JPH01164184A - Video conference switching control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To economize a video circuit and a video device by arbitrarily selecting, connecting and switching TV conference devices in respective grounds at the center ground of star composition. CONSTITUTION:The title system is equipped with a switching device and a controller to arrange three or more plural grounds 1-(n) into a star shape with a video circuit L, to select grounds to participate in a TV conference out of all the grounds except a section 1 to be the center of the video circuit, to switch-connect the selected ground to the section 1, and to display the video of an uttering ground for other participating grounds. Thus, the TV conference among plural grounds can be executed with 2X(n-1)-number video circuits, (n)-number TV conference device, and one switching device and controller respectively. Thus, the TV conference can be executed with a low cost and fewer video circuits, and it can be economical and easier to operate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field to Which the Invention Pertains) The present invention relates to a video conference switching control system, and particularly to switching between a central location and other locations of a video channel configured in a star shape.

(Prior Art) In a conventional television (TV) conference system, TV conference devices between two points are connected through a video line, and a TV conference is held between the two points. Therefore, in order to conduct the test at three or more locations using conventional equipment.

For example, if there are five destinations as shown in Figure 7, it is necessary to set destinations 1, 2, and 5 in a mesh pattern, and to set up the TV conference device 1 at both terminals of each video line. be. Here, IA is an imaging unit (also equipped with a microphone),
1B is a display unit (also equipped with a speaker), which requires the number of ground units (four devices in this example).

That is, this system cannot be implemented unless 2XnC2 (n: number of ground points) video ports ML and 2XnC2 TV conference devices 1 are installed, which has the disadvantage of requiring a large amount of expense and installation space.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a switching control system that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional technology and that allows video conferencing services between at least three or more locations with simple operations.

(Structure of the Invention) (Characteristics of the Invention and Differences from the Prior Art) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention configures at least three or more points in a star shape with a video line, and the center of the video line. The main feature is that the site that participates in the TV conference is locally selected from among all the other sites and switched and connected, and the image of the speaking site is displayed on the other participating sites.

Therefore, the present invention differs from the prior art in that it has a function of configuring the video line in a star configuration and arbitrarily connecting and switching the TV conference devices at each destination at a central location in the star configuration.

(Example) In Figure 1, among multiple stations 1 to n, station 1 is the center of the video line, and the other stations 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 and 10, and/or 10 n/s
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a TV conference system configured in a star shape.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the configuration of ground 1, ground 2, ... ground n in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows the operation display panel of the controller ID for the central ground of ground 1, and Fig. 4 shows the control display panel for ground ground 1. 2... Ground n
Each side of the operation panel of the controller 2D...nD is shown.

In Fig. 2, IA at ground level 1 is equipped with an imaging section and a microphone, and IB is equipped with a display section and a speaker.
B constitutes a TV conference device IC.

Similarly, for ground 2 . . . ground n, 2A, 3A, .

Next, unlike other terminals, the terminal 1 includes a video device IG such as a video deck consisting of a video input section IE and a video output section IF, and a video line switching device 11. Equipped with a controller ID for remote control at a TV conference table. This switching device 11 has functions such as receiving electrical signals from each destination, identifying each destination and signal content, voice synthesis, priority connection order processing, etc. This controller I
The details of D are shown in FIG. 3, including a display unit 12 that lights up a light emitting diode indicating the video line connection status, a group designation key 13, a TV conference participant designation key 14,
A key for specifying the speaking area 15 and a key for specifying the video area 1
6 and an operation display panel 17 for specifying the video device.

In addition, the ground 2, ground 3, . . . n, other than the ground 1, have controllers 2D, 3D, . ,
It includes a speech input key 20 and a video target input key 21.

These controllers ID', 2D, .
Specify the participating site, speaking site, video site, and video device, and on the controller 2D...nD, specify the TV conference group, participate, speak, and video device, and select the video line. Switched and connected.

(A) Operation example 1 Next, as an example of the operation of this embodiment, ground 1 (hosting ground), ground 2. Ground 4. This section describes how to switch between video and audio when holding a TV conference with Group A on the ground. Note that FIG. 5 shows the display state of the controller ID on the display unit 12, and the horizontal axis indicates each of the above-mentioned bases 1, 4, 2, 3, . k, and the vertical axis indicates the time, video, and audio display portions of each of the keystroke keys 14 to 17, and the numerical symbols within the frame indicate the status of each location of the video and audio.

