JP2004072354A - Audio teleconference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an audio teleconference system enabling the receiving side to easily identify a speaker. <P>SOLUTION: The audio teleconference system for performing a conference with persons in a remote place by transmitting/receiving voice data through a network is provided with the network, a 1st remote conference device for adding an identifier to voice data to be transmitted through the network and transmitting the voice data and a 2nd remote conference device for receiving the voice data to which the identifier is added through the network and changing the position of a sound image of the voice data to be reproduced on the basis of the identifier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a voice conference system for holding a conference with a remote person by transmitting and receiving voice data using a network, and more particularly to a voice conference system capable of easily identifying a speaker on a receiving side.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional audio conference system, a plurality of teleconference devices are connected via a network, and voice data of a speaker collected by one teleconference device is transmitted to another teleconference device via a network to reproduce a voice. It enables meetings with local people.
[0003]
FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of such a conventional audio conference system. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 denote teleconferencing devices having a microphone for collecting voice, a speaker for reproducing voice, and the like, and capable of transmitting and receiving voice data via a network. 100 denotes the Internet, an intranet, a telephone line, Alternatively, it is a general-purpose network such as a dedicated line.
[0004]
The remote conference devices 1, 2, 3, and the remote conference device 4 are connected to the network 100, respectively.
[0005]
FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram showing a specific example of the remote conference devices 1 to 4. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5 denotes communication means for performing communication (transmission / reception of voice data, etc.) with another teleconference device via the network 100; 6, voice reproduction means for converting received voice data into analog signals; A loudspeaker, such as a speaker, which amplifies the analog output signal of the audio reproducer 6 as appropriate and outputs it as audio. The loudspeaker 8 collects audio by a microphone or the like and controls the communication means 5 to transmit the audio data to another remote conference device. Sound collection means.
[0006]
The communication unit 5 is connected to a network 100 (not shown), and the output is connected to the audio reproducing unit 6. The output of the audio reproducing unit 6 is connected to the loudspeaker 7. The output of the voice collecting means 8 is connected to the communication means 5.
[0007]
Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the audio conference system. However, only the reproduction of the audio will be described, and the description of the collection and transmission of the audio will be omitted.
[0008]
First, in the teleconferencing device alone, the communication unit 5 that has received the voice data as indicated by “SS01” in FIG. 5 via the network 100 outputs the received voice data to the voice reproduction unit 6. The audio reproducing means 6 converts the audio data into an analog signal and outputs it.
[0009]
Then, the loudspeaker 7 amplifies the analog signal output from the audio reproducer 6 as appropriate, and outputs the analog signal to the person having the conference as audio as indicated by "PS01" in FIG.
[0010]
On the other hand, in the audio conference system including the four remote conference devices shown in FIG. 4, the voice of the speaker indicated by “TK11” in FIG. 6 collected by the remote conference device 1 is indicated by “SS11” in FIG. Such audio data is transmitted to the remote conference device 4.
[0011]
Similarly, the voices of the speakers indicated by “TK12” and “TK13” in FIG. 6 collected by the remote conference devices 2 and 3 are converted into voice data such as “SS12” and “SS13” in FIG. 4 is sent.
[0012]
At this time, the remote conference device 4 reproduces the received audio data such as “SS11”, “SS12” and “SS13” in FIG. 6 and transmits the voice data from the loudspeaker 7 shown in “SP11” in FIG. PS11 "is output as a voice as shown in FIG.
[0013]
As a result, a plurality of teleconferencing devices can be connected to each other via a network, and the voice collected by each teleconferencing device can be transmitted as voice data to reproduce the voice, thereby enabling a conference with a remote person.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, when there are a plurality of speakers, the speakers give their names each time to identify the speakers, or the listener distinguishes the characteristics of the sound to be reproduced, and Had to be identified.
