JP3005427B2 - Videophone conference control system based on DTMF signal using videophone - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint video conference system using a video telephone.
It is intended to more conveniently and freely control a conference method using a multipoint videophone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional multipoint videophone conference system using a videophone, a control system synthesizes images transmitted by a plurality of videophones as participants and displays them on the display of each person's videophone. The control system automatically selects the method, the loudest speaker during the conference, and distributes that person's video and audio to all, and the control system provides the conference participants with fixed fixed rules. There is a videophone conference control system for distributing images, and the like.

[0003]

However, the image information of the videophone is already considerably compressed, and it is necessary to reduce the image information by several minutes in order to display all the other participants on one screen. This means that compression must be applied by 1 (1 / n-1). This is quite difficult and causes a considerable drop in the picture quality of the television.
In the method of distributing the video and voice of the person whose voice is the loudest in the conference to the videophone, the video and audio requests of the participants cannot be satisfied at all. You can't create a meeting system that satisfies the need to see someone's face. Furthermore, in the method of distributing video according to predetermined fixed rules, the chair cannot freely change the rules, and participants cannot freely request video or audio under the rules. Was. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the drawbacks of the related art, and has as its object to enable a person who individually attends a conference via a videophone to freely select a video and an audio of a participant. .

[0004]

That is, the present invention provides a function of transmitting a video signal and an audio signal as a mixed signal, separating the signal transmitted by the mixed signal into a video signal and an audio signal, and receiving the DTMF signal. Generating means (n
Is an integer), n communication modems respectively connected to the n video phones via a public line, and n mixed video signals transmitted from the video phone received without the modem. N video signal and audio signal separation means, n sensing means for sensing DTMF signals transmitted from respective videophones received via the n modems, and connection with the sensing means CPU
And CPU selects only the input signals (video signal and audio signal) designated by operating the matrix switching circuit based on the DTMF signal of each videophone, for the n video signals and audio signals separated by the separating means. A video matrix switching circuit and an audio matrix switching circuit for exchanging an output video signal and an output audio signal, and n for mixing the video signal and the audio signal output from each of the matrix exchange circuits.
Mixing means connected to the communication modems, and a control system for transmitting a signal mixed by the mixing means to the n videophones via a public line.
U used a videophone configured to operate the matrix switching circuit to select and output video and audio signals selected based on the DTMF signal transmitted from each videophone to each videophone. A video telephone conference control system based on a DTMF signal, a function of transmitting a video signal and an audio signal as a mixed signal, and separating and receiving the signal transmitted as the mixed signal into a video signal and an audio signal;
N (n is an integer) videophones having a TMF signal generating means, n communication modems respectively connected to the n videophones via a public line, and a television received through the modem N separating means for separating each of the mixed signals transmitted from the telephone into n video signals and audio signals, and a DTMF signal transmitted from each video telephone received without passing through the n modems. A sensing means for sensing, a CPU connected to the sensing means, and selecting and outputting only input signals (video signals and audio signals) designated by the CPU to the n video and audio signals separated by the separating means. a video matrix exchange circuit and the audio matrix exchange circuit for exchanging into a video signal and an output audio signal, is connected to an input of the audio matrix exchange circuit in videophone participants top C It was detected a big voice beauty participants
Audio comparing means for transmitting to the PU, n mixing means connected to the n communication modems for mixing the video signal and the audio signal output from each of the matrix switching circuits, and a public line And a control system when transmitting to the n videophones via the DTMF signal from the videophone participant to the participant designated by the videophone participant.
A videophone conference control system based on a DTMF signal using a videophone configured to deliver a videophone video and audio signal with the maximum volume recorded to the other participants who did not input the TMF signal. Achieve this objective.

