JPH0416980A - Educational system using satellite communication - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize this educational system using inexpensive satellite communication by providing a packet interface and a communication controller on a studio, and providing a slave station side packet interface and a slave station side communication control unit on a room. CONSTITUTION:A personal computer 13 sends out data specifying a questioning and answering device 23 to a PAD device(packet interface) 11. The PAD device 11, in the case of receiving the data, issues a call to a slave station side PAD device 21, and sets a line between the personal computer 13 and a controller 25. When the data specifying the questioning and answering device 23 is transmitted to the controller 25, the controller 25 transmits a signal which turns on a microphone provide on the questioning and answering device 23. In such a manner, a question and answer between a lecturer and a trainee corresponding to the questioning and answering device 23 can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an educational system using satellite communication in which a lecturer uses satellite communication to give a lecture to students in a remote location.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional educational system using satellite communication. In the figure, 10 is a studio where the lecturer gives lectures, 1A is the transmitting station equipment connected to the transmitting antenna 4, 1B is the camera, microphone, speaker,
Studio equipment such as a monitor, 1C is receiving station equipment connected to the receiving antenna 7.

In addition, 20.30 are classrooms where students attend lectures, 2A and 3A are transmitting station equipment connected to transmitting antennas 5 and 6, 2B and 3B are classroom equipment such as monitors, speakers, question and answer equipment, etc. 2C23C is receiving station equipment connected to the receiving antenna 8.9, and 40 is a communication satellite.

Next, the operation will be explained. When a lecturer gives a lecture in the studio 10, video and audio signals from the studio equipment 1B are transmitted as radio waves from the transmitting antenna 4 to the communication satellite 40 via one transmitting station equipment. This radio wave is amplified by the repeater of the communication satellite 40 and transmitted toward the ground. This radio wave is received by receiving antenna 8 in classroom 20.30.
, 9, and then sent to the classroom machine via receiving station equipment 2C and 3C.
It is restored to video and audio by devices 2B and 3B. The students will then receive the lecture using the video and audio.

On the other hand, two-way communication between the studio 10 and the classrooms 20 and 30 is necessary to realize question and answer sessions between the instructor and the students. Questions posed by the instructor will be asked in the same way as in the lecture, but if the students respond, they will be asked in the classroom 20.3.
A transmission function is required on the 0 side. For example, when a student in the classroom 20 answers, a voice signal input to the microphone of the classroom equipment 2B is transmitted as a radio wave from the transmitting antenna 5 to the communication satellite 40 via the transmitting station equipment 2A. This radio wave is amplified by a repeater of the communication satellite 40 and transmitted toward the ground. This radio wave is received by the receiving antenna 7 of the studio 10, passes through the receiving station equipment 1C, and is output as audio by the speaker of the studio equipment 1B. Data answered by students will also be communicated in the same way. Also,
Even if a student in another classroom 30 answers,
Communication occurs in the same way as when a student who is currently in the class responds.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Since the conventional educational system using satellite communication is configured as described above, it is possible to realize question and answer sessions between instructors and students, and to collect data from the classroom 20.30 side from the studio 10 side. For this purpose, studio 10 and classroom 20.
It is necessary to install transmitting station equipment IA, 2A, 3A, receiving station equipment 1C92C, 3C1 transmitting antenna 4.5.6 and receiving antenna 7.8.9 for each of 30, and since the system will be large-scale, the equipment The cost is high, and
There were issues such as the need for a wide frequency band for satellite communications.

This invention was made in order to solve the problems mentioned above, and it is a satellite communication system that can be constructed on a large scale with low equipment costs, reduces line costs, and simplifies construction work when expanding the system. The purpose is to obtain an educational system using

[Means to solve the problem]

In the educational system using satellite communication according to the present invention, the studio includes transmitting station equipment and a transmitting antenna connected to the transmitting station equipment, as well as student data for instructors such as question and answer data and educational data. The Nokukenoto interface receives data from the packet-switched network, the line control device transmits and receives question-and-answer audio between the instructor and the students via the circuit-switched network, and the line control device connects to the packet interface and sends and receives questions to the instructor from the students. The classroom is equipped with a receiving antenna and receiving station equipment connected to the receiving antenna, as well as a slave station packet interface that transmits student data to the packet switching network, and a Q&A station. A slave station line control device that transmits and receives response voices via a circuit switched network, and a question and answer means connected to the slave station packet interface and the slave station line control device through which students input data and voice are provided. It is something that

