JPH06315144A - Video telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To appropriately detect a position of a caller, and to transmit image pickup information of the caller to a called party by controlling an image pickup range of an image pickup means, so that a transmitter--receiver or the part determined in advance, of the transmitter-receiver is contained in a prescribed area of the image pickup range. CONSTITUTION:In this video telephone system, in the case that a caller moves in a room, while holding a transmitter-receiver 80, a light beam from a light beam emitting part 1 is detected by a CCD photosensor through slots 31a, 31b by a light beam receiving part provided to a telephone set main body 82, and (x), (y) and (z) coordinates of the light beam emitting part 1 are detected. Subsequently, based on the detected coordinates of the light beam emitting part 1, a camera 82b is rotated by using the (x) and the (y) axes as rotational axes, and even in the case that the caller moves in a room, the caller can be picked up through a lens 82f of the camera 82b. That is, by detecting the light from the light beam emitting part 1 provided to the transmitter-receiver, the direction of the transmitter-receiver is detected, and an image related to the caller is picked up appropriately.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone apparatus for pointing a camera in the direction of a transmitter and picking up an image of a caller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a television telephone device capable of photographing a caller with a camera and transmitting the picked-up information to the other party. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-63287 discloses a videophone device capable of capturing an image of a caller even when the caller moves. In this television telephone device, for example, the light receiving unit detects infrared light from the light emitting unit attached to the cordless handset, and the orientation of the camera is controlled based on the detection.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining infrared light detection in the light receiving section and control of the orientation of the camera.
The transmitter / receiver of this television telephone device has a light emitting unit 172.
Is attached to the main body of the telephone, the light receiving unit 178, the computing unit 180, the motors 182 and 184, the imaging range moving mechanism 1
86 is provided. The light receiving section 178 is a four-division optical sensor, and has four light receiving elements 178a, 178b, 178c, and 178d each having the same light receiving area. Further, the motor 182 drives the horizontal rotational movement of the camera, and the motor 184 drives the vertical rotational movement of the camera. In this television telephone device, the infrared light from the light receiving section 172 such as an LED passes through the condenser lens 174 and the infrared light transmitting filter 176, and the light receiving section 178.
Are detected by the light receiving elements 178a, 178b, 178c and 178d. Light receiving elements 178a, 178b, 178c,
From 178d, detection signals S178a, S178b, S178c, and S1 corresponding to the intensity of the infrared light detected respectively.
78d is output to the calculation unit 180 via an amplifier, a signal separator, an A / D converter, and the like.

In the calculation unit 80, the detection signals S178a, S178
Based on the data indicated by 178b, S178c, and S178d, the detection signal S180b is output to the motor 184 so that the following arithmetic expression (1) is satisfied, and the vertical rotation movement of the camera by the imaging range moving mechanism 186 is controlled. To do.

(Detection signal S178a + Detection signal S178b) = (Detection signal S178c + Detection signal S178d) (1)

Further, in the arithmetic unit 180, the detection signal S17
8a, S178b, S178c, and S178d, the detection signal S180a is output to the motor 82 so that the following calculation expression (2) is satisfied, and the imaging range moving mechanism 186 rotationally moves the camera in the left-right direction. To control.

(Detection signal S178a + Detection signal S178c) = (Detection signal S178b + Detection signal S178d) (2)

As described above, in the television telephone device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-63287, the above formula (1),
Based on (2), the intensity of infrared light detected by the four light receiving elements is calculated, and the image pickup range of the camera can be moved using the calculation result. Therefore, even when the caller holding the handset moves in the room, it is possible to detect the direction in which the caller is located and move the imaging range of the camera in that direction.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned television telephone device, the light receiving elements 178a, 178b,
The intensity of the infrared light detected by 178c and 178d is determined by the light emitting section 172 and the light receiving elements 178a, 178b, 178c and 17
Since it is inversely proportional to the distance from 8d, when the distance is long,
That is, when the caller is far away from the main body of the telephone, the difference in intensity between the light receiving elements becomes small, and the above formula (1),
It is not possible to accurately control the rotational movement of the camera in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction based on (2), and it is not possible to accurately capture the image of the caller.

Further, in the above-mentioned video telephone device, light from a fluorescent lamp or the like provided in the room and the light emitting section 17 are provided.
The infrared light from the light emitting section 1 emits infrared light having a light intensity such that the light receiving section 178 can identify and detect the infrared light.
72 is required to emit light, and the light receiver 1 is attached to the handset.
A fairly large power supply for the 72 needs to be installed. If a large power source is provided in the handset as described above, the size and weight of the handset becomes large, which is not preferable.

Further, in the above-mentioned video telephone device, in order to accurately detect the direction in which the light emitting section 172 of the handset is located based on the above equations (1) and (2), the light emitting section 172 of the handset is used. It is necessary that the optical axis of and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 178 be substantially vertical. That is, the light emitting unit 1
If the optical axis of 72 and the light receiving surface of the light receiving section 178 are not substantially perpendicular, the infrared light reaching the light receiving section 178 from the light emitting section 172,
Due to the decrease in the light intensity due to the deviation from the optical axis, the direction of the lens of the camera and the direction of the optical axis do not match when the above expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied, and the camera accurately determines the direction of the handset. Cannot be imaged. The influence of the deviation of the infrared light from the optical axis becomes more remarkable as the distance between the light emitting unit 172 and the light receiving unit 178 is shorter.

