• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to a conference participant system comprising a participant unit (2) with a microphone and microphone control means arranged to control the transport of a microphone signal over a conference system network. The system is characterized in that it further comprises video control means (2a) arranged to transmit a control signal related to the transport of an external video signal.
    公开号:BE1021045B1
    申请号:E2013/0869
    申请日:2013-12-20
    公开日:2015-02-25
    发明作者:Cedric Melange
    申请人:Televic Conference Nv；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of audio conferencing systems comprising a central unit and a plurality of participant units. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of video transport in such systems.
    Background of the Invention A conference system includes a central unit that is connected to different participant units for the participating members. The central unit serves to combine the audio channels of different participant units and to distribute the received audio and data channels and combinations of these channels. A participant unit contains hardware buttons to participate in a conference (eg voting, microphone activation, volume control, ...). The participant unit can further be provided with a web-based graphical interface.
    In current conference systems, the audio processing and transport is completely separate from the processing and transport of video. Audio and video streams each have their own network and control.
    A conventional arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. A number of conference delegate units are displayed here while connected to a central conference unit. Microphone signals are transported via the conference network between participant units and the central unit. Also shown is a video input block for each participant unit. Video sharing by participants is enabled by means of a video switch that is managed by external control means. Either the switch is operated by an operator, or, in more advanced configurations, participants can manipulate the switch themselves, but there is no link between the video installation and the audio conferencing system. The video section has its own control scheme. The video switch then creates the video output in accordance with the received control signals.
    Therefore, there is a need for a solution where the separate treatment of audio and video streams is eliminated or, in other words, where there is more integration between audio and video. More specifically, there is a need for more integration between audio and video when it comes to sharing a computer presentation or leading a meeting with multimedia support for participants, interpreters and the public.
    Summary of the Invention It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a system for use by a conference participant that allows control of an external video signal.
    The above object is achieved by the solution according to the present invention.
    In a first aspect, the invention relates to a conference participant system comprising a participant unit with a microphone and microphone control means adapted to control the transport of a microphone signal via a conference system network. The system further comprises video control means adapted to send a control signal relating to the transport of an external video signal.
    The conference participant generally has a participant unit available with a microphone and microphone control means with which transport of the microphone signal over the conference network can be controlled. Moreover, by equipping the participant with video control means, the participant is also able to send a control signal indicating that he / she wants to send an external video signal, e.g. a PowerPoint presentation.
    In a preferred embodiment, the video control means are integrated in the participant unit. The participant unit may then include an additional button to perform the video control.
    In an advantageous embodiment, the conference participant system is arranged to transport the external video signal via the conference system network.
    In another embodiment, the video control means and the microphone control means are integrated.
    The conference participant system further advantageously comprises a video unit adapted to receive the external video signal and to send the external video signal to a central unit.
    In a preferred embodiment, the video unit and the video control means are integrated.
    In a preferred embodiment, the video unit is integrated in the participant unit.
    In another aspect, the invention relates to a central unit for a conference system that is adapted to receive a control signal that relates to the transport of an external video signal and to start, control or transmit the transport of said external video signal. stop in accordance with the control signal.
    In a preferred embodiment, the central unit for a conference system is arranged to transport the external video signal directly to a display device of the participant unit of another participant.
    In another preferred embodiment, the central unit is arranged to transport said external video signal after receiving a request. Alternatively, the central unit is adapted to transport the external video signal when the microphone is active.
    In a further aspect, the invention also relates to a conference system comprising a plurality of systems for a conference participant as previously described and a central unit as described.
    In order to summarize the invention and the realized advantages over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described above. It goes without saying that all such objectives or advantages are not necessarily achieved in accordance with one specific embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or embodied in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of benefits as described herein, without necessarily realizing other goals or benefits described or suggested herein. .
    The above and other aspects of the invention will become clear and further explained with reference to the embodiment (s) described below.
    Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures.
    FIG. 1 illustrates a state-of-the-art solution with a video switch to enable participants to share video.
    FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein participant units are provided with video control means.
    FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which both video control signals and video streams are transported via the conference network.
    Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto, but is only limited by the claims.
    Moreover, the terms first, second, etc. are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either in time, in space, in importance or in any other way. It should be understood that the terms used are interchangeable under the proper conditions and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.
    It is to be noted that the term "comprising" as used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the means specified thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It must therefore be interpreted as a specification of the presence of the listed features, units, steps or components referred to, but it does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, units, steps or components or groups thereof. Therefore, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of parts A and B. It means that with regard to the present invention, the only relevant parts of the device A and B to be.
