JP2002027420A - Educational system utilizing video conference method and educational device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an educational system utilizing a video conference method wherein a personal computer and a network are used for a large number of participants. SOLUTION: An educational system is provided which utilizes a video conference method wherein interchanged learning is provided between a plurality of class rooms with ISDN. Class rooms 00 connected through the ISDN1 are installed with a signal exchange part 34 which is electrically connected to an imaging camera 32 whose attitude is controlled, voice input/output equipments 39 and 40, a plurality of network type personal computers 33 (including 36 and 37), and an input operation part 38, for switching their video signal, voice signal, and data signal, as well as a transmission device part 35 which transmits/ receives the signals from the signal exchange part 34 while connected to the ISDN for transmitting/receiving the signals from other class rooms.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an education system using a video conference system, and more particularly to an education system using a video conference system in which a plurality of classrooms can be exchanged using a network type personal computer. And an educational device used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An educational system using a video conference system.
(Or distance education support system)
JP-A-8-9356, JP-A-8-46942,
The ones described in Kohei 11-55643 have been proposed.
Have been. Education system using conventional video conference
The system is described in the above-mentioned JP-A-8-46942.
A description will be given based on this. Figure 2 uses a conventional video conference
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an educational system to perform. Same figure
In a teacher station such as a broadcasting room where the teacher 11 who conducts the class is located
(Or master station) 10 and students 21 who take classes
Student bureau (or slave station) 20 such as classroom₁, 20_n And each other
A school facility with a similar system. In addition, raw
Student Office 20_nIs Student Affairs Bureau 20₁Is the same as
The inside is omitted without being illustrated. To teacher station 10
Is a video (television) camera 12, a monitor television 13,
Force operation unit 14, microphone 15, speaker 16, monitor
ISDN dedicated personal computer 18 with
One teaching material presentation device 19 is installed, and each device transmits.
Each is connected to the device section 17.

[0003] Similarly, the student station 20 _1, video (television) camera 22, a monitor television 23, the input operation unit 24,
A microphone 25, a speaker 26, and a personal computer 28 with a monitor are each installed, and each device is connected to a transmission device 27. Between the teacher station 10 and the student stations 20 ₁ and 20 _n , two-way communication can be performed by the transmission units 17 and 27 via an ISDN (Integrated Digital Communication Network).

[0004] The transmission devices in both the master and slave stations are capable of transmitting and receiving signals conforming to the video conferencing standard, and are input video signals of teachers, students, materials, etc., and voices such as remarks during class, music, and recordings. It has a function of multiplexing and encoding a signal and sending it to ISDN, and a function of demodulating a signal received from a network, separating a video signal and an audio signal, and outputting the separated signals to respective output devices.

[0005] Next, the operation of an educational system using a conventional video conference will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, in an education system using a conventional video conference system, a teacher and a student are divided into a teacher station 10 and a student station 20, respectively. The class teacher 11 operates the input operation unit 14 installed in the teacher station 10, to pivot the camera 22 installed in the student station 20 ₁ can change the orientation, the teacher station photographed image 10 monitors 1
Display to 3, it is possible to monitor the state of the student station 20 _1. Student station 20 ₁ the installed monitor 23 (or projector), the video image and materials presentation device 19 of the camera 12 installed in the teacher station 10 or the input operation unit 14 (or the switching device in the teacher station 10, ) Can be displayed by controlling. The teacher station 10 and a student station 20 _1, respectively microphone 15, 25 and the speaker 16,
26 was established, the voice collected by the microphone 15 of the teacher station 10 can be heard by the speaker 26 of the student station 20 ₁ and the teacher station 10 the audio from students collected by the microphone 25 of the student station 20 ₁ Can be heard on the speaker 16.

The transmission unit 17 of the teacher station 10 has an ISDN
When the dedicated personal computer 18 is connected and the screen of the personal computer 18 is sent to the student station 10, an image or text created by another personal computer is moved to the ISDN dedicated personal computer 18, and the image or text is sent to the dedicated personal computer 18. displays text and sent to the student station 20 ₁ over a transmission device 17,
It can be displayed on the monitor 23 of the student station. Similarly,
To students station 20 ₁ is installed an ISDN dedicated personal computer 28, a personal computer 28 that is connected to the transmission device 27, because they are different from the personal computer to be used student, personal computer image of the student Is sent to the teacher station 10, the image can be stored once and sent to the ISDN dedicated personal computer 28 for display.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional educational system using the video conference system has the following problems. The first problem is that there is no extensibility. The reason is that the teacher station and the student station are fixed when the educational system using the video conference system is installed and cannot be changed. Another reason is that the teacher station cannot control the camera of another student station, the camera installed in the teacher station, or the image switching control. The second problem is that it is difficult to operate a large number of people, such as school classrooms. The reason is that when using a large number of people using an education system that uses the
The (participant) uses a projector or monitor to view the screen of the other classroom. However, in school classrooms, desks and chairs are already installed and there are often no places to install monitors.In classrooms where personal computers are installed, personal computer monitors block the field of view and the screen is not visible. There is no case. Also,
This is because even when a projector or a television can be installed, the size of the projector is limited, the room is darkened at the time of use, and the screen may be invisible.