Further, in the above-mentioned video telephone device, the direction in which the light emitting portion 172 of the handset is located can be detected, but the distance between the main body of the handset and the handset cannot be detected, and the zoom function, etc. It is not possible to perform high-accuracy imaging using.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Even when a caller who has a handset moves in a room or the like, the position of the caller is appropriately detected and the image pickup information of the caller is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a videophone device capable of transmitting a message to the other party. Further, the present invention is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a television telephone device capable of capturing a highly accurate image.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above-mentioned object, a television telephone apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup means and a control for controlling an image pickup range of the image pickup means. And a control unit that controls the image pickup unit such that a predetermined area of the image pickup range includes a handset or a predetermined portion of the handset based on an image pickup result from the image pickup unit. Control the imaging range of. In this television telephone device, it is not necessary to provide a light emitting means in the handset, and it is not necessary to attach a large power source for the light emitting means to the handset.

Further, the control means of the video telephone apparatus of the present invention is based on, for example, an image pickup result from the image pickup means, a light from a light emitting means attached to a handset in a predetermined area of the image pickup range. Is controlled so that the imaging range of the imaging means is controlled.

The video telephone apparatus of the present invention is
Image pickup means, a handset to which the light emitting means is attached, a light emitting means for detecting light from the light emitting means by a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and a plurality of positions or regions in the two-dimensional shape. And a control unit for controlling the image pickup range of the image pickup unit based on the light intensity detected by the existing light receiving element.

Further, the television telephone device of the present invention is
It is characterized by further comprising: a control unit that performs sensitivity adjustment according to the light intensity detected by the light receiving element, and controls the imaging range of the imaging unit based on the sensitivity-adjusted light intensity.

Further, the image pickup means of the television telephone device of the present invention has a zoom function, detects the distance between the light emitting means and the light receiving means based on the light intensity detected by the light receiving element, It is characterized by further comprising zoom adjusting means for adjusting the zoom of the image pickup means based on the detected distance. According to this videophone device, it is possible to perform high-accuracy imaging by zooming the face of the caller holding the handset to a predetermined size by using the zoom adjustment.

Further, the video telephone apparatus of the present invention is
The light receiving means for detecting the light from the light emitting means at at least two different positions in the three-dimensional space, and the light receiving means,
Detection means for detecting the position of the light emitting means in the three-dimensional space based on the position where the light from the light emitting means is detected, and control for controlling the imaging range of the imaging means based on the detection result of the detecting means. And means.

Further, the light receiving means of the television telephone device of the present invention is, specifically, a light collecting portion provided at at least two different positions in the three-dimensional space for collecting the light from the light emitting means. And a light receiving unit for detecting the light collected by the light collecting unit, wherein the detecting unit is a distance between the two light collecting units of the light receiving unit in the X direction and a predetermined position in the light receiving unit. Based on the distance in the X direction between the position where the light is detected and the position where the light is detected, and the distance in the Y direction between the light collecting unit and the light receiving unit of the light receiving unit, the X and Y of the position of the light emitting unit in the three-dimensional space. Direction position is detected, the Z direction distance between the two light collecting portions of the light receiving means, and the Z direction distance between a predetermined position in the light receiving portion and the light detection position.
The position of the light emitting means in the three-dimensional space in the Y and Z directions is detected based on the distance in the Y direction between the light collecting portion and the light receiving portion of the light receiving means.

Further, the light receiving means of the television telephone device of the present invention has a plurality of storage elements arranged two-dimensionally, and among the plurality of storage elements detecting the light from the light emitting means, The position of the storage element located substantially at the center in the X direction and the Y direction is the position where the light is detected.

[0022]

In the video telephone apparatus of the present invention, for example, a caller holding a handset moves in a room while being imaged by the imaging means. The control means inputs, for example, an image pickup result from the image pickup means, and in the image pickup range of the image pickup means,
For example, the movement of the image of the antenna provided in the handset is detected, and the image pickup range of the image pickup unit is set so that the image of the antenna is included in a predetermined area in the picked-up image according to the detected movement of the antenna. Control.

Further, in the video telephone apparatus of the present invention, for example, a caller having a handset to which the light emitting means is attached moves in the room. The light from the light emitting means of the handset is detected by, for example, the light receiving means provided in the telephone body. Then, the detecting means detects the position of the light emitting means in the three-dimensional space based on the position where the light receiving means detects the light from the light emitting means. Then, the control unit controls the image pickup range of the image pickup unit based on the position where the detection unit detects light so that the caller who has the receiver is included in the image pickup range.
According to the television telephone device of the present invention, the handset 3
Since the position in the dimensional space can be accurately detected, the position of the caller can be accurately detected even when the caller with the handset is far away from the main body of the phone, and the caller can be appropriately detected by the image pickup means. It can be imaged.

[0024]

EXAMPLE A first example will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a video telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone body 82 includes an antenna 82a for transmitting and receiving call information to and from the handset 80 using radio waves as a communication medium, a camera 82b for picking up an image of a caller through a lens 82f, and a caller. A display 82d for displaying an image, a plurality of buttons 82e for inputting a telephone number and the like, and a slot 31 of the light beam receiving section.
a and 31b are provided. The camera 82b is attached to the telephone body 82 via the camera attachment portion 82c, and rotates vertically and horizontally with the X and Z axes as rotation axes.
The handset 80 is a cordless type, and is provided with an antenna 80a for transmitting and receiving call information to and from the telephone body 82 using radio waves as a communication medium, and a light beam emitting section 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the telephone body 82 of the television telephone apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
In the television telephone apparatus of this embodiment, the X, Y coordinate detection system 90 detects the X, Y coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 attached to the handset 80, and the Y, Z coordinate detection system 92 emits the light beam. The Y and Z coordinates of the part 1 are detected. Arithmetic control unit 94
Is an X, Y coordinate detection system 90 and a Y, Z coordinate detection system 92.
On the basis of the X, Y, Z coordinates of the light beam emitting unit 1 detected in step S1, the Z, X axis of the camera 82b is adjusted so that the image pickup range of the lens 82f includes the detected coordinates of the light beam emitting unit 1. Drive control signals S94a, 9
4b is output.

