SE512342C2 - Procedure and apparatus using mobile phones - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for allowing participants in a meeting or a conference to make contributions using a mobile telephone, or any other telephone, as a conference microphone are disclosed. The public telephone network is used in connection with a prior art loudspeaker system. A service node is used to connect the telephone network and the loudspeaker system. Participants can also select a channel to listen to on their telephones, for example, to hear a translation of the discussion.

Description

15 20 25 30 512 342 2 A similar situation as the one described above arises when groups of people are guided in public places such as museums and translation into different languages is desired.

European patent application EP 0 187 696 describes a system for establishing communication between a number of people in a meeting and a telephone system. A telephone comprising one or more microphones is used, with the microphones detecting sounds and transmitting them to the telephone network. Signals received from the network are transmitted as pulsed infrared signals. Each person is equipped with an infrared receiver, which receives the signals and forwards them to a headphone.

Summary of the concept of invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which simplifies communication between participants in large meetings and conferences.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a device for amplifying sound in a room, such as a conference room, the room being too large for the participants to be able to hear each other when nominal voice is used, which device comprises a loudspeaker system, characterized in that it comprises the following: control means for controlling the arrangement of telephones connecting to the control means in a queue and the connection and disconnection of telephones to the sound amplification device according to the queue order; - a telephone network which telephones can connect to the control means; - connection means for connecting the calls in the public network to the sound amplification system.

This provides a voice amplification system for use in conference rooms and the like that is adaptable to virtually any room size and any number of participants.

The system according to the invention also enables conference participants outside the conference room to listen to the discussion and make contributions in the same sound system as the conference participants. It also enables automatic announcing of the next speaker, _ automatic queuing of speakers and automatic engagement of the next speaker in the queue and reinforcement of his or her posts.

These advantages are also achieved according to the invention by a method for amplifying sound in a room comprising a sound amplification system, so that a meeting participant's speech can be heard by other meeting participants even in a room that is too large for the participants to hear each other. when normal voice is used, characterized by - that a meeting participant connects, by means of a telephone, to a service node to register as a speaker; - that the service node arranges the meeting participant in a queue of registered speakers; that the service node connects notified speakers to the sound amplification system by means of connections to their telephones, in turn.

The above object is also achieved by means of a device for providing translations to conference or meeting participants, of lecture, speech and / or discussion, for use, for example, in a conference room, characterized in that it comprises the following: - an audience network to which telephones can be connected; - connection means for connecting calls in the public network to a sound amplification system; - control means for controlling the connection and disconnection of telephone connections; - control means belonging to each telephone, for establishing communication with the service node.

This provides a voice amplification system for use in conference rooms and the like in which each participant can choose a channel to listen to, e.g. for interpretation into another language. 10 15 20 25 _512 342 4 This advantage is also achieved according to the invention by a method for providing translations of lectures, speeches and / or discussion to participants in a conference or a meeting, characterized in that telephones connected to a telephone network are used as receiver units, which method comprises the following steps: the participant dials a specific number to connect to a control means in the network; - the conference governing body invites the participant to identify themselves and to choose the language of the translation; - the user selects the desired language; - the conference controller connects the telephone to the correct channel; - a control means belonging to the telephone disconnects the connection in the direction fi from the participant to the control means, so that the participant can receive information from the telephone network but not send information.

Mobile phones and a mobile telephone network are preferably used, as this gives maximum flexibility in the number of telephones and their location.

The invention is flexible with regard to the number of conference participants, so that problems that arise with either too large or too small microphone installations can be avoided.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a conference system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a conference system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a conference system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows the steps performed by a user who wishes to use the conference system.

Figure 5 shows the steps performed when a user is engaged and allowed to hold a post.

S Ȧ 10 15 20 25 30 512 342 5 Detailed description of embodiments Figure 1 shows a conference system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The system comprises a service node 1, comprising means which terminate calls.

The service node 1 is connected to a conference speaker system, represented by a speaker 3, via a conference controller 5.

A telephone 7 used for control and for connection to the loudspeaker system is also connected to the conference controller 5. It is easily understood by the person skilled in the art that other types of terminals could also be used to control the conference controller 5. A computer terminal, such as a personal computer, preferably with telephone services. would be useful for setting up a conference and for continuous management and monitoring.

