JPH05268602A - Video conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smoothly perform presentation and conference conduct and to prevent the labor of operation from overlapping. CONSTITUTION:Electronic conference devices EA and EB constituting a video conference system are provided with input means 2 and 22 for input of operation start order data of video storage means 6 to 9 and 26 to 29, storage means 4, 4a, 24, and 24a where this operation start order data inputted by input means 2 and 22 is stored, and transmission/reception means 19 and 39 which transmit and receive a video signal, a voice signal, and a control signal. A control means 1 or 21 constituting one of electronic conference devices EA and EB transmits the control signal by the transmission/reception means 19 or 39 which controls a source when the other has the same source, but it transmits pictures and voices of the source in its own electronic conference device by the transmission/ reception means 19 or 39 when the other has not the shame source.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference system for reproducing and presenting documents, still images, moving images and the like to hold a conference.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional video conference system, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-94783,
When reproducing and presenting documents, still images, moving images, etc., the operation to switch between video and audio and the operation to remotely control each device were performed separately for each device, so the operation was troublesome and limited. In some cases, it was difficult to effectively and smoothly present information, explain information (presentation), and manage a meeting in time.

In addition, the same operation is required each time a presentation or a conference having the same content is held by different attendees or places, and the operation is duplicated.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to smoothly perform a presentation or a conference operation and to avoid the trouble of operation. To provide a video conference system.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a first electronic conference which is arranged in a first conference room and a second conference room and is connected to each other by a communication line. And a second electronic conferencing device, and each electronic conferencing device selectively displays the video signal reproduced from the video storage means such as a still image storage device for storing a still image. Display control means for displaying on
In the video conference system having a control unit that controls the operation of the video storage unit, each of the electronic conference devices includes:
Input / output means for inputting operation start order data of the video storage means, storage means for storing the operation start order data input by the input means, transmission / reception for transmitting / receiving a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal The control means transmits a control signal for controlling the source when the partner electronic conferencing apparatus has the same source, and transmits the control signal for controlling the source when the partner electronic conferencing apparatus does not have the same source. The video and audio of the source of the electronic conferencing apparatus are transmitted by the transmitting / receiving means.

[0006]

In the electronic conferencing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
In the above configuration, the input means 2 has a memory registration mode and a scenario execution mode.

In the memory registration mode, data indicating the operation start order of the image storage means 6 to 9 (operation start order data) is registered in the storage means 4 and 4a.

In the scenario execution mode, the video storage means of the own device EA is controlled based on the operation start sequence data registered in the storage means 4 and 4a, and the partner device EB is used.
If there is a source, the control signal of the source is transmitted to the partner device EB via the transmitting / receiving means 19 and the partner device EB is transmitted.
Output the same video and audio to the partner device EB through the transmitting / receiving means 19 when the source device of the own device EA does not have a source.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a video conference system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video conference system as an embodiment of the present invention. The video conference system in FIG. 1 is a communication line (ISDN line) with each other.
It is composed of two electronic conferencing devices EA and EB connected by 20, and each of the electronic conferencing devices EA and EB is arranged in the conference rooms A and B.

The electronic conference device EA is an MPU (microprocessor unit, control means) 1 for controlling the entire device.
, Touch screen monitor 2a and tact switch 2b
And an operation unit (input means) 2 having the above, a remote commander 3 connected to the operation unit 2, a memory card control unit 4 as the storage unit in which a memory card 4a as the storage unit is inserted, and an image storage unit. Document processor 6, VTR 7, laser disk (LD) 8 and still image recording / reproducing device (STILL) 9, an AV control unit 5 for remotely controlling the image storage means 7 to 9, an audio signal, a video signal, and a control signal. Etc., an AV switcher 10, monitors 11 to 13 (display means) for displaying an image by a video signal from the AV switcher 10, a speaker 14 for outputting an audio by an audio signal from the AV switch 10, and a conference room. A camera 16 for taking an image in A, a platform 17 equipped with the camera 16, AV switcher 10 the pan head 17 of the
Pan head controller 15 controlled by a control signal from the camera
And a video conference board 18 for conducting a video conference
And a codec 19 as a transmission unit that performs encoding and decoding for communication with the partner electronic conferencing apparatus EB. The electronic conference device EB has the same configuration.

In FIG. 1, the solid line of the double arrow indicates data, and the solid line of the single arrow indicates AV signal.

The memory card 4a is used for each of the video equipment 6 to.
This is a medium for registering the information presentation procedure (operation start order) of No. 9. FIG. 2 shows an example of the stored contents of the memory card 4a.
In FIG. 2, the first is page 11 of the document of processor 6 and the second is page 12 of the document of processor 6.
Playback of the first VTR that constitutes the VTR 7 on the third page,
The reproduction of the second VTR forming the VTR 7 is stored fourth, the reproduction of the track 5 of the still image recording / reproducing device 9 is stored fifth, and the camera position A of the camera 16 is stored last M. The MPU 1 controls each video device according to the above-mentioned order to present a document or the like.

