Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-24
2001-02-27
Grant, Jerome (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195176
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote control system for a TV conference system which enables a conference to be conducted between remotely located points, and to terminal equipment suitable for use with the remote control system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional example of a TV conference system will be described below with reference to FIG.
1
.
In a typical TV conference, to conduct a conference between remotely located points, it is necessary to communicate information indicating how remote participants stand, between the remotely located points. To this end, the following terminal equipments are employed: a TV camera
1
for imaging a conference participant or others in a station where this conference participant is present (hereinafter referred to simply as the “present station”), an electronic OHP (overhead projector)
2
which is an image input apparatus for imaging a still object as a still image or the like, a VTR (video tape recorder)
3
for reproducing edited video information to be transmitted to a station situated at a remote location (hereinafter referred to simply as the “remote station”), an operating part
4
made up of a keyboard, a digitizer and the like, a main monitor
5
for displaying a moving image transmitted from the remote station, a submonitor
6
for displaying an image supplied from the electronic OHP
2
or an image supplied from the TV camera
1
, a microphone
7
, and a loudspeaker
8
. Each of the aforesaid equipments can operate under control of a controlling part
20
. Information from the remote station or information from the present station is communicated via a communication interface part
9
and a line
10
.
FIG. 2
is an explanatory view showing the essential parts of the conventional example shown in
FIG. 1. A
control signal
11
for controlling the panhead of the TV camera
1
is transmitted from the controlling part
20
to the TV camera
1
, while information
12
indicative of a video output, the position of the panhead and the like is transmitted from the TV camera
1
to the controlling part
20
. Video information
13
is transmitted from the electronic OHP
2
to the controlling part
20
. Video information
14
is communicated between the VTR
3
and the controlling part
20
.
As one example of the terminal equipments used in the TV conference system shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a TV camera is proposed whose zooming, direction or the like can be operated under remote control. However, if TV cameras are employed on both transmitting and receiving sides in the TV conference system, there are a number of problems. For example, since the TV camera on the receiving side can be operated over the physically movable area of its camera panhead under the remote control of the transmitting side, a portion which the receiving side does not desire to show may enter the image field of the TV camera on the receiving side, and information about the portion may be transmitted to the transmitting side.
In the field of electronic OHPs, as well known, it has not yet been proposed to provide an arrangement for making it possible to operate an electronic OHP under remote control. In addition, it has not yet been proposed to provide an electronic OHP having a camera part or an original-supporting base which is freely movable to the extent that remote control can be realized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a TV conference system which includes an improvement capable of coping with an erroneous operation due to a conference participant, thereby providing good operability to the conference participant.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the operability of an image input apparatus for providing image information about an original or the like prepared for presentation purpose to a conference participant, thereby improving the operability of the TV conference system to a further extent.
To achieve the above and other objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a TV conference system which enables a conference to be conducted between remotely located points and which comprises a plurality of terminal equipments disposed in the remotely located points for enabling information, such as image information and sound information, to be communicated from one of the remotely located points to another in real time, controlling means for enabling the terminal equipment disposed in one of the remotely located points to be controlled from another, and operation restricting means for restricting execution of a predetermined operation of the terminal equipment which can be operated under remote control.
According to another aspect of the present invention, as an image input apparatus for use in the above-described TV conference system, there is provided an image input apparatus which comprises a base on which an original having an image to be inputted is to be placed, a first support arm joined to the base, a second support arm turnably secured to the first support arm, and a camera head secured to the second support arm, a close-up lens unit turnably secured to one end of the camera head in a pivotably urged manner. The first support arm and the close-up lens unit cooperate to constitute an attachment cancelling mechanism for cancelling attachment of the close-up lens unit to the camera head by causing the second support arm to turn to a particular position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus having another arrangement, which comprises a base on which an original having an image to be inputted is to be placed, an imaging part having a photoelectric conversion part for converting into an electrical signal the image inputted from the original placed on the base, and a support member for supporting the imaging part. The imaging part is turnably secured to the support member in such a manner that an optical axis of the imaging part draws a circular locus.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus having another arrangement, which comprises a lock mechanism capable of locking a vertical support part to inhibit turning thereof. When the horizontal support part is folded, the lock mechanism is unlocked by a projecting portion provided adjacent to the turning pivot of the horizontal support part.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus which can be operated under remote control using a wireless remote controller, in which a light receiving sensor part for receiving light transmitted from the wireless remote controller is arranged for movement into and out of the support member.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus which can be operated under remote control using a wireless remote controller, in which a light receiving sensor part for receiving light transmitted from the wireless remote controller includes a light receiving member and a mount for holding the light receiving member. The support member has a recess portion for accommodating the light receiving sensor part in such a manner that the light receiving sensor part is capable of being erected from the support member by being turned or slid with one end of the mount in engagement with the recess portion.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3519744 (1970-07-01), Dorros
patent: 3601530 (1971-08-01), Edson
patent: 4980781 (1990-12-01), Yamamoto
patent: 5737011 (1998-04-01), Lukacs
patent: 5745161 (1998-04-01), Ito
patent: 5818513 (1998-10-01), Sano et al.
patent: 5859663 (1999-01-01), Simon
patent: 595305
Kawahara Hiroyuki
Suzuki Masaharu
Tanno Koichi
Uehara Tsukasa
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Grant Jerome
Robin Blecker & Daley
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