The conference controller 5 and the service node are both connected to a private exchange (PABX) 9. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the boxes represent functions rather than physical units, which means that the units do not need to be realized as separate units. For example, the service node 1 and the exchange 9 could be integrated in one unit.

The private exchange 9 is connected to a public telephone network 1. One or more of your telephones 13 may be connected to the telephone network 11. One or more of your connection means 15, 17 for wireless connection, which are needed to terminate cordless telephone connections, are used together with the telephone network. . As an example, the mobile connection means 15 may correspond to the receiver, and the control part of a mobile telephone system such as a GSM system and the connection means 17 may correspond to a gateway between this mobile telephone system and a public telephone network 11.

The conference controller 5 can also be used to keep track of how long each speaker is allowed to speak. This is useful, e.g. in conferences where each participant is assigned a total maximum talk time or where each post is limited to a maximum time. When a participant holding a post is about to exceed the time limit or a predetermined time before this happens, the conference controller 5 may initiate a message to the participant over the telephone connection that the participant is using.

A participant with a regular mobile phone 19 can use this phone as a conference microphone. Ordinary telephones 13 connected to the public network 11 can also be used, which is advantageous, e.g. when someone outside the conference room wishes to make a speech. In this way, people who follow a satellite transmission of the conference or meeting can also ask questions or comment.

In this embodiment, the speaker system is any known speaker system, with at least one microphone 21 connected to it. The microphone can be connected to the conference controller 5 or directly to the fixed telephone 7, but is in both cases connected to the fixed telephone 7 in such a way that when the handset is off on the telephone 7 the microphone 21 is disconnected so that private calls are made possible e.g. between the chairman of the meeting and a participant.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2. This embodiment is described as realized in a system according to Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) such as the GSM system (Global System for Mobile Communication).

As in the first embodiment, the system comprises a speaker system 103 connected to a public telephone network 105 by a conference controller 107. A telephone 109 and a microphone 111 are also connected to the conference controller 107. An ordinary telephone 113 is connected to the public telephone network 105 by a wired connection.

One or more connection means 115, 117 for wireless connection are connected to the public network 105 for terminating wireless connections from the telephones 119, 121 in the mobile telephone system. A service node 101 is preferably connected to one of the wireless connection means 117. This configuration simplifies the assignment of frequencies for communication with mobile telephones. As an example, the mobile connection means 115 may correspond to the receiver and the control part of a mobile telephone system such as a GSM system, and the connection means 117 may correspond to a gateway between this mobile telephone system and a public network 105.

Each of the cordless telephones 119 may include or be connected to a mobile controller 123, which may be used to download a protocol specifying the user interface to the conference services from the service node 101. This user interface is used e.g. to select a language to listen to or to sign up to post. The mobile controller 123 also sets the telephone to the correct carrier frequency.

The mobile control means 123 also controls the receiver part of the cordless telephone so that it remains in a listening state, whereby the uplink channel on which the participant can transmit information is disconnected but the participant is still allowed to listen to a downstream channel on the telephone, e.g. to hear a translation.

One or more of the telephones 121 are used as reference telephones to connect mobile communication with a translator through the service node 101 at the beginning of the conference. The reference telephone 121 is preferably used only as a reference telephone and is not used by any of the participants. It then acts as a reference for the assignment of a listening channel corresponding to the traction channel used by the reference 121. The reference telephone 121 also maintains the control signaling required in the mobile telephone system.

The reference telephones 121 can also be used to inform the telephones used by the users about an encryption key, if any. The use of an encryption key enables control and restriction of participants, e.g. to charge a fee to all participants. The information about the frequency and the listening channel and the possible encryption key is preferably found in the service node 101. As in the previous embodiment, ordinary telephones 113 connected to the public network 105 can be used to connect to the conference.

To avoid problems related to the use of encryption keys, a series of numbers can be used for which encryption is not used, so that any problems in connection with the handling of encryption keys are avoided.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3. The system includes a service node 201 connected to a PSTN network 205. A speaker system 203 is connected to the public network 205 through a conference controller 207. A conference telephone 209 and a conference microphone 211 are also connected to the conference controller. 207. One or more mobile connection means 215, 217. are connected to the public network to terminate wireless connections. As an example, the mobile connection means 215 may correspond to the receiver and the control part of a mobile telephone system such as a GSM system and the connection means 217 may correspond to a gateway between this mobile telephone system and a public network 205.

