JP5200723B2 - PC conference system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a PC conference system that transmits and receives data between terminals including personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) via a network, and is an existing subscriber telephone connected to a wired or wireless general telephone line. The present invention relates to a PC conference system having a structure for making a terminal (telephone) usable as an interface for PC operation in addition to a voice interface.

  Conventionally, a PC (which constitutes a part of a network terminal) connected to a network such as the existing general telephone line network, optical network, leased line, or the like that realizes wired or wireless data communication is used. In order to exchange applications, materials / images, videos, audio information, and the like with one or more people at remote locations, a PC conference system is used. When exchanging voice in this PC conference system, a microphone, a speaker, a headset connected to an audio terminal or a USB terminal, a dedicated receiver connected to the PC, or the like is used. The PC conference system may be called a web conference system. The software that implements the PC conference system on the PC includes IP telephone software.

  Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 below also call using a dedicated telephone or a switching adapter while switching between an IP telephone that packetizes voice information and transmits / receives to / from a PC and an existing subscriber telephone. Is possible. However, in a general home, data communication using a PC and voice communication using a subscriber telephone have been performed separately by separating the use band as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a PC conference system in which data transmission / reception is performed between PCs 10a and 10b via a network 1 including a subscriber telephone line network. As shown in FIG. 1, the data transmitted / received between the PCs 10a and 10b and the call voice between the subscriber telephone terminals 20a and 20b are band-separated by splitters 30a and 30b, respectively. As described above, the data communication between the PCs 10a and 10b and the voice call between the subscriber telephone terminals 20a and 20b are performed using the common network 1 (for example, a general telephone line network). The connection status is clearly different. Thus, FIG. 2 shows a physical connection state during voice communication between the subscriber telephone terminals 20a and 20b and data communication between the PCs 10a and 10b. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a voice call between the subscriber telephone terminals 20a and 20b is performed in a state where a one-to-one connection is established through the general telephone line network 1a. On the other hand, the one-to-one connection is established in the data communication between the PCs 10a and 10b up to the providers 40a and 40b with which the connection contracts are made with the PCs 10a and 10b. It is transmitted to a destination (IP address) designated by following an unspecified route.

Hereinafter, in this specification, a network typified by the Internet, which is transmitted by following an unspecified route to a designated IP address, is referred to as an IP network 1b, and a voice call (packet communication) performed via the IP network 1b. ) Is called an IP call or an IP phone. Also, a voice call line between subscriber telephone terminals established in the general telephone line network 1a is called a general telephone line, and a voice call line based on an IP telephone established in the IP network 1b is called an IP telephone line. The form will be distinguished.
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  As a result of examining the above-described PC conference system, the inventors have found the following problems.

  That is, when a voice call is used in a conventional PC conference system (IP call), a special device such as a headset or a USB receiver needs to be connected to the PC on the network terminal side. Also, when it is desired to use a PC conference system (not using voice) and a subscriber telephone, both cannot be connected by a single operation. (Each connection operation is required.) Furthermore, the IP telephone line and the general telephone line of the PC conference system cannot be switched at an arbitrary timing during the conference. In these cases, the subscriber telephone can be used as it is by using a special device by the switching adapter as described above. However, in this case, either the PC conference system is used for the subscriber telephone, or the subscriber telephone is placed as a normal voice call using a general telephone line. Therefore, it is not possible to connect an IP telephone line (PC conferencing system communication mode) and a general telephone line at the same time or switch between a general telephone line and an IP telephone line at any timing during the conference. There is.

  In addition, the conventional PC conference system requires authentication login, and it is necessary to input login information every time the PC participates in the conference. Furthermore, when the switching adapter is used, when the switching adapter is to be carried, there is a trouble that the telephone line must be removed from the switching adapter and connected to the subscriber telephone each time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and uses an existing subscriber telephone terminal as an interface for PC operation in addition to a voice interface, so that arbitrary timings of a general telephone line and an IP telephone line can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PC conference system having a structure for enabling switching at the same time.

