JP2618858B2 - Electronic conference system - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic conference system for holding a conference between remote points, and more particularly, to an electronic conference system having an individual unit provided separately from a conference unit.

[Technical Background of the Invention] As a conventional electronic conference system, for example, there is one as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic conference system includes a microphone 1, a speaker 2, a television camera 3 for displaying an image of a conference hall, a television camera 4 for photographing an original, a television monitor 5, a facsimile device 6, and a hard copy device as a printer. 12, an audio unit 7 for encoding and decoding the audio signal of the microphone 1 and the speaker 2, an image unit 8 for encoding and decoding the image signal, a control unit 9 for controlling the image unit, instructions of the control unit 9 And a transmission unit 11 for transmitting and receiving audio signals and image signals.

[Problems of Background Art] However, such a conventional electronic conference system has a problem that it is necessary to go to a conference hall to participate in a conference.

Another problem is that it is not possible to monitor the meeting while doing other tasks and to participate only on the agenda relevant to oneself.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic conference system that can freely participate in a conference without going to a conference hall.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention relates to an input system for inputting at least drawing data, still image data, and audio data;
A conference including an output system for outputting still image data and audio data, a transmission system for controlling transmission of these data between remote points, and a control system for controlling the input system, output system, and transmission system. In an electronic conference system in which a plurality of units are connected via a line, at least a drawing input device for inputting drawing data, a flat display device for outputting drawing data and still image data, a voice input device for inputting voice,
A sound output device for outputting sound, a control switch for operating each of the devices, and a control device for controlling each of the devices and the control switch are mounted, and a plurality of individual units structurally integrated are provided. Provided separately from the conference unit, the individual unit, the control device transmits a connection request signal for requesting connection with the conference unit to the control system of the conference unit, the control system of the conference unit After receiving the connection request signal, the connection with the conference unit to transmit and receive drawing data, still image data, and audio data allows the user to freely participate in the conference without going to the conference hall. It is made possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing a conference unit and a personal unit according to an embodiment of the electronic conference system of the present invention.

First, as the input devices of the conference unit 1, a plurality of drawing input devices 100 for inputting handwritten characters and figures, a still image input device 200 for inputting a document before or during a conference, a conference attendee, A moving image input device 300 for inputting an image of the background of the conference hall and an audio input device 400 for inputting audio are connected.

Further, the output device makes copies of the plurality of flat display devices 150, the graphic display devices (1) 160, and the graphic display devices (1) 160 for displaying input information of the terminal itself and the transmitted drawing system and still image system. Hard copy device 260, graphic display device for displaying input information of own terminal or transmitted moving image system (2)
350, an audio output device 450 for outputting transmitted audio input information is connected.

Further, the storage device 600 records and reads out these input / output information. The transmission control device 700 is connected to two or more other conference unit systems at remote locations.

The above input / output information flows according to signals from devices such as an operation input device 850, a state detection device 800 for detecting the presence or absence of a conference participant, and a speaker identification device 510 for determining a speaker from the voice of a talker. The destination is controlled.

The controller 900 includes these drawing system, still image system, moving image system,
An audio input device is connected, and soft copy, hard copy, and audio output devices are connected. Signals from these input devices and signals to the output device are subjected to selection, multiplexing, and other processing by some control information signals, and transmitted.

Further, the interface with a plurality of personal units 2 _1.
00, through which information transfer with the personal unit is performed.

Hereinafter, each device constituting a main part of the present invention will be described in more detail.

Drawing Input / Output Device 100 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the drawing input device 100 of the conference unit 1.

The drawing input device 100 detects coordinate position information of a handwritten figure, and when pressure is applied to the illustrated writing input surface, a pressure detection type drawing that outputs coordinate data of a point to which the pressure is applied. The input unit 101 and the drawing entrance 1
01, a sampling unit 103 for sampling analog coordinate data, a pen touch detection unit 104 for detecting pen touch, an input processing unit 105 connected to the sampling unit 103, and an encoding unit 106 for encoding drawing data.
And an identifier adding unit 109 for converting the encoded drawing data into a frame.

Note that the input pen 102 is for applying pressure to the writing input surface by drawing a graphic on the paper placed on the writing input surface of the drawing input unit 101.

 Next, the operation of the drawing input / output device 100 will be described.