In this embodiment, an external separate transfer device 225 is used to provide services for use in a small environment. The transfer device 225 receives the information about the address of the service node and the protocol used. Once the mobile phone has received the address information, it can connect to the service node automatically or in response to the user initiating commands according to the received protocol. The protocol is used in the mobile phone to allow a participant to notify the service node that he is present, at the touch of a button. When the participant leaves the conference room, the contact with the transfer device 225 is lost and the service node 201 is informed that the participant is no longer connected to the conference.

The control logic needed is preferably present in the mobile control means 223. When the control logic detects that the signal from the transmission device 225 has been lost, the control logic initiates a call to the service node 201 and transmits a message indicating that the mobile terminal 219 is outside the range of the transmitter 225 and that the participant using the terminal 219 has thus probably learned the conference room.

As shown in Fig. 3, a screen and a controller 227 may be connected to the conference controller 207 to allow e.g. meeting chairmen to check the list of speakers and, if necessary, make changes to the list or disconnect the current speaker. A possible realization of such an function is described in EP 0 604 053, which describes a similar function for a telephone conference.

Activation and use of the service are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4 describes what a user who wishes to use the conference system does.

Step S41: The user dials the service node and identifies himself as required.

The identification can be provided as a code to confirm that this user has the right to connect to the conference system. The mentioned code may have been received in connection with the registration for the conference and submitted to the participant before the conference. It is only necessary to enter the code once to inform that the user is present.

Step S42: The user is prompted to select the desired type of service, and do so. The user can be offered to choose between olika your different options.

Step S43: If the user wants to listen to a voice channel, go to step S44. If the user wants to keep a post, go to step S46. If the user wants to cancel a previous request, go to step S48.

Step S44: The user is prompted to select which channel he wants to listen to. This can e.g. be a translation of the discussion into a chosen language. 10 15 20 25 30 .512 342 10 Step S45: The connection is connected and the user can listen to the selected voice channel on the phone. End the procedure.

Step S46: An optional step in which the user is prompted to enter certain data via the telephone line. This can be, e.g. type of post, such as fi åga, comment or new info.

Step S47: The user hangs up and waits to be called again when it is his turn to speak. End the procedure.

Step S48: Optional step in which the user is prompted to cancel the previous request.

Step S49: The previous request is revoked. End the procedure.

The choice of service performed in step S42 can be excluded if only one service is offered or if different telephone numbers are available for the different services. In the latter case, each of the said telephone numbers connects the user to the service node and at the same time points out the desired service.

In step S42, the user can order e.g. a translation. Other services that the user can order fl your times during the conference are shown in the list below: 0 Register to speak, e.g. to 0 hold a new post 0 give a short comment to the current speaker, which can be done immediately after the current speaker has finished 0 Cancel a previous request 10 15 20 25 30 512 342 ll o Request function data, such as: 0 information about the participant's location in the speaker list v information about approximate waiting time o remaining allotted time for posts If the system is used to provide information, e.g. to guide tourists in a museum or the like, users can be offered to choose a language to listen to, and for which department or room in the museum information is desired. After the selection, the user's phone is set to receive the desired information in the desired language.

A conference control means for allowing individuals to join a telephone conference is described in EP 0 617 538. The device is intended for telephone conferences, but could, with minor modifications, be used as part of the inventory. Callers identify themselves by pressing pre-determined buttons to send DTMF signals to the controller, which can connect one or more of your users at once. Those who call are placed in a queue and can use DTMF signing to activate certain services, request the desired language, etc.

A device for interactive call handling is described in EP 0 342 295. When a caller is to be connected, it is first checked that the person has the right to be connected. The user is prompted to enter information. This device is intended for collecting statistical information or for recording responses to television programs or similar applications. However, a similar solution can be used to register persons calling according to the invention, use talk time for each speaker, desired language, etc.

Figure 5 shows the steps performed when the next speaker on the list connects to the network to hold their post. 10 15 20 25 512 342 12 Step S51: The current speaker has finished and hangs up.

Step S52: The service node puts its connection to the conference controller in standby mode.

Step S53: The service node requests a connection to the next speaker.

Step S54: The connection between the next speaker and the service node is connected in the usual way.

Step S55: The connection between the next speaker and the service node is put on hold.

