DE102007058585B4 - Apparatus and method for conducting remote meetings - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for participating in remote discussions with several subscribers (P1-P5), comprising a computing device (2), via which at least one locally present subscriber (P1-P3) with at least one remote subscriber (P4, P5) by means of a data connection ( 8), wherein the computing device (2) comprises at least one processor device (3) and at least one display device (5) on which the remote participants (P4, P5) and the locally present participants (P1-P3) of the remote meeting can be displayed graphically at least one separate signaling device (20) is provided for emitting at least one signal, the signal being detectable by a detection device (11, 11a) and evaluable by the computing device (2), characterized in that at least one Signaling device (20) is designed as an optical signal device (20) and at least one detection device (11, 11a) is a camera aeinrichtung (11a) and / or that at least one signal device (20) is designed as an acoustic signal device (20) and at least one detection device (11) is a microphone device (11).

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for carrying out remote meetings in which one or more remote subscribers are connected via a data link to at least one locally present subscriber in order, for example, during the remote meeting e.g. to discuss certain topics or, for example, to learn together under the direction of a moderator.

Various devices and methods for conducting remote meetings have become known in the art. For example, a group of local participants can be connected to a group of remote participants via a video conference. Using a microphone, the sounds are recorded in the room and a camera is a picture of the local group of participants recorded and transmitted to the remote group, where again recorded by a microphone, the sound and a camera a picture of the remote subscriber group is recorded, so that both local as well as the remote group can perceive each other. A disadvantage of these known video conferencing is that the sound recording and the sound reproduction usually has lower quality, so that the participation in such video conferencing causes an increased concentration requirement among the participants.

The US 2005/0007445 A1 discloses a telepresence system and method for a videoconference, wherein via computer a locally present subscriber is connectable to a remote subscriber by means of a data connection. Devices are provided with on-screen displays for the participants to graphically depict the remote participants or the locally present remote conference participants. The devices can over z. B. a pan of the screen gestures or the like. In this case, a screen display can be large enough to represent the head and shoulder of a person in full size or even several participants sufficiently large. For positioning the devices or the screen display, a joystick or it can be provided buttons or the like. The system allows many functions. However, a disadvantage is the great technical effort and also simple signals such as approval of a proposal or even a verbal message from a participant can not be easily detected.

The US Pat. No. 6,457,043 B1 discloses a method for a multi-person conference wherein the system analyzes and identifies the voices of the users so that the name of the currently speaking user is displayed to each user on a local display. If several people or parties speak at the same time, the dominant person or party is identified and displayed. This gives the user at any time information about who is speaking. Such a system is advantageous because in a telephone conference on a local display, the name or the name of the or the currently speaking participants are displayed. The disadvantage, however, is that it is not possible to record simple signals such as the approval of a proposal or even a verbal message from a participant without the person speaking and thus disturbing all other persons.

With the advent of the Internet, devices and methods have become known in which e.g. visual and audible data via the H.323 protocol e.g. IP-based transmission over the Internet, where two or more remote participants can meet online to hold a remote meeting.

A disadvantage of such a method is that each participant must have their own computer in order to be recognized as a participant and to be able to act.

However, many corporate meeting rooms do not always have a corresponding number of network interfaces to connect to their computers. As a result, in a remote meeting at e.g. Locating two or more subscribers locally in a location may cause difficulty in connecting the appropriate computers. In addition, such a remote meeting in which several people are present in a common physical space, usually requires portable computers or fixed computers for each participant, which increases the effort or reduces the flexibility.

In contrast to the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method in which in a simple way a remote meeting of a locally present participant or two or more locally present participants with at least one remote participant feasible is, which is not required for each participant a separate computing device or a separate computer to transmit simple signals.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by the method according to the invention having the features of claim 30. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The device according to the invention serves to participate in remote discussions with several participants and comprises at least one computing device, via which at least one locally present participant can be connected to at least one remote participant by means of a data connection. In this case, the computing device comprises at least one processor device and at least one display device on which the remote participants and the locally present participants of the remote meeting are graphically displayed. At least one separate signaling device for emitting at least one signal or signal code is provided for at least one subscriber and in particular for each subscriber, wherein the signal or the signal code can be detected by a detection device and can be evaluated by the computing device. At least one signal device is designed as an optical signal device and at least one detection device is a camera device and / or at least one signal device is designed as an acoustic signal device and at least one detection device is a microphone device.

Preferably, participants of the remote meeting in each assigned display areas are graphically displayed and individually referenced. In particular, at least one loudspeaker device connected to the arithmetic unit is provided, and at least one microphone device connected to the arithmetic unit is preferably provided, whose microphone signal can be digitized and evaluated. In particular, the data connection also serves to transmit voice or voice data.