[0015]
For this reason, when the speaker does not give his name, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult for the listener to identify the first-time partner or the speaker whose voice characteristics are similar.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a voice conference system that can easily identify a speaker on a receiving side.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
In a voice conference system that performs a conference with a remote person by transmitting and receiving voice data using a network,
A network, a first teleconference device for adding an identifier to audio data transmitted via the network and transmitting the audio data, and a sound image of the audio data to be received and reproduced via the network And the second teleconferencing device that changes the position of the speaker based on the identifier, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 2 is
In the audio conference system according to the first aspect,
The first teleconferencing device comprises:
Communication means for communicating with another teleconference device via the network, and after collecting voice by a microphone and adding the identifier, controlling the communication means to transmit data to the other teleconference device With the configuration including the voice collecting means, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 3 is
In the audio conference system according to the first aspect,
The second teleconferencing device comprises:
Communication means for communicating with another teleconference device via the network, audio signal extraction means for extracting the audio data from received data and converting it to an analog signal, and identifying the identifier from the received data Audio identifier extraction means to be extracted, reproduction balance control means for controlling the balance of the reproduction volume of the analog signal, balance ratio setting means for determining the balance based on the identifier and setting the reproduction balance control means, By comprising two loudspeakers for changing the position of the sound image of the audio data and reproducing it under the control of the reproduction balance controller, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 4 is
The audio conference system according to claim 3,
The loudspeaker means,
With a plurality of speakers, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 5 is
The audio conference system according to claim 3,
The loudspeaker means,
By being displaced in the depth direction, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 6 is
The audio conference system according to claim 3,
The loudspeaker means,
By being shifted in the height direction, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 7 is
In the audio conference system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The identifier is
By using a predefined identifier, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 8 is
In the audio conference system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The identifier is
With the IP address of the remote conference device, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 9 is
In the audio conference system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The identifier is
By using the MAC address of the remote conference device, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 10 is
In the audio conference system according to claim 1 or 2,
The second teleconferencing device comprises:
By providing a plurality of the microphones and adding a different identifier to each of the voice data collected by the plurality of the microphones and transmitting the same, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing one embodiment of a voice conference system according to the present invention.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes the same reference numeral as in FIG. 4, and 9, 10, 11, and 12 denote improved teleconference devices. The remote conference devices 9, 10, 11 and the remote conference device 12 are connected to the network 100, respectively.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing a specific example of the remote conference devices 9 to 11. 2, reference numeral 5 denotes the same reference numeral as in FIG. 5, reference numeral 13 denotes an audio signal extracting means for extracting audio data from the received data and converting it into an analog signal, and reference numeral 14 denotes an analog output signal of the audio signal extracting means 13. Reproduction balance control means for controlling the reproduction volume balance (balance), 15 is a voice identifier extraction means for extracting an identifier from received data, and 16 is a balance ratio setting means for setting the reproduction volume balance (balance) based on the identifier. , 17 and 18 are loudspeaker means such as speakers for appropriately amplifying the analog output signal of the reproduction balance control means 14 and outputting it as sound, and 19 controls the communication means 5 after collecting the sound by a microphone or the like and adding an identifier thereto. Is a voice collecting means for transmitting data to the remote conference device.
[0029]
The communication unit 5 is connected to a network 100 (not shown), and the output is connected to the audio signal extraction unit 13 and the audio identifier extraction unit 15. The output of the audio signal extraction unit 13 is connected to the reproduction balance control unit 14. You.
[0030]
The output of the voice identifier extracting means 15 is connected to the balance ratio setting means 16, and the output of the balance ratio setting means 16 is connected to the control input terminal of the reproduction balance control means 14.
[0031]
Further, two outputs of the reproduction balance control means 14 are connected to loudspeakers 17 and 18 arranged on the left and right, respectively, and an output of the sound collection means 19 is connected to the communication means 5.
[0032]
Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the audio conference system.
[0033]
The voice collecting means 19 is a voice collecting means for collecting the voice of the speaker using a microphone or the like, adding an identifier, and then controlling the communication means 5 to transmit data to another remote conference device.
[0034]
For example, an identifier “A” is added to the voice of the speaker indicated by “TK31” in FIG. 3 collected by the remote conference device 9 and transmitted to the remote conference device 13 as data such as “SS31” in FIG. You.
[0035]
For example, similarly, identifiers “B” and “C” are added to the voices of the speakers indicated by “TK32” and “TK33” in FIG. 3 collected by the remote conference devices 10 and 11, respectively, and “SS32” in FIG. "And" SS33 "are transmitted to the remote conference apparatus 13.
[0036]
In addition, the communication unit 5 that has received the data (audio data + identifier) as indicated by “SS21” in FIG. 2 via the network 100 transmits the received data (audio data + identifier) to the audio signal extraction unit 13 and the audio identifier extraction. Output to the means 15. The audio signal extracting means 13 extracts audio data from the data (audio data + identifier) and converts it into an analog signal.
[0037]
On the other hand, the voice identifier extracting means 15 extracts and outputs an identifier from the data (voice data + identifier), and the equilibrium ratio setting means 16 determines the volume of the voice to be reproduced based on the extracted identifier and reproduces the balance control means. 14 is controlled.
[0038]
The loudspeaker 17 installed on the right side and the loudspeaker 18 installed on the left side show two (left and right) analog signals output from the reproduction balance control means 14 as "PS21" and "PS22" in FIG. As described above, it is output to the person who is conducting the meeting.
[0039]
For example, it is assumed that the balance of the volume of the reproduced sound with respect to the identifiers “A”, “B”, and “C” is defined as “100: 0”, “50:50”, and “0: 100”, respectively.
[0040]
Here, when the volume balance is “100: 0”, “100%” of the volume of the sound reproduced from the left loudspeaker 18 is output, and “0” of the volume of the sound reproduced from the right loudspeaker 17 is output. % "Is output.
[0041]
Therefore, the voice data of the speaker indicated by “TK31” in FIG. 3 to which the identifier “A” is added is output as “100%” of the volume of the reproduced voice from the left loudspeaker 18, and is output to the right loudspeaker 17. Since "0%" of the volume of the sound to be reproduced is output, the sound is reproduced so that it can be heard from the left side as shown by "PS31" in FIG. 3, in other words, the sound image is localized at the left end.
