JPH10254339A - Device for group language study and system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an effect of study of each student himself through a real time participation type practical study including mutual communication among students by mutually sending/receiving speech information and image information between a teacher and all students belonging to a same study group by an instructor, an administrator of a group study. SOLUTION: A photographic device 1-1 takes a photograph of visual information such as faces of each student and teacher for a group study. An image display device 1-2 displays expressions of all students and a teacher belonging to a same study group including each student himself, an expression of only the teacher, and expressions of all students belonging to another study group designated by the teacher. And these devices are arranged at the seats of each student and teacher. A first siwtcher 7 mixes speeches of all the students and the teacher belonging to the same study group set by the teacher, and a second swticher 8 sends an integrated picture combined with a picture taking in the expressions to all the student and the teacher belonging to a same study group, and also distributed to students and teachers designated by the teacher.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collective language training apparatus and a collective language training system in which all group study participants send and receive images to and from each other. More particularly, the present invention relates to an LL apparatus that combines audio-visual (AV) equipment and an LL apparatus. This is related to the training method used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional group language training apparatus and method mainly focuses on voice, and the handling of images is performed by displaying VTR images sent simultaneously by a teacher on a CRT group installed at an arbitrary place in a classroom. It was a very primitive thing.

[0003] All students and teachers belonging to the same learning group
As a conventional technique which pays attention to the interactivity of mutually transmitting and receiving audio information and image information to and from all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, an educational video network described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-301327 is known. There was a device, which focuses on delivering appropriate images from the teacher to each student when conducting group education, and the teacher stores particularly important still images in the foom memory Thereby, each student can view the stored still image on the personal monitor television as needed.

An educational system using a bidirectional CATV described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-204292 uses a bidirectional CATV that monitors and interactively monitors image information between a plurality of classrooms via a bidirectional CATV. This is an educational system in which a plurality of lectures can be conducted in parallel without having to provide a camera for each student terminal.

A remote education system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-146986 is a remote education system for television education between remote places, and implements collective education that realizes multipoint connection using a communication line. Is what you do.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-3
The prior arts disclosed in JP-A-01327, JP-A-5-204292, and JP-A-3-146986 do not have any devices and methods corresponding to group learning, and are not suitable for group language education. At the time of group learning, the voice information and image information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are combined into one by the image synthesis device, and the voice information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. Also, it is not an educational form having an apparatus and a method capable of transmitting and receiving image information.

[0007] In order to improve the overall language ability in a class in the form of group learning, all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group need to express the expressions of all the students and teachers of the same learning group. It is an effective method to practice vocalization and listening practice with inflections in sentences and pronunciation while watching, and in vocalization practice, each student and teacher While it is effective to visually confirm the movement of the tongue, in the conventional technology, when each student and the teacher terminal are provided with a camera and group learning is performed, all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group One piece of image information obtained by combining the images of the facial expressions and the voice information obtained by mixing the voices of the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group into one are distributed to all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. There is no way of two-way communication in form It was. It was only possible to perform group learning using only audio, but this could only be performed based on hearing alone.

[0008] That is, in the conventional group language training apparatus and method, although it is possible to transmit and receive the voices of each student and the teacher during group learning, each student and the teacher Facial expressions, gestures, and the like cannot be transmitted / received to / from all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group listening to the students and teachers themselves. As described above, the conventional group language training apparatus and method have a problem of insufficient transmission / reception means that the visual information emitted by the speaker is not transmitted to the listener at all. Therefore, it does not mean that all of the tasks expected of group learning are correctly digested.