First, when pressure is applied to the writing input surface of the drawing input unit 101 (when there is a pen touch), it is detected from the signal output from the drawing input unit 101 that the pen touch has been made. When the pen touch is detected, the pen touch detection unit 104 outputs a control signal to instruct the sampling unit 103 and the input processing unit 105 to start the operation, and makes the sampling unit 103 and the input processing unit 105 operable.

The sampling unit 103 samples the analog coordinate data output from the drawing input unit 101 at a predetermined cycle, digitizes the data, and outputs the digitized data to the input processing unit 105.

The input processing unit 105 receives the coordinate data output from the sampling unit 103, checks whether or not the coordinate data is appropriate data as a coordinate value, and determines whether the coordinate data is a discrete value. , A smoothing process or the like for correcting the coordinate data is performed based on the previous coordinate data. Further, when a control signal according to a command indicating partial erasure is given from the input analysis unit 108 described later, a frame described later enclosed by the closed curve is generated based on the coordinate data of the closed curve output from the sampling unit 103. Creates drawing data as a source for rewriting all coordinate data of the area in the memory unit 152 to logic “0” (“0” indicates data that becomes a ground color when displayed),
Output this.

Next, the encoding unit 106 encodes the drawing data output from the input processing unit 105 and outputs the data to the identifier adding unit 109.

Further, the identifier adding unit 109 adds a frame identifier (FID) indicating the drawing data to the drawing data, and outputs the drawing data to the control device 900.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a switch input unit, which allows the operator to input commands such as cursor display, partial erasure, and full erasure.

Also, an input analyzing unit 108 connected to the switch input unit 107
Analyzes the data output from the switch input unit 107, analyzes which data indicates which command, and, based on the analysis result, outputs a corresponding control signal to the input processing unit 105,
Output to encoding section 106.

Flat display device 150 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the flat display device 150 of the conference unit.

The flat display device 150 displays drawing data or still image data, and is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
A flat display unit 150, a frame memory unit 152 in which image data is stored, a drawing reproduction processing unit 153 that reproduces a drawing or a still image, and a still image reproduction processing unit 154.
It comprises a drawing decoding unit 155 for decoding drawing data or still image data based on image information, a still image decoding unit 156, and an identifier detecting unit 157 for identifying control information.

 Hereinafter, the operation of the flat panel display device 150 will be described.

First, the control device 900 sends control information and image information to the identifier detection unit 157.

The control information includes a frame identifier (FID), a device address (SAD), a page control (PAGE), and the like. There are two types of image information: drawing data and still image data.
In the drawing data, for example, a command such as a cursor movement is incorporated in the coordinate position information. Still image data stores data obtained by compressing a run length by using, for example, a modified read (MR) code.

Next, the identifier detection unit 157 determines whether the data is drawing data or still image data based on the frame identifier (FID) of the control information. The drawing data is sent to the drawing decoding unit 155, and the still image data is Sent to decoding section 156. Thereafter, the two systems are processed in the same manner up to the frame memory unit 152.

The drawing data decoded by the drawing decoding unit 155 is sent to the drawing / reproduction processing unit 153, where the coordinate data necessary for graphic display is interpolated, and sent to the frame memory unit 152.

The still image data decoded by the still image decoding unit 156 is sent to the still image reproduction processing unit 154, and image processing such as linear density conversion, enlargement, and reduction required for graphic display is performed. Sent to

Image data output from the drawing / reproduction processing unit 153 or the still image reproduction processing unit 154 is written in the frame memory unit 152. A moving image signal is read out from the image data stored in the frame memory unit 152 in a predetermined cycle, and is displayed on the graphic display unit 390.

Voice Input Device 400 The voice input device 400 converts a voice of a conference attendee into an electric signal and takes it into the conference unit, and FIG. 4 shows its configuration.

As shown in the figure, the voice input device 400 has four microphones 402-1 to 402-4 arranged so as to be able to collect the voices of all the attendees, and in a direction different from the conference attendees. Microphone 402- placed with directivity
5, a microphone amplifier (MAMP) 403 that amplifies output signals of the microphones 402-1 to 402-5, a room noise elimination unit (NCAN) 404 that eliminates room noise, and an dereverberation unit (ECAN) that removes reverberation. 405, a variable gain unit (AGC) 406 that removes noise from the microphone of the speaker who is not busy, a mixer unit (VMIX) 407 that combines the output signals of the microphones,
And a voice coding unit (VCOD) 408 for coding.

