JPH10234022A - Video telephone and video conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the communication capacity. SOLUTION: When the operator throws a switch 3 to the position of a TV camera 2 in a video conference equipment 10, a setting processing section 4 receives setting of image precision of a time-varying image in interlocking with the changeover. According to the image precision set to the setting processing section 4, a video signal from the TV camera 2 is converted into moving image data 5, and the time-varying image data 5 and image precision data 6 are sent by a communication control section 11 to a transmission line. Upon the receipt of the time-varying image data 5 and image precision data 6 on the transmission line by a communication control section 21, the image precision is set to a setting processing section 7 based on the image precision data 6. Then the received time-varying image data 5 are decoded based on the image precision set to the setting processing section 7 and a video signal 8 is generated and a time-varying image with high precision is displayed on a display device 9 based on the video signal 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a videophone / videoconference system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, one has been looking at a far distant partner.
There are known one-on-one video telephones and group-to-group video conferences. The video display in the video conference is mainly for giving the participants a sense of presence and a sense of unity by conveying the atmosphere of the conference room.

[0003]

The method of viewing is changing when looking at an object, looking at a person, looking at a document, looking at a map, looking at a painting, and so on. It changes when you watch it for the first time. For example,
For documents and maps, there is no need for precision in movement or color,
Details are required. In the case of a painting, no movement is required, but color and fineness are required. On the other hand, in the case of conversation, movement is more important than color and high definition of image quality.

However, since the video conference system transmits and receives data according to the communication method set at the start, a large amount of communication line capacity is required to transmit and receive video signals with an accuracy that satisfies all of these various demands. become. If the setting cannot be made, there will be an excess or deficiency in the information content used by the user and the content that can be transmitted and received.

Therefore, in order to transmit and receive a moving image with a limited communication capacity, it is necessary to reduce the accuracy of low-importance items such as color and movement during document transmission and reception.
The problem, however, is that human needs vary from situation to situation and their importance is not constant.

An object of the present invention is to provide a videophone / videoconference system capable of solving the above-mentioned problems and reducing communication capacity.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one video transmitting means for transmitting a first video which is still or slow in motion or a second video which is faster in motion than the first video. A notifying unit for notifying whether the video transmitted by the video transmitting unit is the first video or the second video, and a predetermined image accuracy according to the video notified by the notifying unit. Setting means for setting image data, processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmitting means into image data based on the image precision set by the setting means, image data and image precision data obtained by the processing means Transmitting means for transmitting the image data on the transmission path, receiving means for receiving the image data and the image precision data on the transmission path, and a video signal based on the image precision data received by the receiving means. And video signal generating means for generating,
Projecting means for projecting an image based on the image signal generated by the image signal generating means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first video having a still or slow motion or the second video having a faster motion than the first video.
At least one image transmitting means for transmitting an image, a timer, a setting means for setting a predetermined image precision when a time interval set in the timer elapses, and an image precision set by the setting means. Processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data, transmitting means for transmitting image data and image precision data obtained by the processing means on a transmission path, image data on the transmission path, Receiving means for receiving image accuracy data;
A video signal generating unit that generates a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving unit; and a projecting unit that projects an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generating unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first image is a still or slow moving image or the second image is faster than the first image.
At least one video transmission unit for transmitting a video, a notification unit for notifying whether the video transmitted by the video transmission unit is the first video or the second video, and a notification by the notification unit Storing means for storing a history, setting means for setting a predetermined image precision based on the notification history stored by the storing means, and a video transmitting means based on the image precision set by the setting means. Processing means for converting a video signal into image data, transmitting means for transmitting image data and image precision data obtained by the processing means on a transmission path, and receiving means for receiving image data and image precision data on the transmission path Video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving means; And a Utsude means for Utsude video based on the video signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first image is a still or slow moving image, or the second image is faster than the first image.
At least one video transmitting means for transmitting a video, detecting means for detecting a motion based on a video signal from the video transmitting means, and a predetermined image accuracy according to whether or not the motion is detected by the detecting means. Setting means for setting, processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data based on the image precision set by the setting means, and image data and image precision data obtained by the processing means. Transmitting means for transmitting on a transmission path, receiving means for receiving image data and image precision data on the transmission path, video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image precision data received by the receiving means, Projection means for projecting an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generation means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first image is a still or slow moving image or the second image is faster than the first image.
At least one video transmitting means for transmitting a video, a determining means for determining whether or not the same screen is continuous based on a video signal from the video transmitting means, and a predetermined value when the determination means makes a positive determination. Setting means for setting the image accuracy, processing means for converting a video signal from the video sending means into image data based on the image accuracy set by the setting means, image data obtained by the processing means, Transmission means for transmitting image accuracy data on a transmission path, reception means for receiving image data and image accuracy data on the transmission path, and video signal generation for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the reception means Means, and projection means for projecting an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generation means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first image is a still or slow moving image or the second image is faster than the first image.
At least one image sending means for sending an image, notifying means for notifying whether the image sent by the image sending means is the first image or the second image, and notifying by the notifying means Storing means for storing the history of the image, and setting means for setting a predetermined image accuracy based on the image history stored by the storing means, based on the image accuracy set by the setting means,
Processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data, transmission means for transmitting image data and image accuracy data obtained by the processing means on a transmission path,
Receiving means for receiving the image data and the image accuracy data on the transmission path, a video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving means, and a video generated by the video signal generating means Projecting means for projecting an image based on the signal.

