WO2017149841A1 - Meeting system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a meeting system with which setting tasks can be achieved reliably with a simple configuration. This meeting system (S) comprises: a control unit (1); a discussion unit (2); and an operation terminal (4) connected to the control unit and the discussion unit via a communication line. The control unit includes a storage section (13). The operation terminal includes a display section (44) and a control section (46). The storage section stores a plurality of pieces of control information controlling the operation of the meeting system. The display section displays an input screen among a plurality of input screens through which one of the plurality of pieces of control information is input, and the control section selects the input screen to be displayed on the display section from among the plurality of input screens on the basis of a predetermined condition.

Description

Conference system

The present invention relates to a conference system.

The conference system is used, for example, for a conference where a large number of participants attend, such as a parliament. The conference system includes one control unit, a plurality of discussion units connected to the control unit via a communication line (wired or wireless), a microphone attached to the discussion unit, an operation terminal connected to the control unit, It consists of

The control unit manages the operation of each discussion unit and controls the operation of the entire conference system. The discussion unit picks up the voice of the user of the discussion unit with a microphone to generate voice information, and transmits the voice information to the control unit.

The operation terminal is a terminal used by a facilitator of a meeting such as a chairperson to advance a meeting, or used by an administrator of the meeting system to set a control unit and a discussion unit. Information used for input of information used for proceeding of the conference and information used for setting of the control unit and the like is input to an input screen displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

The items set in the conference system are diverse, such as items set in the initial stage of introduction of the conference system, items set immediately before the meeting is held for each meeting, and items set in the middle of the meeting. The conference system operates based on the content set for each item. Therefore, the contents set in each item must be consistent with each other. That is, depending on the item, the content of the item to be set later has to be determined or restricted depending on the content of the item already set.

However, the setting person and setting time of each item may be different. Therefore, when another item is set while the item to be set first is not set, contradiction may occur in the contents set in each item. Therefore, the conference system may malfunction.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a conference system capable of realizing reliable setting work with a simple configuration.

The present invention is a conference system, comprising a control unit, a discussion unit, and an operation terminal, wherein the discussion unit transmits audio information to the control unit, and the operation terminal comprises the control unit and the control unit. The control unit is connected to each of the discussion units via a communication line, the control unit includes a storage unit, the operation terminal includes a display unit and a control unit, and the storage unit is an operation of the control unit and the discussion unit Stores a plurality of control information for controlling the display, the display unit displays an input screen of one of the plurality of input screens to which any of the plurality of control information is input, and the control unit is based on a predetermined condition The input screen displayed on the display unit is selected from the plurality of input screens.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conference system capable of realizing reliable setting work with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a conference system according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control unit with which the meeting system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a data structure figure of the packet which the control unit of FIG. 2 transmits / receives. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit of FIG. It is a perspective view of the discussion unit with which the meeting system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a functional block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the discussion unit of FIG. It is a rear view of the discussion unit of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the discussion unit of FIG. 6 with a microphone attached. It is a functional block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the operating terminal with which the meeting system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the conference system concerning this invention provided with one control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the initialization process of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in the initialization process of FIG. It is another sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the meeting system in the initialization process of FIG. FIG. 13 is yet another sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system in the initialization processing of FIG. 12; It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit after the initialization process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in DU information acquisition processing of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in DU information acquisition process of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit after DU information acquisition process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in DU setting processing of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in DU setting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the operation processing of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the meeting system in the operation processing of FIG. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system when there is a change in the connection state of the discussion unit in the operation processing of FIG. 22; It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the change process of the operation process of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system as an example of the initialization process in the change process of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit after the change process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the request processing of the operation processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the meeting system in the request processing of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another information processing of the control unit in the request processing of the operation processing of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the conference system concerning this invention provided with several control units. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in CU connection state confirmation processing of information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in the slave CU information acquisition process of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in the slave DU initialization process of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in the slave DU information acquisition process of the information processing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control unit after the slave DU information acquisition process of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in DB information acquisition processing of the slave CU of the information processing of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing of the conference system in the slave DU setting process of the information processing of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the priority reset process of the control unit with which the conference system of FIG. 31 is provided. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the meeting mode with which the meeting system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of selection of the meeting mode of the meeting system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in the free talk mode of the meeting mode of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in request | requirement talk mode of the meeting mode of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the control unit in full remote mode of the meeting mode of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the selection screen of the input screen displayed on the display part of the operating terminal with which the meeting system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a schematic diagram of the initial screen which is an example of the input screen of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the preparation screen which is another example of the input screen of FIG. In the preparation screen of FIG. 47, it is a schematic diagram of the preparation screen after information input. It is a schematic diagram of the advancing screen which is another example of the input screen of FIG.

● Conference system (1) ●
Hereinafter, embodiments of a conference system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Configuration of Conference System FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a conference system according to the present invention.
The conference system S is used, for example, in a conference where a large number of participants attend, such as a parliament. The conference system S facilitates the progress of the conference, and creates the minutes of the conference. The conference system S includes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as "CU") 1A-1C, a discussion unit (hereinafter referred to as "DU") 2A1-2A4, 2B1-2B4, 2C1-2C4 and microphones 3A1-3A4, 3B1-. 3B4 and 3C1-3C4 and the operation terminal 4 are provided.

The configurations of CU1A-1C are all the same. The configurations of DU2A1-2A4, 2B1-2B4, and 2C1-2C4 are all the same. The configurations of the microphones 3A1-3A4, 3B1-3B4, 3C1-3C4 are all the same.

In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of CU1A-1C, each is collectively referred to as “CU1”. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of DU2A1-2A4, 2B1-2B4, and 2C1-2C4, each is collectively referred to as "DU2". When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the microphones 3A1-3A4, 3B1-3B4 and 3C1-3C4, they are collectively referred to as a "microphone 3".

Note that the number of CU1 and the number of DU2 that configure the conference system S are not limited to the present embodiment. That is, for example, the number of DU2 connected to each CU1 may be different.

Connection Method of DU to CU Next, a connection method of a plurality of DUs 2 to the CU 1 will be described.
The plurality of DUs 2 are connected to the CU 1 by any one of a ring connection method (hereinafter referred to as “ring connection”) and a daisy chain connection method (hereinafter referred to as “daisy connection”).

The ring connection is a connection method in which a plurality of DUs 2 are connected in series in a ring shape with the CU 1. For example, DU2A1-2A4 is connected to CU1A by ring connection. When DU2 is connected to CU1 by ring connection, two terminals of the unit connection part of CU1 described later are used.

The daisy connection is a connection method in which a plurality of DUs 2 are connected in series with the CU 1 in a beaded connection. For example, DU2C1-2C4 is daisy-connected to CU1C. When DU2 is connected to CU1 by daisy connection, one terminal of a unit connection unit of CU1 described later is used.

Note that the mode of connection between CU1 and DU2 is not limited to this embodiment. That is, for example, a plurality of DUs 2 may be connected to one CU 1 in a mixed manner of two connection methods of ring connection and daisy connection. That is, one DU 2 may be ring connected to CU 1 and the other DU 2 may be daisy connected to the same CU 1.

Connection of CUs and CUs Next, connection between CUs 1 will be described.
The three CU1 are connected by daisy connection. For example, CU1B and CU1C are daisy-connected to CU1A. In this case, for example, CU1A is set to a master (Master), and CU1B and CU1C are set to a slave (Slave). The master and the slave will be described later.

Supply of power to each CU 1 is individually performed via an AC adapter or the like. That is, the supply of power between CU1 is not performed. Therefore, in the conference system S, the respective CUs 1 can be installed at physically separated locations without being restricted by the power supply.

Configuration of CU FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of CU1.
The CU 1 controls the operation of the DU 2 and also controls the operation of the entire conference system S. The CU 1 includes a communication unit 11, a connection unit 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a control unit 16.

The communication unit 11 realizes communication with the other CU 1, DU 2, the operation terminal 4, the external device 5, and the like through the connection unit 12. The communication unit 11 performs communication in compliance with, for example, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3.

Communication between CU1 and DU2 or between CU1 as a master and CU1 as a slave is performed by transmitting and receiving packets. The packet includes a header part and a data part.

FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram of a packet.
The header portion includes an address used for communication and a counter flag described later. The data part includes an area for storing a control command, voice information, unit information to be described later, and a request flag to be described later. The control command is, for example, a command by which CU1 instructs DU2 or a command by which CU1 as a master instructs as a slave. The data part does not include a control command when there is no instruction from CU1 to DU2 or when there is no instruction from CU1 as a master to CU1 as a slave. The audio information is information generated by DU 2 based on the audio signal from the microphone 3. The voice information is stored in the data portion of the packet transmitted from DU2 to CU1.

The data unit includes a plurality of areas (hereinafter referred to as "voice areas") in which voice information is stored. The voice area is a frame that defines the number of DUs 2 that can be simultaneously uttered among the plurality of DUs 2 included in the conference system S. The number of speech areas included in the data section is the same as the maximum number of set talkers described later. CU1 assigns an individual number (eg, 1, 2, 3,...) To each voice area. Details of the sound area will be described later.

Return to FIG.
The connection unit 12 is an interface for connecting the other CU1 and DU2, the operation terminal 4, the external device 5, and the like. The connection unit 12 includes an external device connection unit 12 a and a unit connection unit 12 b.

The external device connection unit 12a is, for example, an interface for connecting the operation terminal 4, the external device 5, a communication device, and the like. The external device connection unit 12a is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a network terminal, an analog input / output terminal, or the like. The external device 5 is, for example, a USB memory, a microphone, a speaker, a translation system, or the like. The communication device is a hub, a router, a wireless local area network (LAN) access point, or the like.

The unit connection unit 12 b is an interface connected to another CU 1 or DU 2. The unit connection portion 12 b includes, for example, a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are, for example, connection terminals that can be connected only to DU2. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are, for example, connection terminals that can be connected to any of the other CU1 and DU2.

The configuration of the terminals of the unit connection portion 12b is not limited to this embodiment. That is, for example, the number of terminals may be "6".

The storage unit 13 stores information necessary for the CU 1 and DU 2 to realize information processing to be described later. The storage unit 13 temporarily stores (stores) various types of information and programs, and is configured by a RAM (Read Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, and the like.

The information stored in the storage unit 13 is, for example, control information that controls the operation of the conference system S, such as the operation of CU1 and DU2. The control information includes, for example, unit setting information, unit connection information, information on system setting of the conference system S described later, a speech request list, and the like.

The unit setting information is, for example, information on the setting of DU 2 connected to CU 1 in the past. The unit setting information includes, for example, parameter information and mode information. The unit setting information is stored in a unit setting information database (hereinafter referred to as "unit setting information DB").

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of information stored in the unit setting information DB.
The unit setting information DB is, for example, a database in which an absolute ID composed of a serial number of DU2 and unit setting information of DU2 are associated with each other and stored. The unit setting information of DU2 is stored, for example, in the unit setting information DB by the system administrator via CU1. At this time, the unit setting information of DU2 is stored in the unit setting information DB in association with the absolute ID of DU2.

FIG. 4 shows that, for example, the absolute ID "A" and the unit setting information "X1" are associated with each other and stored in the unit setting information DB.

The parameter information includes, for example, setting information (for example, equalizer setting, volume setting, and the like) of the microphone 3 attached to DU2, information on the light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 described later, and setting information on priority described later. .

The mode information is information on the operating state of each DU 2. The information regarding the operation state includes, for example, a conference mode described later, a microphone on trigger described later, and the like.

The unit connection information is information on the connection of DU 2 connected to CU 1. The unit connection information is information on the connection method of the DU 2 connected to the CU 1 and the number of connected devices. The unit connection information is stored in a unit connection information database (hereinafter referred to as "unit connection information DB").

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing information stored in the unit connection information DB.
The unit connection information DB is a database in which information on connection of DU 2 connected to CU 1 is stored. The unit connection information DB is created each time CU1 is activated. The "terminal number" is the number of the terminal of the unit connection portion 12b. The “connection method” indicates a connection method of DU 2 to the four terminals of the unit connection portion 12 b. “Number” is the number of DU2 connected to each terminal. The “relative ID” is an ID (for example, a consecutive number starting from 1) assigned relatively to each DU 2. The “absolute ID” is an ID absolutely assigned to each DU 2.

In FIG. 5, for example, the terminal number "1", the connection method "ring", the number "4", the relative ID "1" ... "4", the absolute ID "A" ... "D" And are associated with each other and stored in the unit connection information DB. The figure shows that relative IDs "1" "2" "3" "4" are stored in unit connection information DB in association with absolute IDs "A" "B" "C" "D". .

Return to FIG.
The display unit 14 displays, for example, the volume of the entire conference system S, the recording status, the preset pattern, the alarm information, and the like. The display unit 14 is a display represented by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL).

