DE10348149B4 - Procedure for conducting a telephone conference - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for conducting a telephone conference with a plurality of telephones (4a, 4b, 4c) connected in a conference circuit in a first network (5) and a plurality of computers (1a, 1b, 1c) connected in a further network (6) and with means ( 2a, 2b, 2c) for the electronic display of optical information, the conference call being between at least two participants, of whom at least one speaks and at least one is listening, with acoustic information about the first network (5) and optical displayable information from participants during the conference call are transmitted via the further network (6) and essentially each participant transmits the optically representable information in the form of at least one individual, digitized still image (9) of his person as image files to the other participants and that the still image (9) of the respective speaking Participant on a means (2a, 2b, 2c) for electronic presentation llung optical information is displayed by at least one listening participant, characterized in that the participants in the conference register their call requests by pressing a button and the call is released in the chronological order of the reported call requests by a highlighted display of the still image (9) of the speaking participant on the means ( 2a, 2b, 2c) is displayed for the electronic display of optical information of the speaking participant and at least one other participant.

Description

The invention relates to a method for carrying out a telephone conference comprising a plurality of telephones connected in a conference circuit in a first network and a plurality of computers connected in a further network and means for displaying optical information, wherein the telephone conference takes place between at least two subscribers, of which at least one is speaking and at least one is listening, wherein during the conference call, acoustic information about the first network and optically displayable information is transmitted from subscribers over the wider network.

Such methods are known and used to give persons who are distant from each other a pictorial impression of the participants in a telephone conference. It is customary to record the respective participants of the conference with a video camera or webcam and to transmit the video sequences via computer network to the other participants in real time.

Due to the enormously high transmission rates that are necessary in carrying out the method according to the prior art, the quality of the transmitted video sequences is extremely low. The images of the participants are very difficult to recognize in the video sequences, because the images are very small and poorly resolved. The miming and facial expression of the depicted Telnehmer can often not be recognized by the other participants, especially when many participants are simultaneously in the picture. Because of the high transmission rates, the telephone conferences with video support according to the prior art are very expensive and susceptible to interference. The collapse of a network under the data load can not be ruled out. In addition, these conferences often require elaborate and specialized components that are not available at every office workstation. Smaller companies rely on renting the equipment for such telephone conferences or completely renouncing this form of communication.

The WO 00/45579 A1 discloses a method for conducting a telephone conference with a plurality of connected telephones and a plurality of connected computers. Means are shown for electronic representation of optical information, wherein the telephone conference takes place between at least two participants. The audible information is transmitted during the telephone conference over the interconnected telephones and the optically representable information is transmitted via the interconnected computer.

The WO 03/034235 A1 discloses a data conferencing system that includes both a voice network with connected telephones and a data network with connected computers.

From the CA 2 371 192 A1 is a hybrid IP / PSTN multimedia conferencing system known.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for carrying out a conference call with the support of visually perceptible information, which ensures a good visibility of the participants while stable, cost-effective and is usually feasible with the usual office computers.

According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claim 1. By virtue of the fact that essentially every participant transmits the optically representable information in the form of at least one individual, digitized still image of his person as image files to the respective remaining participants and that the still image of the respectively speaking participant is displayed on means for electronically displaying optical information of at least one listening participant ,

The transmission of individual digitized still images in a single image file format makes it possible to keep the transmitted data volumes very low, whereby the still images can be transmitted with high resolution, good quality and of adequate size. Due to the low data transmission rates, the cost of such image-based telephone conferences is comparatively low and the computer network used is under-stressed by the data load associated with the data rates, resulting in a secure and trouble-free video-based telephone conference. As means for the electronic representation of optical information, all forms of monitors, displays, flat screens, projectors, beamers and so on are understood here.

The participants of the conference announce their call requests by pressing a button and in the order in which the call requests are announced, the call release is indicated by a highlighted display of the still image of the speaking subscriber on the screen of the speaking subscriber and at least one other subscriber. This has the advantage that the speaking participant can be perceived well visually by the other participants and that by registering conversation requests a high level of discussion discipline is established, which contributes greatly to the constructive design of the image-supported telephone conference. Another support from a moderator, as with Videoconferencing with more than two locations is recommended, is not necessary.

It is advantageous if the end of the conversation of the hitherto-speaking subscriber is signaled by a further key press and his still on all screens on which it was displayed, hidden again and the next still image of the subscriber is displayed with the next call request. In this way, the speaking conference participant can signal that his contribution has been concluded at least provisionally and that the next conference participant can now speak. This is clearly indicated to all conference participants by the suppression of the hitherto speaking and the insertion of the next speaking subscriber. This makes it clear to every participant who is currently contributing to the conference at any time. The assignment of the voice of the speaker to his image is clear and easily recognizable for each participant.

