JPH04131073U - Portable image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The present invention solves the disadvantage of large and expensive conventional image transmission devices for emergency medical care, and provides a portable image input device that can be practically used in emergency medical sites. The purpose is to [Structure] It has a television camera, a memory capable of storing at least one screen, a shutter light source, a finder, a circuit for converting image information into audio information, and a connection terminal.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention enables wireless communication from ambulances and traffic accident scenes to emergency centers and hospitals. The present invention relates to a portable image input device that transmits images of a patient.

0002

[Conventional technology]

There is a great need for image transmission in emergency medical care. From accident scenes and ambulances to hospitals, If the patient's condition can be transmitted, doctors can provide first aid instructions to emergency personnel, and hospitals can use Useful for preparing for surgery, etc. Image transmission devices for emergency medical care are (1) useless as a means of transmission; (2) Small and lightweight, can be carried outside the ambulance; (3) Low cost; The following conditions must be met. However, in the past, there was no way to satisfy these requirements at the same time. There was no vessel.

0003 First, conventional emergency medical image transmission devices are large and expensive. This is A video that uses a new device to convey the status of patients in an ambulance to medical institutions one by one. This was because it was an image transmission device. In other words, a wide frequency band is required for video transmission. Therefore, the transmission equipment uses a high-performance transmitter and a dedicated satellite communication line. Ta. As a result, it can be mounted on an ambulance for practical use, and emergency personnel can carry it outside the vehicle. It was also impossible to do so due to size and economy. Therefore, these devices was not practical and was only used for experimental research.

0004 On the other hand, for purposes other than medical use, there were small, low-cost devices for still image transmission. . However, since these were developed for indoor use, they cannot be connected directly to car phones or mobile phones. I couldn't do it. Connection is possible when used in conjunction with a commercially available interface circuit. However, conventional interface circuits were not made specifically for videophones, so It was a type. Also, carry the videophone and interface circuit separately. was inconvenient in practice. Furthermore, as a general rule, they are designed for indoor use. Therefore, the videophone itself cannot be said to be small enough, and it is not equipped with a light source such as a strobe. did not exist. These also made it impossible for emergency personnel to carry them. Also, in the dark I couldn't even use it.

[0005]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

This invention solves the disadvantages of large and expensive image transmission devices for conventional emergency medical care. The purpose is to provide a portable image input device that can be used practically in emergency medical settings. It is said that

[0006]

[Means to solve the problem]

The portable image input device according to the present invention includes a television camera and an image input device of the television camera. memory that can store at least one screen of A light source that emits light instantaneously in synchronization with the traffic, and converts images stored in memory into audio signals. with a voltage and impedance that matches the external input specifications of the mobile phone. It has a terminal from which an audio signal can be taken out and a finder. In addition, A headset that combines a headphone and a microphone, and a connection terminal for the headset. It is used by connecting to a mobile phone.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration diagram of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a portable image input device, 2 is a mobile phone Phone, 3 is headset, 4 is connection cable, 11 is TV camera, 15 is string Robot, 17 is the shutter button, 18 is the viewfinder, 20 is the mobile phone connection terminal , 23 represent headset connection terminals.

[0008]

[Effect]

This invention was developed based on the results of a detailed investigation into the actual state of image transmission at emergency sites. Therefore, a practical device form was devised. First, in most emergency medical settings, still images are sufficient. vinegar In other words, the most important factors in emergency medical care, such as the patient's degree of injury, amount of blood loss, and surrounding conditions at the accident site, Information can be fully understood from still images. Second, in most cases the image is sent alone is sufficient. The paramedics need to receive images from the doctor about the surgical procedure. This is limited to special cases such as having someone teach you something. In many cases, emergency personnel from medical institutions Only audio information is sufficient for instructions to the emergency personnel; it is not necessary for the emergency personnel to receive images. do not have.

[0009] By taking advantage of the characteristics of emergency medical care shown above, we will first be able to use television cameras and A memory that can store at least one screen image from the camera, and a voice By having a circuit that converts it into a signal, it is possible to transmit still images, and the transmission band becomes narrower. As a result, transmission via low-cost wireless telephone lines becomes possible.

0010 Next, by providing a finder, the A monitor display is no longer required, making the device more compact. No monitor display If you do so, you will not be able to receive the other party's screen, but this is not a practical problem for the reasons mentioned above. Third, it emits instantaneous light in synchronization with the import of images from the TV camera to memory. By installing a light source, such as a strobe, it can be used at night. Ru. Conventional devices were designed for indoor or vehicle use, so they usually did not require lighting. Ma For emergency use, continuous lighting is used when the inside of the car is dark, and instantaneous lighting is used for video purposes. did not exist. It is also possible to use existing strobes in conjunction with conventional TV cameras. However, if the camera and light source are not integrated, it will be complicated to operate and carry, and it will be difficult to save. Not suitable for use in emergency situations.

