JP2010124133A - Sound relay device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to arbitrarily decide a sound-emitting point where respective sounds that differ in bases or speakers are emitted. <P>SOLUTION: An audio distribution unit receives an insertion part selected by a user from among a plurality of insertion parts, and the input of a communication address of a conference terminal of a sound data transmitter, designated by the user or feature information regarding the sound designated by the user, associates them with each other, and stores them to a memory. The audio distribution unit acquires the communication address of the conference terminal, or the feature information regarding the sound represented by the sound data from the sound data transmitted from the conference terminal of the sound data transmitter, and specifies the identifier of the insertion part stored to the memory, in association with the acquired communication address or feature information, and supplies a sound emitter which is inserted in the insertion part identified by the specified identifier by the transmitted sound data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for relaying voice data.

A technique for selecting any one of a plurality of speakers and outputting sound from the selected speakers is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting the movement of a person and outputting sound from a speaker installed at a destination. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for switching an output destination of an audio signal according to a switching operation of an output selection switch. Patent Document 3 detects the directivity direction when a person sitting on a chair listens to a sound, and supplies an audio signal to a speaker corresponding to the detected directivity direction among a plurality of speakers arranged in a distributed manner. Techniques to do this are disclosed. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for outputting a voice of a speaker from a speaker near a position where the speaker is displayed in a video conference system.
JP 58-147297 A JP-A-10-336786 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 04-027699 JP 07-58859 A

By the way, in a conference system, since sound is transmitted via a communication line, sound quality is deteriorated. Therefore, in the conference system, it is difficult to determine the speaker based on the voice quality, and it is difficult to understand who is speaking. Furthermore, in a conference system that connects multiple points, since the voices of a plurality of speakers at different bases are emitted from the same speaker, it is difficult to determine which speaker at which base is speaking. Therefore, it is convenient if the user can decide where to emit the voice of each speaker at another base.
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and it is an object of the present invention to allow a user to arbitrarily determine a sound emission point for emitting sounds of different bases and speakers.

  The present invention provides a sound emitting point selected by a user from among a plurality of sound emitting points from which sound is emitted, and transmission source identification information for identifying a sound data transmission source designated by the user or a user. Input receiving means for receiving input of the specified voice feature information, and storing the sound emission point and the transmission source identification information or the voice feature information received by the input receiving means in association with each other. Storage means; acquisition means for acquiring transmission source identification information for identifying the voice data transmission source or voice feature information represented by the voice data from the voice data transmitted from the voice data transmission source; and the acquisition means A sound emitting point specifying means for specifying a sound emitting point stored in the storage means in association with the transmission source identification information or the feature information acquired by the sound source, and the sound emitting point specifying means. Thus the sound emitting means arranged identified sounded point, to provide a voice relay device comprising: a data supply means for supplying audio data which has the been transmitted.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a sound emitting device having a plurality of insertion ports arranged at each of the sound emitting points, the sound emitting means, and being detachable from the insertion port, and the sound emitting device. Detecting means for detecting the insertion port into which the insertion port has been inserted, and the input receiving means includes a sound emitting point where the insertion port detected by the detection means is arranged, and a voice designated by the user Accepting input of source identification information for identifying a data transmission source or voice feature information designated by a user, the data supply means is arranged at a sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specification means The transmitted sound data is supplied to the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port. When the sound data is supplied by the data supplying means, the sound emitting device receives sound corresponding to the sound data. The sound emitting means It may be Luo sound.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the input receiving means includes a sound emitting point at which the insertion port detected by the detecting means is disposed, and a volume representing a sound volume when sound is emitted from the sound emitting point. The input of information is received, and the storage means stores the sound emission point received by the input reception means in association with the sound volume information, and the sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specifying means. Volume information extraction means for extracting volume information stored in the storage means in association with the data supply means, wherein the data supply means is an insertion port arranged at the sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specification means To the sound emitting device plugged into the sound source, the transmitted sound data and the volume information extracted by the sound volume information extracting means, and the sound emitting device supplies the sound data and the sound data by the data supplying means. When serial volume information is supplied, the sound corresponding to the audio data may be released from the sound emitting means at the volume indicated by the volume information.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the sound emitting device includes display means for displaying an image, and the input receiving means includes a sound emitting point where the insertion port detected by the detecting means is disposed, and the difference. The input of image data representing an image to be displayed by the sound emitting device inserted into the slot is received, and the storage means associates the sound emission point received by the input receiving means with the image data. Image data extracting means for extracting the image data stored in the storage means in association with the sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specifying means, and the data supply means The transmitted sound data and the image data extracted by the image data extracting means are supplied to the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the point specifying means. And the sound output device, when the image data by said data supply means is supplied, may display an image corresponding to the image data on the display means.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the sound source includes a plurality of the sound emitting means arranged at each of the sound emitting points, and the data supply means is arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means. The transmitted sound data may be supplied to a sound emitting means, and the sound emitting means may emit a sound corresponding to the sound data when the sound data is supplied by the data supplying means.