The operation unit 15 changes the display content displayed on the display unit 14 or the like. The operation unit 15 is configured by, for example, a dial or a button.

The control unit 16 controls the operation of the CU 1, controls the operation of the DU 2 connected to the CU 1, and calculates and processes information. The control unit 16 controls operations of the communication unit 11, the storage unit 13, the display unit 14, and the operation unit 15. The control unit 16 is configured of, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a peripheral circuit thereof.

For example, when CU1B and CU1C are connected to CU1A as shown in FIG. 1, assuming that CU1A is the master, the control unit 16 of CU1A controls CU1B and CU1C operations, and DU2B1-2B4 and DU2C1-2C4 operations It also controls the That is, the control unit 16 of the CU1 serving as the master also controls the operation of the CU1 serving as the slave and also controls the operation of the DU2 connected to the CU1 serving as the slave.

Structure of DU FIG. 6 is a perspective view of DU2.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of DU2.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of DU2.

The DU 2 generates voice information based on the voice signal input from the microphone 3 and transmits the voice information to the CU 1 and transmits from the CU 1 synthetic voice information (voice information transmitted by another DU 2 to the CU 1) described later. Receive and output sound waves. The DU 2 is assigned, for example, to each participant of the conference. DU2 is connected to CU1 and other DU2 via a communication line. The DU 2 includes a housing 20, a communication unit 21, a connection unit 22, a storage unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, a control unit 26, a speaker 27, and a light emitting unit 28. Become.

The housing 20 accommodates the communication unit 21, the storage unit 23, the control unit 26, and the speaker 27. The housing 20 includes at least a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b.

The first surface 20 a is disposed on the front side of the housing 20. The first surface 20 a is disposed at a position where it can be viewed by the user of DU 2 (hereinafter referred to as “user”) when DU 2 is used. The first surface 20a includes a plurality of discharge holes 20ah.

The emission hole 20ah emits the sound wave from the speaker 27 to the outside of DU2. The discharge holes 20ah are disposed on the first surface 20a.

The second surface 20 b is disposed on the back side of the housing 20. The second surface 20b is disposed at a position (such as the rear surface of DU2) that is visible to other users of DU2 and the like (hereinafter referred to as "third party") when using DU2.

The communication unit 21 realizes communication with the CU 1. The communication unit 21 performs, for example, communication conforming to IEEE 802.3. The information transmitted and received by the communication unit 21 is, for example, audio information generated based on an audio signal from the microphone 3, unit setting information, audio information from another DU 2 or the like.

The connection unit 22 is connected to the CU 1, the other DU 2, the microphone 3, and the like. The connection portion 22 includes a socket portion 22a and a unit connection portion 22b. The socket 22a is a socket to which the microphone 3 is connected. The socket portion 22a is, for example, a socket for a 3-pin plug defined in JEITA RC-5236 "Ratch lock type round connector for audio equipment". The socket portion 22a is disposed on the first surface 20a.

The unit connection unit 22 b is an interface connected to the CU 1 or another DU 2. The unit connection part 22b is provided with two terminals. Both terminals are connected to CU1 and other DU2 except DU2 which is the end of the daisy connection. The communication unit 21 controls transmission and reception of information between the two terminals.

The storage unit 23 stores information necessary for the DU 2 to realize information processing described later. The storage unit 23 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 23 stores unit setting information and the like received by the communication unit 21. The unit setting information stored in the storage unit 23 is, for example, parameter information of DU 2 or information for determining the light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 described later.

The display unit 24 displays, for example, the volume of a headphone (not shown) or the like connected to the DU 2 or a channel of a sub audio (for example, the audio of an interpreter). The display unit 24 is a display represented by, for example, an LCD, an organic EL, or the like. The display unit 24 is disposed on the first surface 20 a of the housing 20.

The operation unit 25 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control unit 26. The operation unit 25 includes an operation button 25a, a volume control button 25b, and a channel change button 25c. The operation unit 25 is disposed on the first surface 20 a of the housing 20.

The operation button 25a is pressed by the user, for example, when the user makes a speech request to be described later. The volume control button 25 b is operated by the user when the user adjusts the volume of headphones and the like connected to DU 2. The channel change button 25c is operated by the user, for example, when changing the channel of the sub audio (such as an interpreter).

The control unit 26 processes the audio signal from the microphone 3, controls the operation of DU2, generates audio information, and the like. The control unit 26 controls operations of the communication unit 21, the storage unit 23, the display unit 24, the operation unit 25, the speaker 27, and the light emitting unit 28. The control unit 26 includes, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU and its peripheral circuits.

The speaker 27 converts an audio signal from the communication unit 21 into a sound wave, and outputs the sound wave. The sound wave from the speaker 27 is emitted from the emission hole 20ah of the first surface 20a to the outside of DU2.

The light emitting unit 28 emits light based on a signal from the control unit 26 to notify status information using light. The light emitting unit 28 is, for example, a multi-color LED (Light-emitting diode). That is, the light emitting unit 28 can emit light in a plurality of colors. The light emitting unit 28 includes a first light emitting unit 28 a and a second light emitting unit 28 b.

The status information is, for example, information indicating the operating state of the microphone 3 such as on / off of the microphone 3, information indicating the operating state of the DU 2 such as information indicating whether a speech request described later is being executed, group information described later Etc. The speech request is to request that the microphone 3 be turned on to enable the user's speech. A speech request is made from DU2 to CU1.

The first light emitting unit 28a notifies the user of the status information. The first light emitting unit 28a is disposed on the operation button 25a.

The second light emitting unit 28 b notifies the third party of the status information. The second light emitting unit 28 b is disposed on the second surface 20 b of the housing 20. That is, the second light emitting unit 28 b can be viewed from a third party.

The light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 is controlled by the control unit 26 based on the unit setting information. The light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 includes a light emission pattern and a light emission color. The light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 is stored in the storage unit 23 as unit setting information. The light emission pattern includes a light off pattern, a lighting pattern, a blinking pattern, and a dimmer (light reduction) lighting pattern.

The luminescent color is selected from, for example, 10 colors set in advance by a system administrator or the like. The light emitting unit 28 can display, for example, group information according to the difference in emission color. The group information is, for example, information indicating contents divided into groups based on the affiliation (country, political party, etc.) of participants such as a conference, the language of the participants, the stage of priority described later, and the like. Therefore, for example, the system administrator can easily change the setting based on the light emission color of the second light emitting unit 28b.

Power to DU 2 is supplied from CU 1 to which each DU 2 is connected via a communication line cable.

Configuration of Microphone FIG. 9 is a perspective view of DU 2 to which the microphone 3 is attached.
The microphone 3 picks up the user's voice (sound wave). That is, the microphone 3 converts sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone 3 is, for example, a gooseneck condenser microphone. The directivity of the microphone 3 is, for example, unidirectional. The microphone 3 is attached to the socket 22a of DU2. The power supply of the microphone 3 is supplied from DU 2 by, for example, a phantom power supply. The microphone 3 picks up the voice in the "on" state and outputs a voice signal, and does not pick up the voice in the "off" state.

The microphone 3 may include, for example, a single color LED ring. In this case, the power of the LED ring is supplied from DU2 through the socket 22a of DU2.

Configuration of Operation Terminal FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the operation terminal 4.
The operation terminal 4 is a terminal that performs operation of the conference system S, setting of CU1, setting of DU2, remote control of CU1 and DU2, and the like. The setting of CU 1 and the setting of DU 2 are performed, for example, by operating the operation terminal 4 by a system administrator or a chairperson of a conference.

The operation terminal 4 is, for example, a general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, and a smartphone. The operation terminal 4 is connected to the CU 1 through the communication line, and is connected to the DU 2 through the CU 1 and the communication line. The operation terminal 4 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 43, a display unit 44, an operation unit 45, and a control unit 46.

The communication unit 41 implements communication with the CU 1. The communication unit 41 is an interface connected to the CU 1 via a communication network such as a LAN or a wide area network (WAN).

The storage unit 43 stores information necessary for the operation terminal 4 to realize information processing to be described later. The storage unit 43 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 43 includes various databases read from the CU 1 and a speech request list described later.

The display unit 44 displays an operation screen of the conference system S, various databases, a speech request list, and the like according to an instruction (control) from the control unit 46. The display unit 44 is, for example, a display such as an LCD.

The operation unit 45 outputs, to the control unit 46, a detection signal corresponding to the operation of the operation terminal 4 by a system administrator or the like. The operation unit 45 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a software keyboard, and the like.

The control unit 46 controls the operation of the operation terminal 4. The control unit 46 is configured of, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU and its peripheral circuits.

The operation terminal 4 may not be a general-purpose information processing terminal, and may be a terminal dedicated to a conference system.

In addition, the conference system S may include at least CU1, DU2, and the microphone 3. That is, for example, the conference system S may not include the operation terminal 4.

Priority Priority is, for example, information that a system administrator sets for each DU 2 via the CU 1 and is a so-called priority right regarding the restriction of the function of the DU 2. The priority-set DU 2 is always assigned a voice slot and the above-mentioned voice area, and is controlled to be able to speak. The speech-enabled DU 2 can turn on the microphone 3 to transmit voice information to the CU 1. The setting of the priority for each DU 2 that can speak is stored in the unit setting information DB of the storage unit 13.

The voice slot is a frame that defines the number of DUs 2 that can simultaneously speak among the plurality of DUs 2 included in the conference system S. The conference system S includes the same number of voice slots as the maximum number of set talkers, which will be described later, that is, the same number as the number of voice areas described above. The conference system S assigns an individual number (for example, 1, 2, 3,...) To each voice slot. The voice slot is provided, for example, in the control unit 16 of CU1.

CU1 allocates an audio slot and an audio area for each DU2 that permits speech. That is, CU1 assigns the number of the voice slot and the number of the voice area for each DU2 that permits speech. The DU 2 to which the voice slot and the voice area are assigned can be uttered. The CU 1 stores the number assigned to the voice slot and the number assigned to the voice area in the storage unit 13 in association with each other. The CU 1 assigns a voice slot and a voice area to the DU 2, associates the assigned voice slot number with the voice area number, and performs voice information synthesis processing described later.

A plurality of voice areas included in the data portion of one packet are respectively assigned to different DUs. In other words, CU1 receives one packet in which voice information from a plurality of DU2s is stored. The CU 1 specifies the DU 2 that has generated the voice information by the number of the voice area in which the voice information is stored. CU1 identifies the number assigned to the voice slot based on the number assigned to the voice area. That is, CU1 specifies the voice slot and voice area corresponding to each of DU2 which can be uttered by the voice slot number and the voice area number. The CU 1 receives the voice information stored in the voice area of the received packet via the voice slot corresponding to the voice area. CU1 transmits voice information received from a certain DU2 to all DU2s connected to CU1 including that DU2.

The conference system S limits the number of DUs 2 that can simultaneously speak to reduce the information processing load of the conference system S and reduce the traffic of the network. The maximum number of DU2 that can be uttered at the same time (hereinafter referred to as “maximum speaker set number”) is determined based on, for example, the setting of CU1 as the master. The maximum speaker setting number is determined to be a predetermined number in the conference system S regardless of the number of connected CU1. As mentioned above, the speech-enabled DU2 is a DU2 to which a voice slot and a voice area are assigned.

The number of DU2 (DU2 which can always speak) to which the priority is set is set to be smaller than the maximum speaker setting number. This is because the conference system S secures a space between the audio slot and the audio area so that it can also receive an utterance request from DU 2 for which priority is not set.

The priority right of DU 2 to which the priority is set is divided into four levels of priority: first right, second right, third right, and fourth right. These authorities are determined, for example, by a combination of whether or not batch muting of another DU 2 is possible and whether or not to be a target of batch muting from another DU 2.

The first right is a priority right that can be muted and not subject to collective muting. The first right is the highest right, and is set to DU2 assigned to, for example, the chairperson of the conference. The second right is a priority right that can be batch muted and is subject to batch muting. The second authority is set to, for example, DU2 assigned to the deputy chairperson of the conference. The third right is a priority right that can not be batch muted and is not subject to batch muting. The fourth right is a priority right that can not be batch muted and is subject to batch muting.

As described above, in the conference system according to the present invention, the breakdown of the priority can be appropriately set in accordance with the authority of the user of DU2.

● Operation of the conference system ●
Next, the operation of the conference system S will be described. The operation of the conference system S, that is, the information processing performed by the conference system S is partially different between the case of one CU 1 and the case of a plurality of CUs.

● Operation of the conference system equipped with one CU ●
First, the operation of the conference system S including one CU will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing information processing of the conference system S including one CU.
After the conference system S is started, the conference system S executes an initialization process (S1), a DU information acquisition process (S2), a DU setting process (S3), and an operation process (S4).

