an image processor 5 so as to be a panoramic image. A controller 6 performs setting in the image processor 5 to segment the image concerning the area with the existence of the sound source. The image processor 5 segments the image of the area and outputs it. That is, panning is electronically changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus capable of clearly photographing a speaker or the like and a communication conference system.

  In recent years, with the development of communication environments, video conference systems that transmit and receive video and audio have become widespread. A video conference system generally includes a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a display. On the transmission side, audio collected by the microphone and video captured by the camera are transmitted. On the receiving side, the received sound is pronounced from the speaker and the received video is displayed on the display.

  In such a video conference system, not only a one-on-one conversation but also a conversation between a plurality of conference participants is often performed. In this case, it is necessary to set a shooting range (point the camera) for the speaker each time. The camera mainly changes the shooting range by changing the left-right direction (pan).

  In order to make this panning smooth, a videoconferencing system has been proposed in which a dedicated microphone is placed for each conference participant, and multiple speakers are shot together in the direction of the microphone with the highest input level. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, a method has been proposed in which a panoramic image is generated by a plurality of cameras installed on a conference desk, and a pan is electronically changed by cutting out an image of a predetermined area (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-7-135646 JP 2001-94857 A

  Since the video conference system of Patent Document 1 changes the pan by mechanically rotating the camera, a mechanism for rotating the camera is required, which complicates the hardware and costs. Moreover, since it is mechanically rotated, the possibility of occurrence of a failure increases and maintenance is also required. In addition, since the pan is changed by mechanically rotating the camera, there is a problem that the time lag increases until the shooting range is set after the speaker is detected. Furthermore, the video conference system of Patent Document 1 requires a dedicated microphone for each conference participant in order to detect a speaker, and has a complicated configuration.

  In the virtual camera control method disclosed in Patent Document 2, panning can be changed at high speed without mechanically rotating the camera. However, also in Patent Document 2, in order to detect a speaker, it is necessary to install a dedicated microphone for each conference participant, or to install a plurality of microphones (a microphone array arranged in a circle) around the conference desk. There is a complicated configuration. In addition, an example in which a plurality of cameras (camera arrays) are installed at the center of the conference desk is shown, but in such a configuration, a large number of devices such as microphones and cameras are installed on the desk, which is an obstacle for conference participants. become. It also takes time to install the equipment. On the other hand, it is conceivable to install a microphone and a camera near the display, but when the conference participant and the microphone are separated from each other, the speech cannot be picked up to the extent that the sound source position can be detected. Also, in general, in a teleconference, there is a conference desk at the center position in front of the display, and conference participants sit around the conference desk, so a camera is installed near the display and the front of the conference participants are photographed. There was a problem that it could not be done (it would be a profile image).

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus and a communication conference system that can change a pan at high speed with a simple configuration and can clearly photograph a video of a speaker (particularly the front face).

  The image capturing apparatus of the present invention includes a sound source position detecting means for detecting a sound source position, a plurality of cameras installed in different directions so that the field of view is at least continuous and the field of view intersects each other, and the plurality of cameras are used for shooting. Image cutout means for cutting out an image of a range including the sound source position detected by the sound source position detection means from the continuous images.

  In this invention, the position of a sound source (for example, a speaker) is detected by sound source position detecting means (for example, an infrared sensor). The plurality of cameras continuously acquire images, and these images are combined by the image combining means. The photographing field of view of each camera is continuous at the end thereof, and a panoramic image is generated by combining these. Of this panoramic image, a portion corresponding to the position of the speaker is cut out and output. By extracting and outputting the image of the region where the speaker is detected (electronically changing the pan), it is possible to change the pan at high speed while having a simple configuration without a mechanical mechanism. In addition, the plurality of cameras have photographing fields intersecting each other. For example, cameras arranged at both ends of the photographing apparatus photograph the inner direction of each other. In general, in a teleconference, there is a conference desk in the center of the front of the teleconference system (display), and there are conference participants surrounding the conference desk. By taking a picture, it becomes easier to take a picture of the front face of the conference participant.

