WO2013175717A1 - Videoconference system - Google Patents

Videoconference system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013175717A1
WO2013175717A1 PCT/JP2013/002891 JP2013002891W WO2013175717A1 WO 2013175717 A1 WO2013175717 A1 WO 2013175717A1 JP 2013002891 W JP2013002891 W JP 2013002891W WO 2013175717 A1 WO2013175717 A1 WO 2013175717A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
video
unit
video conference
input
display unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2013/002891
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
松田　淳一
Original Assignee
日本電気株式会社
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 日本電気株式会社 filed Critical 日本電気株式会社
Publication of WO2013175717A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013175717A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems
    • H04N7/152—Multipoint control units therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/56—Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities
    • H04M3/567—Multimedia conference systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a video conference system, a video conference system control device, a video conference system control method, and a program for performing a conference between remote points using video and audio.
  • video conferencing has become popular due to the development of high-quality digital public networks.
  • a conference is performed while mutually exchanging video and audio of each other between a plurality of remote sites.
  • the video conference system installed at each site has a video input unit such as a video camera for inputting video from the local site, an audio input unit such as a microphone for inputting audio from the local site, and a speaker for outputting audio from other sites.
  • a video display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying images of other sites, a communication unit for transmitting / receiving information such as video and audio to / from other sites via a communication network (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) ).
  • a video display unit such as a liquid crystal display has not only a video input for inputting a video received from another base, but also one or more other video for inputting a video output from a device such as a computer terminal or a video tape recorder.
  • the video display unit can be freely switched to any one video input among a plurality of video inputs in accordance with a user operation. For this reason, when a video conference is started for some reason, the video input of the video display unit installed at each site has been switched to a video input other than the video input for inputting video received from other sites. In this case, even if a video is transmitted from another connected video conference system to the own system, it is not displayed on the video display unit.
  • the user can confirm whether or not the video input of the video display unit has been switched to video input for inputting video received from another site before starting the video conference, and if necessary, the video of the video display unit. It was necessary to switch the input manually, which wasted time and effort.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a video conference system and a video conference system control that solve the above-described problem, that is, the time and labor of manually switching the video input of the video display unit when starting a video conference.
  • An apparatus, a control method of a video conference system, and a program are provided.
  • a video conference system is provided.
  • a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
  • the video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted.
  • the encoded video signal and the audio signal received from the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal.
  • a video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
  • An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
  • a control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit;
  • the control unit detects the other video conference system from the communication unit when the operation input unit detects a user operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system. Calling and connecting the own video conference system and the other video conference system so as to communicate with each other, and sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input; It has a configuration.
  • a video conference system control device includes: Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit.
  • the video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system,
  • the encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit.
  • a video conferencing terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and a processor connected to the video display unit,
  • the processor When the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started.
  • the system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and are programmed to send a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input. It has a configuration.
  • a control method of a video conference system is as follows.
  • a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
  • the video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted.
  • the encoded video signal and the audio signal received from the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal.
  • a video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
  • An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
  • a control method executed by a video conference system having a control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit,
  • the communication unit switches the other video conference system from the communication unit. Calling and connecting the own video conference system and the other video conference system so as to communicate with each other, and sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input; It has a configuration.
  • a control method of a video conference system is as follows. Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit.
  • the video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system,
  • the encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit.
  • a video conference system control apparatus having a processor connected to a video conference terminal that outputs to a video display unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit is executed.
  • the processor is When the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started.
  • the system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and a switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is sent. It has a configuration.
  • a program according to another embodiment of the present invention is Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit.
  • the video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system,
  • the encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit.
  • a processor connected to the video conference terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit,
  • the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system
  • the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started.
  • the system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and a process of sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is performed. It has a configuration.
  • the present invention has the above-described configuration, when a video conference is started, the video input of the video display unit can be automatically switched to video input for inputting video received from another site. For this reason, when starting a teleconference, it is necessary to check whether the video input of the video display unit has been switched to video input for inputting video received from another site, or manually if it has not been switched. Switching work becomes unnecessary, and the burden on the user can be greatly reduced.
  • 1 is a block diagram of a video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the image
  • the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in a conference room or the like of the base A, and is installed in the bases B to N existing in a place remote from the base A. It is connected to one or more other video conference systems 8 through a communication network 9.
  • the video conference system 1 includes a communication unit 101, a video input unit 102, an audio input unit 103, an audio output unit 104, a video display unit 105, a video conference terminal 106, an operation input unit 107, and a control unit 108. And have.
  • the communication unit 101 has a function of connecting to another video conference system 8 through the communication network 9 and transmitting and receiving information to and from the other video conference system 8.
  • the communication unit 101 When receiving a connection request designating a connection destination from the control unit 108, the communication unit 101 has a function of calling the connection destination through the communication network 9, performing a connection process, and notifying the control unit 108 of the result. Further, when receiving a call from another video conference system 8 through the communication network 9, the communication unit 101 has a function of notifying the control unit 108 that the call has been made after performing connection processing.
  • the video input unit 102 is composed of a video camera or the like, and captures an image of the upper body of the conference participant at the site A.
  • the voice input unit 103 is configured with a microphone or the like, and acquires voices uttered by conference participants at the site A.
  • the audio output unit 104 is configured by a speaker or the like, and outputs the audio of a conference participant of another video conference system 8.
  • the video display unit 105 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like.
  • the video display unit 105 includes a plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 and a video input switching terminal 113.
  • the video input terminal 111 is an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal
  • the video input terminal 112 is an RGB terminal.
  • the video display unit 105 selects one of the plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 in accordance with the switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 113, and the video signal input from the selected video input terminal. Is displayed on the display screen.
  • a video signal output from the video conference terminal 106 is input to the video input terminal 111.
  • no video signal is input to the video input terminal 112, but a video signal output from some device may be input to the video input terminal 112.
  • FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the video display unit 105.
  • Video signals input from the plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 are input to the selector 121.
  • a switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 113 is input to the switching control unit 122.
  • the switching control unit 122 decodes the switching signal and controls the selection state of the selector 121.
  • the video input selected by the selector 121 is input to the main unit 123.
  • the main unit 123 displays the input video on the display screen.
  • the output of the selector 121 is directly input to the main unit 123, but another selector or the like may be interposed between the selector 121 and the main unit 123.
  • the video conference terminal 106 is connected to the communication unit 101, the video input unit 102, the audio input unit 103, the audio output unit 104, the video display unit 105, and the control unit 108.
  • the video conference terminal 106 is connected to the video display unit 105 through the video input terminal 111 and inputs a video signal to the video display unit 105.
  • the video conference terminal 106 transmits and receives video and audio information to and from the communication unit 101.
  • the video conference terminal 106 receives a video signal from the video input unit 102.
  • the video conference terminal 106 transmits an audio signal to the audio output unit 104.
  • the video conference terminal 106 transmits and receives control information to and from the control unit 108.
  • the video conference terminal 106 outputs a video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105 in an initial state after power-on.
  • the video conference terminal 106 receives an instruction to start encoding / decoding of video / audio from the control unit 108
  • the video conference terminal 106 receives the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio input unit 103.
  • the user's voice signal is encoded and transmitted to the other connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101, and the encoded signal received from the other connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101 is encoded.
  • the video signal and the audio signal (the video signal and the audio signal of the user at another base) are decoded, and the decoded video signal and the audio signal are output to the video input terminal 111 and the audio output unit 104 of the video display unit 105. It has the function to do. This function is called a video / audio codec function.
  • the operation input unit 107 includes an operation input device such as a keyboard and a touch panel, and has a function of detecting a user operation and outputting the operation to the control unit 108.
  • the control unit 108 constitutes a video conference system control device that controls the entire video conference system 1.
  • the control unit 108 is connected to the communication unit 101, the video display unit 105, the video conference terminal 106, and the operation input unit 107.
  • the control unit 108 is connected to the video display unit 105 through the video input switching terminal 113 and transmits a switching signal to the video display unit 105. Further, the control unit 108 inputs a user operation through the operation input unit 107.
  • the control unit 108 also exchanges control signals with the video conference terminal 106.
  • the control unit 108 also exchanges control signals with the communication unit 101. Further, the control unit 108 exchanges control signals with other video conference systems 8 via the communication unit 101.
  • the control unit 108 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, its peripheral circuits, and a memory.
  • the processor of the control unit 108 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory.
  • the control unit 108 has a function of performing predetermined control in accordance with a user operation input through the operation input unit 107. For example, when the control unit 108 inputs a user operation for instructing the start of a video conference, the control unit 108 calls the other video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101 to start the video conference, and the own video conference system 1 and the other TV conference. It has a function of connecting to the conference system 8 so that communication is possible.
  • control unit 108 When the control unit 108 succeeds in connection with another video conference system 8, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio, and to the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105. It has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing the video input terminal 111 to be selected.
  • control unit 108 when the control unit 108 receives a notification from the communication unit 101 that a call has been received from another video conference system 8, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio and display video.
  • the user at the site A When performing a video conference between remote sites using the video conference system 1, the user at the site A performs a predetermined operation to instruct the operation input unit 107 to start a video conference. Specifically, for example, when a video conference with the base B is desired, the base B is selected as a connection destination and an operation for instructing the start of the video conference is performed.
  • the operation input unit 107 detects the user's operation and notifies the control unit 108 of the operation.
  • the control unit 108 starts the process shown in FIG. 3 when a video conference start operation is input by the user.
  • the control unit 108 instructs the communication unit 101 to call the video conference system 8 at the connection destination base (step S1).
  • the communication unit 101 performs transmission processing to the video conference system 8 in accordance with this instruction, and when the incoming video conference system 8 responds and succeeds in connection, notifies the control unit 108 that the call has been successful.
  • control unit 108 When the control unit 108 receives a notification from the communication unit 101 that the connection with the connection destination site is successful, the control unit 108 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 1 is being connected to the video conference system 8 at the site B. (Steps S2, S3). Then, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and instructs the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105 to switch to the video input terminal 111. A signal is transmitted (steps S4 and S5).
  • the video conference terminal 106 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 103 in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 108.
  • the video signal and the audio signal that are transmitted through the communication unit 101 from the other connected video conference system 8 are transmitted through the communication unit 101 and decoded.
  • the decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 104.
  • the video display unit 105 switches the video input to the video input terminal 111 side according to the switching signal received from the control unit 108.
  • the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 105.
  • the voice output unit 104 outputs a voice based on a voice signal transmitted from the connection destination base.
  • the control unit 108 performs error processing (steps S2 and S6).
  • the error process for example, a process of displaying a message indicating the cause of the failure to start the video conference on a display device (not shown) connected to the control unit 108 can be considered.
  • the communication unit 101 when the communication unit 101 receives a call from the video conference system 8 at the base B through the communication network 9, the communication unit 101 performs a connection process to connect the own video conference system 1 and the other video conference system 8 of the caller. Then, the communication unit 101 notifies the control unit 108 that there has been a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B.
  • control unit 108 When the control unit 108 receives the call notification from the communication unit 101, the control unit 108 starts the process illustrated in FIG. First, the control unit 108 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 1 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the base B (step S11). Further, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and instructs the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105 to switch to the video input terminal 111. Is transmitted (steps S12 and S13).
  • the video conference terminal 106 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 103 in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 108.
  • the video signal and the audio signal that are transmitted through the communication unit 101 from the other connected video conference system 8 are transmitted through the communication unit 101 and decoded.
  • the decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 104.
  • the video display unit 105 switches the video input to the video input terminal 111 side according to the switching signal received from the control unit 108.
  • the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 105.
  • the voice output unit 104 outputs a voice based on a voice signal transmitted from the connection destination base.
  • the control unit 108 automatically converts the video input of the video display unit 105 into the video input for inputting the video received from the connection destination site. Therefore, when starting the remote conference, the user checks whether the video input of the video display unit 105 is switched to the video input for inputting the video received from another site, or switches the video conference. If not, there is no need to perform manual switching.
  • the control unit 108 automatically switches the video input of the video display unit 105 to the video input for inputting the video received from the connection destination site. Therefore, when the user receives a call from another site, the user can check whether the video input of the video display unit 105 has been switched to the video input for inputting the video received from the other site, or can be switched. If not, there is no need to perform manual switching.
  • the video conference system 2 includes a communication unit 201, a video input unit 202, an audio input unit 203, an audio output unit 204, and a video display unit 205.
  • the communication unit 201, the video input unit 202, the audio input unit 203, the audio output unit 204, the video display unit 205, the video conference terminal 206, and the operation input unit 207 are a communication unit of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment. 101, the video input unit 102, the audio input unit 103, the audio output unit 104, the video display unit 105, the video conference terminal 106, and the operation input unit 107.
  • the computer terminal 209 has a function of receiving a video signal of a material used in a video conference from a management server (not shown) and outputting the video signal to a video input terminal 212 (for example, an RGB terminal) of the video display unit 205.
  • a video input terminal 212 for example, an RGB terminal
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration for realizing the screen sharing function.
  • the computer terminal 209 at each site is connected to the management server 232 through the network 231.
  • one or more user PCs (personal computers) 233 are connected to the network 231.
  • the user PC 233 transmits the content displayed on the output screen of its own PC and the video signal of the software output screen to the management server 232 via the network 231.
  • the management server 232 transmits the video signal received from the user PC 233 to the computer terminal 209 at each site via the network 231.
  • the computer terminal 209 at each site outputs the received video signal to the video display unit 205 at its own site and displays it on the screen of the video display unit 205.
  • the computer terminal 209 at the base where the user PC 233 is installed may receive a video signal directly from the user PC 233.
  • the screen of the user PC 233 brought into an arbitrary base can be shared by a plurality of bases.
  • switching of video input at the time of document sharing can be performed by an operation from the operation input unit 207 as follows.
  • the control unit 208 constitutes a video conference system control device that controls the entire video conference system 2.
  • the control unit 208 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, peripheral circuits thereof, and a memory.
  • the processor of the control unit 208 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory.
  • the control unit 208 has a function similar to that of the control unit 108 of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment, and further, a material sharing operation for instructing to use the material in the video conference is performed.
  • a switching signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 212 is sent to the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205, and the own video conference is performed through the communication unit 201.
  • a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system to the video input from the computer terminal of the other video conference system is transmitted to the other video conference system 8 connected to the system 2. It has a function.
  • the control unit 208 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal from another connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 201, the video input switching terminal of the video display unit 205. 213 has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing 213 to select the video input terminal 212.
  • the operation when performing a video conference with a remote site starting from the video conference system 2 (calling source), and the operation when performing a video conference with a remote site when called from another site The operation is the same as that of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • the communication unit 201 When the communication unit 201 receives the switching request through the communication network 9, the communication unit 201 transfers the switching request to the control unit 208.
  • the control unit 208 receives this switching request, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 208 inputs the video from the computer terminal 209 to the video input terminal 212 to the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205.
  • a switching signal for instructing switching is sent (step S21).
  • the image is displayed on the screen of the image display unit 205.