In the conference system S, the CU 1 transmits packets from all the terminals of the unit connection unit 12 b. Therefore, in the case of ring connection, a packet is sent to DU2 from the bidirectional of the two terminals to which DU2 is connected. In the following description, the forward direction is the direction in which packets flow from the smaller-numbered terminal of the terminals of the CU 1 connected in a ring to the larger-numbered terminal. The reverse direction is the direction opposite to the forward direction.

Information of various packets received by each terminal is synthesized by the control unit 16 of CU1. At this time, in the case of ring connection, the information from one of the terminals is muted (ignored) and is not used for synthesis by the control unit 16. Therefore, duplication due to combining information from both directions is eliminated.

DU2 receives a packet at one of the two terminals (referred to as "a") and transmits the packet from the other terminal (referred to as "b"). Terminal (b), which transmits packets in the forward direction, receives packets in the reverse direction, and terminal (a), which receives packets in the forward direction, transmits packets in the reverse direction.

Hereinafter, each process of FIG. 11 will be described using CU1A of FIG. 1 and DU2A1-2A4 connected to CU1A as an example. DU2A1 is connected to the first terminal of CU1A, and DU2A4 is connected to the second terminal of CU1A.

Initialization Process First, the conference system S performs an initialization process (S1). The initialization process (S1) initializes the unit setting (information) of DU2 connected to CU1, and the conference system S recognizes the connection method of DU2 connected to CU1 and the number of connected devices (S1). Processing).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the information processing of the CU 1A in the initialization process (S1).
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the initialization process (S1).

The control unit 16 of the CU 1 A transmits, to the communication unit 11, an initialization command for initializing DU 2 A 1 to 2 A 4. The communication unit 11 transmits the initialization packet carrying (including) the initialization command from the first terminal to DU 2 A 1 (S 11 a). As mentioned above, the packet includes a counter flag in the head. The counter flag is information in which the count value is incremented ("1" is added) by DU2 which has received the packet each time the packet is transmitted to DU2. The control unit 16 resets the count value of the counter flag included in the packet to be transmitted to DU 2 to initialize it. That is, the count value of the counter flag of the initialization packet transmitted from CU1A to DU2A1 is “0”.

The DU 2 A 1 having received the initialization packet initializes the unit setting according to the initialization command, that is, updates the unit setting information of the storage unit 23 to the initial value. The control unit 26 of DU 2 A 1 having received the initialization packet increments the count value of the counter flag (S 12 a). The communication unit 21 of DU2A1 transmits the initialization packet whose count value of the counter flag is “1” to DU2A2.

The DU 2 A 2 having received the initialization packet initializes the unit setting according to the initialization command, that is, updates the unit setting information of the storage unit 23 to the initial value. The control unit 26 of DU 2 A 2 having received the initialization packet increments the count value of the counter flag (S 13 a). The communication unit 21 of DU2A2 transmits the initialization packet whose count value of the counter flag is “2” to DU2A3.

The DU 2 A 3 having received the initialization packet initializes the unit setting according to the initialization command, that is, updates the unit setting information of the storage unit 23 to the initial value. The control unit 26 of DU 2 A 3 having received the initialization packet increments the count value of the counter flag (S 14 a). The communication unit 21 of DU2A3 transmits the initialization packet whose count value of the counter flag is "3" to DU2A4.

The DU 2 A 4 having received the initialization packet initializes the unit setting according to the initialization command, that is, updates the unit setting information of the storage unit 23 to the initial value. The control unit 26 of DU 2 A 4 having received the initialization packet increments the count value of the counter flag (S 15 a). The communication unit 21 of DU 2 A 4 transmits the initialization packet whose count value of the counter flag is “4” to the second terminal of CU 1 A.

The communication unit 11 receives the initialization packet from DU 2 A 4 via the second terminal (S 16 a).

As described above, in the case of ring connection, the initialization packet (the initial value of the counter flag is “0”) is also transmitted in the reverse direction from the second terminal.

FIG. 14 is another sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the initialization process (S1).
The initialization packet is transmitted from the second terminal of CU1A in the reverse direction in the order of DU2A4, DU2A3, DU2A2, DU2A1, and CU1 first terminal.

The communication unit 11 transmits the initialization packet carrying the initialization command from the second terminal to DU 2 A 4 (S 11 b).

The DU 2 A 4 initializes the unit setting and increments the count value of the counter flag (S 12 b). The DU 2 A 3 initializes the unit setting and increments the count value of the counter flag (S 13 b). The DU 2 A 2 initializes the unit setting and increments the count value of the counter flag (S 14 b). The DU 2 A 1 initializes the unit setting and increments the count value of the counter flag (S 15 b).

The communication unit 11 receives the initialization packet from DU 2 A 1 via the first terminal (S 16 b).

The control unit 16 stores information such as the count value of the counter flag included in the initialization packet received by the communication unit 11 in the storage unit 13.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing information processing after receiving the initialization packet of the conference system S in the initialization processing (S1).

The control unit 16 recognizes the connection state of DU 2 for each terminal, that is, the connection method of DU 2 and the number of connected terminals (S 17). The recognition of the connection method of the DU 2 is performed, for example, based on whether or not the terminals of the unit connection unit 12 b that transmitted and received the packet match (difference in terminal number). That is, when the terminal that has transmitted the packet and the terminal that has received the packet match, the connection method of DU 2 is daisy connection. On the other hand, when the terminal that has transmitted the packet and the terminal that has received the packet do not match, the connection method of DU 2 is ring connection. For example, as described above, the forward initialization packet for DU2A1-2A4 is sent from the first terminal of CU1A and received at the second terminal. That is, the terminal number at which the CU 1A has transmitted the initialization packet does not match (different from) the terminal number at which the CU 1A has received the initialization packet. On the other hand, also in transmission and reception of the initialization packet in the reverse direction, the terminal (second terminal) number at which CU1A transmitted the initialization packet does not match the terminal (first terminal) number at which CU1A received the initialization packet (different) ). Therefore, the control unit 16 recognizes that the connection method of the DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 is ring connection.

The number of connected DU2 is recognized by the count value of the counter flag of the initialization packet transmitted / received by all the terminals. That is, for example, the initialization packet transmitted between the first terminal and the second terminal of CU1A returns to CU1A when the count value of the counter flag is "4". Therefore, the control unit 16 recognizes that the number of DU2 connected between the first terminal and the second terminal is "4". Thus, the counter flag included in the packet is used to count the number of DU2 connected to CU1.

When the control unit 16 recognizes the connection method and the number of connected DUs, the control unit 16 generates an ID of each DU 2 (hereinafter referred to as “relative ID”) (S18). The relative ID is assigned, for example, sequentially from the DU 2 connected to the small terminal number side of the unit connection portion 12 b and assigned to each DU 2. That is, for example, the relative ID of DU2A1 is “1”, and the relative ID of DU2A4 is “4”.

The control unit 16 associates the recognized connection method and the number of connected DUs with the assigned relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 (S19).

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing information stored in the storage unit 13 of the CU 1 after the initialization process (S1).
This figure shows that the third and fourth terminals of CU1 are not connected to DU2 and not connected.

When the connection method of DU2 is a daisy connection, it is determined that the terminal DU2 is the terminal DU because there is no reception from one of the two terminals of the DU2. The terminal DU 2 attaches a flag (hereinafter referred to as “loopback flag”) to the effect that it is a loop back to the initialization packet, and loops back the initialization packet. That is, DU 2 transmits and receives information bidirectionally regardless of the connection method. DU2 does not increment the count value of the counter flag of the initialization packet to which the return flag is added.

At this time, the control unit 16 recognizes the number of connected DUs 2 based on the count value of the counter flag. The control unit 16 recognizes that the connection method of the DU 2 is a daisy connection because the terminal numbers of the unit connection unit 12 b that transmitted and received the initialization packet match.

DU Information Acquisition Process Return to FIG.
Next, the conference system S executes a DU information acquisition process (S2). The DU information acquisition process (S2) is a process of acquiring unit information of DU2. The unit information is, for example, the serial number (absolute ID) of DU 2 or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. In the following description, the processing in the forward direction is the same as the processing in the reverse direction, and thus the description of the processing in the reverse direction is omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing information processing of the CU 1A in DU information acquisition processing (S2).
FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in DU information acquisition processing (S2).

The control unit 16 transmits, to the communication unit 11, an information acquisition command for acquiring the unit information of DU 2 A 1-2 A 4. The communication unit 11 transmits an information acquisition packet carrying an information acquisition command to each DU 2 A 1-1 A 4 (S 21 a -S 21 d). The information acquisition packet is addressed by relative ID. Therefore, only the addressed DU 2 receives the information acquisition packet.

Each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 that has received the information acquisition command transmits an information acquisition packet carrying unit information to the CU 1 A according to the information acquisition command (S 22 a-S 22 d).

The communication unit 11 receives the information acquisition packet from each of the DUs 2A1-2A4 (S23a-S23d).

The control unit 16 reads unit information from the information acquisition packet received by the communication unit 11. The control unit 16 acquires an absolute ID from the unit information (S24). The control unit 16 associates the acquired absolute ID and relative ID with each other, and stores the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 (S25). Since the control unit 16 has acquired the absolute ID, it becomes possible to specify the address of DU 2 using the absolute ID in the processing after the DU information acquisition processing (S 2).

In the DU information acquisition process (S2), when there is a newly connected DU2, the control unit 16 reads the unit setting information DB from the storage unit 13, and the absolute ID of the DU2 and the setting information (initial The unit setting information DB is stored in association with the value).

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing information stored in the storage unit 13 of the CU 1 after the DU information acquisition processing.
In the figure, relative IDs “1” “2” “3” “4” of four DU2 ring-connected to terminal numbers “1” “2” are absolute IDs “A” “B” “C” “ Indicates that it is associated with "D".

By associating the absolute ID and the relative ID, the CU 1 can notify, for example, the system administrator via the operation terminal 4 etc., information indicating which relative ID the DU 2 of which absolute ID is connected to which relative ID It becomes. Therefore, the system administrator can, for example, operate the operation terminal 4 to associate the absolute ID with the user name (proper noun) of DU2 and store the same in the storage unit 13, and the proper noun DU2. It can manage. Further, the system administrator associates the relative ID with the user name of DU 2 and stores the same in the storage unit 13, for example, to display the proper noun for each seat of the conference room in the display unit 44 of the operation terminal 4 or the like. It can be displayed.

● DU setting process Return to FIG.
Next, the conference system S executes a DU setting process (S3). The DU setting process (S3) is a process of setting DU2 based on the unit setting information DB. In the following description, the processing in the forward direction is the same as the processing in the reverse direction, and thus the description of the processing in the reverse direction is omitted.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing information processing of CU 1 A in DU setting processing (S 3).
FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in DU setting processing (S3).

The control unit 16 reads the unit setting information DB from the storage unit 13 (S31), and transmits a unit setting command for setting DU2 to the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits the setting packet carrying the unit setting command to each of the DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 (S 32 a -S 32 d). The setup packet includes the absolute ID of DU2 as the destination of the packet. That is, the transmission destination of the setting packet is addressed by the absolute ID. Therefore, among DUs 2 connected to CU 1, only the addressed DU 2 receives the configuration packet.

Each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 having received the setting packet changes the unit setting according to the unit setting command (S 33 a -S 33 d). Each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 updates the unit setting information of the storage unit 23. The unit setting is information defining an operation for each DU 2 such as setting of priority, setting of microphone on trigger described later, setting of light emission color of the light emitting unit 28, and the like.

The communication unit 11 receives the setting packet from each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 whose unit setting has been changed (S 34 a-S 34 d). At this time, the setting packet includes information indicating that each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 has correctly acquired a command.

When the DU setting process (S3) is completed, operation of the conference system S (for example, acquisition of audio information from each DU 2 and the like) becomes possible.

Operation Process Return to FIG.
Next, the conference system S executes an operation process (S4). The operation processing (S4) periodically transmits the operation packet from CU1 to DU2 periodically (for example, every 166 μs), executes various commands carried in the operation packet, and monitors the connection status of DU2 by the counter flag. Processing.

The various commands are, for example, voice acquisition commands. The voice acquisition command is a command for acquiring voice information from DU 2 to which CU 1 is assigned a voice slot and a voice area.

As described above, the operation packet may not carry (do not include) the control command. Even in this case, the operation packet is repeatedly transmitted and received between CU1 and DU2. That is, CU <b> 1 monitors the connection state of DU <b> 2 using the counter flag included in the operation packet regardless of the presence or absence of the control command.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing information processing of the CU 1A in the operation processing (S4).
FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the operation processing (S4).
Hereinafter, the operation processing (S4) will be described by taking acquisition of voice information from DU 2 A 2 to which a voice slot and a voice area are allocated as an example. The assignment of voice slots and voice areas will be described later.