An object of the present invention is to provide a group learning class for a foreign language group in which a teacher who is a group education operator belongs to the same learning group in order to enhance the learning effect of communication including facial expressions and gestures. It is an object of the present invention to provide a collective language training apparatus and method for mutually transmitting and receiving audio information and image information with a student and a teacher, and enabling each student and teacher to exchange images of voices and facial expressions with each other.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in the LL class, the teacher uses the first to M-th (M is an integer) where all the students are N (N is an integer of 2 or more) students. When a lesson is divided into two learning groups and the lesson is operated, each student and the teacher belonging to the same learning group, in addition to the voice information uttered by all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group, In a collective language training apparatus for improving comprehensive conversational ability through group learning sharing image information in which facial expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher are copied, the teacher and each of the students A photographing device for photographing the visual information of the learner, facial expressions of all the learners and the teacher belonging to the same learning group including each learner himself, facial expressions of the teacher only, and other learning groups designated by the teacher Display the expressions of all students belonging to While the image display device and the teacher and each of the students listen to the teacher's instruction voice and the voice of the audio teaching material that the teacher simultaneously sends, the utterances of the teacher and each of the students are the same. The transmitting and receiving device for transmitting and receiving to all the students belonging to the learning group and the all the students belonging to the other learning group designated by the teacher, and the teacher and the respective students are simultaneously transmitting the teacher. Audio of audio teaching materials, instructional audio of the teacher, utterances of all students belonging to the same learning group including each student and utterances of the teacher, and utterances of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher Are provided for the teacher and for the first to Mth learning groups (N × M) students, respectively, and the same number of learning units are set for each learning group set by the teacher. Voices of all students belonging to the study group and the teacher And a first switcher that sends the mixed voice to all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher, and all the learning groups set by the teacher for all the learning groups set by the teacher. One image obtained by appropriately combining the images of the students and the teacher's facial expressions is sent to all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group, and all the image information and all the audio information are transmitted. A second switcher to be delivered to the student and the teacher specified by the teacher, and an image specified by the teacher to be recorded from all image information and all audio information by operating the second switcher Information and audio information is recorded via a second switcher, and the image and audio information is transmitted to the designated student and the teacher by sending the image information and the audio information to the second switcher. The device and the image information transmitted from the second switcher and reassembled into one image information for each student belonging to the same learning group and the image information of the teacher into one image information for each learning group. A collective language training apparatus characterized by comprising an image synthesizing apparatus for sending to the second switcher is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in group learning, imaging means arranged at each student and the teacher's seat for photographing visual information such as the face of each student and the teacher,
In order to display the expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group including each student and the teacher, the expressions of only the teacher, and the expressions of all the students belonging to the other learning groups specified by the teacher, The image display means arranged at the seat of each of the students and the teacher, and the respective students and the teacher listen to the teaching voice of the teacher and the voice of the audio teaching material which the teacher sends all together. To send and receive the utterances of the respective students and the teacher to all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teachers and all the students belonging to the other learning groups designated by the teacher, The transmitting and receiving means arranged at the teacher's seat, the same learning including the voices of the audio teaching materials which are simultaneously transmitted by the respective students and the teacher, the voice of the teacher, and the respective students themselves Voices of all students belonging to the group and the teacher, In order to record the utterances of all the students belonging to the other learning groups specified by the teacher, for each of the students and the voice recording / reproducing means arranged at the teacher's seat, for each learning group set by the teacher, In order to mix the voices of all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group and to transmit the mixed voice to all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group, setting up a classroom or the like The first switching means arranged in the place and, for each learning group set by the teacher, an image obtained by combining the images obtained by taking in the expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teachers is combined into one image. In order to transmit to all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher, and to distribute all the image information and all the audio information to the teacher and the students designated by the teacher, in an installation place such as a classroom. The second placed Switching means, and the teacher switches the second switching means to record, by the second switching means, the image information and the sound information designated to be recorded from among all the image information and all the sound information, And an image / audio storage / transmission unit installed at a teacher's desk or the like for transmitting image information and audio information to the designated student and the teacher, and the same learning group transmitted by the second switching unit. And image synthesis means for reassembling the image information of all the students belonging to the teacher and the teacher into one image information for each learning group and sending the one image information to the second switching means. The teacher realizes a desired operation by centralized control by operating the first switching means and the second switching means, and the same learning including each student himself is performed. The expressions of all the students and the teacher belonging to the group, the expressions of only the teacher, and the expressions of all the students belonging to the other learning groups designated by the teacher are displayed while the respective students and the teacher visually recognize the images by voice. A group language training system characterized by sending and receiving is obtained.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The group language training apparatus and method of the present invention is such that, in a group learning class, all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are uttered by all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each student themselves, Not only the teacher's voice and the voices of all students belonging to other learning groups specified by the teacher, but also the expressions of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each student themselves, facial expressions of teachers only,
Also, visual information such as facial expressions of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher are used to enhance the overall conversational ability while transmitting and receiving each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1-1 captures visual information such as the faces of (1 to m) students and teachers in group learning of the first to n-th groups. To (1
To m) are placed at each student seat and teacher seat. The image display device 1-2 displays the expressions of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each of the (1 to m) students themselves, the expressions of the teacher only, and the other learning groups designated by the teacher. In order to display the expressions of all the students who belong to them, they are arranged at each of the student seats (1 to m) and the teacher seats. Transmission / reception device 1-3
Means that each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher listens to the teaching voice of the teacher and the voice of the audio teaching material which the teacher sends out at the same time, and In order to send and receive utterances to all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and to all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher (1 to 1)
m) Located at each student's seat and teacher's seat. The audio recording / reproducing device 1-4 is configured such that each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher can use the voice of the audio teaching material that the teacher sends out at the same time, the teacher's instruction voice, and the (1 to m) people's To record the utterances of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including the students themselves, and the utterances of all the students belonging to other learning groups specified by the teacher, (1 to m) each student seat And in the teacher's seat. Note that the above-described n indicates the number of groups for group learning, and the above-described m indicates the number of students.

The first switcher 7 mixes the voices of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group for each learning group set by the teacher, and mixes them with all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. It is installed in an installation place such as a classroom in order to realize the transmitted voice. The second switcher 8 combines, for each learning group set by the teacher, images incorporating the expressions of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and combines the images into a single learning group of the combined images. To all students and teachers belonging to
In order to realize distribution of all audio information to students and teachers designated by the teacher, the audio information is installed at an installation place such as a classroom.

The video / audio storage / transmission device 5 transmits, to the second switcher, voice information and image information designated by the teacher by operating the second switcher 8 to record all of the image information and all of the voice information. Recorded via 8,
In addition, it is installed at a teacher's desk or the like in order to send voice information and image information to the designated students and teachers to the second switcher 8. The image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n reassemble the image information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group and sent to the second switcher 8 into one image information for each learning group. The combined image information is sent to the second switcher 8. (1 to m) The expressions of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each student themselves, the expressions of only teachers, and the expressions of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher are represented by (1) to (m). ~ M) Each student and teacher can also transmit and receive audio while visually recognizing the images.