  • control unit 208 When a user at the site A performs a material sharing operation on the operation input unit 207, this is detected by the operation input unit 207 and notified to the control unit 208.
  • the control unit 208 receives the notification of the material sharing operation, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control unit 208 sends a switching signal that instructs the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205 to switch to the video input terminal 212. Sending out (step S31), and further transmitting a switching request for requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 201 to switch the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal (step S32). .
  • the video display unit 205 of the video conference system 2 When the video display unit 205 of the video conference system 2 receives the switching signal transmitted from the control unit 208, the video display unit 205 switches the video input to the video input terminal 212 side. As a result, when the video of the material is transmitted from the computer terminal 209 to the video input terminal 212, the video of the material is displayed on the video display unit 205.
  • the control unit on the video conference system 8 side inputs the video input from the video display unit on the video conference system 8 side to the TV Switch to the computer terminal side of the conference system 8.
  • the control unit 208 switches the video display unit 205 to video input from the computer terminal 209. Therefore, the user does not need to manually switch the video input of the video display unit 205.
  • control unit 208 performs switching for requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 201 to switch the video display unit to video input from the computer terminal simultaneously with the transmission of the switching signal to the video display unit 205. Since the request is transmitted, the operation of displaying the material output from the computer terminal on the video display unit can be performed synchronously at a plurality of sites.
  • the video conference system 3 includes a communication unit 301, a video input unit 302, an audio input unit 303, an audio output unit 304, and a video display unit 305.
  • the communication unit 301, the video input unit 302, the audio input unit 303, the audio output unit 304, the video conference terminal 306, the operation input unit 307, and the computer terminal 309 are the communication unit 201 of the video conference system 2 according to the second embodiment.
  • the video display unit 305 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like.
  • the video display unit 305 includes a plurality of video input terminals 311 and 312, a video input switching terminal 313, a status output terminal 314, and a power control terminal 315.
  • the video input terminal 311 is an HDMI terminal
  • the video input terminal 312 is an RGB terminal. Although only two video input terminals are shown in the figure, there may be three or more video input terminals.
  • the video display unit 305 selects one of the plurality of video input terminals 311 and 312 according to the switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 313, and the video signal input from the selected video input terminal. Is displayed on the display screen.
  • the video signal output from the video conference terminal 306 is input to the video input terminal 311.
  • the video signal output from the computer terminal 309 is input to the video input terminal 312.
  • the state output terminal 314 is a terminal that outputs a signal indicating the state of the video display unit 305.
  • a signal indicating power-on and a signal indicating power-standby are output from the status output terminal 314.
  • no signal is electrically output from the status output terminal 314.
  • the power control terminal 315 is a terminal for controlling the state of the video display unit 305 from the outside.
  • the video display unit 305 receives a switching signal instructing switching from the power control terminal 315 to power on while in the power standby state, the video display unit 305 transitions to a power on state.
  • the video display unit 305 receives a switching signal instructing switching from the power control terminal 315 to power standby when the power is on, the video display unit 305 transitions to the power standby state.
  • the power is off, the video display unit 305 does not react to any signal input from the power control terminal 315.
  • the control unit 308 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, peripheral circuits thereof, and a memory.
  • the processor of the control unit 308 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory.
  • the control unit 308 has the same function as the control unit 208 of the video conference system 2 according to the second embodiment, and further includes the video display unit 305, the video conference terminal 306, and the computer terminal 309. It has a function of acquiring a state and performing control according to the acquired state.
  • the control unit 308 when a video conference start operation is input from the user via the operation input unit 307, the control unit 308 has a problem in that the power states of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 cause the video conference to start. After confirming that there is no state, the other video conference system 8 is called through the communication unit 301 and the own video conference system 1 and the other video conference system 8 are communicably connected.
  • the control unit 308 succeeds in connection with another video conference system 8, the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio, and also the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305. Has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing to select the video input 311.
  • the control unit 308 starts sharing the material during the video conference when the power states of the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 are set.
  • the switching signal for instructing switching to the video input terminal 312 is sent to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 and the communication unit 301 is currently connected.
  • a switching request for requesting other video conference system 8 to switch the video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system to the video input for inputting the video from the computer terminal of the other video conference system. It has a function to transmit.
  • control unit 308 confirms that the power states of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 are in a state that does not hinder the start of the video conference when a call is received from another video conference system 8.
  • the video conference terminal 306 is instructed to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and has a function of transmitting a switching signal for selecting the video input 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305.
  • control unit 308 When the control unit 308 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit 305 from the video input of the video display unit 305 to the video input from the computer terminal 309 from the other connected video conference system 8 via the communication unit 201, the control unit 308 309 and the video display unit 305 are confirmed to be in a state where there is no problem in starting the sharing of materials during the video conference, and then the video input to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 is performed. It has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing to select the terminal 312.
  • the operation input unit 307 detects this operation and notifies the control unit 308 of it.
  • the control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. 10 when a user starts a video conference start operation.
  • the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video conference terminal 306 and determines whether or not the power is on (step S101). If the video conference terminal 306 is powered off, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on a display device (not shown; the same applies hereinafter) is performed (step S102), and the process of FIG. To do.
  • the control unit 308 indicates that the video conference system 3 is connected to any of the other video conference systems 8 based on the connection status stored in the internal memory. It is determined whether or not there is (step S103). If it is connected to any other video conference system 8, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S102), and the process of FIG. 10 is terminated.
  • control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off (step S104). . If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S102), and the processing in FIG.
  • the control unit 308 instructs the communication unit 301 to make a call to the video conference system 8 at the connection destination site B (step S105).
  • the communication unit 301 performs transmission processing to the video conference system 8 in accordance with this instruction, and when the incoming video conference system 8 responds and connects successfully, notifies the control unit 308 that the call has been successful. If the connection fails for some reason, the control unit 308 is notified of this.
  • control unit 308 When the connection with the other video conference system 8 fails, the control unit 308 performs error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device (step S102), and ends the processing of FIG.
  • control unit 308 when the control unit 308 is successfully connected to the connection destination site, the control unit 308 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 3 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the site B (steps S106 and S107). Next, the control unit 308 determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314 (step S108). If the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S110. If the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 makes a transition to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S109). The process proceeds to step S110 later.
  • step S110 the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start video / audio encoding and decoding.
  • the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 (step S111).
  • the video conference terminal 306 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 302 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 303. Then, the video signal and the audio signal which are transmitted through the communication unit 301 from the other connected video conference system 8 are received and decoded through the communication unit 301. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 311 of the video display unit 305, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 304. On the other hand, the video display unit 305 selects a video input input from the video input terminal 311 according to the switching signal received from the control unit 308.
  • the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
  • a sound based on a sound signal transmitted from the connection destination base is output from the sound output unit 304.
  • the communication unit 301 when the communication unit 301 receives a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B through the communication network 9, the communication unit 301 performs a connection process to connect the own video conference system 3 and the other video conference system 8 of the caller. Then, the communication unit 301 notifies the control unit 308 that there has been a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B.
  • control unit 308 When the control unit 308 receives the call notification from the communication unit 301, the control unit 308 starts the process illustrated in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video conference terminal 306 and determines whether or not the power is on (step S121). If the video conference terminal 306 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S122), and the processing in FIG. 11 is terminated.
  • control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether the power is off (step S123). If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S122), and the processing in FIG. 11 is terminated.
  • step S124 the control unit 308 stores in its internal memory that the video conference system 3 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the base B (step S124).
  • step S125 the control unit 308 determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state (step S125). If the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S127. If the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 shifts to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S126). The process proceeds to step S127 later.
  • step S127 the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start video / audio encoding and decoding.
  • the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 (step S128).
  • the video conference terminal 306 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 302 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 303. Then, the video signal and the audio signal which are transmitted through the communication unit 301 from the other connected video conference system 8 are received and decoded through the communication unit 301. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 311 of the video display unit 305, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 304. On the other hand, the video display unit 305 selects a video input input from the video input terminal 311 according to the switching signal received from the control unit 308.
  • the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
  • a sound based on a sound signal transmitted from the connection destination base is output from the sound output unit 304.
  • the control unit 308 When the communication unit 301 receives the switching request via the communication network 9, the communication unit 301 transfers the switching request to the control unit 308. Upon receiving this switching request, the control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the states of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309, and determines whether or not both are turned on (step S131). If at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message indicating that the video conference terminal 306 or the computer terminal 309 is powered off on the display device is performed. This is done (step S132), and the process of FIG.
  • the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off (Ste S133). If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S132), and the processing in FIG.
  • Step S134 determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314. If the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state, the control unit 305 proceeds to the process of step S136. On the other hand, if the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 transitions to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S134). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S136.
  • step S136 the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching from the computer terminal 309 to the video input terminal 312 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305.
  • the video is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
  • the control unit 308 When the user at site A performs a material sharing operation on the operation input unit 307, this is detected by the operation input unit 307 and notified to the control unit 308. Upon receiving the notification of the material sharing operation, the control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the states of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309, and determines whether or not both are turned on (step S141). If at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message indicating that the video conference terminal 306 or the computer terminal 309 is powered off on the display device is performed. This is done (step S142), and the process of FIG.
  • the control unit 308 indicates whether or not the own video conference system 3 is connected to any of the other video conference systems 8 in an internal memory. A determination is made based on the stored connection state (step S143). If it is not connected to any other video conference system 8, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S142), and the process of FIG. 13 is terminated.
  • control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off (step S 144). . If the video display unit 305 is powered off, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S142), and the process of FIG.
  • the control unit 305 further determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314. (Step S145). Then, if the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S147. On the other hand, if the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 transitions to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S146). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S147.
  • step S147 the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to video input from the computer terminal 309 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305.
  • the video is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
  • control unit 308 transmits a switching request requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 301 to switch the video display unit to video input for inputting video from a computer terminal (step S148). .
  • the control unit 308 transmits a switching request requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 301 to switch the video display unit to video input for inputting video from a computer terminal (step S148).
  • the control unit 308 determines whether the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 are in the power state or connected to other video conference systems.
  • a state in which there is no problem in starting a new start (the video conference terminal 306 is in a power-on state, the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power-on standby state that can be controlled in a power-on state, and is not connected to other video conference systems) Since it has a function of making a call from the own video conference system 3 to another video conference system 8 and connecting it, at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 is powered off. In the situation where it is in a state or already connected to another video conference system, a new video conference system is newly issued. It is possible to prevent unauthorized operation such that connection.
  • the control unit 308 When the control unit 308 receives a call from another video conference system, the power state of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 does not hinder the start of the video conference (the video conference terminal 306 is turned on).
  • the video display unit 305 and the video display unit 305 have a function of responding to a call after confirming that the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power standby state that can be controlled to the power-on state). In a situation where at least one of them is in a power-off state, an illegal operation such as newly responding to a call from another video conference system can be prevented.
  • the control unit 308 determines whether the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 are in a power supply state or a connection state with another video conference system.
  • a state where there is no problem in starting the sharing of materials during the video conference (the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are in the power-on state, the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state or in the power-on state that can be controlled in the power-on state, After confirming that the video display unit 305 is connected to the television start system, a switching signal for instructing the video display unit 305 to switch to the video input terminal 312 is sent, and another television connected to the video input unit 312 through the communication unit 301.
  • the video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system is input to the conference system 8 to the other video conference system.
  • at least one of the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 is in a power-off state, or other video conference system It is possible to prevent an unauthorized operation such as switching the video input of the video display unit 305 to the computer terminal 309 side in accordance with the material sharing operation in a state where the connection is not established.
  • the control unit 308 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit to the computer terminal side from another video conference system
  • the power state of the computer terminal 309 and the video display unit 305 shares the document during the video conference.
  • the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are in a power-on state and the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power-on standby state that can be controlled in a power-on state
  • the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 is in a power-off state in order to send a switching signal for instructing the video display unit 305 to switch to the video input terminal 312.
  • the computer inputs the video input of the video display unit 305. It is possible to prevent unauthorized operations such would switch to data terminal 309 side.
  • the present invention has been described with reference to some embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various other additions and modifications are possible.
  • the present invention can be applied to a video conference system that performs a conference at three or more locations using a multipoint control device (MCU: Multipoint Control Unit).
  • MCU Multipoint Control Unit
  • Video conference system 9 ... Communication networks 101, 201, 202 ... Communication units 102, 202, 302 ... Video input units 103, 203, 303 ... Audio input units 104, 204, 304 ... Audio output unit 105, 205, 305 ... Video display units 106, 206, 306 ... Video conference terminals 107, 207, 307 ... Operation input units 108, 208, 308 ... Control units 111, 211, 311 ... First video input terminals 112, 212, 312 ... second video input terminals 113, 213, 313 ... video input switching terminals 209, 309 ... computer terminal 231 ... network 232 ... management server 233 ... user PC 314 ... Status output terminal 315 ... Power control terminal

Abstract

A videoconference system includes a communication section, a video input section, an audio input section, an audio output section, a video display section, a videoconference terminal, an operation input section, and a control section. When the operation input section detects a user operation instructing the start of a videoconference, the control section calls another videoconference system through the communication section and connects the host videoconference system to the other videoconference system such that communication therebetween is possible, and also sends a switching signal instructing the video display section to switch to a first video input. The videoconference terminal encodes the video signal and the audio signal of the user of the host system and sends the signals to the other videoconference system through the communication section, and also decodes an encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication section from the other videoconference system and outputs the signals to the first video input and the audio output section.

Description

テレビ会議システムVideo conference system
　本発明は、映像と音声を用いて遠隔地点間で会議を行うテレビ会議システム、テレビ会議システム制御装置、テレビ会議システムの制御方法、およびプログラムに関する。 The present invention relates to a video conference system, a video conference system control device, a video conference system control method, and a program for performing a conference between remote points using video and audio.
　近年、高品質なディジタル公衆網などの進展により、テレビ会議の普及が盛んになっている。テレビ会議では、遠隔地にある複数の拠点間で互いに相手の映像および音声を相互にやりとりしながら会議を行う。そのため、各拠点に設置されるテレビ会議システムは、自拠点の映像を入力するビデオカメラ等の映像入力部、自拠点の音声を入力するマイクロフォン等の音声入力部、他拠点の音声を出力するスピーカ等の音声出力部、他拠点の映像を表示する液晶ディスプレイ等の映像表示部、通信網を通じて他の拠点と映像や音声などの情報を送受信する通信部等を有する（例えば特許文献１、２参照）。 In recent years, video conferencing has become popular due to the development of high-quality digital public networks. In a video conference, a conference is performed while mutually exchanging video and audio of each other between a plurality of remote sites. For this reason, the video conference system installed at each site has a video input unit such as a video camera for inputting video from the local site, an audio input unit such as a microphone for inputting audio from the local site, and a speaker for outputting audio from other sites. Etc., a video display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying images of other sites, a communication unit for transmitting / receiving information such as video and audio to / from other sites via a communication network (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) ).