The device according to the invention has many advantages. It enables the participation of several locally present persons in a remote conference, without the need for a separate computing device for each participant. Even for only one local subscriber, the invention is advantageous because it can deliver signals via the signal device without operating the computer.

Preferably by means of the computing device by evaluation of the detection device of a signal or a signal code donating subscriber can be determined. The computer used is in particular a computer.

Preferably, the locally present participants are represented graphically in each case individually, that is to say in particular separable. Several subscribers can be displayed in the same display section or individually in individual display areas. The spatial-physical assignment of the participants to each other can be canceled in the graphical representation, so that, for example, remote participants are displayed in adjacent display areas. The individual participants can be represented by symbols or by representatives.

In particular, the computing device is designed to mark the assigned display area of the signal-emitting subscriber. In particular, at least one additional information can be displayed at the assigned display area of a locally present subscriber. This is advantageous because the other participants are informed which participant has given which signal.

Preferably, the display area assigned to a subscriber is controlled in dependence on a detected signal.

According to the invention, at least one signal device is designed as an optical signal device. Preferably, at least one detection device is a camera device.

In particular, the camera device is aligned to a predetermined area and in particular to an area that includes the locally present participants. Thereby, e.g. a live image of the group, the active participant or e.g. the table surface are output. Or it is e.g. a live photo of the group or of a currently active participant is displayed.

The camera device is provided, in particular, for recording a predetermined area and, in particular, for the locally present participants.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more additional signaling devices can be provided, which can be used to deliver e.g. serve different signal codes or the like.

Such a signal device is provided in particular in addition to an input device and / or a keyboard and / or a common pointing device such as a mouse, which serve to operate the computing device.

In contrast to the keyboard and the pointing device, the signal device or the additional signal device is not used for the basic operation of the computing device, but rather serves to deliver one or more signal codes in the form of codified signals which can be detected and evaluated by the computing device.

The signal transmission from the signal device takes place, in particular, via light signals but also carried out via acoustic signals.

In the case of a cable connection, the additional signaling device may e.g. be connected via USB or serial or parallel or via a bus system to the computing device. Wirelessly, the signaling device may e.g. be connected to the computing device via WLAN, Bluetooth or via an infrared data connection.

In the context of the present application, a separate signaling device is understood to be a signaling device which is not part of a typical computing device.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the computing device is suitable and determined to determine the local subscriber whose associated signaling device outputs a signal code. Such a determination can be made, for example, by detecting the acoustic signals of a signaling device from one or more microphone devices and deriving from the microphone signal or microphone signals a position of the signaling device and thus also an association with the subscriber operating the signaling device. It is also possible to detect the optical signal means by image recognition and to identify the associated subscriber.

In particular, at least one signal device is designed as a signal device with which defined optical signals can be output.

Advantageously, the signal device comprises at least one light source and in particular at least one light-emitting diode.

The signaling device may include a plurality of switches, upon actuation of which predefined different signals are delivered.

In preferred developments of all embodiments of the invention, the signaling device comprises at least one signal means. Preferably, at least one passive optical signal means is provided as signaling device.

The optical signal means may comprise at least one signal card having at least one signal surface. The configuration is possible as a signal label or as a printed signal card, so that each participant can print out the signal means by means of a computer.

In particular, the signal means has a signal surface provided with an optically recognizable pattern. The signal surface may have a pattern of geometric figures and / or a line pattern. Also a color pattern is possible.

In all embodiments, different patterns represent in particular different signals.

In a simple and particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one unique signal means is provided for each subscriber. If the subscriber positions the signal means in the area detectable by the camera device, then the computing device recognizes the signal and can evaluate the signal without localization and / or allocate and evaluate the subscriber.

Preferably, a plurality of different signal means are provided for a subscriber, which are recognizable and evaluable by the detection device by placement in a predetermined range in order to receive and evaluate different signals of the user can.

In a simple embodiment, a signal card is printed on both sides, so that one side of a first signal or signal code and the other side of a second signal or signal code are assigned.

It is preferred that the positioning of a signaling means is representative of a signal. In particular, different positions of the signal means may represent different signals.

Preferably, the computing device is suitable to detect different movements of a signal means from the received signals of the detection device and to distinguish them by evaluation so that defined signals or signal codes can be distinguished.

A representative with, in particular, a picture of the participant can be displayed on the display area of a participant.