  The PC conference system according to the present invention is a PC conference system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of terminals (each including a PC) via a network, and is an existing subscriber connected to a wired or wireless general telephone line This is a PC conference system having a structure for enabling a telephone terminal (telephone) to be used as an interface for PC operation in addition to a voice interface. In this specification, the terminal or network terminal includes a subscriber telephone terminal as well as a PC including peripheral devices such as a keyboard and a display.

  In particular, at least one of a plurality of network terminals constituting a part of the PC conference system includes a transmission / reception processing unit, a voice processing unit, a connection processing unit, and a switch. The transmission / reception processing unit analyzes a dial signal including selection information for selecting a connection form with the other party's subscriber telephone terminal, which is input from one's own subscriber telephone terminal connected one-to-one in the general telephone network. To do. Note that the subscriber telephone terminal includes a mobile phone as well as a fixed phone installed in each home. The dial signal is an electrical signal that collectively represents input information from the subscriber telephone terminal, and includes selection number information and telephone number information of the partner subscriber telephone terminal. The voice processing unit converts the voice electric signal (analog electric signal from the subscriber telephone) transferred from the transmission / reception processing unit into a data format that can be transmitted and received between a plurality of terminals. The connection processing unit performs IP connection with the counterpart terminal via the network. The switch connects or disconnects the subscriber telephone terminal and the general telephone line network in accordance with an instruction signal from the transmission / reception processing unit. The switch may be a physical switch that directly opens and closes between the subscriber telephone terminal and the general telephone line network, or may be a software switch.

  In the PC conference system according to the present invention, the transmission / reception processing unit realizes at least three connection states based on the selection information input from the subscriber telephone terminal.

  First, the first connection state is a normal call state in which one's own subscriber telephone terminal is connected one-to-one with the input other party's telephone terminal, and the call transmission / reception processor outputs a connection instruction signal to the switch. This is feasible.

  On the other hand, the second and third connection states are a state in which the subscriber telephone terminal and the general telephone line network are disconnected by a switch, and the terminal itself is connected to the general telephone line network or connected to the IP network. Connection is possible. In this case, the second connection state can be realized by transferring the voice electric signal from the subscriber telephone terminal to the general telephone line network, and the transmission / reception processing section is connected to the subscriber telephone. The third connection state can be realized by transferring the audio electrical signal from the terminal to the audio processing unit. In this third connection state, the subscriber telephone terminal itself functions as a so-called IP telephone.

  As described above, when the first connection state is realized in accordance with the selection signal input from the own subscriber telephone terminal, the calling / transmission processing unit can perform a normal call using a fixed telephone or a mobile phone. . On the other hand, in the second connection state, a call between subscriber telephone terminals using a general telephone line network and data transmission / reception between a plurality of PCs are performed in parallel. Usually, the network load state depends not only on the capacity limitation of the line itself but also on the network load distribution state due to packet concentration (load concentration on the provider) and the like. Therefore, when the communication state of the network deteriorates due to load concentration on some resources, only the voice data in the data group to be transmitted is used in the general telephone line network as in the second connection state. By transferring the call to the other party's subscriber telephone terminal, the load on the entire network can be reduced. In the third connection state, the subscriber telephone terminal itself is used for an IP telephone (one function of the PC conference system).

  In order to improve the security level, the PC conference system according to the present invention may have a function of confirming that the user of the subscriber telephone terminal is a person permitted to participate in the PC conference. Specifically, the PC conference system may further include a database (hereinafter referred to as D / B) as an external recording device and an authentication processing unit. The D / B stores in advance authentication data for conference participants who can use the PC conference system. The authentication processing unit determines whether the subscriber telephone terminal user is a conference participant based on the authentication data stored in the D / B.