  Further, according to the present invention, the sound source position detecting means further synthesizes a microphone array configured by arranging a plurality of microphones and an audio signal collected by the plurality of microphones with a predetermined time delay. A sound collecting signal processing means for forming a plurality of sound collecting beams for picking up sound of a specific area at a high level, and a sound collecting beam having the highest level among the plurality of sound collecting beams formed by the sound collecting signal processing means. Voice signal selection means for judging that a sound source is present in the direction.

  In the present invention, sound collecting beams are formed in a plurality of directions by the microphone array. The sound source position is detected on the assumption that the sound source exists in the direction of the highest level among the plurality of sound collecting beams.

  The communication conference system according to the present invention outputs the sound signal of the sound collecting beam selected by the sound collecting signal selecting means and the image signal cut out by the image cutting means from the outside. Transmitting / receiving means for inputting the audio signal and the image signal, sound output means for emitting sound based on the audio signal input by the transmitting / receiving means, and display means for displaying an image based on the image signal input by the transmitting / receiving means, It is characterized by having.

  In the present invention, an audio signal is input from another communication conference system, a sound is emitted from a speaker, and the sound is collected by a plurality of microphones and output to another communication conference system. Also, video data captured by a plurality of cameras is output to another communication conference system.

  Further, according to the present invention, the sound output means outputs a speaker array configured by arranging a plurality of speakers, and a sound signal input by the transmitting / receiving means to each of the plurality of speakers with a predetermined delay. And a sound emission signal processing means for forming a sound beam that emits sound at a high level in a specific area, wherein the sound emission signal processing means has a virtual sound source at a sound source position on the sound collection side. An audio beam is formed so as to be formed, and the audio beam is controlled so that the position of the sound source in the image displayed on the display means is the same as or in the same direction as the position of the virtual sound source. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, a sound beam is formed by a speaker array. At this time, an audio beam is formed so that a virtual sound source is formed by the positional relationship between the communication conference system and the sound source on the sound collection side. Thereby, sound image localization that matches the video can be performed, and a more realistic conference environment can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, a panoramic image is acquired by a plurality of cameras, and an image of a region where a sound source is detected is cut out (electronically panned) and output, thereby having a simple configuration without a mechanical mechanism. While being able to change the pan at high speed, the cameras arranged at both ends of the photographing device can photograph the sound source (speaker) clearly from the front by photographing the inside direction of each other. .

  A communication conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication conference system. As shown in the figure, this communication conference system includes a plurality of speakers 1A to 1M, a plurality of microphones 2A to 2M, a plurality of (three in the figure) cameras 3A to 3C, an audio signal processing unit 4, and image processing. Unit 5, controller 6, input / output interface 7, and display 8.

  The plurality of speakers 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> M and the plurality of microphones 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> M are connected to the audio signal processing unit 4. The three cameras 3A, 3B, and 3C are connected to the image processing unit 5. The audio signal processing unit 4 and the image processing unit 5 are connected to the input / output interface 7 and to the controller 6. The controller 6 is connected to the input / output interface 7. The input / output interface 7 is connected to another communication conference system via a network or the like. The display 8 is connected to the input / output interface 7 and the image processing unit 5.

  This communication conference system inputs audio signals from other communication conference systems connected via a network or the like, emits audio from a plurality of speakers 1, collects audio from a plurality of microphones 2, and performs other communication. Output audio signals to the conference system. In addition, video data is input from another communication conference system, displayed on the display 8, and video data captured by a plurality of cameras 3 is output to another communication conference system. Thus, what is called a videophone (video conference) is realized. Further, this communication conference system detects the position (region) of the speaker by the plurality of microphones, and outputs an image of the detected speaker region to another communication conference system.

  The plurality of speakers 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> M are linearly arranged to constitute a speaker array (see FIG. 6). A plurality of microphones 2A to 2M are also arranged on a straight line to constitute a microphone array (see FIG. 6). The three cameras 3A, 3B, and 3C are installed at positions (see FIG. 6) that are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and are installed so that the field of view is continuous. Details will be described later.

  As the speaker 1, a cone type speaker is generally used, but other types such as a horn type speaker may be used. Further, the number of speakers arranged in the speaker array and the spacing between the speakers are appropriately set according to the environment where the communication conference system is installed, the required frequency band, and the like.