特開２０１１－２２８９９８号公報JP 2011-228998 A 特開２０００－５９７５０号公報JP 2000-59750 A
　ところで、一般に液晶ディスプレイ等の映像表示部には、他の拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力のみならず、コンピュータ端末やビデオテープレコーダー等の機器から出力される映像を入力する他の１以上の映像入力がある。そして、映像表示部は、利用者の操作に応じて複数の映像入力のうちの任意の一つの映像入力に自由に切り替えることができるようになっている。このため、何らかの理由で、テレビ会議を開始する時点で、各拠点に設置された映像表示部の映像入力が他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力以外の他の映像入力に切り替えられていた場合、接続先の他のテレビ会議システムから自システムに向けて映像が送信されてきても映像表示部に表示されない。従って、利用者は、映像表示部の映像入力が他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に切り替えられているか否かをテレビ会議開始前に確認したり、必要に応じて映像表示部の映像入力を手動で切り替える必要があり、無駄な手間と時間を要していた。 By the way, in general, a video display unit such as a liquid crystal display has not only a video input for inputting a video received from another base, but also one or more other video for inputting a video output from a device such as a computer terminal or a video tape recorder. There is a video input. The video display unit can be freely switched to any one video input among a plurality of video inputs in accordance with a user operation. For this reason, when a video conference is started for some reason, the video input of the video display unit installed at each site has been switched to a video input other than the video input for inputting video received from other sites. In this case, even if a video is transmitted from another connected video conference system to the own system, it is not displayed on the video display unit. Therefore, the user can confirm whether or not the video input of the video display unit has been switched to video input for inputting video received from another site before starting the video conference, and if necessary, the video of the video display unit. It was necessary to switch the input manually, which wasted time and effort.
　本発明の目的は、上述したような課題、すなわち、テレビ会議を開始する際に映像表示部の映像入力を手動で切り替える手間と時間を要する、という課題を解決するテレビ会議システム、テレビ会議システム制御装置、テレビ会議システムの制御方法、およびプログラムを提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide a video conference system and a video conference system control that solve the above-described problem, that is, the time and labor of manually switching the video input of the video display unit when starting a video conference. An apparatus, a control method of a video conference system, and a program are provided.
　本発明の一形態にかかるテレビ会議システムは、
　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、
　映像入力部と、
　音声入力部と、
　音声出力部と、
　複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と、
　上記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と上記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して上記通信部を通じて接続中の上記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、上記他のテレビ会議システムから上記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを上記映像表示部の上記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と上記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、
　利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、
　上記通信部と上記映像表示部と上記テレビ会議端末と上記操作入力部とに接続された制御部と
を有し、
　上記制御部は、上記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が上記操作入力部で検出されると、上記通信部から上記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと上記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、上記映像表示部に対して上記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する、
構成を有する。 A video conference system according to one aspect of the present invention is provided.
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
A video input unit;
A voice input unit;
An audio output unit;
A video display unit having a plurality of video inputs;
The video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted. The encoded video signal and the audio signal received from the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal. A video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
A control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit;
The control unit detects the other video conference system from the communication unit when the operation input unit detects a user operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system. Calling and connecting the own video conference system and the other video conference system so as to communicate with each other, and sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input;
It has a configuration.
　また本発明の他の形態にかかるテレビ会議システム制御装置は、
　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と上記通信部とに接続され、上記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と上記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して上記通信部を通じて接続中の上記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、上記他のテレビ会議システムから上記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを上記映像表示部の上記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と上記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、上記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサを有し、
　上記プロセッサは、
　上記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が上記操作入力部で検出されると、上記通信部から上記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと上記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、上記映像表示部に対して上記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
ようにプログラムされている、
構成を有する。 In addition, a video conference system control device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes:
Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit. The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A video conferencing terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and a processor connected to the video display unit,
The processor
When the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. The system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and are programmed to send a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input.
It has a configuration.
　また本発明の他の形態にかかるテレビ会議システムの制御方法は、
　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、
　映像入力部と、
　音声入力部と、
　音声出力部と、
　複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と、
　上記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と上記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して上記通信部を通じて接続中の上記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、上記他のテレビ会議システムから上記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを上記映像表示部の上記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と上記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、
　利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、
　上記通信部と上記映像表示部と上記テレビ会議端末と上記操作入力部とに接続された制御部と
を有するテレビ会議システムが実行する制御方法であって、
　上記制御部が、上記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が上記操作入力部で検出されると、上記通信部から上記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと上記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、上記映像表示部に対して上記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する、
構成を有する。 A control method of a video conference system according to another embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
A video input unit;
A voice input unit;
An audio output unit;
A video display unit having a plurality of video inputs;
The video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted. The encoded video signal and the audio signal received from the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal. A video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
A control method executed by a video conference system having a control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit,
When the operation input unit detects a user operation that instructs the control unit to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the communication unit switches the other video conference system from the communication unit. Calling and connecting the own video conference system and the other video conference system so as to communicate with each other, and sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input;
It has a configuration.
　また本発明の他の形態にかかるテレビ会議システムの制御方法は、
　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と上記通信部とに接続され、上記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と上記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して上記通信部を通じて接続中の上記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、上記他のテレビ会議システムから上記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを上記映像表示部の上記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と上記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、上記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサを有するテレビ会議システム制御装置が実行する制御方法であって、
　上記プロセッサが、
　上記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が上記操作入力部で検出されると、上記通信部から上記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと上記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、上記映像表示部に対して上記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する、
構成を有する。 A control method of a video conference system according to another embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit. The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A video conference system control apparatus having a processor connected to a video conference terminal that outputs to a video display unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit is executed. A control method,
The processor is
When the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. The system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and a switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is sent.
It has a configuration.
　また本発明の他の形態にかかるプログラムは、
　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と上記通信部とに接続され、上記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と上記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して上記通信部を通じて接続中の上記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、上記他のテレビ会議システムから上記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを上記映像表示部の上記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と上記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、上記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサに、
　上記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が上記操作入力部で検出されると、上記通信部から上記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと上記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、上記映像表示部に対して上記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する処理を行わせる、
構成を有する。 A program according to another embodiment of the present invention is
Connected to a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit. The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A processor connected to the video conference terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit,
When the operation input unit detects the user's operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. The system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and a process of sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is performed.
It has a configuration.
　本発明は上述したような構成を有するため、テレビ会議の開始時、映像表示部の映像入力を他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に自動的に切り替えることができる。このため、遠隔会議を開始する際に、映像表示部の映像入力が他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に切り替えられているか否かを確認する作業や、切り替えられていない場合に手動で切り替える作業が不要になり、利用者の負担を大幅に軽減することができる。 Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, when a video conference is started, the video input of the video display unit can be automatically switched to video input for inputting video received from another site. For this reason, when starting a teleconference, it is necessary to check whether the video input of the video display unit has been switched to video input for inputting video received from another site, or manually if it has not been switched. Switching work becomes unnecessary, and the burden on the user can be greatly reduced.
本発明の第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムのブロック図である。1 is a block diagram of a video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける映像表示部のブロック図である。It is a block diagram of the image | video display part in the video conference system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部がテレビ会議開始操作時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of video conference start operation. 本発明の第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が他のテレビ会議システムからの呼び出し時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of the call from another video conference system. 本発明の第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムのブロック図である。It is a block diagram of the video conference system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 画面共有機能を実現するシステム構成の一例を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows an example of the system configuration which implement | achieves a screen sharing function. 本発明の第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が他のテレビ会議システムからの切替要求受信時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of the switching request | requirement reception from another video conference system. 本発明の第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が資料共有操作時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of document sharing operation. 本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムのブロック図である。It is a block diagram of the video conference system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部がテレビ会議開始操作時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of video conference start operation. 本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が他のテレビ会議システムからの呼び出し時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of the call from another video conference system. 本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が他のテレビ会議システムからの切替要求受信時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of the switching request | requirement reception from another video conference system. 本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システムにおける制御部が資料共有操作時に行う処理の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the control part in the video conference system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs at the time of document sharing operation.
　次に本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して詳細に説明する。
[第１の実施形態]
　図１を参照すると、本発明の第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム１は、拠点Ａの会議室等に設置されており、拠点Ａより遠隔の地に存在する拠点Ｂ～Ｎに設置された１以上の他のテレビ会議システム８と通信網９を通じて接続されている。 Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 1, the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in a conference room or the like of the base A, and is installed in the bases B to N existing in a place remote from the base A. It is connected to one or more other video conference systems 8 through a communication network 9.
　テレビ会議システム１は、通信部１０１と、映像入力部１０２と、音声入力部１０３と、音声出力部１０４と、映像表示部１０５と、テレビ会議端末１０６と、操作入力部１０７と、制御部１０８とを有する。 The video conference system 1 includes a communication unit 101, a video input unit 102, an audio input unit 103, an audio output unit 104, a video display unit 105, a video conference terminal 106, an operation input unit 107, and a control unit 108. And have.
　通信部１０１は、通信網９を通じて他のテレビ会議システム８と接続し、他のテレビ会議システム８との間で情報の送受信を行う機能を有する。通信部１０１は、制御部１０８から接続先を指定した接続要求を受けると、通信網９を通じて接続先を呼び出し、接続処理を行ってその結果を制御部１０８に通知する機能を有する。また通信部１０１は、他のテレビ会議システム８から通信網９を通じて呼び出しを受けると、接続処理を行った後、呼び出しがあった旨を制御部１０８に通知する機能を有する。 The communication unit 101 has a function of connecting to another video conference system 8 through the communication network 9 and transmitting and receiving information to and from the other video conference system 8. When receiving a connection request designating a connection destination from the control unit 108, the communication unit 101 has a function of calling the connection destination through the communication network 9, performing a connection process, and notifying the control unit 108 of the result. Further, when receiving a call from another video conference system 8 through the communication network 9, the communication unit 101 has a function of notifying the control unit 108 that the call has been made after performing connection processing.
　映像入力部１０２は、ビデオカメラ等で構成され、拠点Ａの会議参加者の上半身等の映像を撮像する。音声入力部１０３は、マイクロフォン等で構成され、拠点Ａの会議参加者が発する音声を取得する。音声出力部１０４は、スピーカ等で構成され、他のテレビ会議システム８の会議参加者の音声を出力する。 The video input unit 102 is composed of a video camera or the like, and captures an image of the upper body of the conference participant at the site A. The voice input unit 103 is configured with a microphone or the like, and acquires voices uttered by conference participants at the site A. The audio output unit 104 is configured by a speaker or the like, and outputs the audio of a conference participant of another video conference system 8.
　映像表示部１０５は、液晶ディスプレイ等で構成される。映像表示部１０５は、複数の映像入力端子１１１、１１２と、映像入力切替端子１１３とを有する。例えば、映像入力端子１１１はＨＤＭＩ（High Definition Multimedia Interface）端子、映像入力端子１１２はＲＧＢ端子である。図では２つの映像入力端子のみ記載されているが、３つ以上の映像入力端子があってもよい。映像表示部１０５は、映像入力切替端子１１３から入力される切替信号に応じて、複数の映像入力端子１１１、１１２の何れか一つを選択し、この選択した映像入力端子から入力される映像信号をディスプレイ画面に表示する。図では、映像入力端子１１１には、テレビ会議端末１０６から出力される映像信号が入力されている。また、図では、映像入力端子１１２には、映像信号は入力されていないが、何らかの装置から出力される映像信号が映像入力端末１１２に入力されていても構わない。 The video display unit 105 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. The video display unit 105 includes a plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 and a video input switching terminal 113. For example, the video input terminal 111 is an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, and the video input terminal 112 is an RGB terminal. Although only two video input terminals are shown in the figure, there may be three or more video input terminals. The video display unit 105 selects one of the plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 in accordance with the switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 113, and the video signal input from the selected video input terminal. Is displayed on the display screen. In the figure, a video signal output from the video conference terminal 106 is input to the video input terminal 111. In the figure, no video signal is input to the video input terminal 112, but a video signal output from some device may be input to the video input terminal 112.
　図２は映像表示部１０５の内部ブロック図である。複数の映像入力端子１１１、１１２から入力された映像信号はセレクタ１２１に入力される。映像入力切替端子１１３から入力された切替信号は切替制御部１２２に入力される。切替制御部１２２は、切替信号を解読し、セレクタ１２１の選択状態を制御する。セレクタ１２１で選択された映像入力は、メインユニット１２３に入力される。メインユニット１２３は、入力された映像をディスプレイ画面に表示する。なお、図２では、セレクタ１２１の出力がメインユニット１２３に直接入力されているが、セレクタ１２１とメインユニット１２３との間に他のセレクタ等が介在していてもよい。 FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the video display unit 105. Video signals input from the plurality of video input terminals 111 and 112 are input to the selector 121. A switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 113 is input to the switching control unit 122. The switching control unit 122 decodes the switching signal and controls the selection state of the selector 121. The video input selected by the selector 121 is input to the main unit 123. The main unit 123 displays the input video on the display screen. In FIG. 2, the output of the selector 121 is directly input to the main unit 123, but another selector or the like may be interposed between the selector 121 and the main unit 123.
　テレビ会議端末１０６は、通信部１０１、映像入力部１０２、音声入力部１０３、音声出力部１０４、映像表示部１０５、および制御部１０８と接続されている。テレビ会議端末１０６は、映像表示部１０５とは、映像入力端子１１１を通じて接続され、映像信号を映像表示部１０５へ入力する。またテレビ会議端末１０６は、通信部１０１とは、映像および音声情報を送受信する。またテレビ会議端末１０６は、映像入力部１０２から映像信号を受信する。またテレビ会議端末１０６は、音声出力部１０４へ音声信号を送信する。またテレビ会議端末１０６は、制御部１０８と制御情報を送受信する。 The video conference terminal 106 is connected to the communication unit 101, the video input unit 102, the audio input unit 103, the audio output unit 104, the video display unit 105, and the control unit 108. The video conference terminal 106 is connected to the video display unit 105 through the video input terminal 111 and inputs a video signal to the video display unit 105. The video conference terminal 106 transmits and receives video and audio information to and from the communication unit 101. The video conference terminal 106 receives a video signal from the video input unit 102. In addition, the video conference terminal 106 transmits an audio signal to the audio output unit 104. The video conference terminal 106 transmits and receives control information to and from the control unit 108.
　機能的には、テレビ会議端末１０６は、電源オン後の初期状態では、映像入力部１０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号を、映像表示部１０５の映像入力端子１１１に出力する機能を有する。またテレビ会議端末１０６は、制御部１０８から映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始の指示を受けると、映像入力部１０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号と音声入力部１０３から入力された当該利用者の音声信号とを符号化して、通信部１０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８へ送信すると共に、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から通信部１０１を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号（他の拠点の利用者の映像信号と音声信号）とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを映像表示部１０５の映像入力端子１１１と音声出力部１０４とに出力する機能を有する。この機能は、映像・音声コーディック機能と呼ばれる。 Functionally, the video conference terminal 106 outputs a video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105 in an initial state after power-on. Have When the video conference terminal 106 receives an instruction to start encoding / decoding of video / audio from the control unit 108, the video conference terminal 106 receives the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio input unit 103. The user's voice signal is encoded and transmitted to the other connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101, and the encoded signal received from the other connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101 is encoded. The video signal and the audio signal (the video signal and the audio signal of the user at another base) are decoded, and the decoded video signal and the audio signal are output to the video input terminal 111 and the audio output unit 104 of the video display unit 105. It has the function to do. This function is called a video / audio codec function.
