JP3202473B2 - Video conference system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service providing system in a video conference system using an ISDN line or an SD line.

[0002] In recent years, video conferences that transmit and receive simultaneously with a plurality of conference qualities have been used. In such a video conference system, in order to operate a video conference with a more realistic sensation, priority is given to displaying the image of the conference room where the speaker generating the maximum sound is displayed on the screen, and data is transmitted using a personal computer or projector. Is required to be transmitted and displayed on a screen. In this case, the speaker, the questioner,
It is required to clarify the destination of the data and to be able to arbitrarily refer to the data.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional video conference system, a conference participant is present in each conference room at a plurality of different locations, and a device for photographing a pattern of the conference room and transmitting image data is selected or selected in the video conference system. And a display for receiving and displaying the synthesized image of the conference room. When the video conference system receives images from a plurality of conference rooms, it identifies the conference room in which the participant generating the maximum sound exists from the screens of each conference room, selects the image, and displays the entire screen. The screen of each conference room is displayed simultaneously by switching to an image or dividing the screen into a certain number without identifying the maximum sound.

In such a video conference system, data other than video and audio may be displayed on a screen during a conference. For example, if image data such as charts and lists, or text data input using a personal computer, created in advance while speaking, is sent to a video conference system separately from images and voices (when input from the conference room), the speaker It can be displayed on the display of each conference room together with the screen of the conference room being displayed.

[0005] Even if the speaker stops speaking and switches to another conference screen that generates the maximum sound, the data displayed before that is displayed as it is. You don't know who created the data. Therefore, a participant in a conference room other than the conference room in which the creator of the data exists cannot arbitrarily retrieve the currently displayed data.

[0006]

In the video conference system, when only one screen is displayed on the display of each conference room, all the screens are switched to the conference room with the maximum audio.
There was a problem that the screen was changed rapidly every time the conference room with the maximum sound was changed while the image of the other conference room could not be seen, and the eyes of participants were tired.

Further, in the case of a screen configuration in which a plurality of conference rooms are equally displayed on the display, there is a problem that it is difficult to know which conference room has the maximum sound. In addition, video
When data other than voice is displayed, since the speaker (multiple speakers in the same conference room) changes, the participants in other conference rooms do not know who created and transmitted the data. Even if participants in other conference rooms want to obtain the data immediately, it checks who the creator (speaker) is, and if it finds it, sends the data by hand to get the time. And it takes time.

According to the present invention, there is provided a video conference system in which a speaker of a conference room that generates the maximum voice can be identified, a conference room of a data transmission source is defined, and data input in another conference room can be easily referred to. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first principle of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a video conference system connected to a plurality of conference rooms and various terminals via an exchange, 10 denotes audio data and image data to be input from each conference room, image data input from the conference room, and the like. Identify data such as text data and other reference materials for meetings (referred to as material data) and commands (such as data display requests) from terminals in the meeting room and store them separately or issue instructions. A data buffer 11 for storing data such as materials such as image data, images and texts input from terminals such as a conference room at a position corresponding to the conference room; Audio identification means for identifying the maximum audio from the audio data of each conference room;
Image generation processing means 14 for creating material data or the like in a specified layout generates a layout of a screen (referred to as a communication screen) to be displayed on the display of each conference room in accordance with the number of conference rooms participating in the conference. Screen layout generating means, 15 is a command processing means, 2 is an exchange, and 3 is a plurality of (# 1 to #N) conference rooms provided at each point.

In FIG. 2, 1, 2 and 3 have the same names as those in FIG. 1, 4 is a printer connected to the exchange 2, and 5 is a facsimile (FA) connected to the exchange 2.
X, one or more are provided) and 6 is a display terminal such as a conference room. Reference numeral 15 in the video conference system 1 is the same command processing means as in FIG. 1, 16 is a data conversion unit, 17 is a printer output means, 18 is a FAX output means, and 19 is an image output means.