  According to the present invention, the user can arbitrarily determine the sound emission point at which the sounds of different bases and speakers are emitted.

[Constitution]
(Conference system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conference system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the conference system 1 includes a plurality of conference terminals 5. Each conference terminal 5 is installed in a different base and connected via a network N such as the Internet. These conference terminals 5 can transmit and receive data representing the user's video and audio to each other. Thereby, users at different bases can use the conference terminal 5 to perform a remote conference while exchanging video and audio with each other. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the conference terminal 5. As shown in the figure, the conference terminal 5 includes an information processing device 10, a plurality of sound emitting devices 20, and a sound distribution device 30.

(Configuration of information processing device)
Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described. The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a personal computer, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes a program stored in a storage unit so that a user's video and audio are transmitted to the conference terminal 5 installed at another base. Perform the exchange process. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 collects the user's voice and transmits voice data representing the collected voice to the other conference terminals 5. In addition, when the audio data is transmitted from the other conference terminal 5, the information processing apparatus 10 supplies the audio data to the audio distribution device 30. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 11 and a display unit 12. The operation unit 11 is a keyboard, for example, and accepts user operations. The display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays an image according to the image data.

(Configuration of sound emission device)
Next, the configuration of the sound emitting device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the sound emitting device 20. The sound emitting device 20 has a thin plate shape, and its size is, for example, 25 mm wide × 75 mm long. As shown in the figure, the sound emitting device 20 includes a sound emitting unit 21, a contact terminal 22, and a display unit 23. The sound emitting unit 21 is sound emitting means including an electrostatic flat speaker, a D / A converter, and the like. The sound emitting unit 21 is provided on the back side of the display unit 23 and emits sound corresponding to the sound data using the display unit 23 as a diaphragm. The contact terminal 22 is a terminal that comes into contact with the contact terminal on the audio distribution device 30 side. The display unit 23 is, for example, electronic paper, and is a display unit that displays an image according to image data.

(Configuration of audio distribution device)
Next, the configuration of the audio distribution device 30 will be described. The voice distribution device 30 functions as a voice relay device by itself or in cooperation with the sound emitting device 20. First, the mounting structure of the audio distribution device 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the voice distribution device 30 is provided with a mounting portion 301 having a substantially U-shaped cross section. 4 is a side view of the voice distribution device 30 as viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG. As shown in the figure, the attachment portion 301 is disposed so as to sandwich the upper edge portion of the display portion 12 of the information processing apparatus 10. Thereby, the voice distribution device 30 is fixed to the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the audio distribution device 30 is provided with a communication cable 302. The communication cable 302 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and is connected to the information processing apparatus 10 by inserting a connector 303 provided at the tip into the connection port 13 of the information processing apparatus 10. Thereby, communication can be performed between the audio distribution device 30 and the information processing device 10 in accordance with the USB standard.