Next, an embodiment of the collective language training apparatus and method of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. In the group language training apparatus and system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the group learning class of the first to n-th groups, each student and teacher of (1 to m) who formed a learning group A video camera 2-1 arranged on the CRT 2-2 of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher to capture visual information such as the face of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher. In this manner, the movements of the mouth and tongue when each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher utterance are photographed, and are captured by the CRT 2-2 arranged at the (1 to m) each of the students and the teacher. , Was taken (1
~ M) Real-time movements of the mouth and tongue when speaking from all the students belonging to the same learning group including each of the students themselves, teachers, and all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher. This makes it possible to implement a lesson in which sound and images are integrated. In addition, the (1 to m) students and the teacher listen to the teaching voice of the teacher and the voice of the audio teaching material which the teacher sends out at the same time, and listen to the (1 to m) students and the teacher. To send the utterance to all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group and to all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher, the utterances are placed at each student seat and teacher seat of (1 to m) people. Headset 2-3, (1-m)
All the students and teachers of each person belong to the same learning group by using the teacher's instruction voice, the voice of the audio teaching material that the teacher sends out at the same time, and the voices of (1 to m) people and teachers belonging to the same learning group. The LL tape recorder 2-4 for recording the voices of the students, teachers, and all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teachers is installed. To mix audio signals of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group for each learning group specified by the teacher to achieve mixed audio signal transmission to all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. Is installed. This income matrix switcher 9
There are (1 to m) voice signal input units for each student and teacher. For each of the learning groups set by the teacher, image signals that capture the expressions of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are combined, and one combined image signal is sent to all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. An AV switcher 10 for transmitting and distributing all image signals and all audio signals to a teacher and students designated by the teacher is installed. The AV switcher 10 has image signal input sections for (1 to m) students and teachers. Teacher is AV switcher 1
The audio signal and the image signal designated to be recorded from all the audio signals and all the image signals by the operation for 0 are recorded via the AV switcher 10, and the designated student and teacher are given the audio signal and the image signal. A VTR, CLD, etc. 11 as an audio / video storage / transmission device for transmitting the audio / video to the AV switcher 10 are installed. AV switcher 10
Multi-screen unit 1 that reassembles the image signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group and sent to the AV switcher 10 for each learning group
2-1 to 12-n are set in the first to n-th learning groups, respectively.

Next, the operation of the collective language training apparatus and system of the present embodiment will be described. First, the teacher and (1-m)
The audio signals of each student and teacher are sent to the headset 2-
The microphone signals of No. 3 extract voice signals of actual (1 to m) students and teachers as continuous electric signals. The image signals of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher are taken out as continuous electric signals by the video camera 2-1 photographing an actual subject as an image. The intercom matrix switcher 9 receives the audio signal transmitted from the headset 2-3 via the LL tape recorder 2-4, and for each of the learning groups set by the teacher, the voice of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. The mixed signals are sent to the headset 2-3 via the LL tape recorder 2-4, and the mixed audio signals are sent to all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. The audio signal is transmitted to the AV switcher 10. The AV switcher 10 receives not only the image signals of the (1 to m) students and teachers from the video camera 2-1 but also the image signals transmitted from the multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n and the broadcast. Receives the audio signal and image signal of 2-7, such as VTR and CLD, which the teacher wants to transmit,
At the time of group study, the audio signals of the study group designated by the teacher are sent from the intercom matrix switcher 9 to the AV switcher 10 and the image signals sent from the multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n are received. , CRT2 of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group
-2, all image signals are sent to the designated student and teacher's CRT 2-2, and all audio signals are sent to the designated student and teacher's LL tape recorder 2-4 via the designated student and teacher's LL tape recorder 2-4. It is distributed to the headset 2-3.

When the group education mode implements group learning lessons of the first to n-th groups, the teacher switches the income matrix switcher 9 and the AV switcher 10 to the group learning state of the first to n-th groups. As a result, the audio signals of each of the students and teachers (1 to m) input to the income matrix switcher 9 are mixed with the audio signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and are mixed with (1 to m). And LL tape recorder 2-4 of each student and teacher. On the other hand, at the time of group learning of the first to n-th groups, the image signals of each of the (1 to m) students and teachers input to the AV switcher 10 are obtained by combining the same combination for each learning group as the income matrix switcher 9 with the AV. The image signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same study group and made to correspond to each other by the switcher 10 and transmitted to the multi-screen unit 2-8 are reassembled into one image signal by the multi-screen unit 2-8 to become one. The received image signal is sent to the image signal input of the CRT 2-2 of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher via the AV switcher 10.

At the time of group learning of the first to n-th groups,
The audio signal of the learning group specified by the teacher, which is sent from the intercom matrix switcher 9 to the AV switcher 10, is associated with the image signal of the learning group specified by the same teacher in the AV switcher 10. By the operation, it is possible to transmit to the student specified by the teacher. Further, the audio signal and the image signal of the VTR, CLD, etc. 11 that the teacher wants to send all at once can be sent to the specified student.

