JP2023175824A - Web conference system, web conference server, control method and control program of web conference server, and web conference application program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent howling caused by presence of a plurality of information devices.SOLUTION: A web conference system includes a web conference server and a plurality of web conference applications that operates on a plurality of respective information terminals. Each of the plurality of web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires position information on its own terminal, and transmits the acquired position information to the web conference server. The web conference server calculates a distance between the information terminals on the basis of the position information, and, when receiving a microphone on signal from one web conference application, transmits a microphone off command signal to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal having the web conference application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present disclosure relates to a web conference system, a web conference server, a control method and control program for the web conference server, and a program for a web conference application.

When holding a web conference using multiple information terminals (e.g., PCs (personal computers), smartphones, etc.) in a closed space such as a conference room, the microphones and speakers of the information terminals of multiple participants may interfere with each other. Howling may occur. Further, even when there is only one participant, if the participant uses a PC and a smartphone at the same time, these microphones and speakers may similarly interfere with each other, causing howling.

JP2014-045416A

The following analysis was performed by the inventor.

However, in order to prevent the above-mentioned howling, the information terminal has not been controlled based on the physical location of the information terminal.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes an Internet call system in which a plurality of mobile terminals are used. However, Patent Document 1 discloses that in one terminal that receives audio, the audio from another terminal reaches the terminal through a plurality of different routes, so that the audio overlaps in the one terminal. The purpose of this document is to prevent howling from being heard, and does not describe how to prevent howling.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a web conference system, a web conference server, and a web conference server that contribute to preventing the occurrence of howling that may be caused by the presence of a plurality of information devices each equipped with a microphone and a speaker. The present invention provides a control method, a control program, and a web conference application program.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a web conference system is provided that includes a web conference server and a plurality of web conference applications that respectively operate on a plurality of information terminals.
In the web conference system,
Each of the plurality of web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires position information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired position information to a web conference server;
The web conference server is
Calculating the distance between the information terminals based on the location information, and
When a microphone ON signal is received from one web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted from the information terminal having the web conference application to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance. (Form 1)
(2) A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The web conference server is
a receiving unit configured to receive position information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
a calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and
a transmitter configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals;
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals,
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives a microphone ON signal from a web conference application of at least one information terminal, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. (Form 6).
(3) A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The control method is
receiving location information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the location information; and
When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, the microphone is turned off to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. The method is characterized in that it includes transmitting a command signal (Form 8).
(4) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a control program for a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The control program is
a process of receiving location information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
a process of calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and
When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, the microphone is turned off to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. The feature is that the computer executes the process of transmitting a command signal (form 9).
(5) According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a web conference application program that operates on an information terminal is provided.
The web conference application program is:
A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal (own terminal) or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal (own terminal), and transmitting the acquired location information to a web conference server;
When the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) is turned on, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal (own terminal) transmits audio data. The present invention is characterized in that when a microphone OFF command signal is received from a Web conference server in a computer, the computer executes a process of turning off the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) (Mode 10).

In the web conference system of Form 1 above,
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of web conference applications acquires the position information of another information terminal instead of the position information of its own terminal, and transmits the position information to the web conference server (form 2). ).
In the web conference system of Form 1 above,
The web conference application further has a function of detecting howling, and upon detecting howling, transmits a howling detection signal to the web conference server;
When the web conference server receives the howling detection signal from the web conference application, the web conference server detects another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the web conference application and whose microphone is turned on. It is preferable to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to the web conference application of the information terminal (form 3).
In the web conference system of Form 3 above,
The web conference server determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that has transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that has received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and displays one of the web conference applications. When receiving a microphone ON signal from a Web conference application, it is preferable to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to another Web conference application (form 4).
In the web conference system of Form 3 above,
If the web conference server cannot find a web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than the second predetermined distance and whose microphone is turned on, the web conference server determines that the distance is longer than the second predetermined distance. Searching for a web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third distance and whose microphone is turned on, and if the web conference application exists, transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to this web conference application. is preferred (Form 5).
In the web conference server of the above-mentioned form 6,
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a howling detection signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals;
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives the howling detection signal, another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal. It is preferable that the microphone OFF command signal be transmitted to the Web conference application of (Form 7).