According to the present invention, data such as images to be input from a plurality of conference rooms and data to be input are stored in a data buffer of a video conference system in a storage unit corresponding to each conference room, and the images of the conference rooms are displayed on a screen. In the case of display, data such as material is taken out together with the image data and displayed. In addition, when creating a communication screen, the screen layout is configured to correspond to the number of conference rooms, and the image of each conference room is reduced and arranged on a part of the screen. The previous audio conference room is displayed side by side.
Further, when a participant in another conference room wants to obtain material data from each conference room, a command is input from a printer or a facsimile terminal to take it out of the data buffer and obtain a hard copy from the printer or facsimile. It is like that.

[0012]

In FIG. 1, when a video conference is performed from the conference room # 1, # 2, # 3,... Via the exchange 2 to the video conference system 1, a screen layout of the video conference system 1 is generated. Means 14 generates a screen layout corresponding to the number of conference rooms 3 participating in the video conference (obtained by identifying the number of conference rooms connected and received). In this case, the screen layout is such that the images of all participating conference rooms are reduced and arranged side by side on a part of the screen (for example, at the top), and the image of the conference room that generates the maximum sound is displayed over the rest of the screen. Although the layout is arranged, the image of the conference room that generates the maximum audio and the image of the conference room that previously generated the maximum audio may be divided into two on the remaining screen.

The screen layout is changed by the screen layout generating means 14 in accordance with the increase or decrease in the number of conference rooms connected to participate in the conference. However, the reduced screen corresponding to the maximum number of conference rooms is fixed. Can be provided. The generated layout data is supplied to the image generation processing unit 13.

Image and audio data from each conference room 3 to the video conference system 1 are input to the video conference system 1 together with data such as materials (data from an OHP, a projector, a personal computer, etc.) input from the conference room. Processed in parallel. An identification code is added to the header of each of the input data for audio and video, and the data type identification unit 10 identifies the type of data. in this case,
The image data is stored in the data buffer 11, and a storage area is allocated to the data buffer 11 corresponding to the number of the conference room 3, and the image of each conference room 3 is stored in the storage area corresponding to the respective number. The image data 11a is stored at the position for image data. When data such as materials input in each conference room 3 is input, the data type identifying means 10 identifies the data as materials, and the data is stored in the data buffer 11 corresponding to the conference room 3. Data 11b such as material is stored at a position different from the image data in the area.

The audio data input from each conference room 3 (the audio input from which conference room is identified) is mixed with the audio of a plurality of conference rooms and output to each conference room together with the communication screen. However, if it is also input to the data type identification means 10 and identified as voice, it is output to the voice identification means 12 where the maximum voice is identified. When the maximum sound is identified, the image generation processing unit 13 is notified of the identification information (number) of the conference room that generates the maximum sound, and instructs to switch the screen.

The image generation processing means 13 follows the layout specified by the screen layout generation means 14 in advance.
The image data of each conference room is taken out from each area of the data buffer 11 and compressed, and a large number of them are arranged side by side at the corresponding position for each conference room. When there is an instruction of the conference room with the maximum audio from the audio identification means 12, the image data of the instructed conference room is taken out from the data buffer 11 and is directly (or enlarged) in a wide area for the maximum audio in the screen layout. ) Will be entered. At this time, if data such as materials is stored in the area corresponding to the conference room in the data buffer 11, the data is also taken out, combined with the image data of the conference room, and input to the layout.

When two images of the current maximum audio conference room and the previous maximum audio conference room are displayed side by side, the image data of the previous maximum audio conference room is stored in the data buffer 11. When data such as materials corresponding to the image data of the conference room is taken out from the corresponding area and stored, the data is also combined with the image data and input into the layout.

When a command for requesting display of data such as materials (request including the number of the conference room) is input from a terminal (display terminal or telephone terminal) of the conference room 3, the data type identification means 10 transmits the command. When a command is detected, the command processing means 15 is driven. The command processing means 15 analyzes the command, extracts data from a corresponding conference room area of the data buffer 11 storing data such as requested materials, and outputs an image. Output to the generation processing means 13. The image generation processing means 13 converts the data of the materials and the like into
It is displayed independently of the image data (displayed with some screen layout changed).