Next, a specific configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, focusing on the flow of image signals and audio signals. In order to capture visual information such as the faces of (1 to m) students and teachers, the output of the imaging device 3-1 arranged at each of (1 to m) students and teacher's seats is It is sent to the image input terminal of the second switcher 8. Displays the expressions of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each student (1 to m), the expressions of only teachers, and the expressions of all students belonging to other learning groups specified by the teacher. (1 ~
m) Information to the image display device 3-2 arranged at each student's seat and the teacher is transmitted from the image output terminal of the second switcher 8. The transmission / reception device 3-3 arranged at each of the (1 to m) students' seats and the teacher's seat includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. And listen to the teacher's guidance voice and the voice of the voice learning material sent by the teacher all at once, and furthermore, utter the voices of (1 to m) students and teachers to all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. , And to all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher. The voice output of the transmitting section is sent to the transmitting voice input terminal of the voice recording / reproducing apparatus 3-4 arranged at each of the student's seats and the teacher's seats of (1 to m) persons, and is provided to the receiving section. The sound is (1
To m) are transmitted from the receiving voice output terminal of the voice recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at each student's seat and teacher's seat.

Each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher receives the same voice including the voice of the audio teaching material which the teacher sends out at the same time, the teacher's instruction voice, and each of the (1 to m) students. To record the utterances of all the students and teachers belonging to the learning group and the utterances of all the students belonging to other learning groups specified by the teacher, placed in each of the student seats and teacher seats of (1 to m) persons The sound recording / reproducing device 3-4 exchanges a sound signal with the first switcher 7 arranged in an installation place such as a classroom. The first switcher 7 arranged at an installation place such as a classroom includes (1 to
m) There is a voice input unit for each student and teacher, and for each learning group set by the teacher, the voices of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are mixed and all belonging to the same learning group. It enables mixed voice transmission to students and teachers. Also,
First switcher 7 arranged at an installation place such as a classroom
Enables the voice of the learning group designated by the teacher to be transmitted to the second switcher 8 disposed at the installation location such as a classroom.

Images incorporating the expressions of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are combined, and one combined image is transmitted to all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. In order to realize the distribution of the image information and all the audio information, the second switcher 8 arranged at an installation place such as a classroom is arranged at each of the student seats and the teacher seats of (1 to m) persons. There is an image input unit for inputting image information sent from the imaging device 3-1.

At the time of group learning of the first to n-th groups in the group education mode, the teacher uses the first switcher 7 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom and the second switcher 8 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom. The state is switched to the group learning state of the first to n-th groups. As a result, the first switcher 7 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom can receive (1 to m) audio recording / reproducing devices 3-4 arranged at the student's seat and the teacher's seat.
m) receiving the voice input of each student and teacher, mixing with the voice information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group,
(1 to m) is sent to the voice input of the voice recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at each of the students and the teacher.

On the other hand, at the time of group learning of the first to n-th groups, the second switcher 8 arranged at an installation place such as a classroom
An image input of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher is received from the imaging device 3-1 disposed at each of the (1 to m) students' seats and the teacher's seat, and is arranged at an installation place such as a classroom. Is sent to the image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n. The image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n arranged in the setting place such as the classroom receive the image information of each of the (1 to m) students and the teachers from the second switcher 8, and send them to the same learning group. The image information of all the attendees and teachers to which they belong is reassembled into one image information and transmitted to the second switcher 8. The image information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group as one image is represented by the image display device 3-2 arranged at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat.
To the image input unit. The video / audio storage / transmission device 5 installed at the teacher's desk or the like designates the audio information and image information to be transmitted to the student and the teacher specified by the teacher via the second switcher 8 disposed at the installation location such as a classroom. The information is transmitted as audio information and image information to the attendees and teachers.

At this time, a particularly remarkable operation is that when the group education mode is group learning of the first to n-th groups, the teacher installs the first switcher 7 and the classroom etc. When the second switcher 8 arranged at the place is switched to the group learning state of the first to n-th groups, the voice information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group is mixed, and ( 1 to m) are sent to the audio recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at each of the students and the teachers, whereas the image information is transmitted to all the students and the teachers belonging to the same learning group. The image information is integrated as one piece of image information via the image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n arranged in the installation place such as a classroom, and is placed at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat. Is transmitted to the arranged image display device 3-2. , This series of operations, teachers,
That is, it is possible to determine the transmission and reception of the voice information and the image information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group and, at the same time, realize the switching that is possible.

In order to realize distribution of all audio information and all image information, the second switcher 8 disposed at an installation place such as a classroom is provided with (1 to m) students and teachers. In addition to receiving image information of (1 to m) students and teachers from the imaging device 3-1 disposed in the seat, the image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6 disposed in an installation place such as a classroom are not only received.
-N, and all the audio information and all the image information from the image and audio storage and transmission device 5 installed at the teacher's desk or the like to which the teacher wants to transmit all at once. At the time of group study, the group receives audio information of a specific study group designated by the teacher, which is transmitted from the first switcher 7 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom, and is arranged at the installation place such as a classroom. Image synthesis device 6
The image information transmitted from -1 to 6-n is transmitted to the image display devices 3-2 arranged at the seats of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. In the second switcher 8 disposed at the installation place such as a classroom, all the image information is displayed on the image display device 3-2 disposed at the seat of the designated student and the teacher.
All the voice information is transmitted to the transmission receiver 3-3 arranged at the designated student and teacher's seat via the audio recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at the designated student and teacher's seat. You.