The signaling device according to the invention can be designed not only as an optical signal device, but also as an acoustic signaling device. Combinations are possible. When using an acoustic signal device, preferably at least one detection device is designed as a microphone device.

In particular, at least one signaling device is designed as a particularly portable signaling device. The signaling device may include at least one speaker for outputting acoustic signal codes. Preferably, at least one signal code is a sound signal generated by the signal device is dispensable. Preferably, different sound signals can be output with the acoustic signal device.

It is possible and preferred that the signal device is suitable and provided for the output of acoustic and / or optical signals of different frequencies and / or for the output of frequency and / or amplitude modulated acoustic and / or optical signals.

The audio signals of the signaling device are in particular adjustable in order to make it possible for the audio signals of at least two signal devices to be different.

In particular, at least each local subscriber is assigned a signaling device whose signal codes can be detected and identified. If each signal device generates different optical signals or sound signals that can be detected by the camera device or the microphone device or the microphone devices of the computing device, it is also possible to deduce the corresponding signal device and thus the corresponding subscriber without locating the signal device, so that the corresponding signal - or information delivery of each participant can be responded to targeted.

Advantageously, the signaling device of the local subscriber serves to control its assigned display area or to control its representative. Preferably, the computing means is adapted to recognize gestures of a subscriber and to control the representative in dependence thereon.

The signaling device can also serve for the mere localization of the local subscriber and / or for the performance of anonymous or personal votes.

In all embodiments, the signaling device may be portable and e.g. battery or battery operated or solar powered or hydrogen powered or hand operated or the like. Preferably, the signal device is suitable and determined to represent or output different optical or acoustic signals. This not only enables the output of a single signal, but also allows different signal codes to be delivered, thereby providing the subscriber with easily defined information or e.g. Reviews are allowed.

Preferably, by evaluating the microphone signals recorded by two or more independent microphone devices, the locally present subscriber who is currently giving particular acoustic information is automatically determined.

It is advantageous if at least two independent microphone devices are used, from the microphone signals with the help of the computing device, a participant can be recognized, who is speaking. Thus, a presently lecturing or uttering participant can be automatically recognized by the computing device, so that this information can be made available to the other participants.

For the purposes of this application, independent microphone devices are understood to be separate microphone devices whose signals are present separately or at least separable.

In preferred developments of the invention, the computing device is designed and suitable for marking the assigned display area of the locally present subscriber who issues signals or acoustic information. Such a label may e.g. graphically done in different ways. For example, the light intensity of the associated symbol or representative or the like may be increased. It is also possible to make the display area of the assigned subscriber flash or to highlight it visually by means of another type or symbol. Preferably, a loudspeaker symbol and / or indicated sound waves can also be displayed, as a result of which the other participants can also visually perceive which person is currently speaking.

In particularly preferred developments of the invention, at least one and preferably one individual microphone device is provided for substantially each local user. It can be provided for each local subscriber in each case one speaker or multiple speakers, or it is provided for all local participants exactly one speaker or a certain number of speakers. Particularly preferred for the local participants in each case a headphone with particular integrated individual microphone device is provided to record by the spatial proximity of the microphones to the respective participants, the sound signals of the participants and unambiguously assign, as well as deliver the sound signals of the other participants via the speakers included.

Preferably, at least one individual microphone device can be controlled separately and, in particular, switched off and switched on. In particular, the respective microphone level is separately adjustable.

Each individual microphone device is in particular connected to the computing device via a corresponding conversion device which generates digital signals corresponding to the analog signals of the microphone device. During the processing and the digitization of the respective microphone signals, the assignment of the conversion device and the signal is retained, so that the assignment of digitized acoustic signals and the associated subscriber is maintained.

It can also be assigned to each individual acoustic and / or optical signal, a corresponding code, so that the signal on the code is recognizable and can be assigned.

In this way, it is very easy to recognize the signals, sounds or linguistic information of self-giving subscribers, since the signals are assigned in each case. By connecting e.g. Consequently, an individual referencing of the individual subscribers is made possible by a plurality of microphone devices to a local device, without requiring a separate computing device for each subscriber.

Already with two subscriber-independent microphone devices, an assignment of the spatial coordinates and optionally the direction of a sound signal can be done, as by reference to the sound signals, in particular the transit time differences from their place of origin to the respective independent microphone devices a reference of the sound signals with the computing device is possible. By evaluating the temporal sequence of the microphone signals of the subscriber-independent microphone devices, a spatial position of the generation of a sound signal can thus be derived.

In preferred developments, three or more subscriber-independent microphone devices can also be provided. Preference is given to two to about twelve microphone devices, wherein more than twelve microphone devices can be used depending on the particular circumstances.