  The audio signal input to each speaker 1 is determined by the audio signal processing unit 4. An audio signal input from another conference system via the input / output interface 7 is input to the audio signal processing unit 4. This audio signal is given a predetermined delay amount by the audio signal processing unit 4 based on the information indicating the sound source position input to the controller 6 from the other conference system via the input / output interface 7, and each speaker 1. Is input. Each speaker 1 emits the input audio signal as audio. In FIG. 1, a D / A converter that converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, an amplifier that amplifies the signal, and the like are omitted.

  For example, when audio signals having the same delay amount are simultaneously input to all the speakers 1, audio (sound waves) is output from each speaker 1 simultaneously. The sound waves output from the speaker 1 propagate radially, but these combined wavefronts are parallel and propagate only forward, that is, sound beams. The components propagating in the other directions are canceled by combining the components output from the speakers 1 (by interfering with each other), and only the components directed forward are strengthened by the synthesis and remain as sound beams.

  Further, when sound is first output from the speaker 1 at one end and then sound is sequentially output from the adjacent speaker 1 every time a predetermined time elapses, the combined wavefront is inclined according to the delay time, and the sound beam is Can be directed diagonally. Thus, by arranging the speakers 1 in a line in the horizontal direction, directivity control in an arbitrary direction in the horizontal direction can be performed.

  The above description is the delay processing when a plane wave is output. By appropriately controlling the delay of the signal output to each speaker 1, the beam is focused in front (or behind) the speaker array. (See FIG. 8).

  When sound is emitted at a position in the front area of each microphone 2, each microphone 2 picks up the sound. The microphone 2 outputs an audio signal from the collected audio to the audio signal processing unit 4. The microphone 2 is generally a dynamic microphone, but other types such as a condenser microphone may be used. Further, the number of microphones arranged in the microphone array and the interval between the microphones are appropriately set according to the environment where the communication conference system is installed, the required frequency band, and the like. In FIG. 1, front-end amplifiers and A / D converters for converting analog audio signals into digital audio signals are omitted. The audio signal output from each microphone 2 is synthesized by the audio signal processing unit 4 and output to the input / output interface 7. The input / output interface 7 outputs this audio signal to another conference system or the like. When sound is collected by each microphone 2, the sound is propagated with a propagation time corresponding to the distance between each microphone 2 and the sound source, so that there is a difference in sound collection timing in each microphone 2.

  Here, for example, if sound waves arrive at all the microphones 2 from the front at the same timing, the audio signals output from the respective microphones 2 are strengthened by synthesis. On the other hand, when sound waves arrive from other directions, the audio signals output from the microphones 2 are weakened by being synthesized because they have different phases. Therefore, the sensitivity of the array microphone is narrowed down into a beam shape, and the main sensitivity (sound collecting beam) is formed only in the front.

  The audio signal processing unit 4 can direct the sound collection beam obliquely by giving a predetermined delay time to the audio signal output from each microphone 2. When the sound collecting beam is inclined, the sound signal is set to be sequentially output from the adjacent microphone 2 every time a predetermined time elapses from one end microphone 2. For example, when the sound source is present in front of one end of the microphone array, the sound wave comes from one end closest to the sound source, and the sound wave comes last to the opposite end. In order to correct this propagation time difference, the audio signal of each microphone 2 is added with a delay time and then synthesized. Thereby, the audio signal in this direction can be strengthened by synthesis. Therefore, by sequentially delaying the audio signals output from the microphones 2 arranged in a row from one end to the other end, the sound collection beam is inclined according to the delay time.

  Although the above description is the delay processing in the case of picking up plane waves, by appropriately controlling the delay of the signal output from each microphone 2, the sound collecting beam is placed in front of (or behind) the microphone array. A focal point can also be given (see FIG. 8).

  Also, a plurality of sound collecting beams can be formed simultaneously. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part connected to the microphone 2 in the audio signal processing unit 4. The microphones 2A to 2M are connected to the digital filters 41A to 41M of the audio signal processing unit 4, respectively. The sound collected by the microphones 2A to 2M is input to the digital filters 41A to 41M as a digital sound signal. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of only the digital filter 41A among the digital filters 41A to 41M. However, the other digital filters 41B to 41M have the same structure and perform the same operation. It is.