(In the case of video) Specify the participating site using the keypad 14 of the controller ID of site 1 (host site). When you first press the key for the ground 19 and then the ground 4, the switching device 11 operates and the image pickup section IA of the ground 1 and the ground 4 are pressed.
display unit 4B and video input unit IE of ground 1,
At the same time that the imaging section 4A of the terminal 1 and the display section IB of the ground 1 are connected, the line connection status is displayed on the display section 12 (FIG. 3). Further, the image of the imaging unit IA of the ground 1 is displayed on the display unit 4B of the ground 4 and the video input unit IE, and the image of the imaging unit 4A of the ground 4 is displayed on the display unit IB of the ground 1, respectively.

Next, when the keypad 2 is pressed with the keystroke key 14, the switching device 11
The imaging unit IA at ground level 1 and the ground level 4. Each display part 4B of ground 2
, 2B and the video input unit IE of the ground 1 are connected, and at the same time the line connection status is displayed on the display unit 12, and the line connection status is displayed on the display unit 12. Ground 2
The display units 4B and 2B and the image input unit IE of the ground 1 display the image of the image pickup unit IA of the ground 1.

Thereafter, press the key 14 in the same manner as the ground 3. When the keys for the destination K are pressed one after another, the switching device 11 establishes a line connection and at the same time displays the line connection status on the display unit 12. Ground 2.
Ground 3. The image of the ground 1 is displayed on each display unit 4B, 2B, 3B, kB on the ground and the image input unit IE of the ground 1.

At this time, when you press the video destination designation key 16 for the ground 3, the switching device 11 switches the imaging section 4A of the ground 4 to the imaging section 3A of the ground 3, and displays the image capturing section 3A of the ground 3 and the display section IB of the ground 1. At the same time as the connection is made, the line connection status is displayed on the display unit 12, and the image pickup unit I of the ground 3 is displayed on the display unit IB of the ground 1.
Display the image of A.

Next, when the person on the other end 2 speaks, the person to speak is specified using the keystroke 15. That is, when you press the key on the ground 2, the switching device 11 switches the line, and the imaging unit 2A of the ground 2 and the ground 1, 3, 4 are connected.
．． Each display section IB, 3B.

4B, kB, and the video input unit IE of the ground 1, the imaging unit IA of the ground 1, and the display unit 2B of the ground 2 are connected, and at the same time, the line connection status is displayed on the display unit 12, and the line connection status is displayed on the display unit 12. ．． Each display section IB.

3B, 4B, kB and the video input unit IE of the ground 1 display the video of the imaging unit 2A of the ground 2, and the display unit 2B of the ground 2 displays the video of the imaging unit IA of the ground 1.

In the same manner, when the user presses the key 15 to indicate the destination that has spoken, the switching device 11 switches the line and at the same time displays the message on the display section 12, and displays the image on the image input section IE of the site 1 and the display section of the site 1. The image of the image pickup unit IA of the site 1 that spoke is displayed on the display unit of the site that spoke (if the site 1 spoke, the image of the image pickup unit of the site that was pressed with the key input key 16).

Also, when the key 17 is pressed, the switching device 11 switches the line between the video input section IE of the terminal 1 and the terminal 1゜2.3,
4. At the same time as connecting the display section of the terminal and the video input section IE on the ground, the line connection status is displayed on the display section 12, and the line connection status is displayed on the display section 12. Display section and video input section IE and video output section I
Display the image of F.

Next, if, for example, the destination 3 gets off the TV conference during the meeting, if the destination 3 is pressed again using the keystroke key 14, the switching device 11 will display the imaging unit IA of the destination 1 that is currently displayed on the display section 3B of the destination 3. At the same time, this is displayed on the display section 12, and the image display on the display section 3B of the ground 3 is cut off. Furthermore, even if the user presses the addressee 3 using the addressee designation key 15, the switching device 11 does not switch the line.

(In the case of audio) Press the keystroke 14 to press the ground 1. Next, when you press the key for the ground 4, the switching device 11 displays the image capture unit 4A of the ground 4 on the display section IB of the ground 1.
The audio of the imaging unit IA of the ground 1 is sent to the display unit 4B of the ground 4, and the audio of the imaging unit IA of the ground 1 and ground 4 is sent to the video input unit IE.
, 4A are output, respectively, to the video input unit IE of the ground 1 and the display unit 4B of the ground 4.

Next, when the keypad 2 is pressed with the keystroke key 14, the switching device 11
At the display section IB of the ground 1, the ground 4. Each imaging unit 4A on the ground 2
, 2A is displayed on the display unit 4B of the ground 4. Each imaging unit IA on the ground 2.