[For production]

The terminal device according to the present invention instructs the packet interface to make a call to the packet interface on the slave station side of the classroom for which data is to be collected, and then collects data for that classroom. In addition, a call instruction is issued to the line control device on the slave station side of the classroom where the students who have been allowed to ask questions are present, and the question and answer session is conducted by voice between the instructor and the students in that classroom. is possible.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1st
In the figure, 1 is a studio, 2 and 3 are classrooms, 11 is a PAD device (packet interface) for connecting a terrestrial packet switching network 50, and 12 is a terrestrial line switching network 60.
13 is a PAD device 11
and a personal converter (terminal device) that outputs line setting and cancellation commands to the line control device 12 and displays the results of questions answered by students.

In addition, 21.31 is a slave station side PAD device (slave station side packet interface), 22.32 is a slave station side line control device,
23, 24.3 33.34 is a question and answer device where each student enters their answers and questions and also has a question and answer session with the instructor, 25.35 is each question and answer device 2 in classroom 2.3
A controller connects 3, 24, 33, 34 and the slave station PAD device 21.31, and 26, 36 mixes the audio input to the question and answer device 23, 24, 33, 34 in the classrooms 2, 3. It's an audio mixer. Also, 23A, 24A,
33A and 34A are data communication channels, 23B and 24B
, 33B, and 34B are audio communication channels. Other parts are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 with the same reference numerals.

Next, the operation will be explained. The lecturer in Studio 1 gives a lecture as in the conventional case, and the students in classrooms 2 and 3 can receive the lecture as in the conventional case. The instructor can then ask questions using the satellite link. In response to this problem, each student uses the Q&A devices 23 and 24.

Enter the answer in 33.34. Then, the input answers are sent from each question-and-answer device 23, 24, 33, and 34 to data communication channels 23A, 24A, and 33A.

34A to controller 25.35.

The answer data is then stored in the controller 25.35.

The instructor operates the personal computer 13 to import answer data at an appropriate time after asking the questions. This personal computer 13 is loaded with software for accessing each classroom 2.3 and collecting answer data. Accordingly, an operation signal for capturing answer data is sent to the PAD device 11 according to the software. The PAD device 11 is
When this operation signal is received, first, the classroom 20 slave station side PAD
A call is made to the device 21, and a line between the personal computer 13 and the controller 25 is established via the terrestrial packet switching network 50. Then, the answer data stored in the controller 25 is transmitted to the -sonal converter 13. When the personal computer 13 completes collecting the answer data, it instructs the PAD device 11 to cancel the line setting. Then, the PAD device 11 disconnects the line with the slave station side PAD device 21.Then, the personal computer 13 sends the PAD device 11 to the classroom 3.
A connection instruction is given to the slave station side PAD device 31. Then, a line between the personal computer 13 and the controller 35 is set up, and the answer data stored in the controller 35 is collected in the personal computer 13. In this way, the answer data of the students in each classroom 2 and 3 is collected on the personal computer. Then, the instructor can display the answers on the personal computer 13 by operating the personal computer 13 or by automatic operation of the personal computer 13 to know the results.

Next, the operation in the case of a question and answer session by voice between the lecturer and the students will be explained. First, the instructor uses the satellite line to instruct the students in each classroom 2 and 3 to ask questions using the Q&A devices 23.24° and 33.34 if they have any. . Q&A device 23.24.3
When a question request is input in 3.34, the attendance location, classroom, and device number assigned to the question-and-answer device 23, 24, 33, and 34 are sent as question request data to the data communication channels 23A, 24A, 33A, 34A to the controller 25.35.