[0008] The third problem is that it is difficult to learn exchanges between personal computer classrooms. The reason is that personal computers that can be connected to an education system using a video conference are limited. In exchange learning, the image shown to the other party is not always on the personal computer connected to the video conference system, but is often on the personal computer of the student who is not connected to the educational system using the video conference system, In that case, it takes a long time to send the image, and the original exchange cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to eliminate the distinction between a teacher station and a student station and to perform camera control and image switching control of another station from both classrooms. It is to make. Another object of the present invention is to provide an educational system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via an ISDN, as an educational system using all personal computers and monitors in the classroom using the video conference system. To display camera images of other classrooms or personal computer images on the monitor screens of all personal computers so that a large number of participants can participate.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an education system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via ISDN. Each classroom connected via the ISDN has a plurality of network-type personal computers capable of mutually transmitting and receiving video signals, audio signals, and data signals to be transmitted and received, and another classroom in real time using the ISDN. And a transmission device for transmitting and receiving the video signal, the audio signal, and the data signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the education system using the video conference system according to the first aspect, wherein a signal exchange unit is arranged between the plurality of network-type personal computers and the transmission unit. And each of them is electrically connected, and the signal exchange unit transmits and receives the video signal,
It is characterized by switching between a voice signal and a data signal and creating an arbitrary combination.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an educational system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via an ISDN. Camera that can control the posture,
An audio input / output device, a plurality of network-type personal computers and an input operation unit, a signal exchange unit electrically connected to each of the above, and switching between their video signal, audio signal, and data signal; and the signal exchange unit And a transmission unit connected to the ISDN for transmitting / receiving the signal to / from another classroom.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an educational system using the video conference system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the transmission device transmits and receives a signal compliant with a video conference standard. It is characterized by being.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is used in an educational system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via ISDN, and is an educational device installed in the classroom. A photographing camera capable of controlling the posture, an audio input / output device, a plurality of network-type personal computers and an input operation unit, electrically connected to each of the above, and their video signals, audio signals,
A signal exchange unit for switching data signals, and a transmission unit for transmitting and receiving the signal to and from the signal exchange unit and connected to ISDN for transmitting and receiving the signal to and from another classroom.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the educational apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the transmission unit transmits and receives a signal conforming to a video conference standard.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The description will be specifically made using an embodiment. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an educational system using a video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the classrooms 30, 50 ₁ and 50n are school classrooms having the same educational device and connected to each other via the ISDN ₁ , and capable of two-way communication. Note that the inside of the classroom 50 _n, is the same as classrooms 30, 50 _1,
It is omitted without particular illustration.

In the classroom 30 where the students 31 _{1 to} 31 n are located,
Question video (or television) camera 32 for photographing a student to a like speech, networked personal computers 33 ₁ ~33n for each student, signal switching unit 34 to switch the signal, signal conforming to the television conference standard A transmission device unit 35 capable of transmitting and receiving data, monitors 36 _{1 to} 36 n with a network type personal computer, student's headsets 37 _{1 to} 37 n, an input operation unit 38 for controlling the signal exchange unit 34, a microphone 39, and a speaker 40 are provided. ing. Similarly, in the classroom 50 ₁ student 51 ₁ ～51N is present, a question, a video (or television) for photographing a pupil of the like remark camera 52, network personal computers 53 ₁ ～53N for each student, Signal exchange unit 5
4, the transmission device 55, a network personal computer monitor 56 ₁ ~56n, student headset 57
_{1 to} 57n, an input operation unit 58 for controlling the signal exchange unit, a microphone 59, and a speaker 60 are provided.

Hereinafter, each device installed in the classroom 30 will be described. Other devices such as the classrooms 50 ₁ and 50 n have similar functions. The students 31 ₁ to 31 n
The student is in the classroom 30 and is a member participating in the educational system using the video conference system of the present embodiment.
Each student 31 ₁ ~31n, each person, and a network personal computer 33 ₁ ~33n, monitor 36 _1-3
And 6n, head set 37 ₁ ~37n are prepared.
The camera 32 for taking a picture of a student who speaks can turn according to a camera control signal input by the teacher (or operator) from the input operation unit 38, and can turn to each student for taking a picture. . The video signal from the camera 32 is sent to the signal exchange unit 34.

