JPH02126762A - Controller for telephone conference - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the reservation and registration of respective types of the conference and the change, correction, confirmation and the like by providing an interface board for receiving a signal connected to a telephone line, a personal computer to connect a telephone terminal for data communication and the like, and executing a control program to control the telephone conference. CONSTITUTION:The title device is provided with plural push-button signal type telephone terminals 1 assigned to respective members of plural conference participants, a host telephone terminal 3, a telephone conference device 2 to accommodate these telephone terminals 1 and 3 through a telephone network 4, a telephone terminal 5 to build in a modulator-demodulator provided at a host side and be able to transmit and receive data, and a personal computer 6 to connect a display device 8 to execute respective types of the data displaying while it is connected to the telephone terminal 5. An interface board 9 to receive the push-button signal during the telephone conference is provided at the extended slot. Thus, by the personal computer 6 to execute the progress reservation control of the telephone conference, the simplified reservation of the telephone conference can be executed and the conference progress during the telephone conference can be controlled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device that is connected to a teleconference device and manages the teleconference and reservations thereof. In particular, during a conference call using a point-to-point connection call, a push-button signal from a push-button dial telephone, etc.
By displaying the intention to respond, etc. and various instructions along with names, etc., and making reservations for meetings, confirmation of reservations, or cancellation of reservations for devices that manage conferences and teleconference devices,
The present invention relates to a management device that manages reservations for teleconference devices.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Teleconference devices have been put into practical use that allow conference calls between multiple people or between a specific party and multiple people by connecting them via telephone lines.

If you wish to use this telephone conference device to make a statement, disconnect a call, proceed with a call, or express your intentions during a conference when a line is connected between multiple people or between a specific party and multiple people, please follow the instructions below. There was a way.

■ A method of communicating this through voice, etc. during a call connection.

■ A method of communicating this using an image transmission device or a drawing communication home device (for example, Howday Mail, a product provided by the applicant) during a telephone call connection.

■ A method of communicating this by installing a dedicated communication line in addition to the telephone line.

In addition, in a system that connects multiple telephone terminals using a telephone conference device and conducts a telephone conference using two-way voice communication, the date and time of the conference and the telephone numbers of the participants can be transmitted to a telephone conference center located within a telephone office. There is a system for making reservations and registrations at this teleconference center, and when making reservations and registrations at this teleconference center, information such as the date and time of the meeting, the time of the meeting, the number of meeting members, and the telephone numbers of all members must be sent from a push-button dial telephone or push-button telephone. Connect the number to the above-mentioned teleconferencing device installed in the telephone office each time,
Reservations were made by sending that data.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, the above-mentioned method of expressing intentions such as making a statement and proceeding during a teleconference has the following problems.

First of all, in the method described in ①, which communicates the fact by voice etc. during a call, it must be done by interrupting the middle of the call. In this case, there is a problem that the audio etc. will be transmitted to everyone connected.

In addition, in the method of communicating this using an image transmission device or a drawing communication home device during a call connection as described in (8), both the sender and the receiver of comments, instructions, etc. are equipped with the same or equivalent or better equipment. Depending on the type of device, the call may be stopped while images and videos are being transmitted. C. In the case of a multi-person connection, the images and videos, etc. will be transmitted to everyone connected. There's a problem.

Furthermore, in the method of installing a dedicated contact line in addition to the call connection line and communicating this as described in (ii), it is necessary to install the contact dedicated line separately from the call line, making the system construction economical. It is not economical because both the sender and receiver of comments, instructions, etc. must be equipped with the same or equivalent or better lines. There is a problem in that it is necessary for the user to leave the conversation or the meeting, or for another person to take care of the processing, resulting in the user being unable to participate in the meeting.

In addition, when registering a reservation for a conference call at the conference center of a conference call device installed in a telephone office, a. Input errors are likely to occur. To correct input errors caused by erroneous operation, you must re-enter the information from the beginning. C. Confirmation of conference reservation registration is only possible by audio confirmation of the date and time of the conference and the number of participants. 2. When holding multiple teleconferences, the phone numbers and names of participating members cannot be confirmed on the teleconference device, which can lead to confusion. 5. Periodically. Even when holding a conference call with the same members, there was a problem in that the reservation operation had to be repeated each time using the button.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is possible to instantly identify statements made during a conference call, disconnection of a call, and expressions of intention such as proceeding, thereby easily managing the conference. It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone conference management device that can easily register various conference reservations for a conference device and confirm changes and corrections thereto.