In one embodiment, during the telephone conference, all telephones are in uninterrupted communication via the first network for speaking and simultaneous listening. As a result, participants who are not registered as speakers and are shown, even in special situations, bring their interim contributions immediately.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the registration of the call request and the signaling of the end of the conversation by pressing a button on the input devices such as keyboard or mouse computer. These input devices are available anyway on almost every computer and they are very familiar to the computer users in the operation, so that a faster and safer handling is guaranteed.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that key presses for the registration of the call request and signaling the end of the conversation via fixed numbers of the telephone keypad done. Also, the telephone keypad is available to each participant and can therefore be used well to register the wishes of the participants. For this, the key presses may be transmitted through encoded audio signals over the first network and decoded using a decoder and transmitted to the computer. The thus-driven computer can execute the commands and, for example, put the next speaker on hold for speakers with his picture being displayed accordingly.

In one embodiment, the computers are connected to the input devices via modems with the first network, the modem converts the key operation in coded sound signals and sends to the other participants whose modems decrypt the received signals and control the connected computer as intended. As a result, the computer network is relieved of control signals and the control signals can be transmitted at very high speed over the telephone network. This allows the conference call to be conducted without computer network delays and interference. The control of the networked computer is thus almost in real time.

In a next development, in addition to the image files, other documents such as text files and / or mixed files of text, graphics and / or image information and / or animations are transmitted. For example, besides the image of the participant, his name, the company he works for, his location and his function can be displayed. Through the transmission of text files, it is possible to make other important documents and presentations accessible to the other conference participants in addition to the pictures of conference participants. Also mixed files of image information, graphics and text information, as they are often found in presentations, are easy to transfer with the inventive method and make it accessible to all participants. All files can be manually or automatically saved on participants' computers during or after the conference and reused or edited.

In one embodiment, all files are transferred to the participants' computers in time prior to the actual conference call. During the conference call, only control signals for calling the files are output to the connected computers. Pre-transfer means that the image-based conference call involves the transmission of particularly small amounts of data. As a result, the computer network is very little burden, resulting in a trouble-free conference. It also avoids time delays that could result from transmissions during the conference.

In a next embodiment, the other documents can only be opened by the participant who originally sent these documents. This ensures that only the original sender can present his documents to the participants in the conference, and even if the conference develops differently than desired, for example, and / or can spontaneously decide not to include some or all documents in the conference contribute.

In addition, it is possible that the other documents are displayed by a determination of the sending participant on the screens of all other participants or only on the screens of certain participants. This leaves the sender of the other documents the freedom to decide before or during the conference call to whom his documents are shown at what time. For this purpose, opening the other documents can only be possible by means of a password. This password can be provided by the sender of the further documents to all or only selected participants of the telephone conference.

In this context, it is advantageous if a page turning of the pages from the other documents is controlled by the speaking subscriber via further key presses. This also serves exclusively to allow the claimant to determine the manner of his documentation and presentation.

In a development, the still image of the speaking participant is displayed in a smaller format at the edge of the screen while displaying the other documents. This makes it clear to each listener who is presenting the presented further document.

In a next embodiment, at least one subscriber is connected to the first network via a mobile telephone and thus participates in the conference. This ensures that even mobile participants can be involved in such conferences.

In addition, it is very advantageous if the still images of all listening participants are additionally displayed on the screen in a smaller format and / or in a different form than that in which the speaking participant is represented. This gives each participant an overview of the entire scope of the conference call.

In one embodiment, the still images of all listening participants are displayed in an order of the registered conversation requests. This leads to a very high discussion discipline during the telephone conference, which can be important for the success of such a conference.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures.

1 schematically shows the inventive method for conducting a telephone conference. A plurality of computers 1a . 1b . 1c is to another network 6 , such as a computer network or the worldwide Internet, interconnected. Each of the computers 1a . 1b . 1c is connected to the usual input and output devices. For visual information output here serve the screens 2a . 2 B . 2c at the associated computers 1a . 1b . 1c , The information is entered via the corresponding keyboards 11a . 11b . 11c and the mice 3a . 3b . 3c , For entering image files here are webcams or digital cameras 8a . 8b . 8c intended. However, images can also be scanned or used as a file image. It is important that in the present invention on the webcams, digital cameras 8a . 8b . 8c or other input paths only still images 9 be loaded by participants of the conference call and transmitted as a single image files. Moving images, ie fast sequences of a large number of images with a short distance one after the other, should not be loaded or transmitted. Single stills 9 include relatively small amounts of data even at high quality and are thus much simpler over the computer network 6 to transmit as moving pictures. Become the still images 9 from the participants and other documents that may be needed 10 before the actual conference call transmitted to the participants' computers and stored there, the transmission of control signals via the computer network is sufficient 6 to retrieve the necessary files on the remote computers of the other participants and on their own computer, so as to provide all participants at almost the same time the necessary information.