　操作入力部１０７は、キーボードやタッチパネルなどの操作入力装置からなり、利用者の操作を検出して制御部１０８に出力する機能を有している。 The operation input unit 107 includes an operation input device such as a keyboard and a touch panel, and has a function of detecting a user operation and outputting the operation to the control unit 108.
　制御部１０８は、テレビ会議システム１全体の制御を司るテレビ会議システム制御装置を構成する。制御部１０８は、通信部１０１、映像表示部１０５、テレビ会議端末１０６、および操作入力部１０７と接続されている。制御部１０８は、映像表示部１０５とは映像入力切替端子１１３を通じて接続され、映像表示部１０５に対して切替信号を送信する。また制御部１０８は、操作入力部１０７を通じて利用者の操作を入力する。また制御部１０８は、テレビ会議端末１０６と制御信号の授受を行う。また制御部１０８は、通信部１０１と制御信号の授受を行う。さらに制御部１０８は、通信部１０１を介して他のテレビ会議システム８と制御信号の授受を行う。 The control unit 108 constitutes a video conference system control device that controls the entire video conference system 1. The control unit 108 is connected to the communication unit 101, the video display unit 105, the video conference terminal 106, and the operation input unit 107. The control unit 108 is connected to the video display unit 105 through the video input switching terminal 113 and transmits a switching signal to the video display unit 105. Further, the control unit 108 inputs a user operation through the operation input unit 107. The control unit 108 also exchanges control signals with the video conference terminal 106. The control unit 108 also exchanges control signals with the communication unit 101. Further, the control unit 108 exchanges control signals with other video conference systems 8 via the communication unit 101.
　制御部１０８は、マイクロプロセッサ等のプロセッサおよびその周辺回路ならびにメモリで構成される。制御部１０８の上記プロセッサは、上記メモリに記憶されたプログラムを実行することにより、所定の制御を実行する。機能的には、制御部１０８は、操作入力部１０７を通じて入力される利用者の操作に従って所定の制御を行う機能を有する。例えば制御部１０８は、テレビ会議の開始を指示する利用者操作を入力すると、テレビ会議を開始するために通信部１０１を通じて他のテレビ会議システム８を呼び出して自テレビ会議システム１と当該他のテレビ会議システム８とを通信可能に接続する機能を有する。そして制御部１０８は、他のテレビ会議システム８との接続に成功すると、テレビ会議端末１０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示すると共に、映像表示部１０５の映像入力切替端子１１３に対して映像入力端子１１１を選択するよう指示する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 The control unit 108 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, its peripheral circuits, and a memory. The processor of the control unit 108 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory. Functionally, the control unit 108 has a function of performing predetermined control in accordance with a user operation input through the operation input unit 107. For example, when the control unit 108 inputs a user operation for instructing the start of a video conference, the control unit 108 calls the other video conference system 8 through the communication unit 101 to start the video conference, and the own video conference system 1 and the other TV conference. It has a function of connecting to the conference system 8 so that communication is possible. When the control unit 108 succeeds in connection with another video conference system 8, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio, and to the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105. It has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing the video input terminal 111 to be selected.
　さらに制御部１０８は、他のテレビ会議システム８から呼び出しがあった旨の通知を通信部１０１から受けると、テレビ会議端末１０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示すると共に、映像表示部１０５の映像入力切替端子１１３に対して映像入力端子１１１を選択するよう指示する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 Further, when the control unit 108 receives a notification from the communication unit 101 that a call has been received from another video conference system 8, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio and display video. A switching signal for instructing the video input switching terminal 113 of the unit 105 to select the video input terminal 111;
　次に本実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム１の動作を説明する。 Next, the operation of the video conference system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
　テレビ会議システム１を使用して、遠隔地の拠点間でテレビ会議を行う場合、拠点Ａの利用者は、操作入力部１０７に対してテレビ会議の開始を指示する所定の操作を行う。具体的には、例えば拠点Ｂとテレビ会議を行いたい場合、接続先として拠点Ｂを選択してテレビ会議の開始を指示する操作を行う。操作入力部１０７は、利用者の上記操作を検出し、制御部１０８に通知する。 When performing a video conference between remote sites using the video conference system 1, the user at the site A performs a predetermined operation to instruct the operation input unit 107 to start a video conference. Specifically, for example, when a video conference with the base B is desired, the base B is selected as a connection destination and an operation for instructing the start of the video conference is performed. The operation input unit 107 detects the user's operation and notifies the control unit 108 of the operation.
　制御部１０８は、利用者によるテレビ会議の開始操作が入力されると、図３に示す処理を開始する。まず、制御部１０８は、通信部１０１に対して接続先拠点のテレビ会議システム８を呼び出すように指示する（ステップＳ１）。通信部１０１は、この指示に従いテレビ会議システム８に対して発信処理を行い、着信側のテレビ会議システム８が応答して接続に成功すると、呼び出しに成功した旨を制御部１０８に通知する。 The control unit 108 starts the process shown in FIG. 3 when a video conference start operation is input by the user. First, the control unit 108 instructs the communication unit 101 to call the video conference system 8 at the connection destination base (step S1). The communication unit 101 performs transmission processing to the video conference system 8 in accordance with this instruction, and when the incoming video conference system 8 responds and succeeds in connection, notifies the control unit 108 that the call has been successful.
　制御部１０８は、接続先拠点との接続に成功した旨の通知を通信部１０１から受信すると、自テレビ会議システム１が拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８と接続中であることを内部のメモリに記憶する（ステップＳ２、Ｓ３）。そして、制御部１０８は、テレビ会議端末１０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示し、また映像表示部１０５の映像入力切替端子１１３に対して映像入力端子１１１への切替を指示する信号を送信する（ステップＳ４、Ｓ５）。 When the control unit 108 receives a notification from the communication unit 101 that the connection with the connection destination site is successful, the control unit 108 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 1 is being connected to the video conference system 8 at the site B. (Steps S2, S3). Then, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and instructs the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105 to switch to the video input terminal 111. A signal is transmitted (steps S4 and S5).
　テレビ会議端末１０６は、制御部１０８からの上記指示に従って、映像入力部１０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号と音声入力部１０３から入力された当該利用者の音声信号とを符号化して、通信部１０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８へ送信すると共に、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から通信部１０１を通じて符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを受信して復号し、復号した映像信号を映像表示部１０５の映像入力端子１１１に出力すると共に、復号した音声信号を音声出力部１０４に出力する。他方、映像表示部１０５は、制御部１０８から受信した切替信号に従って、映像入力を映像入力端子１１１側に切り替える。 The video conference terminal 106 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 103 in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 108. The video signal and the audio signal that are transmitted through the communication unit 101 from the other connected video conference system 8 are transmitted through the communication unit 101 and decoded. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 104. On the other hand, the video display unit 105 switches the video input to the video input terminal 111 side according to the switching signal received from the control unit 108.
　以上のような動作が行われることにより、接続先拠点から送信されてきた映像信号が映像表示部１０５の画面に表示される。また、接続先拠点から送信されてきた音声信号による音声が音声出力部１０４から出力される。これにより、遠隔地間で互いに映像と音声をリアルタイムに送受信しながら会議を進めることが可能となる。 By performing the operation as described above, the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 105. In addition, the voice output unit 104 outputs a voice based on a voice signal transmitted from the connection destination base. As a result, it is possible to advance the conference while transmitting and receiving video and audio in real time between remote locations.
　他方、他のテレビ会議システム８との接続に失敗した場合、制御部１０８は、エラー処理を行う（ステップＳ２、Ｓ６）。エラー処理としては、例えば制御部１０８に接続された図示しない表示装置にテレビ会議を開始できなかった原因を示すメッセージを表示する等の処理が考えられる。 On the other hand, when the connection with the other video conference system 8 fails, the control unit 108 performs error processing (steps S2 and S6). As the error process, for example, a process of displaying a message indicating the cause of the failure to start the video conference on a display device (not shown) connected to the control unit 108 can be considered.
　次に、他の拠点のテレビ会議システム８から通信網９を通じて呼び出された際のテレビ会議システム１の動作を説明する。 Next, the operation of the video conference system 1 when called from the video conference system 8 of another base through the communication network 9 will be described.
　通信部１０１は、例えば拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８から通信網９を通じて呼び出しを受けると、接続処理を行って自テレビ会議システム１と呼び出し元の他のテレビ会議システム８とを接続する。そして通信部１０１は、制御部１０８に対して拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８から呼び出しがあった旨を通知する。 For example, when the communication unit 101 receives a call from the video conference system 8 at the base B through the communication network 9, the communication unit 101 performs a connection process to connect the own video conference system 1 and the other video conference system 8 of the caller. Then, the communication unit 101 notifies the control unit 108 that there has been a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B.
　制御部１０８は、通信部１０１から上記の呼び出しの通知を受けると、図４に示す処理を開始する。まず制御部１０８は、自テレビ会議システム１が拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８と接続中であることを内部のメモリに記憶する（ステップＳ１１）。さらに制御部１０８は、テレビ会議端末１０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示し、また映像表示部１０５の映像入力切替端子１１３に対して映像入力端子１１１への切替を指示する信号を送信する（ステップＳ１２、Ｓ１３）。 When the control unit 108 receives the call notification from the communication unit 101, the control unit 108 starts the process illustrated in FIG. First, the control unit 108 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 1 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the base B (step S11). Further, the control unit 108 instructs the video conference terminal 106 to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and instructs the video input switching terminal 113 of the video display unit 105 to switch to the video input terminal 111. Is transmitted (steps S12 and S13).
　テレビ会議端末１０６は、制御部１０８からの上記指示に従って、映像入力部１０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号と音声入力部１０３から入力された当該利用者の音声信号とを符号化して、通信部１０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８へ送信すると共に、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から通信部１０１を通じて符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを受信して復号し、復号した映像信号を映像表示部１０５の映像入力端子１１１に出力すると共に、復号した音声信号を音声出力部１０４に出力する。他方、映像表示部１０５は、制御部１０８から受信した切替信号に従って、映像入力を映像入力端子１１１側に切り替える。 The video conference terminal 106 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 102 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 103 in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 108. The video signal and the audio signal that are transmitted through the communication unit 101 from the other connected video conference system 8 are transmitted through the communication unit 101 and decoded. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 111 of the video display unit 105, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 104. On the other hand, the video display unit 105 switches the video input to the video input terminal 111 side according to the switching signal received from the control unit 108.
　以上のような動作が行われることにより、接続先拠点から送信されてきた映像信号が映像表示部１０５の画面に表示される。また、接続先拠点から送信されてきた音声信号による音声が音声出力部１０４から出力される。これにより、遠隔地間で互いに映像と音声をリアルタイムに送受信しながら会議を進めることが可能となる。 By performing the operation as described above, the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 105. In addition, the voice output unit 104 outputs a voice based on a voice signal transmitted from the connection destination base. As a result, it is possible to advance the conference while transmitting and receiving video and audio in real time between remote locations.
　このように本実施形態によれば、自拠点Ａを起点とするテレビ会議の開始時、制御部１０８が映像表示部１０５の映像入力を接続先拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に自動的に切り替えるため、利用者は、遠隔会議を開始する際に、映像表示部１０５の映像入力が他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に切り替えられているか否かを確認したり、若し切り替えられていない場合には手動で切り替える作業を行う必要がなくなる。 As described above, according to the present embodiment, at the start of the video conference starting from the local site A, the control unit 108 automatically converts the video input of the video display unit 105 into the video input for inputting the video received from the connection destination site. Therefore, when starting the remote conference, the user checks whether the video input of the video display unit 105 is switched to the video input for inputting the video received from another site, or switches the video conference. If not, there is no need to perform manual switching.
　また本実施形態によれば、他拠点から通信網９を通じて呼び出しがあった時、制御部１０８が映像表示部１０５の映像入力を接続先拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に自動的に切り替えるため、利用者は、他拠点から呼び出しを受ける際に、映像表示部１０５の映像入力が他拠点から受信した映像を入力する映像入力に切り替えられているか否かを確認したり、若し切り替えられていない場合には手動で切り替える作業を行う必要がなくなる。 According to the present embodiment, when a call is made from another site through the communication network 9, the control unit 108 automatically switches the video input of the video display unit 105 to the video input for inputting the video received from the connection destination site. Therefore, when the user receives a call from another site, the user can check whether the video input of the video display unit 105 has been switched to the video input for inputting the video received from the other site, or can be switched. If not, there is no need to perform manual switching.
[第２の実施形態]
　図５を参照すると、本発明の第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム２は、通信部２０１と、映像入力部２０２と、音声入力部２０３と、音声出力部２０４と、映像表示部２０５と、テレビ会議端末２０６と、操作入力部２０７と、制御部２０８と、コンピュータ端末２０９とを有する。 [Second Embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 5, the video conference system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit 201, a video input unit 202, an audio input unit 203, an audio output unit 204, and a video display unit 205. A video conference terminal 206, an operation input unit 207, a control unit 208, and a computer terminal 209.
　通信部２０１、映像入力部２０２、音声入力部２０３、音声出力部２０４、映像表示部２０５、テレビ会議端末２０６、および操作入力部２０７は、第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム１の通信部１０１、映像入力部１０２、音声入力部１０３、音声出力部１０４、映像表示部１０５、テレビ会議端末１０６、および操作入力部１０７と同様の機能を有する。 The communication unit 201, the video input unit 202, the audio input unit 203, the audio output unit 204, the video display unit 205, the video conference terminal 206, and the operation input unit 207 are a communication unit of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment. 101, the video input unit 102, the audio input unit 103, the audio output unit 104, the video display unit 105, the video conference terminal 106, and the operation input unit 107.
　コンピュータ端末２０９は、テレビ会議で使用する資料の映像信号を図示しない管理サーバから受信して映像表示部２０５の映像入力端子２１２（例えばＲＧＢ端子）に対して出力する機能を有する。テレビ会議を行っている複数の拠点のそれぞれに設置されたコンピュータ端末２０９から同じ資料の映像信号を各拠点の映像表示部２０５に表示することにより、テレビ会議に参加している全ての利用者が同じ資料を閲覧することができ、資料共有が可能になる。この機能は画面共有機能などと呼ばれる。 The computer terminal 209 has a function of receiving a video signal of a material used in a video conference from a management server (not shown) and outputting the video signal to a video input terminal 212 (for example, an RGB terminal) of the video display unit 205. By displaying the video signal of the same material on the video display unit 205 of each site from the computer terminals 209 installed at each of the multiple sites that are conducting the video conference, all users participating in the video conference can You can view the same material and share the material. This function is called a screen sharing function.
