JPH05506337A - Videophone device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Videophone device A videophone terminal (also called a camera) and a light source (lighting equipment) (also referred to as a "video phone"). What does "videophone terminal" mean here? , also means a video conference terminal or video conference device, and the two ministries are collectively referred to as "TV". shall be referred to as "telephone device".

The display and video camera are housed in a series of cases and are The source is fixed to the ceiling.

Conference equipment may include one large primary monitor and two auxiliary monitors. In most cases, the problem is the lighting mode. Because light is Since it is not directly irradiated from the direction of the screen, the user of the video conference device, i.e. The person who sends his/her video and audio using the conference device (hereinafter simply referred to as the "sender") This is because when looking at the monitor screen, one feels an unpleasant glare.

Moreover, the receiver (the person who receives the image and audio of the caller) receives the message from the front. The camera is placed close to the monitor, as it is preferable to send an image of the speaker. . In current technology, the light source is placed close to the ceiling and the light is placed in line with the speaker's line of sight. The monitor is positioned so that it is illuminated from above. Generally speaking, the speaker Since you sit behind your desk facing the camera and video, one solution is to use a light source (light fixture). is placed on the surface of the desk, and the light is emitted from below the monitor, taking into consideration the line of sight of the person who is speaking. The goal is to ensure that In some cases, a special light fixed towards the speaker The background lighting of the room can be improved by providing a source. however , horizontal illumination often significantly enhances the contrast of images, e.g. of faces. This is not sufficient, however, as the speaker generally sits behind a desk but is not directly at the camera. In some cases, the person may stand directly in front of the camera or video camera.

When using a videophone, the caller must be seated or standing at the videophone. The location is much closer than in the case of the video conferencing equipment described above, Lighting is provided by a separate light source (luminaire).

Menzutachi! j The purpose of the invention is to ensure that the lighting for the speaker is as comfortable as possible, taking into account the person's line of sight. A videophone device configured to (for example, a video conferencing terminal).

To achieve this objective, according to the present invention, a light source is attached to the videophone device itself. The light source is carried along with the videophone device and can be used at any time. Even the TV is kept usable and oriented correctly It is possible to use the telephone device regardless of the environmental conditions. It will be done.

According to the basic configuration of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, The light from the dimmed light source is reflected off the room and the immediate walls to provide sufficient light to the caller. characteristic In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the videophone device includes: , with a separate reflector that can be brought into operational position as required. this According to the configuration, the videophone device can be used even in dark-toned rooms, so , the videophone device can be made completely independent of the place where it is used.

According to the invention, the horizontal illumination is primarily indirect illumination. As a light source, so-called It is advantageous to use a low intensity light source. This is because the caller is using the videophone device. Even when standing in front of the device, the light source placed at the top of the device will not cause glare. It is.

゛　の　な− FIG. 1 is a front view of a video conference device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the video conference device of FIG. 1.

This shows how it is used.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the video telephone terminal, showing how it is used.

1 hill j To explain with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the video conference terminal ("TV conference") of the present invention will be explained. (also referred to as ``device'') is equipped with wheels to facilitate movement to the desired position. It is housed in a cabinet 1 equipped with 5. Main equipment of this video conference equipment supplies monitor (display) 2, video camera 3, and data to the transmission line. A so-called codec (coder/decoder) is used to decode data from the transmission line. Although it is advantageous to store the decoder, which is a , 8, not shown in the figure, is an auxiliary monitor.

In a video conference, the speaker typically sits behind a desk 9 and is approximately 2- A video camera 3, located 3 meters away, is placed above the monitor 2.

This video conference device includes a light source (lighting device) 4 directed upward.

The light source 4 is preferably a so-called low-intensity fluorescent lamp that strongly limits the irradiation angle. I usually use two 36W fluorescent lights as a light source.The walls and ceiling of the room are bright. If there is a color tone, the light from the lighting equipment or light source will be properly reflected to the speaker. Ru. The light source is advantageously placed close to the rear wall of the cabinet l; If the videoconferencing equipment Indirect lighting can be projected onto the speaker.

If necessary, a raised/lowered or retractable rear counter with sufficient surface area is provided. 6 can be used, in which case the ray no longer emanates from a point. (The shape emanates from the surface. With the aid of such a separate reflector, one of the techniques of the present invention Levi conferencing equipment no longer requires a special room and can be placed in any room or be placed regardless of the distance from the wall or ceiling of the room, or regardless of existing lighting fixtures. Can be done.

Figure 2 also shows a person standing, but even in a standing position, the video conferencing equipment The monitor 2 can be viewed without being obstructed by the light source 4 located behind the I can do it. Ii7 shown in FIG. 2 is such that the speaker does not perceive the illumination beam as strong. is the lower limit of the effective illumination ray. In other words, the effective illumination ray is the line 7 shown in FIG. At a lower level, the speaker feels the light beam is too bright.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector 6 is mounted on the rear wall of the videoconferencing device and is It is shown in a raised position. Alternatively, reflectors can be used in videoconferencing equipment. It can also be configured so that the angle of the reflector can be adjusted by attaching it to the cover of the Wear.

FIG. 3 shows a videophone terminal according to the present invention.The usage environment of the videophone is as follows: The distance is slightly different from that of a video conference device. The videophone is placed on a suitable table 1o. The person making the call sits facing the videophone. Or, the position you stand in should be the same as above. The caller sits in front of the videophone, which is much closer than in the case of a TV conference device. Alternatively, the standing position may be considerably different from that shown in Figure 3 compared to the case of the video conferencing device described above. The components of the video telephone set are similar to those of the video conference device shown in Figures 1 and 2. The devices are designated with the same reference numerals. This video phone also has cabinet 1. It is stored in. In other words, the monitor (display), which is a component of the videophone, -) 2, video camera 3, codec (not shown) and light source 4 are installed in the cabinet. In the illustrated embodiment, the indirect illumination beam is placed below the speaker. A reflector 6 is pivotally hinged to the rear wall of the cabinet 1.

international search report International Examination” PCT/FI 9°7°.1

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cabinet (1) and a display (2) housed in the cabinet , a videophone device comprising a video camera (3) and a light source (4), the videophone device comprising: A light source (4) is arranged above said cabinet (1) and is directed substantially upwardly. A videophone device characterized in that it is oriented at an angle toward or toward the rear. 2. A low luminous intensity lighting device is used as the light source (4). The video telephone device according to claim 1. 3. The light source (4) is located close to the rear wall of the cabinet (1). The videophone device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. A claim characterized in that it includes a pivotable or retractable reflector (6). The video telephone device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The reflector (6) is located above and behind the cabinet (1). Claim 4 characterized in that it is configured so that it can be raised from the side. The videophone device described in . 6. The reflector (6) is hinged to the cabinet (1) adjacent to the rear wall. 5. The portable cover according to claim 4, characterized in that the portable cover comprises a videophone device.