JPH0646418A - Electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electronic conference system capable of smoothly carrying on a conference in a state close to an actual situation. CONSTITUTION:A secretariat device 4 and a secreatary device 5 are connected to a transmission line 3. Then a conference attendant data base 6 and an electronic conference schedule part 7 are connected to the device 4, and a minutes recording part 8 is connected to the device 5 respectively. Meanwhile plural electronic reference terminals 1a-1g are connected together via the line 3. In such a constitution, an electronic conference is carried out. The theoretical distances are calculated among terminals 1a-1g based on the existing data of the data base 6, and the seating order is decided for the users of the terminals 1a-1g based on those theoretical distances. The seating situations of the users are displayed on a screen based on the decided seating order. The propriety of execution is decided for the local communication among some of terminals 1a-1g based on their local distances.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic conferencing system using, for example, a telephone, a television, a workstation and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a company or the like has put into practical use an electronic conferencing system capable of exchanging opinions with each other by using a telephone, a television, a workstation, etc. even in a distant place. .

By the way, conventionally, in the electronic conference system,
A TV camera is prepared for each venue where multiple participants gather, and by switching the screen of each venue with these TV cameras, for example, by displaying the face of the person who is speaking on the TV screen, I try to give the atmosphere of having a meeting in one place.

[0004]

However, in such an electronic conference system, since it is possible to proceed with the conference while seeing the face of the person who is speaking is enlarged on the TV screen, the actual conference desk can be used. There was a problem that the atmosphere was different from the one in which the participants were surrounded and the participants were checked, which made the user feel uncomfortable and hindered the smooth progress of the meeting.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic conferencing system capable of proceeding with a conference in a situation close to reality and realizing a smooth conference proceeding.

[0006]

The present invention is an electronic conferencing system for realizing an electronic conference by connecting a plurality of electronic conference terminals via a transmission line, and a theoretical distance between the electronic conference terminals. Determining means for determining the seat order of the electronic conference terminal user based on the theoretical distance determined by the means, and outputting the screen display of the electronic conference terminal user according to the seat order, the transmission Means for selecting global communication for communication with all electronic conference terminals connected to the road and local communication for communication with some electronic conference terminals, and when local communication is selected by this means, Based on the theoretical distance between the teleconferencing terminals targeted for local communication, It is constituted by means for determining whether to execute the Nikeshon.

[0007]

As a result, according to the present invention, the seat order of each electronic conference terminal user is determined by the theoretical distance between the electronic conference terminals, and the user of each electronic conference terminal is displayed on the screen according to this seat order. In addition, local communication between some electronic conference terminals can determine whether or not to execute the local communication based on the theoretical distance between the target electronic conference terminals. As a result, it is possible to create an atmosphere similar to a conference surrounding a real conference desk from the screen display of each electronic conference terminal user, and allow only local electronic communication terminal users local communication. By doing so, it will be possible to proceed with the meeting in a situation close to reality.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the same embodiment. In the figure, 1a to 1g are electronic conference terminals including workstations (including a camera, a microphone, etc.) used for electronic conferences, and these electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g are used for conference participation based on a participant database 6 described later. Qualifications have been designated.

In the illustrated example, the electronic conference terminal 1f is designated as a chairperson, the electronic conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1e, 1g are designated as members, the electronic conference terminal 1c is designated as a reference person, and the electronic conference terminal 1d is designated as a listener. In this case, the chairman indicates the rank that controls the progress of the meeting, the members indicate the rank at which they can freely listen and speak in the meeting, and the witness responds only to the questions that occur in the meeting. It shows the rank that is allowed to do, and that the listener can hear the meeting, but is not allowed to speak.

The electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g are connected to the transmission line 3 via the communication control nodes 2a to 2g, and each electronic conference terminal 1a to 1g has a communication control node 2a to 1g. By making a round in the transmission path 3 via 2g, mutual communication is enabled.