The control unit 16 transmits a voice acquisition command to the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits the operation packet carrying the voice acquisition command to the DU 2 A 2 to which the voice slot and the voice area are assigned (S 41).

The communication unit 21 of DU 2 A 2 that has received the operation packet places the voice information in the voice area of the number assigned to itself among the voice area of the operation packet according to the voice acquisition command and transmits it to CU 1 A (S 42).

Here, although not shown, the count value of the counter flag is reset in CU 1 A and incremented in each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 as in the initialization process (S 1).

The CU 1A receives the operation packet from the DU 2 A 2 (S 43). The communication unit 11 transmits information such as the count value of the counter flag and the voice information received by all the terminals of the unit connection unit 12 b to the control unit 16. The voice information is received by the voice slot of the same number as the voice area number in which the voice information is stored. The processing of voice information will be described later. The control unit 16 confirms (specifies) the connection state (connection method and number of connected units) of the DU 2 from the count value of the counter flag and the terminal number that has transmitted and received the operation packet (S44). This confirmation is performed each time the communication unit 11 receives an operation packet.

The confirmation of the number of connected DUs is referred to as the newly acquired count value of the counter flag (hereinafter referred to as “new DU count value”) and the count value stored in the storage unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as “old DU count value”). Is performed by comparing. That is, when the new DU count value matches the old DU count value, the control unit 16 determines that there is no change in the number of connected DUs. On the other hand, when the new DU count value and the old DU count value do not match (when they do not match), the control unit 16 determines that there is a change in the number of connected DUs.

As described above, the confirmation of the connection method of DU 2 is performed by comparing the terminal number of the terminal that has transmitted the operation packet with the terminal number of the terminal that has received the operation packet. That is, when the terminal numbers of the terminals that have transmitted and received the operation packet match, the control unit 16 determines that the connection method of DU 2 is daisy connection. On the other hand, when the terminal numbers of the terminals that have transmitted and received the operation packet do not match (when they do not match), the control unit 16 determines that the connection method of DU 2 is ring connection.

The control unit 16 reads the unit connection information DB from the storage unit 13, and compares the connection method of DU2 stored in the unit connection information DB with the connection method of DU2 newly acquired. The control unit 16 determines that there is no change in the connection method of DU2 when both connection methods coincide (same), and determines that there is a change in the connection method of DU2 when both connection methods do not match (different).

The control unit 16 determines that there is a change in the connection state of DU 2 when it determines that there is a change in either the number of connected DU 2 or the connection method of DU 2. That is, when the new DU count value and the old DU count value do not match, the control unit 16 determines that there is a change in the connection state of DU2. On the other hand, when determining that there is no change in any of the control units 16, the control unit 16 determines that there is no change in the connection state of DU2.

When there is a change in the connection state of DU 2 (“YES” in S 44), the conference system S executes a change process (S 5). The change process (S5) will be described later.

FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S when there is a change in the connection state of DU2.
The figure shows an example in which the connection abnormality occurs due to a failure or removal of DU 2 A 3. This figure shows only forward processing of the operation packet not carrying a command, for convenience of explanation.

The communication unit 11 of the CU 1 A transmits an operation packet to the DU 2 A 1 through the first terminal (S 41 a). The DU 2 A 1 increments the count value of the counter flag of the received operation packet (S 42 a), and transmits the operation packet to the DU 2 A 2. The DU 2 A 2 increments the count value of the counter flag of the received operation packet (S 42 b).

When a connection abnormality occurs in DU 2 A 3, DU 2 A 2 recognizes that it has become the terminal DU 2 because there is no reception of an operation packet from one terminal (in the reverse direction). Therefore, DU 2 A 2 adds (puts on) the return flag to the operation packet (S 42 c). The DU 2 A 2 transmits, to the CU 1 A, the operation packet to which the return flag is added via the DU 2 A 1. At this time, since the return packet is attached to the operation packet, the DU 2 A 1 transmits and receives only the operation packet without incrementing the count value of the counter flag as described above.

On the other hand, the DU 2 A 4 transmits the operation packet to which the return flag is added to the CU 1 A (not shown) in the reverse direction processing, similarly to the DU 2 A 2.

The control unit 16 of the CU 1 A recognizes the change of the connection method of DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 (change from ring connection to daisy connection) because the terminal numbers of the terminals through which the operation packet is transmitted and received are the same. The control unit 16 recognizes a change in the number of connected DUs 2 connected to the same terminal from the comparison result of the count value of the counter flag of the operation packet. The control unit 16 collates the recognition result with the unit connection information DB to recognize a change in the connection state of the DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 (S 44).

At this time, the control unit 16 connects to DU 2 A 3 from the count value “2” of the counter flag of the operation packet received by the first terminal and the count value “1” of the counter flag of the operation packet received by the second terminal. Recognize that an anomaly has occurred. As described above, when a connection abnormality occurs, the CU 1A immediately recognizes the occurrence of the connection abnormality and identifies the connection abnormality point.

It returns to FIG. 22 and FIG.
When there is no change in the connection state of DU2 ("No" in S44), the control unit 16 stores the voice information received by all the terminals in the voice slot and the information stored in the storage unit 13 in association with the absolute ID of DU2. And are synthesized (processed) to generate synthesized speech information (S45). The synthesis of the voice information is performed by combining the voice information stored in the voice area of the same number in the voice area of each operation packet received by all the terminals.

The synthetic speech information includes, for example, information of the user (speaker) of DU 2 associated with the absolute ID, time information, group information and the like. The synthetic speech information is stored in, for example, a USB memory connected to the external device connection unit 12a of the CU 1A, and is also transmitted to each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4. The synthesized voice information transmitted to each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4 is processed by the control unit 26 of each DU 2 A 1-2 A 4, then converted into a sound wave by the speaker 27 and output from the speaker 27.

When generating synthetic speech information, the control unit 16 confirms the presence or absence of the request flag of the operation packet (S46). The request flag will be described later.

When the request flag is assigned ("Yes" in S46), the conference system S executes request processing (S6). When the request flag is not assigned ("No" in S46), the conference system S repeats the operation process (S4).

Change Process When there is a change in the connection state of DU2, the conference system S executes a change process (S5). The change process (S5) is a process of updating the unit connection information stored in the unit connection information DB after the change of the connection state of DU2 to prevent the loss of voice information and the defect in the synthesis process of voice information.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing information processing of the CU 1A in the change process (S5).

The change process (S5) updates the unit connection information stored in the unit connection information DB, the initialization process (S1), the DU information acquisition process (S2), and the DU setting process (S3). It is a process to be executed again.

FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S as an example of the initialization process (S1) in the change process (S5). This figure shows a state in which the connection abnormality has occurred due to a failure or removal of DU 2 A 3. The figure shows only forward processing for the convenience of description.

In the initialization process (S1), the communication unit 11 of CU1A transmits the initialization packet to DU2A1 through the first terminal, and transmits the initialization packet to DU2A4 through the second terminal. The initialization packet from the first terminal is folded back at DU2A2. At this time, the DU 2 A 2 attaches a return flag to the initialization packet (S 131 a). On the other hand, the initialization packet from the second terminal is folded back at DU 2 A 4 (not shown). At this time, DU 2 A 4 assigns a return flag to the initialization packet (not shown).

The communication unit 11 receives the initialization packet from the DU 2 A 1 through the first terminal (S 16 a), and receives the initialization packet from the DU 2 A 4 through the second terminal. The control unit 16 stores the new DU count value in the storage unit 13. At this time, the control unit 16 updates the old DU count value with the new DU count value.

The control unit 16 recognizes the connection state of DU 2 for each terminal of CU 1, that is, the connection method of DU 2 and the number of connected terminals (S 17). The connection method of DU 2 A 1 and DU 2 A 2 connected to the first terminal of CU 1 and the connection method of DU 2 A 4 connected to the second terminal are daisy connection since the terminals that transmitted and received the initialization packet are the same. On the other hand, the connected number of DU2 connected to the first terminal is two, and the connected number of DU2 connected to the second terminal is one.

When the control unit 16 recognizes the connection method and the number of connected DU 2, the control unit 16 generates a relative ID of each DU 2 (S 18).

The control unit 16 associates the connection method of DU 2, the number of connected devices, and the relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 (S 19). As a result, the connection state of DU 2 stored in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 and the association between the relative ID and the absolute ID are updated. As described above, when the new DU count value and the old DU count value do not match, the control unit 16 updates the association between the relative ID and the absolute ID. When the two connection methods are different, the control unit 16 updates the connection method of DU 2 stored in the storage unit 13.

The processing contents of DU information acquisition processing (S2) and DU setting processing (S3) are the same as the processing contents of DU information acquisition processing (FIG. 17) and DU setting processing (FIG. 20) described above.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the unit connection state DB after the change process.
This figure shows that the DU 2 A 3 is eliminated and the relative ID of DU 2 A 4 is changed from “4” to “3” as compared with FIG. As described above, when the relative ID is changed, the association between the absolute ID and the relative ID is updated, so that the problem of the synthesizing process of the audio information before and after the change of the connection state of DU 2 does not occur.

In the change process, when there is no change in the number of connected DU2, the relative ID of DU2 may not be updated, and only the connection method of DU2 may be updated.

Request processing Return to FIG.
In the operation process (S4), when the request flag is attached to the operation packet, the conference system S executes the request process (S6). The request process (S6) is a process of executing command management up to assignment of DU2 to a voice slot when there is a speech request from DU2.

The request flag is not a command itself, but is a bit of on / off of a fixed length bit added to the operation packet by the operation of the user when the user of DU 2 makes a speech request. The request flag is added to the operation packet by the control unit 26 of DU2. The addition of the request flag is performed by processing the bit of the request flag (for example, setting the bit to “1” when on, setting the bit to “0” when off) in DU 2 . The DU 2 to which the request flag is assigned is in a state of waiting for a command from the CU 1 (a state of waiting for a request). The operation packet to which the request flag is assigned is transmitted from the communication unit 21 of DU2 to CU1A. The user's operation is performed by either an operation by pressing the operation button 25a (hereinafter referred to as "manual trigger") or an operation by the user's voice (hereinafter referred to as "automatic trigger"). That is, the manual trigger and the automatic trigger are triggers for turning on the microphone 3.

The request waiting state DU2 is a state in which the communication unit 21 can not transmit voice information to the CU 1 (hereinafter, referred to as “transmission impossible state”). On the other hand, DU2 in a state where a request for speech (request) is permitted to CU1 (hereinafter referred to as "a state where speech is possible") can transmit voice information to CU1 by communication unit 21 (hereinafter referred to as a "possible state for transmission") ).

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the information processing of the CU 1A in the request processing (S6).
FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in request processing (S6). This figure shows only the sequence of CU1A and DU2A1 for convenience of explanation.

When the request flag is attached to the operation packet received by the CU 1A, the control unit 16 of the CU 1A incorporates the request flag into the request flag register (storage unit 13) (S61). At this time, the control unit 16 fetches the request flag but does not send a command to DU2. By this processing, since the request flag is taken into the register (storage unit 13), omission in reception (dropping) of the speech request on the hardware is eliminated.

Next, the control unit 16 performs mask processing on the bits corresponding to the fetched request flag (S62). By this processing, the request flag in the request flag register is protected, that is, the request flag can not be rewritten. As a result, false detection of the request flag is prevented.

Next, the control unit 16 confirms, for example, whether or not the request from the chairperson or the system administrator is rejected (S63). If the request is rejected ("Yes" in S63), the control unit 16 releases the mask (S71).

If the request is not rejected ("No" in S63), the control unit 16 confirms the presence or absence of a space between the voice slot and the voice area (S64). When there is a space between the voice slot and the voice area (“YES” in S64), the control unit 16 transmits an acquisition command for acquiring the content of the request to the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits the content acquisition packet carrying the acquisition command to DU 2 A 1 (S 65).

The communication unit 21 of DU 2 A 1 having received the content acquisition packet places the content of the request (utterance request) on the content acquisition packet and transmits it to the CU 1 A (S 67). The DU 2 A 1 transmits the contents of the request to the CU 1 A and clears the request flag (turns off the bit for the request flag) (S 66).

The request flag may be cleared not by DU2 but by CU1.

The communication unit 11 receives the content acquisition packet (S68), and transmits the content of the request to the control unit 16. After acquiring the content of the request, the control unit 16 cancels the mask (S69), and allocates an audio slot and an audio area to DU2A1 (S70). Thereafter, the speech request from DU 2 A 1 is permitted. The control unit 26 of the DU 2 A 1 switches the state of the communication unit 21 from the transmission disabled state to the transmission enabled state. That is, DU 2 A 1 is in the speech enable state.