[0042]
Similarly, the voice data of the speaker indicated by “TK32” in FIG. 3 to which the identifier “B” is added is output as “50%” of the volume of the reproduced voice from the left loudspeaker 18 and is output to the right loudspeaker 17. Since "50%" of the volume of the sound to be reproduced is output, the sound is reproduced so as to be heard from the center as indicated by "PS32" in FIG. 3, in other words, so that the sound image is localized at the center.
[0043]
Further, as for the voice data of the speaker indicated by “TK33” in FIG. 3 to which the identifier “C” is added, “0%” of the volume of the voice to be reproduced is output from the left loudspeaker 18 and from the right loudspeaker 17 is output. Since "100%" of the volume of the sound to be reproduced is output, the sound is reproduced so as to be heard from the right end as shown by "PS33" in FIG. 3, in other words, so that the sound image is localized at the right end.
[0044]
That is, the listeners indicated by "LN31" in FIG. 3 can reproduce the voices of the speakers indicated by "TK31", "TK32" and "TK33" in FIG. 3 as "PS31", "PS32" and "PS33" in FIG. "", The speakers are heard from different directions, so that the speaker can be easily identified.
[0045]
As a result, the transmitting side transmits the sound data with the identifier added thereto, and the receiving side determines the direction in which the sound reproduced based on the identifier is heard, in other words, the position of the sound image of the reproduced sound data based on the identifier. By changing, the speaker can be easily identified.
[0046]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the case where the number of speakers is three is exemplified. However, when the number of speakers increases, the same number of identifiers as the speakers are provided and The balance ratio may be appropriately changed so that the positions of the sound images of the reproduced sound do not overlap each other.
[0047]
Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two loudspeakers 17 and 18 are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to the two loudspeakers, and by providing a plurality of loudspeakers as necessary, It is also possible to arrange the position of the sound image of the reproduced sound at 360 degrees around the listener.
[0048]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the loudspeakers are shifted left and right. However, the loudspeakers may be shifted in the depth direction or the height direction as the installation positions of the loudspeakers. By increasing the position of the sound image of the reproduced sound by displacing it in the three-dimensional direction, it is possible to further identify a large number of speakers.
[0049]
Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the teleconferencing device adds a predefined identifier, but a unique identifier such as a MAC (Media Access Control address) address or an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the teleconferencing device. May be used as the identifier.
[0050]
Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the number of speakers and the number of remote conference devices are the same, but a single remote conference device may have a plurality of speakers. In this case, a microphone for voice collection may be assigned to each speaker, and an identifier may be added to each microphone.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, an identifier is added to audio data transmitted by a transmitting side and transmitted, and a receiving side is configured based on the identifier. By changing the direction in which the reproduced sound is heard, in other words, the position of the sound image of the reproduced sound data based on the identifier, the speaker can be easily identified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a voice conference system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram illustrating a specific example of a remote conference device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the audio conference system.
FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional audio conference system.
FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram showing a specific example of a remote conference device.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the audio conference system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12 Teleconference device 5 Communication means 6 Sound reproduction means 7,17,18 Loudspeaking means 8,19 Sound collection means 13 Sound signal extraction means 14 Reproduction balance control means 15 Sound Identifier extracting means 16 balance ratio setting means 100 network

Claims (10)

In a voice conference system that performs a conference with a remote person by transmitting and receiving voice data using a network,
Network and
A first teleconferencing device that adds an identifier to audio data transmitted via the network and transmits the data;
A voice conference system comprising: a second teleconferencing device that receives voice data to which the identifier is added via the network and changes a position of a sound image of the voice data to be reproduced based on the identifier. The first teleconferencing device comprises:
Communication means for communicating with another teleconference device via the network,
2. The audio conference system according to claim 1, further comprising: audio collection means for collecting audio by a microphone, adding said identifier, and controlling said communication means to transmit data to another remote conference apparatus. . The second teleconferencing device comprises:
Communication means for communicating with another teleconference device via the network,
Audio signal extraction means for extracting the audio data from the received data and converting it to an analog signal,
Voice identifier extracting means for extracting the identifier from the received data,
Playback balance control means for controlling the balance of the playback volume of the analog signal,
A balance ratio setting means for determining the balance based on the identifier and setting the reproduction balance control means;
2. The audio conference system according to claim 1, further comprising two loudspeakers for changing the position of the sound image of the audio data for reproduction under the control of the reproduction balance controller. The loudspeaker means,
4. The audio conference system according to claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of audio conference systems. The loudspeaker means,
4. The audio conference system according to claim 3, wherein the audio conference system is arranged so as to be shifted in a depth direction. The loudspeaker means,
4. The audio conference system according to claim 3, wherein the audio conference system is arranged so as to be shifted in a height direction. The identifier is
4. The audio conference system according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a predefined identifier. The identifier is
The audio conference system according to claim 1, wherein the audio conference system is an IP address of a remote conference device. The identifier is
4. The audio conference system according to claim 1, wherein the audio conference system is a MAC address of the remote conference device. The second teleconferencing device comprises:
The audio conference system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of microphones, wherein a different identifier is added to each audio data collected by the plurality of microphones and transmitted.

Images