Note that the above program can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transient) storage medium. That is, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a computer program product. A program is input into a computer device from an input device or an external communication interface, is stored in a storage device, drives a processor according to predetermined steps or processes, and processes the processing results in stages, including intermediate states as necessary. Each device can be displayed via a display device or communicated with the outside via a communication interface. A computer device for this purpose typically includes a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device, which can be connected to each other by a bus.

The present disclosure and its aspects can particularly contribute to preventing the occurrence of howling that may be caused by the presence of a plurality of information devices each equipped with a microphone and a speaker.

An example of a web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a web conference server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a DB server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a terminal control setting means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a same area determination means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a flowchart of a first operation example (operation example 1) of a web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 12 is a flowchart of a second operation example (operation example 2) of the web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of hardware resources.

An overview of the present disclosure will be described below. Note that the drawing reference numerals appended to this summary are solely for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, connection lines between blocks in each figure include both bidirectional and unidirectional connections. One-way arrows schematically indicate the flow of signals, information, data, etc., and do not exclude bidirectionality. Further, connections between blocks in each figure can be made by wire or wirelessly. Further, the program is executed via a computer device, and the computer device includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device, and the computer device executes the program via the communication interface. It is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers), whether wired or wireless.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, a "network" is typically the Internet, but is not limited to this, and includes any network that mediates interconnection of a plurality of information devices, such as an intranet.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, "information terminals" may be connected to each other via a network, whether wired or wireless, and capable of transmitting and receiving at least audio data and, if necessary, image data; for example, a PC ( These include, but are not limited to, personal computers), tablets, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and smartphones.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, "connection" may include both a wireless method and a wired method.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, a "microphone ON signal" refers to a signal indicating that the microphone of the information terminal is in an ON state. In addition, in the present disclosure, a "microphone OFF command signal" refers to a command from the web conference service 100 or its web conference server 110 to the web conference applications 150a to 150e of the information terminal to turn off the microphone of the information terminal. A signal. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish the web conference applications 150a to 150e from each other, they are simply referred to as the web conference application 150.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The web conference system includes a web conference service 100 and a web conference application 150 of information terminals of participants in the conference.

In the illustrated example, four participants A, CE are participating in the web conference. Participant A is located at home and uses two information terminals, namely a PC and a smartphone on which web conference applications 150a and 150b are running or recorded on their recording media. Participants C to E are located in the same conference room at the company, and each uses one PC as an information terminal on which web conference applications 150c to 150e are running or recorded on their recording media. . In the illustrated example, the information terminals of participants A and C to E are each directly connected to the network, but these connection forms are not limited to the illustrated form; for example, participant A's PC and smartphone are connected directly to the network. It is also possible to connect to the network via a router installed at home.

The web conference service 100 is provided by a server on the cloud, and is connected to web conference applications 150a to 150e of information terminals (PCs, smartphones, etc.) of conference participants A, C to E via a network. Note that, especially when the network is an intranet or the like, the web conference service 100 can also be provided by a server connected to the intranet or the like.

The web conference service 100 includes a web conference server 110 that has a function of providing a web conference function, and a DB (data base) server 120 that stores various functions, settings, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a web conference server 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The web conference server 110 includes a receiving section 110a, a calculating section 110b, a transmitting section 110c, and a control section 110d.

The receiving unit 110a is configured to be able to receive location information of the information terminals of the conference participants A, CE to E from the web conference application 150 of each information terminal. The receiving unit 110a is further configured to be able to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications 150 of these information terminals.

The calculation unit 110b is configured to be able to calculate the distance between the information terminals of the conference participants A, CE to E based on the position information of the information terminals.

The transmitting unit 110c is configured to be able to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the web conference applications 150 of the information terminals of conference participants A, C to E. When the receiving unit 110a receives a microphone ON signal from the web conference application 150 of at least one information terminal, the transmitting unit 110c further transmits other information located at a distance closer than the predetermined first distance from the information terminal. It is configured to be able to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to the web conference application 150 of the terminal.