In the second principle configuration shown in FIG. 2, similarly to FIG. 1, the data buffer 11 in the video conference system 1 is provided with areas corresponding to the numbers of the respective conference rooms, each of which has image data 11a and Data 11b such as materials is stored. When a person who has participated in the conference wants to view the data such as this material as a paper medium (hard copy) or a display (soft copy) on a display, the following is realized.

When the user wants to view the printout, the call is transmitted from the printer 4, the video conference system 1 is called, data such as materials is designated (by the conference room number or the like), and an output to the printer is requested. This is decoded by means 15 and processing is performed. That is, when the data 11b of the relevant material or the like is taken out of the data buffer, the necessary data conversion (text data is converted into image data) and output from the printer output means 17, printing is performed by the printer 4 which prints the image. Will be

In the case of a facsimile terminal, similarly, when the video conference system 1 is called to request the output of the designated data to a facsimile, the facsimile output means 18 is activated, and the requested data is transmitted to the data converter 16 in the same manner as the printer. Are output from the FAX output means 18.

When a command is transmitted from any one of the display terminals 6 in the conference room 3 and a command for designating data and requesting image output is input, the image output means 19 is activated and the corresponding data in the data buffer 11 is activated. Data such as materials 11
When b is taken out, the data (image data) is generated and output by the image output means 19 and displayed on the display terminal 6.

For example, when performing a broadcast for outputting the same data 11b such as materials to a plurality of FAXs 5, the data 11b such as materials is designated (the number of the conference room) and the FAX 5
When a request for output is made and the destination of the broadcast is notified, the communication destination is stored in the destination list 20, and when the next designated data is taken out, the same data is sequentially transmitted to each FAX according to the destination list 20. .

[0024]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment for realizing a display selection function for changing a screen layout. FIG. 4 shows a flow of a screen layout process and an example of a screen layout.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1 to 3 denote devices similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a video conference system,
Is an exchange, 3 is a conference room (not shown, but a plurality of other conference rooms are connected to the exchange 2), and 100 in the video conference system 1 is activated when there is an incoming call from the conference room 3 to the video conference system 1. Incoming process that activates other processes in response to a request to participate in a conference, etc.
Reference numeral 110 denotes a screen layout process for performing a process of changing the layout of the communication screen according to participation in a new conference from the conference room or cancellation of the conference. Process.

The operation of FIG. 3 will be described.
When an image is transmitted to the video conference system 1 from the user, the incoming call process 100 is first activated. The incoming call process 100 activates the screen process 110, determines how many conference rooms are currently sending images (participating in the conference), selects a screen layout corresponding to the number, and selects the selected screen layout. According to the layout, an image to be a communication screen is synthesized by a screen synthesis process (not shown), and the calling process 120 transmits the communication screen to the conference room 3. This communication screen is sent to a plurality of conference rooms 3 simultaneously.

A flowchart of the screen layout process and an example of the screen layout will be described with reference to FIG. A. of FIG. In step (1), when a call is received from a conference room (S1 in FIG. 4), it is determined whether the current number of calls is 3 or more (S1).
2), 2 or less, B. in FIG. Is selected (S3). In this case, if the number of incoming calls (the number of conference rooms sending images) is two, The images (moving images) of the respective conference rooms are allocated to two screens (enlarged screens) divided into left and right as shown in FIG. In the case of one, the left side is set as the priority screen (the screen of the conference room that outputs the maximum sound when the number of incoming calls is plural), and is assigned to the left side. If the number of incoming calls is three or more, the C.C. Screen 2 or D. Is selected (S4).

On the screen 2, images (moving images) obtained by reducing the images transmitted from a plurality of conference rooms are arranged side by side in the upper part of the screen configuration for all the conference rooms, and the lower screen is displayed on the left and right sides. A screen (enlarged screen) divided into two screens is provided. The left screen is a priority screen, and the right screen is a screen for displaying other images. In this case, the priority screen may alternate between the left and right two screens. In this case, the respective images of the conference room with the current maximum audio are displayed on one of the left and right screens, and the previous conference room with the maximum audio is displayed on the other screen.