  Next, the configuration of the voice distribution device 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the voice distribution device 30. As shown in the figure, the voice distribution device 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a plurality of insertion units 33. The control unit 31 has a memory and controls each unit of the audio distribution device 30. This memory is a storage means for storing data, and stores a management table T for managing the insertion unit 33 and the like. The communication unit 32 establishes communication with the information processing apparatus 10 connected via the communication cable 302 and transmits / receives data. As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion portion 33 is an insertion port into which the sound emitting device 20 is inserted. Each insertion part 33 is arranged in a line as shown in FIG. The point where each insertion part 33 is arrange | positioned becomes a sound emission point from which a sound is emitted. The insertion portion 33 is provided with a locking portion (not shown). When the sound emitting device 20 is inserted into the insertion portion 33, a sound of “click” is generated by the operation of the locking portion. The sound emitting device 20 is fixed inside the insertion portion 33. Further, when the sound emitting device 20 is fixed inside the plug-in portion 33 and the sound emitting device 20 is further pushed in, a “click” sound is generated and the fixing by the locking portion is released. Thereby, the sound emitting device 20 can be taken out from the insertion portion 33. That is, the sound emitting device 20 can be inserted into and removed from the insertion portion 33.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each insertion unit 33 includes a storage unit 35, a contact terminal 36, and a detection unit 37. The storage unit 35, the contact terminal 36, and the detection unit 37 of each plug-in unit 33 are connected to the control unit 31 via the bus B. The storage unit 35 is a memory, for example, and stores an identifier assigned to the self-insertion unit 33. The contact terminal 36 is a terminal that is brought into contact with the contact terminal 22 of the sound emitting device 20 when the sound emitting device 20 is inserted into the self-insertion portion 33. When the sound emitting device 20 is inserted into the self-inserting unit 33, the detecting unit 37 detects that the sound emitting device 20 is connected.

  Here, the management table T stored in the memory of the control unit 31 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table T. As illustrated in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the management table T, the above-mentioned “insertion unit identifier” and “connection state” are associated with each other. This “connection state” is information indicating whether or not the sound emitting device 20 is inserted into the insertion portion 33. In this management table T, any “insertion unit identifier” is associated with a connection state of “OFF”. This represents that the sound emitting device 20 is not inserted into any of the insertion portions 33.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the conference system 1 will be described.
(Setting process)
First, a setting process in which the user sets the sound emission point of the voice of a speaker at another base will be described. In this case, the user inserts the sound emitting device 20 for the number of speakers at other bases into one of the insertion sections 33 of the sound distribution device 30. That is, the user selects one of a plurality of sound emission points from which sound is emitted. Here, in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the user U0 at the site A has inserted the sound emitting devices 20p, 20q, and 20r as shown in FIG. In the following description, when each insertion unit 33 of the voice distribution device 30 is distinguished, they are referred to as “insertion unit 33a” to “insertion unit 33j” in order from the left side in the drawing.

  When the sound emitting device 20p is inserted, the contact terminal 22 of the sound emitting device 20p and the contact terminal 36 of the insertion portion 33b come into contact with each other. Thereby, the detection unit 37 of the plug-in unit 33b detects that the sound emitting device 20p is connected, and transmits the identifier “2” and the detection signal stored in the storage unit 35 to the control unit 31. To do. Similarly, the detection unit 37 of the plug-in unit 33d detects that the sound emitting device 20q is connected, and sends the identifier “4” and the detection signal stored in the storage unit 35 to the control unit 31. Send. Further, the detection unit 37 of the insertion unit 33j also detects that the sound emitting device 20r is connected, and transmits the identifier “10” and the detection signal stored in the storage unit 35 to the control unit 31. . The control part 31 detects the insertion part 33 in which the sound emission apparatus 20 was inserted based on the identifier and detection signal of the insertion part which were transmitted. That is, the control unit 31 and these detection units 37 cooperate to function as detection means. Subsequently, the control unit 31 updates the connection state of the management table T stored in the memory based on the detection result. In this example, in the management table T illustrated in FIG. 6, the connection state associated with the identifiers “2”, “4”, and “10” of the plug-in unit is changed from “OFF” to “ON”.