[Means for solving problems]

The management device of the present invention is connected to a teleconferencing device that interconnects a plurality of telephones as terminal devices, and when a specific party is connected to a line between multiple people, the management device can make a statement, disconnect a call, give instructions for proceeding with a conference, or A telephone conference management device including means for expressing intention, comprising a storage device for storing conference participant information, and receiving means for receiving an identification signal transmitted from a telephone terminal of a specific party or an unspecified party; The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for searching the sender's information by referring to the storage device from the identification signal received by the receiving means, and a display means for displaying the search results of this means.

Further, the management device of the present invention is connected to a teleconferencing device that interconnects a plurality of telephones as terminal devices, and registers reservations of information including the date of the conference and participant phone numbers with respect to the teleconferencing device. or a teleconference management device including means for changing the reservation registration, an input means for inputting reservation registration data for the teleconference device, and a storage means for storing the reservation registration data input by the input means; means for changing, canceling, or deleting the reservation registration data stored in the storage means; and means for transmitting reservation registration data to the teleconference device using the data stored in the storage means to register the reservation. , and display means for displaying the stored contents of the storage means in accordance with the operation of the input means.

[Effect]

The management device for a teleconference device of the present invention manages a teleconference reservation process and conference progress management using a personal computer connected to a signal receiving interface port connected to a telephone line and a data communication telephone terminal. This is done by running a control program.

First, the reservation process for a telephone conference involves inputting reservation registration data including a list of participant members into this personal computer, storing it in a storage device, and changing, adding, and editing the data.
The user can delete the reservation data, register the created reservation data in the teleconference device from the data communication telephone terminal, confirm the reservation registration, or cancel the reservation.

In addition, conference progress management involves receiving information such as participants' wishes to speak as identification signals via telephone lines, converting this received signal into a digital signal at an interface port, inputting it to a personal computer, and converting this received signal into a digital signal. The conference participant database created in advance is searched for the identification signal sender, displayed on the display device of the personal convenience store, and the progress of the conference is managed by giving instructions for opportunities to speak.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a telephone conference system constructed by connecting a telephone conference device management device of the present invention to a telephone conference device.

This telephone conference system includes a plurality of push-button signal telephone terminals 1 assigned to each member of a plurality of conference participants.
, a host telephone terminal 3, a telephone conference device 2 installed in a telephone office that accommodates these plurality of telephone terminals via a telephone wJ4, and a telephone conference device 2 installed on the host side and equipped with a built-in modem. A telephone terminal 5 capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a personal computer 6 connected to the telephone terminal 5 and a display device 8 for displaying various data are connected to the telephone line of the host telephone terminal 3. ing. This personal computer 6 includes an interface board 9 that receives push button signals from participants in a telephone conference and converts them into data that can be processed by the personal computer 6, and stores information related to the telephone conference that is input by the personal computer 6. It has a built-in storage device 7.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the personal computer 6 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an interface board 9 inserted into an expansion slot of the present invention, connected to a telephone line, and receiving push button signals during a conference call.

This interface board 9 has an input terminal 11 of a modular jack connected to a telephone line, and this input terminal 1.
an insulating section 12 that is connected to the main interface board 1 and isolates the telephone line from the main interface board 9 in terms of direct current; an amplifying section 13 that is connected to the insulating section 12 and amplifying the input signal; and an input signal amplified by the amplifying section 13. an analog/digital converter 14 that converts the digital signal into an analog/digital signal; and a personal convenience store interface that converts the digital signal converted by the analog/digital converter 14 into a numerical value and connects it to the terminal 18 in the expansion slot of the personal computer 6. It is composed of a numerical value conversion section 15 that inputs input to the ace section 17, and a timing control section 16 that controls the timing of the numerical value conversion section 15 and the personal computer interface section 17 based on the timing signal extracted from the analog-to-digital conversion section 14. .

The present invention is characterized by connecting a display device 8 to a telephone terminal 5 which has a built-in modulation/demodulation device and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the teleconference device 2, as well as receiving push button signals during a teleconference. A management device is constructed in which an interface board 9 is installed in the expansion slot, and a personal computer 6 is used to manage and manage reservations for a conference call, thereby making it possible to make a simple reservation for a conference call and to control the progress of the conference during the conference call. It is in.

