Camera System

Abstract

To provide a camera system in which employees are made to wear a camera unit for recording how they deal with customers while working in order to prevent employees from becoming excessively stressed, and customers are made to recognize that they are being photographed by the camera, thereby preventing customers from becoming enraged. [Solution] A camera system (1) is provided in a housing (10) that can be attached to at least the surface of clothing (B) and a camera unit (12) that captures an image of a person as a subject and generates video data. In particular, a display screen capable of displaying video data is provided in the housing (10) on the same surface as the lens surface of the camera unit (12), and by displaying the video data on the display screen, it is possible to inform the person being photographed that they are being photographed by the camera unit (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera system used to reduce work stress of employees whose jobs require interpersonal interactions. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, customer harassment against employees is a common problem in jobs that involve interpersonal interactions. For example, during the accounting process at a convenience store cash register, customers can become enraged when they are asked to confirm that they are an adult or when they mishear whether or not they need a plastic bag, causing excessive stress to employees.

[0003] Furthermore, in call centers that often handle complaint calls, operators are susceptible to excessive stress when callers speak emotionally. A system has been proposed for use in such call centers that, when a caller's speech contains intimidating, emotional speech, switches to a synthetic voice with suppressed emotion and outputs it to the operator, thereby reducing the stress experienced by the operator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-078068 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Like the call center system mentioned above, when there is no customer in front of the employee, a relaxed pseudo-situation can be created to reduce the stress on the employee, but when dealing with a human being, most of the time the only thing they can do is calm down the angry customer in front of them.

[0006] Furthermore, when a problem arises between an employee and a customer, the employee is required to report the situation to a superior, such as the store manager. However, when the employee himself is extremely upset, it is often difficult for him to grasp the situation well enough to properly report to his superior.

[0007] In light of this situation, the inventor has decided to provide a camera system in which employees work wearing a camera unit that records how they interact with customers in order to prevent employees from becoming excessively stressed, and which makes customers aware that they are being filmed by the camera, thereby preventing them from becoming enraged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The camera system of the present invention is a camera system that includes a camera unit that takes pictures of a person as a subject and generates video data, and is provided in a housing that can be attached to at least the surface of clothing. In particular, the camera system is characterized in that a display screen that can display video data is provided on the same surface as the lens surface of the camera unit, and by displaying the video data on the display screen, it is possible to inform the person being photographed that they are being photographed by the camera unit. The person to be photographed is a customer facing the employee who has the housing attached, and the camera has a control unit that generates customer video data in which the customer is positioned at the center of the image as video data, and displays the customer video data on a display screen. This is what we do.

[0009] moreover 、 The housing has a function that switches to emergency mode when operated. R Emergency operation button provided 、 When the emergency operation button is operated 、 Drive the display screen in flashlight mode It is also characterized by the fact that Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the camera system is configured with a camera unit that captures images of subjects consisting of people and generates video data, and is mounted in a housing that can be attached to at least the surface of clothing. This allows employees wearing this camera system to leave the situation reports to the camera system and concentrate on dealing with the customer in front of them, allowing them to respond calmly.

[0011] Furthermore, in the camera system of the present invention, a display screen capable of displaying video data is provided on the housing on the same surface as the lens surface of the camera unit, and by displaying video data on the display screen, it is possible to inform the person being photographed that they are being photographed by the camera unit, so that the customer being served by the staff can objectively grasp his or her own situation, which gives the customer an opportunity to regain composure in an angry mood, thereby preventing the customer from becoming angry. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of the camera system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] (a) is a front view of the housing of the camera system of this embodiment, (b) is a left side view of the housing of the camera system of this embodiment, (c) is a right side view of the housing of the camera system of this embodiment, (d) is a bottom view of the housing of the camera system of this embodiment, and (e) is a rear view of the housing of the camera system of this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for mounting the camera system of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera system 1 of the present invention is used by attaching it to the surface of clothing B of employee A. In some cases, it may be attached not only to clothing B but also to a stand (not shown) provided next to employee A standing near the cash register in a detachable manner. When attaching the camera system 1 to clothing B, it can be attached at a position higher than the chest level to reduce the influence of loose clothing B. In other words, when employee A wearing the camera system 1 moves, the camera system 1 can be prevented from moving more than necessary. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent customers from looking at the chest when looking at the camera system 1, which makes it less likely that employee A will feel awkward.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera system 1 of the present invention is configured with a housing 10 that has a rounded rectangular shape when viewed from the front and has a predetermined thickness.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2(a), a display screen 11 made of a liquid crystal panel is provided in the center of the front of the housing 10. This display screen 11 displays images, which will be described later. Although the display screen 11 can use the entire front of the housing 10 as a display screen, the image size is set to the familiar 3:4 or 16:9 to make it easier to view.

[0016] Although not shown in Fig. 2(a), a display unit is provided on the upper edge of the display screen 11 for displaying the date and time of shooting, and for example, indicating whether recording has started by using a red circle, etc. Also, a display unit is provided on the lower edge of the display screen 11 for displaying the recording status of video data, which will be described later, the remaining battery status of the camera system 1, etc.