Furthermore, the receiving unit 110a receives a howling detection signal from at least one of the web conference applications 150 of the information terminals of conference participants A, C to E, indicating that the information terminal or its web conference application has detected howling. When the receiving unit 110a receives a howling detection signal, the transmitting unit 110c is configured to transmit the howling detection signal to a distance closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal. It is configured to be able to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to a web conference application of another information terminal located therein.

The control section 110d is configured to be able to control the above operations of the receiving section 110a, the calculating section 110b, and the transmitting section 110c.

Note that the Web conference server 110 can also use the receiving section 110a and the transmitting section 110c for communication with the DB server 120, but it is also possible to use an independent transmitting and receiving section that can be similarly controlled by the control section 110d. It is also possible to do so.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a DB server 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The DB server 120 is configured to store data such as a terminal control setting means 130 and a same area determination means 140 including information such as location information of information terminals of conference participants A and C to E, and further includes: It includes a transmitter/receiver 120a and a controller 120b.

The transmitter/receiver 120a is configured to be usable for communication with the web conference server 110.

The control unit 120b is configured to be able to control the above-mentioned operations of the transmitting/receiving unit 120a.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an information terminal 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information terminal 160 includes a position information acquisition section 160a, a storage section (or memory) 160b, a transmission/reception section 160c, a howling detection section 160d, a microphone 160e, a speaker 160f, and a control section 160g.

The location information acquisition unit 160a is configured to be able to acquire location information of the information terminal using, for example, a GPS (global positioning system/satellite) function.

The storage unit 160b can store at least a program for operating the web conference application 150.

The transmitting/receiving unit 160c is configured to be able to communicate with the web conference server 110, and performs, for example, transmitting a microphone ON signal to the web conference server 110, receiving a microphone OFF command signal from the web conference server 110, and the like.

The howling detection unit 160d is configured to be able to detect howling caused by mutual interference between the microphone 160e and speaker 160f of the information terminal 160 and the microphones and speakers of other information terminals existing within a predetermined range from the information terminal 160. has been done.

The microphone 160e is a device that converts an acoustic signal (voice) into an electrical signal in order to reproduce the voice of the user (conference participant) of the information terminal 160 on another information terminal.

The speaker 160f converts an electric signal corresponding to the voice of the user (conference participant) of the other information terminal transmitted from the other information terminal into an acoustic signal in the information terminal 160, and transmits the signal to the other information terminal. This is a device that plays back the user's voice.

The control unit 160g is configured to be able to control the above operations of the position information acquisition unit 160a, the storage unit 160b, the transmitter/receiver 160c, the howling detector 160d, the microphone 160e, and the speaker 160f.

The web conference application 150 has a function of acquiring the position information of each information terminal using the GPS function of the information terminal when participating in a conference, and transmitting the position information to the web conference service 100 or its web conference server 110, and a function that allows the microphone to be turned on. or OFF to the web conference service 100 or its web conference server 110, and a function to control the microphone to OFF when a microphone OFF command signal is received from the web conference service 100. .

Here, the means for acquiring the position information of each information terminal is not limited to the GPS function provided in the information terminal. For example, it is also possible to acquire the position information of each information terminal using an indoor positioning system that uses beacons attached to participants or information terminals.

In addition, the location information of the information terminal of another participant is obtained from the information terminal of another participant located near the information terminal of one participant via short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), It is also possible to use the location information of other participants' information terminals as the location information of the one participant's information terminal.

Furthermore, if there is no means to acquire location information such as GPS or beacons, the web conference application 150 may provide participants with the address, place name, location on a map, etc. of the participant at the time of participating in the conference on their information terminal. It is also possible to request input and obtain location information based on the input information.

Furthermore, if the same participant uses both a PC and a smartphone when participating in a conference, and in some cases, the smartphone already used in the conference can obtain location information using its GPS function, etc., the PC's It is also possible to use this smartphone location information as location information. Similarly, for example, if you use a new smartphone, tablet, etc. in addition to the PC and smartphone already used in the conference, the location information of the PC or smartphone already used in the conference will be updated. It can also be used as location information for other smartphones, tablets, etc. added to the .