The transmission line 3 has a secretariat device 4 and a writing device 5.
The participant database 6 and the electronic conference schedule section 7 are connected to the secretariat apparatus 4, and the minutes recording section 8 is connected to the secretary apparatus 5.

Here, the secretariat device 4 manages the entire electronic conference, accepts participation in the electronic conference on the basis of the participant database 6, and notifies the electronic conference schedule section 7 of the holding of the conference. At the same time, the time management section can manage the passage of time, and also plays the role of a timekeeper for opening and closing meetings. The writing device 5 monitors the progress of the conference and stores the progress of the proceedings in the proceedings recording unit 8. The participant database 6 stores, for example, various data regarding electronic conference participants as shown in FIG. 2, and here, data on each item of a name 6a, a qualification (rank) 6b, an affiliation 6c, and a person in charge 6d. Besides, although not shown, the definition of the distance between the participants is stored.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g. In this case, when the packet receiving unit 11 receives the content of the electronic conference transmitted to the transmission path 3 in the form of a packet 9 described below, the destination detecting unit 12 detects the destination person area 9a of the packet 9 and the destination person determining unit It is determined whether the destination of the packet received in 13 corresponds to the terminal user.
If not applicable, the next packet is skipped. If applicable, the sender detection unit 14
Detects the sender area 9b of the packet 9 and determines the sender qualification (rank) of the packet 9 in the sender qualification determining unit 15 using the participant database 6, and corresponds to, for example, a participant who has been given permission to speak. Determine whether or not. If not applicable, the next packet is skipped. If applicable, the electronic conference body extraction unit 16
Then, the packet body 9c is extracted, and the character information is output to the monitor 18 by the control unit 17, the video information is output to the monitor 18 by the video decomposer 19, and the voice information is output to the speaker 21 by the voice decomposer 20, respectively. On the other hand, the character information input from the keyboard 22 is sent to the control unit 23, the voice information from the microphone 24 is sent to the voice assembler 25, and the video information from the television camera 26 is sent to the video assembler 27. Audio assembler 25, video assembler 2
Based on the output of 7, the electronic conference main body generation unit 28 generates the packet main body 9c. Then, the addressee entry section 29 writes the addressee in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9, and the sender entry section 30 writes the addressee in the sender area 9b of the packet 9,
The data is transmitted to the transmission line 3 via the packet transmission unit 31.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the format of the packet 9. In this case, the packet 9 is the destination area 9
a, sender area 9b, and packet body (character, voice, video) 9c. Then, in the case of global communication intended for communication with all the participants, as shown in the A packet, the destination area 9a
Write the names of all the participants except the caller from the conference participants in the column, write the caller's name in the sender area 9b, and write the audio and video information to be transmitted in the packet body 9c. In the case of local communication intended for communication with participants in B,
As shown in the packet, the name of the other party (Su
zuki) only is written, the sender (Takahashi) name is written in the sender area 9b, and audio and video information to be transmitted is written in the packet body 9c. Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, a case where the secretariat device 4 sets an electronic conference will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, as shown in the figure, first, the input of the information A regarding the conference participants and the information B regarding the agenda / date and time of the electronic conference is accepted (step S501). Next, the participant is selected and the rank is set based on the information A about the conference participant and the information from the participant database 6 (step S502). In this case, the rank of the participant is determined based on the qualification 6b of the participant database 6 shown in FIG. 2, the chairman, the member, the listener, and the reference person, respectively.

Next, scheduler information owned by each participant,
Information of conference room management database, rank or priority of each participant (affiliation 6 of participant database 6 shown in FIG. 2)
The date and place of the electronic conference are set based on the information B regarding the agenda and date and time of the electronic conference (the importance of attending the conference with reference to c, the person in charge 6d, etc.) (step S503).

Then, a meeting notice is created based on the agenda, date and time, and place of these electronic meetings (step S504),
Send a notice of the conference with the selected participants as distribution destinations,
At the same time, the rank of each participant is also notified (step S50).
5).