These four microphones 402-1 to 402-4 are arranged in consideration of the directivity so that the voices of all the attendees can be collected, and pick up the voices emitted by the conference attendees. The microphone 402-5 picks up a background noise signal.

Audio output device 450 The audio output device 450 converts an electric signal into an audio signal by using a speaker and outputs the audio signal. As shown in FIG. 5, an identifier detection unit 451 for identifying control information and an audio signal for decoding audio data are provided. Decoding section (VDEC) 452 and stereo sound generating section (STGEN) 453 for outputting stereo sound with delay
And the right amplifier (RAMP) 454, which amplifies and emits the right audio
And a right speaker 455, a left amplifier (LAMP) 456 for amplifying and emitting the left sound, and a left speaker 457.

The identifier detection unit 451 identifies a voice frame from the frame identifier FID, and identifies a partner terminal from the device address SAD.

The stereo sound generation unit (STGEN) 453 is a
X is used to generate stereo audio signals SR and SL.

Operation input device 850 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the operation input device 850.

The operation input device 850 includes an operation input unit 851 for inputting each operation instruction, an input analysis unit 852 for analyzing the operation instruction, and an input / output interface unit 853 for connecting the device and the control device 900. And a display analysis unit 854 for checking display contents, and a display unit 855.

 Hereinafter, the operation of the device 850 using this operation input will be described.

The input analysis unit 852 analyzes various operation switch inputs from the operation input unit 851, assembles them into code signals, and sends them to the control device 900 via the input / output interface unit 853 as operation signals (OPSG).

From the control device 900, a response signal to the operation input and a signal indicating the operation state of the conference system are sent to the transmission interface unit 853. Next, the display analysis unit 8
The coded signal is analyzed at 54 and displayed at 815
Sent to and displayed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the appearance of the operation input unit 811 and the display unit 855 of the operation input device 850.

“POW” of the operation input unit 811 is a device power switch, “conference” is a switch for switching between a telephone mode and a remote conference mode, which are operation modes of the device, and “record” is a graphic display device (1).
A switch for instructing the storage device 600 to record the display content of the display 160, and “reading” is performed by the graphic display device (1) 160
"Copy" is a switch for instructing copy output of the display contents of the graphic display device (1) 160 to the hard copy device 260, "A" to "D" are device address (SAD) setting and Switch for indicating from which terminal data is input at the time of "read", "1" to "0"
Are ten page number switches for "read".

In order to show the response to each of the above operation inputs, the example of FIG. 30 uses an illumination switch in which a display LED is incorporated in the switch.

The display unit 855 is composed of an LED, and includes a speaker switching signal (PID) indicating a state of input data from each input device and a transmission switching signal (T
ID) and the connection status of the line.

Control Device 900 FIG. 9 is a configuration block diagram showing a configuration of the control device 900.

Data from each input device and data to each output device are transmitted via an internal data bus 901.

That is, the drawing data from the drawing input devices 100a, 100b,... Is multiplexed by the multiplexing unit 911, and is input to the data bus 90 via the input interface unit 912 and the data buffer 913.
Sent to one. Here, the letters a, b,... Appended with letters indicate that a plurality of devices having the same function are connected (the same applies hereinafter).

Still image data from the still image input device 200 is sent to the data bus 901 via the input interface unit 922 and the data buffer 923.

The moving image data from the moving image input device 300 is supplied to the data bus 90 via the input interface unit 932 and the data buffer 933.
Sent to one.

The audio data from the audio input device 400 is supplied to the data bus 90 via the input interface 942 and the data buffer 943.
Sent to one.

To these input data, a frame identifier (FID) indicating from which input device the data frame originated is added.

For data output, first, the drawing data is
From the flat display device 1 via the output interface unit 916
Sent to 50a, b ...

Similarly, still image and drawing data are transferred from the data bus 901 to the hard copy device 2 via the output interface unit 926.
60 to the graphic display device (1) 160 via the output interface unit 917, the moving image data to the graphic display device (2) 350 via the output interface unit 936, and the audio data to the output interface unit. It is sent to the audio output device 450 via the unit 946.