In this television telephone device, when the caller moves indoors while holding the handset 80, the light beam from the light beam emitting section 1 is transmitted by the light beam receiving section provided in the telephone main body 82. Slots 31a, 31
Light beam emitting unit 1 detected by CCD photo sensor via b
The X, Y, and Z coordinates of are detected. Then, based on the detected coordinates of the light beam emitting unit 1, the camera 82b is rotated about the X and Y axes as rotation axes, and even when the caller moves inside the room, the caller can also get the lens through the lens 82f of the camera 82b. Can be imaged.

FIG. 3 shows the light beam emitting section 1 of the handset 80, the slots 31a and 31b and the CCD optical sensors 36a and 36b forming the light beam receiving sections 2 and 3 in the television telephone apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a position in the X, Y, Z coordinate system of FIG. In the X, Y, Z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3, the slot 31a is the origin, the slot 31b is the coordinate (L, 0, K), and the CCD photosensor 36a.
The center Oa of the coordinates is (0, -d, 0), and the CCD photosensor 3
The center Ob of 6b is located at the coordinates (L, -d, K).

In this television telephone device, the coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 are (X, Y, Z), and the light beam from the light beam emitting section 1 is received by the light beam receiving sections 2 and 3 in the slots 31a and 31b. Through the CCD photosensors 36a, 36b
The X and Y coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 are detected based on the distances in the X direction from the centers Oa and Ob of the positions detected in step S3.
In addition, the centers Oa and Ob of the positions where the light beams from the light beam emitting unit 1 are detected by the CCD light sensors 36a and 36b by the light beam receiving units 2 and 3 through the slots 31a and 31b.
The Y and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 are detected based on the distance in the Z direction from.

The light beam emitting section 1 attached to the handset 80 will be described. The light beam emitting unit 1 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and when the caller moves in the room together with the handset 80, the light beam receiving units 2 and 3 provided in the telephone body store the light beam. A light beam having a light intensity sufficient for the element to react is emitted. The light beam emitting section 1 is preferably a light emitting diode that emits a light beam of a specific wavelength that is less likely to be affected by noise such as an electric light, for example, a light emitting diode that emits a light beam in the infrared region.

The X, Y coordinate detection system 90 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the X, Y coordinate detection system 90 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, an X, Y coordinate detection system 90
Is composed of the light beam receiving units 2 and 3, the light receiving unit driving circuit 4, the amplifier / peak detecting units 5 and 6, and the light beam coordinate detecting unit 7.

The light beam OPT emitted from the light beam emitting section 1 reaches the light beam receiving sections 2 and 3. Upon receiving the storage signal S1 from the light receiving unit drive circuit 4, the light beam receiving units 2 and 3 receive the light beams to the CCD photosensors 36a and 36b shown in FIG. 3, which are composed of a plurality of storage elements arranged two-dimensionally. Accumulate. Then, the light beam receivers 2 and 3 amplify / amplify the analog signals OB1 and OB2 corresponding to the light beams accumulated in the CCD photosensors 36a and 36b at the timing according to the read signal S2 from the light receiver drive circuit 4. It outputs to the detection units 5 and 6. Amplifier / Peak detector 5, 6
Inputs analog signals OB1 and OB2 created by scanning in the X direction from the light beam receiving units 2 and 3, and at the same time,
The storage element number signal S3 from the light receiving section drive circuit 4 is inputted, and the CCD photosensors 36a, 3 of the light beam receiving sections 2, 3 are inputted.
The central storage element numbers AD1 and AD2 as position information indicating the center of the number of the storage element that has stored the light beam among the plurality of storage elements that form 6b are output to the light beam coordinate detection unit 7. The light beam coordinate detection unit 7 detects the two-dimensional coordinates of the light beam emission unit 1 based on the central storage element numbers AD1 and AD2 from the amplifier / peak detection units 5 and 6.

The light beam receiving section 2 will be described. When the light beam receiving unit 2 receives a storage signal S1 from the light receiving unit driving circuit 4 described later, the light beam receiving unit 2 stores the light beam from the light beam emitting unit 1 in the CCD photosensor 36a. And C
Analog signal OB1 according to the accumulation of the CD optical sensor 36a
Are sequentially output to the amplifier / peak detection unit 5 at timings corresponding to the read signal S2 from the light receiving unit drive circuit 4. FIG. 5A is a configuration diagram of the light beam receiving unit 2. Figure 5
As shown in (A), the light beam receiving section 2 has a slot 3
1a, a plano-convex lens 32, a cylindrical lens 34, and a CCD photosensor 36a. A diagram showing the relationship between the beam width and the light intensity of the light beam is shown on the right side of FIG.

The slot 31 a narrows the light beam from the light beam emitting section 1 and outputs it to the plano-convex lens 32. The plano-convex lens 32 inputs the light beam from the slot 31 a, and outputs the light beam parallel to the optical axis generatrix of the plano-convex lens 32 to the cylindrical lens 34 from a position corresponding to the incident angle of the light beam on the slot 31 a. That is, as shown in FIG.
The light beam incident on the slot 31a at the angle θ is refracted by the plano-convex lens 32 and is output to the cylindrical lens 34 from a position at a distance L from the optical axis generatrix. At this time, the size of L is θ
Proportional to.