　図６は画面共有機能を実現するシステム構成の一例を示すブロック図である。各拠点のコンピュータ端末２０９は、ネットワーク２３１を通じて管理サーバ２３２に接続されている。またネットワーク２３１には、１台以上のユーザＰＣ（パーソナルコンピュータ）２３３が接続されている。ユーザＰＣ２３３は、自ＰＣの出力画面に表示しているコンテンツやソフトウェアの出力画面の映像信号をネットワーク２３１を通じて管理サーバ２３２へ送信する。管理サーバ２３２は、ユーザＰＣ２３３から受信した映像信号をネットワーク２３１を通じて各拠点のコンピュータ端末２０９へ送信する。各拠点のコンピュータ端末２０９は、受信した映像信号を自拠点の映像表示部２０５に出力し、映像表示部２０５の画面に表示する。なお、ユーザＰＣ２３３が設置された拠点のコンピュータ端末２０９は、ユーザＰＣ２３３から直接に映像信号を受信する構成としてもよい。以上のような動作によって、任意の拠点に持ち込まれたユーザＰＣ２３３の画面を複数の拠点で共有することができる。ただし、画面共有を行うためには、各拠点の映像表示部２０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末２０９からの映像入力に切り替える必要がある。そこで、本実施形態では、資料共有時の映像入力の切替を以下のようにして操作入力部２０７からの操作で行えるようにしている。 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration for realizing the screen sharing function. The computer terminal 209 at each site is connected to the management server 232 through the network 231. In addition, one or more user PCs (personal computers) 233 are connected to the network 231. The user PC 233 transmits the content displayed on the output screen of its own PC and the video signal of the software output screen to the management server 232 via the network 231. The management server 232 transmits the video signal received from the user PC 233 to the computer terminal 209 at each site via the network 231. The computer terminal 209 at each site outputs the received video signal to the video display unit 205 at its own site and displays it on the screen of the video display unit 205. Note that the computer terminal 209 at the base where the user PC 233 is installed may receive a video signal directly from the user PC 233. Through the operation as described above, the screen of the user PC 233 brought into an arbitrary base can be shared by a plurality of bases. However, in order to perform screen sharing, it is necessary to switch the video input of the video display unit 205 at each site to video input from the computer terminal 209. Therefore, in the present embodiment, switching of video input at the time of document sharing can be performed by an operation from the operation input unit 207 as follows.
　制御部２０８は、テレビ会議システム２全体の制御を司るテレビ会議システム制御装置を構成する。制御部２０８は、マイクロプロセッサ等のプロセッサおよびその周辺回路ならびにメモリで構成される。制御部２０８の上記プロセッサは、上記メモリに記憶されたプログラムを実行することにより、所定の制御を実行する。機能的には、制御部２０８は、第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム１の制御部１０８と同様の機能を有すると共に、さらに、資料をテレビ会議で使用することを指示する資料共有操作が操作入力部２０７を通じて利用者から入力されると、映像表示部２０５の映像入力切替端子２１３に対して映像入力端子２１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出し、且つ通信部２０１を通じて自テレビ会議システム２と接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８に対して、当該他のテレビ会議システムの映像表示部の映像入力を当該他のテレビ会議システムのコンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切り替える切替要求を送信する機能を有する。 The control unit 208 constitutes a video conference system control device that controls the entire video conference system 2. The control unit 208 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, peripheral circuits thereof, and a memory. The processor of the control unit 208 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory. Functionally, the control unit 208 has a function similar to that of the control unit 108 of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment, and further, a material sharing operation for instructing to use the material in the video conference is performed. When input from the user through the operation input unit 207, a switching signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 212 is sent to the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205, and the own video conference is performed through the communication unit 201. A switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system to the video input from the computer terminal of the other video conference system is transmitted to the other video conference system 8 connected to the system 2. It has a function.
　さらに制御部２０８は、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から映像表示部の映像入力をコンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切り替える切替要求を通信部２０１を通じて受信すると、映像表示部２０５の映像入力切替端子２１３に対して映像入力端子２１２を選択するよう指示する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 Further, when the control unit 208 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal from another connected video conference system 8 through the communication unit 201, the video input switching terminal of the video display unit 205. 213 has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing 213 to select the video input terminal 212.
　次に本実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム２の動作を説明する。テレビ会議システム２を起点（呼び出し元）として、遠隔地の拠点との間でテレビ会議を行う際の動作、および他の拠点から呼び出されて遠隔地との間でテレビ会議を行う際の動作は、第１の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム１の動作と同じである。 Next, the operation of the video conference system 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation when performing a video conference with a remote site starting from the video conference system 2 (calling source), and the operation when performing a video conference with a remote site when called from another site The operation is the same as that of the video conference system 1 according to the first embodiment.
　次に、他のテレビ会議システム８とテレビ会議を行っている際に、他のテレビ会議システム８から映像表示部２０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末２０９側に切り替えるよう要求する切替要求を受信した際のテレビ会議システム２の動作を説明する。 Next, when a video conference is being performed with another video conference system 8, a switching request for requesting the video input of the video display unit 205 to be switched to the computer terminal 209 side is received from the other video conference system 8. The operation of the video conference system 2 will be described.
　通信部２０１は、上記の切替要求を通信網９を通じて受信すると、この切替要求を制御部２０８に転送する。制御部２０８は、この切替要求を受信すると、図７のフローチャートに示すように、映像表示部２０５の映像入力切替端子２１３に対して、コンピュータ端末２０９からの映像を入力する映像入力端子２１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する（ステップＳ２１）。これにより、コンピュータ端末２０９から資料の映像が出力されている場合には、映像表示部２０５の画面に表示されることになる。 When the communication unit 201 receives the switching request through the communication network 9, the communication unit 201 transfers the switching request to the control unit 208. When the control unit 208 receives this switching request, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 208 inputs the video from the computer terminal 209 to the video input terminal 212 to the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205. A switching signal for instructing switching is sent (step S21). As a result, when an image of the document is output from the computer terminal 209, the image is displayed on the screen of the image display unit 205.
　次に、他の拠点とテレビ会議を行っている際に、拠点Ａの利用者が操作入力部２０７に対して資料をテレビ会議で使用する旨の資料共有操作を行った際のテレビ会議システム２の動作を説明する。 Next, during a video conference with another site, the video conference system 2 when the user at site A performs a material sharing operation to use the material in the video conference on the operation input unit 207. The operation of will be described.
　拠点Ａの利用者が操作入力部２０７に対して資料共有操作を行うと、それが操作入力部２０７で検出されて制御部２０８に通知される。制御部２０８は、この資料共有操作の通知を受けると、図８のフローチャートに示すように、映像表示部２０５の映像入力切替端子２１３に対して映像入力端子２１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出し（ステップＳ３１）、さらに通信部２０１を通じて接続中のテレビ会議システム８に対して、映像表示部の映像入力をコンピュータ端末からの映像入力へ切り替えるよう要求する切替要求を送信する（ステップＳ３２）。 When a user at the site A performs a material sharing operation on the operation input unit 207, this is detected by the operation input unit 207 and notified to the control unit 208. When the control unit 208 receives the notification of the material sharing operation, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control unit 208 sends a switching signal that instructs the video input switching terminal 213 of the video display unit 205 to switch to the video input terminal 212. Sending out (step S31), and further transmitting a switching request for requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 201 to switch the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal (step S32). .
　テレビ会議システム２の映像表示部２０５は、制御部２０８から送信された上記切替信号を受信すると、映像入力を映像入力端子２１２側に切り替える。これにより、コンピュータ端末２０９から資料の映像が映像入力端子２１２に送信されている場合、当該資料の映像が映像表示部２０５に表示されることになる。 When the video display unit 205 of the video conference system 2 receives the switching signal transmitted from the control unit 208, the video display unit 205 switches the video input to the video input terminal 212 side. As a result, when the video of the material is transmitted from the computer terminal 209 to the video input terminal 212, the video of the material is displayed on the video display unit 205.
　他方、テレビ会議システム２から送信された上記切替要求を受信した接続先のテレビ会議システム８では、テレビ会議システム８側の制御部が、テレビ会議システム８側の映像表示部の映像入力を、テレビ会議システム８のコンピュータ端末側に切り替える。これにより、テレビ会議システム２のコンピュータ端末２０９と同じ資料の映像が、テレビ会議システム８側のコンピュータ端末から出力されている場合には、テレビ会議システム２の映像表示部２０５に表示されている資料と同じ資料が他のテレビ会議システム８の映像表示部に同時に表示されることになる。 On the other hand, in the connected video conference system 8 that has received the switching request transmitted from the video conference system 2, the control unit on the video conference system 8 side inputs the video input from the video display unit on the video conference system 8 side to the TV Switch to the computer terminal side of the conference system 8. Thereby, when the video of the same material as the computer terminal 209 of the video conference system 2 is output from the computer terminal on the video conference system 8 side, the material displayed on the video display unit 205 of the video conference system 2 Are simultaneously displayed on the video display unit of the other video conference system 8.
　このように本実施形態によれば、第１の実施形態と同様の効果が得られると共に、以下のような効果が得られる。 Thus, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
　他の拠点とテレビ会議を行っている際に操作入力部２０７上で資料共有を指示する操作が行われると、制御部２０８は映像表示部２０５に対してコンピュータ端末２０９からの映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出するため、利用者は、映像表示部２０５の映像入力を手動で切り替える必要がない。 When an operation for instructing material sharing is performed on the operation input unit 207 during a video conference with another base, the control unit 208 switches the video display unit 205 to video input from the computer terminal 209. Therefore, the user does not need to manually switch the video input of the video display unit 205.
　また、制御部２０８は、映像表示部２０５への切替信号の送出と同時に、通信部２０１を通じて接続中のテレビ会議システム８に対して映像表示部をコンピュータ端末からの映像入力へ切替えるよう要求する切替要求を送信するため、コンピュータ端末から出力される資料を映像表示部に表示する動作を、複数の拠点で同期して実施することができる。 In addition, the control unit 208 performs switching for requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 201 to switch the video display unit to video input from the computer terminal simultaneously with the transmission of the switching signal to the video display unit 205. Since the request is transmitted, the operation of displaying the material output from the computer terminal on the video display unit can be performed synchronously at a plurality of sites.
[第３の実施形態]
　図９を参照すると、本発明の第３の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム３は、通信部３０１と、映像入力部３０２と、音声入力部３０３と、音声出力部３０４と、映像表示部３０５と、テレビ会議端末３０６と、操作入力部３０７と、制御部３０８と、コンピュータ端末３０９とを有する。 [Third embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 9, the video conference system 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit 301, a video input unit 302, an audio input unit 303, an audio output unit 304, and a video display unit 305. A video conference terminal 306, an operation input unit 307, a control unit 308, and a computer terminal 309.
　通信部３０１、映像入力部３０２、音声入力部３０３、音声出力部３０４、テレビ会議端末３０６、操作入力部３０７、およびコンピュータ端末３０９は、第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム２の通信部２０１、映像入力部２０２、音声入力部２０３、音声出力部２０４、テレビ会議端末２０６、操作入力部２０７、およびコンピュータ端末２０９と同様の機能を有する。 The communication unit 301, the video input unit 302, the audio input unit 303, the audio output unit 304, the video conference terminal 306, the operation input unit 307, and the computer terminal 309 are the communication unit 201 of the video conference system 2 according to the second embodiment. , The video input unit 202, the audio input unit 203, the audio output unit 204, the video conference terminal 206, the operation input unit 207, and the computer terminal 209.
　映像表示部３０５は、液晶ディスプレイ等で構成される。映像表示部３０５は、複数の映像入力端子３１１、３１２と、映像入力切替端子３１３と、状態出力端子３１４と、電源制御端子３１５とを有する。例えば、映像入力端子３１１はＨＤＭＩ端子、映像入力端子３１２はＲＧＢ端子である。図では２つの映像入力端子のみ記載されているが、３つ以上の映像入力端子があってもよい。映像表示部３０５は、映像入力切替端子３１３から入力される切替信号に応じて、複数の映像入力端子３１１、３１２の何れか一つを選択し、この選択した映像入力端子から入力される映像信号をディスプレイ画面に表示する。図では、映像入力端子３１１には、テレビ会議端末３０６から出力される映像信号が入力されている。また、図では、映像入力端子３１２には、コンピュータ端末３０９から出力される映像信号が入力されている。また状態出力端子３１４は、映像表示部３０５の状態を示す信号を出力する端子である。状態の種類には、電源オン、電源スタンバイ、電源オフの３つの状態がある。映像表示部３０５の状態が、電源オンおよび電源スタンバイの状態にある場合、状態出力端子３１４からは電源オンを示す信号および電源スタンバイを示す信号が出力される。映像表示部３０５の状態が、電源オフの状態にある場合、状態出力端子３１４からは電気的には何も信号が出力されない。また電源制御端子３１５は、映像表示部３０５の状態を外部から制御するための端子である。映像表示部３０５は、電源スタンバイの状態にあるとき、電源制御端子３１５から電源オンへの切替を指示する切替信号を受信すると、電源オンの状態に遷移する。また映像表示部３０５は、電源オンの状態にあるとき、電源制御端子３１５から電源スタンバイへの切替を指示する切替信号を受信すると、電源スタンバイの状態に遷移する。電源オフの状態にあるとき、映像表示部３０５は、電源制御端子３１５から如何なる信号が入力されても反応しない。 The video display unit 305 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. The video display unit 305 includes a plurality of video input terminals 311 and 312, a video input switching terminal 313, a status output terminal 314, and a power control terminal 315. For example, the video input terminal 311 is an HDMI terminal, and the video input terminal 312 is an RGB terminal. Although only two video input terminals are shown in the figure, there may be three or more video input terminals. The video display unit 305 selects one of the plurality of video input terminals 311 and 312 according to the switching signal input from the video input switching terminal 313, and the video signal input from the selected video input terminal. Is displayed on the display screen. In the figure, the video signal output from the video conference terminal 306 is input to the video input terminal 311. In the figure, the video signal output from the computer terminal 309 is input to the video input terminal 312. The state output terminal 314 is a terminal that outputs a signal indicating the state of the video display unit 305. There are three types of states: power on, power standby, and power off. When the video display unit 305 is in a power-on and power-standby state, a signal indicating power-on and a signal indicating power-standby are output from the status output terminal 314. When the video display unit 305 is in a power-off state, no signal is electrically output from the status output terminal 314. The power control terminal 315 is a terminal for controlling the state of the video display unit 305 from the outside. When the video display unit 305 receives a switching signal instructing switching from the power control terminal 315 to power on while in the power standby state, the video display unit 305 transitions to a power on state. When the video display unit 305 receives a switching signal instructing switching from the power control terminal 315 to power standby when the power is on, the video display unit 305 transitions to the power standby state. When the power is off, the video display unit 305 does not react to any signal input from the power control terminal 315.