Further, a still image and drawing data can be sent from the graphic display device (1) 160 to the data bus 901 via the input / output interface unit 917.

The stored data from the storage device 600 is sent to the data bus 901 via the file interface 961, and conversely, the data is sent from the data bus 901 to the storage device 600 via the file interface 961.

Switching of transmission destinations of these data, selection of data, and multiplexing are performed by the frame controller 990.

When transmitting the data group collected by the frame controller 990 to the line, the data group is transmitted to the transmission control device 700 via the transmission interface 972. A data group sent from the line via the transmission control device 700 is sent to the frame controller 990 via the transmission interface 972.

Here, the data buffers 913, 923, 933, and 943 are used when the transmission to the data bus is temporarily interrupted due to switching of the data transmission destination or selection of data, or when the transmission path capacity transiently exceeds due to multiplexing. This is for storing data when you are doing.

The conference controller 991 controls the frame controller 990. The conference support unit 991 is a speaker identification device 51
0, and instructs the frame controller 990 to select data or to send to the frame controller 990 by signals from the state detection device 800, the operation input device 850, and the like.

The data amount input to the control device 900 is as follows.

First, the drawing data from the drawing input devices 100a, 100b,.
Due to the low speed of about 300 bps, the data rate is about several kbps even if a plurality of these are input simultaneously. Therefore, the drawing data can be input at the same time, and multiplexed by the multiplexing unit 911 and taken in.

Still image data from the still image input device 200 is about 16 kbps. 32kbps video data from video input device 300
If the transmission capacity of the line is about 64 kbps, it is impossible to input a plurality of units at the same time considering transmission of other data such as voice for transmission to the line.
Any one is selected according to the speaker switching signal (PID) from.

Further, audio data μ-LAWPC from the audio input device 400
It is switched between 64 kbps and 8 kbps as required by methods such as M, ADPCM, and APCAB. Switching is performed by the conference support unit 991 as a voice coding rule signal (VRUL) and the voice input device 400
Is instructed. This signal is output by the conference support unit 991 depending on the amount of other data.

Also, input / output devices with a, b,..., And alphabetical letters are installed near the meeting attendees.

With the above data amount, the conference is advanced by the conference support unit 991.

 Hereinafter, the operation of control device 900 will be described.

First, a speaker identification signal (ID) indicating who the speaker is is input from the speaker identification device 510. Based on this signal, the conference support unit 991 outputs a transmission switching signal (TID) to the voice input device 400 so as to select the voice of the speaker. Similarly, a speaker switching signal (PID) is output to moving image input device 300 so as to capture the speaker.

The audio data and the moving image data from these input devices are multiplexed by the frame controller 990 and sent to the transmission control device 700 via the transmission interface 972. The video data has a speaker switching signal (PID) indicating the speaker added to the data frame, and the audio data has a voice coding rule signal (VRUL) and a transmission switching signal (TID) added to the data frame. Have been.

At the same time, the video data is output to the output interface 93
It is sent to the graphic display device (2) 350 via 6 and displayed.
This moving image data is data compressed by a method such as frame correlation. The speaker can determine that the speaker has been selected by displaying the moving image on the graphic display device (2) 350.

A document for a meeting is input from the still image input device 200. The still image data read here is data compressed by a method such as frame correlation. Still image data is stored in the storage device 600 via the file interface 961 before the conference, or during the conference.
And sent to the other terminal through the line. When storing, a page control signal (PAGE) is added.

During the conference, the stored data is read from the storage device 600 via the file interface 961 and the flat display devices 150a, 150b,... And the graphic display device (1) are respectively output via the output interface unit 916 and the input / output interface unit 917. ) Display at 160.

These instructions are performed from the operation input device 850, and are input as operation signals (OPSG).

The meeting support unit 991 uses this signal to instruct the frame controller 990 on the instruction of the data transmission destination and the page control signal (PAG
Instruct E).

When the display of the stored data is instructed to the partner terminal via the transmission interface 972, the page control signal (PAGE) is used. When the data is stored, the contents of the document document are displayed on the graphic display device (1) 160 and the drawing input devices 150a, 150b,..., And the operator can perform the work while checking.

