JPS61179690A - Television conference device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attract eyes of the dialogue party by placing an image pickup camera and a television receiver on a mounting base set at a prescribed vertical position and providing a television receiver mounting base while its tilt angle is adjustable optionally. CONSTITUTION:The image receiver mounting base 4 on which an image receiver 1 is mounted is tilted backward to tilt the screen of the image receiver 1 and the screen of the image receiver 1 is tilted by adjusting the height of a leg stand 6 on which the base 3 is mounted and fixed and adjusting the tilt of the image receiver mounting base 4 on which the image receiver 1 is mounted to attain an angle to attract the eyes of the dialogue party. Thus, the eyes of the dialogue party are attracted easily and the dialogue under a natural environment is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television conference device suitable for use in a television conference system, a television N-TV system, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 3, a video conference device used in a conventional video conference system or video telephone system is equipped with a camera for taking pictures on top of a television receiver 21 on which a base 20 is attached. 22 is fixedly installed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In this type of conventional device, the positions of the television screen and the photographing camera were slightly different, and there was a problem in that when looking at the television screen, it was impossible to look directly at the camera. For this reason, we are generally concerned about the other person's gaze when we have a conversation, but when we talk while looking at the other person on the screen, it feels like we are talking to the other person with our eyes facing us. This had the disadvantage that the interlocutor's line of sight was shifted, resulting in a conversation in an extremely unnatural atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video conference device that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional technology and allows dialogue to occur in an extremely natural atmosphere, that is, with eye contact.

Means for Solving the Problems As shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to the embodiment, the configuration of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object includes: an installation stand 3 in the shape of an empty box with at least an open front side; It is provided with means 6 for setting the installation stand 3 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction, a photographing camera 2 provided on the installation stand 3, and a television receiver 1. Furthermore, a television receiver mounting stand 4 was provided inside the installation stand 3 so that its inclination angle could be arbitrarily adjusted. The television receiver 1 is placed on this receiver stand 4.

The vertical height adjustment of the action photographing camera 2 and the television receiver 1 is performed by means 6 for setting the installation base 3 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction.

Further, the inclination angle of the television receiver (television screen) is adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the television receiver stand 4. By adjusting these two, it is possible to match the line of sight of the interlocutor. Therefore, it is possible to have a conversation in a natural atmosphere with eye contact.

Embodiments Hereinafter, a video conference apparatus according to the present invention will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a video conference device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a television receiver (hereinafter simply referred to as a receiver), and 2 is a photographic camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera), both of which are disposed on the sides of both interlocutors.

In this embodiment, the installation stand 3 for housing the image receiver 1 as described later is an empty box-shaped one having a top plate 31 and a bottom plate 32, with the other sides open. There is.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any structure may be used as long as at least the front surface (the surface where the screen of the receiver is located) is open.

As the means 6 for setting the installation base 3 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction, a leg base whose height can be arbitrarily adjusted via a hydraulic mechanism or other appropriate means is used. The installation stand 3 is attached and fixed to the upper part of this leg stand.

Further, inside the installation stand 3, a receiver mounting stand 4 for mounting the image receiver 1 is provided, the inclination angle of which is adjustable. In this embodiment, the rear end of the lower part of the image receiver mounting base 4 is supported and received by a rotation shaft 1o, and both ends of the rotation shaft 1° are rotatable by bearings 1o2L fixed to both ends of the lower part of the installation base 3. At the same time, an angle adjustment bar 6 having a plurality of holes 6a for adjusting the angle is pivotally mounted on both ends of the upper part of the image receiver holder 4, and as shown in FIG. 2, in order to set the desired angle. The plurality of holes 5+
Fixing tools 1 such as bolts and nuts connect the hole selected from L and the hole of the fixing plate 10b fixed on both sides of the upper part of the installation base 3.
The inclination angle of the receiver mounting table 4 can be adjusted by connecting and fixing the receiver through the receiver 1. However, the method is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, a device that can be operated on the front side of the opening of the installation stand 3 (the screen of the television receiver) and that moves the front side of the television receiver stand 4 up and down in a jack-type manner can be used. It is also possible to adjust the inclination angle of the table 4.