Screen 3 is the same in that reduced images of the respective conference rooms are displayed side by side at the top of the screen configuration, but only one priority screen (the image of the conference room that generates the maximum sound) is displayed on the enlarged screen at the bottom. Then, each time the maximum sound changes, the image of the priority screen changes.

When the layout is determined (S5), the images of all the conference rooms are reduced by the image synthesizing process, are arranged at the top of the screen together with the numbers of the respective conference rooms, and the enlarged image is stored in the lower divided screen to perform image synthesis. Is performed (S6), and an image is transmitted to the conference room 3 by the calling process (S7).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment for realizing the function of switching the priority screen in the screen configuration. In FIG.
100 and 120 correspond to the same reference numerals in FIG.
Is a command judgment process, 140 is an image reading process,
150 is a screen switching process, 40 is provided corresponding to a plurality of conference rooms 1 to N, stores image data sent from each conference room, and 3a is a telephone terminal (PB).
3b is a conference room provided with a terminal such as a personal computer provided with a keyboard for generating a character code.

This operation will now be described. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that three or more conference rooms are participating in a video conference. The image (the image that is not displayed on the lower enlarged screen) included in the reduced screen (the upper screen in FIG. 4C) in the common screen (the composite screen transmitted to each conference room) is enlarged. When the user wants to view the screen, the call from the conference room 3a to the video conference system is accepted by the incoming call process 100 of the video conference system 1.

The operator of the conference room 3a operates the dial keys to use predetermined numbers and symbols (*, #)
Enter the code to specify the conference room number you want to enlarge. In the case of the conference room 3b, an operator operates a keyboard of a personal computer or the like while being connected to the video conference system 1, and inputs a command including a conference room number desired to be displayed on the enlarged screen.

Incoming call process 10 of video conference system 1
When 0 receives the code input by the PB signal of the telephone, it starts the command determination process 130. The command determination process 130 determines the code, and instructs the image reading process 140 to read an image of the requested conference room and display the image on the enlarged screen even when the requested conference room is not set to the maximum sound.

The image reading process 140 reads an image in the image buffer 40 corresponding to the designated conference room number,
The screen switching process 150 is instructed to switch the screen. The screen switching process 150 performs image synthesis by switching one of the enlarged screens (for example, the priority screen) in the current communication screen to the specified image (image data read from the image buffer). Calling the communication screen 120
To each conference room.

Also when a command is input from the conference room 3b, the call determination process 100 of the video conference system 1 starts the command determination process 130, and the command determination process 130 analyzes the command and performs the same processing as described above. The screen is switched so that the image of the conference room requested by the processing is enlarged and displayed, and transmitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment for realizing the data backup function. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 1 to 3 denote devices similar to those in FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 in the video conference system 1 denotes an incoming call process, and reference numeral 160 denotes the type of data to be input (such as image data, audio data, material, etc. A data type determination process 170 for determining data) is a data backup process for storing (backing up) data corresponding to a conference room into which data such as materials is input. Also 40
Denotes an image buffer (same as 40 in FIG. 5) for storing image data corresponding to each conference room (1 to N), and 41 stores data such as materials corresponding to the conference rooms (1 to N). It is a data buffer.

When data such as conference materials is generated from the conference room 3 by a personal computer, a document, a drawing, or the like, the data is input from each conference room 3 as code data (text) and image data (graphics). The transmission data is transmitted to the conference system 1. When these transmission data are received in the incoming call process 100, the data type determination process 16
0 indicates the type. An identification display is added to the head of the data such as image data, audio data, and data to be input to the video conference system 1, so that the data type can be determined.