On the other hand, when there is no space between the voice slot and the voice area ("No" in S64), the control unit 16 waits for the voice slot and the voice area to be free (does not perform any processing on DU2A1). At this time, DU 2 A 1 automatically enters a request waiting state. The state of the communication unit 21 of DU 2 A 1 is the transmission disabled state.

The conference system S returns to the operation process (S4) after one of the processes of allocating the DU2 to the audio slot and the audio area (S70) and releasing the mask (S71).

As described above, the conference system S takes in the speech request from DU 2 by processing of the request flag periodically, and makes CU 1 transmit the content acquisition command to DU 2 only when the audio slot and the audio area are free. That is, the conference system S does not transmit a command each time a speech request is made. Therefore, the conference system S does not impose an excessive load of information processing even if a plurality of DUs 2 request speech at a time.

Also, when there is no space in the voice slot and voice area, DU 2 which has made a speech request automatically enters a request waiting state. Therefore, the conference system S does not have to respond to all the speech requests from DU 2 and the load of information processing is reduced.

Furthermore, the speech request from DU 2 is made by processing the bits of the request flag, not the command. Therefore, the area occupied by the request flag in the packet can be, for example, several bytes. As a result, the load on the information processing of the conference system S in response to the speech request is reduced.

The flow of request processing in the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. That is, for example, the confirmation of the space between the voice slot and the voice area (S64) may be performed after transmission and reception of the content acquisition packet.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing another information processing of CU 1 A in request processing.
The request process (S6a) shown in the figure is shown in FIG. 28 except that the confirmation (S64a) of the space between the voice slot and the voice area is executed immediately before the assignment (S70) of the voice slot and the voice area. Same as request processing. That is, in the request process (S6a) shown in the figure, the process of fetching the request flag (S61), the mask process (S62), the process of confirming the rejection of the request (S63), and the request is rejected (S63). The process of “Yes” (S71) and the process of assigning the voice slot to the voice area (S70) are the same as the request process (S6) shown in FIG.

When the request is not rejected (“No” in S63), the control unit 16 transmits an acquisition command to the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits the content acquisition packet carrying the acquisition command to DU 2 A 1 (S 65 a).

Upon receiving the content acquisition packet, the DU 2 A 1 clears the request flag (S 66), places the content of the request (utterance request) in the content acquisition packet, and transmits it to the CU 1 A (S 67).

The communication unit 11 receives the content acquisition packet (S 68 a), and transmits the content of the request to the control unit 16. After acquiring the content of the request, the control unit 16 cancels the mask (S69a), and confirms the free space between the audio slot and the audio area (S64a). If there is a space between the voice slot and the voice area ("Yes" in S64a), the control unit 16 assigns DU2A1 to the voice slot and the voice area (S70). At this time, DU 2 A 1 is in the speech enable state. On the other hand, when there is no space between the audio / speech slot and the voice area ("No" in S64a), the control unit 16 waits for the audio slot and the audio area to be free.

The flow of each process of the conference system according to the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. That is, for example, the conference system S may execute each processing by appropriate parallel processing instead of series processing.

Also, as described above, the various packets transmitted from CU1 to DU2 include a counter flag and a request flag. That is, monitoring of the connection state of DU 2 by incrementing the counter flag is always performed in various packets transmitted from CU 1 to DU 2 regardless of the presence or absence of a command. In addition, the request flag can always be assigned in various packets transmitted from CU1 to DU2.

Operation of Light Emitting Unit of DU 2 in Request Processing The light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 of DU 2 changes in accordance with the operation state of DU 2 during request processing (S 6). That is, for example, the light emission pattern of the light emitting unit 28 is a blinking pattern when DU2 is in a request waiting state (transmission disabled state), and is a lighting pattern when DU2 is in an utterance enabled state (transmission enabled state). In addition, when the request for DU2 is rejected, only the first light emitting unit 28a of the light emitting unit 28 blinks at a shorter interval than the blinking pattern in the request waiting state, and notifies only the user that the request is rejected. The light emission pattern of the light emitting unit 28 of DU2 to which the request flag is not assigned indicates a light off pattern or a dimmer lighting pattern. As described above, the light emitting unit 28 functions as a notifying unit that visually notifies the operating condition of DU2.

● Operation of the conferencing system with multiple CUs ●
Next, the operation of the conference system including the plurality of CUs 1 will be described.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing information processing of the conference system S including a plurality of CUs.
After the conference system S is activated, the conference system S performs an initialization process (S1), a CU connection status confirmation process (S101), a DU information acquisition process (S2), a slave CU information acquisition process (S102), and a slave DU initialization process (S103), slave DU information acquisition process (S104), DB information acquisition process of slave CU (S105), DU setting process (S3), slave DU setting process (S106), priority re-execution The setting process (S107) and the operation process (S4) are executed. The slave CU is CU1 set as a slave. The slave DU is DU2 connected to CU1 set as a slave.

The flow of each process of the conference system according to the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. That is, for example, the conference system S may execute each processing by appropriate parallel processing instead of series processing.

Hereinafter, CU1A of FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as “master CU”), DU2A1-2A4 connected to the master CU (hereinafter referred to as “master DU), and CU1B connected to the master CU (hereinafter referred to as“ slave CU ”) And a DU 2 B 1-2 B 4 (hereinafter referred to as “slave DU”) connected to the slave CU will be described as an example.

The master DU is ring-connected to the first terminal and the second terminal of the master CU via a communication line. The slave DU is ring-connected to the first terminal and the second terminal of the slave CU via a communication line. The slave CU is connected to the third terminal of the master CU.

The master CU (CU1A) is set as a master, for example, by changing CU unit information described later by a system administrator or the like. The slave CU (CU1B) is set as a slave, for example, by changing CU unit information described later by a system administrator or the like. Control of the conferencing system S comprising a plurality of CUs is performed by the master CU.

Initialization Process First, the conference system S executes an initialization process (S1) of the master DU connected to the master CU. The initialization process (S1) is the same as the initialization process (FIG. 12) described above.

CU Connection State Confirmation Process Next, the conference system S executes a CU connection state confirmation process (S101). The CU connection state confirmation process (S101) is a process of recognizing the connection method of another CU1 connected to CU1 and the number of connected CUs. CU connection state confirmation processing (S101) is repeatedly performed during operation of the conference system S.

FIG. 32 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the CU connection state confirmation processing.

The control unit 16 of the master CU transmits a CU connection state confirmation command for confirming the connection state of the CU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits a CU connection state confirmation packet carrying a CU connection state confirmation command from the third terminal to the slave CU (S1011). The control unit 16 of the master CU resets the count value of the counter flag included in the packet transmitted to the slave CU. That is, the count value of the counter flag included in the packet transmitted from CU1A to CU1B is “0”. The counter flag included in the packet transmitted from CU1A to CU1B is used to count the number of slave CUs connected to the master CU.

The control unit 16 of the slave CU that has received the CU connection status confirmation packet increments the count value of the counter flag (S1012). The communication unit 11 of the slave CU transmits a CU connection state confirmation packet including the incremented counter flag to the master CU.

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives the CU connection status confirmation packet from the slave CU via the third terminal (S1013).

The control unit 16 of the master CU stores information such as the count value of the counter flag included in the CU connection state confirmation packet received by the communication unit 11 of the master CU in the storage unit 13 of the master CU.

The control unit 16 of the master CU recognizes the connection state of the CU1 (S1014) as in the case of the recognition (S17) of the connection state of the DU2 described above. That is, for example, the control unit 16 of the master CU recognizes that one slave CU is connected in a daisy based on the count value of the counter flag.

When recognizing the connection state of CU1, the control unit 16 of the master CU generates a relative ID of each CU1 (S1015).

The control unit 16 of the master CU stores the connection method of the CU 1, the number of connected units, and the relative ID in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S 1016).

The CU connection state confirmation process (S101) is periodically and repeatedly executed while the conference system S is in operation. That is, the CU connection status confirmation packet is periodically repeatedly transmitted and received between the master CU and the slave CU. Every time the control unit 16 of the master CU receives a connection status confirmation packet from the slave CU, the control unit 16 of the counter flag newly acquired (hereinafter referred to as “new CU count value”) is stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU. The stored count value (hereinafter referred to as "old CU count value") is compared. When the new CU count value matches the old CU count value, the control unit 16 of the master CU determines that there is no change in the connection state of CU1. On the other hand, when the new CU count value and the old CU count value do not match (when they do not match), the control unit 16 of the master CU determines that there is a change in the connection state of CU1. The control unit 16 of the master CU stores the new CU count value in the storage unit 13 of the master CU. That is, the control unit 16 of the master CU updates the old CU count value with the new CU count value.

When the connection status of the slave CU changes, such as when a connection error occurs in the slave CU or when a new slave CU is connected, the comparison result between the new CU count value and the old CU count value does not match It becomes. When the comparison results do not match, the control unit 16 of the master CU updates the information stored in the unit connection information DB stored in the storage unit 13 in the connection state of the newly recognized slave CU. Therefore, when a connection abnormality occurs in the slave CU, the master CU immediately recognizes the occurrence of the connection abnormality and identifies the connection abnormality point. Also, when a change in the connection state of the slave CU occurs, the master CU updates the information stored in the unit connection information DB, thereby causing problems such as voice information synthesis processing before and after the change in the connection state. Does not occur.

DU Information Acquisition Process Next, the conference system S executes DU information acquisition process (S2) of the master DU. The DU information acquisition process (S2) is the same as the DU information acquisition process (FIG. 17) described above.

Next, the conference system S executes a slave CU information acquisition process (S102). The slave CU information acquisition process is a process of acquiring CU unit information of the slave CU. The CU unit information is, for example, a serial number (absolute ID) or a MAC address of CU1.

FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the slave CU information acquisition process (S102).

The control unit 16 of the master CU transmits an information acquisition command for acquiring CU unit information of the slave CU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits an information acquisition packet carrying an information acquisition command to the slave CU (S1021).

The slave CU that has received the information acquisition command carries the CU unit information on the information acquisition packet in accordance with the information acquisition command and transmits it to the master CU (S1022).

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives an information acquisition packet from the slave CU (S1023). The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits CU unit information to the control unit 16 of the master CU.

The control unit 16 acquires the absolute ID of the slave CU from the CU unit information (S1024). The control unit 16 reads out the unit connection information DB, associates the absolute ID and the relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB (S1025).

Slave DU Initialization Process Next, the conference system S executes a slave DU initialization process (S103). The slave DU initialization process (S103) is a process of initializing the unit setting of the slave DU connected to the slave CU and recognizing the connection state of the slave DU.

FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the slave DU initialization process (S103).

The control unit 16 of the master CU transmits an initialization command for initializing the slave DU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits the initialization packet carrying the initialization command from the third terminal to the slave CU (S1031a).

The slave CU that has received the initialization packet transmits the initialization packet from both directions of the first terminal and the second terminal to the slave DU (S1031b). The slave DU initializes the unit setting in accordance with the initialization command, and increments the count value of the counter flag (S1032). The slave DU transmits an initialization packet in which the count value of the counter flag is incremented to the slave CU. The initialization packet is transmitted between slave DUs in the same manner as the initialization process (FIG. 12).

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU receives the initialization packet from the slave DU via the first terminal and the second terminal (S1033b). The control unit 16 of the slave CU stores information such as the count value of the counter flag included in the initialization packet received by the communication unit 11 of the slave CU in the storage unit 13 of the slave CU.

The control unit 16 of the slave CU recognizes the connection state of the slave DU (S1035b), and generates a relative ID of the slave DU (S1036b). The relative ID is an ID that the slave CU uses to control the slave DU.

The control unit 16 of the slave CU associates the connection method of the slave DU, the number of connected devices, and the relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 of the slave CU (S1037b).

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU transmits the received initialization packet to the master CU (S1034b).

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives the initialization packet from the slave CU via the third terminal (S1033a). The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits information such as the count value of the counter flag obtained from the received initialization packet to the control unit 16 of the master CU. The control unit 16 of the master CU stores information such as the count value of the counter flag in the storage unit 13 of the master CU.

The control unit 16 of the master CU recognizes the connection state of the slave DU (S1035a), and generates a relative ID of the slave DU (S1036a). This relative ID is an ID that the master CU uses to control the slave DU.

The control unit 16 of the master CU associates the connection method of the slave DU, the number of connected devices, and the relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S1037a).

Slave DU Information Acquisition Process Next, the conference system S executes a slave DU information acquisition process (S104). The slave DU information acquisition process (S104) is a process of acquiring unit information of the slave DU connected to the slave CU.

FIG. 35 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the slave DU information acquisition processing (S104).

The control unit 16 of the master CU transmits an information acquisition command for acquiring unit information of the slave DU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits an information acquisition packet carrying an information acquisition command to the slave CU via the third terminal (S1041a).