Note that the teacher records voice information and image information taken out from the second switcher 8 disposed in an installation place such as a classroom, or the second switcher 8 disposed in an installation place such as a classroom.
In order to transmit audio information and image information to students and teachers designated via the switcher 8 of the present invention, the audio-video storage / transmission device 5 installed at a teacher's desk or the like specifically includes a wide range of AV recording / reproducing devices. And an AV reproducer, as well as an AV imaging device and a TV receiver.

The teacher, who is the class organizer, simultaneously transmits audio information and image information to the (1 to m) image display devices 3-2 arranged at each of the students and the teacher, and the students and the teacher. Is transmitted to the audio recording / reproducing device 3-4 disposed at the seat of the user, the teacher operates the second switcher 8 disposed at the installation location such as a classroom to select input information, select an output destination, and output. The selection of the target student and the variable output volume can be set and changed at the start of the lesson or during an arbitrary lesson.

Each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher selected by the teacher transmits the image information determined to be transmitted by the teacher to (1.m).
To m) can be continuously viewed on the image display device 3-2 arranged at each of the students and the teacher. Similarly, each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher selected by the teacher transmits the audio information determined by the teacher to be transmitted to the (1 to m) students and the audio recording arranged at the teacher's seat. Reproduction device 3-4
, It is possible to listen continuously by the transmission / reception device 3-3 arranged at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat.

The teacher sends the image / audio storage / transmission device 5 installed at the teacher's desk or the like where the medium he / she wants to send is loaded.
By reproducing arbitrary plural units among the above and making various settings as described above for the second switcher 8 arranged in the installation place such as a classroom, each audio information actually desired to be presented in the class And each image information is transmitted to the student and the teacher designated by the teacher.

When the teacher conducts the group learning lessons of the first to n-th groups, the teacher has a first switcher 7 disposed at an installation location such as a classroom and a second switcher 7 disposed at an installation location such as a classroom. 8 is switched to the group learning state of the first to n-th groups, and a learning group is set. In the case of setting a learning group, the learning group is sequentially created and set on the assumption that any arbitrary combination is possible without restriction by a seat position of a student and a teacher. Furthermore, the teacher itself can also be a member of the learning group mixed with the students.
Also, in order to simplify the above-mentioned learning group setting work, a group learning setting accumulation function or device can be separately added, and a group learning automatic setting function or a group learning setting support function can be added. This is made possible by using a part of the functions of the first switcher 7 arranged in the first place and the second switcher 8 arranged in the installation place such as a classroom.

When the teacher completes the setting of the learning group by the above setting, each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher
The group learning of the n-th group is performed manually by a teacher or by a first switcher 7 disposed at an installation location such as a classroom.
And all the courses belonging to the same learning group set by the functions such as the group learning automatic setting function, the group learning setting support function, and the group learning setting accumulation function of the second switcher 8 arranged in the setting place such as the classroom. Carry out group study with people.

When the group learning of the first to n-th groups is carried out, each of the (1 to m) students and the teachers are provided with the images arranged at the (1 to m) each of the students and the teachers. Display device 3-
2, the expressions of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each of the (1 to m) students themselves, the expressions of the teacher only, and the other learning groups designated by the teacher While watching the images of the expressions of all the students to which the students belong, the (1 to m) students and the teachers further teach the teacher's instruction voice and the voice of the voice learning material sent by the teacher all at once to the same learning group. The mixed voice of all the students who belong to it, and the voices of all the students who belong to other learning groups designated by the teacher, are transmitted to the (1 to m) persons and the transmitting and receiving apparatus 3 arranged at the seat of the teacher. Listen at the receiver of -3.

In order to realize the above operation, the first switcher 7 arranged at an installation place such as a classroom is provided with (1 to m) students and teachers in group learning of the first to n-th groups. And sends the mixed voice of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group to the voice recording / reproducing device 3-4 placed at each student and teacher's seat, The second switcher 8 disposed at the installation location converts the image information of each of the (1 to m) students and teachers in the group learning of the first to n-th groups into an image disposed at the installation location such as a classroom. The data is sent to the synthesizers 6-1 to 6-n.

The image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n arranged at the installation location such as the classroom receive the teachers and (1 to m) persons from the second switcher 8 arranged at the installation location such as the classroom. Receiving the image information of the students and the teacher, reassembling the image information of all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group into one image information, and combining the one image information into the second place, Switcher 8 received from the image synthesizing devices 6-1 to 6-n arranged at the installation place such as a classroom,
An image display device 3-2 arranged at the seats of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group by combining the image information integrated into one
Send to

Each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher utters a voice and is received by the transmitting unit of the transmitting and receiving device 3-3 arranged at the seat of the (1 to m) students and the teacher. The received voice information is transmitted to the transmission voice input terminal of the voice recording / reproducing device 3-4 disposed at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher. After that, the voice information is immediately transmitted to the voice recording / reproducing device 3 arranged at the seats of (1 to m) students and teachers.
-4 to the first switcher 7 disposed at the installation location such as a classroom. Similarly, the voice information of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher is accumulated in the first switcher 7 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom.