In any one of the first to sixth aspects, the image precision can be a spatial resolution, a time resolution, a color resolution, a compression ratio, and a compression method.

[0014] In any one of the first to sixth aspects, the image transmission means may be a television camera which can be rotated to photograph a document or a person positioned at a predetermined interval.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a video conference system. Since the video conference devices 10 and 20 perform transmission and reception, each device 1
Although the configurations of 0 and 20 are essentially the same, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the image data 5 and the image accuracy data 6 are transmitted from the video conference device 10 to the video conference device 20 via the transmission path. The required configuration is shown.

The video conference device 10 has TV (television) cameras 1 and 2, a switch 3, a setting / processing unit 4, and a communication control unit 11. The TV cameras 1 and 2 are for photographing a person and a document, and transmit images having substantially the same image accuracy. The switch 3 is for switching the TV camera to one of the TV cameras 1 and 2. The setting / processing unit 4 sets a predetermined image precision in accordance with the switching of the switch 3, and converts a video signal into image data based on the set image precision. The setting contents of the image accuracy include a spatial resolution, a time resolution, a color resolution, a compression ratio, a compression method, and the like. The communication control unit 11 controls communication.

The video conference device 20 includes a communication control unit 21
And a setting / processing unit 7 and a display device 9. The communication control unit 21 controls communication. The setting / processing unit 7 automatically sets the image accuracy according to the received image accuracy data, and converts the image data into a video signal based on the set image accuracy. The display device 9 displays an image based on the obtained image signal.

Next, the operation of the video conference system will be described. When the switch 3 is switched to the TV camera 2 by the operator on the video conference device 10, the image accuracy of the moving image is set in the setting / processing unit 4 in conjunction with the switching. Then, the video signal from the TV camera 2 is converted into moving image data 5 according to the image accuracy set in the setting / processing unit 4, and the moving image data 5 and the image accuracy data 6 are transmitted on the transmission path by the communication control unit 11. Is done.

On the side of the video conference device 20, when the moving image data 5 and the image accuracy data 6 on the transmission path are received by the communication control unit 21, the image accuracy is set in the setting / processing unit 7 based on the image accuracy data 6. Is done. Then, the received moving image data is interpreted based on the image accuracy set in the setting / processing unit 7, a video signal 8 is generated, and a high-definition moving image is displayed on the display device 9 based on the video signal 8. Will be issued. The projected image is an image in which the accuracy of items of low importance, such as hue and movement, is reduced.

The operation when the switch 3 is switched to the TV camera 1 is the same as the operation when the switch 3 is switched to the TV camera 1 except that a low-definition moving image is displayed on the display device 9. And essentially no difference.