[0017] A camera unit 12 is provided on a display screen 11 of a housing 10, and the lens surface of the camera unit 12 and the display screen 11 that displays an image are arranged on the same plane. Note that the "same plane" does not necessarily have to be so-called "flush" and also includes a state in which the lens surface is slightly in front of or behind the display screen 11. The camera unit 12 of this embodiment is a camera unit capable of generating video data at 30 fps. The video data generated by the camera unit 12 is adjusted by a control unit (not shown) provided in the housing 10, and is recorded on a memory card, which is a recording medium. The control unit also displays the video data on the display screen 11.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2(a), a microphone hole 13 is provided to the left of the camera unit 12, and audio input to a microphone (not shown) via this microphone hole 13 is recorded together with video data.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(a), an operation status indicator light 14 made of a light emitting diode is provided on the upper edge of the housing 10. This operation status indicator light 14 enables employee A using the camera system 1 to visually confirm that the camera system 1 is running.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2(b), a power button 15 and a stop button 16 are provided on the left side of the housing 10. The power button 15 is an operation button for turning the main power of the camera system 1 on and off, and if the camera unit 12 experiences thermal runaway, for example, pressing and holding the power button 15 will forcibly shut it down and restart it. The stop button 16 is an operation button for stopping an operation of the camera system 1 when the camera system 1 is performing some operation, as will be described later.

[0021] 2(c), a memory card cover 17 is provided on the right side of the housing 10 to cover an insertion slot (not shown) for inserting a memory card (not shown) that is removable from the housing 10. In addition, an emergency operation button 18 is provided on the right side of the housing 10. This emergency operation button 18 is an operation button that employee A wearing the camera system 1 operates when he or she feels that an emergency has occurred, and causes the camera system 1 to perform the operation described below.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2(d), a USB terminal 19 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. This USB terminal 19 is used to charge a battery (not shown) inside the housing 10 or to retrieve video data recorded on a memory card. Video data may be retrieved by removing the memory card from the housing 10, and the video data in the memory card may be extracted or viewed using an appropriate personal computer or the like. The battery built into the housing 10 may be replaceable, and it is desirable to replace the battery when it becomes necessary to charge during the course of a day's work.

[0023] 2(e) and 2(d), the rear surface of the housing 10 is provided with engagement pieces 21, 21 parallel to the rear surface. These engagement pieces 21, 21 are engagement protrusions provided to engage with engagement receiving portions 23 of a support member 22 attached to the surface of clothing B of employee A, as shown in FIG.

[0024] In this embodiment, the engagement pieces 21, 21 are provided on the rear surface of the housing 10, extending on both the left and right sides of a guide plate 24 that is provided on the rear surface of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction, and are parallel to the rear surface of the housing 10. The form of the engagement pieces 21, 21 is not limited to this form, and any form may be used as long as the housing 10 can be detachably attached to the support member 22.

[0025] 3, the support member 22 is flat and has a safety pin (not shown) on the back side so that it can be attached to the clothing B of the employee A via the safety pin. The manner in which the support member 22 is attached to the clothing B is not limited to this manner, and the support member 22 may be attached to the clothing B by any suitable method.

[0026] The engagement receiving portion 23 has grooves extending in the vertical direction into which the engagement pieces 21, 21 are inserted, and the engagement pieces 21, 21 are inserted into these grooves from above to engage with each other. Although not shown in Fig. 3, a lock pin is provided on the support member 22, and the housing 10 is fixed and supported to the engagement receiving portion 23 via the lock pin. By releasing the lock provided by the lock pin, the housing 10 can be removed from the support member 22, and the housing 10 can be freely attached to and detached from the support member 22.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2(e), a detection pin 25 of a limit switch (not shown) may be provided on the back surface of the housing 10, so that when the housing 10 is attached to the support member 22, the detection pin 25 is pressed down, and when the housing 10 is removed from the support member 22, the pressed state of the detection pin 25 is released, thereby making it possible to detect that the housing 10 has been removed from the support member 22.

[0028] In particular, when the limit switch detects that the housing 10 has been removed from the support member 22, a control unit (not shown) provided in the housing 10 puts the camera unit 12 into standby mode and temporarily stops the generation of video data, thereby making it easier to prevent the generation of video data that violates the privacy of employee A.

[0029] A method of using the camera system 1 configured in this manner will now be described.

[0030] Employee A who uses the camera system 1 attaches the support member 22 to a predetermined position on clothing B, and then attaches the housing 10 of the camera system 1 to this support member 22, thereby attaching the camera system 1 to clothing B.

[0031] The camera system 1 generates moving image data by turning on the power to start up the camera unit 12. The generated moving image data is recorded on a memory card, which is a recording medium.