The first switcher 7 arranged at the installation place such as a classroom mixes the voice information of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and mixes the mixed voice information at the installation place such as the classroom. Through the arranged first switcher 7, the data is transmitted to the audio recording / reproducing devices 3-4 arranged at the seats of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. (1 to m)
The mixed audio information that has arrived at the audio recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at each of the students and the teachers is (1 to 1).
m) Through the receiving voice output terminal of the voice recording / reproducing device 3-4 arranged at each student and the teacher's seat, (1 to m)
A transmitting and receiving device 3 placed at each of the students and the teacher
-3. Each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher opens the voice information of all the students belonging to the same mixed learning group through the reception unit.

[0038]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A video camera 4-1 equipped with a CCD device is mounted on each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat.
m) One unit is installed in a place where the angle of view that can sufficiently capture the expressions including the faces of the students and teachers can be maintained. The sense of oppression that the video camera 4-1 is being photographed by the teacher,
A sufficiently small and unobtrusive one is desirable so that each of the (1 to m) students does not need to have a sense of tension.

A CRT 4-2 is installed at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat. CRT4-2 is the first to n-th
At the time of group group learning, the expressions of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each student (1 to m),
It is used to visually recognize the expression of only the teacher and the expressions of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher. Also, C
The RT4-2 is also used to display the image signals of the VTR, CLD, and the like 11 transmitted by the teacher to each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher during the simultaneous transmission class.

A headset 4-3 is arranged at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat. Headset 4-3
The (1 to m) students and teachers are attached to the head, and the teaching voice of the teacher and the voice of the voice learning material which the teacher sends out at the same time. (1 to
m) used to listen to a mixed audio signal of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, including their own voices. In addition, it is also used to transmit (1-m) each student's own voice to all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group and to all students belonging to other learning groups.

An LL tape recorder 4-4 is installed at each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher's seat. The LL tape recorder 4-4 transmits the voice of the audio teaching material which the teacher sends out at the same time, the instruction voice of the teacher, the voices of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and the other learning groups designated by the teacher. It is used for recording and recording the utterances of all the students who belong to it, and for reproducing, repeating, or listening to the model recorded on the medium, and for practicing pronunciation.

The income matrix switcher 9 is
When the (1 to m) students and teachers perform group learning of the first to n-th groups, audio signals of the (1 to m) students and teachers who formed the learning group are output to the first group. To a function of mixing every nth group. The income matrix switcher 9 is involved in group learning of the first to n-th groups (1
-M) Switching necessary for distribution and distribution of audio signals of each student and teacher, and switching support functions are provided in a concentrated manner.

When the (1 to m) students and teachers perform group learning of the first to n-th groups, the AV switcher 10 transmits image signals of (1 to m) students and teachers. To
The data is transmitted to the multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n. The multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n receive the image signals of (1 to m) students and teachers from the AV switcher 10, and convert the image signals of all the students belonging to the same learning group into one image. The signal is reassembled and sent to the AV switcher 10 as one image signal. AV switcher 10
Sends the combined image signals received from the multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n to the CRT 4-2 arranged at the seats of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. The AV switcher 10 intensively includes switching necessary for distribution and distribution of image signals of (1 to m) students and teachers involved in group learning of the first to n-th groups, a switching support function, and the like. In addition to the function, the teacher is provided with a function that can finally determine what images are currently being sent to the AV switcher 10 and which images are presented to the student specified by the teacher. .

Multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n
When the (1 to m) students and teachers perform group learning of the first to n-th groups, the (1 to m) students and teachers receive image signals from the AV switcher 10. The image signals of the students (1 to m) and the teachers belonging to the same learning group are reassembled as one image signal for each learning group, and the one image signal is transmitted to the AV switcher 10. Has functions.

Various devices such as an AV device, a document camera, an overhead camera, a TV tuner, a DVD player, and a DVD recorder, which can handle a medium that the teacher wants to record and a medium to play back, etc., are used for the VTR, CLD, and the like 11. .

In the simultaneous class operation, the teacher uses the AV switcher 10 to search for the image that he or she wants to use immediately from the currently available VTRs and CLDs 11 and to perform cueing and other operations. Student and teacher CRT4
-2.

When the teacher conducts the group learning lessons of the first to n-th groups, the teacher assigns each of the (1 to m) students and teachers to the first to nth groups by the income matrix switcher 9 and the AV switcher 10. The state is switched to the group learning of n groups, and a learning group is set for each of the students (1 to m) and the teacher. When setting the learning groups of the first to n-th groups, the teacher presupposes that the teacher can use any arbitrary combination without restriction by the seat position of the student. Create and set up learning groups sequentially. Depending on the number of students and the number of students in one learning group, the teachers themselves may be mixed with the students in order to support the learning group with a small number of students.
It is also possible to be a member of the group's learning team.
In addition, since the teacher sets all combinations individually each time, it leads to the stagnation of the class, so that the group learning for the first to n-th groups is simplified separately. Add a setting storage function or device,
It is also possible to add a group learning automatic setting function or a group learning setting support function.
It is possible to use a part of the functions of the V switcher 10, and it is possible to realize accurate and quick class management in terms of operation and operation.

After the teacher completes the setting of the learning groups of the first to n-th groups by the above setting, each of the (1 to m) students and the teachers perform the group learning of the first to n-th groups. All students and teachers belonging to the same learning group set by the manual operation by the teacher or the group learning automatic setting function of the intercom matrix switcher 9 and the AV switcher 10, the group learning setting support function, or the group learning setting accumulation function We carry out group learning with.