<Second Embodiment> The second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the first embodiment in the method of setting image accuracy. That is, in the first embodiment, in conjunction with the switching of the switch 3 by the operator,
The image accuracy of the moving image is set in the setting / processing unit 4. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, every time the switch 3 is operated by the operator, the operation history stored in the memory 202 is updated by the history update unit 201. The determination unit 203 determines whether the operation of the switch 3 has exceeded a predetermined number of times. If the determination is affirmative, the image accuracy is set and processed by the setting unit 20.
4 was set.

Therefore, after the image accuracy is set, the accuracy of the image is reduced. However, even if the same scenery and scenery are obtained, the information obtained from the first time and that obtained from the second time are different. Since it has a characteristic that the attention point to be viewed is different, it is possible to satisfy the accuracy required by those who are attending the conference.

<Third Embodiment> The third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 differs from the second embodiment in the method of setting image accuracy. That is, in the second embodiment, the image accuracy is set based on the operation history of the switch 3.
The processing unit 204 is set. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the timer 30
1 is operated, and when the time interval set in the timer 301 elapses, the setting / processing section 304 sets the image precision.

With this configuration, it is possible to satisfy the accuracy required by those who are attending the conference, as in the second embodiment.

<Fourth Embodiment> The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the first embodiment in the method of setting image accuracy. That is, in the first embodiment, in conjunction with the switching of the switch 3 by the operator,
The image accuracy of the moving image is set in the setting / processing unit 4. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the motion detection unit 40
The predetermined image accuracy is set in the setting / processing unit 404 according to whether or not there is a motion in the video according to 1.

With such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the setting of the image accuracy performed in response to the switching of the switch 3 by the operator is performed in accordance with the presence or absence of the motion of the image.
For example, it is automatically performed according to whether the image is a document image or a person image.

<Fifth Embodiment> The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 differs from the first embodiment in the method of setting image accuracy. That is, in the first embodiment, the image accuracy of the moving image is set in the setting / processing unit 4 in conjunction with the switching of the switch 3. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the image obtained by the switching by the switch 3 is compared with the previous image by the image comparing unit 501.
2, the counter 502 is cleared when they do not match, and when the count value of the counter 502 exceeds the set value, a predetermined image precision is set and set.
The setting is made in the processing unit 504.

In the case where the same screen continues as described above, after the number of appearances of the same screen reaches a predetermined number, the information obtained from the second and subsequent times of the same screen is different even if the image precision is reduced, and the attention to be paid Because they differ, they will be able to meet the needs of those present at the meeting.

<Sixth Embodiment> The present embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the first embodiment in the method of setting the image accuracy. That is, in the first embodiment, the image accuracy of the moving image is set in the setting / processing unit 4 in conjunction with the switching of the switch 3 by the operator. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the image history stored in the memory 602 is updated by the history update unit 601 at predetermined time intervals, and the image accuracy is determined by the determination unit 603 based on the stored image history. Then, the determined image precision is set in the setting / processing unit 604.

Although the example of the video conference system has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a video telephone system.

In the above, an example using two cameras, that is, the TV cameras 1 and 2 has been described. One TV camera can horizontally move a person and a document located at a predetermined interval with one TV camera. The camera turns the camera in the direction to shoot, and the switch for notifying whether it is a person or a document is automatically switched according to the rotation of the TV camera, and the video signal from the TV camera is changed. Setting / processing unit 4
May be supplied directly to

Further, a person and a document are photographed by one TV camera, and a video signal from the TV camera is directly supplied to the setting / processing unit 4, and the person photographed and the document are photographed by the TV camera. The operator may operate a switch provided in advance to notify the setting / processing unit 4 of the presence / absence.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the image accuracy is changed at any time without being fixed, the communication capacity can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 TV camera 3 switch 4, 7, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604 setting / processing unit 9 display device 10, 20 video conference device 11, 21 communication control unit 201 history update unit 202 memory 203 determination unit 301 timer 401 motion detector 501 image comparator 502 counter 601 history updater 602 memory 603 determiner

Claims (8)