When the data is found to be data such as materials (including the display of the conference room), the data backup process 170 is started. The data backup process 170 stores the input data in the data buffer 41 corresponding to the conference room. When it is determined in the data type determination process 160 that the image data is image data, each image data is stored in the image buffer 40 corresponding to the transmission source conference room by a process (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment for realizing a function of displaying data in combination with an image. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote a video conference system and reference numeral 2 denotes an exchange, as in the above-described drawings, and a conference room is not shown. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 180 denotes a voice identification process for identifying a conference room that generates a maximum voice from voice data from each conference room, and 190 denotes an image of the conference room that generates a maximum voice and data input from the conference room (materials). Etc. data)
Compositing process for compositing and displaying on the priority screen, 2
Reference numeral 00 denotes a transmission data display process for displaying a conference room data corresponding to the maximum voice, and reference numeral 210 denotes a transmission data reading process for reading specified data from the data buffer 41. Reference numerals 40 and 41 denote image buffers and data buffers, which are the same as those shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a processing flow in the configuration of FIG. When data such as image data and voice data is transmitted from each conference room (S1 in FIG. 8), the incoming call process 10
0 (FIG. 7) and the data type determination process 160 (FIG. 6)
Is started, and it is determined whether the data type is audio data (S2 in FIG. 8). If the data type is not audio data, the image data is identified next (S3). If it is image data, it is stored in the image buffer 40 (S5 in FIG. 8), otherwise it is stored in the data buffer 41 as data (material, etc.) (S4).

In the case of voice data, the voice recognition process 180 of FIG. 7 is started. In this process, it is determined whether the input voice data is the maximum voice among the voices of the other conference rooms (S6 in FIG. 8). Figure 7 if not the maximum
Screen synthesis process 190 to fit the reduced image of the image data of the conference room into the designated screen position (the position corresponding to the conference room in the reduced screen at the top of the screen) to perform the screen synthesis (S7). , And transmits the screen (S8).

If it is the maximum voice, the screen switching process 150 is started (S9 in FIG. 8). In this process, the position of the priority screen is determined (S14). In this case, for example, in FIG. When the right and left enlarged screens are alternately displayed as shown in the above, which of the priority screens is currently selected when the priority screens alternately change. The image buffer 40
And reading and displaying of the image data corresponding to the conference room with the maximum audio from (steps S12 and S13), and at the same time, the transmission data reading process 210 and the transmission data display process 2
00 is driven, and data (materials, etc.) previously input from the conference room with the maximum voice is read out from the data buffer 41 and displayed (S10, S11).

When the read image data of the conference room having the maximum voice and the data corresponding to the conference room are read and displayed, the screen is synthesized as a priority screen in the screen synthesis process 190 (S15). Is formed as a communication screen together with the reduced image, and is transmitted by the calling process 120.

FIG. 9 is a specific example of switching and displaying an image and corresponding data. In this example, the screen layout shown in FIG. The reduced image of each of the conference rooms 1 to 8 is fitted in the upper part of the screen, and the two enlarged screens are arranged by dividing the lower part into right and left. Hereinafter, the left side of the enlarged screen is referred to as screen 1 and the right side is referred to as screen 2.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged image of the conference room 2 on the screen 1 and an enlarged image of the conference room 3 on the screen 2. The conference room 3 on the screen 2 has the maximum voice, and the conference room 2 on the screen 1
Is the loudest sound before that. At the lower right of this screen 1, pie chart data (shown as) as a material input from the conference room 2 is displayed, and at the lower right of the screen 2, the line graph data (denoted from the conference room 3) input. Is shown).

When the maximum voice changes to the conference room 4 in this state, the processing described in FIG. 7 and FIG.
The image of the conference room 4 is enlarged and displayed on the screen 1 as shown in FIG.
The screen 2 is switched to a screen in which the image of the conference room 3 is enlarged and displayed as it is. Thereafter, when the maximum sound is changed to the conference room 2, C. in FIG. 7, an enlarged image of the conference room 2 is displayed on the screen 2, and at this time, the data shown in FIG. 7 is taken out of the data buffer 41 by the processing of FIG.