[0005]

In the system according to the present invention (claim 1), n
From a single video phone to a video conference
The video signal and the audio signal are mixed and transmitted. The mixed and transmitted signal is separated into n audio signals and n video signals by n separating means installed in the control system.
The separated n audio signals and video signals are input to an audio and video matrix switching circuit, and the output of the matrix switching circuit is connected to the mixing means connected to the n videophone transmission means and to the CPU. Are joined by The mixed audio signal and video signal are transmitted to each videophone via a public line, and the transmitted mixed signal is separated into an audio signal and a video signal by separating means in the videophone, and Is communicated to the recipient. Next, when a participant of each conference transmits a signal to the video conference control system by a DTMF signal, the transmitted signal is transmitted to the DTMF signal.
To be input to the CPU via the signal sensing means, the C
The video signal and the audio signal received by the PU are selected via a matrix exchange circuit, and the video phone on the transmitting side and the video phone on the receiving side are connected. As a result, the selected video signal and audio signal are transmitted to the videophone that transmitted the DTMF signal. Further, in the video conference control system, in a system having a means for comparing the audio volume of the audio signal input to the matrix switching circuit (claim 2), the audio signal of the speaker is output from the n video telephones. The loudest one is selected, and the image (video signal) and audio signal of the loudest participant are transmitted to the n videophones. Therefore, by confirming the image displayed on the screen, the person selected by the voice comparison device can make an opinion assertion while being aware that his / her opinion has been transmitted to another person. In addition, other participants may listen to the opinion of the other person who has confirmed that they have not been selected by the image and sound of the videophone, and make their assertion when the opinion is completed. .
Further, since the present apparatus is a system which can select even a DTMF signal, the video and audio signals selected by the participant are prioritized over the video and audio signals automatically selected by the audio signal comparison apparatus, and Will be sent to the videophone.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a video phone, which comprises a video camera 2 and a receiver 3,
The audio signal and the video signal are mixed into the mixing means 10 via the video signal encoding means 4, the audio signal encoding means 5, and the compression means 6 and 7, respectively.
Sent over 10. The videophone is also provided with a double tone multifrequency (DTMF) signal transmitting means 8, which is similarly configured to be able to transmit via a telephone line. Further, the videophone 1 has a separating means 9 for separating a mixed signal of a video signal and an audio signal transmitted via the telephone line 10, and a demodulating means 11 for demodulating each of the separated video signal and audio signal. , 12 are furnished.
Reference numeral 13 denotes modem means for transmitting signals, 14 denotes non-compression means for encoded signals, and 15 denotes a display 16.
Is a display means for displaying image information on the screen.

[0007] and in the present system, n-number of TV phone _{1 1, 1 2, 1 3} , ..., 1 n is present, these phone ₁ 1,
1 _2, 1 _3, ..., 1 _n is the n communication modem 21 ₁ videophone conference control device 20 via a public line, 21 _2, 2
1 _3, ..., are connected to the 21 _n, each modem 21 _1, 2
1 _2, 21 _3, ..., mixed signal between the audio signal and the video signal received by the 21 _n is, n pieces of the separating means 22 _1, 22 _2, 2
2 _3, ..., it is separated into audio and video signals in 22 _n, n
Number of audio signal to the audio signal matrix exchange circuit 23,
The n video signals are input to the video signal matrix switching circuit 24, respectively. Here, the matrix switching circuit 2
Under the control of the CPU 25, the CPUs 3 and 24 select the connection of the line between the videophones. Matrix switching circuit 23,
The audio signal and the video signal selected by 24, each predetermined modem 21 _1, 21 _2, 21 _3, ..., 21 mixing means 26 ₁ connected to _n, 26 _2, 26 _3, ..., the input to the 26 _n is, the mixing means _{26 1, 26 2, 26 3} , ..., 26 n is CP
The audio signal and the video signal are mixed while synchronizing based on the synchronizing signal from the synchronizing means 27 input via U25.

In the video conference control system according to the present embodiment, n DTMF sensing means 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ , 28 ₃ ,..., 28 _n are connected to the line between the exchange and the modem. n DTMF sensing means 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ , 28
_3, ..., signal converting means 30 a detection result by 28 _{n 1,} 3
0 _2, 30 _3, ..., 30 is converted to a predetermined signal input to CPU 25 from at _n, each videophone ₁ 1 by an input signal to the CPU 25, 1 _2, 1 _3, ..., a 1 _n Matrix exchange circuit 2 for converting the audio and video signals of the other party to be transmitted
It is configured to be selected by 3, 24.