[Claims] At least one image sending means for sending a first image that is still or slow in motion or a second image that is faster in motion than the first image, and the image sent by the image sending means is A notifying unit for notifying whether the image is the first image or the second image, a setting unit for setting a predetermined image accuracy according to the image notified by the notifying unit, Processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data based on the set image precision; transmitting means for transmitting the image data and the image precision data obtained by the processing means onto a transmission path; Receiving means for receiving image data and image accuracy data on a transmission path; video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving means; And a projecting means for projecting an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generating means. 2. At least one image transmitting means for transmitting a first image which is still or slow in motion or a second image which is faster in motion than the first image, a timer, and a time interval set in the timer Setting means for setting a predetermined image accuracy at the time point when elapses; processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data based on the image accuracy set by the setting means; Transmitting means for transmitting the image data and the image precision data obtained by the above on a transmission path; receiving means for receiving the image data and the image precision data on the transmission path; and a video based on the image precision data received by the receiving means. Video signal generating means for generating a signal; and projecting means for projecting an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generating means. TV telephone and TV conference system. 3. At least one video transmitting means for transmitting a first video which is still or slow in motion or a second video which is faster in motion than the first video, and wherein the video transmitted by the video transmitting means is Notification means for notifying whether the image is the first image or the second image; storage means for storing a notification history of the notification means; and a predetermined means based on the notification history stored by the storage means. Setting means for setting image precision; processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data based on the image precision set by the setting means; image data and image obtained by the processing means Transmitting means for transmitting accuracy data on a transmission path; receiving means for receiving image data and image precision data on the transmission path; and an image received by the receiving means. A videophone / videoconference comprising: video signal generation means for generating a video signal based on accuracy data; and projection means for projecting a video based on the video signal generated by the video signal generation means. system. 4. At least one video transmitting means for transmitting a first video which is still or slow in motion or a second video which is faster in motion than the first video, and a motion based on a video signal from the video transmitting means. Detecting means for detecting a motion, a setting means for setting a predetermined image precision depending on whether or not a motion is detected by the detecting means; and a video transmitting means based on the image precision set by the setting means. Processing means for converting the video signal into image data; transmitting means for transmitting the image data and the image precision data obtained by the processing means on a transmission path; and reception for receiving the image data and the image precision data on the transmission path. Means, a video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving means, and a video generated by the video signal generating means Videophone video conference system is characterized in that a Utsude means for Utsude video based on the item. 5. At least one video transmission means for transmitting a first video which is still or slow in motion or a second video which is faster in motion than the first video, the same based on a video signal from the video transmission means. Determining means for determining whether or not the screens are continuous; setting means for setting a predetermined image accuracy when the determination means makes an affirmative determination; based on the image accuracy set by the setting means, Processing means for converting a video signal from a video transmission means into image data; transmitting means for transmitting image data and image precision data obtained by the processing means onto a transmission path; image data and image precision data on the transmission path Receiving means for receiving a video signal; a video signal generating means for generating a video signal based on the image accuracy data received by the receiving means; Videophone video conference system is characterized in that a Utsude means for Utsude video based on the made video signal. 6. At least one video transmitting means for transmitting a first video which is still or slow in motion or a second video which is faster in motion than the first video, and wherein the video transmitted by the video transmitting means is Notifying means for notifying whether the image is the first image or the second image, storing means for storing the history of the image notified by the notifying means, based on the image history stored by the storing means Setting means for setting a predetermined image precision; processing means for converting a video signal from the video transmission means into image data based on the image precision set by the setting means; Transmitting means for transmitting image data and image precision data on a transmission path; receiving means for receiving image data and image precision data on the transmission path; Video signal generation means for generating a video signal based on the received image accuracy data, and projection means for projecting an image based on the video signal generated by the video signal generation means. Videophone / videoconference system. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image accuracy is a spatial resolution, a time resolution,
A videophone / videoconference system comprising: a color resolution, a compression ratio, and a compression method. 8. A video camera according to claim 1, wherein said video transmitting means is a television camera rotatable for photographing a document or a person positioned at a predetermined interval. A videophone / videoconference system characterized by the following.