  Each embodiment according to the present invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are shown merely for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

  Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are presented for purposes of illustration only and various modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the invention. Will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

  According to the PC conference system according to the present invention, it is possible to use a PC conference system using a subscriber telephone terminal as a voice interface without operating the PC itself, and a system that is easy to use even for beginners can be constructed. In addition, it is possible to use an electric device that is usually used like a subscriber telephone terminal, so that operability can be improved and a psychological burden can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the PC conference system according to the present invention, when the voice call (IP call) of the PC conference system becomes unstable according to the load state of the network, the PC conference system (no voice) can be operated by one operation. ) And a general telephone line. In addition, the IP telephone line and the general telephone line used in the PC conference system can be switched at an arbitrary timing during the conference. The connection request from the other party can be notified by the ring tone of the existing subscriber telephone terminal, and the incoming call can be known without always looking at the PC screen.

  Furthermore, according to the PC conference system according to the present invention, the authentication login to the PC conference system and the other party can be performed by simply operating the dial button of the phone using the USB with biometric authentication and the existing subscriber telephone terminal. Can connect and talk (PC conference system can be used with security).

  According to the PC conference system according to the present invention, by using a mobile phone, it is possible to authenticate with the unique number of the mobile phone without performing biometric authentication, and the convenience is further improved. In addition, wireless communication can be performed.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the PC conference system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a terminal configuration in the PC conference system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, signal reception from the network 1 and signal transmission to the network 1 are usually performed by a modem 300 including a splitter 30 that separates a use band. Normally, a plurality of PC main bodies 150 are connected to the modem 300 via the HUB 400 to configure a LAN. On the other hand, the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is also connected to the modem 300. The voice signal transmitted / received between the network 1 and the subscriber telephone terminal and the data signal transmitted / received between the network 1 and the PC main body 150 are as follows. The band used is different, and is separated by a splitter 30 (may be arranged separately from the modem 300) arranged in the modem 300.

  In the PC conference system according to this embodiment, a USB device 100 for connecting and disconnecting the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the network 1 is provided. In the USB device 100, physical connection and disconnection are performed. A switch SW is incorporated. In the following description, it is assumed that the PC is composed of the PC main body 150 and the USB device 100.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the terminal in the PC conference system shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PC connected to the network 1 includes a USB device 100 and a PC main body 150 (having a configuration of a normal personal computer) to which the USB device 100 is USB-connected. A cable from a telephone line jack and a cable from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 are connected to the apparatus 100. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to use a general telephone line and an IP telephone line.

  The USB device 100 includes a connector unit 110 and a USB device main body 120. In FIG. 4, the switch SW is provided in the USB device main body 120. However, the switch SW is provided on the connector unit 110 side, and an authentication data fetch window (input window) is provided on the USB device main body 120 side. Good.

  The PC main body 150 includes a transmission / reception processing unit 11, an authentication processing unit 12, a D / B 13, a voice processing unit 14, and a connection processing unit 15. Further, since the PC main body 150 has a normal PC configuration, it includes a data input / output unit for communication such as a display in addition to the interface unit 16 (I / F) such as a keyboard and a speaker.

  The transmission / reception processing unit 11 analyzes a dial signal including selection information for selecting a connection form with a partner subscriber telephone terminal, which is input from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 connected one-to-one on a general telephone line. . In addition to the function as a PC conference system, the transmission / reception processing unit 11 also performs transmission / reception of audio signals from the subscriber telephone terminal 20. The D / B 13 stores in advance authentication data for conference participants who can use the PC conference system. Moreover, the authentication process part 12 determines whether a subscriber telephone user is a meeting participant based on the authentication data stored in D / B13. The voice processing unit 14 converts the voice electric signal transferred from the transmission / reception processing unit 11 (analog electric signal from the subscriber telephone 20) into a data format that can be transmitted and received between the plurality of PCs 10. The connection processing unit 15 performs IP connection with the counterpart PC via the network 1. Specifically, the connection processing unit 15 connects to the PC conference system on the partner side based on the partner side connection information converted by the transmission / reception processing unit 11 and enables voice / video call.