When the teacher implements group learning for the first to n-th groups, each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher
m) Images of facial expressions such as the faces of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group including each of the (1 to m) students themselves displayed on the CRT 4-2 of each student and teacher. , And images of facial expressions such as faces of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher, and furthermore, audio signals of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, teacher's guidance audio signals, audio The audio signal of the teaching material and the audio signal obtained by mixing the utterances of all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher are heard through the headphone section of the headset 4-3.

In order to realize the above-mentioned operation, the income matrix switcher 9 is configured such that when each of the (1 to m) students and teachers performs group learning of the first to n-th groups, the same learning group The audio signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are mixed, and the mixed audio signals are transmitted to the LL tape recorders 4-4 of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group.

The AV switcher 10 has a teacher (1 to m)
When each of the trainees and the teacher perform the group learning of the first to n-th groups, the image signals of the (1 to m) learners and the teacher are transmitted to the multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n. Send out. The multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n are AV
The image signals of (1 to m) students and teachers are received from the switcher 10, and the image signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group are reassembled into one image signal for each learning group. The resulting image signal is sent to the AV switcher 10. The AV switcher 10 is a multi-screen unit 1
The image signals received from 2-1 to 12-n are combined into one for each learning group, and are sent to the CRT 4-2 arranged at the seats of all students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. AV
The switcher 10 intensively includes switching necessary for distribution and distribution of image signals of (1 to m) students and teachers involved in group learning of the first to n-th groups, a switching support function, and the like. In addition to this, it has a function that can finally determine what images are currently being sent to the teacher and which images are presented to the student specified by the teacher.

Multi-screen units 12-1 to 12-n
When the teacher causes the (1 to m) students and the teacher to perform group learning of the first to n-th groups, the image signals of the (1 to m) students and the teacher are transferred to the AV switcher 10. And reassembles the image signals of the students (1 to m) and the teachers belonging to the same learning group for each learning group as one image signal, and the one image signal is sent to the AV switcher 10. It has a sending function.

The audio signal converted into an electric signal by the microphone section of the headset 4-3 is transmitted to the LL tape recorder 4-4.
Is transmitted to the transmission voice input terminal. Thereafter, this audio signal is immediately sent to the intercom matrix switcher 9 through the LL tape recorder 4-4, and as a result, the audio signals of each of the (1 to m) students and the teacher are integrated in the intercom matrix switcher 9. The intercom matrix switcher 9 mixes the audio signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, and mixes the audio mixed through the intercom matrix switcher 9 with the LL tape recorders of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group. 4-
4 The mixed audio signal arriving at the LL tape recorder 4-4 is transmitted to the headphone section of the headset 4-3 through the reception audio output terminal of the LL tape recorder 4-4, and each of the (1 to m) students And the teacher listens to the audio signals of all the students and teachers belonging to the same learning group, including the mixed (1 to m) students themselves, through the headphone section of the headset 4-3.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the imaging device is not limited to the video camera 4-1.
A high-definition small camera or a monochrome CCD camera may be used. Further, a digital video camera or the like having a CODEC function for performing digital conversion and sending the digital image signal in the form of a digital image signal is also established as an alternative.

The image display device is not limited to the CRT 4-2, but may be a liquid crystal display or a plasma display of a type such as a TFT or DSTN, or various projection systems as alternatives. If a PC is also placed on the student desk at the same time, a CRT for the PC
It is also possible to use a system that is shared with a liquid crystal display of a laptop computer. In addition, the CRT 4-2 or a substitute thereof may be configured as a substitute for arranging a means for decoding a digitized image signal inside or outside to make it reproducible.

A headset 4-
In addition to the above, it is conceivable to use a super-directional speaker, a super-directional microphone, an infrared wireless headset, a wireless wireless headset, a PHS, a mobile phone, various transceivers, and the like.

The audio recording / reproducing device is not limited to the LL tape recorder 4-4, but may be an MD, MO, DVD, CD-ROM.
A sound recording / reproducing medium such as a ROM, a CD-R, a CD-V, and a PCM-RECORD is established as a substitute.

The first switcher is not limited to the intercom matrix switcher 9 but may be a combination of various general-purpose matrix switchers, and various routers, LAN switchers, loop interface units, ATM switchers on the assumption that the signals are digitized. Various LAN and WAN devices such as the above may be adopted.

The second switcher is not limited to the AV switcher 10, but may be a combination of various general-purpose matrix switchers, and various routers, LAN switchers, loop interface units, ATM switchers, etc. on the assumption that the signals are digitized. LANs and WAs
It is conceivable to employ N devices.

As a video / audio storage / transmission device, a VTR,
Not only CLD and the like 11, but also various types of analog output AV devices such as a document camera, an overhead camera, a DVD, a TV tuner, and digital video, digital editing, and V
A device that directly inputs and outputs various digital image signals such as OD may be used as a substitute.

[0061]

According to the present invention, in a LL class, when a teacher divides each student into two or more learning groups and operates the class, the teacher switches the first switcher and the second switcher. With the operation described above, a desired operation can be realized by centralized control.

Therefore, in the group learning class of the foreign language group education, the present device and the method use the real-time participatory practice learning of the communication between the students including the facial expressions and the gestures to realize the learning effect of each student. Improvements can be expected.