FIG. Is C. In this state, when a participant in the conference wants to see the data in the conference room 3 for reference, the data is displayed. The configuration operation for realizing this function will be described later with reference to FIGS. When a request for displaying data including a conference room number is made by a PB signal from a telephone terminal or a command input from a personal computer, the corresponding data is taken out from the data buffer 41 (FIG. 7) and is displayed at the center of the screen. A screen in which the data required for one screen (referred to as one screen) is inserted is output.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment for realizing a function of outputting data such as materials on paper or a screen. In FIG. 10, 1, 2, and 3 represent the same reference numerals as those in the above-described drawings, 30 is a printer, and 31 is a facsimile (represented by FAX).

In operation, the operator of the conference room 3
A request is made to specify a conference room number and output data such as materials input in the conference room. In this case, as a format to be output, the type of output to a printer, a facsimile, or a display terminal of a conference room and the printer 30 to obtain the output,
The destination (telephone number etc.) of the FAX 31 or the display terminal of the conference room 3 is added. When requesting output (broadcast) to a plurality of printers or faxes, a destination list is transmitted. These requests are made by using a PB signal from a telephone terminal or by inputting a code from a personal computer.

The video conference system 1 performs the incoming call process 10
If it is received as 0, a process corresponding to the type is started. In the case of an output request to a printer, a printer output process 220
Starts. In the case of broadcast, the printer output process 220 stores the received destination in the destination list 42 and drives the text data conversion process 240. The text data conversion process 240 is a transmission data read process 250
To notify the requested conference room number.

The transmission data reading process 250 reads the stored data from the data buffer 41 corresponding to the notified conference room number, and executes the text data conversion process 24.
At 0, the data is converted to the printer output format and sent to the printer output process 220. The printer output process 220 activates the calling process 120 according to the requested destination, transmits data to the destination printer 30, and the data content (graph, character string, etc.) is output from the printer 30. Destination list 42 for broadcast to multiple printers
Broadcast is performed by notifying the calling process 120 to send to each of the destinations.

In the case of an output request to a FAX, a FAX output process 230 is activated, and the same processes as in the case of printer output are performed.
Data transmission to 31 is performed. Broadcasting to a plurality of faxes is also performed using the destination list 42 in the same manner as a printer.

In the case of a request for output to the conference communication screen, a screen output process 260 is started. Screen output process 2
60 activates the transmission data read process 250 to read the data of the requested conference room from the data buffer 41, and the read data is displayed on the display terminal of the conference room for which the screen output is designated. In this case, the image of the data can be combined with the image of the conference room by the screen output process. Is a display example in that case.

FIG. 11 shows an operation example of outputting data of a conference room. In this case, the video conference system 1, the conference room 3-
1-3-N are connected to the exchange 2 and the printer 3
0 and FAX 31 are also connected to the exchange 2. A communication screen created in the video conference system 1 is shown as a display screen of the conference room 1. This screen is displayed as A. in FIG. The data of the conference room 2 is displayed on the enlarged screen of the screen 1, and the data of the conference room 3 is displayed on the enlarged screen of the screen 2. At this time, the operator of the conference room 1 makes a request to output the data () of the conference room 2 to the FAX 31 from the telephone terminal, the personal computer, or the display terminal. When this request is received by the video conference system 1, the data () of the requested conference room 2 is read out by the processing described with reference to FIG.
When the data is converted into an output format (image data) to X31 and transmitted, a graphic of the data is output on a FAX sheet.

The data in the conference room 3 is transferred to the printer 3
When a request to output to 0 is made, the data for printer output is transmitted to the printer 30 by the processing of FIG. 10 in the video conference system 1 and the data is printed on paper.

[0057]

According to the present invention, when communication is simultaneously performed in a plurality of conference rooms, an optimum screen corresponding to the number of the conference rooms is selected, and the state of all the conference rooms and an enlarged image of the conference room to be noted. Will be displayed at the same time.