The cylindrical lens 34 inputs the light beam from the slot 31a and determines the light beam based on the ratio of the input range of the light beam to the cylindrical lens 34 and the input range to the CCD photosensor 36a. The light is refracted so as to be reduced at a predetermined reduction ratio, and is output to the CCD photosensor 36a from a position corresponding to the input position to the cylindrical lens 34. That is, FIG.
As shown in (A), the light beam incident on the cylindrical lens 34 from the position of the distance L from the optical axis generatrix is reflected by the cylindrical lens 34.
The light is reduced at a predetermined reduction ratio and is output to the CCD photosensor 36a from a position at a distance L'from the optical axis bus. At this time, the ratio of K and K '(K / K'), that is, the reduction ratio, is determined by the output range (S) of the light beam of the plano-convex lens 32 and the input range (S ') of the light beam of the CCD photosensor 36a. Ratio (S /
S ').

The CCD optical sensor 36a accumulates the light beam output from the cylindrical lens 34 when receiving the accumulation signal S1 from the light receiving section drive circuit 4 which will be described later. The light beam accumulated in the CCD photosensor 36a is output to the amplifier / peak detector 5 as an analog signal OB1 as shown in FIG. The horizontal axis corresponds to the number of the storage element that constitutes the CCD photosensor 36a, and the vertical axis corresponds to the light intensity of the light beam stored by the storage element. At this time, the analog signal OB1 is a signal created by scanning the storage element of the CCD photosensor 36a in the X direction. CCD light sensor 36a
As a CC with 4096 storage elements, for example
A D area sensor or the like is used. This light beam receiver 2
Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the accumulation position K of the light beam on the CCD photosensor 36a is determined by the slot 31a of the light beam.
Is proportional to the incident angle θ. The light beam receiver 3 is shown in FIG.
It is substantially the same as the light beam receiving section 2 as shown in FIG.

The light receiving section drive circuit 4 will be described. The light receiving section drive circuit 4 is connected to the above-mentioned light beam receiving sections 2 and 3 and the amplifier / peak detecting sections 5 and 6 described later, and the light beam storage timing of the light beam receiving section 2 and the amplifier from the light beam receiving section 2 are amplified. / Analog signal O to peak detector 5
The output timing of B1 is controlled. FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of the accumulated signal S1, the read signal S2, and the accumulated element number signal S3 generated by the light receiving unit drive circuit 4.

The accumulated signal S1 is output to the light beam receiving units 2 and 3. In the light beam receivers 2 and 3, when the storage signal S1 is at a high level, the CCD photosensors 36a of the light beam receivers 2 and 3 are in a state where charges can be accumulated, and the CCD photosensor 36a irradiated with the light beam is stored in the storage element. The light beam is accumulated.

The read signal S2 is transmitted to the light beam receiving section 2,
3 is output. The light beam receiving units 2 and 3 receive the signal S
The light beam accumulated in the CCD photosensor 36a is output to the amplifier / peak detectors 5 and 6 at a timing corresponding to 2.

The storage element number signal S3 is cleared (set to 0) at the timing when the high level of the storage signal S1 is output, and is sequentially incremented at the timing when the high level of the read signal S2 is output. Is output to the amplifier / peak detectors 5 and 6. The storage element number signal S3 indicates the number of the storage element that outputs the analog signal OB1 from the light beam receiving unit 2 to the amplifier / peak detecting unit 5. From the storage element number signal S3 input from the light receiving unit drive circuit 4, the amplifier / peak detection units 5 and 6
It is possible to identify the storage element of the CCD photosensor 36a that outputs the analog signal OB1 input from the light beam receiving unit 2.

The amplifier / peak detectors 5 and 6 will be described. The amplifier / peak detector 5 detects the center position of the analog signal OB1 input from the light beam receiver 2 and outputs the center storage element number corresponding to the detected center position to the light beam coordinate detector 7. FIG. 7A shows a configuration diagram of the amplifier / peak detector 5. As shown in FIG. 7 (A),
The amplifier / peak detector 5 includes an amplifier 40, a voltage comparator 42 as a voltage comparing means, a leading edge signal detector 44 as a leading edge detecting means, and a trailing edge signal detector 4 as a trailing edge detecting means.
6 and an arithmetic unit 48 as an arithmetic means.

The amplifier 40 is a CCD of the light beam receiving section 2.
It is connected to the optical sensor 36a, and the analog signal OB1 corresponding to the detected light as shown in FIG. 7B is input from the CCD optical sensor 36a. Then, the amplifier 40 amplifies the analog signal OB1 at a predetermined amplification factor and outputs the analog signal OB1.
1'is output to the voltage comparator 42 described later.

The voltage comparator 42 is an amplifier from the amplifier 40.
Log signal OB1 'and threshold voltage V _REFEnter and.
Then, the analog signal OB1 'and the threshold voltage V_REFWhen
And the voltage of the analog signal OB1 'is compared with the threshold voltage.
V_REFIf larger, a leading edge signal detector 44 and
And a pulse signal S54 to the trailing edge signal detector 46.
That is, the voltage comparator 42 includes the leading edge signal detector 44 and
For the trailing edge signal detector 46, the first point at point A in FIG.
Outputs pulse signal S54 and outputs the last pulse signal S5 at point B.
4 is output.

The leading edge signal detector 44 receives the pulse signal S54 from the voltage comparator 42 and the storage element number signal S3 from the light receiving section drive circuit 4. Then, the storage element number of the storage element number signal S3 input at the timing when the pulse signal S54 is first input from the voltage comparator 42 is stored.
That is, when the pulse signal S54 output at the point A in FIG. 7B is input, the leading edge signal detector 44 stores the storage element number of the storage element number signal S3 at that time. The trailing edge signal detector 46 receives the pulse 54 from the voltage comparator 42 and the storage element number signal S3 from the light receiving unit drive circuit 4. Then, from the voltage comparator 42, finally the pulse signal S5
Storage element number signal S input at the timing when 4 is input
The storage element number of 3 is stored. That is, the trailing edge signal detector 46 outputs the pulse signal S output at the point B in FIG.
When 54 is input, the storage element number of the storage element number signal S3 at that time is stored.