　制御部３０８は、マイクロプロセッサ等のプロセッサおよびその周辺回路ならびにメモリで構成される。制御部３０８の上記プロセッサは、上記メモリに記憶されたプログラムを実行することにより、所定の制御を実行する。機能的には、制御部３０８は、第２の実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム２の制御部２０８と同様の機能を有すると共に、さらに、映像表示部３０５、テレビ会議端末３０６、およびコンピュータ端末３０９の状態を取得し、取得した状態に応じた制御を行う機能を有する。 The control unit 308 includes a processor such as a microprocessor, peripheral circuits thereof, and a memory. The processor of the control unit 308 executes predetermined control by executing a program stored in the memory. Functionally, the control unit 308 has the same function as the control unit 208 of the video conference system 2 according to the second embodiment, and further includes the video display unit 305, the video conference terminal 306, and the computer terminal 309. It has a function of acquiring a state and performing control according to the acquired state.
　具体的には、制御部３０８は、利用者から操作入力部３０７を通じてテレビ会議の開始操作が入力されると、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議を開始するのに支障がない状態であることを確認した上で、通信部３０１を通じて他のテレビ会議システム８を呼び出して自テレビ会議システム１と当該他のテレビ会議システム８とを通信可能に接続する機能を有する。そして、制御部３０８は、他のテレビ会議システム８との接続に成功すると、テレビ会議端末３０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示すると共に、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力３１１を選択するよう指示する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 Specifically, when a video conference start operation is input from the user via the operation input unit 307, the control unit 308 has a problem in that the power states of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 cause the video conference to start. After confirming that there is no state, the other video conference system 8 is called through the communication unit 301 and the own video conference system 1 and the other video conference system 8 are communicably connected. When the control unit 308 succeeds in connection with another video conference system 8, the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start encoding / decoding of video / audio, and also the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305. Has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing to select the video input 311.
　また制御部３０８は、利用者から操作入力部３０７を通じて資料共有操作が入力されると、テレビ会議端末３０６、コンピュータ端末３０９および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議中に資料共有を開始するのに支障がない状態であることを確認した上で、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力端子３１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出すると共に、通信部３０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８に対して、当該他のテレビ会議システムの映像表示部の映像入力を当該他のテレビ会議システムのコンピュータ端末からの映像を入力する映像入力に切り替えるよう要求する切替要求を送信する機能を有する。 In addition, when a material sharing operation is input from the user through the operation input unit 307, the control unit 308 starts sharing the material during the video conference when the power states of the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 are set. After confirming that there is no problem, the switching signal for instructing switching to the video input terminal 312 is sent to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 and the communication unit 301 is currently connected. A switching request for requesting other video conference system 8 to switch the video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system to the video input for inputting the video from the computer terminal of the other video conference system. It has a function to transmit.
　さらに制御部３０８は、他のテレビ会議システム８から呼び出しがあった場合、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議を開始するのに支障がない状態であることを確認した上で、テレビ会議端末３０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示すると共に、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力３１１を選択する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 Further, the control unit 308 confirms that the power states of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 are in a state that does not hinder the start of the video conference when a call is received from another video conference system 8. Thus, the video conference terminal 306 is instructed to start video / audio encoding and decoding, and has a function of transmitting a switching signal for selecting the video input 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305.
　また制御部３０８は、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から映像表示部３０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末３０９からの映像入力に切り替える切替要求を通信部２０１を通じて受信すると、テレビ会議端末３０６、コンピュータ端末３０９、および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議中に資料共有を開始するのに支障がない状態であることを確認した上で、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力端子３１２を選択するよう指示する切替信号を送信する機能を有する。 When the control unit 308 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit 305 from the video input of the video display unit 305 to the video input from the computer terminal 309 from the other connected video conference system 8 via the communication unit 201, the control unit 308 309 and the video display unit 305 are confirmed to be in a state where there is no problem in starting the sharing of materials during the video conference, and then the video input to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 is performed. It has a function of transmitting a switching signal instructing to select the terminal 312.
　次に本実施形態にかかるテレビ会議システム３の動作を説明する。 Next, the operation of the video conference system 3 according to the present embodiment will be described.
　まず、テレビ会議システム３から他のテレビ会議システム８を呼び出して遠隔地の拠点間でテレビ会議を行う際の動作を、図１０のフローチャートを参照して説明する。 First, the operation when a video conference is performed between remote sites by calling another video conference system 8 from the video conference system 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
　利用者が操作入力部３０７に対して、例えば拠点Ｂとの間でテレビ会議を開始する旨の操作を行うと、操作入力部３０７はこの操作を検出し、制御部３０８に通知する。 When the user performs an operation on the operation input unit 307 to start a video conference with, for example, the base B, the operation input unit 307 detects this operation and notifies the control unit 308 of it.
　制御部３０８は、利用者によるテレビ会議の開始操作が入力されると、図１０に示す処理を開始する。まず、制御部３０８は、テレビ会議端末３０６の状態を取得して電源がオン状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１０１）。若し、テレビ会議端末３０６の電源がオフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置（図示せず。以下同じ）に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１０２）、図１０の処理を終了する。 The control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. 10 when a user starts a video conference start operation. First, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video conference terminal 306 and determines whether or not the power is on (step S101). If the video conference terminal 306 is powered off, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on a display device (not shown; the same applies hereinafter) is performed (step S102), and the process of FIG. To do.
　テレビ会議端末３０６の電源がオン状態であれば、制御部３０８は、内部のメモリに記憶されている接続状態に基づいて自テレビ会議システム３が他のテレビ会議システム８の何れにも接続されていないかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ１０３）。若し、他の何れかのテレビ会議システム８に接続されていれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１０２）、図１０の処理を終了する。 If the video conference terminal 306 is powered on, the control unit 308 indicates that the video conference system 3 is connected to any of the other video conference systems 8 based on the connection status stored in the internal memory. It is determined whether or not there is (step S103). If it is connected to any other video conference system 8, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S102), and the process of FIG. 10 is terminated.
　他の何れのテレビ会議システム８にも接続されていなければ、制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から映像表示部３０５の状態を取得して電源がオフ状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１０４）。若し、映像表示部３０５の電源がオフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１０２）、図１０の処理を終了する。 If it is not connected to any other video conference system 8, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off (step S104). . If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S102), and the processing in FIG.
　映像表示部３０５の電源がオフでなければ、制御部３０８は、通信部３０１に対して接続先拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８への発信を指示する（ステップＳ１０５）。通信部３０１は、この指示に従いテレビ会議システム８に対して発信処理を行い、着信側のテレビ会議システム８が応答して接続に成功すると、呼び出しに成功した旨を制御部３０８に通知する。また何らかの理由で接続に失敗した場合には、その旨を制御部３０８に通知する。 If the video display unit 305 is not turned off, the control unit 308 instructs the communication unit 301 to make a call to the video conference system 8 at the connection destination site B (step S105). The communication unit 301 performs transmission processing to the video conference system 8 in accordance with this instruction, and when the incoming video conference system 8 responds and connects successfully, notifies the control unit 308 that the call has been successful. If the connection fails for some reason, the control unit 308 is notified of this.
　他のテレビ会議システム８との接続に失敗した場合、制御部３０８は、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１０２）、図１０の処理を終了する。 When the connection with the other video conference system 8 fails, the control unit 308 performs error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device (step S102), and ends the processing of FIG.
　他方、制御部３０８は、接続先拠点との接続に成功すると、自テレビ会議システム３が拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８と接続中であることを内部のメモリに記憶する（ステップＳ１０６、Ｓ１０７）。次に制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から取得した状態に基づいて、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態および電源オン状態の何れであるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ１０８）。映像表示部３０５が電源オン状態であれば、制御部３０８はステップＳ１１０の処理へと進む。映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の電源制御端子３１５に電源オンへの切替信号を送信することにより電源オン状態へ遷移させ（ステップＳ１０９）、しかる後にステップＳ１１０の処理へと進む。 On the other hand, when the control unit 308 is successfully connected to the connection destination site, the control unit 308 stores in the internal memory that the own video conference system 3 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the site B (steps S106 and S107). Next, the control unit 308 determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314 (step S108). If the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S110. If the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 makes a transition to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S109). The process proceeds to step S110 later.
　制御部３０８は、ステップＳ１１０においては、テレビ会議端末３０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示する。次に制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力端子３１１への切替を指示する信号を送信する（ステップＳ１１１）。 In step S110, the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start video / audio encoding and decoding. Next, the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 (step S111).
　テレビ会議端末３０６は、制御部３０８からの上記指示に従って、映像入力部３０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号と音声入力部３０３から入力された当該利用者の音声信号とを符号化して、通信部３０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８へ送信すると共に、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から通信部３０１を通じて符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを受信して復号し、復号した映像信号を映像表示部３０５の映像入力端子３１１に出力すると共に、復号した音声信号を音声出力部３０４に出力する。他方、映像表示部３０５は、制御部３０８から受信した切替信号に従って、映像入力端子３１１から入力される映像入力を選択する。 In accordance with the instruction from the control unit 308, the video conference terminal 306 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 302 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 303. Then, the video signal and the audio signal which are transmitted through the communication unit 301 from the other connected video conference system 8 are received and decoded through the communication unit 301. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 311 of the video display unit 305, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 304. On the other hand, the video display unit 305 selects a video input input from the video input terminal 311 according to the switching signal received from the control unit 308.
　以上のような動作が行われることにより、接続先拠点から送信されてきた映像信号が映像表示部３０５の画面に表示される。また、接続先拠点から送信されてきた音声信号による音声が音声出力部３０４から出力される。これにより、遠隔地間で互いに映像と音声をリアルタイムに送受信しながら会議を進めることが可能となる。 By performing the operation as described above, the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305. In addition, a sound based on a sound signal transmitted from the connection destination base is output from the sound output unit 304. As a result, it is possible to advance the conference while transmitting and receiving video and audio in real time between remote locations.
　次に、他の拠点のテレビ会議システム８から通信網９を通じて呼び出された際のテレビ会議システム３の動作を、図１１のフローチャートを参照して説明する。 Next, the operation of the video conference system 3 when called from the video conference system 8 of another base through the communication network 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
　通信部３０１は、例えば拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８から通信網９を通じて呼び出しを受けると、接続処理を行って自テレビ会議システム３と呼び出し元の他のテレビ会議システム８とを接続する。そして通信部３０１は、制御部３０８に対して拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８から呼び出しがあった旨を通知する。 For example, when the communication unit 301 receives a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B through the communication network 9, the communication unit 301 performs a connection process to connect the own video conference system 3 and the other video conference system 8 of the caller. Then, the communication unit 301 notifies the control unit 308 that there has been a call from the video conference system 8 at the site B.
　制御部３０８は、通信部３０１から上記の呼び出しの通知を受けると、図１１に示した処理を開始する。まず、制御部３０８は、テレビ会議端末３０６の状態を取得して電源がオン状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１２１）。若し、テレビ会議端末３０６の電源がオフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１２２）、図１１の処理を終了する。 When the control unit 308 receives the call notification from the communication unit 301, the control unit 308 starts the process illustrated in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video conference terminal 306 and determines whether or not the power is on (step S121). If the video conference terminal 306 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S122), and the processing in FIG. 11 is terminated.
　テレビ会議端末３０６の電源がオン状態であれば、制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から映像表示部３０５の状態を取得して電源がオフ状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１２３）。若し、映像表示部３０５の電源がオフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１２２）、図１１の処理を終了する。 If the power supply of the video conference terminal 306 is on, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether the power is off (step S123). If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S122), and the processing in FIG. 11 is terminated.
　映像表示部３０５の電源がオフでなければ、制御部３０８は、自テレビ会議システム３が拠点Ｂのテレビ会議システム８と接続中であることを内部のメモリに記憶する（ステップＳ１２４）。次に制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から取得した状態に基づいて、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態および電源オン状態の何れであるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ１２５）。映像表示部３０５が電源オン状態であれば、制御部３０８はステップＳ１２７の処理へと進む。映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の電源制御端子３１５に電源オンへの切替信号を送信することにより電源オン状態へ遷移させ（ステップＳ１２６）、しかる後にステップＳ１２７の処理へと進む。 If the video display unit 305 is not powered off, the control unit 308 stores in its internal memory that the video conference system 3 is connected to the video conference system 8 at the base B (step S124). Next, based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314, the control unit 308 determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state (step S125). If the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S127. If the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 shifts to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S126). The process proceeds to step S127 later.
　制御部３０８は、ステップＳ１２７においては、テレビ会議端末３０６に対して映像・音声のエンコードおよびデコード開始を指示する。次に制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対して映像入力端子３１１への切替を指示する信号を送信する（ステップＳ１２８）。 In step S127, the control unit 308 instructs the video conference terminal 306 to start video / audio encoding and decoding. Next, the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to the video input terminal 311 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305 (step S128).
　テレビ会議端末３０６は、制御部３０８からの上記指示に従って、映像入力部３０２で撮影された拠点Ａの利用者の映像信号と音声入力部３０３から入力された当該利用者の音声信号とを符号化して、通信部３０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８へ送信すると共に、接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８から通信部３０１を通じて符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを受信して復号し、復号した映像信号を映像表示部３０５の映像入力端子３１１に出力すると共に、復号した音声信号を音声出力部３０４に出力する。他方、映像表示部３０５は、制御部３０８から受信した切替信号に従って、映像入力端子３１１から入力される映像入力を選択する。 In accordance with the instruction from the control unit 308, the video conference terminal 306 encodes the video signal of the user at the site A captured by the video input unit 302 and the audio signal of the user input from the audio input unit 303. Then, the video signal and the audio signal which are transmitted through the communication unit 301 from the other connected video conference system 8 are received and decoded through the communication unit 301. The decoded video signal is output to the video input terminal 311 of the video display unit 305, and the decoded audio signal is output to the audio output unit 304. On the other hand, the video display unit 305 selects a video input input from the video input terminal 311 according to the switching signal received from the control unit 308.
　以上のような動作が行われることにより、接続先拠点から送信されてきた映像信号が映像表示部３０５の画面に表示される。また、接続先拠点から送信されてきた音声信号による音声が音声出力部３０４から出力される。これにより、遠隔地間で互いに映像と音声をリアルタイムに送受信しながら会議を進めることが可能となる。 By performing the operation as described above, the video signal transmitted from the connection destination base is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305. In addition, a sound based on a sound signal transmitted from the connection destination base is output from the sound output unit 304. As a result, it is possible to advance the conference while transmitting and receiving video and audio in real time between remote locations.
　次に、他のテレビ会議システム８とテレビ会議中に、他のテレビ会議システム８から映像表示部３０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末３０９側に切り替えることを要求する切替要求を受信した際のテレビ会議システム３の動作を、図１２のフローチャートを参照して説明する。 Next, during a video conference with another video conference system 8, the video conference system at the time of receiving a switching request for requesting switching the video input of the video display unit 305 from the other video conference system 8 to the computer terminal 309 side. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
　通信部３０１は、上記の切替要求を通信網９を通じて受信すると、この切替要求を制御部３０８に転送する。制御部３０８は、この切替要求を受信すると、図１２に示す処理を開始する。まず制御部３０８は、テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の状態を取得して、何れも電源がオン状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１３１）。若し、テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の少なくとも一方の電源がオフであれば、テレビ会議端末３０６またはコンピュータ端末３０９の電源がオフである旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１３２）、図１２の処理を終了する。 When the communication unit 301 receives the switching request via the communication network 9, the communication unit 301 transfers the switching request to the control unit 308. Upon receiving this switching request, the control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the states of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309, and determines whether or not both are turned on (step S131). If at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message indicating that the video conference terminal 306 or the computer terminal 309 is powered off on the display device is performed. This is done (step S132), and the process of FIG.
　テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の双方の電源がオン状態であれば、制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から映像表示部３０５の状態を取得して電源がオフ状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１３３）。若し、映像表示部３０５が電源オフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１３２）、図１２の処理を終了する。 If both the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are turned on, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off ( Step S133). If the video display unit 305 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S132), and the processing in FIG.
　映像表示部３０５の電源がオフでないならば、さらに制御部３０５は、状態出力端子３１４から取得した状態に基づいて、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態および電源オン状態の何れであるかを判定する（ステップＳ１３４）。そして、制御部３０５は、映像表示部３０５が電源オン状態であれば、ステップＳ１３６の処理へと進む。他方、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の電源制御端子３１５に電源オンへの切替信号を送信することにより電源オン状態へ遷移させ（ステップＳ１３４）、しかる後にステップＳ１３６の処理へと進む。 If the video display unit 305 is not turned off, the control unit 305 further determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314. (Step S134). If the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state, the control unit 305 proceeds to the process of step S136. On the other hand, if the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 transitions to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S134). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S136.
　制御部３０８は、ステップＳ１３６においては、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対してコンピュータ端末３０９からの映像入力端子３１２への切替を指示する信号を送信する。これにより、コンピュータ端末３０９から資料の映像が出力されている場合には、映像表示部３０５の画面に表示されることになる。 In step S136, the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching from the computer terminal 309 to the video input terminal 312 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305. As a result, when the video of the document is output from the computer terminal 309, the video is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
　次に、他の拠点とテレビ会議を行っている際に、拠点Ａの利用者が操作入力部３０７を通じて資料共有操作を入力した際のテレビ会議システム３の動作を、図１３のフローチャートを参照して説明する。 Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 13, the operation of the video conference system 3 when a user of the site A inputs a material sharing operation through the operation input unit 307 during a video conference with another site. I will explain.
　拠点Ａの利用者が操作入力部３０７に対して資料共有操作を行うと、それが操作入力部３０７で検出されて制御部３０８に通知される。制御部３０８は、この資料共有操作の通知を受けると、図１３に示す処理を開始する。まず制御部３０８は、テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の状態を取得して、何れも電源がオン状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１４１）。若し、テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の少なくとも一方の電源がオフであれば、テレビ会議端末３０６またはコンピュータ端末３０９の電源がオフである旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１４２）、図１３の処理を終了する。 When the user at site A performs a material sharing operation on the operation input unit 307, this is detected by the operation input unit 307 and notified to the control unit 308. Upon receiving the notification of the material sharing operation, the control unit 308 starts the process shown in FIG. First, the control unit 308 acquires the states of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309, and determines whether or not both are turned on (step S141). If at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 is powered off, error processing such as displaying a message indicating that the video conference terminal 306 or the computer terminal 309 is powered off on the display device is performed. This is done (step S142), and the process of FIG.
　テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９の双方の電源がオン状態であれば、制御部３０８は、自テレビ会議システム３が他のテレビ会議システム８の何れかに接続されているかどうかを内部のメモリに記憶される接続状態に基づいて判定する（ステップＳ１４３）。若し、他の何れのテレビ会議システム８にも接続されていなければ、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１４２）、図１３の処理を終了する。 If both the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are turned on, the control unit 308 indicates whether or not the own video conference system 3 is connected to any of the other video conference systems 8 in an internal memory. A determination is made based on the stored connection state (step S143). If it is not connected to any other video conference system 8, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S142), and the process of FIG. 13 is terminated.
　他の何れかのテレビ会議システム８に接続されていれば、制御部３０８は、状態出力端子３１４から映像表示部３０５の状態を取得して電源がオフ状態か否かを判定する（ステップＳ１４４）。若し、映像表示部３０５が電源オフであれば、その旨のメッセージを表示装置に表示するなどのエラー処理を行い（ステップＳ１４２）、図１３の処理を終了する。 If connected to any other video conference system 8, the control unit 308 acquires the state of the video display unit 305 from the state output terminal 314 and determines whether or not the power is off (step S 144). . If the video display unit 305 is powered off, an error process such as displaying a message to that effect on the display device is performed (step S142), and the process of FIG.
　映像表示部３０５の電源がオフでなければ、さらに制御部３０５は、状態出力端子３１４から取得した状態に基づいて、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態および電源オン状態の何れであるかを判定する（ステップＳ１４５）。そして、制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５が電源オン状態であれば、ステップＳ１４７の処理へと進む。他方、映像表示部３０５が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、制御部３０８は、映像表示部３０５の電源制御端子３１５に電源オンへの切替信号を送信することにより電源オン状態へ遷移させ（ステップＳ１４６）、しかる後にステップＳ１４７の処理へと進む。 If the video display unit 305 is not turned off, the control unit 305 further determines whether the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state or the power on state based on the state acquired from the state output terminal 314. (Step S145). Then, if the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state, the control unit 308 proceeds to the process of step S147. On the other hand, if the video display unit 305 is in the power standby state, the control unit 308 transitions to the power on state by transmitting a power on switching signal to the power control terminal 315 of the video display unit 305 (step S146). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S147.
　制御部３０８は、ステップＳ１４７においては、映像表示部３０５の映像入力切替端子３１３に対してコンピュータ端末３０９からの映像入力への切替を指示する信号を送信する。これにより、コンピュータ端末３０９から資料の映像が出力されている場合には、映像表示部３０５の画面に表示されることになる。 In step S147, the control unit 308 transmits a signal instructing switching to video input from the computer terminal 309 to the video input switching terminal 313 of the video display unit 305. As a result, when the video of the document is output from the computer terminal 309, the video is displayed on the screen of the video display unit 305.
　次に制御部３０８は、通信部３０１を通じて接続中のテレビ会議システム８に対して、映像表示部をコンピュータ端末からの映像を入力する映像入力へ切替えるよう要求する切替要求を送信する（ステップＳ１４８）。これにより、テレビ会議システム３のコンピュータ端末３０９と同じ資料の映像が、テレビ会議システム８側のコンピュータ端末から出力されている場合には、テレビ会議システム３の映像表示部３０５に表示されている資料と同じ資料が他のテレビ会議システム８の映像表示部に表示されることになる。 Next, the control unit 308 transmits a switching request requesting the video conference system 8 connected through the communication unit 301 to switch the video display unit to video input for inputting video from a computer terminal (step S148). . Thereby, when the video of the same material as the computer terminal 309 of the video conference system 3 is output from the computer terminal on the video conference system 8 side, the material displayed on the video display unit 305 of the video conference system 3 Will be displayed on the video display section of the other video conference system 8.
　このように本実施形態によれば、第２の実施形態と同様の効果が得られると共に、以下のような効果が得られる。 Thus, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
　制御部３０８は、利用者から操作入力部３０７を通じてテレビ会議の開始操作が入力された場合、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の電源状態や他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態がテレビ会議を新たに開始するのに支障がない状態（テレビ会議端末３０６は電源オン状態、映像表示部３０５は電源オン状態あるいは電源オン状態に制御できる電源スタンバイ状態、他のテレビ会議システムとは未接続状態）であることを確認した上で、自テレビ会議システム３から他のテレビ会議システム８に発信して接続する機能を有しているため、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の少なくとも一方が電源オフ状態になっていたり、既に他のテレビ会議システムに接続している状況で、新たに他のテレビ会議システムに発信して接続するといった不正な動作を防止することができる。 When a video conference start operation is input from the user through the operation input unit 307, the control unit 308 determines whether the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 are in the power state or connected to other video conference systems. A state in which there is no problem in starting a new start (the video conference terminal 306 is in a power-on state, the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power-on standby state that can be controlled in a power-on state, and is not connected to other video conference systems) Since it has a function of making a call from the own video conference system 3 to another video conference system 8 and connecting it, at least one of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 is powered off. In the situation where it is in a state or already connected to another video conference system, a new video conference system is newly issued. It is possible to prevent unauthorized operation such that connection.
　また制御部３０８は、他のテレビ会議システムから呼び出しを受けた場合、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議を開始するのに支障がない状態（テレビ会議端末３０６は電源オン状態、映像表示部３０５は電源オン状態あるいは電源オン状態に制御できる電源スタンバイ状態）であることを確認した上で、呼び出しに応じる機能を有しているため、テレビ会議端末３０６および映像表示部３０５の少なくとも一方が電源オフ状態になっている状況で、新たに他のテレビ会議システムからの呼び出しに応じるといった不正な動作を防止することができる。 When the control unit 308 receives a call from another video conference system, the power state of the video conference terminal 306 and the video display unit 305 does not hinder the start of the video conference (the video conference terminal 306 is turned on). The video display unit 305 and the video display unit 305 have a function of responding to a call after confirming that the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power standby state that can be controlled to the power-on state). In a situation where at least one of them is in a power-off state, an illegal operation such as newly responding to a call from another video conference system can be prevented.
　また制御部３０８は、利用者から操作入力部３０７を通じて資料共有操作が入力された場合、テレビ会議端末３０６、コンピュータ端末３０９および映像表示部３０５の電源状態や他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態がテレビ会議中に資料共有を開始するのに支障がない状態（テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９は電源オン状態、映像表示部３０５は電源オン状態あるいは電源オン状態に制御できる電源スタンバイ状態、他のテレビ開始システムと接続状態）であることを確認した上で、映像表示部３０５に対して映像入力端子３１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出すると共に、通信部３０１を通じて接続中の他のテレビ会議システム８に対して、当該他のテレビ会議システムの映像表示部の映像入力を当該他のテレビ会議システムのコンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切り替える切替要求を送信するため、テレビ会議端末３０６、コンピュータ端末３０９および映像表示部３０５の少なくとも一つが電源オフ状態になっていたり、他のテレビ会議システムと接続されていない状況で、資料共有操作に応じて映像表示部３０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末３０９側に切り替えてしまうといった不正な動作を防止することができる。 When the user inputs a material sharing operation through the operation input unit 307, the control unit 308 determines whether the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 are in a power supply state or a connection state with another video conference system. A state where there is no problem in starting the sharing of materials during the video conference (the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are in the power-on state, the video display unit 305 is in the power-on state or in the power-on state that can be controlled in the power-on state, After confirming that the video display unit 305 is connected to the television start system, a switching signal for instructing the video display unit 305 to switch to the video input terminal 312 is sent, and another television connected to the video input unit 312 through the communication unit 301. The video input of the video display unit of the other video conference system is input to the conference system 8 to the other video conference system. In order to transmit a switching request for switching to video input from the computer terminal of the video conference system, at least one of the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 is in a power-off state, or other video conference system It is possible to prevent an unauthorized operation such as switching the video input of the video display unit 305 to the computer terminal 309 side in accordance with the material sharing operation in a state where the connection is not established.
　さらに制御部３０８は、映像表示部の映像入力をコンピュータ端末側に切り替える切替要求を他のテレビ会議システムから受信した場合、コンピュータ端末３０９および映像表示部３０５の電源状態がテレビ会議中に資料共有を開始するのに支障がない状態（テレビ会議端末３０６およびコンピュータ端末３０９は電源オン状態、映像表示部３０５は電源オン状態あるいは電源オン状態に制御できる電源スタンバイ状態）であることを確認した上で、映像表示部３０５に対して映像入力端子３１２への切替を指示する切替信号を送出するため、テレビ会議端末３０６、コンピュータ端末３０９および映像表示部３０５の少なくとも一つが電源オフ状態になっている状況で、受信した切替要求に応じて映像表示部３０５の映像入力をコンピュータ端末３０９側に切り替えてしまうといった不正な動作を防止することができる。 Further, when the control unit 308 receives a switching request for switching the video input of the video display unit to the computer terminal side from another video conference system, the power state of the computer terminal 309 and the video display unit 305 shares the document during the video conference. After confirming that there is no hindrance to start (the video conference terminal 306 and the computer terminal 309 are in a power-on state and the video display unit 305 is in a power-on state or a power-on standby state that can be controlled in a power-on state) In a situation where at least one of the video conference terminal 306, the computer terminal 309, and the video display unit 305 is in a power-off state in order to send a switching signal for instructing the video display unit 305 to switch to the video input terminal 312. In response to the received switching request, the computer inputs the video input of the video display unit 305. It is possible to prevent unauthorized operations such would switch to data terminal 309 side.
　以上本発明を幾つかの実施形態を挙げて説明したが、本発明は以上の実施形態にのみ限定されず、その他各種の付加変更が可能である。例えば、多地点制御装置（MCU:Multipoint Control Unit）を使用して３拠点以上で会議を行うテレビ会議システムに対しても本発明は適用可能である。 Although the present invention has been described with reference to some embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various other additions and modifications are possible. For example, the present invention can be applied to a video conference system that performs a conference at three or more locations using a multipoint control device (MCU: Multipoint Control Unit).
　なお、本発明は、日本国にて２０１２年５月２２日に特許出願された特願２０１２－１１６６９２の特許出願に基づく優先権主張の利益を享受するものであり、当該特許出願に記載された内容は、全て本明細書に含まれるものとする。 The present invention enjoys the benefit of the priority claim based on the patent application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-116692 filed on May 22, 2012 in Japan, and is described in the patent application. The contents are all included in this specification.
１～３、８…テレビ会議システム
９…通信網
１０１、２０１、２０２…通信部
１０２、２０２、３０２…映像入力部
１０３、２０３、３０３…音声入力部
１０４、２０４、３０４…音声出力部
１０５、２０５、３０５…映像表示部
１０６、２０６、３０６…テレビ会議端末
１０７、２０７、３０７…操作入力部
１０８、２０８、３０８…制御部
１１１、２１１、３１１…第１の映像入力端子
１１２、２１２、３１２…第２の映像入力端子
１１３、２１３、３１３…映像入力切替端子
２０９、３０９…コンピュータ端末
２３１…ネットワーク
２３２…管理サーバ
２３３…ユーザＰＣ
３１４…状態出力端子
３１５…電源制御端子 1 to 3, 8 ... Video conference system 9 ... Communication networks 101, 201, 202 ... Communication units 102, 202, 302 ... Video input units 103, 203, 303 ... Audio input units 104, 204, 304 ... Audio output unit 105, 205, 305 ... Video display units 106, 206, 306 ... Video conference terminals 107, 207, 307 ... Operation input units 108, 208, 308 ... Control units 111, 211, 311 ... First video input terminals 112, 212, 312 ... second video input terminals 113, 213, 313 ... video input switching terminals 209, 309 ... computer terminal 231 ... network 232 ... management server 233 ... user PC
314 ... Status output terminal 315 ... Power control terminal

Claims (25)

  1. 　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、
    　映像入力部と、
    　音声入力部と、
    　音声出力部と、
    　複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と、
    　前記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と前記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と前記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、
    　利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、
    　前記通信部と前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末と前記操作入力部とに接続された制御部と
    を有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    テレビ会議システム。     A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
    A video input unit;
    A voice input unit;
    An audio output unit;
    A video display unit having a plurality of video inputs;
    The video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted. The encoded video signal and the audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal. A video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
    An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
    A control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit;
    When the operation input unit detects a user operation instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the control unit sends the other video conference system from the communication unit. A video conference system that calls and connects the own video conference system and the other video conference system so that they can communicate with each other, and sends a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input.