Next, a method of registering the above-mentioned presentation procedure in the memory card 4a will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 3
[Fig. 6] is a screen display diagram showing an operation screen of the touch screen monitor 2a of the operation unit 2 when designating a presentation procedure, in which the first to fifth presentation orders have already been designated, and the sixth presentation has been designated. The operation screen when the user is

In FIG. 3, a scenario display order designating switch is shown in the area 41, and the presentation order is determined by the numbers shown in the upper left of each switch. In addition, the remote control switches for each source are displayed in the area 42, and the designated source is displayed in the area 43. In addition, 44 is an end switch, 45 is a scenario clear switch, 46 is a memory read switch, and 47 is a memory registration switch.

Next, the memory registration operation of the presentation order, the operation when registering the document processor 6 in the order N = 6, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the operation unit 2 is set to the memory registration mode by the tact switch 2b, the MPU 1 reads this mode and starts the operation of the memory registration mode.

In the operation of the above mode, first, the scenario display order N = 6 is designated by turning on the switch of order 6 in the area 41 (step S1). The designation of the scenario display order 6 is notified from the operation unit 2 to the MPU 1. At this time, in the area 42, "Specify the source of scenario No. 6" is displayed as shown in FIG. Therefore, the source is designated as "Document Processor" using the switch in the area 42.

Next, it is determined whether or not the source is the document processor (step S2). Since the source is the document processor as described above, step S3
Then, the display page is designated by the page designation switch of the document displayed in the area 43. After designating the display page, the process proceeds to step S14.

When the source is a still image recording / reproducing apparatus, a switch relating to the still image recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, a track designating switch is displayed in the area 43, and after designating a display track, the process proceeds to step S14 (step S4, S
5).

If the source is a VTR, the presence or absence of reproduction is designated (steps S6 and S7), and if the source is a camera, the camera position is designated (steps S8 and S).
9).

In this way, the source and display contents corresponding to the scenario display order N are determined. When these are designated, the video of the device selected through the AV switcher 10 is displayed on the monitors 11 to 13,
Since the equipment is also remotely controlled via the control unit 5, the procedure can be set up while confirming what is specified.

When the device for information presentation is forgotten to be specified and the device is not specified, the device for which the specification is forgotten can be inserted later. This will be described with reference to FIG. First, the scenario display order N is specified, and this order N is specified according to the position to insert. For example, in FIG. 3, when a document with 13 display pages is to be inserted as a third document between the second document with 12 display pages and the third 8 mm VTR, the above order N = 3 is specified. (Step S
1). Next, when the insertion switch of the area 42 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S1 to steps S10 and S11, and the switch of the area N in the order N = 3 becomes empty. At this time,
If the source is designated as the document processor in the area 42 and the page designation of the document is set to 13 pages by the page designation switch in the area 43, the area 41
The document whose display page is 13 pages is specified by the third switch of. The original 8mm VTR is designated by the 4th switch.

When the information presentation by the designated device becomes unnecessary, the unnecessary device can be deleted later. First, the scenario display order N is designated. This order N is a number corresponding to the device to be deleted. For example, when it is desired to delete the fifth still image recording / reproducing device (STILL), N = 5 is designated (step S1). Next, when the deletion switch of the area 42 is turned on, step S
From 1 to steps S12 and S13, the still image recording / reproducing apparatus having the order N = 5 in the area 41 is deleted, and the document having the order N = 6 is moved up and designated as N = 5.

Next, the MPU 1 has the memory registration switch 47.
It is determined whether or not is on (step S14). If the memory registration switch 47 is not turned on, the process returns to step S1 to specify the next scenario display order. When the memory registration switch 47 is turned on, step S1
The order of presentation specified so far in S13 to S13 is registered in the memory card 4a set in advance in the memory card control unit 4 of FIG. 1 (step S15).

After registration in step S15, the MPU 1 determines whether the end switch 44 is on (step S1).
6). When the end switch 44 is not on, the process returns to step S1 and the next order N is designated. End switch 4
When 4 is on, the flow of FIG. 4 ends.

Although not shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4, after registering the order of presentation in the memory card 4a in step S15, the memory read switch 46 in FIG. 3 is turned on to turn on the memory card 4a. It is also possible to display the stored order of presentation in the area 41.

Although the flow of FIG. 4 has been described for the electronic conference device EA, the same applies to the electronic conference device EB.

Next, the execution of the presentation procedure (scenario) will be described with reference to FIGS. In this description,
The own electronic conference device is the device EA, and the other electronic conference device is the device E.
This will be described as B.