  Next, the user U <b> 0 operates the operation unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10, and the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion unit 33 for each insertion unit 33 into which the sound emitting device 20 is inserted. Information for determining the sound to be emitted from 20 is registered. At this time, when there are a plurality of speakers at one base, the user U0 registers the communication address of the conference terminal 5 that is the transmission source of the voice data of the voice and the feature information of the voice. If there is only one speaker at one site, only the communication address that is the transmission source of the voice data of that voice is registered. This communication address is transmission source identification information for identifying the conference terminal 5 that is the transmission source of the audio data. The voice feature information is information representing the voice quality of the speaker. As this feature information, for example, frequency characteristics are used. That is, the user designates transmission source identification information for identifying a voice data transmission source or voice feature information. As described above, when there is only one speaker at one site, only the communication address is registered by specifying the speaker only by the communication address of the conference terminal 5 that is the transmission source of the voice data. Because it can. In addition, the user U0 operates the operation unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 to each of the insertion units 33 into which the sound emission device 20 is inserted, and the sound emission device 20 inserted into the insertion unit 33. Character data representing a character image to be displayed is registered.

  In this example, it is assumed that the following contents are registered in the insertion units 33b, 33d, and 33j. First, for the plug-in unit 33b, in FIG. 1, the communication address “192.168.0.2” of the conference terminal 5 installed at the site B, the voice feature information F1 of the speaker U1, and the speaker The base B where U1 is located and the character data “Tokyo Sato” representing the name of the speaker U1 are registered. For the plug-in unit 33d, the communication address “192.168.0.2” of the conference terminal 5 installed at the site B, the voice feature information F2 of the speaker U2, and the site where the speaker U2 exists. B and character data “Tokyo Suzuki” representing the name of the speaker U2 are registered. Further, for the plug-in unit 33j, the communication address “192.168.0.3” of the conference terminal 5 installed at the site C, and the names of the site C and the speaker U3 where the speaker U3 is “ Text data “Osaka Kato” is registered.

  In this case, the information processing apparatus 10 associates the identifier of the plug-in unit 33 with the communication address or voice feature information registered for the plug-in unit 33 and the character data, and assigns the allocation information E. create. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 transmits the created allocation information E to the audio distribution apparatus 30. The control unit 31 of the audio distribution device 30 receives the allocation information E transmitted from the information processing device 10 by the communication unit 32 and stores it in the memory. That is, the control unit 31 has a sound emitting point where the insertion port into which the sound emitting device is inserted is arranged, and transmission source identification information for identifying a sound data transmission source designated by the user or designated by the user. It is an input reception means for receiving input of audio feature information and image data representing an image to be displayed on the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port. The memory stores the sound emission point from which the control unit 31 has received the input, the transmission source identification information or the voice feature information, and the image data in association with each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing allocation information E stored in the memory at this time. As shown in the figure, in this allocation information E, the identifier “2” of the plug-in part 33b, the communication address “192.168.0.2” and “feature information F1”, and the character data “Tokyo Sato” Are associated with each other. Further, in the allocation information E, the identifier “4” of the plug-in part 33d, the communication address “192.168.0.2” and “feature information F2”, and the character data “Tokyo Suzuki” are associated with each other. ing. Further, in the allocation information E, the identifier “10” of the plug-in unit 33j, the communication address “192.168.0.3”, and character data “Osaka Kato” are associated with each other.