The location information of the information terminals of the participants in these conferences is grasped by the web conference service 100 or the web conference server 110, the grasped location information is compiled into a database as the terminal control setting means 130, and the data itself of the information is It is stored in the DB server 120.

The web conference application 150 further has a function of detecting howling, and when detecting howling, transmits a howling detection signal to the web conference server, and transmits a howling detection signal from the web conference server that has received the howling detection signal under predetermined conditions. It has a function of receiving a microphone OFF command signal when the following conditions are met.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the terminal control setting means 130 stored in the DB server 120. Note that the terminal control setting means 130 shown in FIG. 5 is only an example, and is not necessarily based on the information terminal in the example of the web conference system shown in FIG.

The terminal control setting means 130 stores information such as a terminal ID, which is an identifier of an information terminal of a conference participant, location information obtained by GPS, etc., a conference ID, and an area ID.

In the position information field, a value indicating the position coordinates of the corresponding information terminal is input.

A value that allows identification of the area where each information terminal exists is entered in the area ID field. For example, if multiple participants participate in a conference in the same conference room (or multiple information terminals are used in the conference), the area IDs of the information terminals determined to be in the same area will have the same value. (xxxxx111) is allocated.

In the conference ID field, the identifier of the conference in which the participant has participated or is being convened is input. This makes it possible to determine whether multiple participants will participate in the same conference (or whether multiple information terminals will be used in the same conference). Since the same participant may be invited to multiple conferences, multiple values can be entered in the conference ID field.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the same area determining means 140 stored in the DB server 120. Note that the same area determining means 140 shown in FIG. 6 is also only an example, and is not necessarily based on the information terminal in the example of the web conference system shown in FIG.

The same area determination unit 140 can be used to determine for each conference room of a web conference whether or not multiple participants or multiple information terminals are present in the same area or in the same room. For example, the distance between each information terminal is calculated from position information acquired by GPS, etc., and the value of this calculated distance is a value at which it is determined that voice interference occurs, that is, howling occurs (for example, 2 m, in the example shown) 1m), it is determined that those information terminals exist in the same area, and the same area ID is assigned. For example, if the distance between the information terminals with terminal IDs "00000A" and "00000B" is 1 meter (see Figure 6), it is determined that these information terminals exist in the same area, and the same area ID "001" is assigned. (See Figure 5).

(Operation example 1)
An example of the operation of the web conference system (operation example 1) in the case where the information terminal does not detect the occurrence of howling will be described below with reference to FIG. In the explanation of this operation example, an example in which the same participant A participating in a web conference at home in FIG. 1 uses a PC and a smartphone will be considered, but operation example 1 is not limited to this example. For example, The present invention is similarly applicable to an example in which different participants C to E participating in a web conference in the conference room of FIG. 1 each use one PC. In addition, in the description of each operation example below, "information terminal" is abbreviated as "terminal", and "step" is represented by "S".

First, the web conference application 150 receives a conference participation operation signal generated by a conference participation operation on its own terminal, acquires position information of its own terminal in response to this, and sends the acquired position information to the web conference server 110. Send (S1). For example, the web conference application 150a on participant A's PC and the web conference application 150b on his smartphone can be used to determine the location of the respective PC and smartphone by participant A performing a predetermined operation on the PC and smartphone to participate in the conference. Information is acquired using, for example, GPS, and the acquired position information is transmitted to the Web conference server 110. For example, if the PC does not have a means to acquire location information such as GPS, the PC's web conference application 150a uses the location of a smartphone, which even popular products usually have a GPS function, as the PC's location information. It is also possible to use information.

Next, the web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each of the two terminals (S2). For example, the web conference server 110 calculates the distance between the PC and the smartphone.

Next, when a participant turns on the microphone of a terminal to speak at the conference, the web conference server 110 receives a microphone ON signal from the web conference application 150 of the terminal (S3). For example, when participant A turns on the microphone of the PC, the web conference application 150a of the PC generates a microphone ON signal and transmits it to the web conference server 110.