Advantageously, in a development, the computing device is designed and programmed such that the signals or acoustic information of a local participant are recorded by the microphone devices, from the microphone signals of particular subscriber-independent microphone devices, a spatial position of the acoustic information donating local subscriber can be derived.

The calculation of the position of the local participant issuing the acoustic information is based in particular on the fact that from the different duration of the generated by the corresponding subscriber acoustic information from the known locations of the respective microphone devices, a spatial position of the generated audio signal and consequently the position of the local subscriber is determined and derived.

In this case, it is possible for the respectively assigned display area of the local subscriber to be visually highlighted as soon as the corresponding local subscriber comments if the assignment of the room position and subscriber has been unambiguous before the start of the remote meeting, as is usually the case in meetings in companies the case is when the individual participants of a meeting gather around a table.

Thus, with the aid of the invention, a plurality of local subscribers can be reliably located and identified.

It should be noted at this point that for the purposes of this application, the term "information" not only linguistic information is understood, but it is understood as the delivery of optical signals or noise directly or indirectly by a participant.

Preferably, at least one local camera device is provided with which, e.g. At the beginning of the remote meeting, an image or several images of the individual participants are recorded in order to provide the respectively assigned display area of the individual participants with a photograph or the like. It is also possible to use already saved images.

By evaluating the camera device, an optical signal device can be automatically detected and its state analyzed. For example, a signal card can be detected and its associated signal code can be passed on to the system, so that in the case of a known spatial allocation of the subscriber and the display area, the display area can be correspondingly associated with e.g. "Approval" or "rejection" can be marked.

In a preferred refinement, the local camera device is automatically aligned with the spatial position of a signal-emitting local subscriber or the corresponding area is enlarged in order to record and display a live photo or a live video of the relevant subscriber while the corresponding subscriber is speaking.

In other developments, a plurality of cameras is provided which continuously records images of the locally present participants. If one of the locally present participants then speaks or gives other signals or acoustic information, in a further development the corresponding image can be transmitted as a photo or as a video to the remote participants.

A video transmission of the speaking subscriber is provided in particular in the cases in which a video transmission is desired, but the available bandwidth in the transmission is not sufficient to transmit videos of all participants simultaneously.

In other embodiments, a section of the image of a camera device can be displayed, which shows the signals or information-emitting participant as a still image or as a live video. As a still image can be taken at the beginning of the remote conference image or a section of it or an extracted from the memory image of the participant.

In the method according to the invention for participation in remote discussions with several subscribers, at least one arithmetic unit is used, wherein at least one locally present subscriber is connected to at least one remote subscriber by means of a voice and data connection. The remote participants and the locally present participants of the remote meeting are displayed graphically individually referenced on a display device of the computing device, wherein at least one and in particular all local participants at least one separate signaling device for emitting at least one signal is provided. In this case, the signal of the separate signal device is detected by a detection device and evaluated by the computing device.

Preferably, the detection signals of the detection means are evaluated in order to automatically determine the locally present participant who issues signals.

In particular, the assigned display area of the locally present and signal emitting subscriber is marked.

Advantageously, a local camera device is automatically aligned with the spatial position of a local subscriber issuing acoustic information.

In particular, a local subscriber is detected, who emits signals or signal codes with an associated additional signaling device by the computing device detects and evaluates the signals. In particular, the signal codes are output optically or acoustically.

The signal devices can output frequency and / or amplitude modulated signals which are recorded and evaluated by the computing device.

This makes it possible for the signals or signal codes of the signal devices to be evaluated in order to determine personalized or anonymous ratings of the subscribers.

It is possible to adjust the optical or acoustic signals of the signaling device in order to distinguish the signals of two different signaling devices.

Preferably, at least one subscriber and in particular a signal device is assigned to each local subscriber and the signal codes thereof are detected and identified.

It is possible that the microphone signals recorded by independent microphone devices are evaluated. Then, in particular, the locally present subscriber is automatically determined, who issues signals or acoustic information.

Preferably, by evaluating the microphone signals of the subscriber-independent microphone devices, a spatial position of the local subscriber delivering the acoustic information is derived and, in particular, conclusions are drawn from the position determination on the participants issuing the acoustic information.

There may be provided a local camera device, e.g. is directed to the respective acoustic information donating local participants. Alignment may be based on the evaluation of the subscriber's voice information or even after the user has issued a defined signal, e.g. emits a defined signal with its body or a signal device to be located by the computing device.