  The digital filter 41A includes a delay buffer 42A having a plurality of stages of outputs. The amount of delay at each stage of the delay buffer 42A is set according to the arrangement of the microphones 2 in the microphone array and the area in front of the microphone array (area for detecting a speaker). In this example, the delay buffer 42A has four-stage outputs, and these output signals are input to the FIR filters 431A to 434A.

  The delay buffer 42A buffers audio signals obtained by adding different delay times to the audio signal output from the microphone 2A, and outputs the delayed audio signals to the FIR filters 431A to 434A. Here, the delayed audio signals output to the FIR filters 431A to 434A correspond to the respective areas in front of the microphone array. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a sound source direction detection method. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the relationship between the positional relationship between the sound source and the microphone and the delay when the sound generated from the sound source is picked up by each microphone, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a concept of forming a delay correction amount based on a delay of a collected audio signal.

  As shown in the figure, in this communication conference system, four partial areas 101 to 104 are set in front of the microphone array. The sound generated in the partial area 101 is first picked up by the nearest microphone 2A. Then, sound is collected by each microphone in order according to the distance between the partial area 101 and the microphone 2, and finally collected by the farthest microphone (microphone 2L in the figure). On the other hand, the sound generated in the partial area 104 is collected first by the nearest microphone 2L, sequentially collected by each microphone according to the distance between the partial area 104 and the microphone 2, and finally collected by the farthest microphone 2A. Sounded. Thus, the sound generated in each region is collected with a delay time (delay) corresponding to the distance from the microphone.

  Here, for the partial area 101, as shown in FIG. 3B, the audio signals collected by the microphones 2A to 2L are subjected to delay processing. That is, the corresponding delay correction amount is set so as to correct the delay shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, the partial area 104 is subjected to delay processing on the audio signals collected by the microphones 2A to 2L.

  A delayed sound signal for forming a sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial region 101 is generated in the delay buffer 42A and output to the FIR filter 431A. In addition, a delayed sound signal for forming a sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial region 102 is output to the FIR filter 432A. Similarly, a delayed sound signal for forming a sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial area 103 is output to the FIR filter 433A, and a delayed sound signal for forming a sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial area 104 is supplied to the FIR filter 434A. Is output. The delay amounts of these delayed audio signals are set according to the distance between the microphone 2 and each area as shown in FIG. For example, the delayed audio signal corresponding to the partial area 101 has a large delay amount because the distance between the microphone 2A and the partial area 101 is short, and the delayed audio signal corresponding to the partial area 104 has a distance between the microphone 2A and the partial area 104. The delay is small because it is farthest away.

  In FIG. 2, the FIR filters 431A to 434A all have the same configuration, and filter and output the delayed audio signals input thereto. The FIR filters 431A to 434A can set a detailed delay time that cannot be realized by the delay buffer 42A. That is, by setting the sampling period and the number of taps of the FIR filter to desired values, for example, when the sampling period in the delay buffer 42A is an integer part of the delay time, the decimal part of the delay time can be realized. it can.

  The delayed audio signals output from the FIR filters 431A to 434A are amplified by the respective amplifiers 441A to 444A and input to the adders 45A to 45D. The other digital filters 41B to 41M have the same configuration as that of the digital filter 41A, and output delayed audio signals to the adders 45A to 45D in accordance with delay conditions set in advance.

  The adder 45A synthesizes the delayed audio signals input from the digital filters 41A to 41M, and generates a sound collection beam corresponding to the partial area 101 in FIG. Similarly, the adder 45B synthesizes the delayed audio signals input from the digital filters 41A to 41M to generate a sound collection beam corresponding to the sound collection region 102 in FIG. 3, and the adder 45C The delayed sound signals input from the filters 41A to 41M are synthesized to generate a sound collection beam corresponding to the partial region 103 in FIG. Further, the adder 45D synthesizes the delayed audio signals input from the digital filters 41A to 41M, and generates a sound collection beam corresponding to the partial region 104 in FIG.

  The collected sound beams output from the adders 45 </ b> A to 45 </ b> D are output to a band pass filter (BPF) 46. The BPF 46 filters each sound collection beam and outputs a sound collection beam in a predetermined frequency band to the level determination unit 47. Here, the BPF 46 uses the fact that the frequency band to be beamed differs depending on the width of the microphone array and the installation interval of the microphones 2, and sets the frequency band corresponding to the sound to be collected by each sound collecting beam as the pass band. Set. For example, if the voice to be collected is the voice of the speaker, a frequency band corresponding to the human voice band may be set as the pass band.