The slave CU that has received the information acquisition packet transmits the information acquisition packet to the slave DU from both directions of the first terminal and the second terminal (S1041b). The slave DU puts unit information in the information acquisition packet in accordance with the information acquisition command and transmits the unit information to the slave CU (S1042). The information acquisition packet is transmitted between slave DUs as in the DU information acquisition process (FIG. 17).

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU receives an information acquisition packet from the slave DU (S1043b).

The control unit 16 of the slave CU acquires the absolute ID of the slave DU from the unit information included in the information acquisition packet received by the communication unit 11 of the slave CU (S1045b). The control unit 16 associates the absolute ID and the relative ID, and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 of the slave CU (S1046b). That is, the control unit 16 of the slave CU can update the association between the relative ID and the absolute ID in the slave CU. Therefore, even if the connection state between the master CU and the slave CU is changed, the slave CU can operate in a stand-alone manner. As a result, before and after the change of the connection state of the slave CU, no problem of the information such as the synthesizing process of the voice information occurs.

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU transmits an information acquisition packet to the master CU (S1044b).

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives the information acquisition packet from the slave CU via the third terminal (S1043a).

The control unit 16 of the master CU acquires an absolute ID from unit information included in the information acquisition packet received by the communication unit 11 of the master CU (S1045a). The control unit 16 of the master CU associates the absolute ID and the relative ID and stores them in the unit connection information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S1046a).

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU after slave DU information acquisition processing. In the figure, the relative IDs "5" "6" "7" "8" of the four DU2 ring-connected to the terminal numbers "1" "2" of the slave CU (ID "2") are absolute IDs " E indicates that it is associated with "F", "G", and "H". The figure shows that the relative ID "1" of one CU 1 daisy-connected to the terminal number "3" is associated with the absolute ID "β".

Next, the conference system S executes DB information acquisition processing (S105) of the slave CU. The DB information acquisition process (S105) of the slave CU is a process in which the master CU acquires unit setting information of the slave DU stored in the unit setting information DB held by the slave CU.

FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the DB information acquisition processing (S105) of the slave CU.

The control unit 16 of the master CU transmits a DB information acquisition command for acquiring unit setting information of the slave CU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits a DB information acquisition packet carrying a DB information acquisition command to the slave CU via the third terminal (S1051).

The control unit 16 of the slave CU reads the unit setting information DB from the storage unit 13 of the slave CU, and transmits the unit setting information of the slave DU designated by the master CU to the communication unit 11 of the slave CU. The communication unit 11 of the slave CU transmits a DB information acquisition packet carrying the unit setting information of the slave DU to the master CU (S1052).

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives the DB information acquisition packet from the slave CU via the third terminal (S1053). The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits the unit setting information of the slave DU obtained from the received DB information acquisition packet to the control unit 16 of the master CU.

The control unit 16 of the master CU stores the unit setting information of the slave DU included in the DB information acquisition packet received by the communication unit 11 of the master CU in the unit setting information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S1054). By this processing, the master CU can specify the unit setting information of the slave DU held by the slave CU.

DU Setting Process Next, the conference system S executes a DU setting process (S3) of the master DU connected to the master CU. The DU setting process (S3) is the same as the DU setting process (FIG. 20) described above.

Next, the conference system S executes a slave DU setting process (S106). The slave DU setting process (S106) is a process of setting a slave DU connected to the slave CU.

FIG. 38 is a sequence diagram showing information processing of the conference system S in the slave DU setting process (S106).

The control unit 16 of the master CU reads the unit setting information DB from the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S1061), and transmits a unit setting command for setting the slave DU to the communication unit 11 of the master CU. The communication unit 11 of the master CU transmits a setting packet carrying a unit setting command to the slave CU (S1062a).

The slave CU that has received the setting packet transmits the setting packet to the slave DU (S1062b). The slave DU that has received the setting packet changes the unit setting according to the unit setting command (S1063).

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU receives the setting packet from the slave DU which has executed the change of the unit setting (S1064b).

The communication unit 11 of the slave CU transmits the received setting packet to the master CU (S1065b).

The communication unit 11 of the master CU receives the setting packet from the slave CU (S1064a).

Priority Resetting Process Next, the conference system S executes a priority resetting process (S107). In the priority resetting process (S107), when there is a change in the connection state between the CU1 (when the new CU count value and the old CU count value do not match), the setting of the priority of each CU1, and the conference system S It is a process that automatically resolves the contradictory condition that occurs between the setting of the overall priority and the other. The contradiction state is a state in which the number of priority-set DUs 2 is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable number of utterances. That is, for example, in the contradiction state, when the maximum number of utterances of the entire conference system S is five, the number of DU2 to which the priority of the entire conference system S is set is seven. This contradiction state may occur, for example, when CU1 in which priorities are set to four DU2s and CU1 in which priorities are set to three DU2s are connected.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the information processing of CU1 in the priority resetting process of CU1 included in the conference system S.

The control unit 16 of the master CU reads the unit setting information DB from the storage unit 13 of the master CU (S1071). The control unit 16 of the master CU refers to the unit setting information DB to determine the number of DUs 2 to which the priority is set (hereinafter referred to as "the number of priority settings") and the maximum of the entire conference system S set to the master CU. The speaker setting number is compared with (S1072).

When the priority setting number is equal to or more than the maximum speaker setting number (“YES” in S1072), the control unit 16 of the master CU is not currently connected among DU2 whose unit setting information is stored in the unit setting information DB. The setting of the priority of DU (hereinafter referred to as "non-connected DU") 2 is turned off one by one (S1073). The process of turning off the setting of the priority of the non-connected DU2 is executed sequentially from DU2 in which unit setting information is stored in the unit setting information DB of CU1 (CU1B in this embodiment) having a large numerical value of relative ID. That is, the processing of the slave DU connected to the slave CU (update of the priority) is prioritized over the processing of the master DU connected to the master CU (update of the priority).

When the priority setting number is smaller than the maximum speaker setting number ("No" in S1072), the conference system S ends the priority resetting process (S107).

Next, the control unit 16 of the master CU compares the priority setting number with the maximum speaker setting number (S1074). When the priority setting number is equal to or more than the maximum speaker setting number (“YES” in S1074), the control unit 16 of the master CU checks (specifies) the remaining number of non-connected DUs (S1075). When there is the remaining number of unconnected DU2 (“YES” in S1075), the control unit 16 of the master CU continues the process of turning off the setting of the priority of unconnected DU2 (S1073).

When there is no remaining number of unconnected DU2 (“NO” in S1075), the control unit 16 of the master CU turns off the setting of the priority of the currently connected DU (hereinafter referred to as “connected DU”) 2 one by one. (S1076). The process of turning off the setting of the priority of the connection DU2 is executed in order from the DU2 with the largest relative ID among the DU2 connected to the CU1 with the largest relative ID number.

Next, the control unit 16 of the master CU compares the priority setting number with the maximum speaker setting number (S1077). When the priority setting number is equal to or more than the maximum speaker setting number (“YES” in S1077), the control unit 16 of the master CU continues the process of turning off the setting of the priority of the connection DU2 (S1076).

When the priority setting number becomes smaller than the maximum speaker setting number ("No" in S1074, "No" in S1077), the control unit 16 of the master CU stores the unit setting information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU. Update the unit setting information. The control unit 16 of the slave CU is stored in the unit setting information DB of the storage unit 13 of the slave CU in conjunction with the update of the unit setting information stored in the unit setting information DB of the storage unit 13 of the master CU. Update unit setting information. As a result, the setting of the priority for each DU 2 stored in the storage unit 13 of each CU 1 is updated. The conference system S ends the priority resetting process (S107).

Thus, the conference system S automatically changes the setting of the priority of DU2 when there is a change in the connection state of the CU1. In other words, when the new CU count value and the old CU count value do not match, the conference system S updates the setting of the priority for each of the speech-enabled DUs 2. Therefore, in the conference system according to the present invention, the aforementioned contradiction does not occur. In addition, the conference system S eliminates the need for setting of the priority according to the connection state of the CU 1 by the system administrator. Therefore, the burden of system administrator's priority resetting is reduced.

In the priority resetting process, when the number of connected slave CUs decreases in the CU connection state confirmation process, that is, the number of connected slave CUs (old CU count value) stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU is newly added. It may be executed when the number of connected slave CUs (new CU count value) recognized by is larger (when it does not match). That is, for example, when the number of connected slave CUs decreases, the priority resetting process may be performed so that the number of DU2 to which the priority is set is the same before and after the change of the number of connected slaves. Specifically, in the priority resetting process, among the priority authorities of the master DUs stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU, the priority authorities of some of the master DUs are prioritized (or priority setting is performed). It may be processed to turn on).

In the priority resetting process, when an increase in the number of connected slave CUs is confirmed in the CU connection state confirmation process, some masters among the priority authorities of the master DUs stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU It may be processed to lower the priority of the priority of DU (or to turn off the setting of the priority). That is, when the number of connected slave CUs (old CU count value) stored in the storage unit 13 of the master CU is smaller than the newly recognized number of connected slave CUs (new CU count value) (when they do not match) The priority reset process is performed to lower the priority of priority of some master DUs (or to turn off the setting of the priority), instead of lowering the priority of the priority from the slave DU described above. May be

Operation Process Next, the conference system S executes an operation process (S4). The operation processing (S4) is the same as the above-described operation processing (FIG. 22) except that the master CU manages the connection state of the slave CU and slave DU, the audio information of the slave DU, and the like. That is, the master CU repeatedly transmits and receives operation packets with the master DU, and repeatedly transmits and receives operation packets with the slave DU via the slave CU. At this time, the slave CU repeatedly transmits and receives an operation packet to and from the slave DU.

● Conference mode ●
The conference system S has a conference mode. In the conference mode, among various setting items that define the operation of the conference system S, a combination of setting contents of setting items “override” “microphone on trigger (priority setting)” and “microphone on trigger (priority not set)” is specified. It is information (union information). In other words, the conference system S specifies a combination of setting contents of override, microphone on trigger (priority setting), and microphone on trigger (priority not set) based on the conference mode. Each of the setting items will be described later.

FIG. 40 is a schematic view showing an example of the conference mode.
The figure shows that the conference system S has three conference modes "free talk mode", "request talk mode", and "full remote mode". The figure shows the combination of the setting contents of override for each conference mode, microphone on trigger (priority setting), and microphone on trigger (priority not set).

For example, in the case of the conference mode "free talk mode", the same figure shows that any of "off", "on / FIFO" and "off / LIFO" can be selected as the setting content of the setting item "override". Also, in the case of the conference mode “request talk mode”, for example, either “manual trigger” or “automatic trigger” can be selected as the setting content of the setting item “mike on trigger (priority setting)”. Indicates Furthermore, for example, in the case of the conference mode "full remote mode", the same figure indicates that the setting item "microphone on trigger (priority not set)" can not be set. Each setting content for each setting item shown in the figure will be described later.

The conference system S stores in advance the information indicating the combination of the information specifying the conference mode shown in FIG. 40 and the setting content of each setting item in the storage unit 13 of CU 1 before the conference mode is selected. . The conference system S refers to the storage unit 13 based on the information identifying the conference mode input from the operation terminal 4 by the system administrator or the like, that is, “override” corresponding to the conference mode. Identify each setting of “Mike on trigger (priority setting)” and “Mike on trigger (priority not set)”. That is, the storage unit 13 associates and stores combination information and information specifying the setting content of each setting item.

● Setting item "override"
The override is a setting item related to an assignment method for determining “on” / “off” of the override in the assignment of the voice slot and the voice area to the DU 2 to which the request flag is assigned.

Overriding is the end of the utterance of DU2 to which the voice slot and the voice area have already been assigned when there is a speech request without any space in the voice slot and the voice area (a request flag is given to the operation packet). Without waiting for a voice request and a voice area to be assigned to DU 2 for which there is a speech request. Overriding includes the assignment scheme when "on" and the assignment scheme when "off". When the override is "on", the override performs processing according to one of FIFO (First In First Out) and LIFO (Last In First Out) allocation schemes.

The FIFO is an assignment scheme in which the assignment of the voice slot of DU 2 to which speech is permitted first and the voice domain is canceled among DU 2 to which the voice slot and voice domain have already been assigned. In the FIFO, DU2 to which a voice slot and a voice area are assigned is deallocated between the voice slot and the voice area.

LIFO is an allocation scheme in which, of DU 2 to which a voice slot and a voice area have already been assigned, the voice slot and voice area of DU 2 to which speech is permitted last are unassigned. In the LIFO, of the voice slots and the voice area, only the DU2 to which the last free voice slot and the voice area are assigned (the speech is permitted at the immediately preceding timing) is switched.