[0011] Also, by providing a connection terminal for a mobile phone, transmission can be made from inside or outside the car. becomes. Until now, there were no videophones that had an interface to a mobile phone. Ta. Furthermore, voice communication via headsets allows emergency personnel to use both hands. You will be able to use it freely. Traditionally, the use of videophones at work sites was not expected. There were no devices with such functionality.

0012

【Example】

FIG. 2 is an internal connection diagram of an embodiment of a portable image input device. In the figure, the solid line indicates the flow of image and audio information, and the dotted line indicates the flow of control information. TV camera The controller 11, memory 12, image/audio conversion circuit 13, and interface circuit 14 are are electrically connected in this order. The interface circuit 14 includes a changeover switch. It is connected to an output terminal 21 of a mobile phone connection terminal 20 via one end of the cable 19 . The microphone terminal 25 of the headset connection terminal 23 is connected to the other end of the changeover switch 19. The headphone terminal 24 is connected to the input terminal 22 of the mobile phone connection terminal 20. I'm looking forward to it. Also, a memory 12, an image/audio conversion circuit 13, an interface circuit 14. Starting and stopping of the changeover switch 19 is controlled by the control circuit 16. The path 16 is activated by pressing the shutter button 17.

[0013] FIG. 3, which will be explained below, shows the shutter button 17, changeover switch 19, The operation sequence of the robot 15, memory 12, and image/audio conversion circuit 13 is shown. Normally, the changeover switch 19 is tilted toward the microphone terminal, and 3, it is now possible to communicate by voice. When transmitting images, refer to Figure 3. As will be clearer by reference, the steps are as follows. First, the emergency personnel should use the finder -18 and point the television camera 11 at the subject. Then the shutter button Press 17. When the shutter button 17 is pressed, the changeover switch 19 At the same time as switching from the interface circuit side to the interface circuit side, the strobe 15 turns on. light and illuminate the subject. Next, the image on the TV camera 11 is written to the memory 12. be included. Next, the image/audio conversion circuit 13 sequentially converts the images on the memory 12 into audio. and outputs it to the interface circuit 14. The well-known TTC standard is used for image-to-sound conversion. A standard still image videophone equipment encoding method (a method in which conversion is performed by a modem) is used. It is being The interface circuit 14 matches the external input specifications of the mobile phone 2. The impedance and voltage of the output of the image/audio conversion circuit 13 are converted so that 1 When the transmission of the image for the screen is completed, the changeover switch 19 is switched to the microphone terminal side. Change. After this, voice communication continues as before.

[0014] The above is an operation on the image sending side, but the receiving side, such as an emergency center or hospital, You can send and receive voice messages using a regular telephone. Also, it meets TTC standards. Images can be received using a commercially available videophone. In addition, if you set the screen buffer to four, for example, and divide the screen into four at the time of transmission, It is also possible to send two image information.

[0015]

[Effect of the idea]

As shown above, according to the present invention, it is possible to use small and low-cost equipment from emergency sites. It becomes possible to transmit images of the patient. As a result, the emergency department receiving the images At the center, the selection of the appropriate hospital according to the patient's condition, and at the hospital, preparation for surgery and medical care. Teachers can effectively give advice to emergency personnel. This invention is applicable not only to emergency medical care. Outdoors, such as disaster sites and recovery headquarters, construction sites and design offices, between newspaper reporters and newspaper companies, etc. It is applicable to image communication in general.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal connection diagram of an embodiment of a portable image input device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of component devices and parts.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Portable image input device 2 Mobile phone 3 Headset 4 Connection cable 11 TV camera 12 Memory 13 Image audio conversion circuit 14 Interface circuit 15 Strobe 16 Control circuit 17 Shutter button 18 Finder 19 Changeover switch 20 Mobile phone connection terminal 21 Output terminal 22 Input terminal 23 Headset connection terminal 24 Headphone terminal 25 Microphone terminal 27 Headphones 28 Mike 29 External input terminal 30 External output terminal 31 External input/output terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Creator Shizuo Tamura 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Hon Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Claim 1: A television camera, a memory capable of storing at least one screen image of the television camera, a light source that emits light in synchronization with the import of images from the television camera into the memory, and a method for converting the image stored in the memory into an audio signal. 1. A portable image input device comprising: a converting circuit; a terminal for extracting an audio signal with a voltage and impedance matching external input specifications of a mobile phone; and a finder. 2. The portable image input device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a headset in which a headphone and a microphone are integrated, and a connection terminal to the headset. Device.