The operation of the secretariat device 4 can be realized by activating a program inside the terminal set by the chairperson. In this case, if the setter of the electronic conference is the chairperson himself / herself, the program in the terminal is started by the input in step S501, and step S50
The processes after 2 will be executed. If the person who set up the electronic conference is other than the chairperson, when the chairperson is designated in step S501, the information input in step S501 is sent to the chairperson terminal, the program of the chairperson terminal is activated, and step S502 and thereafter. Will be executed.

Next, a case where an electronic conference is held at the secretariat device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, first, the participant's access to the conference is accepted (step S601).
Next, it is determined whether or not access has been accepted by all participants (step S602). Here, if there is a participant who has not received the access, it is urged to inform the unaccessed participant of the conference by forced interruption or the like (step S603). Note that the terminals of the participants may be forcibly connected at the time when the meeting is held, without accepting access to the meeting from the participants as described above. Then, when the acceptance of the access by all the participants is completed, a flag indicating the rank of each participant is sent to all the participants (step S604).

Next, the theoretical distance between the participants is determined. First, it is determined whether the existing one in the participant database 6 is used to define the theoretical distance between the participants ( Step S605). Participant database 6 here
The method of using the existing one is that, based on the data of the affiliation 6c and the charge 6d of the participant shown in FIG. 2, for example, participants with the same affiliation have a short distance, and participants with an opposing relationship have a long distance. To decide.

Here, if YES, the seat order of the participants is determined based on the definition of the distance at this time, and the seat order information is sent to each participant (step S606). On the other hand, if NO, then "I want to sit next to Mr. XX" of each participant.
Etc. are accepted (step S607), the distance between participants is defined based on this application (step S608),
The defined distance is stored (updated) in the participant database 6 (step S609), and the process proceeds to step S606 described above.

In this state, the start of the conference is declared (step S610). In this case, in step S610, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminals 1a to 1g of each participant are connected by the closed transmission line 3 so that the meeting information does not flow to terminals other than the meeting participant. At the same time, information from other than the participants is prevented from entering the conference, and the writing device 5 having the initialized minutes recording unit 8 is activated,
The terminals 1a to 1g of each participant can access the contents of the participant database 6 related to the conference.

Then, in this state, the contents of the participant database 6 can be changed by the access from the chairman, such as changing the rank and seat order of the participants (step S61).
1) In addition, the elapsed time information from a time management unit (not shown) is notified to the participants and the chairman (step S612), and then,
The process ends after the end of the conference is declared (step S613).

Next, the terminal of the member of the conference participants,
Here, a program activated by the electronic conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1e, and 1g will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, when the electronic conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1e, 1g receive the flag of the member from the secretariat device 4, they put the respective faces of the conference participants in the participant database 6 determined by the secretariat device 4. The seats are displayed in order (step S701).

Next, in FIG. 3, it is judged whether the packet receiver 11 has received the packet 9 (step S70).
2). In this case, if YES, the destination detection unit 12 detects the destination area 9a of the packet 9 and determines whether the destination of the received packet corresponds to the terminal user (step S70).
3). If NO here, the next packet is skipped. If YES, it is determined whether it is global communication intended for communication with all participants or local communication intended for communication with some participants (step S).
704). In this case, the judgment is made based on whether or not all the addressees are written in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9. In this case, when it is determined that the communication is global communication, the sender detection unit output unit 14 detects the sender area 9b of the packet 9, and the sender qualification determination unit 15 uses the participant database 6 to determine the sender qualification of the packet 9, that is, the rank. The determination is made (step S705). Then, it is determined whether or not it corresponds to the participant to whom the speaking permission is given (step S706). If NO here, the next packet is skipped. If YES, packet 9
The contents of the packet body 9c are extracted and the global display is activated (step S707). In this case, the sender's mouth is fluttered and the packet body (contents of the statement)
To be displayed.

