JPH02291727A - Multi-spot information transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the sense of intimacy and presence between a studio a transmitting station and a remote station by transmitting the back-up voices to the remote station from the transmitter station and the video signals to the transmitter station from the remote station respectively in addition to the transmission of the information including the video and sound signals. CONSTITUTION:A high speed wide band communication network 1 contains a back-up voice circuit 5 which transmits sound signals to the remote stations 4-1 to 4-n from a transmitter station 3. The UP circuit of the circuit 5 is used for the video signals which are sent to the station 3 from the stations 4-1 to 4-n. These stations 4-1 to 4-n outputs the voices received from the circuit 5 when they are unable to receive signals from the network 1. Furthermore the stations 4-1 to 4-n transmits the video signals of a remote classroom to the station 3 via the UP circuit of the circuit 5. Thus the station 3 selects one of those video signals received from the stations 4-1 to 4-n and can monitor the scenes of each spot.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multipoint information transmission device that transmits the same information from one transmitting station to a plurality of remote stations. The present invention is suitable for use at the Open University.

〔overview〕

The present invention provides a multipoint information transmission device that transmits the same information from one transmitting station to a plurality of remote stations, in which the audio signal included in the information is separately transmitted from the transmitting station to the remote stations, and the line By sending video signals from the remote station to the transmitting station using the uplink, it is possible to at least receive audio at the remote station even if a line failure occurs, and it also improves the sense of intimacy between the transmitting station and the remote station. This enhances the sense of realism.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a conventional multipoint information transmission device.

The transmitting station 3 transmits the video signal and the audio signal to the high-speed broadband communication network 1 via the switching station 2-0.

The remote remote stations 4-1 to 4-n are each connected to the switching center 2.
-1 to 2-n, receive video signals and audio signals from the high-speed broadband communication network 1.

The transmitting station 3 is, for example, a broadcasting station of the Open University of Japan, and transmits an image of a lecturer in a studio, a picture of calligraphy, or images of both together with audio. The remote station is, for example, a remote classroom or the student's own receiving equipment, and the lecture can be received here.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, with such conventional multipoint information transmission equipment, if an abnormality occurs in the transmitter on the transmitting side, or if a problem occurs in the satellite line at a remote location when using the satellite line, the remote station cannot receive the information. When a student becomes disabled, they are unable to receive any information about it, and in the case of the Open University of Japan, for example, they are unable to attend lectures. Furthermore, since information is transmitted in one direction from the transmitting station to the remote station, there is a drawback that there is no sense of closeness or presence between the remote location and the transmitting station.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an effective and efficient multipoint information transmission device.

[Means for solving problems]

A multipoint information transmission device of the present invention is a multipoint information transmission device equipped with an information transmission means for transmitting the same information including a video signal and an audio signal from one transmitting station to a plurality of remote stations. Separately from this means, there is a backup audio line for transmitting the audio signal transmitted from the transmitting station to the remote station, and a video signal transmission means for transmitting the video signal from the remote station to the transmitting station using the uplink of this backup audio line. The transmitting station includes means for displaying the video signal transmitted by the video signal transmission means, and the plurality of remote stations display one of the audio signal transmitted by the information transmission means and the audio signal from the backup audio line. It is characterized by including means for selecting and outputting.

[For production]

By using the backup audio line, the audio signal from the transmitting station can be transmitted to the remote station even in the event of a communication line failure. Therefore, for example, in the case of the Open University of Japan, even if the lecturer's video cannot be obtained from a remote station,
Since the audio is available, the lecture content will not be lost. Furthermore, by using the uplink of the backup audio line, the video signal of the remote station can be viewed on the transmitting station side, for example, each remote station can be viewed in sequence.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multipoint information transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This device connects one transmitting station 3 to a plurality of remote stations 4-
Exchanges 2-θ~'l- serve as information transmission means for transmitting the same information including video signals and audio signals to 1~4-n.
n and a high-speed broadband communication network 1.

The present embodiment is characterized by a backup audio line 5 for transmitting audio signals transmitted by the high-speed broadband communication network 1 from the transmitting station 3 to the remote stations 4-1 to 4-n separately from this communication network, The uplink of the backup audio line 5 is used for video signals from the remote stations 4-1 to 4-n to the transmitting station 3.