(Assignment process)
Next, an assignment process for assigning the voice of a speaker at another site to a set sound emission point will be described. Here, first, in FIG. 1, a case where voice data D1 representing the voice of the speaker U1 at the base B is transmitted from the conference terminal 5 installed at the base B to the conference terminal 5 installed at the base A. Suppose. To this audio data D1, “192.168.0.2”, which is the communication address of the conference terminal 5 installed at the site B, is added. When the audio data D1 is transmitted, the information processing apparatus 10 of the conference terminal 5 installed at the site A transmits the audio data D1 to the audio distribution apparatus 30.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an assignment process performed in the voice distribution device 30 and the sound emitting device 20 at this time. First, the control part 31 of the audio | voice distribution apparatus 30 receives the audio | voice data D1 transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 by the communication part 32 (step S11). Then, the control part 31 acquires the communication address and audio | voice characteristic information of the conference terminal 5 used as the transmission source from the received audio | voice data D1 (step S12). That is, the control unit 31 is acquisition means for acquiring transmission source identification information for identifying the audio data transmission source or audio feature information represented by the audio data from the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmission source. In this example, the communication address “192.168.0.2” added to the audio data D1 and the audio feature information F1 represented by the audio data D1 are acquired. Subsequently, the control unit 31 specifies the identifier of the plug-in unit associated with the acquired communication address or voice feature information in the allocation information E stored in the memory (step S13). That is, the control unit 31 is a sound emission point specifying unit that specifies the sound emission point stored in the storage unit in association with the transmission source identification information or the voice feature information acquired as described above. In this example, in the assignment information E shown in FIG. 8, the identifier “2” associated with the communication address “192.168.0.2” and the feature information F1 is specified.

  Subsequently, the control unit 31 extracts character data associated with the identified identifier of the insertion unit in the allocation information E stored in the memory (step S14). That is, the control unit 31 is an image data extraction unit that extracts image data stored in the storage unit in association with the sound emission point specified above. In this example, in the assignment information E shown in FIG. 8, character data “Tokyo Sato” associated with the identifier “2” of the insertion part is extracted. Subsequently, the control unit 31 transmits the voice data D1 received in step S11 and the extracted character data to the sound emitting device 20 inserted in the insertion unit 33 to which the identifier specified in step S13 is assigned. (Step S15). That is, the control unit 31 is a data supply unit that supplies the transmitted sound data to the sound emitting unit arranged at the sound emitting point specified above. In this example, the voice data D1 and the character data “Tokyo Sato” are sent to the plug-in portion 33b, and further to the sound emitting device 20p inserted into the plug-in portion 33b via the contact terminal 36 of the plug-in portion 33b. Sent. When the sound data D1 and the character data are transmitted, the sound emitting device 20p receives these data via the contact terminal 22 (step S16). Subsequently, the sound emitting device 20p emits a sound corresponding to the received sound data D1 from the sound emitting unit 21 and displays a character image corresponding to the received character data on the display unit 23 (step S17). As a result, in the sound emitting device 20p inserted into the plug-in portion 33b, the voice of the speaker U1 at the base B is emitted, and the names of the base B and the speaker U1 where the speaker U1 is located are “Tokyo”. A character image “Sato” is displayed.

  Further, in FIG. 1, it is assumed that audio data D2 representing the voice of the speaker U2 at the site B is transmitted from the conference terminal 5 installed at the site B to the conference terminal 5 installed at the site A. . In this case, in step S12 described above, the communication address “192.168.0.2” added to the audio data D2 and the audio feature information F2 represented by the audio data D2 are acquired. In step S13, the identifier “4” associated with the communication address “192.168.0.2” and the voice feature information F2 is specified in the allocation information E shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S14, the character data “Tokyo Suzuki” associated with the identifier “4” of the plug-in part is extracted from the allocation information E shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S15, the voice data D2 and the character data “Tokyo Suzuki” are transmitted to the sound emitting device 20q inserted into the insertion portion 33d via the contact terminal 36 of the insertion portion 33d. In step S17, a sound corresponding to the sound data D2 is emitted from the sound emitting unit 21 of the sound emitting device 20q inserted into the insertion unit 33d, and the character data is displayed on the display unit 23 of the sound emitting device 20q. A character image corresponding to is displayed. Thus, in the sound emitting device 20q inserted into the plug-in portion 33d, the voice of the speaker U2 at the base B is emitted and “Tokyo” representing the names of the base B and the speaker U2 where the speaker U2 is located. A character image “Suzuki” is displayed.