Next, the operation of the management device of the telephone conference device of this embodiment will be explained.

First, the operation of the telephone conference reservation process by this management device will be explained.

The operations of this telephone conference reservation process are performed in the following order: starting up the personal computer 6, reading and executing a control program, creating a list of telephone conference members and recording it, connecting to the telephone conference device 2, and inputting various data. After calling the host and each member, the process shifts to the teleconference progress management process of instructing the start of the conference, calling additional members, and displaying speakers.

An example of this telephone conference reservation processing operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the power of the personal computer 6 is turned on, and a simple telephone conference reservation program is read into the main memory of the personal computer 6 from the built-in storage device 7. When this program is loaded, the program automatically starts controlling and a selection menu is displayed on the display device 8 in a conversational response format.

Then, according to the displayed selection menu, the user selects to create a list of teleconference members by key input. When the creation is completed, the list is automatically stored in the storage device 7 as a file. Once this file is created, it can be used repeatedly and its contents can be changed at any time, and the list contents confirmation mode, list change, addition, and deletion mode can be selected using the conversation response format selection menu mentioned above. .

Next, the conference reservation mode is selected by key input, and the conference start date and time, conference start time, and calling method (for example, - batch or sequential calling method) are input.

After that, press the call key on the telephone terminal 5, confirm the dial tone from the central office, and then press the return key on the personal computer 6. The personal computer 6 is automatically connected to the teleconference device 2. Automatic registration is performed via the telephone terminal 5 capable of transmitting data to the telephone conference device 2 according to the settings of various data related to the telephone conference reservation created in the device 7 .

The telephone terminal 5 manages the operation of converting the digital signals of various registration data sent from the personal computer 6 into analog signals and inputting them to the teleconference device 2. When the input of various data to the teleconference device 2 is completed, the user listens to audio guidance from the teleconference device to confirm the registered contents, and the teleconference reservation registration process is completed.

Note that the reservation registration can be canceled by setting the program to reservation cancellation mode, transmitting reservation cancellation data to the teleconference device 2 via the telephone terminal 5, and canceling the reservation registration data.

Next, a description will be given of the teleconference management processing operation.

First, when the telephone conference reservation date and time comes, the telephone conference device 2 automatically calls the host's telephone terminal 3.

The host of the conference call responds to this call by calling the telephone terminal 5.
By operating the call key, the user can hear the call voice guidance and waiting tone from the telephone conference device 2 through the speaker of the telephone terminal 5 without picking up the receiver.

When the telephone conference device 2 confirms the response from the host's telephone terminal 3, it starts calling each member's telephone terminal 1. This situation can be heard on the telephone terminal 5 on the host side.

After the host hears on the telephone terminal 5 that each member's call has been completed, the personal computer 6 sends a teleconference start signal to the teleconference device 2 via the telephone terminal 5, thereby starting the teleconference. becomes possible.

Additional calls during a conference call can be made in a short time by selecting the additional call mode of the program of the personal combicoater 6 and performing operations similar to those in the conference reservation registration mode described above.

Next, the operation of displaying speakers in a telephone conference by this management device will be described.

A personal number is assigned to each member in advance, and when a person wishing to speak enters his or her own personal number from a push-button signal type telephone terminal during a conference call, the signal is sent via the telephone network 4 and the conference call device 2. is received by the interface port 9 of the personal computer 6.

This individual number from the person wishing to speak is amplified by the amplifier 913 via the insulator 12 of the interface board 9, and then converted into a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter 14. This digital signal is converted into a numerical value by a numerical conversion section 15, and is taken into the main body of the personal computer 6 via a personal computer interface section 17. This interface board 9 is coupled to the main body of the personal computer 6 through a terminal 18 in the personal computer expansion slot. Note that the timing control section 16 of the interface board 9 operates the numerical value conversion section 15 only when a signal is input from the telephone line, or -
It has a function of instructing the numerical value conversion unit 15 about the opportunity to delete the received contents before the cycle.

Based on the individual number (digital signal) data taken into the personal computer 6 by the operation of the interface board 9, the personal computer 6 searches speaker data stored in the storage device 7 using its control program. Then, the search result data is sequentially displayed on the display device 8.

In accordance with this display, the host who is in charge of proceeding with the teleconference nominates a speaker by voice and proceeds with the conference.