The arithmetic unit 48 inputs the above-mentioned storage element numbers from the leading edge signal detector 44 and the trailing edge signal detector 46, respectively, and outputs a central storage element number AD1 indicating an intermediate value of the values of these storage element numbers. It calculates and outputs this AD1 to the light beam coordinate detection unit 7. As a method of calculating this AD1, for example, the average value of the pixel number from the leading edge signal detector 44 and the storage element number from the trailing edge signal detector 46 is calculated. This AD1 indicates the number of the storage element located at the center of the plurality of storage elements of the CCD photosensor 36a that has received the light beam. The amplifier / peak detector 6 is substantially the same as the amplifier / peak detector 5.

The light beam coordinate detector 7 will be described.
The light beam coordinate detection unit 7 includes amplifier / peak detection units 5 and 6.
From the central storage element numbers AD1 and AD2 input from the
Detect coordinates. The principle of detecting the X and Y coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 in the light beam coordinate detecting section 7 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the X, Y, Z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the X, Y coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 8, when the X, Y, Z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3 is viewed with respect to the X, Y coordinate system, the light beam receiving unit 2 and the light beam receiving unit 3 are arranged at an interval L, and Slot 3 at a distance d from section 2
1a and 31b are provided. Slot 31 at this time
The coordinates of a are the origin (0, 0), and the coordinates of the slot 31b are (L, 0). Further, of the plurality of two-dimensionally arranged storage elements that constitute the CCD photosensor 36a of the light beam receiving unit 2, the negative direction of the X axis is the positive direction of the P axis from the central storage element located at the center. The positive direction of the X axis from the central storage element of the light beam receiving unit 3 is defined as the positive direction of the R axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the light beam emitting section 1 is located at the point A (X, Y, Z) in the X, Y, Z coordinate system, it is shown in FIG. 8 in the X, Y coordinate system. As shown
The light beam emitted from the point A (X, Y) reaches the slots 31a and 31b of the light beam receiving units 2 and 3, and is narrowed down by the slots 31a and 31b, and the CCD photosensors 36a and 36b.
Accumulate in. At this time, the position of the central storage element of the plurality of storage elements 36a in which the light beam is stored in the CCD photosensor 36a is p on the P-axis, and similarly in the case of the CCD photosensor 36b, the R-axis. The r above. At this time, the relationship among X, Y, p, q, L, and d is expressed by the following expression 3
And Equation 4.

P: X = d: Y (3) r: (L−X) = d: Y (4)

From equations 3 and 4, the following equations 5 and 6 are obtained.
Holds. X = p.L / (r + p) (5) Y = d.L / (r + p) (6) However, in the formulas 5 and 6, the following formula 7 is satisfied. r + p ≠ 0 (7)

Thus, if the distance L between the light beam receiving portions 2 and 3 is known, the CCD photosensors 36a, 3 which detect the light beams of the light beam receiving portions 2, 3 are detected.
It is possible to calculate the X and Y coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 that emitted the light beam from the center positions of the plurality of storage elements 6b. That is, the light beam coordinate detection unit 7 is located at the positions where the light beams on the P axis and the R axis are accumulated from the central storage element numbers AD1 and AD2 input from the amplifier / peak detection units 5 and 6, for example, p and r. And the X and Y coordinates of the light beam emitting unit 1, for example, A
(X, Y) is detected. However, in FIG.
If there is a light beam emitting unit in 0, the light beam emitting unit 1 cannot detect the light beam from the light beam emitting unit because the CCD photosensors 36a and 36b of the light beam receiving units 2 and 3 cannot detect it.
The position of cannot be detected.

Next, the arithmetic circuit of the light beam coordinate detecting portion 7 for calculating the position (X, Y) of the light beam emitting portion 1 by the above-described calculation method will be described. FIG. 9 shows an arithmetic circuit diagram of the light beam coordinate detection unit 7. As shown in FIG. 9, the arithmetic circuit of the light beam coordinate detecting unit 7 is composed of, for example, an adder 70, multipliers 72 and 74, and dividers 76 and 78. In this arithmetic circuit, p and r are input to the multiplier 70, and the addition result p + r is output to the divider 76 and the divider 78. Further, p and L are input to the multiplier 72, and the multiplication result p · L is output to the divider 76. Further, the multiplier 74
L and d are input to and the multiplication result d · L is output to the divider 78. Then, the divider 76 receives the addition result p + r from the adder 70 and the multiplication result p · L from the multiplier 72, and outputs these division results p · L / (p + r) as the X coordinate value. Further, the divider 78 outputs the addition result p + r from the adder 70 and the multiplication result d · L from the multiplier 74.
, And outputs the division result d · L / (p + r) as the value of the Y coordinate.

As described above, the X, Y coordinate detection system 90 can detect the X, Y coordinates in the three-dimensional coordinate system of the light beam emitting section 1 attached to the handset 80.

The Y, Z coordinate detection system 92 will be described.
The configuration of the Y, Z coordinate detection system 92 is the same as the configuration of the X, Y coordinate detection system 90 described above shown in FIG. However, Y,
In the Z coordinate detection system 92, the CCD of the light beam receiving units 2 and 3
The analog signals OB1 and OB2 corresponding to the light beams accumulated in the optical sensors 36a and 36b are output to the amplifier / peak detectors 5 and 6 with the Z-axis direction as the scanning direction. That is, the central storage element numbers AD1 and AD2 output from the amplifier / peak detectors 5 and 6 to the light beam coordinate detector 7
Corresponds to the center position where the light beams on the s-axis and the t-axis in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3 are accumulated. In the Y, Z coordinate detection system 92, the light beam coordinate detection unit 7 uses the central storage element numbers AD1, A input from the amplifier / peak detection units 5, 6.
Based on D2, the Y and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 are detected based on the following principle.