The question request data is then stored in the controller 25.35. After the instructor instructed them to ask questions,
At an appropriate time, the personal computer 13 performs an operation to capture questions. Then, the personal computer 13
It operates in the same way as for answer data collection, collecting question request data and displaying them on the screen. The instructor looks at the screen and determines which students are to be given permission to ask questions, and inputs into the personal computer 13 data indicating the student's location, classroom number, and question-and-answer device number. For example, if a student corresponding to the question-and-answer device 23 is determined, the personal computer 13 receives the input data,
That is, data specifying the question-and-answer device 23 is sent to the line control device 12. When the line control device 12 receives this data, it makes a call to the slave station side line control device 22 via the terrestrial line switching network 60. Then, a line between the personal beater 13 and the audio mixer 26 is set up.

Next, the personal conferencer 13 is the question and answer device 2.
The above data specifying No. 3 is sent to the PAD device 11.

When the PAD device 11 receives this data, it sends the PAD on the slave station side.
Make a call to the device 21, personal combination = - evening 13
and the controller 25. and,
Data specifying the question-and-answer device 23 is transmitted to the controller 25 . Then, the controller 25 transmits a signal to turn on the microphone provided in the question-and-answer device 23. In this way, questions and answers can be held between the lecturer and the students who correspond to the question and answer device 23. When giving permission to ask questions to the next student, the instructor sends an instruction to terminate the question and answer session using the question and answer device 23 and the question and answer device number corresponding to the next student to the personal computer 13. input. Then, the personal computer 13 issues an instruction to disconnect the line currently in use.
It is sent to the AD device 11 and line control device 12. When the line is disconnected, data such as the Q&A device number corresponding to the next student is transferred to the line control device 12 and the PAD.
The information is sent to the device 11 and the line is set up so that questions and answers can be held with the next student.

In addition, although the said Example demonstrated the case where there were two classrooms 2.3, the number of classrooms may be three or more.

In addition, a still image transmission and reception device is connected to the line control device 12, and a still image transmission and transmission device to which a camera is connected is connected to the slave station side line control device 22.32, and the situation in classrooms 2 and 3 is captured with the camera. Then, the video is transmitted as a still image signal to the studio 1 side via the terrestrial circuit switching network 60, and is sent to the studio equipment 1B.
It is also possible to display it on a monitor.

Data from classrooms 2 and 3, such as answer data and question request data, will be collected using l5DN's packet exchange service to facilitate question and answer sessions between instructors and students between studio 1 and classrooms 2 and 3. This may be performed using the circuit switching service of the 15DN.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an educational system using satellite communication is provided in which a studio is provided with a packet interface and a line control device, a classroom is provided with a slave station side packet interface and a slave station side line control device, and the classroom is provided with a packet interface and a line control device in the classroom. By using a packet-switched network to collect data on the studio side and a circuit-switched network for question-and-answer sessions, we were able to reduce equipment costs when building the system, as well as communication costs. Furthermore, when adding more classrooms, construction is easier and costs are lower than conventional ones.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an educational system using satellite communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional educational system using satellite communication. 1 is a studio, 2 and 3 are classrooms, 11 is a PAD device (packet interface), 12 is a line control device, 13 is a personal converter (terminal device), 21.31 is a slave station side PAD device (slave station side packet interface), 22
．． 32 is the slave station side line control device, 23.24, 33.34
5 is a question and answering device, 50 is a packet switching network, and 60 is a circuit switching network. In addition, the same symbols in the figures indicate the same or similar parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A studio where the lecturer gives a lecture and is equipped with transmitting station equipment and a transmitting antenna for transmitting the lecturer's video and audio, and a studio where the students receive the lecture and where the lecturer's video and audio are transmitted. In an educational system using satellite communication, which includes a classroom equipped with a receiving antenna and receiving station equipment, and a satellite line serving as a communication path between the studio and the classroom, a packet interface that receives data via a packet-switched network; a line control device that transmits and receives question-and-answer audio between the instructor and the students via a line-switched network; A terminal device is provided which is connected and outputs the data to the lecturer and gives a call instruction to the packet interface and the line control device, and the classroom receives a call from the packet interface and transfers the data to the packet exchange. a slave station side packet interface that transmits to the network; a slave station line control device that receives a call from the line control device and transmits and receives the question and answer voice to the circuit switching network; the slave station side packet interface; An educational system using satellite communication, further comprising a question and answer means connected to the slave station side line control device and through which the student inputs the data and the question and answer audio.