To support the communication additional signaling devices can be provided, which are made available to the local participants who have no direct access to the keyboard to allow the respective users in a simple manner via the signal device, the delivery of defined will expressions. The signal codes of the signaling device are emitted in particular optically or acoustically, wherein the participant is determined with the computing device, whose associated signaling device outputs a signal code.

In evaluations or votes of participants defined signals or signal codes can also be evaluated, so that a personalized or anonymous vote is possible. The delivery of the defined signals can be carried out by means of the signaling devices, but other sounds can also be evaluated, e.g. Clapping or the like.

In all embodiments, the inventive method is preferably carried out with the device according to the invention, in further developments, the previously described possibilities and embodiments are realized.

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the embodiments, which will now be explained with reference to the accompanying figures.

In the figures show:

1 a schematic view of a remote meeting with local and remote participants;

2 the possible graphical output of the display device of the computing device 1 at a remote conference at a time;

3 a schematic view of a remote meeting with another device according to the invention;

4 a signaling device according to the embodiment according to 3 ;

5 the sequence of optical or acoustic signals of the signaling device after 4 in a schematic view; and

6 an example of a signal card.

In 1 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for performing and attending remote meetings is shown in a highly schematic representation.

The device 1 includes one as a computer 2 executed computing device, the at least one processor 3 and at least one memory 4 features.

A display device in the form of a display device 5 is used to output information and to graph the remote conference. For this purpose, representatives R1 to R5 or symbols which represent and represent the individual subscribers P1 to P5 are represented in the display areas A1 to A5 assigned to the individual subscribers and participating in the remote meeting P1 to P5.

The participants P1, P2 and P3 are here in the example locally present and systems 9 - each via speakers or headphones 10 and microphones 11 - and each have an analog / digital converter 12 with the computer 2 connected.

Here is the local subscriber P1 the keyboard 6 and the mouse 7 of the computer 2 assigned. Furthermore, the local subscriber P1 here in the exemplary embodiment, the function of the leader or moderator of the remote meeting, who can give or withdraw the word to the individual participants to ensure a structured flow of the remote meeting.

Via remote data connections 8th Here are in the embodiment, two remote participants P4 and P5 connected to the locally present participants P1 to P3. Each of the remote participants P4 and P5 at the remote meeting each have a complete computer 2 , each one a display device 5 and have keypads and pointing devices, not shown here.

Participants P4 and P5 each carry a system 9 which via headphones 10 and a microphone 11 has to transmit the utterances of the subscribers P4 and P5 to the other three subscribers P1 to P3 and conversely the utterances of the other subscribers via the headphones 10 to recieve.

For all participants P1 to P5 are the respective systems 9 each via individual analog / digital converter 12 with the respective computers 2 connected. Since the respective acoustic signals of the individual participants separated from each other in the respective computer 2 may lead to a simple assignment of the sound signals of the individual participants to the respective participants. As soon as a participant gives audible information, a graphic marking of the representative of the corresponding participant takes place.

Since the sound signals are separated, e.g. the moderator to turn on or off individual audio channels to give the participants the word or withdraw.

Single or all local analog / digital converters 12 can also be in the computer 2 be arranged.

A display view of the computer 2 the device 1 according to the embodiment according to 1 shows 2 , where in 2 the five participants P1 to P5 are graphically represented in respective display areas A1 to A5 by representatives R1 to R5. While participants P1 to P3 are local to the device 1 stop, the participants are P4 to P5 via remote data connections 8th with the device 1 and so connected to the participants P1 to P3.

In the graphical representation of the display device 5 to 2 For example, the individual representatives R1 to R5 are each arranged on virtual chairs around a virtual table. Each person P1 to P5 is symbolized by a representative R1 to R5, which includes a photo of the respective participant. Furthermore, the name of each individual participant in the representative R1 to R5 is reproduced to give the other participants of the remote meeting an overview of the people involved.

If it allows the bandwidth of the data connection and a camera device 11a or several cameras are present, video images of one or more persons can be transmitted simultaneously.

The participant P1 serves here as a conference leader, who carries out the control of the conference. While the participant P1 and also the co-moderator, the participant P3, can speak at any time and then be heard by all participants, the moderator P1 or the co-moderator P3 must give the word to the other persons, so that they can speak for themselves all others can express audibly. To give the word, the presenter P1 hands the microphone 43 by a mouse movement to the appropriate participant, who can then comment as long as he has the microphone available.

In the illustration after 2 the participant P4 got the word granted, what by the in front of the representative R4 existing microphone symbol 43 is clarified. The audio channel is now open. This is indicated by the speaker icon 44 visualized at the representative R4.