Further, in the present system, the audio volume comparing means 32 is connected to the matrix exchange circuit 24, and upon detection of the comparing means 32, the CPU 25 causes the DTMF to input a selection signal to the video telephone 11 ₁ to the CPU 25. , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ ,..., 1 _n , the audio signal and the video signal of the loudest participant are transmitted. As a result, for example television when the telephone ₁ of the voice of the participants is the largest is, of all participants TV phone 1 _1,
1 _2, 1 _3, ..., mixed signal videophone 1 ₁ of the video signal and the audio signal and is transmitted to 1 _n, the transmitted signal is separated into audio and video signals in each videophone Later, it is projected on the screen and comes out of the receiver speaker. Therefore, the video of the selected participation is also transmitted to the person, and the person confirms his / her own appearance to confirm that he / she is the speaker. Participants who did not show themselves will also make sure that they are on the stand now.
A lean discussion can be held.

[0010]

As described above, the apparatus according to the present invention has the advantage that the participants have a DTM compared to the conventional video conference system.
By transmitting the F signal to the control system, the video signal and the audio signal of the conference participant can be selected according to the intention of the participant. Therefore, it is possible to produce the same effect as a case where the conference is gathered in one place and the conference is held.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a videophone according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video conference control system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video telephone 2 Video camera 3 Receiver 4 Video signal encoding means 5 Audio signal encoding means 6, 7 Compression means 8 Transmission means 10 Mixing means 11, 12 Demodulation means 13 Modem means for signal transmission 14 Encoded Signal non-compression means 15 Display means 16 Display 20 Video conference control system 21 Modem 22 Separation means 23 Video matrix switching circuit 24 Audio matrix switching circuit 25 CPU 26 Mixing means 27 Synchronization means 28 DTMF sensing means 30 Signal conversion means 32 Comparison means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/56 H04N 7/15 H04M 11/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus comprising: a function of transmitting a video signal and an audio signal as a mixed signal, a function of separating and transmitting a signal transmitted as the mixed signal into a video signal and an audio signal, and means for generating a DTMF signal; n is an integer), n communication modems respectively connected to the n video phones via a public line, and mixed signals transmitted from the video phone received via the modem are respectively n and n number of separating means for separating into a number of video and audio signals, the
Sensing means for sensing a DTMF signal transmitted from each videophone received without passing through a modem, a CPU connected to the sensing means, and n separated by the separating means
Input signals specified by the CPU from among the video and audio signals.
A video matrix switching circuit and an audio matrix switching circuit for selecting only input signals (video signals and audio signals) and exchanging them for output video signals and output audio signals, and video signals output from the respective matrix switching circuits And n control means for transmitting the signals mixed by the mixing means to the n video telephones via a public line. And the CPU transmits the DT transmitted from each videophone.
A video signal based on a DTMF signal using a video phone, wherein the video signal and the audio signal selected based on the MF signal are configured to be selected by operating a matrix switching circuit and output to each video phone. Teleconference control system. 2. A DTMF signal generating means having a function of transmitting a video signal and an audio signal as a mixed signal, separating the signal transmitted as the mixed signal into a video signal and an audio signal, and receiving the DTMF signal generating means. Is an integer), n communication modems respectively connected to the n video phones via a public line, and n mixed signals transmitted from the video phone received via the modem. N separating means for separating the video signal and the audio signal from each other, sensing means for sensing a DTMF signal transmitted from each videophone received without passing through the n modems, and connection with the sensing means The CPU selects only the input signals (video signals and audio signals) specified by the CPU and the n video signals and audio signals separated by the separation means and exchanges them with the output video signals and output audio signals. Audio comparison to send the video matrix exchange <br/> circuit and the audio matrix exchange circuit, detecting the which loudest beauty participants in the input portion is connected to the videophone participants of the Audio Matrix exchange circuit to the CPU Means, n mixing means connected to the n communication modems for mixing the video signal and the audio signal output from each of the matrix switching circuits, and n mixed signals via the public line. When the CPU transmits a video signal and an audio signal to a participant designated by a videophone participant via a DTMF signal, and the CPU does not input a DTMF signal. The videophone and video signal of the videophone in which the maximum volume is recorded are delivered to the participants of the videophone. Video conference call control system based on DTMF signals.