  On the PC 10 side having the above structure, the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the telephone line jack are connected to the PC main body 150 via an external connection I / F such as the USB device 100 (for example, USB connection). The subscriber phone terminal 20 and the telephone line jack may be connected to the USB device 100 as shown in FIG. 3, and may be directly connected to the USB device main body 120 via a cable, as shown in FIG. As shown, it may be connected via the connector part 110.

  Note that the USB device 100 has an interface for identifying a participant (user of a subscriber telephone) in a PC conference such as a biometric authentication function. The switch SW provided in the USB device 100 can automatically or manually control transfer of signals from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the telephone line jack to the PC main body 150. (The switch SW may be either a physical switch or a software switch).

  Next, the operation of one embodiment of the PC conference system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the PC conference system according to the present invention.

First, as an entry process, when the USB device 100 is connected to the PC 150 (step ST1), PC conference system automatically starts (step ST2), biometrics is performed. Specifically, when authentication data is fetched from the USB device 100 (step ST3), the authentication processing unit 12 in the PC main body 150 performs authentication processing while referring to authentication data stored in advance in the D / B 13 (step ST4). ). As a result of this authentication process, if it is determined that the current user of the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is eligible for conference participation, the authentication login in the PC conference system is automatically completed.

  When the authentication login is automatically completed, it further waits for input of a dial signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 or a connection request signal from the other party via the network 1 (step ST5). The input signal is once transmitted to the transmission / reception processing unit 11 via the USB device 100. In the transmission / reception processing unit 11, reception / transmission determination is performed based on the input signal (step ST6). If it is determined in step ST6 that the call request is from the own subscriber telephone terminal, the call processing is continued (step ST7), and the connection request from the other party telephone terminal or the other party PC conference system is received. If determined, reception processing is performed (step ST8).

  In the transmission process (step ST7), each process is sequentially performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In other words, in this outgoing call processing, the input of the dial signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is performed in the manner of making a call from the normal subscriber telephone terminal 20 using the general telephone line network (dial button push). The input dial signal is transmitted to the transmission / reception processing unit 11 via the USB device 100. The transmission / reception processing unit 11 analyzes the dial information and determines the connection form with the other party subscriber telephone terminal based on the setting information stored in the D / B 13 (step ST700). For example, if “*” is pressed at the beginning of dialing, the process proceeds as a PC conference system. If “#” is pressed, a PC conference system using a general telephone line (general telephone line is connected). If the voice call used and the data transmission / reception using the IP network are performed at the same time), and nothing is pressed, a normal voice call using a general telephone line without using the PC conference system Only the process proceeds. When the voice call is processed only on the general telephone line without using the PC conference system, the switch SW is turned on (step ST721). Then, the dial signal is directly transferred to the telephone line jack via the switch SW and a voice call is performed between the subscriber telephone terminals (step ST722).

  On the other hand, when processed as a PC conference system (switch SW is in an OFF state), a dial signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is transferred to the receiving / sending processor 11. The call transmission / reception processing unit 11 refers to the conversion table of the D / B 13 and converts the dialed number into connection destination information (such as an IP address) of the PC conference system (step ST701). Based on the converted connection destination information, the connection processing unit 15 issues a connection request to the counterpart PC (step ST702). When the connection by the IP network (IP telephone line) is established, the voice call signal from the subsequent subscriber telephone terminal 20 is transferred to the voice processing unit 14 and input from the I / F 16 to enable transmission / reception of voice data. The data format is converted together with the data to be processed (step ST703). The transmission / reception of the converted data is repeated until the PC conference ends or an interrupt processing request is generated (step ST704).