In the in 2 represented moment the participant P4 just speaks, as it by the sound wave symbol 44a at the representative R4 for all participants.

About the sound wave symbol 44a Each participant can determine which other participant is currently speaking. If, for example, the participant P5 has been given the word and is currently speaking, this is indicated by a sound wave symbol 44a clarified by the representative R5.

The moderator P1 and the co-moderator P3 can be activated by pressing the switch 31 to 38 to start various processes.

While synchronized information is displayed at the top of the display, there are a number of client-related buttons and information areas at the bottom of the display 51 to 67 displayed to provide gestures such as approval or disapproval, or to provide status information such as "I understand" or Presence status or to call functions, or to get more information such as help.

The participant P1 can via the associated keyboard 6 and the mouse 7 Use the switching and input areas provided in the client-related area to control its representative R1. Similarly, the remote participants P4 and P5 use their respective input devices to control their respective representatives R4 and R5. The buttons 55 to 62 are used to control gestures and status information of the representative and in the text field 63 Messages can be entered while in the information fields 64 to 67 For example, status information is output.

Furthermore, the subscriber P1 with his assigned keyboard 6 and the mouse 7 operate the buttons and input pads to control the reps R2 and R3.

Based on the icons displayed on the respective representative, the role and the current status of the corresponding subscriber can be determined.

According to the embodiment 1 a user can use one as signaling device 20 serving signal card 20 use to deliver certain signals. An example of such a signal card 20 is in 6 shown. There, in a simple case, the printed on a white sheet of paper signal card 20 a border 20a on. Inside the border 20a is a signal surface 20b provided here by a rectangle 20c is bounded by a thin line. Here is in the rectangle 20c a round circle 20d drawn, for example, the signal "consent" signal, while on the back of the smaller rectangle shown in dashed lines 20e is shown, which should show the signal "rejection".

That from the camera 11a delivered image is constantly evaluated. It checks if a signal through a signal card 20 triggered signal are contained in the image stream. If so, the signal is sent to the appropriate subscriber via the Assigned position or type of the signal card and evaluated the detected pattern. Depending on the signal, the participant's avatar is controlled.

The meaning of the signal may also depend on the position of the signal card. For example, a signal card held in front of the chest area of a participant may have a different meaning than an overhead signal card 20 ,

Unlike the im 1 illustrated embodiment of a device according to the invention 1 are in the embodiment after 3 two participant-independent microphones 13 and 14 provided with which the acoustic information of the locally present participants P1 to P3 are recorded.

The ones from the microphones 13 and 14 Information recorded by the computer 2 processed and over the Fernfernverbindung 8th here in the embodiment to a remote computer 2 transferred, on which another subscriber P4 resides, via a display device 5 the visual information and about a system 9 get the sound information.

As in the previous embodiment, the subscriber P1 has control of the keyboard 6 and the mouse 7 while participants P2 and P3 have no direct access to the keyboard and mouse.

However, subscribers P2 and P3 have signaling devices here 20 , which are designed as small-sized, portable and battery-powered devices of about the size of a mobile phone and which have a number of buttons with which the respective user can deliver predefined signals, so that the participants P2 and P3 not only speak directly linguistically, but also via the signal devices 20 codified signals 16 (see. 5 ) can spend.

Also here serving as a moderator subscriber P1 can via such a signaling device 20 feature. Furthermore, the remote subscriber P4 can also use such a signaling device 20 exhibit.

A signaling device 20 is in 4 reproduced in an enlarged view. The signaling device 20 has a loudspeaker here 21 with which the signaling device 20 eg as sound signals 17 to 19 executed signals 16 issues (cf. 5 ).

Next to the speaker of the signal device 20 are here in the embodiment status indicators 24 and 25 provided, for example, with which the readiness and the state of charge of the battery is displayed. An operating area 22 is equipped with a plurality of buttons, while a display 23 Information is output. The device in total will have a switch 26 switched on or off. With a switch 27 For example, the default may be varied in multiple stages to increase the pitch in one embodiment and, in another embodiment, to affect the temporal tone sequence of output signals.

With the buttons 154 to 162 For example, the user can trigger the same status messages, expressions of intent and reactions as a user who has a computer mouse and the buttons 54 to 62 actuated. So the user can by pressing the key 155 "Show" to the moderator and the other participants signal that he would like to have the floor. By pressing the button 157 the participant signals his approval while pressing the button 158 expresses his rejection. With the button 156 He can express his applause while using the key 154 For example, the graphical display of the symbols of his previous utterances can be deleted again at his representative.