  Further, in FIG. 1, it is assumed that audio data D3 representing the voice of the speaker U3 at the site C is transmitted from the conference terminal 5 installed at the site C to the conference terminal 5 installed at the site A. . In this case, in step S12 described above, the communication address “192.168.0.3” added to the audio data D3 is acquired. Subsequently, in step S13, the identifier “10” associated with the communication address “192.168.0.3” is specified in the allocation information E shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S14, the character data “Osaka Kato” associated with the identifier “10” of the plug-in part is extracted from the allocation information E shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S15, the voice data D3 and the character data “Osaka Kato” are transmitted to the sound emitting device 20r inserted into the insertion portion 33j via the contact terminal 36 of the insertion portion 33j. In step S17, a sound corresponding to the sound data D3 is emitted from the sound emitting unit 21 of the sound emitting device 20r inserted into the insertion unit 33j, and the character data is displayed on the display unit 23 of the sound emitting device 20r. A character image corresponding to is displayed. Thus, in the sound emitting device 20r inserted into the plug-in portion 33j, the voice of the speaker U3 at the base C is emitted and “Osaka” representing the names of the base C and the speaker U3 where the speaker U3 is located. A character image “Kato” is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which sound is emitted in the sound distribution device 30. As described above, in this example, the voice of the speaker U1 at the base B is emitted from the sound emitting device 20p inserted into the insertion unit 33b, and the voice of the speaker U2 at the base B is inserted. Sound is emitted from the sound emitting device 20q inserted into the portion 33d, and the voice of the speaker U3 at the base C is emitted from the sound emitting device 20r inserted into the insertion portion 33j. Thus, the voices of the speakers U1 to U3 are emitted from different sound emission points. Each sound emitting device 20 displays information related to the speaker of the sound emitted from the sound emitting device 20. Thus, the user U0 can easily identify the speaker when the speaker at another base speaks. In addition, the user U0, for example, causes the sound of the speaker at a distant base to be emitted from the sound emitting device 20 inserted into the plug-in part 33 away from his / her position, and the speaker U at the nearby base The sound may be emitted from the sound emitting device 20 inserted into the insertion unit 33 close to the user's position. As a result, the user U0 can intuitively grasp whether the voice speaker is at a remote site or a nearby site. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily determine the sound emission point at which the voices of different bases and speakers are emitted.