  The level determination unit 47 compares the levels of the sound collecting beams and selects the sound collecting beam having the highest level. A high sound collecting beam level means that a sound source (speaker) exists in the region corresponding to the sound collecting beam, and the sound source existing region is detected when the sound collecting beam is divided into the four regions shown in FIG. can do. The level determination unit 47 outputs information indicating the sound source existing area to the controller 6. Note that the level determination unit 47 may simply output the information of the collected sound beam having the highest level to the controller 6 so that the controller 6 determines the corresponding region.

  The controller 6 sets the selector 48 to select and output a sound collection beam corresponding to the sound source existing area. The selector 48 receives the sound collection beams output from the adders 45 </ b> A to 45 </ b> D and outputs only the sound collection beams set by the controller 6. The output of the selector 48 is input to the input / output interface 7 and output to another communication conference system or the like. Therefore, this communication conference system can clearly transmit only the voice of the speaker to another conference system or the like. Further, the controller 6 outputs the position information of the sound source to the input / output interface 7 so that the sound source existing area is reproduced in another communication conference system (so that a virtual sound source is formed at the transmission destination). . The position information of the sound source is based on information indicating the sound source existing area determined by the level determination unit 47. The position information may be information (sound source position coordinates or the like) indicating a sound source existing area, or information indicating a delay time set for each speaker 1.

  The camera 3 is configured by an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, and continuously captures the front of the communication conference system and acquires an image in front of the communication conference system. Note that the camera 3 does not have to be a high-definition image sensor, and only needs to have a performance of a degree of definition (0.3 M pixel / frame) required for a video conference. Each camera 3 is linearly arranged at a position separated from each other by a predetermined distance.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a camera shooting range. The three cameras 3A, 3B, and 3C are arranged in a straight line. Further, the camera 3B is disposed at the center position, and the cameras 3A and 3C are disposed at the end portions. The camera 3A and the camera 3C arranged at the end are arranged so as to face the inner direction (front center direction), that is, so that the photographing visual field ranges intersect. Here, each camera photographing range is arranged so as to overlap (overlap) at the end of the range. In the figure, the right end of the shooting range of the camera 3A and the left end of the shooting range of the camera 3B overlap, and the left end of the shooting range of the camera 3C and the right end of the shooting range of the camera 3B overlap. Therefore, in the cameras 3A to 3C, substantially the same image as that obtained when the camera is rotated (changing pan) at the position 30 where the shooting range center axes intersect is obtained. That is, the same effect as when a camera is virtually installed at the position 30 and the pan is changed can be obtained.

  An image acquired by each camera 3 is output to the image processing unit 5. The image processing unit 5 combines the images acquired by the cameras 3 to generate a panoramic image. That is, since the field of view of each camera 3 overlaps at each end portion, a panoramic image can be generated by combining (connecting) the end portions. In general, in a teleconference, there is a conference desk at the front center position of the teleconference system, and there are conference participants surrounding the conference desk. Therefore, the camera 3A and the camera 3C arranged at the end shoot the inside direction of each other. By doing so, it becomes easy to photograph the front faces of the participants.

  In FIG. 4, conference participants 200 </ b> A and 200 </ b> B exist on the left side of the paper near the front center of the teleconference system (right side when viewed from the teleconference system). In addition, the conference participant 200C exists at the front center of the communication conference system, and the conference participants 200D and 200E exist on the right side of the paper near the front center of the communication conference system (left side when viewed from the communication conference system). Each conference participant 200A to 200E exists so as to surround the conference desk 210 near the front center of the communication conference system. Accordingly, the conference participants 200A and 200B on the left side of the paper face substantially the direction of the camera 3C, and the conference participants 200D and 200E on the right side of the paper face almost the direction of the camera 3A.