This speaker display is, for example, number 12 is Mr. A, number 53 is Mr. B.
When Mr. A inputs "12*" from the telephone terminal 1, the personal computer 6 accordingly displays on the display device 8 "No. 12 Name - 8 Company Officer Number of times spoken 3 times..."" is displayed.

In this case, by changing the numbering method, for example, 00* - Request for rest 88* 53* - Leaving midway Name of person leaving B99*
- It can be used in a variety of screen displays, such as giving instructions on how the proceedings will proceed.

The teleconference is terminated by the host selecting the end mode on the menu screen and pressing the call key on the telephone terminal 5 to release the telephone line from the teleconference device 2.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example of the speaker display processing operation performed by the management device of this telephone conference device.

Note that the registration of a conference reservation in the teleconference device 2 through the operations of the personal computer 6 and telephone terminal 5 described above can be performed not only by specifying the date and time, but also by registering the teleconference on the spot. That is, from the telephone conference device 2 to the host telephone terminal 3
An immediate call mode such as calling each member's telephone terminal 1, automatic cancellation of registration contents to the teleconference device, and automatic confirmation of registration contents can also be easily realized by selecting from the menu screen.

The speaker display device consisting of the personal computer 6, the storage device 7, the display device 8, and the interface board 9 for receiving push button signals can be installed not only on the host but also on each member side, for example. In this case, it is possible to perform the above-mentioned instruction to speak and other exchanges without using voice.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the telephone conference management device of the present invention includes:
It can be connected to the existing public telephone network and used flexibly to manage the progress of conference calls and to register reservations for conference calls.

Processing is performed using a personal computer, screen, and conversation response system, so when registering for a conference call, it is possible to eliminate input errors when inputting pre-created data into the conference phone device. , can be performed using only one menu, so the creation of various input data and the registration operation to the teleconference device do not require any skill and can be performed quickly. Furthermore, the various data created and stored in the storage device can be used any number of times, so if you hold regular conference calls with the same members, you no longer have to enter the data each time, and you can reuse the data. .

Further, since data can be changed, added, deleted, etc. quickly and easily, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes and additions to members of a teleconference.

Furthermore, with the management device of the present invention, it is possible to receive requests to speak from conference call participants using push button signals, and to communicate by giving instructions for speaking. It is possible to express one's intention to speak in a telephone conference and to proceed with the conference without preparing equipment or lines. Moreover, there is an advantage that no special equipment is required since a normal push-button signal type telephone terminal is used.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment conference telephone system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer interface board according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the conference reservation management operation of the management device of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the conference progress management operation of the management device of this embodiment. 1.3.5...Telephone terminal, 2...Telephone conference device, 4
Talk about...L 6...Personal Combination Two-Year, 7.
... Storage device, 8... Display device, 9... Interface board, 11... Input terminal, 12... Insulating section,
13... Amplification section, 14... Analog-digital conversion section, 15... Numerical conversion section, 16... Timing control section, 17... Personal computer interface L 18... Inside personal computer expansion slot terminal. Patent Applicant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Agent Patent Attorney Nao Ide

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Connected to a teleconference device that interconnects multiple telephones as terminal devices, and in a state where a line is connected between a specific party and a large number of people, instructions for making a statement, disconnecting a call, and proceeding with a conference are provided. Alternatively, a telephone conference management device including a means for expressing an intention is provided with a storage device for storing conference participant information, and a receiving means for receiving an identification signal transmitted from a telephone terminal of a specific party or an unspecified party. , a control means for searching the sender's information by referring to the storage device from the identification signal received by the receiving means; and a display means for displaying the search results of the means. Management device. 2. Connected to a teleconferencing device that interconnects multiple telephones as terminal devices, and making reservation registrations or changes to the reservation registration of information including the conference date and participant telephone numbers to the teleconference device. A telephone conference management device including a means for conducting a conference call, an input means for inputting reservation registration data for the telephone conference device, a storage means for storing reservation registration data input by the input means, and a storage device for storing reservation registration data input by the input means; a means for changing, canceling, or deleting reservation registration data; a means for transmitting reservation registration data to the teleconference device using data stored in the storage means to register the reservation; and a means for operating the input means. Accordingly, a telephone conference management device characterized by comprising display means for displaying the contents stored in the storage means.