Next to the other network 6 , for example the computer network 6 , is also a first network 5 , for example a telephone network 5 , created. In this example, the telephone network exists 5 from three interconnected phones 4a . 4b . 4c , A first telephone 4a and a first computer 1a with the first keyboard 11a , the first mouse 3a , the first screen 2a and the first digital camera 8a forms the first office workplace 14a , The other office workplaces 14b and 14c become analogous from one of the computers 1b . 1c with one of the keyboards 11b . 11c , one of the mice 3b . 3c a screen 2 B . 2c and a digital camera 8b . 8c educated. The digital cameras 8a . 8b . 8c can either be replaced by scanned images of participants or already present in file format on a disk illustrations of participants.

To perform the conference call with visual support, the pictures taken by the participants will be displayed 9 and other information needed 10 over the computer network 6 on the computer 1a . 1b . 1c the other participants transmitted and stored there or on a central server 7 stored. This can be done before the actual conference call. On the screens 2a . 2 B . 2c all participants become the pictures 9 the participant is shown. There are many possibilities for this. In one embodiment, the images of all conference participants are displayed side by side or one above the other in a row. The statue 9 the currently speaking subscriber may be in an enlarged form at an excellent place on the screen 2 , for example in the middle of the screen 2 , are displayed. For this purpose, only control signals have to be transmitted in real time, both via the computer network 6 , as well as later in 2 represented over the telephone network 5 can be transmitted. The speaker can control this signal, for example, by pressing a button on his computer keyboard 11 or mouse 3 but it is also possible the speaking conference participants by the on his telephone receiver 13a , b or c automatically identify generated signals electronically.

It is also advantageous to announce the desire to express the opinion of the participants by the participant with the expression request a selected key on his computer keyboard 11a , b or c or his mouse 3a , b or c or his telephone keypad 12a , b or c presses. This allows a kind of holding pattern to be formed on the screens 2 all participants, by stringing the participants with the utterance request in a special row, for example, directly next to the statue 9 of the current speaker, is displayed. If a speaker has finished his utterances, he can do so by pressing another selected key on his keyboard 11a , b or c or his mouse 3a , b or c or his telephone keypad 12a , b or c signal or there is an electronic registration from the telephone receiver 13 if the speaker has not spoken longer than a predetermined time. The statue 9 The next party is then automatically enlarged and in the excellent spot on the screens 2 all participants displayed. Then the participant now shown as speaker takes the floor. The requirement of the message to the speaker and the delivery of the word by corresponding keystrokes, causes a very high conference call discipline.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible the current speaker electronically by the on his phone 13a , b or c to identify generated signals and his still image 9 in the excellent position on the screens 2a , b and c of all participants or in a dialogue between two participants of the conference, both participants enlarged at a selected point of the screens 2a , b and c of all participants. All these forms of presentation give the participants of the telephone conference a very effective impression of the other participants, with the absence of the presentation of moving images no significant loss of information. On the other hand, outweigh the representation of the high quality and large still images 9 resulting benefits by far. In 2 is the use of the telephone network 5 to control the on the computer network 6 switched computer 1 shown.

2 shows that off 1 well-known computer network 6 with the interconnected computers 1 and the necessary input and output devices, such as mice 3a , b and c, keyboards 11a , b and c, digital cameras 8a , b and c and screens 2a , b and c.

Again, there is a telephone network 5 created that allows a verbal conference call. In this embodiment, the computers are also 1 with the telephone network 5 connected. To control the computer 1 over the phones 4 are modems 14 provided, the corresponding control signals almost instantaneously to the connected computer 1 output. These control signals can be transmitted simultaneously with the signal of the word spoken by a subscriber, for example with a modulated inaudible frequency. The modems 14 can in or at the computers 1a , b and c or in the phones 4a , b and c itself be mounted or switched as a separate unit. From the addressed modem 14 For example, a code or bit string may be generated that is uniquely assigned to the talking subscriber and from the connected computers 1a , b or c can be detected. The modem 14 receives the control signals from the keypad of each telephone set 4a , b or c are output over the telephone network 5 practically without delay. Alternatively, the control signals from the input devices of the computer 1 like mouse 3a , b and c or keyboard a, b and c over the modem 14 and over the telephone network 5 be transferred to the computers of the other participants without delay.

In the 3a and b are two ways to display the still images 9a to e the participant of a conference call on the screens 2 the participant indicated. In 3a is the statue 9a the speaking participant on the right side of the screen 2 shown very large. The still pictures 9b up to e participants with registered requests to join stand to the left of the large statue 9a of the speaking participant. If the speaking participant finishes his speech, his statue becomes his 9a hidden and the still image 9b the next speaker will take the place of the freeze frame 9a of the previous speaker displayed large.