  2. 　前記通信部は、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信網を通じて呼び出しを受けると、前記制御部に対して前記他のテレビ会議システムから呼び出しがあった旨を通知し、
    　前記制御部は、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    請求項１に記載のテレビ会議システム。     When the communication unit receives a call from the other video conference system through the communication network, the communication unit notifies the control unit that there is a call from the other video conference system,
    The video conferencing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sends a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input when notifying that the call has been made.
  3. 　テレビ会議で使用する資料の映像信号を前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第２の映像入力に出力するコンピュータ端末をさらに有し、
    　前記制御部は、前記資料をテレビ会議で使用することを指示する資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    請求項１または２に記載のテレビ会議システム。     A computer terminal for outputting a video signal of a material used in a video conference to a second video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit;
    The control unit instructs the video display unit to switch to the second video input when a material sharing operation that instructs to use the material in a video conference is detected by the operation input unit. The video conference system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a switching signal is transmitted.
  4. 　前記制御部は、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、さらに、前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムに対して、前記他のテレビ会議システムの映像表示部の映像入力を前記他のテレビ会議システムのコンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切替えることを要求する切替要求を送信する
    請求項３に記載のテレビ会議システム。     When the material input operation is detected by the operation input unit, the control unit further controls the video display unit of the other video conference system with respect to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit. The video conference system according to claim 3, wherein the video conference system transmits a switching request for switching video input to video input from a computer terminal of the other video conference system.
  5. 　前記制御部は、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて前記映像表示部の映像入力を前記コンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切替えることを要求する切替要求を受信すると、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    請求項３または４に記載のテレビ会議システム。     When the control unit receives a switching request for requesting to switch the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal through the communication unit from the other video conference system, the control unit receives the switching request. 5. The video conference system according to claim 3, wherein a switching signal for instructing switching to the second video input is transmitted.
  6. 　前記制御部は、テレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    請求項１乃至５の何れかに記載のテレビ会議システム。     The control unit detects a state of the video display unit when a user operation instructing to start a video conference is detected by the operation input unit, and the video display unit is in a power standby state. The switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is transmitted to the video display unit after the control to turn on the video display unit is performed. The described video conference system.
  7. 　前記制御部は、テレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末との状態および自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態を検知し、前記映像表示部の電源がオン且つ前記映像表示部の電源がオフ以外且つ自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとが未接続であれば、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続を試行し、接続に成功した場合、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    請求項１乃至５の何れかに記載のテレビ会議システム。     When the operation input unit detects a user operation instructing to start a video conference, the control unit detects the state of the video display unit and the video conference terminal, the own video conference system, and the other Detecting the connection state with the video conference system, if the video display unit is turned on and the video display unit is not turned off and if the video conference system and the other video conference system are not connected, Call the other video conference system from the communication unit to try to connect the own video conference system and the other video conference system, and if the connection is successful, the video display unit is in a power standby state, the video 6. The switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is transmitted after performing control to turn on the power of the display unit. TV conference system according to any Re.
  8. 　前記制御部は、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    請求項２に記載のテレビ会議システム。     The control unit detects the state of the video display unit when notifying that the call has been made, and performs control to turn on the video display unit if the video display unit is in a power standby state. 3. The video conference system according to claim 2, wherein after that, the switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is transmitted.
  9. 　前記制御部は、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末との状態を検知し、前記映像表示部および前記テレビ会議端末の少なくとも一方が電源オフであればエラー処理を行う
    請求項８に記載のテレビ会議システム。     The control unit detects a state of the video display unit and the video conference terminal when notifying that the call has been made, and if at least one of the video display unit and the video conference terminal is powered off, an error occurs. The video conference system according to claim 8, which performs processing.
  10. 　前記制御部は、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    請求項３または４に記載のテレビ会議システム。     The control unit detects the state of the video display unit when the material sharing operation is detected by the operation input unit, and turns on the power of the video display unit when the video display unit is in a power standby state. 5. The video conference system according to claim 3, wherein after the control is performed, the switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the second video input is transmitted.
  11. 　前記制御部は、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記テレビ会議端末と前記コンピュータ端末と前記映像表示部との状態および自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態を検知し、前記テレビ会議端末と前記コンピュータ端末の電源がオン且つ前記映像表示部の電源がオフ以外且つ自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとが接続中であれば、前記資料共有操作を有効な操作として受け付け、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    請求項３または４に記載のテレビ会議システム。     When the material input operation is detected by the operation input unit, the control unit determines the status of the video conference terminal, the computer terminal, and the video display unit, and the own video conference system and the other video conference system. If the video conference terminal and the computer terminal are turned on, the video display unit is powered off, and the video conference system and the other video conference system are connected, the connection state is detected. If the sharing operation is accepted as an effective operation and the video display unit is in a power standby state, the video display unit is controlled to turn on the power, and then the video display unit is switched to the second video input. 5. The video conference system according to claim 3, wherein the switching signal for instructing switching is sent out.
  12. 　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と前記通信部とに接続され、前記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と前記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と前記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、前記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサを有し、
    　前記プロセッサは、
    　前記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされているテレビ会議システム制御装置。     A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit; The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, the The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A video conferencing terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and a processor connected to the video display unit,
    The processor is
    When an operation of a user instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system is detected by the operation input unit, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. A video conference system programmed to connect the system and the other video conference system in a communicable manner and to send a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input. Control device.
  13. 　前記通信部は、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信網を通じて呼び出しを受けると、前記プロセッサに対して前記他のテレビ会議システムから呼び出しがあった旨を通知し、
    　前記プロセッサは、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１２に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     When the communication unit receives a call from the other video conference system through the communication network, the communication unit notifies the processor that there is a call from the other video conference system,
    13. The processor according to claim 12, wherein the processor is programmed to send a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input upon notification that the call has been made. Video conferencing system controller.
  14. 　前記プロセッサは、テレビ会議で使用する資料の映像信号を前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第２の映像入力に出力するコンピュータ端末にさらに接続され、
    　前記プロセッサは、前記資料をテレビ会議で使用することを指示する資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１２または１３に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor is further connected to a computer terminal that outputs a video signal of a material used in a video conference to a second video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit;
    The processor is configured to instruct the video display unit to switch to the second video input when a material sharing operation that instructs the video conference to use the material is detected by the operation input unit. 14. The video conferencing system controller of claim 12 or 13 programmed to send a signal.
  15. 　前記プロセッサは、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、さらに、前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムに対して、前記他のテレビ会議システムの映像表示部の映像入力を前記他のテレビ会議システムのコンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切替えることを要求する切替要求を送信する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１４に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     When the material sharing operation is detected by the operation input unit, the processor further provides a video of the video display unit of the other video conference system to the other video conference system that is connected through the communication unit. 15. The video conference system control device according to claim 14, wherein the video conference system control device is programmed to transmit a switching request for requesting switching of an input to a video input from a computer terminal of the other video conference system.
  16. 　前記プロセッサは、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて前記映像表示部の映像入力を前記コンピュータ端末からの映像入力に切替えることを要求する切替要求を受信すると、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１４または１５に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     When the processor receives a switching request for requesting to switch the video input of the video display unit to the video input from the computer terminal through the communication unit from the other video conference system, the processor displays the video display unit with the switching request. The video conference system control device according to claim 14 or 15, which is programmed to send a switching signal instructing switching to the second video input.
  17. 　前記プロセッサは、テレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１２乃至１６の何れかに記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor detects a state of the video display unit when a user operation instructing to start a video conference is detected by the operation input unit, and if the video display unit is in a power standby state, 13. A program programmed to send the switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input after performing control to turn on the video display unit. 16. The video conference system control device according to any one of 16.
  18. 　前記プロセッサは、テレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末との状態および自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態を検知し、前記映像表示部の電源がオン且つ前記映像表示部の電源がオフ以外且つ自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとが未接続であれば、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続を試行し、接続に成功した場合、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１２乃至１６の何れかに記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     When an operation of a user instructing to start a video conference is detected by the operation input unit, the processor detects the state of the video display unit and the video conference terminal, the own video conference system, and the other television. If the connection state with the conference system is detected, and if the video display unit is turned on and the video display unit is not turned off and the video conference system and the other video conference system are not connected, the communication If the video display unit is in a power standby state when the video display unit is in a power standby state, the other video conference system is called from the unit to try to connect the video conference system with the other video conference system. After the control to turn on the power of the unit, the program is transmitted so as to send the switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input. Videoconferencing system control device according to any one of claims 12 to 16 are beam.
  19. 　前記プロセッサは、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１３に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor detects the state of the video display unit when notifying that the call has been made, and performs control to turn on the video display unit if the video display unit is in a power standby state. The video conference system control device according to claim 13, programmed to send the switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input.
  20. 　前記プロセッサは、前記呼び出しがあった旨の通知時、前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末との状態を検知し、前記映像表示部および前記テレビ会議端末の少なくとも一方が電源オフであればエラー処理を行う
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１３に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor detects a state of the video display unit and the video conference terminal when notifying that the call has been made, and performs error processing if at least one of the video display unit and the video conference terminal is powered off. 14. The video conferencing system controller of claim 13 programmed to perform.
  21. 　前記プロセッサは、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記映像表示部の状態を検知し、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１４または１５に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor detects the state of the video display unit when the material sharing operation is detected by the operation input unit, and turns on the power of the video display unit if the video display unit is in a power standby state. 16. The video conference system control device according to claim 14, wherein the video conference system control device is programmed to send the switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the second video input after performing the control. .
  22. 　前記プロセッサは、前記資料共有操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記テレビ会議端末と前記コンピュータ端末と前記映像表示部との状態および自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとの接続状態を検知し、前記テレビ会議端末と前記コンピュータ端末の電源がオン且つ前記映像表示部の電源がオフ以外且つ自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとが接続中であれば、前記資料共有操作を有効な操作として受け付け、前記映像表示部が電源スタンバイ状態であれば、前記映像表示部の電源をオンする制御を行った後、前記映像表示部に対して前記第２の映像入力への切替を指示する前記切替信号を送出する
    ようにプログラムされている請求項１４または１５に記載のテレビ会議システム制御装置。     The processor, when the material sharing operation is detected by the operation input unit, the state of the video conference terminal, the computer terminal, and the video display unit, and the connection between the own video conference system and the other video conference system If the state is detected and the video conference terminal and the computer terminal are turned on, the video display unit is not turned off, and the video conference system and the other video conference system are connected, the document sharing is performed. If the operation is accepted as an effective operation and the video display unit is in a power standby state, the video display unit is controlled to turn on the power, and then the video display unit is connected to the second video input. 16. The video conference system control device according to claim 14, wherein the video conference system control device is programmed to send the switching signal instructing switching.
  23. 　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、
    　映像入力部と、
    　音声入力部と、
    　音声出力部と、
    　複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と、
    　前記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と前記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と前記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、
    　利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、
    　前記通信部と前記映像表示部と前記テレビ会議端末と前記操作入力部とに接続された制御部と
    を有するテレビ会議システムが実行する制御方法であって、
    　前記制御部が、前記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    テレビ会議システムの制御方法。     A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other video conference systems through a communication network;
    A video input unit;
    A voice input unit;
    An audio output unit;
    A video display unit having a plurality of video inputs;
    The video signal input from the video input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and the other video conference system is also transmitted. The encoded video signal and the audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded from the first video input of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit and the decoded video signal and the audio signal. A video conference terminal that outputs to the audio output unit;
    An operation input unit for detecting a user's operation;
    A control method executed by a video conference system having a control unit connected to the communication unit, the video display unit, the video conference terminal, and the operation input unit,
    When the operation input unit detects a user operation that instructs the control unit to start a video conference with the other video conference system, the communication unit may switch the other video conference system from the communication unit. The video conference system that calls and connects the own video conference system and the other video conference system so that they can communicate with each other and sends a switching signal that instructs the video display unit to switch to the first video input. Control method.
  24. 　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と前記通信部とに接続され、前記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と前記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と前記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、前記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサを有するテレビ会議システム制御装置が実行する制御方法であって、
    　前記プロセッサが、
    　前記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する
    テレビ会議システムの制御方法。     A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit; The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, the The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A video conference system control apparatus having a processor connected to a video conference terminal that outputs to a video display unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit is executed. A control method,
    The processor is
    When an operation of a user instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system is detected by the operation input unit, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. A control method for a video conference system, wherein the system and the other video conference system are communicably connected, and a switching signal for instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input is transmitted.
  25. 　通信網を通じて他のテレビ会議システムと情報の送受信を行う通信部と、映像入力部と音声入力部と音声出力部と複数の映像入力を有する映像表示部と前記通信部とに接続され、前記映像入力部から入力された映像信号と前記音声入力部から入力された音声信号とを符号化して前記通信部を通じて接続中の前記他のテレビ会議システムへ送信すると共に、前記他のテレビ会議システムから前記通信部を通じて受信した符号化された映像信号と音声信号とを復号し、復号した映像信号と音声信号とを前記映像表示部の前記複数の映像入力のうちの第１の映像入力と前記音声出力部とに出力するテレビ会議端末と、利用者の操作を検出する操作入力部と、前記映像表示部とに接続されたプロセッサに、
    　前記他のテレビ会議システムとの間でテレビ会議を開始することを指示する利用者の操作が前記操作入力部で検出されると、前記通信部から前記他のテレビ会議システムを呼び出して自テレビ会議システムと前記他のテレビ会議システムとを通信可能に接続すると共に、前記映像表示部に対して前記第１の映像入力への切替を指示する切替信号を送出する処理を行わせるためのプログラム。     A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from another video conference system through a communication network, a video input unit, an audio input unit, an audio output unit, a video display unit having a plurality of video inputs, and the communication unit; The video signal input from the input unit and the audio signal input from the audio input unit are encoded and transmitted to the other video conference system being connected through the communication unit, and from the other video conference system, the The encoded video signal and audio signal received through the communication unit are decoded, and the decoded video signal and audio signal are output from the first video input and the audio output of the plurality of video inputs of the video display unit. A processor connected to the video conference terminal that outputs to the operation unit, an operation input unit that detects a user operation, and the video display unit,
    When an operation of a user instructing to start a video conference with the other video conference system is detected by the operation input unit, the other video conference system is called from the communication unit and the video conference is started. A program for connecting a system and the other video conference system so as to be communicable, and for performing a process of sending a switching signal instructing the video display unit to switch to the first video input.
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