FIG. 5 shows the operation unit 2 when executing the presentation procedure.
3 is a screen display diagram showing an operation screen of the touch screen monitor 2a of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 51 indicates a switch with a display indicating that a document is displayed on the main projector as a monitor, and 52 indicates that a sub-projector as a monitor displays an image captured by a close-up camera. Switch with indicator, 53 is VT
This is a switch with a display indicating that the same content as that of the main projector is displayed on the preview monitor used for the beginning of R or the like.

The area 54 in FIG. 5 shows the order of equipment in scenario execution. This execution order is displayed by turning on the scenario execution switch 57 in the equipment selection area 56. Further, in the area 55, the operation corresponding to the currently executed scenario number is displayed, and in FIG. 5, the operation corresponding to the document is displayed. Furthermore, 5
Reference numeral 8 is a VTR recording switch, and 59 is an environment, for example, an air conditioning switch. Further, 60 is an end switch used in scenario execution, and 61 is an electronic conferencing apparatus EA.
Switch for local use for local use, 62
Is a video conference switch for using the electronic conference device EA for a video conference.

When the operation unit 2 is set to the execution mode (scenario execution mode) of the presentation procedure by operating the tact switch 2b, the touch screen monitor 2a of the operation unit 2 displays as shown in FIG. However, FIG. 5 shows the screen display when the first to fifth presentations have already been executed and the sixth presentation is in execution.

Before executing the scenario, first, the memory card 4a is inserted into the memory card controller 4 and the scenario execution switch 57 is turned on. When the switch 57 is turned on, the MPU 1 reads the scenario data from the memory card 4a (step S21 in FIG. 6), displays the scenario execution mode in the area 34 of the touch screen monitor 2a, and displays the scenario data in the memory card 4a. The stored presentation procedure is displayed.

At first, the scenario number N is set to 1 (step S22).
The contents of the presentation number 1 of a are identified, the source of N = 1 is displayed in the area 54, and the video and audio of the device designated by the presentation number 1 are output from the monitor 11 and the speaker 14 to the AV switcher 10. And the AV switcher 10 switches according to this command (step S2).
3).

Next, the MPU 1 determines whether or not a remote controller such as a display page is designated in the N = 1st presentation (step S24), and when the remote controller is designated, it is designated by the remote controller information. A command is given to the device or AV control unit 5, and the specified device or AV control unit 5 executes the command (step S25). When the remote controller is not designated, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S26. When N = 1, the display page of the document is 11, so the remote controller is designated.

In step S26, it is judged whether or not there is a conference between the separated points (whether or not there is a video conference). The state of the video conference switch 62 is read into the MPU 1, and if the switch 62 is on, it is determined that the video conference is in progress, and if the switch 62 is not on, it is determined that the video conference is not in progress.

If it is determined in step S26 that a video conference is in progress, then it is determined whether or not the same source is present in the partner electronic conferencing apparatus EB in the partner meeting room B (step S27). This is because each device EA, by exchanging information between the devices EA and EB at an appropriate time,
Device configuration information, device storage information, and the like of the partner device are input and stored in the EB, and the presence or absence of the same source is determined by using these information.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, since the document processors 6 and 26 as sources are provided, the own device EA is used.
Instructs the partner device EB via the codecs 19 and 39 to present the same content by the same source (step S28). Further, since there is a remote controller for designating a display page, the partner device EB is instructed to perform the same remote controller (step S29).

If the own device EA cannot confirm that the same source is present in step S27, for example, if the reproduced image of the VTR is used, the video and audio of the source are transmitted to the codec 19, ISDN 20, and the codec to the partner device EB. It transmits via 39 (step S30), and instructs to display the transmitted video and audio (step S3).
1).

When the display contents of the device are thus determined, the devices EA and EB synchronously present information and explain information.

After the explanation by the contents presented by the device designated by the presentation procedure of N = 1 is finished in each device EA, EB (the system is controlled by the device EA,
Since the presentation is performed in synchronization, the presentation end is also synchronized), and the MPU 1 determines whether or not the next switch for proceeding to the next is on (step S32 in FIG. 7). If the "next" switch in the area 54 on the operation screen of FIG. 5 is on or the next switch (NEXT switch, not shown) of the remote commander 3 is on, the MPU 1 determines that the next switch is on. ..

In this case, the process proceeds to step S33,
The MPU 1 determines whether it is the end of the scenario. If it is not the end of the scenario, the presentation number N is incremented by 1 and the process returns to step S23. Since N = 1 at this time, N = 2 and the process returns to step S23. Steps S23 to S3
Up to 2, the same operation is repeated.