On the other hand, in step S704, when it is judged that the communication is local communication because only a specific addressee is written in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9, the theoretical distance between the addressee and the sender is obtained from the participant database 6 ( Step S708). Then, it is determined whether local communication is possible (step S70).
9). Here, if the distance definition is far and NO, the local communication is rejected, while if the distance definition is short and YES, the local communication is permitted,
The packet body 9c of the packet 9 is extracted and local display is activated (step S710). In this case, the sender and the face are displayed so as to face each other, and the contents (statement contents) of the packet body are output by voice.

Although the presentation form of the utterance content is changed by global communication and local communication, this can be done by using any combination of voice / text, large / small letters, small voice / loud voice, and the like. Good. In addition, the above steps S708 and S
In 709, when the destination and the sender are far from each other, local communication is disabled. However, when the same sender has sent many times in a short time, the local communication is detected and enabled. May be.

On the other hand, in packet transmission, step S711
If YES is determined, it is determined whether it is global communication intended for communication with all participants or local communication intended for communication with some participants (step S712).
In this case, the judgment is made by writing all the addressees or the specific addressees in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9.
As another method, the input form, for example, a keyboard for local and a microphone for global may be used for determination. In this case, when it is determined that the communication is global communication, in FIG. 3, the packet body 9c is generated by the electronic conference body generating unit 28, and then the addressee writing unit 29 writes all in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9 as addressees ( Step S713), sender entry section 3
At 0, the terminal user is entered as the sender in the sender area 9b of the packet 9 and transmitted to the transmission path 3 via the packet transmitter 31 (step S714). In this case, the addressee area 9
The addressee who fills in “a” will exclude the informant unless the instructor accepts only the question, except when explicitly instructing that the question is the question.

On the other hand, if local communication is determined in step S712, the packet body 9c is generated by the electronic conference body generating unit 28, and then the addressee specified by the addressee writing unit 29 is entered in the addressee region 9a of the packet 9. Then, the sender writing unit 30 writes the terminal user as a sender in the sender area 9b of the packet 9 and sends it to the transmission line 3 via the packet sending unit 31 (Step S714).

In step S713, the global communication may be rejected based on the sender rank in steps S105 and S106 described above. In this case, the sender will be notified such as "You cannot speak." Also, step S715
May perform the process of rejecting the local communication depending on the distance between the sender and the recipient in steps S108 and S109 described above. In this case, the sender will be informed such as "I cannot communicate locally with Mr. A."

In this state, it is determined whether the conference is over (step S716). If NO, the process returns to the first step 701 and the same operation as described above is repeated.
If YES, the process ends.

Next, a program activated by the chairperson terminal, here the electronic conference terminal 1f, of the conference participants will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, when the electronic conference terminal 1f receives the flag of the member from the secretariat device 4, each face of the conference participant is displayed in the order of seats entered in the participant database 6 determined by the secretariat device 5 (step S80
1).

Next, it is determined whether a packet has been received (step S802). Here, if YES, it is determined whether it is global communication intended for communication with all participants or local communication intended for communication with some participants (step S803). The determination in this case is packet 9
It is determined by whether or not all the addressees are written in the addressee area 9a.

If it is determined that the communication is global communication, the same processing as that of the member shown in FIG. 7 is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication is local communication, it is determined whether the addressee is addressed to the chair (step S804). Here, if YES, the local display is activated (step S805), and if it is an application for changing the rank distance of the participant, the application is determined (step S806). If the application is not accepted here, it is ignored, and if the application is accepted, the definition of the distance in the participant database 6 is changed (step S807). Also, step S804
If NO in step S80, only the sender and the recipient of the packet 9 or the packet body (contents) are extracted (step S80).
8) The display for the chair is activated (step S809) so that the contents of local communication by participants other than the chair can be monitored.