The data used in the conference room (the data being displayed on the OHP or the projector or the data input on the personal computer) in the conference room where the person with the highest voice (while speaking) on the screen is present is supported by the conference room together with the image data. By storing
When an image is displayed, the data corresponding to the conference room of the image can be displayed at the same time, and when it is desired to obtain the data from the conference participants, it is immediately output in various desired forms such as a facsimile, a printer, and a display. Therefore, the data can be easily confirmed.
In addition, since data in other conference rooms can be freely referred to, it is not necessary to distribute materials before the conference or explain the output screen during the conference, so that the video conference can be efficiently operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment for realizing a display selection function for changing a screen layout.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a screen layout process and an example of a screen layout.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment that implements a function of switching a priority screen in a screen configuration.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment that implements a data backup function.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment that realizes a function of displaying data in combination with an image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the configuration of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of switching and displaying an image and corresponding data.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment that implements a function of outputting data such as materials on paper or a screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of outputting data of a conference room.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 video conference system 10 data type identification means 11 data buffer 12 voice identification means 13 image generation processing means 14 screen layout generation means 15 command processing means 2 exchange 3 conference room (# 1 to #N)

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-40790 (JP, A) JP-A-2-125588 (JP, A) JP-A-57-20781 (JP, A) JP-A-6-78302 (JP JP-A-6-7040 (JP, A) JP-A-6-70039 (JP, A) JP-A-6-62400 (JP, A) JP-A-5-41743 (JP, A) JP-A-4-72887 (JP, A) JP-A-4-63084 (JP, A) JP-A-3-270391 (JP, A) JP-A-2-67890 (JP, A) JP-A-2-5691 (JP, A A) JP-A-62-199189 (JP, A) JP-A-63-276938 (JP, A) JP-A-63-193682 (JP, A) JP-A-5-11659 (JP, U) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 7/10 H04N ^7/ 14-7/173 H04N ^7/ 20-7/22

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video conference system for transmitting and receiving images and sounds by connecting to a plurality of conference rooms via a switchboard, and creating and transmitting a communication screen to be displayed on a display of the plurality of conference rooms. identify the number of conference rooms, equipped with a screen layout means for generating one screen layout divided and arranged on a screen a plurality of images corresponding to the number of the identified meeting room, said screen layout means, image communication Of a conference room
When the number is 3 or more, a reduced image of each conference room is displayed on a part of the screen.
Providing an area for the reduced screen to be placed, and speaking in the remaining wide area
One or two to display an enlarged image of the conference room inside
Data that arranges screens and identifies the type of data sent from each conference room
Type identification means, and the data type identification means
Is detected, the conference with the largest
Voice identification means for identifying the room, and responding to changes in the maximum voice
Enlarging the screen created by the layout means
Switch the image screen to display the image of the identified conference room
Image generation processing means for executing the data input during each meeting from each meeting room.
Data such as materials other than images and sounds can be
The data in the data buffer.
An area for storing data in the storage unit provided corresponding to the room
And if it is identified as image data, the image data
Data in the storage unit provided corresponding to the conference room.
A video conference system, wherein the video conference system is stored in an image data area . 2. An enlarged screen according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged screen including the data such as materials and an image of a conference room is displayed.
An output device that wants the data from the terminal in the conference room
When a command that requests output to
The command is analyzed and the requested data is
Command to read from the area corresponding to the conference room in the data buffer
Processing means for requesting the data read from the data buffer.
To perform necessary data conversion according to the output device
Data conversion unit, and the output of the data conversion unit or the data not converted is required.
Video conference system, characterized in that it is sent to the determined output device. 3. The output device according to claim 2, wherein the output device desired when requesting the data is a program.
If a linter or facsimile is specified, the data
Conversion is performed by the conversion unit, and the data is output to the printer output means or file.
The facsimile output means transmits to each output device, and the display terminal is designated as the desired output device.
And read out the read data from the image output means.
A video conference system for transmitting to a ray terminal . 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data is output to a display terminal.
The image output means displays the enlarged image on a communication screen including an image during the meeting.
Image showing the read data on a part of the screen to be displayed
A video conference system for generating and transmitting a video conference.