For a teacher who is an LL group education operator, the introduction of the present apparatus and method for realizing transmission and reception of image information and audio information in real time makes it easy for the learning situation of each learning group. Realization of grasp, expansion of real-time, non-uniformity-based individual guidance opportunities for each learning group, and development of a practice environment that balances each student's voluntary learning attitude and continuous learning motivation Can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a general configuration of a group language training apparatus and system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a collective language training apparatus and system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a general system diagram of the collective language training apparatus and system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed system diagram showing an embodiment of a group language training apparatus and system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1, 3-1 Imaging device 2-1, 4-1 Video camera 1-2, 3-2 Image display device 2-2, 4-2 CRT 1-3, 3-3 Transmission / reception device 2-3 , 4-3 Headset 1-4, 3-4 Audio recording / reproducing device 2-4, 4-4 LL tape recorder 5 Image / audio storing / sending device 6-1 to 6-n Image synthesizing device 7 First switcher 8 No. 2 switcher 9 Income matrix switcher 10 AV switcher 11 VTR, CLD, etc. 12-1 to 12-n Multi-screen unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshio Abe 1-1-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Tokyo Tsushin Shin Kogyo Co., Ltd. No. 11 in Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. In a LL class, a teacher divides all students into first to Mth (M is an integer of 2 or more) learning groups in which N (N is an integer of 2 or more) students is a unit. When a class is operated, each student belonging to the same learning group and the teacher include all the students belonging to the same learning group and the voice information uttered by the teacher, and all the students belonging to the same learning group. And a group language training apparatus for enhancing comprehensive conversational ability through group learning sharing image information in which facial expressions of the teacher are captured, wherein a photographing apparatus for capturing visual information of the teacher and each of the students And the expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group including each student and the teacher, the expressions of the teacher only, and the expressions of all the students belonging to the other learning groups designated by the teacher are displayed. An image display device, the teacher and the front While listening to the teacher's teaching voice and the voice of the voice teaching material that the teacher sends all at once, all the learners belonging to the same learning group change the voices of the teacher and the learners. And a transmitting and receiving apparatus for transmitting and receiving to all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher, the teacher and each of the learners, the voice of the voice teaching material which the teacher sends out at the same time, A voice recording / reproducing apparatus that records instruction voices, utterances of all students belonging to the same learning group including each student and the teachers, and utterances of all students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher. The number for each of the teachers and the first to Mth learning groups (N × M) students is provided, and for each learning group set by the teacher, all the students belonging to the same learning group and Mix the teacher's voice and send it to the same learning group And a first switcher for transmitting the mixed voice to all the students and the teacher, and an image that captures the expressions of all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group for each learning group set by the teacher. Is transmitted to all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher, and all the image information and all the audio information are transmitted to the students and the teacher designated by the teacher. A second switcher for distribution;
The teacher operates the second switcher to record, via the second switcher, the image information and the audio information specifying that all the image information and all the audio information are to be recorded, and to specify the designated student A video and audio storage and transmission device that transmits the image information and the audio information to the second switcher to the teacher, and all the students and the teacher who belong to the same learning group and are transmitted from the second switcher. A group language training program comprising an image synthesizing apparatus for reassembling the image information into one image information for each learning group and sending the one image information to the second switcher. apparatus. 2. In group learning, an image pickup means arranged at each student and the teacher's seat for photographing visual information such as the face of each student and the teacher, and the same including each student itself In order to display the expressions of all the students belonging to the learning group and the teacher, the expressions of only the teacher, and the expressions of all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher, the respective students and the teacher are displayed. The image display means arranged at the seat of each of the students and the teacher while listening to the teacher's instruction voice and the voice of the audio teaching material that the teacher sends all at once. A utterance of a teacher is arranged at each of the students and the teacher to transmit and receive utterances to all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group and to all the students belonging to other learning groups designated by the teacher. The transmitting and receiving means, and each of the students and the teacher , The voice of the voice teaching material that is being sent all at once, the voice of the teacher, the voices of all the students belonging to the same learning group including each student and the voice of the teacher, and other learning groups designated by the teacher. In order to record the utterances of all the students belonging to the group, voice recording / reproducing means arranged at each of the students and the teacher's seat, and for each learning group set by the teacher, all the students belonging to the same learning group To mix the voice of the teacher and the teacher and send the mixed voice to all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group,
The first switching means arranged in an installation place such as a classroom, and, for each learning group set by the teacher, one image by combining the images capturing the expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher. Classroom, etc., in order to send the obtained image to all the students and the teacher belonging to the same learning group, and to distribute all the image information and all the audio information to the teacher and the students specified by the teacher. The second switching means arranged at the installation location of the, the image information and audio information designated by the teacher to be recorded from among all image information and all audio information by the second switching means, An image / audio storage / transmission unit installed at a teacher's desk or the like for recording by the second switching unit and transmitting image information and audio information to the designated student and the teacher; The image information transmitted by the second switching means and reassembled into one piece of image information of all the students belonging to the same learning group and the image information of the teacher for each learning group to become one image information, An image synthesizing unit for sending to the second switching unit, wherein the teacher realizes a desired operation by centralized control by operating the first switching unit and the second switching unit, and The expressions of all the students belonging to the same learning group and the teacher, the expressions of only the teacher, and the expressions of all the students belonging to the other learning groups designated by the teacher are displayed by each student and the teacher. A collective language training system characterized by the ability to send and receive voices while visually recognizing.