The transmitting station 3 multiplexes audio signals and video signals obtained in a studio, for example, and sends the multiplexed signals to the high-speed broadband communication network 1 via the switching center 2-0.
are sent to remote stations 4-1 to 4-n, respectively. The remote stations 4-1 to 4-n separate the received signal from the transmitting station 3 into an audio signal and a video signal.

On the other hand, the transmitting station 3 transmits the audio signal to the high-speed broadband communication network 1.
At the same time, it is transmitted to the backup audio line 5 as backup audio. Remote stations 4-1 to 4-n
If it cannot receive a signal from the high-speed broadband communication network 1, it outputs the voice received from the backup voice line 5. Therefore, in the case of the Open University of Japan, for example, it is possible to continue attending lectures by listening to the backup audio.

Further, the remote stations 4-1 to 4-n transmit video signals of the remote classroom to the transmitting station 3 via the uplink of the backup line 5. At transmitting station 3, remote stations 4-1 to 4
-n can be selected to monitor scenes in various locations.

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the embodiment. However, only one remote station is shown.

This example shows a case where a satellite line is used as the high-speed broadband communication network 1, and one four-wire terrestrial dedicated line is used as the backup audio line 5.

The video signal, audio signal, and control signal from the studio device 31 are encoded and multiplexed by the image transmitting device 33,
It is transmitted from the satellite ground station 20 to the satellite station 10.

The control signal includes, for example, a remote station selection signal by the instructor. The audio signal from the studio device 31 is input to the image transmitting device 33, distributed by the distribution device 32, and sent to the line interface 34 as backup audio.
from there to the backup audio line 5.

The image receiving device 41 of the remote station receives the multiplexed signal via the satellite station 10 and the satellite ground station 21, and receives the video signal,
Separate and decode into audio signal and control signal. The video signal is sent as is to the remote terminal 43 and displayed as an image. Regarding audio signals, in addition to the signals via the satellite station 10 , signals via the backup audio line 5 are input to the line interface 44 . The remote station serves as a means for selecting and outputting either the audio signal transmitted by the high-speed broadband communication network received by the image receiving device 41 or the audio signal transmitted by the backup audio line 5 received by the line interface 44. An audio switching device 42 is provided, and its output is supplied to a remote terminal 43. The audio switch 42 is
In reality, the audio signal that has passed through the satellite station 10 is normally selected, and when a failure occurs, the signal that has passed through the audio line 5 is selected.

When the local station is selected by a control signal from the studio device 31 via the satellite station 10, the control unit 45 in the remote station transmits still image video signals from the image transmitting device 46 via the uplink of the backup audio line 5. and send it to the transmitting station.

The transmitting station uses an image receiving device 3 as a means for displaying the video signal transmitted through the uplink of the backup audio line 5.
5, and displays the still image video signal from the remote station on the monitor of the studio equipment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the multipoint information transmission device of the present invention has the following features:
Apart from the transmission of information, including video and audio signals, backup audio is transmitted from the transmitting station to the remote station, and video signals are transmitted in the reverse direction, thereby increasing the proximity between the transmitting station's studio and the remote station. It has the effect of increasing the sense of presence and presence.

Furthermore, even if a line failure occurs, at least the audio signal will not be interrupted. For example, in the case of the Open University of Japan, which uses a satellite link, even if a problem occurs in the satellite link, the lecture can be continued without interruption using backup audio.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-point information transmission device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing a specific configuration. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional multipoint information transmission device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... High-speed broadband communication network, 2-0 to 2-n... Switching station, 3... Transmitting station, 4-1 to 4-n... Remote station, 5... Backup voice line, 10...satellite station,
20, 21... Satellite ground station, 31... Studio device, 32... Distribution device, 33, 46... Image transmitting device, 34, 44... Line ink face, 35, 41...
...Image receiving device, 42...Audio switching device, 43...
Remote terminal, 45...control unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a multi-point information transmission device equipped with an information transmission means for transmitting the same information including a video signal and an audio signal from one transmitting station to a plurality of remote stations, the information transmission means transmits Separately from this means, a backup audio line for transmitting an audio signal from the transmitting station to the remote station; and a video signal for transmitting a video signal from the remote station to the transmitting station using an uplink of the backup audio line. transmission means, the transmitting station includes means for displaying the video signal transmitted by the video signal transmission means, and the plurality of remote stations transmit the audio signal transmitted by the information transmission means and the backup audio line. 1. A multipoint information transmission device comprising means for selecting and outputting one of the audio signals.