[Modification]
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Further, the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.
(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the volume of the sound emitted from the sound emitting device 20 may be adjusted for each insertion unit 33 into which the sound emitting device 20 is inserted. In this case, the user operates the operation unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 to each of the insertion units 33 into which the sound emission device 20 is inserted, and the sound emission device 20 inserted into the insertion unit 33. Set the volume when sound is emitted from. When the information processing apparatus 10 creates the above-described allocation information E, the information processing apparatus 10 associates the identifier of the insertion unit 33 with volume information indicating the volume set for the insertion unit 33. In this case, the control unit 31 of the voice distribution device 30 receives the allocation information E including the volume information from the information processing device 10. Then, the memory stores the identifier of the plug-in unit 33 and the sound volume information in association with each other. Further, when the identifier of the plug-in unit is specified in step S13 described above, the control unit 31 extracts volume information associated with the specified identifier in the allocation information E stored in the memory. That is, the control unit 31 is volume information extraction means for extracting volume information stored in the storage means in association with the specified sound emission point. Then, in step S15 described above, the control unit 31 transmits the extracted volume information in addition to the voice data and character data described above. In this case, the sound emitting device 20 emits the sound corresponding to the received sound data from the sound emitting unit 21 at the volume represented by the volume information in step S17 described above. Thereby, for example, only the volume of a specific speaker can be increased.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment described above, when the sound emitting device 20 is extracted from the plug-in portion 33, the sound emitted from the sound emitting device 20 may be emitted from another sound emitting point. In this case, the control unit 31 associates the identifier of the plug-in unit specified in step S13 described above with the management table T stored in the memory before transmitting the audio data in step S15 described above. It is determined whether or not the connected state is “ON”. When the connection state is “ON”, the control unit 31 performs the same processing as that of the above-described embodiment. When the connection state is “OFF”, the control unit 31 performs the above-described step S11. Send the received data to another sound emission point. As another sound emitting point, when the information processing apparatus 10 includes sound emitting means such as a speaker, the sound emitting means of the information processing apparatus 10 may be used, or another speaker at the same site. The other sound emitting device 20 that emits the sound may be used.

(Modification 3)
In the embodiment described above, each sound emitting device 20 may include a storage unit that stores an identifier assigned to the sound emitting device 20. In this case, the user operates the operation unit 11 of the information processing device 10 to determine the sound to be emitted from the sound emitting device 20 for each sound emitting device 20 inserted into the insertion unit 33. Register information. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 creates allocation information by associating the identifiers of the sound emitting devices 20, the communication address or the voice feature information registered for the sound emitting device 20, and the character data. To do. In this case, in step S13 described above, the identifier of the sound emitting device associated with the acquired communication address or voice feature information is specified in the allocation information stored in the memory. In step S14, the character data associated with the identified identifier of the sound emitting device is extracted from the allocation information stored in the memory. In step S15, the above-described sound data and character data are transmitted to the sound emitting device 20 to which the identified sound emitting device identifier is assigned.

(Modification 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the sound emitting device 20 is provided so as to be detachable from the sound distributing device 30, but a plurality of sound emitting portions are fixedly provided for each insertion portion 33 of the sound distributing device 30. Also good. For example, an array speaker is used as the plurality of sound emitting units. That is, the sound distribution device 30 may include a plurality of sound emitting means arranged at each sound emitting point. In this case, an insertion member that is inserted into the insertion portion 33 is used instead of the sound emitting device 20 described above. And a user inserts the insertion member for the number of speakers of another base into one of the insertion parts 33 of the voice distribution device 30. In this case, in step S15 described above, the control unit 31 of the voice distribution device 30 transmits the above-described voice data and character data to the sound emitting unit of the insertion unit 33 to which the identifier specified in step S13 is assigned. .
Further, in this case, a switch may be provided for each sound emitting unit of the sound distribution device 30, and sound may be emitted by the sound emitting unit where the switch is pressed.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment, the sound emitting unit 21 has been described as an example including an electrostatic flat speaker, but the sound emitting unit 21 may include a speaker of another shape or method. For example, the sound emitting unit 21 may include an electromagnetic speaker. Further, the shape of the sound emitting device 20 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.
In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of insertion portions 33 are arranged in a line, but the arrangement of the insertion portions 33 is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of insertion portions 33 may be arranged side by side in a matrix or may be arranged side by side along the surface of a sphere simulating a globe.

(Modification 6)
In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives a user operation. However, the voice distribution device 30 may include an operation unit and receive a user operation. In this case, the information registered by the user is input to the control unit 31 by the operation of the operation unit. And the control part 31 produces the allocation information E mentioned above based on the input information.