  When processing is performed as a PC conference system using a general telephone line (switch SW is in an OFF state), the dial signal is converted into connection destination information by the transmission / reception processing unit 11 (step ST711), and a connection request is sent to the counterpart PC. Is issued (step ST712), the dial information is transferred to the general telephone line via the USB device 100 (step ST715). After the connection is established, the voice call signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is transferred from the receiving / sending processor 11 to the general telephone line via the USB device 100, and the subscriber telephone terminals using the general telephone line are connected to each other. Is performed (step ST716). At this time, the audio processing unit 14 of the PC conference system does not process the data. In the PC conference system, data conversion and data transmission / reception other than audio data are repeated until the PC conference ends or an interrupt processing request is generated (steps ST713 and ST714). Such a connection form is very effective in reducing each resource processing load in the network 1.

  Next, in the reception process (step ST8), each process is sequentially performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining reception processing in the PC conference system according to the present invention.

  In this reception process, the transmission / reception processing unit 11 analyzes the received signal (step ST800), and determines whether a call request using a general telephone line from the line jack or a connection request from the other party's PC conference system.

  If the incoming / outgoing processing unit 11 determines that it is a normal call request using a general telephone line, if the PC conference is in progress (step ST811), the incoming / outgoing processing unit 11 notifies the subscriber telephone terminal 20 of the incoming call (subscriber After ringing the telephone terminal 20 (step ST812), the voice communication between the subscriber telephone terminals becomes possible (step ST813). If the PC conference is not in progress (step ST811), the voice call signal from the general telephone line is transferred to the subscriber telephone terminal 20 from the transmission / reception processing unit 11 or via the switch SW in the USB device 100. When the handset is picked up (connection is permitted), a voice call becomes possible (step ST813).

  On the other hand, when the transmission / reception processing unit 11 determines that the connection request is received from the other party's PC conference system, the transmission / reception processing unit 11 first converts the received signal into dial information (step ST801), and sends it to the subscriber telephone terminal 20. An incoming call is notified (step ST802). When the handset is picked up (connection is allowed), a connection is established (PC conference system is connected). Thereafter, the voice signal is transferred from the transmission / reception processing unit 11 to the subscriber telephone terminal 20. During this PC conference, the voice call signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is transferred to the voice processing unit 14, and the data format is converted together with the data input from the I / F 16 to enable transmission / reception of voice data. It is performed (step ST803). The transmission / reception of the converted data is repeated until the PC conference ends or an interrupt processing request is generated (step ST804).

  In the PC conference system according to this embodiment, it is possible to switch between a general telephone line and an IP telephone line during a conference at an arbitrary timing.

  For example, a case where a request for switching from an IP telephone line to a general telephone line occurs during a voice call in a PC conference will be described. Such a switching request is made by pushing a dial from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 during a voice call or by operating the I / F 16 in the PC 10 so that the telephone number of the connection partner is received by the call transmission / reception processing unit 11 of the PC conference system. Is generated. Then, based on the dial signal generated in this way, a call is made from the USB device 100 to the other party through a general telephone line. At the same time, the data conversion process in the voice processing unit 14 is canceled, and the voice signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 is sent to the general telephone line.

  On the other hand, a request for switching from a general telephone line to an IP telephone line during a voice call in a PC conference is also made by pushing a dial from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 during a voice call or by operating the I / F 16 in the PC 10. In the system transmission / reception processing unit 11, a disconnection signal to the general telephone line is generated. This switching instruction signal is sent to the general telephone line via the USB device 100. At the same time, voice information from the other party telephone terminal and voice information from one's own subscriber telephone terminal 20 are processed by the voice processing unit 14, and the voice is transmitted through the other party telephone terminal and one's own subscriber telephone terminal 20. Exchanged.

  In the above embodiment, the cable from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the telephone line jack is connected to the PC 10 via the USB device 100 shown in FIG. The USB device 100 shown in FIG. 8 includes a connector unit 110 and a USB device main body 120 with an authentication function. The connector unit 110 is electrically connected to the interfaces 111a and 111b for electrically connecting the cable extending from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the cable from the telephone line jack, respectively, and the interfaces 123a and 123b of the USB device main body 120. Terminals 112a and 112b to be connected are provided. The USB device main body 120 is provided with a terminal 124 for USB connection with the PC 10 and an input window 121 for reading fingerprint information from a human finger 122, for example.