[0032] When the memory area of ​​the memory card becomes low, new video data is overwritten in the recording area in which the oldest recorded video data is recorded, so that the latest video data can always be recorded. In this embodiment, the video data that is overwritten in this way is video data that does not need to be reviewed, so there is no problem with the overwriting process.

[0033] The camera unit 12 captures images with a relatively wide angle of view, and the control unit within the housing 10 detects customers using a customer detection function that detects customers facing employee A in the generated video data.

[0034] When a customer facing employee A is detected, the control unit generates customer video data in which the customer is positioned at the center of the image. By positioning the customer at the center of the image in this customer video data, a so-called camera shake correction effect is created, making it possible to display a clear image.

[0035] In the camera system 1, this customer image data is displayed on the display screen 11.

[0036] A customer facing employee A can see himself or herself displayed on the display screen 11 of the camera system 1 and can therefore be aware that he or she is being photographed.

[0037] Here, if a customer becomes enraged, employee A operates the emergency operation button 18 of the camera system 1.

[0038] The camera system 1 is configured to start an emergency mode when the emergency operation button 18 is operated. The emergency operation button 18 is also a so-called panic button.

[0039] When the emergency mode is activated, the camera system 1 records the video data generated by the camera unit 12 as a newly created file on the memory card. By creating a newly created file in this way, it becomes easier to check the video data.

[0040] In particular, the newly created file includes a predetermined amount of video data before the emergency operation button 18 is operated. This makes it possible to prevent missing the start of a problem even if employee A is late in operating the emergency operation button 18.

[0041] Furthermore, when employee A operates emergency operation button 18 to activate emergency mode, camera system 1 outputs a warning sound from housing 10 so that employee A can recognize that emergency mode has been activated. In other words, this prevents employee A, frightened by an enraged customer, from forgetting to press emergency operation button 18, and ensures that video data from which a problem may occur is generated. This warning sound can be stopped by operating stop button 16.

[0042] The housing 10 may also be provided with a flashlight (not shown) and a flashlight power supply (not shown) for driving the flashlight. That is, when employee A operates the emergency operation button 18 to activate the emergency mode, the flashlight may be driven at least once to allow employee A to recognize that the emergency mode has been activated, and to intimidate an infuriated customer, thereby easing his or her angry feelings.

[0043] Instead of providing a flashlight on the housing 10, the display screen 11 may be driven in flashlight mode to emit strong light for dual use. In particular, the strong light emitted by the display screen 11 will direct the customer's gaze to the display screen 11 of the camera system 1, and then an image of the customer will be displayed on the display screen 11, thereby reliably informing the customer that he or she is being photographed. Moreover, the display screen 11 will display the customer's own enraged state, giving the customer an opportunity to come to his or her senses and making it easier for the customer to regain composure.

[0044] At this time, customer image data is displayed on the display screen 11, allowing the customer to clearly recognize himself / herself.

[0045] In this way, in the camera system 1 of the present invention, a camera unit 12 that captures an image of a person as a subject and generates video data is provided in a housing 10 that can be attached to at least the surface of clothing B, and a display screen 11 that can display the video data is provided in the housing 10 on the same surface as the lens surface of the camera unit 12, and by displaying the video data on the display screen 11, it is possible to let the person being photographed know that they are being photographed by the camera unit, giving them an opportunity to calm down.

[0046] It should be noted that rather than constantly displaying video data on the display screen 11, video data may be displayed on the display screen 11 only when employee A operates the emergency operation button 18, thereby making it less likely that innocent customers will develop the suspicion that they are being filmed.

[0047] Alternatively, the display screen 11 may be set to display video data only when employee A operates the emergency operation button 18, thereby making employee A aware that video recording is not being performed all the time. By making employee A aware of this, video data of the fraudulent act can be generated in silent mode for employee A who commits fraud, and this can be used to eradicate fraud.

[0048] When employee A finishes work for the day, he or she removes the housing 10 of the camera system 1 from the support member 22 and attaches it to a charging unit (not shown) to charge the battery inside the housing 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] A Employee B. Clothes 1 Camera System 10. Chassis 11 Display screen 12 Camera unit 13 Microphone hole 14 Operation status indicator 15 Power Button 16 Stop button 17 Memory card cover 18 Emergency operation button 19 USB port 21 Engagement piece 22 Support member 23 Engagement receiving portion 24 Guide plate 25 Detection pin

Claims

[Claim 1] A camera system including a camera unit that captures an image of a person and generates video data, the camera unit being provided in a housing that can be attached to at least a surface of clothing, a display screen capable of displaying the video data is provided on the housing so as to be flush with a lens surface of the camera unit; A camera system capable of informing a person to be photographed that he or she is being photographed by the camera unit by displaying the video data on the display screen, The person to be photographed is a customer facing the employee who has attached the housing, a control unit that generates customer video data in which the customer is positioned at the center of an image as the video data; Displaying the customer image data on a display screen; The housing is provided with an emergency operation button that switches to an emergency mode when operated; A camera system that drives the display screen in a flashlight mode when the emergency operation button is operated.

Images