    References in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Statements of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" at different places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but it is possible. Furthermore, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
    In a similar manner, it should be noted that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof to streamline the disclosure and understanding of one or more of the facilitate various inventive aspects. However, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as an expression of an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than expressly stated in each claim. As shown in the following claims, the inventive aspects lie in less than all the features of a single preceding disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims that follow the detailed description are hereby explicitly included in this detailed description, wherein each claim stands on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
    In addition, since some embodiments described herein include some, but not other, features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the invention and to form different embodiments, such as will be understood by someone skilled in this field. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
    It should be noted that the use of particular terminology in describing certain aspects of the invention does not imply that the terminology herein is redefined to be limited to any specific features of the features or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.
    In the description given here, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention can be worked out without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, structures and techniques were not shown in detail in order not to obstruct the understanding of this description.
    The present invention aims to make it possible for a participant in a meeting or conference to share a video input (e.g. screen of laptop, smartphone, tablet, ...) in a structured manner with the other attendees by add video control means (e.g., button, touchscreen, ...) at each participant position and implement a protocol to provide access to what can be described as the "main screen". This main screen can be considered as the video equivalent of the general audio channel (ie the audio channel that is audible to all attendees and possibly even outside the conference room) and can be performed in different ways and at different locations (e.g. a projection screen, displays the participant positions, displays at the interpreters, a display in the lounge, ...). Just like mixing different microphone signals on the general audio channel, the "main screen" can include multiple sub-screens, showing the video signals of different participants, each in a separate sub-screen.
    The present invention further describes a central unit for such a conference or meeting that is capable of receiving a video control signal and, with regard to the transport of the external video signal, to act in accordance with the processed video control signals.
    In the configuration shown in FIG. 2 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The conventional microphone and microphone controller that controls the transport of the microphone signal over the conference system network are not shown on the delegate units in the figure. The different participant units are provided with what is referred to in the figure as a "video control" (2a), i.e. video control means that enable the sending of a control signal (a video request) to the central audio unit of the conference. In contrast to the arrangement of FIG. 1, it is now the central conference unit that controls the external video switch.
    Just like a traditional request to get the floor from a participant to be allowed to speak via an audio conference system, a participant can now send a video request that is transmitted through the conference network to the central unit of the conference. Before the video switch is controlled, the central conference unit processes the video requests according to a certain protocol, e.g. a protocol that is already used for transporting microphone signals. Some examples of such protocols are: • Direct access: a participant requesting a video transfer immediately gains access to the main screen, but only if an unassigned sub-screen is available. Otherwise, the request is denied. • FIFO: if all sub-screens are occupied, the video of the first participant who has access to the main screen is deleted to make room for the last participant who has requested a video stream. • Connected to the microphone: if the participant gains access to the main audio channel, he / she is automatically assigned a sub-screen. • Permitted by the chairperson: the chairperson can assign sub-screens to participants manually. • On the basis of the agenda: during a meeting with an agenda where the speakers and the order of their interventions in the discussions about the various items are known in advance, their video stream (and their microphone) can be opened automatically if the meeting sets the agenda item in question. • Based on the content of the discussion: using speech-to-text algorithms can determine the current topic of the discussion. Specific algorithms can then establish a link between the result of the speech analysis and a specific topic mentioned in the agenda. In this way it can also be determined which video stream is best to be sent out (which participants or, for example, a video stream of a presentation around a topic).
    Note that in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the video control means is integrated in the participant unit. In other embodiments, this may not be the case. The video control means can then form a separate device.
    FIG. 2, each conference participant system (1) is equipped with a separate video unit to which the external video signal is input. In an alternative embodiment, this video unit can be integrated in the participant unit.
    An important characteristic function of the embodiment in FIG. 2 is that the video signal is still sent from the video input block to a central video switch, as indicated by the arrows with dashed lines.
    This is no longer the case in the embodiment of FIG. 3. The conference participant system is now arranged such that the distribution and switching of the external video signal is integrated in the conference network, i.e. in the same network that is used to transport the microphone signals. Not only the video control signals are then transported via the conference network, but also the video streams themselves. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 no longer needs a video switch as in FIG. 2. In this integrated solution, the conference system serves as a distributed video switch, controlled by the central unit, with numerous options for inserting or retrieving video signals. A video input may be a stand-alone module (3) connected to the conference network, or may be integrated (see block 2b) in the participant unit (2) and / or (see block la) in the central unit (1) ). The integrated option provides the most compact total solution, since no additional devices are required to include video sharing and sharing in the conference system. Similar embodiments can be used for the video output. Use can be made of stand-alone modules (5) connected to the conference network, or of integrated (see block 2c) modules in participant units, interpreter units or the central unit (1b). The video output can be a screen (e.g., embedded in a unit) or a video output to connect an external screen (6).