When making corrections to the displayed information such as figures and characters, the drawing input devices 100a, 100b,... Now, when performing from the drawing input device 100a, the operator determines the input position by relying on the display of the flat display device 150a at his own place.

This drawing data is sent to the data bus 901 via the multiplexing unit 911, the input interface unit 912, and the data buffer 913. The frame controller 990 sends the drawing data to the surface display devices 150a, 150b,...
7 to the graphic display device (1) 160. At the same time, the data is sent to the transmission control device 700 via the transmission interface 972.

Since the drawing data has a small amount of information and can be sent sufficiently at a low speed, a plurality of operators can simultaneously input the drawing input devices 100a, 100b,.

When the information displayed on the graphic display device (1) 160 is output to the hard copy device 260 or stored in the storage device 600, the data bus 901 is transmitted from the input / output interface unit 917.
This is performed by sending display data to the output interface unit 926 and the file interface 961 via the.

A state detection signal (SDET), which indicates a signal such as the number of conference attendees or an abandoned person during a conference, is transmitted from the state detection device 800 to the conference support unit
Entered in 91. The conference support unit 991 selects the data input of each input device based on this signal by the frame controller 99.
0, or instructs the moving image input device 300 to delete the display of the abandoned person from the display of the graphic display device (2) 350.

The above is the description of the operation when data is input from each input device. The operation when data is sent from the partner terminal (a plurality of terminals are possible) is as follows.

A data group from the transmission control device 700 is sent to the frame controller 990 via the transmission interface 972.
Here, distribution is performed according to each data.

The audio data is sent to the audio output device 450 via the output interface unit 946, and both the drawing data and the still image data are output to the flat display devices 150a, 150b via the output interface unit 916 and the input / output interface. It is sent to the graphic display device (1) 160 via the section 917. The moving image data is sent to the graphic display device (2) 350 via the output interface unit 936. In the case of a storage instruction, the still image data is transferred to the storage device 6 via the file interface 961.
Sent to 00.

Further, what is transmitted from the line via the transmission control device 700 includes information on these controls together with the data group. Control information is provided at the beginning of each data frame, and includes a frame identifier (FID), a device address (SA).
D), page control signal (PAGE), speaker switch signal (PI
D), voice coding rule signal (VRUL), transmission switching signal (T
ID).

For transmission control, the following signals are exchanged between the conference support unit 991 and the transmission control device 700 via the transmission interface 972.

First, a mode signal (MODE) for switching the telephone mode to the remote conference mode is transmitted from the conference support unit 991 to the transmission control device 700.
Passed to Further, when the buffer in the transmission control device 700 becomes full, a transmission data transfer inhibition signal (TBUSY) is output to the conference support unit 991.

The device address (SAD) to be added to the data frame to be transmitted is given by the frame controller 990 according to an instruction from the conference support unit 991.

The data buffers 913, 923, 933, and 943 work in the following cases.

Drawing input is a drawing input device that each meeting attendee has at hand
100a, b ... and there is a possibility of multiple inputs at the same time. The data buffer 913
Is stored in the drawing. In particular, when partially deleting the display content when making corrections, it is necessary to temporarily suppress other inputs and the data is stored in the data buffer 913 at this time.

Still image inputs are stored in the storage device 600 while being displayed on the graphic display device (1) 160. For example, copy the display of the graphic display device (1) 160 during a meeting,
Subsequently, when both operations are performed at the same time, such as when a new document is displayed, the still image data is temporarily stored in the data buffer 723 so that the copy operation is performed with priority.

On the other hand, when someone speaks, the voice data and the moving image data of the person are sent to the partner terminal. At this time, the video data
The audio data by ADPCM is about 32kbps, and the line capacity is full. However, if this is a statement during the input of a still image, the line capacity is exceeded by the still image data. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the speed of voice data by using a voice coding rule signal (VRUL). Audio data is stored in the data buffer 943 during the transition period until the switching to the low speed.

Furthermore, at the remote conference, at least two people may be having a conversation. At this time, the graphic display device (2)
In 350, the video data of both the speaker of the own terminal and the speaker of the partner terminal are sent and displayed. Therefore, both data are transmitted in a time-division manner, and the own terminal moving image data is accumulated in the data buffer 933.