2A's synthesized voice is displayed on the display section 2B of ground 2.
．． The synthesized audio from each of the imaging units IA and 4A on the ground 4 is sent to the video input unit IE on the ground 1. Ground 4. The synthesized audio of each imaging unit IA, 4A, 2A of the ground 2 is outputted, and the video input unit IE of the ground 1, the video input unit IE of the ground 4. It is output to each display section 4B, 2B on the ground 2.

Below, the same applies to ground 3. When you press the key 14 on the ground k, the switching device 11 synthesizes the audio, and displays the synthesized audio from the imaging units of the ground other than your own on the display section of each ground, and displays it on the video input section IE of the ground 1. The synthesized sounds of the imaging units at each ground are output respectively.

Next, when the key 17 is pressed, the switching device 11 synthesizes the audio, and displays the synthesized audio of the image pickup unit of the destination other than the own destination and the video output unit IF of the destination 1 on the display unit of each destination, as the video input. The synthesized audio from the imaging unit and video output unit IF of each ground is output to the unit IE.

In addition, if, for example, the destination 3 gets off the TV conference during the meeting, if the destination 3 is pressed again using the keystroke key, the switching device 1
In Step 1, disconnect the TV conferencing device 2C at ground 3, and display the synthesized audio from the imaging units of the own ground and the ground 3 except for ground 3 on the display section of each ground, and send the audio synthesized by the imaging units of the ground 1 and the ground 3 to the video input unit IE of ground 1, excluding ground 3. The audio synthesized by the imaging unit on the ground is output, and
The audio output to the display section 3B is turned off.

(B) Operation example 2 The above description has been made using the system configuration of FIG. 2 with the host site 1 as the host site and the controller ID at the host site 1 in FIG. 3. For example, if the host site 5 is the host site, The case where a TV conference is held in group B of n will be mainly described with reference to the controller 2D=nD in FIG. Note that FIG. 6 shows an example of the display on the display unit 12 at the ground level 1 at this time.

(In the case of video) For example, 5. When the key 19 for participating in a TV conference on the controllers 5D, nD, and 6D (Fig. 4) is pressed at each of the terminals in the order of terminal n and terminal 6, the switching device 1 of terminal 1
The signal is transmitted to Station 1, and in the order in which it is received, it is identified as the originating station and the TV participation signal, and the line is connected in the same way as when Station 1 is the host site, and at the same time, the line is displayed on the display unit 12 of Station 1. View connection status. However, the imaging unit 5 on the ground 5
The video input section IE of A and ground 1 is not connected. And 6. The image of the imaging section 5A of the ground 5 is displayed on each display section 6B, nB of the ground n, and the image of the imaging section nA of the ground n is displayed on the display section 5B of the ground 5, respectively.

When the key 21 of the ground 5 is pressed for the ground 6, the image of the imaging unit 6A of the ground 6 is displayed on the display section 5B of the ground 5, similarly to when the ground 1 is the host venue. T at the same time at 6° above the ground and n above the ground
When the V-conference participation key 19 is pressed, the switching device 11 for station 1 processes station 6, which has a preset high priority, first, and then processes station n first.

Next, if the person on the ground 6 wants to speak, press key 2 for speaking on the ground 6.
When the key 0 is pressed, the signal is transmitted to the switching device 11 of the terminal 1, identifies that it is a speech signal of the speech terminal, performs one line switching, and displays it on the display section of the terminal 1 at the same time. However, the imaging section 6A on the ground 6 and the video input section IE on the ground 1 are not connected. and.

Against the ground 5. The image of the imaging unit 6A of the ground 6 is displayed on each display unit 5B of the ground n, nB, and the image capturing unit 5 of the ground 5 is displayed on the display unit 6B of the ground 6.
The images of A are displayed respectively. Further, when the user presses the key 21 of the user base 6 to press the key 21 of the user base 6, the image of the imaging unit nA of the user base n is displayed on the display unit 6B of the user base 6.

In the same way, when you press the key 20 at the site where you want to speak, the switching device 11 switches the line, and the image from the image pickup unit of the site where you spoke is displayed on the display section of the site where you want to speak. The image from the imaging unit on the ground where you pressed the key is displayed.
Display each. Also, 6. When the keys 20 are pressed simultaneously on the station n, the switching device 11 performs processing on the station 6, which has a higher priority.

Next, when, for example, the station n leaves the TV conference during the conference, when the power of the controller nD at the station n is turned off, a signal is transmitted to the switching device 11 at the station 1.