On the other hand, the assignment method when the override is "off" is an assignment method in which the assignment of the voice slot and voice region of DU2 for which the speech has ended is canceled out of DU2 to which the voice slot and voice region are already assigned. . That is, after the end of the utterance of DU2 (a) to which an audio slot and an audio area have already been allocated to DU2 that has made an utterance request, the audio allocated to DU2 (a) for which the utterance has ended is awaited. Slots and voice areas are assigned. That is, the request process (FIG. 28) described above is a process executed when the override is “off”.

Information (hereinafter, referred to as “allocation method information”) specifying any one of the plurality of allocation methods is associated with the union information and stored in the storage unit 13. For example, the conference mode "free talk mode" is associated with the assignment method corresponding to the setting contents "off", "on / FIFO", and "on / LIFO" of the setting item "override". The assignment scheme information is information included in the control information described above. That is, for example, when the setting content “on / FIFO” is selected in the setting item “override”, the conference system S performs the speech request according to the allocation method in which the allocation of the audio slot and the audio area is canceled in a courtesy manner. A voice slot and a voice area are assigned to DU2 that was located.

● Setting item "mike on trigger"
The microphone on trigger is a mode related to setting of a trigger for giving a request flag (speech request) to an operation packet, that is, a method for giving a request flag. The microphone on trigger is a setting item "mike on trigger (priority setting)" for a priority set DU (hereinafter referred to as "priority set DU") 2p and a DU not set priority (hereinafter referred to as "priority non-set DU" And 2) the setting item “mike on trigger (priority not set)” for 2 n. The microphone on trigger is a trigger for turning on the microphone 3 attached to the DU 2 and includes the two application methods of the “manual trigger” and the “automatic trigger” described above. In the microphone on trigger, either the "manual trigger" or the "automatic trigger" is selected.

Information (hereinafter referred to as “application system information”) specifying any one of the plurality of application systems is associated with the association information and stored in the storage unit 13. For example, the conference mode “request talk mode” is associated with the assignment method corresponding to the setting content “manual trigger” of the setting item “microphone on trigger (priority setting)”. The assignment scheme information is information included in the control information described above. The assignment scheme information is stored in the storage unit 13 in association with the assignment scheme information.

● Conference mode "free talk mode"
The free talk mode is a conference mode in which the user of DU 2 to which a voice slot is assigned can freely speak. A voice slot and a voice area are always assigned to the priority setting DU 2 p. A voice slot and a voice area are assigned to the priority non-setting DU 2 n in accordance with the selected assignment scheme. In the free talk mode, since a voice slot and a voice area are automatically assigned, a situation of rejection of a speech request does not occur. Therefore, the operating terminal 4 is not necessarily required in the free talk mode.

The setting item “override” in the free talk mode is selected from one of three setting contents of “off”, “on / FIFO”, and “on / LIFO”.

The setting item “mic on trigger” in the free talk mode is individually set for each DU 2. That is, for example, DU2 in which the manual trigger is selected and DU2 in which the automatic trigger is selected may be mixed.

● Conference mode "request talk mode"
The request talk mode is a conference mode in which an utterance request of the priority non-setting DU 2 n is manually triggered. A voice slot and a voice area are always assigned to the priority setting DU 2 p. Based on the request from the operation terminal 4, the priority non-setting DU 2 n is selected to permit or reject the speech request.

In the setting item "override" in the request talk mode, the setting content "off" can not be selected. That is, in the request talk mode, one of “on / FIFO” and “on / LIFO” is selected as the setting content of the override.

In the setting item “mic on trigger” in the request talk mode, only the manual trigger is selected as the setting of the priority non-setting DU 2 n.

● Conference mode "full remote mode"
The full remote mode is a conference mode in which the operation of the operation terminal 4 enables speech of the priority non-setting DU 2 n. In the priority setting DU 2 p, a voice slot and a voice area are always assigned. In the priority non-setting DU 2 n, the utterance is permitted based on the request from the operation terminal 4.

In the setting item "override" in the full remote mode, the setting content "off" can not be selected. That is, in the full remote mode, one of “on / FIFO” and “on / LIFO” is selected as the setting content of the override.

In the setting item “mic on trigger” in the full remote mode, the trigger can not be set for the priority non-setting DU 2 n.

● Operation of the conference system based on the conference mode ●
Next, the operation of the conference system based on the conference mode will be described. The conference system S operates based on the assignment method of the voice slot and the voice area of each DU 2 and the assignment method of the request flag, which are determined according to the conference mode selected from the plurality of conference modes.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing information processing of conference mode selection (S200).
The selection of the conference mode (S200) is, for example, between the DU information acquisition process (FIGS. 17 and 18) and the DU setting process (FIGS. 20 and 21) in the information processing performed by the conference system S described above. To be executed.

First, the operation terminal 4 reads the combination information from the storage unit 13 of the CU 1 (master CU) connected to the operation terminal 4 by the operation of the system administrator or the like, and stores the combination information in the storage unit 43 (S2001).

Next, the conference mode is selected (S2002). That is, for example, the operation terminal 4 allows the system administrator or the like to make a meeting from the free talk mode (S201), the request talk mode (S202), and the full remote mode (S203) via a preparation screen to be described later. Let one of the conference modes be selected based on etc. The control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 specifies combination information according to the selected conference mode from among the plurality of combination information stored in the storage unit 43 (S2003). Here, for example, when the conference mode “free talk mode” shown in FIG. 40 is selected, the control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 sets “off” to the system administrator or the like as the setting content of the setting item “override” of each DU2. “On / FIFO” “On / LIFO” is displayed on the display unit 44 to be selected. Similarly, the control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 sets “manual trigger” to a system administrator or the like as setting contents of setting items “mike on trigger (priority setting)” and “mike on trigger (priority not set)” of each DU 2 The display unit 44 displays a screen for selecting one of “automatic trigger”. By operating the screen displayed on the display unit 44, the assignment method between the voice slot and the voice area for each DU 2 and the assignment method of the request flag are determined. The communication unit 41 of the operation terminal 4 transmits the determined assignment method of the voice slot and the voice area for each DU 2 and the assignment method of the request flag as the identified combination information to the CU 1 (S 2004). CU1 stores the combination information received from operation terminal 4 in storage unit 13 as unit setting information for each DU 2 (with regard to DU 2 in which unit setting information is already stored, unit setting information stored in storage unit 13) Is updated). CU1 executes the above-mentioned DU setting process (FIG. 20, 21) based on the updated unit setting information, and changes the unit setting for each DU2. As a result, the conference system S operates based on the selected conference mode.

Conference Mode “Free Talk Mode” As described above, DU 2 makes a speech request based on the individually set microphone on trigger.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the information processing of CU1 in the free talk mode.
First, the control unit 16 of CU1 waits for a speech request from DU2 ("No" in S2011). When a speech request is issued from DU2 ("YES" in S2011), the control unit 16 of CU1 checks whether DU2 which has made the speech request is the priority setting DU2p or the priority non-setting DU2n (S2012).

When the speech request DU2 is the priority setting DU2p ("Yes" in S2012), the control unit 16 of the CU1 assigns a predetermined sound slot and a sound area to the priority setting DU2p (S2013).

When DU2 that has made a speech request is priority unset DU 2 n (“No” in S 2012), the control unit 16 of CU 1 checks the space between the voice slot and the voice area (S 2014).

When there is a vacancy in the voice slot and the voice area (“YES” in S2014), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 assigns a vacant voice slot and a voice area to the priority non-setting DU 2 n (S2015).

When there is no space between the voice slot and the voice area (“No” in S2014), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 confirms the setting content of the override of the priority non-setting DU 2 n (S 2016).

When the setting content of the override is “on” (“Yes” in S2016), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 sets the voice slot and the voice area to the priority non-setting DU 2 n according to the setting content of either FIFO or LIFO. Forced assignment (override) (S2017).

When the setting content of the override is “OFF” (“NO” in S2016), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 checks again the space between the audio slot and the audio area (S2014). At this time, the priority non-setting DU 2 n is in the speech wait state (request wait state) until the voice slot and the voice area become free.

Meeting Mode “Request Talk Mode” As described above, in the request talk mode, the microphone on trigger of priority non-setting DU 2 n is set in advance to the manual mode. The microphone on trigger of the priority setting DU 2 p is previously set to either the automatic mode or the manual mode.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing information processing of CU1 in the request talk mode.
The control unit 16 of CU1 waits for a speech request from DU2 (“NO” in S2021). When a speech request is issued from DU2 ("Yes" in S2021), the control unit 16 of CU1 checks whether DU2 which has made the speech request is the priority setting DU2p or the priority non-setting DU2n (S2022).

When DU2 that has made a speech request is priority setting DU2p ("Yes" in S2022), the control unit 16 of CU1 assigns a predetermined voice slot and voice area to the priority setting DU2p (S2023).

When DU2 which made speech request is priority unset DU2n ("No" of S2022), control part 16 of CU1 lists priority unset DU2n in a speech request list (S2024). The speech request list is, for example, a table in which DUs 2 which have made speech requests are arranged in the order of request.

The priority unset DU 2 n listed in the speech request list is in a request waiting state until either speech request permission or rejection is selected. The permission and the rejection of the speech request are selected by the operation of the operation terminal 4 such as the chairperson, for example.

When permission to request speech is selected (“YES” in S 2025), the control unit 16 of CU 1 sets the priority unset DU 2 n to an audio slot and an audio area according to the setting contents of either FIFO or LIFO. Forced allocation (S2026). At this time, the control unit 16 of the CU 1 deletes the priority non-setting DU 2 n for which the speech request is permitted from the speech request list (S 2027).

When the speech request is rejected (“No” in S2025), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 deletes the priority non-setting DU 2 n from the speech request list (S 2028).

● Conference mode "full remote mode" As mentioned above, in the full remote mode, nothing is set for microphone on trigger of priority unset DU2n (off). That is, the priority non-setting DU 2 n can not make a speech request. The microphone on trigger of the priority setting DU 2 p is previously set to either the automatic mode or the manual mode.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing information processing of CU1 in the full remote mode.
First, the control unit 16 of CU1 waits for one of an utterance request from DU2 and a request from the operation terminal 4 (“NO” in S2031). When there is a request (“YES” in S2031), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 confirms whether the request is an utterance request from DU 2 or a request from the operation terminal 4 (S2032). As described above, the speech request is made only by the priority setting DU 2 p. The request from the operation terminal 4 is made to the priority non-setting DU 2 n.

When the request is a speech request (“speech request” in S2032), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 assigns a predetermined voice slot and a voice area to the priority setting DU 2 p that has made the speech request (S 2033).

When the request is a request from the operation terminal 4 (“terminal operation” in S2032), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 confirms the free space between the audio slot and the audio area (S2034).

When there is a vacancy in the voice slot (“YES” in S2034), the control unit 16 of the CU 1 allocates a vacated voice slot and voice area to the priority non-setting DU 2 n whose speech is requested by the operation terminal 4 (S2035) ).

When there is no space in the voice slot and the voice area ("No" in S2034), the control unit 16 of the CU1 sets the voice slot and the voice area in the priority non-setting DU2n according to the setting content of either FIFO or LIFO. And are forcibly allocated (S2036).

Summary of Conference Mode As described above, the conference system S has a plurality of selectable conference modes in which the settings of the microphone on trigger mode and the override mode are combined. Therefore, for example, a person who is an employee of the general affairs department and who prepares for operation setting of the conference system S immediately before the start of a conference can be easily selected by appropriately selecting the optimal conference mode from a plurality of conference modes. The operation setting of the conference system S can be prepared.

● Input screen of operation terminal ●
Various control information for controlling the operation of the conference system S is input, for example, via an input screen displayed on the display unit 44 of the operation terminal 4 and stored in the storage unit 13 of the CU 1. The input screen is a screen used by a system administrator or the like at the time of input / change of control information. That is, for example, the input screen is a screen for inputting settings of CU1 and DU2. As described above, the control information includes, for example, information on system settings of the conference system S, information on priority, a speech request list, and the like. The control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 reads control information corresponding to the input screen from the storage unit 13 of the CU 1 and causes the display unit 44 to display the control information.

The input screen is, for example, a conference system initial setting screen (hereinafter referred to as "initial screen"), a conference preparation screen (hereinafter referred to as "preparation screen"), and a conference progress screen (hereinafter referred to as "progress screen"). including. The control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 selects one input screen based on a predetermined condition described later. That is, for example, the control unit 46 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and based on the result of the determination, the input screen displayed on the display unit 44 includes an initial screen, a preparation screen, and a progress screen. Choose from The predetermined conditions include, for example, the state of physical and communication connection between CU1 and DU2 (such as presence or absence of connection), completion of setting of a specific item, occurrence of abnormality of connection state of DU2, specific DU ( For example, the connection state of the interpretation unit etc. That is, for example, the control unit 46 determines whether or not specific control information among the plurality of control information is stored in the storage unit 13 of the CU 1, and whether or not DU2 is connected to the unit connection unit 12 b Result of the determination as to whether or not a specific DU2 of the plurality of DUs 2 is connected to the unit connection section 12b, or a connection abnormality of the DU 2 connected to the unit connection section 12b occurs. The input screen displayed on the display unit 44 is selected on the basis of the result of the determination as to whether or not it is present.