    Once the participant has indicated that he / she wants to share his video signal, by using interface means such as a button or touchscreen, the participant unit sends a video request signal to the central unit. The central unit can reject or accept the request, based on the selected protocol, and send a reply. If the video request was accepted, the reply message will also contain a video channel number that can be used by a participant's video input module (in an advantageous embodiment integrated into the participant unit) to identify the video content. After receiving this positive message, the participant's video input module starts capturing the video being offered and places it compressed or uncompressed on the conference bus, marked with the identification number provided by the central unit. In addition to a positive response message, the central unit also configures the video output modules that will display the contents of the participant video on the basis of messages indicating the video channel on the conference network that the participant must use. By supplying video channel identifiers to both video input modules and video output modules, the central unit can direct and control video transmissions along the conference network.
    The description thus far has focused on video sharing from the participant unit, but the invention goes one step further in embedding video in the conference system: camera selection and control. In an advantageous embodiment, the central unit is equipped to perform these functions. Not only is the video signal transmission from the cameras handled and controlled by the conference system, the cameras are also controlled (pan, tilt, zoom) by means of control signals sent from the central unit via the conference network. Similar to a video request from a participant, different protocols regarding the organization of the meeting can be used to control, select and allow cameras to (a "subscreen" of) the "main screen". Some examples: • Focused on the speaker: When a microphone is activated, the camera with the best view of that speaker has access to the "main screen" and the camera is optimally adjusted to the "talking head" of the participant who is at that microphone position is in the picture. • Based on the agenda: If the course of the meeting is preprogrammed in an agenda, the cameras can be operated based on this agenda. E.g. at the beginning of each new item, the central stage is shown, while tuning an overview of the room, ... • Operated by the operator: Based on a synoptic overview of the meeting room, an operator can select a camera manually and pointing at a speaker. In some cases, the operator may get an image of the "program" and a "preview" of the next image that he / she wants to assign to the "main screen". The preview is also transported and arranged via the conference network.
    Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered as illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The foregoing description explains certain embodiments of the invention in detail. It should be noted, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing has been incorporated into the text, the invention may be practiced in many ways. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
    Other variations on the disclosed embodiments may be understood and performed by persons skilled in the art and by practicing the claimed invention, through a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plural. A single processor or other unit can perform the functions of different items in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are listed in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of those measures cannot be used to benefit. A computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or semiconductor medium supplied with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any references in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    CONCLUSIONS
    A conference participant system comprising a participant unit (2) comprising a microphone and microphone control means adapted to control transport of a microphone signal over a conference system network, characterized in that the system further comprises video control means (2a) arranged to send a control signal which relates to the transport of an external video signal.
    [2]
    A conference participant system according to claim 1, wherein said video control means (2a) is integrated in said participant unit (2).
    [3]
    A conference participant system according to claim 1 or 2, arranged for transporting said external video signal along said conference system network.
    [4]
    A conference participant system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said video control means and said microphone control means are integrated.
    [5]
    A conference participant system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a video input unit (2b, 3) adapted to receive said external video signal and send said external video signal to a central unit.
    [6]
    A conference participant system according to claim 5, wherein said video input unit (2b) and said video control means (2a) are integrated.
    [7]
    A conference participant system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said video unit is integrated in said participant unit.
    [8]
    A central unit (1) for a conference system, arranged to receive a control signal with respect to the transport of an external video signal and to handle the transport of said external video signal in accordance with said control signal.
    [9]
    A central unit (1) for a conference system according to claim 8, adapted to transport said external video signal directly to a display device of the participant unit of another participant.
    [10]
    A central unit (1) for a conference system according to claim 8, adapted to handle the transport of said external video signal upon receipt of an approval from the conference chair.
    [11]
    A central unit (1) for a conference system according to claim 8, adapted to handle the transport of said external video signal and of an audio signal from a participant unit at a predetermined time in time during a conference.
    [12]
    A central unit (1) for a conference system according to claim 8, adapted to handle the transport of said external video signal when the participant unit that has sent said control signal has access to a general audio channel.
    [13]
    The central unit (1) for a conference system according to any of claims 8 to 12, further adapted to perform camera control.
    [14]
    A conference system comprising a plurality of systems for a conference participant according to one of claims 1 to 7 and a central unit according to one of claims 8 to 13.
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP12198812.5A|EP2747424A1|2012-12-21|2012-12-21|Video transport and control in an audio conference system|
    EP121988125|2012-12-21|
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