The principle of detecting the Y and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 in the light beam coordinate detecting section 7 will be described. Figure 1
0 is a diagram showing the X, Y, Z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the Y, Z coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 10, when the X, Y, Z coordinate system shown in FIG. 3 is viewed with respect to the Y, Z coordinate system, the light beam receiving unit 2 and the light beam receiving unit 3 are arranged at an interval K, and Slot 3 at a distance d from section 2
1a and 31b are provided. Slot 31 at this time
The coordinates of a are the origin (0, 0), and the coordinates of the slot 31b are (0, K). Further, of the plurality of storage elements that are two-dimensionally arranged that constitute the CCD photosensor 36a of the light beam receiving unit 2, the negative direction of the Z axis is the positive direction of the S axis from the central storage element located at the center. The positive direction of the Z axis from the central storage element of the light beam receiving unit 3 is defined as the positive direction of the T axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the light beam emitting section 1 is located at the point A (X, Y, Z) in the X, Y, Z coordinate system, it is shown in FIG. 10 in the Y, Z coordinate system. As shown, the light beam emitted from the point A (Y, Z) reaches the slots 31a and 31b of the light beam receiving portions 2 and 3, and is narrowed down by the slots 31a and 31b, so that the CCD photosensors 36a and 3b.
Accumulate in 6b. At this time, the position of the storage element located at the center among the plurality of storage elements 36a in which the light beam is stored in the CCD photosensor 36a is s on the S-axis,
Similarly, in the case of the CCD photosensor 36b, it is t on the T-axis. At this time, the relationship among Y, Z, s, t, K, and d is represented by the following Equation 8 and Equation 9.

S: Y = d: Z (8) t: (L−Y) = d: Z (9) From Expression 8 and Expression 9, Expression 10 and Expression 11 below are established. Y = s * K / (s + t) (10) Y = d * K / (s + t) (11) However, in the expression 10 and the expression 11, the following expression 12 is satisfied. s + t ≠ 0 (12)

Thus, if the distance K between the light beam receiving portions 2 and 3 in the Z-axis direction is known, the CCD photosensors 36a and 36b that detect the light beams of the light beam receiving portions 2 and 3 are detected. It is possible to calculate the Y and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 that emitted the light beam from the center positions of the plurality of storage elements.

The arithmetic control unit 94 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the arithmetic control unit 94 uses the X and Y coordinate detection system 90.
From the Y and Z coordinate detection system 92, the X and Y coordinates and the Y and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting section 1 are input. Then, based on the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the light beam emitting unit 1, the Z-axis rotation motors 96 and X are arranged so that the light beam emitting unit 1 is included in the imaging range imaged via the lens 82f of the camera 82b. The control signals S94a and S94b are output to the shaft rotation motor 98. Z-axis rotary motor 96 and X-axis rotary motor 9
Reference numeral 8 denotes control signals S94a and S94 from the arithmetic control unit 94.
The light beam emitting unit 1 is included in the imaging range of the camera 82b by rotating around the X axis and the Y axis as rotation axes based on b. At this time, for example, the control signals S94a and S94b are created in consideration of the position of the face of the caller with respect to the position of the light beam emitting unit 1.

As described above, according to the television telephone apparatus of the present embodiment, even when the talker having the handset moves in the room, the three-dimensional position of the handset is accurately detected and the camera 82b is used. The image pickup range of the lens 82f can be accurately tracked to the person's position and the picked-up image of the caller can be transmitted to the caller of the other party. In the television telephone device of the present embodiment, the coordinates of the light beam emitting portion in the X, Y, Z coordinate system are specifically calculated. Therefore, even when the handset is far from the telephone body, the above calculation is performed. The lens 8 of the camera 82b based on the coordinates
The 2f imaging range can be accurately tracked to the position of the person.

The second embodiment will be described. Unlike the above-described television telephone apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the television telephone apparatus according to the present embodiment does not have the light beam emitting section 1 attached to the handset 80, and the telephone body 1
2 has no slots 31a and 31b. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the video telephone device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the telephone main body of the television telephone apparatus of this embodiment includes a CCD camera 110, an image analysis unit 112, a control unit 114, a Z-axis rotary motor 96 and an X-axis rotary motor 98.

The CCD camera 110 is provided inside the camera 82b shown in FIG. 1 and electrically forms an image of the surrounding landscape on the light receiving element via the lens 82f.

The image analysis unit 112 is a CCD camera 110.
The image pickup signal S110 indicating the image pickup result is input from the
For example, by detecting the image of the antenna 80a of the handset 80 shown in FIG. 1, which is displayed on the imaging screen of the camera 110,
A position signal S112 indicating the position of the image of the antenna 80a on the imaging screen is output to the control unit 114. Image analysis unit 1
The detection of the position of the image of the antenna 80a in 12 is
For example, data indicating the characteristic of the shape of the antenna 80a is stored in advance, and data corresponding to the stored data is detected from the image pickup signal S110 to perform the processing.

The control unit 114 inputs the position signal S112 indicating the position of the antenna 80a from the image analysis unit 112,
Based on the position signal S112, the control signals S114a and 114b are generated so that the image of the antenna 80a is positioned in a predetermined area of the image pickup screen of the CCD camera 110, and the Z-axis rotary motor 96 and the X-axis rotary motor 98 are respectively generated. Output. That is, the control unit 114 controls the CCD shown in FIG.
Predetermined area 11 in captured image 110a of camera 110
The control signals S114a and 114b are created so that the image 80b of the antenna 80a of the handset 80 is displayed on 0b.