Note that the transmission controller 700 sends a transmission data transfer inhibit signal (T
BUSY) is output, the data buffers 913 and 9
23, 933, and 943 accumulate data when there is an input from the corresponding input device.

FIG. 10 shows a frame configuration of data input / output to / from the control device 900.

Data frames include still image frame (1) 992, still image frame (2) 993, drawing frame 994, and moving image frame
There are five types: 995 and audio frame 996. Each data frame has control information at the beginning and data at the beginning.

The head of the control information is a frame identifier (FID), which is added to each input device and input to the control device 900. The subsequent device address (SAD) is not added at each input device, and this portion is sent as empty (NULL) and added by the frame controller 990 when transmitting. The third and subsequent control information is added as needed in the input device or the control device 900.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each data frame will be described together with the flow of data.

The still image frame (1) 992 is sent from the still image input device 200 via the frame controller 990 to the graphic display device (1) 160
, And the flat display devices 150a, 150b,. At this time, a page control signal (PAGE) is added by the frame controller 990. As for the page control signal (PAGE), the number of pages is incremented each time still image data for one page of document document is stored in the storage device 600. At the same time, the transmission is sent to the partner terminal by the transmission control device 700. At the partner terminal, the sent still image frame (1) 992 is sent to the graphic display device (1) 160, the flat display devices 150a, 150b,... And the storage device 600.

When reading and displaying the stored still image data, the frame controller 990 sends a still image frame (2) 993 to the storage device 600 and instructs to read the data. As a result, the corresponding still image frame (1) 992 is read from the storage device 600, and passed through the frame controller 990 to the graphic display device (1) 160 and the flat display devices 150a, 150b.
・ ・ Sent to At this time, the device address (SAD) and the page control signal (PAGE) indicate which terminal still image data is input from which terminal. The still image frame (2) 993 is transmitted via the transmission control device 700 so that the same display is performed on the partner terminal.

When storing the display contents of the graphic display device (1) 160, the still image frame (2) 993 is stored in the graphic display device (1) 160.
And instruct the data transfer. As a result, the display contents of the graphic display device (1) 160 are sent to the frame controller 990 as a still image frame (1) 992, where a device address (SAD) and a page control signal (PAGE) are added.
The data is sent to the storage device 600. Still image frame (2) 993 is transmitted via transmission control device 700 to be stored in the other terminal in the same manner.

When outputting the display contents of the graphic display device (1) 160 to the hard copy device 260, data transfer is instructed in the still image frame (2) 993. As a result, the display content is sent to the frame controller 990 as a still image frame (1) 992, and is transferred to the hard copy device 260 therefrom.

In the above case, the page control signal (PAGE) includes four pieces of information of writing and reading the still image frame (1) 992 to and from the storage device 600, reading from the graphic display device (1) 160, and specifying the number of pages. I have.

The drawing frame 994 is sent from the drawing input devices 100a, 100b,... Via the frame controller 990 to the graphic display device (1) 160.
Are sent to the flat panel display devices 150a, 150b,. At the same time, the transmission is sent to the partner terminal by the transmission control device 700. At the partner terminal, the sent drawing frame 994 is sent to the graphic display device (1) 160 and the flat display devices 150a, 150b,. Drawing frame
The data portion 994 includes drawing and reproduction, a cursor, partial erasure, and full erasure as commands indicating the contents of the drawing process along with the coordinates, and display and reproduction are performed in accordance with these commands.

The moving image frame 995 is sent from the moving image input device 300 to the graphic display device (2) 350 via the frame controller 990, and at the same time, is sent to the partner terminal via the transmission control device 700. In the video frame 995, a speaker switching signal (PID) indicating the speaker
Is added as control information, and the signal and the device address (SAD) indicate the location where the display content is to be changed.
The moving image frame 995 is similarly sent to the graphic display device (2) 350 at the partner terminal.

The voice frame 996 is sent from the voice input device 400 to the partner terminal via the frame controller 990 and the transmission control device 700. The partner terminal sends the sent audio frame 996 to the audio output device 450. The voice frame 996 includes a transmission switching signal (TID) indicating who the speaker is, and a voice coding rule signal (VRUL) indicating which voice coding scheme the data of the voice frame is encoded in. Is added. The audio output device 450 of the partner terminal controls the sense of position of the stereo sound source at the time of sound reproduction and selects the decoding method at the time of reproduction based on these control information.