The student network type personal computers 33 _{1 to} 33 n have their monitors 36 ₁ to 33 n, respectively.
And 36n, and a headset 37 ₁ ~37n, signal exchange unit 3
4 and has a function of transmitting and receiving a video signal and an audio signal between them.

The signal exchange section 34 is controlled by an input instruction from the input operation section 38 and has a function of switching all connected video signals and audio signals. Further, it has a control function of moving the camera 32 in response to a camera control signal sent from the input operation unit 38.

The transmission unit 35 is capable of transmitting and receiving signals conforming to the video conference standard. The video signal, the audio signal and the data signal selected by the input operation unit 38 are input from the signal exchange unit 34, and are transmitted to the video conference standard. It has the function of encoding a compliant signal and transmitting it over ISDN. Conversely, when a signal conforming to the video conference standard is received from the net, the receiver has a function of decoding the received signal and converting it into a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal.

The monitor 36 ₁ ~36n has to view the image transmitted from the signal switching unit 34, a function of displaying a screen of the personal computer 33 ₁ ~33n students themselves. The headsets 37 _{1 to} 37 n are ones in which a microphone and a headset are integrated, and
Is connected to the 3 _{1 ~33n,} the voice of the student 31~31n collected by the microphone, and outputs the function of sending to the personal computer 33 ₁ ~33n, the audio signals that have been transmitted from the personal computer 33 ₁ ~33n the headphone Has functions.

The input operation unit 38 is connected to the signal exchange unit 34, displays on the display unit the presence / absence of all video signals and audio signals connected to the signal exchange unit 34, and switches these signals or performs arbitrary operation. To create one set. In addition, it has a function of preliminarily inputting and storing, as a set of information, the seat position of each student in the classroom and the personal computer 33 used, and stores the information as a set of information. It has a command function for moving the camera 32 toward the student who speaks via the signal exchange unit 34. The microphone 39 is for collecting questions of students and voices answered by teachers, and the speaker 40 is for increasing the volume of questions and answers in other classrooms so that students in each classroom can hear them.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Dr. classroom 30 (or operator) selects from being input to the signal switching unit 34 by the input operation unit 38 an image to be transmitted to the classroom 50 _1. When you select the teaching material presentation device (not shown), the image signal switching section 34, is sent to the classroom 50 ₁ via a transmission device 35.

When an arbitrary student 31 is selected by the input operation unit 38, a camera control signal is sent to the camera 32 based on the student information registered in advance, and the camera 32 is turned to specify the student 31 to be nominated. Student 3 facing the seat direction
The first close-up image is sent to the signal exchange unit 34. At the same time, the signal exchange unit 34
The screen of the personal computer 33 is received, and the voice signal is obtained by collecting the voice of the student 31 with the headset 37,
The signal is sent to the signal exchange unit 34 via the personal computer 33 of the student 31.

The video signal and the audio signal collected by the signal exchange unit 34 can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of video signals, audio signals, and data signals by operating the input operation unit 38 while observing the presence / absence of the signal. It is created, sent to the transmission device section 35, converted into an encoded signal conforming to the video conference standard,
Send to ISDN1.

In the classroom 501, the coded signal from the ISDN ₁ is decoded by the transmission unit 55 and converted into a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal. The converted video signal, audio signal, and data signal are sent to each personal computer 53 via a signal exchange unit 54. The video signal is displayed on a monitor 56 of the personal computer 53, and the audio signal is output to a headset 57. Is done. Alternatively, a terminal that controls and outputs the transmission device unit 55 with the input operation unit 58 can be selected. In this case, the signal exchange unit 54 sends the video signal and the audio signal to any selected personal computer 53. In the personal computer 53, the video signal is displayed on the monitor 56 screen as a close-up image of the student 31 in the classroom 30 or the personal computer screen of the student 31. The audio signal is transmitted to the headset 57
, And a voice from the student 31 in the classroom 30 can be heard.

[0028] A similar work, classroom 30 from the classroom 50 ₁
Can be run against Teacher (or operator) controls the input operation section 58, a camera 52 classrooms 50 ₁
The move, classroom 50 ₁ of the entire image, of any of the student image,
One of the personal computer screens of any student can be selected. In addition, the voice of the entire classroom or the voice of an arbitrary student can be selected and transmitted to another classroom 30 via the transmission device unit 55 and the ISDN 1. In classroom 30 receives the signal transmitted from the classroom 50 ₁ transmitting unit 35 is decoding processing, and sends the signal switching unit 34 is converted into a video signal and an audio signal and a data signal. Further, each signal from the signal exchange unit is sent to all the students selected by the input operation unit 38 of the classroom 30 or the personal computer 33 of any student 31, and further, the video signal is sent to the monitor 36.
, And the audio signal is sent to the headset 37.