FIG. 45 is a schematic view showing a selection screen of an input screen displayed on the display unit 44 of the operation terminal 4 included in the conference system S.
The figure shows items that can be selected by solid lines and items that can not be selected by dashed lines.

When the conference system S is activated, a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 44 of the operation terminal 4. The selection screen is, for example, a screen for selecting one of the initial screen, the preparation screen, and the progress screen, such as a system administrator or a person who prepares the operation setting of the conference system S. .

The input screen that is displayed selectably on the selection screen changes, for example, according to the communication state between CU1 and DU2. That is, for example, when CU1 and DU2 can not communicate, only the initial screen can be selected among the input screens displayed on the selection screen. The fact that CU1 and DU2 can not communicate means, for example, a state in which DU2 is not connected to CU1. When CU1 and DU2 can communicate, the preparation screen and the progress screen can be selected among the input screens displayed on the selection screen. Communication between CU1 and DU2 means, for example, a state in which DU2 is connected to CU1. The input screen displayed in a selectable manner on the selection screen is determined by the control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4. As described above, the selectable input screen changes according to the predetermined condition, thereby facilitating the selection of the input screen by the person who inputs the information and performing various settings based on the predetermined condition. Therefore, erroneous operations or erroneous inputs, such as contradiction in the contents to be set, are reduced.

In the selection screen in the present embodiment, for example, the selectable input screen may change according to authentication information or the like input to the login screen.

Further, the selection screen may display, for example, a screen to which information on the setting of the priority is input when the CU 1 and the plurality of DUs 2 can communicate.

Furthermore, the selection screen may display a screen on which communication information is input on the initial screen, for example, when the CU 1 and the plurality of DUs 2 can not communicate.

Furthermore, the selection screen may be, for example, a mode for displaying a screen on which information on settings corresponding to a specific application is input when a DU corresponding to the specific application such as an interpretation unit is connected to the CU 1.

Furthermore, the input screen that can be selected on the selection screen is not limited to the present embodiment. That is, for example, the input screen selectable on the selection screen may include another input screen such as a maintenance screen.

Initial Screen FIG. 46 is a schematic view of the initial screen.
The initial screen is, for example, a screen on which the system administrator inputs / changes the setting of the conference system S. The information displayed on the initial screen is information related to the system settings of the conference system S, for example, communication information such as a subnet mask used by CU1 to identify DU2 (for communication between CU1 and DU2), and firmware It is information for initial setting of the conference system S, such as information, terminal setting information of CU1, and the like.

When the input of the information is completed in the initial screen, the CU1 and the DU2 can communicate. By completing the input of information on the initial screen, the preparation screen and the progress screen can be selected on the selection screen.

Preparation Screen FIG. 47 is a schematic view of the preparation screen.
The preparation screen is, for example, a screen on which a person who prepares for operation setting of the conference system S inputs the setting of each DU 2. The information displayed on the preparation screen is unit setting information of each DU 2, for example, information on setting of priority, information on setting of microphone on trigger, and notification information such as light emission color of the light emitting unit 28 of DU 2. These pieces of information are displayed, for example, in the preparation screen in association with the relative ID of DU2.

The unit setting information displayed on the preparation screen, for example, the unit setting information of DU 2 connected to CU 1 in the past is information stored in the unit setting information DB. On the other hand, the unit setting information of DU2 newly connected to CU1 is the setting (initial value) at the time of shipping of DU2 as described above.

FIG. 48 is a schematic view of a preparation screen after information input.
The drawing shows underlining the information newly input from the preparation screen shown in FIG.

Progress Screen FIG. 49 is a schematic view of the progress screen.
The progress screen is, for example, a screen on which a person who performs a meeting such as a chairperson inputs information for controlling the operation of each DU 2. The information displayed on the progress screen is information on control of each DU 2, for example, information on an utterance request list or a conference mode.

The progress screen is used, for example, as a chairperson when the request talk mode of the conference mode described above or the full remote mode is selected. For example, the operation terminal 4 displays the speech request list on the progress screen, and causes the chairperson to select permission and rejection for the speech request in the progress screen.

As described above, in the conference system S, the control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 selects an input screen of 1 based on a predetermined condition. Therefore, the conference system S avoids contradiction between the input setting contents. That is, the conference system according to the present embodiment realizes reliable setting work with a simple configuration.

Each input screen in the present invention may have a different display mode of GUI (Graphic User Interface) according to the items displayed on the screen. That is, for example, the conference system S may display the initial screen in an accordion format, the preparation screen in a wizard format, and the progress screen in a tab format.

Further, in each input screen in the present invention, items displayed on the display unit 44 may be different according to the authority of the person operating the operation terminal 4. As a result, the input or change of information different from the authority of the person operating the operation terminal 4 is prevented.

According to the embodiment described above, the conference system S periodically transmits a packet including a counter flag from CU1 to DU2 and stores information stored in a database in which a relative ID is associated with an absolute ID. Update. In the conference system S, even if the connection abnormality occurs in DU2 and the relative ID is changed, the association between the relative ID and the absolute ID is updated, and thus information such as voice information before and after the change in the connection state of DU2 There is no problem with That is, the conference system according to the present invention reliably manages the connection state of the CU and the DU 2 and can continuously acquire information from the DU when a connection abnormality occurs.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the conference system S automatically changes the setting of the priority when there is a connection or disconnection between the CUs 1. Therefore, in the conference system according to the present invention, the aforementioned contradiction does not occur. Further, the conference system according to the present invention eliminates the need for the system administrator to set the priority according to the connection state of the CUs. Therefore, the conference system according to the present invention alleviates the burden of system administrator's priority re-setting.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the conference system S takes in the speech request from DU 2 by the processing of the periodic request flag, and causes the CU 1 to transmit a command according to the availability of the voice slot and the voice area. . That is, the conference system S does not transmit a command from DU2 to CU1 each time a speech request is made. Therefore, the conference system according to the present invention does not receive an excessive load of information processing even if there are speech requests from a plurality of DUs at one time. As a result, the conferencing system S according to the present invention does not require high processing power as compared to a system in which the DU receives a command from the CU each time it makes a speech request.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, DU 2 which has made a speech request automatically enters a request waiting state when there is no space between the voice slot and the voice area. Therefore, the conference system according to the present invention does not need to respond to all the speech requests on software, and the load of information processing on software is reduced.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, in the conference system S, the control unit 46 of the operation terminal 4 selects an input screen of 1 based on a predetermined condition. Therefore, the conference system according to the present invention can avoid the contradiction between the contents set by the person who inputs the information. That is, the conference system according to the present invention realizes reliable setting work with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the conference system S selects the conference mode in which the override and the microphone on trigger are associated with each other, thereby allocating the voice slot of each DU 2 and the voice area, or Set the request flag assignment method. Therefore, for example, even if it is not a person who needs expert knowledge such as an operator, the conference system S can be easily selected by appropriately selecting an optimal conference mode from among a plurality of conference modes from the content of the conference and the configuration of participants. It is possible to prepare for operation setting. That is, the conference system according to the present invention is excellent in the convenience of setting work.

Summary of conference system according to the present invention
The features of the conference system according to the present invention described above will be summarized below.

(Feature 1)
Control unit (CU1),
With the discussion unit (DU2),
Operation terminal (operation terminal 4),
Have
The discussion unit sends audio information to the control unit;
The operation terminal is connected to each of the control unit and the discussion unit via a communication line.
The control unit
Storage unit (storage unit 13),
Equipped with
The operation terminal is
A display unit (display unit 44),
A control unit (control unit 46),
Equipped with
The storage unit stores a plurality of control information for controlling the operation of the control unit and the discussion unit,
The display unit displays an input screen of one of a plurality of input screens to which any one of the plurality of control information is input,
The control unit selects the input screen displayed on the display unit from among the plurality of input screens based on a predetermined condition.
A conference system characterized by

(Feature 2)
The control unit determines whether or not specific control information is stored in the storage unit among the plurality of control information, and the input screen displayed on the display unit is determined based on the result of the determination. select,
The conference system according to Feature 1.

(Feature 3)
The control unit
Connection unit (unit connection unit 12b),
Equipped with
The discussion unit is connected to the connection unit.
The conference system according to Feature 1.

(Feature 4)
The control unit determines whether the discussion unit is connected to the connection unit, and selects the input screen displayed on the display unit based on a result of the determination.
The conference system according to Feature 3.

(Feature 5)
A plurality of the discussion units are connected to the connection unit,
The control unit determines whether or not a specific discussion unit of the plurality of discussion units is connected to the connection unit, and the input screen displayed on the display unit based on the result of the determination. To choose
The conference system according to Feature 3.

(Feature 6)
The control unit determines whether or not a connection abnormality of the discussion unit connected to the connection unit has occurred, and selects the input screen displayed on the display unit based on the result of the determination. Do,
The conference system according to Feature 3.

(Feature 7)
The plurality of control information is
Communication information used by the control unit to identify the discussion unit,
Including
The control unit causes the display unit to display the input screen to which the communication information is input when the discussion unit is not connected to the connection unit.
The conference system according to Feature 3.

(Feature 8)
The plurality of control information is
Priority right information indicating priority order of transmission of the voice information from the discussion unit to the control unit,
Including
The control unit causes the display unit to display the input screen to which the priority authority information is input when a plurality of discussion units are connected to the connection unit.
The conference system according to any one of Features 3 to 7.

(Feature 9)
The plurality of input screens are
An initial screen on which setting information of the control unit is input;
A preparation screen on which setting information of the discussion unit is input;
A progress screen on which control information for controlling the operation of the discussion unit is input;
including,
The conference system according to Feature 1.

S Conference System 1 Control Unit (CU)
2 Discussion unit (DU)
3 Microphone 4 Operation Terminal 11 Communication Unit (CU Communication Unit)
12 connection unit 13 storage unit (CU storage unit)
14 Display unit 15 Operation unit 16 Control unit (CU control unit)
20 Case 21 Communication Unit (DU Communication Unit)
22 connection unit 23 storage unit 24 display unit 25 operation unit 26 control unit (DU control unit)
27 Speaker 28 Light emitting unit 28 a First light emitting unit 28 b Second light emitting unit

Claims (9)

1. A control unit,
   With the discussion unit
   Operation terminal,
   Have
   The discussion unit sends audio information to the control unit;
   The operation terminal is connected to each of the control unit and the discussion unit via a communication line.
   The control unit
   Storage unit,
   Equipped with
   The operation terminal is
   A display unit,
   A control unit,
   Equipped with
   The storage unit stores a plurality of control information for controlling the operation of the control unit and the discussion unit,
   The display unit displays an input screen of one of a plurality of input screens to which any one of the plurality of control information is input,
   The control unit selects the input screen displayed on the display unit from among the plurality of input screens based on a predetermined condition.
   A conference system characterized by
2. The control unit determines whether or not specific control information is stored in the storage unit among the plurality of control information, and the input screen displayed on the display unit is determined based on the result of the determination. select,
   The conference system according to claim 1.
3. The control unit
   Connection,
   Equipped with
   The discussion unit is connected to the connection unit.
   The conference system according to claim 1.
4. The control unit determines whether the discussion unit is connected to the connection unit, and selects the input screen displayed on the display unit based on a result of the determination.
   The conference system according to claim 3.
5. A plurality of the discussion units are connected to the connection unit,
   The control unit determines whether or not a specific discussion unit of the plurality of discussion units is connected to the connection unit, and the input screen displayed on the display unit based on the result of the determination. To choose
   The conference system according to claim 3.
6. The control unit determines whether or not a connection abnormality of the discussion unit connected to the connection unit has occurred, and selects the input screen displayed on the display unit based on the result of the determination. Do,
   The conference system according to claim 3.
7. The plurality of control information is
   Communication information used by the control unit to identify the discussion unit,
   Including
   The control unit causes the display unit to display the input screen to which the communication information is input when the discussion unit is not connected to the connection unit.
   The conference system according to claim 2.
8. The plurality of control information is
   Priority authority information indicating the priority of transmission of the audio information from the discussion unit to the control unit;
   Including
   The control unit causes the display unit to display the input screen to which the priority authority information is input when a plurality of discussion units are connected to the connection unit.
   The conference system according to any one of claims 3 to 7.
9. The plurality of input screens are
   An initial screen on which setting information of the control unit is input;
   A preparation screen on which setting information of the discussion unit is input;
   A progress screen on which control information for controlling the operation of the discussion unit is input;
   including,
   The conference system according to claim 1.
   
   
   

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