Personal Unit The personal unit 2 of this embodiment includes a drawing input device 1100, a flat display device 1150, a voice input device 1200 for a single speaker, a voice output device 1300, and an operation input device of the conference unit, which are the minimum required for a conference. A control switch 1400 capable of performing the same operation as that of the 810 and a sub-control device 1500 for controlling these devices are connected to the personal unit interface of the conference unit.

The functions of the drawing input device 1100 and the flat display device 1150 are equivalent to those of the drawing input device 100 and the flat display device 150 of the conference unit 1.

The voice input device 1200 has a room noise removing function and a reverberation removing function, and the voice output device 1300 reproduces monaural voice.

When the personal unit 2 participates in the conference, the connection switch in the control switch 1400 is turned on to connect to the conference unit 1. The signal from the control switch is sent from the sub control device 1500 to the control device 900 via the personal unit interface 1000 of the conference unit 1.

Next, when the connection request is accepted by the control device 900, the drawing data is transmitted from the conference unit 1 to the flat display device 1150 via the personal unit interface 1000, and the audio data is transmitted to the audio output device 1200, and is output.

Further, the conference participant enters voice and drawing by using the voice input device 1200 and the drawing input device 1100 to participate in the conference. Then, when leaving the conference, the disconnection switch among the control switches 1400 is turned ON, and the personal unit 2 is disconnected from the conference unit 1.

In this way, this personal unit can be placed in a place away from the conference unit by extending the connection line even in a place where the home bus cable is not arranged,
It is possible to freely participate in the conference and to freely leave the conference without going to the conference room where the conference unit is located.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a personal unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In this personal unit 2, a drawing input device 1100 and a flat display device 1150 are integrated on a board 2a installed in front of conference participants, and a microphone 1200a for sound collection and a microphone 1200a for control are further provided on the board 2a. The control switch panel 1400a is mounted.

In addition, a box 2b equipped with a video display device 1600, a speaker 1300a, and a camera 1700 is placed in front of the meeting participants. The box 2b and the board 2a can be freely attached and detached. To pivot the board 2a in the direction of the arrow.

When the board is closed in the direction of arrow A to integrate the board and the box, a case shape that is convenient for carrying can be obtained.

The information transmission between the conference unit and the personal unit can be realized by wireless transmission in addition to the wired transmission of this embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, since an individual unit is provided separately from a conference unit, it is possible to freely participate in a conference without going to a conference hall.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conference unit and a personal unit, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a drawing input device,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flat display device, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a voice input device, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a voice output device, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an operation input device, FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the appearance of the operation input device, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control device, FIG. 9 is a data frame format diagram, FIG. 10 is an appearance diagram of a personal unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic conference system. 1 conference unit 2 personal unit 100 drawing input device 150 flat display device 400 voice input device 450 voice output device 850 operation input device 900 control device 1100 drawing input Device 1150 Flat display device 1200 Voice input device 1300 Voice output device 1400 Control switch 1500 Sub-control device

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hirokazu Sakano 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino City Toshiba Hino Factory (72) Inventor Fukushige Ogawa 3-1-1 Asahigaoka Hino City Toshiba Hino Factory (72) Invention Person Masayoshi Aihara 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino City Inside Hino Plant, Toshiba Corporation (56) References JP-A-60-128869 (JP, A) JP-A-58-215188 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An input system for inputting at least drawing data, still image data, and audio data;
An output system that outputs still image data and audio data, and a transmission system that controls transmission of these data between remote points,
In an electronic conference system in which a plurality of conference units including a control system for controlling the input system, the output system, and the transmission system are connected via a line, at least a drawing input device for inputting drawing data, drawing data, and still image data A flat display device for outputting a voice, a voice input device for inputting voice, a voice output device for outputting voice, a control switch for operating each device, and a control device for controlling each device and the control switch are mounted, A plurality of individual units that are structurally integrated are provided separately from the conference unit, and the individual unit is configured such that the control device controls a control system of the conference unit.
A connection request signal for requesting connection with the conference unit is transmitted, and after the control system of the conference unit receives the connection request signal, drawing data, still image data, and audio data are transmitted to and received from the conference unit. An electronic conferencing system characterized in that the electronic conference system is connected.