  This makes it easier to capture the front faces of the conference participants than when shooting each conference participant by changing the pan with a single camera installed near the communication conference system.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image processing unit 5. The images of the cameras 3A, 3B, and 3C are input to the composition processing unit 51 of the image processing unit 5. The composition processing unit 51 combines the images as described above to generate a panoramic image. This panoramic image is output to the image buffer 52. The image buffer 52 buffers this panoramic image. The extraction unit 53 reads the panoramic image buffered by the image buffer 52, cuts out a partial area, and outputs it to the input / output interface 7. The area to be cut out is determined by the controller 6.

  As described above, the controller 6 acquires information indicating the sound source existing area. Therefore, the controller 6 sets the extraction unit 53 to cut out an image of an area where the sound source exists. The extraction unit 53 cuts out an image of an area where the sound source exists and outputs it to the input / output interface 7. As a result, only the image of the area where the sound source exists is transmitted to another communication conference system. Therefore, the sound and video of the speaker are clearly output without outputting sound (noise) and images other than the speaker as the sound source.

  In addition, although the image of the communication destination input from other communication conference systems is displayed on the display 8, it is also possible to display the image of the speaker himself from the image processing unit 5 (extraction unit 53). An image displayed on the communication destination on the display 8 can be confirmed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the communication conference system, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a camera photographing range and a sound source detection region range. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication conference system includes a microphone array including a plurality of (for example, 15) microphones 2 installed on an upper portion of a display 8 and a speaker array including a plurality of (for example, 12) speakers 1. A plurality of (for example, three) cameras 3 are provided. The display 8 displays an image received from another communication conference system. The three cameras 3 are arranged on the same straight line as the plurality of speakers 1 and are arranged at equal intervals in the same manner as the speakers 1 of the speaker array in appearance. That is, of the 15 speakers 1 that should be originally arranged, the camera 3 is arranged in place of the speaker 1 at a position inside the center position and the left and right end portions. When the camera is replaced with a speaker, the camera is not conspicuous in appearance and has a clean structure. The position of the camera 3 is not limited to this example, but the speakers 1 are installed at the left and right ends of the speaker array in order to ensure the sound beam width of the speaker array.

  As described above, in the communication conference system, sound collection beams are set in the four sound source detection partial areas 101 to 104 by the microphone array. In FIG. 7A, the sound source 250 exists in the partial area 103. Therefore, the level of the sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial area 103 is the highest, and the controller 6 determines that a sound source exists in the partial area 103.

  When the controller 6 determines that there is a sound source, it instructs the image buffer 52 to output a panoramic image to the extraction unit 53. In addition, the extraction unit 53 is instructed to cut out and output an image of a portion corresponding to the partial region 103. Accordingly, in the panoramic image indicated by the broken line shown in FIG. 5B, an image area corresponding to the partial area 103 indicated by the solid line is output from the extraction unit 53 to the input / output interface 7, and the speaker ( The image of the sound source 250) can be clearly obtained.

  Here, for example, when an utterance is made in a different area (for example, the partial area 101), the level of the sound collecting beam corresponding to the partial area 101 becomes the highest, and the controller 6 determines that a sound source exists in the partial area 101. . Therefore, the controller 6 instructs the extraction unit 53 to cut out and output the image of the part corresponding to the partial area 101. At this time, instead of moving the camera mechanically to change the pan, the image of the desired area of the buffered panoramic image is cut out (the pan is changed electronically), so the structure is simpler than before. However, the output image can be changed at high speed.

  Moreover, the following effects can be acquired by using the communication conference system of this embodiment for both the transmission side and the reception side. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining directivity characteristics. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the directivity characteristics (sound collecting beam) of the microphone array on the transmission side. In the figure, the sound emitted from the sound source 250 arrives in order from the nearest microphone 2, but delays each microphone 2 so that the sound emitted from the sound source is output in the same phase by each microphone 2. Focus on the sound collection beam.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the directivity characteristics of the speaker array on the receiving side. In the figure, the received audio signal is output from each speaker 1. At this time, based on the sound source position information on the transmission side input to the controller 6 via the input / output interface 7, the virtual sound source is determined by the positional relationship between the communication conference system and the sound source 250 as shown in FIG. Form. The sound is first output from the speaker 1 closest to the virtual sound source, and is sequentially output from the adjacent speaker 1 with a delay. By sequentially delaying in this way, the sound beam can be focused, and sound image localization can be achieved as if the sound was emitted from the position of the speaker. Therefore, compared with the conventional communication conference system, sound image localization that matches the video can be performed, and a more realistic conference environment can be obtained.