The Z-axis rotary motor 96 and the X-axis rotary motor 98 have control signals S94a and S9 from the arithmetic control unit 94.
Based on 4b, rotation is performed with the X axis and the Y axis as rotation axes, respectively.

Then, the camera 82b (CCD camera 11
The image of the antenna 80a of the handset 80 is displayed in the predetermined area 110b of the captured image of 0). At this time, for example, in consideration of the position of the face of the caller with respect to the position of the antenna 80a, the control signals S94a and S94b are set so that the image of the face of the caller is displayed in the imaging range of the camera 82b.
To create.

According to the television telephone device of the present invention,
It is not necessary to provide the light beam emitting unit in the handset 80, and it is not necessary to provide the power source for the light beam emitting unit in the handset 80.

The third embodiment will be described. This embodiment is almost the same as the above-mentioned video telephone apparatus of the second embodiment, but the light beam emitting section 1 is attached to the handset 80 as in the first embodiment. In the video telephone device of this embodiment, the image analysis unit 112 shown in FIG.
Detects the position of the image of the light beam emitting section 1 shown in the captured image from the image pickup result of the CCD camera 110, and inputs the position signal S112 indicating the position of the image of the light beam emitting section 1 to the control section 114. .

The control section 114 controls the image of the light beam emitting section 1 so that it is included in the predetermined area 110b shown in FIG.
The control signals S114a and 114b are created and output to the Z-axis rotary motor 96 and the X-axis rotary motor 98, respectively.
According to the television telephone device of the present embodiment, the image analysis unit 11 of the second embodiment described above performs the analysis (that is, detection of the image to be detected) in the image analysis unit 112 shown in FIG.
It can be simplified compared to the analysis in 2.

The fourth embodiment will be described. The television telephone device of this embodiment is almost the same as the television telephone device of the third embodiment described above, but the processing in the image analysis unit 112 shown in FIG. 11 is different. In the television telephone device of the present embodiment, the image analysis unit 112 controls the control signal S114a, based on the intensity of the light beam detected by a predetermined light receiving element among the two-dimensionally arranged light receiving elements of the CCD camera 110. Create S114b.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a light receiving element used for detecting the intensity of a light beam among the light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally of the CCD camera 110. Image analysis unit 1
Reference numeral 12 denotes regions 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, among the light receiving elements of the CCD camera 110 shown in FIG.
The control signals S114a and S114b are created based on the light intensity detected by the light receiving element located at 111e. Specifically, the image analysis unit 112 uses the areas 111 a to 111.
Among the intensities of the light beam detected by the light receiving element located at e, the light receiving element detecting the highest intensity is detected.

When it is determined that the light receiving element located in the area 111e located in the center of the CCD camera 110 detects the highest light intensity, the optical axis of the CCD camera 110 is the light beam emitting section of the handset 80. It is determined that they match the optical axis of 1. On the other hand, the area 1 of the CCD camera 110
When it is determined that any of 11a to 111d detects the highest light intensity, the light receiving element located in the region 111e detects the light receiving element located in the region 111e depending on the position of the regions 111a to 111d in which the highest light intensity is detected in the CCD camera 110. The control signals S114a and S11 are set so as to detect the strongest light intensity.
Create 4b. By doing so, the light receiving element in the area e located at the center of the CCD camera 110 can detect the strongest intensity. That is, the optical axis of the light beam emitting section 1 and the light receiving surface of the CCD camera 110 are made substantially vertical, and the camera 82b can be rotated so as to always track a predetermined area including the light beam emitting section 1.

In the television telephone apparatus of this embodiment, for example, the distance to the handset is detected based on the intensity of the light beam detected by the light receiving element, and the light detected by the light receiving element is detected based on the detection result. The accuracy of the light intensity of the beam may be determined, and the identity of the magnitude of the light intensity may be determined based on the determined accuracy (by adjusting the sensitivity). That is, when the distance to the handset is long, the identity of the light intensity in each area is strictly determined based on high accuracy.

Alternatively, the landscape may be imaged on the CCD camera 110 via the zoom adjustment lens, and the zoom adjustment may be performed based on the detected distance to the handset. By doing so, even when the caller is located at a long distance from the main body of the telephone, the face of the caller can be zoomed and imaged.

The television telephone device of the present invention is not limited to the method of the above-described first embodiment as long as it is a method of performing the operation based on the position of the light beam receiving portion detecting the light beam from the light beam emitting portion. In addition, a plurality of light beam emitting units may be attached to the handset 80 so that the light beam surely reaches the slots 31a and 31b of the telephone body. Further, the light beam emitting section 1 may be detachably attached to the handset 80.

Further, if the call information is transmitted and received not by using radio waves as a medium but by using a light beam as a medium, the light beam can be used as a position detecting and communication medium for the handset. In addition, at least two receivers that detect radio waves transmitted from the antenna 80a of the handset 80 are provided at different positions of the telephone body 82, and the wavelength shift when these receivers receive the radio waves is used. You may make it detect the position of the light beam light emission part 1 and control the imaging range of the camera 82b.