The switching device 11 identifies that it is a power OFF signal from the destination terminal, disconnects the line, and at the same time displays the display unit 1 of the destination terminal 1.
2, and the video display on the display section nB of the ground n is turned off.

(In the case of audio) 5. Against the ground 6. Controllers 5D and 6 of each ground in the order of ground n
When you press key 19 for D and nD to participate in the TV conference,
The signal is transmitted to the switching device 11 of the destination ground 1, and the transmission destination
The V-conference participation signal is identified, and the synthesized audio of the imaging units of the other stations except for the own station is output to the display unit of each destination. In this case, it is not output to the display unit 5B on the ground 5.

Next, in the middle of the meeting, for example, when the destination N leaves the TV conference, when the power of the controller nD of the destination N is turned off, a signal is transmitted to the switching device 11, and it switches between the sending destination and the power OFF signal. The device identifies and displays the display 6B on the ground 6.
The audio of the imaging unit 5A of the ground 5 is output to the display unit 5B of the ground 5, and the audio of the imaging unit 6A of the ground 6 is output to the display unit 5B of the ground 5.
audio output to display section nB is turned off.

(1) Operation example 3 Next, regarding group selection when holding parallel TV conferences on the same day and at the same time, the controller ID and 2D =
The operation of the group designation keys 13 and 18 in nD will be described.

For example, press key 13 on the controller ID of ground 1 to
When the I+ key is pressed, the switching device 11 switches to the ground 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . from the operation example 1 described above. It interprets that k belongs to group A, and performs line switching within group A. Next, from the operation example 2 described above, in the case of a TV conference in which the host site is 5, when 118 I+ of each key press 18 is pressed on the controllers 5D, 6D, and nD of the sites 5 and 6°n, the switching device 1
1 is interpreted as ground 5,6°n yielding to group B, and line switching is performed within group B. Groups A and B at this time operate independently.

Also, if you press keys 13 and 18 without pressing the group, the switching bag [11 is 1, 2, 3, 4 degrees 5.6.
Then, n is interpreted as belonging to group A, and line switching is performed.

As described above, multiple destinations (at least three or more destinations) are configured in a star shape with video lines, and the destination that will participate in the TV conference is selected from among all other destinations and switched and connected to the central location of this video line. However, the video of the speaking site is displayed on other participating sites, thereby saving on video lines and TV video equipment at each site.

Further, the video line is not limited to a wired system, and the present invention can be easily implemented in a wireless system.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention is a method of arbitrarily selectively connecting and switching the TV conference devices at each destination from a center destination in a star configuration, so 2X(n-1) video lines, n TV on stand
With a conference device, one switching device, and a controller, it is possible to conduct a TV conference between multiple locations. This can be implemented with less expense and video line than conventional methods, and is economical and easy to operate.

In addition, the present invention adds an in-building simultaneous broadcast function to the video bag [111G] on the ground 1, and broadcasts the in-building broadcast to the ground other than the center ground.
Once a simultaneous broadcasting device is installed, by switching the video line to this device, it can be used for mTV broadcasting, for editing footage collected at each location, or for live broadcasting from a certain location. There are other uses.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of the TV conference system of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration for each terminal in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an example of a controller for the central terminal, and Fig. 4 is a control for systems other than the central terminal. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are examples of the display of operation examples 1 and 2, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional TV conference system. 1, IC...TV conference device, IA, 2A...nA
...Imaging section, IB, 2B...nB...Display section, I
E...Video input section, 1F...Video output section, IG...
・Video equipment. 10, 20... nD... Controller, 11... Switching device, 12... Line connection status display section, 13.18...
Group designation key, 14... TV conference participation location designation key, 15... Outgoing destination designation key, 16.
21...Video target designation key, 17...Video device designation key, 19...TV conference participation key, 20
...Outgoing keystroke key. Patent applicant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Figure 1 1A ↑Crow 1 I 1 Mother-in-law pot? IB Killing trunk ICNnC-TV & 8 to 10~nD Control base IE Blowing Figure 2 Figure 3 1.
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4B

Claims (1)

[Claims] Equipped with a TV conference device for at least three or more destinations connected to a video line configured in a star shape, and equipped with means for switching and connecting the video lines of all the destinations to one of the sites based on signals from each destination. . A TV conference switching control system characterized in that a video of a speaking site is outputted as video and audio to a TV conference device of other participating sites, and a TV conference is held between a plurality of sites.