On the other hand, in packet transmission, step S810
If YES is determined, the same processing as that in the case of the member of FIG. 7 described above is executed. In this case, only the chairperson may interrupt the call while another person is calling (during packet transmission). If NO is determined, it is determined whether the time management information has been received from the time management unit of the secretariat device 4 (step S811). If NO, the process returns to the first step 801, the same operation as described above is repeated, and YES.
If so, the time is displayed (step S812). And
It is determined whether the conference is over (step S813). If NO, the process returns to the beginning and repeats the same operation as described above. On the other hand, if YES, the process ends. Next, an example of each display screen on the participant terminals in such an electronic conference will be described in order.

First, FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen during a conference.
In this case, the participants of the conference are usually physically separated from each other, but the display is such that the atmosphere is such that they are sitting around the conference desk and having a conference. In this example, it is possible to know who is participating in the conference for each of the electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g by using the face photograph of the participant. In addition, regarding the remarks made at the conference, the window 10
It is possible to display the face picture of the speaker and to move the mouth so as to create the atmosphere of the statement. The speech content may be displayed in a balloon near the face of the speaker.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen during the progress of the electronic conference centered on the chairperson, but as shown in FIG. 10, the progress of the electronic conference can be viewed three-dimensionally with the terminal user as the center. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the conference is viewed from the electronic conference terminal 1e, which is a member, and the faces of the participants are made different from each other to give an atmosphere of actually sitting on the conference desk and having a conference. I am trying.

The seat order of each participant in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is determined based on the definition of the distance between the participants. Here, for example, the member's electronic conference terminal 1a is the chair's electronic conference terminal 1f and the member's electronic conference terminal 1b.
A short distance is defined so that local communication can be performed, and a distance far from the electronic conference terminals 1e and 1g of the members is defined so that local communication cannot be performed.

The definition of the distance between the participants can be changed by application from each participant. FIG. 11 shows
The definition of the distance based on the application from the member's electronic conference terminal 1b is shown, and FIG. 12 shows the definition of the distance based on the application from the member's electronic conference terminal 1e. However, looking at these screen examples of FIGS. 11 and 12, the electronic conference terminal 1
Although b defines a short distance to the electronic conference terminal 1e, the electronic conference terminal 1e defines a long distance to the electronic conference terminal 1b, and a contradiction occurs between them.
In such a case, each electronic conference terminal may be informed to 1b and 1e, but local communication may be disabled unless the definitions are the same.

Next, FIG. 13 shows examples of screens for global communication and local communication.
In this case, the electronic conference terminal 1a, which shows each participant with a facial photograph,
In the state where the seat order of 1 g is displayed, the microphone 40 is displayed in the central portion during the global communication, and the display of the microphone 40 is erased or highlighted during the local communication so that they can be identified. It is also possible to use the display of the microphone 40 for switching between global communication and local communication and select one of these by picking up the microphone portion. Further, as an example of a screen of local communication, it is possible to display the participants so that they are facing each other as shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the chair's electronic conference terminal 1f and the member's electronic conference terminal 1a face each other. FIG. 15 is a screen display example when the chair's electronic conference terminal 1f and the member's electronic conference terminal 1a are performing local communication as seen from the other member's electronic conference terminal 1b.

Therefore, in this way, the theoretical distance between the electronic conference terminals can be obtained from the existing data in the participant database 6, and based on this, the respective electronic conference terminals 1a ...
The seating order of the user of 1 g is determined, and the seating status of the users of the respective electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g can be displayed on the screen according to this seating order. It can create an atmosphere similar to a meeting. In addition, for local communication between some electronic conference terminals, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute local communication based on the theoretical distance between target electronic conference terminals. Local communication is now allowed only between terminals, and it is possible to proceed with a meeting under realistic conditions. As a result, the user does not feel uncomfortable at the conference and the smooth progress of the conference can be realized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be carried out by appropriately modifying it without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the distinction between global communication and local communication is determined based on whether or not all the addressees are written in the addressee area 9a of the packet 9, but based on the distance between the participants. It is also possible to set a flag in the packet 9 to distinguish global communication from local communication.