At this time, if there is a terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined first distance from the terminal of the web conference application 150 that transmitted the microphone ON signal, the web conference server 110 connects these terminals to the same terminal. It is determined that the latter terminal exists in the area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the web conference application 150 of the latter terminal (S4). In response, the web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned off (muted) (S5). For example, the web conference server 110 compares the calculated distance between the PC and the smartphone with a predetermined first distance, and if the former is shorter than the latter, the web conference server 110 determines that the PC and the smartphone are in the same area, and The same area ID is assigned to the same area ID, and a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the web conference application 150b of the smartphone. In response to this, if the microphone of the smartphone is on at that time, the web conference application 150b controls the smartphone to turn off (mute) the microphone.

Note that the determination as to whether a plurality of terminals exist in the same area may be made in advance (before S4) after calculating the distance between the terminals in S2.

Further, after the above processing, the web conference server 110 determines that the PC and the smartphone exist in the same area, and when receiving a microphone ON signal from one of the web conference applications 150a and 150b, the web conference server 110 sends the message to the other web conference application 150a or 150b. By transmitting a microphone OFF command signal, it is possible to control the microphones of the PC and smartphone so that they are not turned on at the same time.

In this way, according to operation example 1, terminals located within a range where it is determined that audio will interfere will have their microphones not turned on at the same time, regardless of whether howling is actually occurring. In other words, since only one terminal's microphone is controlled to be turned on, participants in the web conference can have a smooth conversation without being disturbed by howling.

Note that, as described above, this operation example can be similarly applied even when three or more terminals exist in the same area. Therefore, for example, when participating in a web conference in the conference room shown in FIG. In the case where participants C to E each use one PC, for example, if participant C turns on the microphone of the PC, the microphones of participants D and E's PCs will be forced to turn on if they are turned on at that time. It is turned off.

(Operation example 2)
An example of the operation of the web conference system (operation example 2) in the case where the information terminal detects the occurrence of howling will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. In the explanation of this operation example, an example will be considered in which different participants C to E participating in a web conference in the conference room of FIG. 1 each use one PC, but operation example 2 is limited to this example. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to an example in which the same participant A participating in a web conference at home in FIG. 1 uses a PC and a smartphone.

First, the web conference application 150 receives a conference participation operation signal generated by a conference participation operation on its own terminal, acquires position information of its own terminal in response to this, and sends the acquired position information to the web conference server 110. Send (S11). For example, the web conference applications 150c to 150e on the PCs of the participants C to E can transmit the location information of each PC using, for example, GPS, when the participants C to E perform a predetermined operation on their PCs to participate in the conference. and transmits the acquired position information to the web conference server 110.

Next, the web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each of the two terminals (S12). For example, the web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each two of the three PCs.

Next, when the web conference application 150 of one terminal detects howling, the web conference application 150 transmits a howling detection signal to the web conference server 110 (S13). For example, when the web conference application 150c of participant C's PC detects a sound of a predetermined volume or higher that continues for a certain period of time, the web conference application 150c determines that howling has occurred, and sends a howling detection signal to the web conference server 110. Send.

At this time, if there is a terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the terminal of the web conference application 150 that has transmitted the howling detection signal, the web conference server 110 connects these terminals to the same terminal. It is determined that the latter terminal exists in the area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the web conference application 150 of the latter terminal (S14). In response, the web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned off (muted) (S15). For example, the web conference server 110 determines that although the calculated distance between Participant C's PC and Participant D's PC is shorter than a predetermined second distance (for example, 10 m), If it is determined that the distance between Participant E's PC is greater than or equal to a predetermined second distance, it is determined that Participant C's PC and Participant D's PC exist in the same area, and the same area ID is assigned to them. At the same time, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference application 150d of Participant D's PC. In response to this, if the microphone of the PC is on at that time, the web conference application 150d controls the PC to turn off (mute) the microphone.