3a but can also be understood that only the still image 9a the current speaker is displayed in an excellent position and in a particular size or shape while the still images 9b to e of all other conference participants, regardless of their conversation request, smaller on the screen 2 being represented. If the current speaker makes the call, his still picture becomes 9a hidden and the still image 9b , c, d or e of the next speaker is displayed large.

Also in 3b becomes a representation of the still images 9a to e of the conference participants indicated. Here is the statue 9a the current speaker boldly framed and the still images 9b to e of the remaining participants are grouped around that of the current speaker.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1a

first computer

1b

second computer

1c

third computer

2

screen

2a

first screen

2 B

second screen

2c

third screen

3a

first mouse

3b

second mouse

3c

third mouse

4a

first phone

4b

second phone

4c

third phone

5

first network / telephone network

6

another network / computer network

7

central server

8a

first webcam or digital camera

8b

second webcam or digital camera

8c

third webcam or digital camera

9

Still picture of a participant

10

Presentation documents of a participant

11a

first keyboard

11b

second keyboard

11c

third keyboard

12

phone keypad

12a

first telephone keypad

12b

second telephone keypad

12c

third telephone keypad

13

handset

13a

first telephone receiver

13b

second telephone receiver

13c

third telephone receiver

Claims (18)

Method for carrying out a telephone conference with a plurality in a conference circuit in a first network ( 5 ) connected phones ( 4a . 4b . 4c ) and a plurality in another network ( 6 ) connected computer ( 1a . 1b . 1c ) and with funds ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) for the electronic presentation of optical information, wherein the telephone conference takes place between at least two subscribers, at least one of whom speaks and listens at least one, during the telephone conference acoustic information about the first network ( 5 ) and visual displayable information from subscribers over the further network ( 6 ) and in which essentially every participant stores the optically representable information in the form of at least one individual digitized still image ( 9 ) transmits his person as image files to the respective remaining participants and that the still image ( 9 ) of the respective participant on an agent ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is displayed for the electronic representation of optical information of at least one listening party, characterized in that the participants of the conference announce their conversation requests by pressing a key and in the temporal order of the reported call requests the call release by a highlighted display of the freeze frame ( 9 ) of the speaking participant on the agent ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is displayed for the electronic representation of visual information of the speaking subscriber and at least one further subscriber. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the conversation of the hitherto speaking subscriber is signaled by a further key operation and his still picture ( 9 ) on all means ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) for electronically displaying optical information on which it was displayed, and the next still image ( 9 ) of the subscriber with the next call request is displayed. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that during the telephone conference all telephones ( 4a . 4b . 4c ) over the first network ( 5 ) to speak and to communicate at the same time. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the registration of the call request and the signaling of the end of the call by pressing a button on the input devices such as the keyboard ( 11a . 11b . 11c ) or the mouse ( 3a . 3b . 3c ) of the computer. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that key operations for the registration of the call request and signaling the end of the conversation via fixed numbers of the telephone keypad ( 12a . 12b . 12c ) respectively. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 5, characterized in that the key operations by coded sound signals over the first network ( 5 ) and decoded by means of a decoder and to the computers ( 1a . 1b . 1c ) be transmitted. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 4, characterized in that the computers ( 1a . 1b . 1c ) with the input devices but modems ( 15 ) with the first network ( 5 ), whereby the modem ( 15 ) converts the keystroke into coded audio signals and sends them to the other subscribers whose modems ( 15 ) decrypt the received signals and connect the connected computer ( 1a . 1b . 1c ) as intended. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual digitized still images ( 9 ) contain at least one image of the head of the participant sending the image file. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition to the image files and other documents ( 10 ) such as text files and / or mixed files of text, graphics and / or image information and / or animations are transmitted. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all files are sent to the computers in time before the actual telephone conference ( 1a . 1b . 1c ) of the participants are transmitted. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further documents can only be opened by the subscriber who has received these documents ( 10 ) originally sent. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further documents ( 10 ) by a determination of the sending participant on the means ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) for the electronic representation of optical information of all others or only the means ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) are displayed for the electronic representation of optical information of certain participants. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 11, characterized in that the opening of the further documents ( 10 ) only by means of a password is possible. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to at least one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the pages are turned over from the further documents ( 10 ) is controlled by the speaking subscriber via further key presses. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the display of the further documents the still picture ( 9 ) of the speaking participant in a smaller format at the edge of the agent ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is displayed for the electronic representation of optical information. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one subscriber via a mobile telephone with the first network ( 5 ) and attends the conference. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the still images ( 9 ) of all listening subscribers additionally in a smaller format and / or in a different form than that in which the speaking subscriber is represented, on the means ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) for the electronic representation of optical information. Method for carrying out a telephone conference according to claim 17, characterized in that the still images ( 9 ) of all listening subscribers in an order of the registered call requests are displayed.

Images