Abstract: In order to improve an identification accuracy of a backlit number plate in a vehicle identification method and device which recognize a vehicle number from a number plate of a vehicle whose image is taken, an image frame of a vehicle is taken by an interlace method, irradiation is performed in an odd field and an even field composing the image frame with light of light quantities different from each other, images of the odd field and the even field are captured, and character recognition processing, only when character recognition processing of a number plate area extracted from an image of one field has ended in failure, of a number plate area extracted from an image of the other field is performed.

Abstract: In an irradiation control device which extends a longevity of an LED, a feedback control is performed to an irradiating portion by an output signal of a photo device provided in relation to the irradiating portion, thereby making brightness fixed. Alternatively, by performing image processing to an image taken by a camera, brightness on a screen is calculated, so that a feedback control is performed to the irradiating portion to make the brightness fixed. Alternatively, based on a recognition rate upon character recognition within the image taken by the camera, a feedback control is performed to the irradiating portion to make the brightness fixed.

Abstract: In an irradiation control device which extends a longevity of an LED, a feedback control is performed to an irradiating portion by an output signal of a photo device provided in relation to the irradiating portion, thereby making brightness fixed. Alternatively, by performing image processing to an image taken by a camera, brightness on a screen is calculated, so that a feedback control is performed to the irradiating portion to make the brightness fixed. Alternatively, based on a recognition rate upon character recognition within the image taken by the camera, a feedback control is performed to the irradiating portion to make the brightness fixed.

Abstract: In order to improve an identification accuracy of a backlit number plate in a vehicle identification method and device which recognize a vehicle number from a number plate of a vehicle whose image is taken, an image frame of a vehicle is taken by an interlace method, irradiation is performed in an odd field and an even field composing the image frame with light of light quantities different from each other, images of the odd field and the even field are captured, and character recognition processing, only when character recognition processing of a number plate area extracted from an image of one field has ended in failure, of a number plate area extracted from an image of the other field is performed.

Abstract: A part of a high-resolution image captured by a camera is extracted as a partial image, a low-resolution image is generated using the extracted partial image, and a mobile object is detected using a low-resolution image. Then, using a high-resolution image, a recognition process for the detected mobile object is performed.

Abstract: In a multi-location television conference system that connects five locations A, B, C, D, and E, when speeches take place at the four locations A, B, C, and D at the same time, at a listening location E, images of all the speaking locations A, B, C, and D are displayed on one screen with four divided screen areas. On the other hand, at the speaking location A, images of the speaking locations B, c, and D and an image of the former speaking location E are displayed on one screen with four divided screen areas. In addition, when images of speaking locations are displayed, locations names thereof are also displayed. Thus, a television conference held at a plurality of locations at a time can be smoothly managed as with a real conventional conference.

Abstract: A multi-site video conference control system comprising a number of video conference terminals respectively situated at a number of sites and a video conference control unit for controlling a video conference. A communication line interface provided at each terminal makes a single calling with respect to the video conference control unit. A connection data section, which is provided at each terminal, manages connection data for other terminals to be connected and transmits the connection data to the video conference control unit. A control calling section, which is provided at the video conference control unit, calls the terminal corresponding to the connection data to be transmitted from the connection data section, based on the single calling. A connection controller, which is provided at the video conference control unit, connects the calling terminal, whose communication line interface made the single calling, and the other terminals called by the control calling section, with communication lines.

Abstract: In a multi-location television conference system that connects five locations A, B, C, D, and E, when speeches take place at the four locations A, B, C, and D at the same time, at a listening location E, images of all the speaking locations A, B, C, and D are displayed on one screen with four divided screen areas. On the other hand, at the speaking location A, images of the speaking locations B, c, and D and an image of the former speaking location E are displayed on one screen with four divided screen areas. In addition, when images of speaking locations are displayed, locations names thereof are also displayed. Thus, a television conference held at a plurality of locations at a time can be smoothly managed as with a real conventional conference.

Abstract: A multipont TV conference system including a multipoint control unit connected with TV conference rooms through a communication network. The multipoint control unit includes: a register for registering names of TV conference rooms and groups, telephone numbers and seats of the rooms and flags indicating the room of a TV conference promoter, the room selected for participating the TV conference and the room not corresponding to calls from the multipoint control unit; and a control unit to control process, performed among the rooms by using registered matter in the register and images of the rooms, for selecting the room and the group, holding a TV conference, participating in a TV conference, intermediately participating in the TV conference and prohibiting the room not participating in a TV conference from observing images of and listening voice in other rooms under holding TV conferences.

Abstract: In a multipoint video conferencing system wherein two images of a selected primary conference room and a selected secondary conference room are distributed to each CT, an unnaturalness, such that an exchange of right and left images occurs while a conversation is held between two conference rooms, arises. The unnaturalness is avoided by constructing the conference room terminal so that images displayed on two screen are exchanged when both of the primary and the secondary conference rooms are altered.

Abstract: A television conference system having at least one of the functions of automatically directing a camera toward a speaker, of transmitting video signals of picture images from a plurality of television cameras, and of displaying a document image.

Abstract: A multi-point conference system for making a video conference includes a center unit having a controller and an image selector, and three or more stations respectively coupled to the center unit, where each station includes at least one camera for picking up an image to output an image data, a display for displaying an image based on an image data and a request part for making a request. The controller initially sets master, sub and participating stations in conformance with a predetermined rule. The image selector automatically supplies the image data from the master station to the sub and participating stations to be displayed on the display thereof and supplies the image data from the sub station to the master station to be displayed on the display thereof.

Abstract: A camera assembly is provided having a rotary camera and a fixed camera for outputting an image signal. A switching unit receives the image signal from the rotary and fixed cameras and switches between them. The rotary camera rotates on a rotary stand drive. A control unit receives an operation signal and a speaker position signal from an operation panel and a speaker detection unit, respectively. The control unit outputs drive signal and/or switch signal based on the operation signal and/or speaker position signal to control a compression rate. An image coding unit codes the image signal from the control unit and the switching unit. The image coding unit determines a fixed compression rate so as to place primary importance on a movement of the image until the image coding unit receives an operation completion signal from the control unit after receiving the operation notice signal.