Here in the embodiment are three additional buttons 163 to 165 which are still individually assignable, to allow flexible expansion.

By pressing the buttons 154 to 165 be here in the embodiment signals 17 to 19 which differ in frequency and sequence, as in 5 is shown. The signals may be acoustic signals whose pitch and pitch are varied or are optical signals. Active optical signals can be emitted, for example, by light-emitting diodes or other light sources. There are variations of eg the flashing frequency, the brightness, the light rhythm, as well as the emitted pattern and the color etc. possible.

The of the signaling devices 20 emitted signal codes 16 be in the case of optical signals from the camera 11a and for acoustic signals from the subscriber-independent microphones 13 and 14 recorded and anyway by the processor 3 evaluated.

Depending on the detected signal code, a corresponding signal is added to the representative of the corresponding subscriber, so that upon actuation of the switch 155 the participant's representative indicates that he wishes to have the floor. By pressing the button 159 For example, subscriber P3 may indicate that he is temporarily unavailable, for example, because he is having a coffee break.

In 5 are as optical signals or sound signals 17 to 19 executed possible signals 16 strongly schematic in terms of intensity 46 over the timeline 45 applied.

The solid drawn signal 17 is radiated at a predetermined frequency and is alternately turned on and off. The dot-dashed signal 18 however, at a given frequency, it has a certain amount of constant intensity before being turned off. The dotted applied signal 19 is in turn turned on and off periodically, but has a different time constant between the intensity changes than the signal 17 on. Due to the nature of the intensity modulation can therefore from the detected signals of the camera 11a or the microphones clearly the respectively emitted optical or acoustic signal 17 . 18 and 19 be determined.

Other signaling devices 20 may emit a different frequency of the fundamental signal, the fundamental acoustic frequency may be variable in 500 Hz steps, for example. Alternatively, an amplitude modulation or a frequency modulation of the signals can take place, as can be done by the lines 47 and 48 is shown. Accordingly, for example, the sound signal 17 modulated by superposition of higher frequency signals with small amplitude. The combination of different means so a variety of unique characteristics can be transmitted.

In other embodiments, directly generated noises can also be evaluated. For example, it is also possible to use and evaluate sounds that are emitted directly to the body, for example, for delivery of information. Clapping or clicking or the like or sounds emitted by the mouth are taken into account, e.g. Pipes. It is also possible to evaluate sounds generated by sound bodies, such as with a drum, a xylophone, a flute or a stringed instrument generated sounds. By means of a xylophone, for example, a plurality of defined sounds can be delivered, which are assigned to respective will expressions.

Overall, with the present invention, a simple and flexible implementation of remote meetings allows (even if several people are present at a computer), since the respective speaking subscriber is graphically marked or graphically highlighted and because the individual participants also have the opportunity to defined symbols output to the common display device.

Claims (42)