Regarding the confidentiality of local communication, a flag indicating the degree of confidentiality can be set in the packet 9 to prevent even the chairperson from referring to the contents of local communication.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, all the participants participating in the electronic conference can know the existence of other participants as shown in the screen example of FIG. You can also define the presence of invisible participants. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, in addition to the configuration in which the same electronic conference terminals 1a to 1g as those described in FIG. 1 are connected to the transmission path 3 via the communication control nodes 2a to 2g, the communication control node 2
When another transmission line 41 is connected to a, the teleconference terminals 42a and 42b of the reference person are connected to this transmission line 41 by the communication control node 43.
A and 43b are connected to enable independent electronic conference communication between them. The presence of the electronic conference terminals 42a and 42b of these witnesses means that the other electronic conference terminals 1b to 1g are present.
Not known to. Then, the member's electronic conference terminal 1a
However, if a question arises due to the global communication on the transmission line 3, it can be solved by performing local communication with the electronic conference terminals 42a and 42b of the reference person via the transmission line 41. In addition, the electronic conference terminals 42a and 42b of these witnesses may, if necessary,
You can also participate in the meeting as a member of global communication or a reference person.

Further, in the above description, the local communication is carried out via the transmission line for carrying out the global communication, but the local communication is realized by using a telephone or an electronic mail which uses a transmission line different from this. You can also

[0047]

According to the present invention, the seat order of each electronic conference terminal user is determined by the theoretical distance between the electronic conference terminals, and the user of each electronic conference terminal is displayed on the screen according to this seat order. In addition, local communication between some electronic conference terminals can determine whether or not to execute the local communication based on the theoretical distance between the target electronic conference terminals. This makes it possible to create an atmosphere similar to that of a conference surrounding an actual conference desk from the screen display of each electronic conference terminal user, and only local electronic conference terminal users can perform local communication. As a result, it becomes possible to proceed with the conference under a situation that is close to reality, and the user does not feel uncomfortable at the conference, and the smooth progress of the conference can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a participant database used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic conference terminal used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a packet format used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the electronic conference terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a to 1g ... Electronic conference terminal, 2a to 2g ... Communication control node, 3 ... Transmission path, 4 ... Secretariat device, 5 ... Writing device, 6
… Participant database, 7… Electronic conference schedule section,
8 ... Minute recording unit, 9 ... Packet, 9a ... Addressee area,
9b ... From area, 9c ... Packet body, 10 ... Window, 11 ... Packet receiving section, 12 ... Destination detecting section, 13 ...
Addressee determination unit, 14 ... Sender detection unit, 15 ... Sender qualification determination unit, 16 ... Electronic conference main body extraction unit, 17 ... Control unit, 1
8 ... Monitor, 19 ... Video analyzer, 20 ... Audio decomposer, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Speaker, 22 ... Keyboard, 23 ... Control part, 24
… Microphone, 25… Voice assembler, 26… Television camera, 2
7 ... Image assembler, 28 ... Electronic conference main body generation unit, 29 ... Addressee entry unit, 30 ... From entry unit, 31 ... Packet transmission unit, 40 ... Microphone, 41 ... Transmission path, 42a, 42b ... Electronic conference terminal, 43a, 43b ... Communication control nodes.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Etsuo Ito 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kouki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Stock company Toshiba Research Institute

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electronic conferencing system for realizing an electronic conference by connecting a plurality of electronic conference terminals via a transmission line, a means for determining a theoretical distance between the electronic conference terminals, and this means. A means for determining the seat order of the electronic conference terminal user based on the theoretical distance, and displaying the electronic conference terminal user on the screen according to the seat order, and all the electronic conference terminals connected to the transmission path. Means for selecting global communication targeted for communication and local communication targeted for communication with some electronic conference terminals, and between the electronic conference terminals targeted for local communication when local communication is selected by this means Local communication based on the theoretical distance of Electronic conference system, characterized in that it comprises a means for determining whether.