[0075]

According to the television telephone device of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a light emitting means in the handset, and it is not necessary to provide a power supply device for supplying power to the light emitting means in the handset. Further, according to the television telephone device of the present invention, by detecting the light from the light emitting means provided in the handset, the direction of the handset can be easily detected and an image of the caller can be appropriately captured. You can Further, according to the video telephone device of the present invention, even when the caller is located at a long distance from the main body of the telephone, the face of the caller can be captured by zooming, and a highly accurate image can be captured. it can. According to the television telephone device of the present invention, the position of the handset in the three-dimensional space can be accurately detected, so that even if the caller with the handset is far away from the telephone body, The position can be accurately detected, and the caller can be appropriately imaged by the imaging means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a videophone device of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a telephone body of the television telephone device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the positions in the X, Y, Z coordinate system of the light beam emitting section of the handset, the slot of the telephone body, and the CCD photosensor in the video telephone apparatus of this embodiment. .

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an X, Y coordinate detection system shown in FIG.

5A and 5B are configuration diagrams of the light beam receiving unit shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5C is a waveform diagram of an analog signal output from the CCD photosensor to the amplifier / peak detection unit. .

6 is a timing chart of a storage signal S1, a read signal S2, and a storage number signal S3 generated by the light receiving unit drive circuit shown in FIG.

7A is a configuration diagram of the amplifier / peak detector shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a waveform of a signal processed by the amplifier / peak detector shown in FIG. Is.

8 is a diagram for explaining position detection of a light beam emitting unit in the light beam coordinate detecting unit shown in FIG. 4 of the X, Y coordinate detecting system shown in FIG.

9 is a configuration diagram of a light beam coordinate detection unit shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram for explaining position detection of a light beam emitting section in the light beam coordinate detecting section shown in FIG. 4 of the Y, Z coordinate detecting system shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a telephone main body of the video telephone device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a CCD of the television telephone device according to the second embodiment.
It is a figure for demonstrating the imaging screen of a camera.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a light receiving element for detecting the light intensity of the CCD camera in the television telephone device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining control of an imaging range in a conventional videophone device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Light beam emitting section 2, 3 ... Light beam receiving section 4 ... Light receiving section drive circuit 5, 6 ... Amplifier / peak detecting section 7 ... Light beam coordinate detecting section 31a. 31b ... Slot 32 ... Plano-convex lens 34 ... Cylindrical lens 36a, 36b ... CCD photosensor 40 ... Amplifier 42 ... Voltage comparator 44 ... Leading edge signal detector 46 ... -Trailing edge signal detector 48 ... Calculation unit 70 ... Adder 72, 74 ... Multiplier 76, 78 ... Divider 80 ... Handset 80a ... Antenna 82 ... Telephone Main body 82a ... Antenna 82b ... Camera 82c ... Camera mounting portion 82d ... Display 82e ... Button 82f ... Lens 90 ... X, Y coordinate detection system 92 ... Y, Z Coordinate detection system 94 ... Arithmetic control unit 96 ... Z-axis rotation motor 98 ... X-axis rotation motor 110 ... CCD camera 110a ... Imaging screen 110b ... Antenna imaging area 112 ... Image Analysis unit 114 ... Control unit 172 ... Light emitting unit 174 ... Condensing lens 176 ... Infrared light transmitting lens 178 ... Light receiving unit 180 ... Computing unit 182, 184 ... Motor 186 ... Imaging range moving mechanism

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means, and a control means for controlling an image pickup range of the image pickup means, wherein the control means sends the image pickup range to a predetermined area based on the image pickup result from the image pickup means. A video telephone device, characterized in that the imaging range of the imaging means is controlled so that a predetermined part of the handset or the handset is included. 2. The control means, based on an image pickup result from the image pickup means, so that light from a light emitting means attached to a handset is included in a predetermined area of the image pickup range.
The video telephone apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging range of the imaging unit is controlled. 3. An image pickup means, a handset to which a light emitting means is attached, a light emitting means for detecting light from the light emitting means by a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a two-dimensional shape, and a plurality of the two-dimensional shape. And a control unit that controls the image pickup range of the image pickup unit based on the light intensity detected by the light receiving element located at the position or region. 4. A control means for performing sensitivity adjustment according to the light intensity detected by the light receiving element, and controlling the image pickup range of the image pickup means on the basis of the light intensity subjected to the sensitivity adjustment. The television telephone device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The image pickup means has a zoom function, detects the distance between the light emitting means and the light receiving means on the basis of the light intensity detected by the light receiving element, and based on the detected distance. The zoom adjusting means for adjusting the zoom of the image pickup means is further included.
The described television telephone device. 6. A television telephone device for detecting light from a light emitting means attached to a handset, and moving the image pickup range of the image pickup means based on the detection. A light receiving means for detecting at least two different positions in the three-dimensional space, and a detecting means for detecting the position of the light emitting means in the three-dimensional space based on the position where the light receiving means detects the light from the light emitting means. And a control unit that controls the imaging range of the imaging unit based on the detection result of the detection unit. 7. The light receiving means collects the light from the light emitting means, the light collecting parts being provided at at least two different positions in a three-dimensional space, and the light collected by the light collecting part. And a light receiving section for detecting, wherein the detecting means is the X of the two light collecting sections of the light receiving means.
Direction, a distance in the X direction between a predetermined position in the light receiving unit and the position where the light is detected, and a distance in the Y direction between the light collecting unit and the light receiving unit of the light receiving unit. The position of the means in the three-dimensional space in the X and Y directions is detected, and the distance between the two light collecting portions of the light receiving means in the Z direction, the predetermined position in the light receiving portion, and the position where the light is detected. The position in the three-dimensional space of the light emitting means in the Y and Z directions is detected based on the distance in the Z direction and the distance in the Y direction between the light collecting portion and the light receiving portion of the light receiving means. The video telephone device according to claim 6. 8. The light receiving means has a plurality of storage elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and among the plurality of storage elements detecting the light from the light emitting means, the light receiving means is substantially centered in the X and Y directions. 8. The video telephone apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the position of the storage element existing in the position is the position where the light is detected.