  Next, the operation of this communication conference system will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication conference system. First, the audio signal collected by each microphone 2 is input to the audio signal processing unit 4 (s11). Thereafter, a plurality of stages of delayed audio signals are formed by the delay buffers of the digital filters 41A to 41M (s12). The plurality of delayed audio signals output from the delay buffer are combined by a plurality of adders corresponding to the sound source detection areas, respectively, to form a plurality of sound collecting beams (s13). The level determination unit 47 compares the levels of the plurality of sound collection beams corresponding to each sound source detection region (s14).

  The controller 6 determines that a speaker is present in the sound source detection area corresponding to the sound collecting beam having the highest level (s15). After that, the controller 6 sets the image processing unit 5 so as to cut out the image of the sound source detection area determined that the speaker is present, and outputs the sound collection beam corresponding to this area to the selector 48 of the audio signal processing unit 4. (S16). Thereafter, the voice signal of the speaker is output from the voice signal processing unit 4 and the image of the speaker is output from the image processing unit 5 to the input / output interface 7 (s17).

  In the present embodiment, an example in which sound sources are detected in the four front areas has been described. However, the sound sources may be detected in more areas. Many sound source detection areas can be set by changing the number of stages of the delay buffer 42A in FIG. In the present embodiment, the example in which the position of the speaker is detected by the microphone array has been described. However, the position may be detected by another sensor such as an infrared sensor. Further, an image captured by a camera may be analyzed, and the position of the speaker may be detected by image recognition.

  Furthermore, the arrangement of the microphone array is not limited to the above, and any arrangement may be used as long as the microphone array includes a plurality of microphones arranged in a predetermined pattern (for example, a microphone array arranged in a matrix). Also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, by arranging microphones in a multi-dimensional circular pattern, a sound source can be detected from any direction, and by applying this to the configuration of the present invention, electronically Not only an example of changing the pan, it is also possible to change the tilt according to the position of the speaker.

Block diagram showing configuration of teleconferencing system Block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the audio signal processing unit Diagram showing sound source detection area Diagram showing camera shooting range Block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit The figure which shows an example of the external appearance of a teleconference system Diagram showing camera shooting range and sound source detection range Diagram explaining directional characteristics Flow chart showing operation of teleconferencing system Configuration diagram of microphone array with microphones arranged in a circle

Explanation of symbols

1-speaker 2-microphone 3-camera 4-audio signal processing unit 5-image processing unit 6-controller 7-input / output interface 8-display

Claims (4)

Sound source position detecting means for detecting a sound source position;
A plurality of cameras installed in different directions so that the field of view is at least continuous and the field of view intersects each other;
Image cutout means for cutting out an image of a range including a sound source position detected by the sound source position detection means from continuous images taken by the plurality of cameras;
An imaging device with The sound source position detecting means includes a microphone array configured by arranging a plurality of microphones;
Collected sound signal processing means for forming a plurality of sound collecting beams that pick up sound of a specific region at a high level by synthesizing the sound signals picked up by the plurality of microphones by delaying each by a predetermined time, and
A sound signal selecting means for determining that a sound source is present in the direction of the sound collecting beam having the highest level among the plurality of sound collecting beams formed by the sound collecting signal processing means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: An imaging device according to claim 2;
An audio signal of a sound collection beam selected by the sound collection signal selection unit, and an image signal output by the image cutout unit, and a transmission / reception unit that inputs an audio signal and an image signal from the outside;
Voice output means for emitting voice based on the voice signal input by the transceiver means;
Display means for displaying an image based on the image signal input by the transmission / reception means;
Teleconferencing system with The audio output means includes a speaker array configured by arranging a plurality of speakers,
A sound emission signal processing means for forming a sound beam that emits sound at a high level in a specific area by outputting the sound signals input by the transmission / reception means to each of the plurality of speakers with a predetermined time delay.
Consists of
The sound emission signal processing means forms an audio beam so that a virtual sound source is formed at the sound source position on the sound collection side, and the position of the sound source in the image displayed on the display means, and the virtual sound source The communication conference system according to claim 3, wherein the sound beams are controlled so that the positions of the sound sources are the same or in the same direction.

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