In the case of the last scenario in step S33, the process proceeds to step S32. If it is determined in step S32 that the next switch is on, the process proceeds to step S33 again. However, in such a state, the next switch does not turn on unless there is a mistake, so the process proceeds from step S32 to step S35. .. If the next switch is turned on due to a mistake, the process returns to step S32 again, so that the above-mentioned mistake should be eliminated here.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the return switch for returning one is turned on. When the "back one" switch in the area 34 on the operation screen of FIG. 5 is turned on or the return switch (PREV. Switch, not shown) of the remote commander 3 is turned on, the MPU 1 turns on the return switch. Determine that there is. In this case, the presentation number N is 1
It is determined whether or not (step S36), and when N is not 1, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the original N is set as a new value of N, and the process returns to step S23 (step S37). This allows
Only one scenario execution will be returned. If N is 1, the process returns to step S32.

When the MPU 1 determines in step S35 that the return switch is not on, the process proceeds to step 38 and it is determined whether or not the scenario end switch 60 is on. If the scenario end switch 60 is not on,
Next, the MPU 1 determines whether or not the switch of a certain presentation number NN in the area 54 is on (step S39), and if it is on, sets the presentation number N = NN and returns to step S23 (step S40). As a result, the scenario can be executed for the device having the arbitrary presentation number. Presentation number N
If the N switch is not on, the process returns to step S32.

When the scenario end switch 60 is turned on, this scenario execution flow ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a scenario data receiving process, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic conferencing apparatus EB. First, it is determined whether scenario data is received from the partner device EA via the ISDN line 20 and the codec 39. If the scenario data has not been received, the process returns to step S41, so that the device EB is in the standby state while the scenario data is not received.

When it is determined that the scenario data has been received, the MPU 21 next determines whether or not the instruction is to display the content of the same source (step S42). The contents of the source are displayed (step S43).

When it is determined in step S42 that the source content display instruction has not been issued, the MPU 21 next determines whether or not the source is a remote control instruction (step S44). In the case of a remote control instruction, the remote control of the target video equipment is performed according to the instruction (step S45). If it is not the remote control instruction, the process proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, it is determined whether or not it is an instruction to output the transmitted video and audio, and if it is an output instruction, the video and audio are output to a monitor and a speaker. If it is not the output instruction, the process returns to step S41.

In the flows of FIGS. 6 and 7, the presentation contents of the device during the scenario execution are displayed on the main projector indicated by the switch 51. However, if the information indicating which monitor is displayed is added, a plurality of items can be displayed. The information from a plurality of devices, for example, two VTRs can be displayed on the monitor of, for example, the main projector and the sub projector at substantially the same time.

In the above embodiment, the different operation is performed depending on whether or not the other device has the same source. However, by providing all the sources in the other device, the own device may only specify the source. it can.

[0052]

As described above, in the video conference system according to the present invention, when the partner electronic conferencing apparatus has the same source, the transmitting and receiving means transmits a control signal for controlling the source, and the partner electronic conferencing apparatus has the same source. When there is no source, the video and audio of the source of the own electronic conferencing apparatus are transmitted by the transmitting and receiving means, so the video and audio stored in the video storage means are output by each electronic conferencing apparatus according to the order of presentation registered in advance. Since information presentation in a video conference can be performed easily, quickly, and repeatedly, information presentation and conference management can be facilitated, and
There is an effect that the labor of operation does not overlap.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a video conference system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a data state diagram of a memory card that constitutes the device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram showing an operation screen of a touch screen monitor in memory registration of a presentation order.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in memory registration of a presentation order.

FIG. 5 is a screen display diagram showing an operation screen of a touch screen monitor in scenario execution.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in executing a scenario.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in executing a scenario.

8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in executing a scenario.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21 MPU 2, 22 Operation unit 2a, 22a Touch screen monitor 2b, 22b Tact switch 3, 23 Remote commander 4, 24 Memory card control unit 4a, 24a Memory card 5, 25 AV control unit 6, 26 Document processor 7, 27 VTR 8, 28 LD 9, 29 STILL 10, 30 AV switcher 11-13, 31-33 Monitor 14, 34 Speaker 15, 35 Pan head controller 16, 36 Camera 17, 37 Pan head 18, 38 Video conference board 19 , 39 codec 20 ISDN line

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first electronic conference device and a second electronic conference device, which are arranged in a first conference room and a second conference room and are connected to each other by a communication line, each electronic conference device comprising: A video storage means such as a still picture storage device for storing a still picture, a display control means for selectively displaying a video signal reproduced from the video storage means on the display means, and an operation of the video storage means. In the video conference system having control means for controlling, each of the electronic conferencing devices has an input means for inputting operation start order data of the video storage means, and the operation start order data input by the input means. The storage means to be stored and the transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the video signal, the audio signal, and the control signal are provided, and the control means controls the same source if the partner electronic conferencing apparatus has the same source. Video conference system a control signal transmitted by said transmitting and receiving means, when there is no same source to the other electronic conference system is characterized in that the video source of the own electronic conference system, a speech is transmitted by said transmitting and receiving means.