In the embodiments described above, information transfer between classrooms has been mainly described, but it is needless to say that information transfer between students in the same classroom is not limited to this. No. Although not particularly described, a teacher-only network-type personal computer is provided as a matter of course, and can be used in the same manner as for a student.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the signal exchange unit and the transmission device are different from those of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the number of connection lines with the ISDN 1 of the transmission unit 35 is increased, and the whole image in the classroom selected by the control of the input operation unit 38 the image at any student without selection a personal computer screen any students in the classroom 30 within sends all images in the classroom 50 ₁ at the other end of the connection, other classes 50 ₁
By controlling from the input operation unit 58 or the personal computer 53 of each student 51, selection is made as necessary and displayed on the monitor screen 56. As described above, in the second embodiment, the entire classroom image, an image of an arbitrary student, and a personal computer screen of an arbitrary student are displayed on the receiving classroom 50.
By making the selection in step ₁ , an image as needed can be instantly displayed on each student monitor 56 as compared with the first embodiment.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and a design change or the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even if present, it is included in the present invention. For example, using an optical character reader (OCR: Optical Character Reader), a DVD (Digital Video Disk) player, a digital camera, and other teaching material presenting devices, and connecting to a signal exchange unit, it will be a fulfilling educational device. Educational effects can be expected further.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. The first effect is that an expansion is created and a wide range of interaction is possible. The reason for this is that the transmission station unit that complies with the video conference standard allows the student station to connect to the destination (including the teacher station).
This is because camera control, video and audio switching, and data signal transmission / reception can be performed, and the conventional teacher station and student station are no longer distinguished. The second effect is that learning can be performed by a large number of people using a personal computer. The reason is that video signals and audio signals sent from other classrooms can now be sent to all of the multiple personal computers via the signal exchange unit instead of directly to the personal computer. It is. A third effect is that the screen of any student personal computer can be sent to the other party, and exchange learning using the personal computer can be easily performed. The reason is that the signal exchange section is installed between the personal computer and the transmission device section, and the input operation section is connected to the signal exchange section, so that the input operation section is operated and controlled to be connected to the signal exchange section. This is because an arbitrary video signal can be selected from a plurality of video signals and sent to a connection partner of another classroom via the transmission device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an education system using a video conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional education system using a video conference system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ISDN 30, 50 Classroom 31, 51 Student 32, 52 Camera (photographing camera) 33, 53 Student's personal computer 34, 54 Signal exchange unit 35, 55 Transmission unit 36, 56 Personal computer monitor 37, 57 With personal computer Headset 38, 58 Input operation unit 39, 59 Microphone (input / output device) 40, 60 Speaker (input / output device)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Sugimoto 1-1-1 Shinurashima-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in NEC Robot Engineering Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C028 BA05 BB04 BB06 BD02 CA13 DA07 5C064 AA02 AC04 AC07 AC12 AC16 AD09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An educational system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via an ISDN, wherein each classroom connected via the ISDN includes a video signal, an audio signal, A plurality of network-type personal computers capable of mutually transmitting and receiving data signals, and a transmission device unit for transmitting and receiving the video signal, audio signal, and data signal to and from another classroom in real time using the ISDN. An educational system that uses a video conference system that is installed. 2. A signal exchange unit is disposed between the plurality of network-type personal computers and the transmission device unit, and each of the signal exchange units is electrically connected to each other. 2. The educational system using a video conference system according to claim 1, wherein an audio signal and a data signal are switched or an arbitrary combination is created. 3. An education system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via an ISDN, wherein each classroom connected via the ISDN includes a photographing camera capable of controlling a posture, a voice, and a voice. Input / output devices, a plurality of network-type personal computers and an input operation unit, and electrically connected to each of the above, their video signals,
A signal exchange unit for switching between a voice signal and a data signal, and transmission and reception of the signal between the signal exchange unit;
An educational system using a video conference system, further comprising a transmission unit connected to another classroom for transmitting and receiving the signal. 4. The educational system using a video conference system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission device transmits and receives a signal conforming to a video conference standard. 5. An educational apparatus used in an educational system using a video conference system in which exchange learning between a plurality of classrooms can be performed via an ISDN, wherein the photographing camera is capable of controlling a posture. An audio input / output device, a plurality of network-type personal computers and an input operation unit, a signal exchange unit electrically connected to each of the above, and switching between their video signal, audio signal, and data signal; The signal is transmitted and received between the
An educational device comprising a transmission unit connected to the SDN and transmitting / receiving the signal to / from another classroom. 6. The educational device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission device transmits and receives a signal conforming to a video conference standard.