  As described above, the connector unit 110 has a structure that can be attached to the USB device main body 120 with a single touch. The connector unit 110 can be connected directly to the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and a general telephone line. A switch SW is provided (note that the switch SW is provided in the USB device main body 120 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4). When the connector unit 110 is attached to the USB device main body 120, signals from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the line jack are connected to target signal lines in the USB device main body 120, respectively. On the other hand, when the connector unit 110 is removed from the USB device main body 120, the signal from the subscriber telephone terminal 20 and the line jack is directly connected inside the connector unit 110. As a result, even when the connector unit 110 is removed from the USB device main body 120, a voice call using a general telephone line can be performed without connecting or disconnecting a cable from the telephone line jack.

In addition, when a mobile phone is used as the subscriber telephone terminal 20, a wired connection to the USB device 100 and a wireless connection such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA (infrared communication) can be considered. At that time, instead of the biometric authentication in the USB device 100, it is possible to perform authentication using a unique number (manufacturing number or the like) of the mobile phone. If the USB device 100 does not have a biometric authentication function, if the password number is input by pushing the dial button of the telephone, the information is transferred to the authentication processing unit 12 via the transmission / reception processing unit 11. It is also possible to perform authentication.

  From the above description of the present invention, it is apparent that the present invention can be modified in various ways. Such modifications cannot be construed as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

It is a figure which shows the general structure of the PC conference system in which the data transmission / reception between several PC is performed via the network containing a subscriber telephone line network. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the physical connection state at the time of the voice call by a subscriber telephone terminal, and the data communication between PCs. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the terminal structure in the PC conference system concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure of the terminal in the PC conference system shown by FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole operation | movement of the PC conference system based on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the transmission process in the PC conference system based on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reception process in the PC conference system based on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the USB apparatus applicable in the terminal side of the PC conference system based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network 10, 10a, 10b ... PC (personal computer: a part of network terminal), 11 ... Transmission / reception processing part, 12 ... Authentication processing part, 13 ... D / B (database), 14 ... Voice processing part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Connection processing part, 20, 20a, 20b ... Subscriber telephone terminal (TEL: a part of network terminal), 30, 30a, 30b ... Splitter, 40a, 40b ... Provider, 100 ... USB device, 110 ... Connector, 120 ... USB device body with authentication function, 150 ... PC body.

Claims (2)

A PC conference system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of terminals using a network including a general telephone line network in which subscriber telephone terminals are connected one-to-one.
At least one of the plurality of terminals is
An incoming / outgoing transmission processing unit that analyzes a dial signal that is input from the terminal of the subscriber telephone and that includes selection information for selecting a connection form with a partner terminal;
A voice processing unit that converts a voice electrical signal transferred from the transmission / reception processing unit into a data format that can be transmitted and received between the plurality of terminals;
Via the network to establish a connection between said other terminal, by repeating transmission and reception of data converted by the voice processing unit capable of sending and receiving format among the plurality of terminals, of its own the directory telephone A connection processing unit that enables a call between a terminal and the counterpart terminal ;
A switch for connecting or disconnecting the terminal of the subscriber telephone and the general telephone line network in accordance with an instruction signal from the transmission / reception processing unit;
The reception / transmission processing unit outputs a connection instruction signal to the switch based on the input selection information, or outputs a disconnection instruction signal to the switch and the terminal of the subscriber telephone. A PC conferencing system, wherein a voice electric signal is transferred to either the general telephone network or the voice processing unit. At least one of the plurality of terminals includes a database that stores in advance authentication data of conference participants who can use the PC conference system, and whether or not a user of the subscriber telephone is a conference participant The PC conference system according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication processing unit that determines an authentication based on authentication data stored in the database.

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