If the howling continues despite the predetermined processing performed in S14, the web conference server 110 detects a second server whose distance from the terminal of the web conference application 150 that transmitted the howling detection signal is longer than a predetermined second distance. If there are terminals located at a distance shorter than distance 3, it is determined that these terminals exist in the same area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and the web conference of the latter terminal is determined to be present in the same area. A microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the application 150 (S16). In response, the web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned off (muted) (S17). For example, the web conference server 110 determines that the calculated distance between Participant C's PC and Participant E's PC is greater than or equal to a predetermined second distance, but a third distance that is longer than the predetermined second distance is If it is determined that it is shorter than the distance, it is determined that participant E's PC also exists in the same area, and the same area ID is assigned to them, and a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference application 150e of participant E's PC. In response to this, if the microphone of the PC is on at that time, the web conference application 150e controls the PC to turn off (mute) the microphone.

Note that the determination as to whether a plurality of terminals exist in the same area may be made in advance (before S14 or S16) after calculating the distance between the terminals in S12.

Further, after the above processing, the web conference server 110 determines that these PCs exist in the same area, and when receiving a howling detection signal from any one of the web conference applications 150c to 150e, the web conference server 110 determines that these PCs exist in the same area, and when the web conference server 110 receives a howling detection signal from any one of the web conference applications 150c to 150e. Alternatively, it is possible to control the microphones of these PCs so that they are not turned on at the same time by transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to 150d or 150e.

In this way, according to operation example 2, when howling occurs, the microphones of terminals located within the range where howling occurs are not turned on at the same time, that is, only the microphone of one terminal is turned on. Since multiple terminals are controlled in this manner, participants in a web conference can proceed with their conversation smoothly without being disturbed by howling.

Note that, as described above, this operation example is similarly applicable to the case where two terminals exist in the same area. Therefore, for example, participant A who is participating in a web conference at home in FIG. When using a PC and a smartphone, if the PC detects the occurrence of howling, the smartphone's microphone is forcibly turned off.

(Other embodiments)
In the above, the configuration is such that the microphone of the terminal is turned off in a predetermined case, but a configuration in which the speaker is turned off instead of the microphone, or a configuration in which both the microphone and the speaker are turned off is also possible.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, when multiple participants of a web conference each using at least one information terminal are located in a closed space such as an in-house conference room, or when one person using multiple information terminals Even when participants in a web conference are in a closed space such as their own room, the conversation can proceed smoothly without being disturbed by howling caused by the presence of multiple information terminals.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, when adding and using a new information terminal, the location information of other information terminals already used in the web conference can be used as the location information of the new information terminal. It becomes possible to prevent howling from occurring with the information terminals of other participants or other information terminals of the participant in the vicinity.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, even if the deviation from the actual value of the location information acquired by the location information acquisition function of the information terminal is large, howling can be automatically detected by providing the information terminal itself with a function to detect howling. Furthermore, it is possible to control each information terminal so that howling does not occur thereafter.

Note that the control unit according to the above embodiment can be configured by so-called hardware resources (information processing device, computer), and can have the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 . For example, the hardware resource 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a network interface 203, etc., which are interconnected by an internal bus 204.

Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resources 200. The hardware resources 200 may include hardware (for example, an input/output interface) that is not shown. As the processor 201, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. can be used.

As the memory 202, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. can be used.

For the network interface 203, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, etc. can be used.

The functions of the hardware resources 200 are realized by processing modules. The processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the memory 202. Further, the program can be updated via a network or by using a storage medium storing the program. Furthermore, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. That is, the functions performed by the processing module need only be realized by executing software on some kind of hardware.