Contraption ( 1 ) for attending multi-party remote meetings (P1-P5), comprising a computing device ( 2 ), via which at least one locally present subscriber (P1-P3) with at least one remote subscriber (P4, P5) by means of a data connection ( 8th ) is connectable, wherein the computing device ( 2 ) at least one processor device ( 3 ) and at least one display device ( 5 ), on which the remote subscribers (P4, P5) and the locally present subscribers (P1-P3) of the remote meeting can be displayed graphically, whereby at least one separate signaling device ( 20 ) is provided for the delivery of at least one signal, wherein the signal by a detection device ( 11 . 11a ) and by the computing device ( 2 ), characterized in that at least one signaling device ( 20 ) as an optical signaling device ( 20 ) and at least one detection device ( 11 . 11a ) a camera device ( 11a ) and / or that at least one signaling device ( 20 ) as an acoustic signaling device ( 20 ) and at least one detection device ( 11 ) a microphone device ( 11 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein by means of the computing device ( 2 ) by evaluation of the by the detection device ( 11 . 11a ) detected signal of the donor participant can be determined. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computing device ( 2 ) is configured to mark the assigned display area (A1-A3) of the signal emitting subscriber (P1-P3). Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one additional information can be displayed at an associated display area (A1-A3) of a locally present subscriber (P1-P3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display area assigned to a subscriber (P1-P3) is controlled in dependence on a detected signal. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera device ( 11a ) is aligned to a predetermined area and in particular to the locally present subscribers (P1-P3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signaling device ( 20 ) as a signaling device ( 20 ), which signaling device ( 20 ) comprises at least one light source and in particular at least one light-emitting diode. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the signaling device ( 20 ) comprises a plurality of switches, the operation of predefined different signals can be issued. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signaling device ( 20 ) comprises a passive optical signal means. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the optical signal means comprises at least one signal card with at least one signal surface. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the signal means has a signal surface provided with an optically recognizable pattern. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the signal surface has a pattern of geometric figures. Device according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the signal surface has a line pattern. Device according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein the signal surface has a color pattern. Device according to one of the five preceding claims, wherein the signal surface has a surface pattern. Device according to one of the six preceding claims, wherein different patterns represent different signals. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of different signaling means are provided for a subscriber, which of the detection device ( 11 . 11a ) are recognizable and evaluable by placement in a predetermined range in order to receive and evaluate different signals of the user. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning of a signal means is representative of a signal. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein different positions of the signal means represent different signals. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computing device is suitable from the received signals of the detection device ( 11 . 11a ) to detect different movements of a signal means and to distinguish by evaluation, so that defined signals are distinguishable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the display area (A1-A5) a representative with in particular a photograph of the subscriber (P1-P5) is mapped. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one signaling device ( 20 ) as signaling device ( 20 ) and a loudspeaker ( 21 ) for the output of acoustic signal codes ( 16 ) and, in particular, is portable, wherein preferably at least one signal code is a sound signal (17-19) which is emitted by the signal device ( 20 ) is dispensable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal device ( 20 ) Different tone signals (17-19) can be output. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signaling device ( 20 ) for the output of sound signals (17- 19 ) of different frequency and / or for the output of frequency and / or amplitude modulated sound signals ( 47 . 48 ) is suitable and provided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sound signals (17-19) of the signaling device ( 20 ) are adjustable to allow the audio signals of at least two signal devices ( 20 ) are different. Contraption ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each local subscriber (P1-P3) is a signaling device ( 20 ) whose signal codes ( 16 ) are detectable and identifiable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 21, wherein the computing device ( 2 ) is adapted to detect gestures of a subscriber (P1-P5) and to control the representative (R1-R5) in dependence thereon. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computing device ( 2 ) is adapted to determine the location of a given signal and in particular to align a camera or to determine a corresponding camera excerpt. Contraption ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein anonymous votes are enabled by encrypted signals. Method for Attending Multiple Party Remote Meetings (P1-P5) Using a Computing Device ( 2 ), about which at least one locally present subscriber (P1-P3) with at least one remote subscriber (P4-P5) by means of a data connection ( 8th ), the remote subscribers (P4-P5) and the locally present subscribers (P1-P3) of the remote meeting being displayed on a display device ( 5 ) of the computing device ( 2 ) are shown individually referenceable, wherein for at least one subscriber at least one separate signaling device ( 20 ) is provided for emitting at least one acoustic and / or optical signal, wherein the signal of the separate signaling device ( 20 ) by a camera device ( 11a ) and / or a microphone device ( 11 ) as a detection device ( 11 ) and by the computing device ( 2 ) is evaluated. The method according to claim 30, wherein the detection signals of the detection devices ( 11 ; 13 . 14 ) to automatically detect the locally present subscriber (P1-P3) issuing signals. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein the associated display area (A1-A5) of the locally present and signal emitting subscriber (P1-P3) is marked. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 32, wherein a local camera device ( 11a . 49 ) is automatically aligned with the spatial position of an acoustic information-emitting local subscriber (P1-P3). Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 33, wherein a local subscriber (P1-P3) with an associated additional signaling device ( 20 ) Signal codes ( 16 ) issued by the computing device ( 2 ) are recorded and evaluated. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 34, wherein the signal codes ( 16 ) are output visually or acoustically. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 35, wherein with the computing device ( 2 ) of the subscriber (P1-P3) is determined whose associated signaling device ( 20 ) a signal code ( 16 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 36, wherein the signaling devices ( 20 ) output frequency- and / or amplitude-modulated signals (17-19), which are generated by the computing device ( 2 ) are recorded and evaluated. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 37, wherein the signal codes ( 16 ) of the signaling devices ( 20 ) to determine personalized or anonymous ratings of the participants. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 38, wherein the audio signals (17-19) of the signaling device (17-19) 20 ) can be adjusted to monitor the signals of two different signal devices ( 20 ) to distinguish. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 39, wherein at least one subscriber, in particular each local subscriber (P1-P3), a signaling device ( 20 ) and its signal codes ( 16 ) are detected and identified. Method according to one of the preceding claims 30 to 40, wherein by controlling the signaling device ( 20 ) the local subscriber (P1-P3) controls its representative (R1-R3). The method of any one of the preceding claims 30 to 41, wherein the computing device recognizes a participant's gestures and controls a representative in response thereto.

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