Step S56: The next speaker is presented according to information entered in step S46 in Figure 6. This can be done with a synthesized voice in the conference controller or the information can be displayed on the screen of the meeting chair, who makes the presentation.

Step S57: A connection is established between the next speaker and the conference controller.

Step S58: The user holds his post and hangs up. End the procedure.

The service node and the conference control unit and the speaker system can be connected locally in connection with the conference rooms. The telephone networks, including the public network, the mobile telephone exchange and the base station controller, are preferably included in the ordinary telephone network, which is used in the invention. The statement form shown in Figure 2 also includes the service node in the telephone network, ie. it is part of services offered by a mobile phone operator.

Claims (1)

1 0 15 20 25 512 542/3 Patent claims. A device for amplifying sound in a room, such as a conference room, the room being too large for the participants to hear each other when normal voice is used, which device comprises a loudspeaker system, characterized in that it comprises the following: control means (5 107; 207) for controlling the arrangement of telephones connecting to the control means in a queue and the connection and disconnection of telephones to the sound amplification device according to the queue order; a telephone network (11; 105; 205) which telephones (13; 113) can connect to the control means; connection means (7, 21; 109, 111; 209,211) for connecting the calls in the public network to the sound amplification system (3; 103; 203). . Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises service means 81; 101; 201) and control means (5; 107; 207) for registering persons calling in a queue and for connecting one person at a time in queue order. . Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sound amplification system (3; III; 211) is any known loudspeaker system and in that the connection between the telephone network and the loudspeaker system (3; 111; 211) is realized as a connection between a telephone (7; ; 109; 209) and a microphone (21; 111; 211) of known type. . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mobile telephones (19; 119; 121; 219) can be used and that mobile connection means (15, 17; 115, 117; 215, 217) are connected to the public network for terminating calls from mo - car phones. 10 15 20 512 342/1 /. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that mobile connection means (15, 17; 115, 117; 215, 217) and mobile telephones (119, 121; 219) used are included in a TDMA network, such as the GSM network. \. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the mobile telephones (119; 121; 219) comprise mobile control means (123; 223) used for controlling mobile telephones 11a. . Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the mobile control means (123; 223) is used to download protocol information and to enable a connection between the mobile telephones (19; 121; 219) and the mobile connection means (15, 17; 115, 117; 215 , 217). '. Device according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a transmission device which can be connected wirelessly to one or more of the mobile telephones for transmitting protocol information to the mobile control means of the mobile telephones. . Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a screen and a control means (227) connected to the conference control means for displaying a list of persons in the queue. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the screen and the control means (227) 11. also allows editing of the speaker list, manual connection of a new speaker or manual 'disconnection of current speakers. Apparatus for providing translations to conference or meeting participants, of lecture, speech and / or discussion, for use, for example, in a conference room, characterized in that it comprises the following: an audience network (11; 105; 205) to which telephones (13; 113) can be connected; connecting means (7, 21; 109,11 1; 209, 211) for connecting calls in the public network (11; 105; 205) to a sound amplification system (3; 103; 203); control means (5; 107; 207) for controlling the connection and disconnection of telephone connections; control means (123; 223) belonging to each telephone, in order to establish communication with the service node. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means (123; 223) is arranged to report to the service node when the connection between the mobile telephone (119; 219) belonging to said control means (123; 223) is lost. A method for amplifying sound in a room comprising a sound amplification system, so that a meeting participant's speech can be heard by other meeting participants even in a room that is too large for the participants to hear each other when normal voice is used, characterized of a meeting participant connecting, by telephone, to a service node to register as a speaker; that the service node arranges the meeting participant in a queue of registered speakers; that the service node connects registered speakers to the sound amplification system by means of connections to their telephones, in turn. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that mobile telephones are used, and that mobile connection means are used to establish the connection to the control means. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the meeting chairman can view and / or edit the list of speakers and manually switch on or off speakers, by means of a screen and a control means. Method for providing translations of lectures, speeches and / or discussion to participants in a conference or meeting, characterized in that telephones connected to a telephone network are used as receiving units, which method comprises the following steps: - the participant dials a specific number to connect to the floor control means in the network; - the conference governing body invites the participant to identify themselves and to choose the language of the translation; - the user selects the desired language; - the conference controller connects the telephone to the correct channel; a control means belonging to the telephone disconnects the connection in the direction from the participant to the control means, so that the participant can receive information from the telephone network but not send information.