(Modification 7)
The operations of the information processing device 10, the sound emitting device 20, and the sound distribution device 30 described above may be realized by one or a plurality of hardware configurations, or by the CPU executing one or a plurality of programs. Also good. Each program executed by the CPU is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk, an optical recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Can be provided in the state. It is also possible to download this program via a network such as the Internet.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the conference system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the conference terminal of the said conference system. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the sound emission apparatus of the said conference terminal. It is a side view of the audio | voice distribution apparatus of the said conference terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said audio distribution apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table which the said audio distribution apparatus memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows a mode that the said sound emission apparatus is inserted. It is a figure which shows the allocation information memorize | stored in the said audio distribution apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the allocation process of the said audio | voice distribution apparatus and the said sound emission apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that an audio | voice is emitted in the said audio distribution apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conference system, 5 ... Conference terminal, 10 ... Information processing apparatus, 20 ... Sound emission device, 21 ... Sound emission part, 22 ... Contact terminal, 23 ... Display part, 30 ... Audio | voice distribution apparatus, 31 ... Control part, 32 ... Communication part, 33 ... Insertion part, 35 ... Storage part, 36 ... Contact terminal, 37 ... Detection part.

Claims (5)

The sound emission point selected by the user from the multiple sound emission points from which the sound is emitted, and the transmission source identification information for identifying the audio data transmission source specified by the user or the audio specified by the user Input accepting means for accepting input with feature information of
Storage means for storing the sound emission point and the transmission source identification information or the voice feature information in association with each other, the input receiving means receiving the input;
Acquisition means for acquiring transmission source identification information for identifying the audio data transmission source or audio feature information represented by the audio data from the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmission source;
A sound emission point specifying means for specifying a sound emission point stored in the storage means in association with the transmission source identification information or the feature information acquired by the acquisition means;
A voice relay apparatus comprising: data supply means for supplying the transmitted voice data to the sound emitting means arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means. A plurality of outlets arranged at each of the sound emission points;
A sound emitting device having the sound emitting means and freely removable from the insertion port;
Detecting means for detecting the insertion port into which the sound emitting device is inserted;
The input receiving means is a sound emitting point where the insertion port detected by the detecting means is arranged, and transmission source identification information for identifying a voice data transmission source designated by the user or designated by the user Accepts input with audio feature information,
The data supplying means supplies the transmitted sound data to the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means,
2. The voice relay device according to claim 1, wherein, when voice data is supplied from the data supply unit, the sound emitting device emits a voice corresponding to the voice data from the sound emitting unit. 3. The input accepting unit accepts input of a sound emitting point where the insertion port detected by the detecting unit is arranged and volume information indicating a sound volume when sound is emitted from the sound emitting point,
The storage means stores the sound emission point received by the input receiving means and the volume information in association with each other,
Volume information extraction means for extracting volume information stored in the storage means in association with the sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specifying means,
The data supply means includes the sound data transmitted to the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means, and the sound volume information extracting means. Supply the extracted volume information and
When the sound data and the volume information are supplied from the data supply unit, the sound emitting device emits a sound corresponding to the sound data from the sound emitting unit at a volume represented by the volume information. The voice relay device according to claim 2. The sound emitting device includes display means for displaying an image,
The input accepting unit receives an input of a sound emitting point where the insertion port detected by the detecting unit is arranged and image data representing an image to be displayed by a sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port. Accept,
The storage means stores the sound emission point received by the input reception means in association with the image data,
Image data extraction means for extracting image data stored in the storage means in association with the sound emission point specified by the sound emission point specifying means;
The data supplying means includes the sound data transmitted to the sound emitting device inserted into the insertion port arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means, and the image data extracting means. Supply the extracted image data,
4. The voice relay device according to claim 2, wherein when the image data is supplied by the data supply unit, the sound emitting device displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit. 5. . A plurality of the sound emission means arranged at each of the sound emission points;
The data supply means supplies the transmitted audio data to the sound emitting means arranged at the sound emitting point specified by the sound emitting point specifying means,
The voice relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting unit emits a voice corresponding to the voice data when the data supplying unit supplies the voice data.

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