According to this means, eye contact, which will be described later, can be easily made while looking at the screen of the receiver 1. In addition, in FIG. 1, 6b is a support column for reinforcing the image receiver mounting base 4.

The receiver 1 is placed on the receiver holder 4 .

Placing the camera 2 near the receiver 1 is more convenient for line-of-sight alignment, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the camera 2 was mounted and fixed on the top plate 31 of the installation stand 3.

Note that this camera 2 may be mounted and fixed so that the angle can be freely set.

Next, an operation method for making eye contact between interlocutors will be explained.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship among the receiver 1, camera 2, and speaker (eyes of the speaker) 8. In FIG.

Generally, when the receiver 1 is placed below the speaker's eyes 8 and the speaker's eyes 8 look at the screen of the receiver 1, the speaker's line of sight is directed downward. When the camera 2 captures a picture of the speaker in this state, an image of the speaker looking downward is displayed on the other party's receiver screen. The other party in a similar state is displayed on the screen of the receiver 1 on the speaker's side with his or her line of sight facing downward.

The images of both the interlocutors, which are displayed on the receiver 1 of the speaker and the other party, are both in a state in which the line of sight is directed downward.

Therefore, the receiver holder 4 on which the receiver 1 is placed is tilted backward (see FIG. 1), and the image surface of the receiver 1 is tilted as shown in FIG. This inclination angle is determined by adjusting the height of the leg stand 6 on which the installation stand 3 is placed and fixed, and the image receiving device on which the image receiver 1 is placed, so that the angle becomes ψ㉟θ, that is, the line of sight of both interlocutors coincides. The screen of the receiver 1 is tilted by adjusting the tilt of the device stand 4 (by adjusting the angle adjustment bar 6).

ψ is a straight line A drawn from the center of the camera 2 to the speaker's eye position 8, and a straight line drawn from the speaker's eye position 8 to the other party's eye position 7 projected on the screen of the receiver 1. It is the angle made with B. Further, θ is the angle formed by the straight line B and a perpendicular line C drawn from the speaker's eye position 8 to the screen of the receiver 1. In this case, the setting is made so that the intersection 9 between the perpendicular line C and the screen of the receiver 1 is always below the eye position 7 of the other party.

Similarly, the above adjustment is also performed on the other party's device.

If the screen of the receiver 1 is tilted in this way, the other party's line of sight projected on the screen of the receiver 1 will be directed downward by an angle θ with respect to the perpendicular C, and the speaker's line of sight will be on the extension of this line of sight. Since the eyes are approximately aligned, it is possible to have a conversation in a natural atmosphere where both parties' gazes match.

It goes without saying that various improvements and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the requirements set forth in the claims.

Effects of the Invention As detailed above, according to the present invention, the line of sight of both interlocutors can be very easily aligned by adjusting the height positions of the receiver and camera and adjusting the tilt angle of the receiver. This allows for dialogue to take place in a natural atmosphere.

Moreover, since the structure is simple, it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video conference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of main parts showing an example of a tilt angle fixing means, and FIG. 3 is a position of a receiver, a camera, and a speaker. FIG. 4, an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship, is a perspective view of a conventional video conference device. 1...Television receiver, 2...Camera for shooting, 3...Installation stand, 4...Television receiver stand, 5...・・Angle adjustment bar,
6... Leg stand (height adjustment means), 7...
The position of the other party's eyes on the receiver screen, 8...The position of the speaker's eyes. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person3
Takekidai 8 ・-story $/I'gnPtf ri

Claims (1)

[Claims] an empty box-shaped installation stand with at least an opening on the front side; a means for setting the installation stand at a predetermined position in the vertical direction; a camera for photographing provided on the installation stand; A television receiver mounting stand whose inclination angle can be freely adjusted; a television receiver mounted on the stand; height adjustment of the camera and the television receiver; and adjustment of the inclination angle of the television receiver. A video conference device characterized in that the lines of sight of interlocutors are aligned through collaboration between the two.