Part or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following additional notes, but are not limited to the following.
[Additional Note 1] A web conference system including a web conference server and a plurality of web conference applications that respectively operate on a plurality of information terminals.
Each of the plurality of web conference applications receives the conference participation operation signal, acquires position information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired position information to the web conference server.
The web conference server is
Calculating the distance between the information terminals based on the location information, and
When a microphone ON signal is received from one web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted from the information terminal having the web conference application to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance. do.
[Additional note 2] In the above web conference system,
At least one of the plurality of web conference applications acquires position information of another information terminal instead of its own terminal, and transmits the position information to the web conference server.
[Appendix 3] In the above web conference system,
The web conference application further has a function of detecting howling, and upon detecting howling, transmits a howling detection signal to the web conference server.
When the web conference server receives the howling detection signal from the web conference application, the web conference server detects another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the web conference application and whose microphone is turned on. A microphone OFF command signal is sent to the web conference application of the information terminal.
[Additional note 4] In the above web conference system,
The web conference server determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that has transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that has received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and displays one of the web conference applications. When the microphone ON signal is received from the web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to other web conference applications.
[Appendix 5] In the above web conference system,
If the web conference server cannot find a web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than the second predetermined distance and whose microphone is turned on, the web conference server determines that the distance is longer than the second predetermined distance. A web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third distance and whose microphone is turned on is searched for, and if the web conference application exists, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to this web conference application.
[Additional Note 6] A web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The web conference server is
a receiving unit configured to receive position information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
a calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and
A transmitter configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals.
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals.
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives a microphone ON signal from a web conference application of at least one information terminal, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. The microphone OFF command signal is configured to be transmitted to the web conference application of the computer.
[Additional note 7] In the above web conference server,
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a howling detection signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals.
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives the howling detection signal, another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal. The microphone OFF command signal is configured to be transmitted to the web conference application of the computer.
[Additional note 8] The above web conference determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and When a microphone ON signal is received from a Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to another Web conference application.
[Appendix 9] If the web conference server described above cannot find a web conference application for another information terminal that is located at a distance closer than the predetermined second distance and whose microphone is turned on, the web conference server Search for a web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third distance, which is longer than distance 2, and whose microphone is turned on, and if the web conference application exists, issue a command to turn off the microphone to this web conference application. Send a signal.
[Additional Note 10] A method for controlling a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The control method is
(the web conference server) receiving position information of each information terminal from the web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
(The web conference server) calculating the distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the location information; and
When (the web conference server) receives a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, other information located at a distance closer than the predetermined first distance from the information terminal This includes sending a microphone OFF command signal to the terminal's web conference application.
[Additional Note 11] The above method for controlling the web conference server further includes:
When (the Web conference server) receives a howling detection signal from one Web conference application, the information terminal is located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the one Web conference application, and the microphone is turned on. This includes transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to the web conference application of the other information terminal being connected.
[Additional Note 12] The above web conference server control method further includes:
(The web conference server) determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and This includes transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to another web conference application upon receiving a microphone ON signal from the conference application.
[Additional note 13] The above web conference server control method further includes:
If (the web conference server) cannot find a web conference application of another information terminal that is located at a distance closer than the predetermined second distance and whose microphone is turned on, the predetermined second distance Search for a web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third longer distance and whose microphone is turned on, and if the web conference application exists, send a microphone OFF command signal to this web conference application. including doing.
[Additional Note 14] A control program for a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network.
The control program is
(The web conference server) receiving position information of each information terminal from the web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
(The web conference server) calculating the distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the location information, and
When (the web conference server) receives a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, other information located at a distance closer than the predetermined first distance from the information terminal The computer executes the process of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to the web conference application on the terminal.
[Additional Note 15] The control program for the web conference server described above further includes:
When (the Web conference server) receives a howling detection signal from one Web conference application, the information terminal is located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the one Web conference application, and the microphone is turned on. This includes causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to a web conference application of another information terminal.
[Additional Note 16] The control program for the web conference server described above further includes:
(The web conference server) determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and The method includes causing the computer to execute a process of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to another web conference application upon receiving a microphone ON signal from the conference application.
[Additional Note 17] The control program for the web conference server described above further includes:
If (the web conference server) cannot find a web conference application of another information terminal that is located at a distance closer than the predetermined second distance and whose microphone is turned on, the predetermined second distance Search for a web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third longer distance and whose microphone is turned on, and if the web conference application exists, send a microphone OFF command signal to this web conference application. Including causing a computer to perform a process.
[Additional Note 18] A web conference application program that operates on an information terminal.
The web conference application program is:
A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal (own terminal) or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal (own terminal), and transmitting the acquired location information to a web conference server;
When the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) is turned on, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal (own terminal) transmits audio data. When a microphone OFF command signal is received from the Web conference server, the computer executes processing to turn off the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal).
[Additional Note 19] The above web conference application program further includes:
(The web conference application (or own terminal)) executes a process on the computer to acquire the position information of another information terminal instead of the own terminal's position information, and to send the position information to the web conference server. Including causing.
[Additional note 20] The above web conference application program further includes:
The method includes causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting a howling detection signal to the web conference server when the web conference application (or own terminal) detects howling.

Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), changes and adjustments to the embodiments and examples are possible based on the basic technical idea thereof. In addition, various combinations or selections of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention. (including partial deletion) is possible. That is, it goes without saying that the present invention includes the entire disclosure including the claims and various modifications and modifications that a person skilled in the art would be able to make in accordance with the technical idea.

100 Web conference service

110 Web conference server 110a Receiving unit 110b Arithmetic unit 110c Transmitting unit 110d Control unit

120 DB server 120a Transmission/reception section 120b Control section 130 Terminal control setting means 140 Same area determination means

150 Web conference application 150a-e Web conference application

160 Information terminal 160a Location information acquisition unit 160b Storage unit (or memory)
160c Transmission/reception section 160d Howling detection section 160e Microphone 160f Speaker 160g Control section

200 Hardware Resources 201 Processor 202 Memory 203 Network Interface 204 Internal Bus

Claims (10)

A web conference system comprising a web conference server and a plurality of web conference applications each operating on a plurality of information terminals,
Each of the plurality of web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires position information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired position information to a web conference server;
The web conference server is
Calculating the distance between the information terminals based on the location information, and
When a microphone ON signal is received from one web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted from the information terminal having the web conference application to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance. A web conferencing system that is characterized by: The web conference system according to claim 1,
At least one of the plurality of web conference applications acquires position information of another information terminal instead of its own terminal, and transmits the position information to a web conference server. conference system. The web conference system according to claim 1,
The web conference application further has a function of detecting howling, and upon detecting howling, transmits a howling detection signal to the web conference server;
When the web conference server receives the howling detection signal from the web conference application, the web conference server detects another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the web conference application and whose microphone is turned on. A web conference system characterized by transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to a web conference application of an information terminal. The web conference system according to claim 3,
The web conference server determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and determines that the information terminal having the web conference application that has transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the web conference application that has received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and displays one of the web conference applications. A web conference system characterized in that when a microphone ON signal is received from a web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to another web conference application. The web conference system according to claim 3,
If the web conference server cannot find a web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than the second predetermined distance and whose microphone is turned on, the web conference server determines that the distance is longer than the second predetermined distance. Searching for a web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than the third distance and whose microphone is turned on, and if the web conference application exists, transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to this web conference application. A web conference system featuring: A web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network,
The web conference server is
a receiving unit configured to receive position information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
a calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and
a transmitter configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals;
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals,
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives a microphone ON signal from a web conference application of at least one information terminal, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A web conference server configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to a web conference application. The web conference server according to claim 6,
The receiving unit is further configured to receive a howling detection signal from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals;
The transmitter further includes, when the receiver receives the howling detection signal, another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal. A web conference server configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to a web conference application. A method for controlling a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network, the method comprising:
receiving location information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the location information; and
When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, the microphone is turned off to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A control method comprising transmitting a command signal. A control program for a web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals each running a web conference application can be connected via a network,
a process of receiving location information of each information terminal from a web conference application of the plurality of information terminals;
a process of calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and
When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, the microphone is turned off to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A control program that causes a computer to execute the process of sending command signals. A web conference application program that operates on an information terminal,
A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal, and transmitting the acquired location information to a web conference server;
When the microphone of the information terminal is turned on, another information terminal located at a distance closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal issues a microphone OFF command from the web conference server in order to transmit audio data. A web conference application program that causes a computer to execute a process of turning off the microphone of the information terminal when a signal is received.

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