Improved conference system and conference method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conference system comprising a central unit and a set of one or more representative units wherein each representative unit is in a predefined connected arrangement with the central unit, whereby each representative unit comprises an optical code presentation for displaying an optical code, the conference system further comprising a conference server, the conference server comprises a web interface, whereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other, whereby the central unit is arranged to send data representing an optical code to each representative unit, said optical code comprising unique representative unit identification information, whereby the conference server is configured to allow a web-based connection with the personal communication device and to receive the unique representative unit identification information from the personal communication device, the conference server and the central unit are configured to establish a logical link between the personal communication device and the representative unit based on the unique representative unit identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved conferencing system and related conferencing method. The conferencing system is particularly advantageous for moderated meetings such as board meetings, board meetings, and general meetings of shareholders. Related cooperative patent applications (CPCs) are G06Q10 / 10, H04L12 / 1822, H04L65 / 403, H04L65 / 2046, H04M3 / 567, H04M2203 / 1041, and H04N7 / 15. Background Art

[0002] Moderated meetings are usually held in a conference room with a moderator and a group of delegates. Preferably, the moderator arranges which delegates can speak when and for how long. Therefore, a conferencing system can be used.

[0003] A conference system can consist of a Central Unit (CU) (typically, there is only one) and many Delegate Units (DUs). Delegate Units typically include a graphical interface for participating in the meeting and hardware buttons (e.g., voting, microphone activation, request to speak, volume control, etc.). Different types of content can be displayed on the graphical interface, such as microphone information, voting results, agendas, documents, videos, etc. Not all types of delegate units offer all types of content. The most basic functions do not include a display, and of those functions that do use a display, only a small subset can display documents and videos.

[0004] Typically, conference systems (CU+DU) are connected within a private network. Any connection to other systems is done through the CU. Therefore, the attack surface of the conference system is limited to the CU.

[0005] Typically, a conference system (CU+DU) is configured by a conference server. This can be run locally or in the cloud. When running in the cloud, an additional gateway device can be used to establish a connection between the CU and a cloud-based management server. Using a local or cloud-based conference server, a conference organizer can typically create new conference templates, schedule new meetings, maintain a list of delegates, and so on. The conference server can typically be configured to be easily accessible, for example via the Internet, so that meetings can be prepared (e.g., arranging registrations, keeping a list of registered participants, keeping a list of speakers during upcoming meetings, allowing agenda updates, etc.). The central unit can typically be configured to be difficult to access, for example, only allowing external connections from specific devices or services (such as conference servers). The CU is typically activated only shortly before the meeting starts and can be deactivated shortly after the meeting ends. If a meeting is scheduled, the CU can typically be activated and connected to the conference server to obtain detailed information about the meeting (e.g., agenda, participant list, speaker list, etc.).

[0006] For some conference rooms, the total number of delegate units in a conference system may exceed 2,000. This number can be even higher when conference rooms are coupled to form a virtual conference room. Therefore, once a conference system is installed, it is undesirable to have to replace all delegate units whenever you want to upgrade its functionality.

[0007] Delegate units are also unable to provide authentication / identification means through third-party identification / authentication services such as Google, Microsoft Authentication, and itsme (in Belgium and the Netherlands). Patent application EP2832084A1 discloses a delegate unit for a conference system, which includes a user interface, a web browser arranged to access and display web-based multimedia content on the user interface, a web server arranged to transmit the multimedia content to the web browser, and a storage device for storing the multimedia content, whereby the web browser and web server are adapted to communicate with each other. Patent documents EP2645688A1, EP2747424A1, EP3238424B1, and EP1874094B1 disclose related conference systems. Thus, patent application EP2645688A1 discloses a delegate unit for a conference system comprising a user interface, a web browser arranged to access and display web-based multimedia content on the user interface, a web server arranged to deliver the multimedia content to the web browser, and storage means for storing the multimedia content, whereby the web browser and the web server are adapted to communicate with each other.

[0008] Prior art conferencing systems do not readily allow for improvements in the functionality of participants. The present invention aims to improve this by providing a conferencing system and associated conferencing method which allow for increased functionality of delegates without requiring hardware upgrades to the delegate units. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The invention relates to a conferencing system according to claim 1 and a conferencing method according to claim 13. Further embodiments are described below and in the dependent claims.

[0010] As mentioned above, a conference system may have a large number of delegate units. The present invention allows for the indirect addition of functionality, rather than upgrading all delegate units of the conference system to increase their functionality. The inventors have recognized that personal communication devices, particularly personal mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, provide a wide variety of functionality, such as:

[0011] --Scan and display functions,

[0012] - Authentication, authorization and identification functions, optionally and preferably via third-party services

[0013] - Communication functions such as WiFi, 3G, 4G, 5G,

[0014] and / or others. Thus, the present invention allows for the establishment of a secure and reliable logical link between a delegate unit and a personal communication device, rather than upgrading the functionality of the delegate unit. Thus, the conference system, and in particular its central unit and / or conference server, can exchange data with the personal communication device as if it were an extension of the delegate unit.

[0015] Because the functionality of each delegate unit can be increased using the functionality of a personal communication device that can be logically linked to the delegate unit, the delegate unit does not need to include extensive hardware or software. Specifically, one or more delegate units preferably do not include a web server, web browser, web client, Wi-Fi interface, etc. In fact, the present invention allows for the addition of functionality while keeping the hardware and software of the delegate unit to a minimum. In this way, the delegate units of the installed conference system (which for some conference systems may number in the thousands) do not have to be upgraded for each additional functionality that needs to be added.

[0016] In order to establish a logical link, an optical code is sent to the delegate unit, which can be displayed to the users of the delegate unit. Each of these users can scan the optical code with their personal communication device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet). In one embodiment, the optical code, preferably a Quick Response (QR) code, includes information allowing the personal communication device to connect to the conference server via the web, and it can include additional information such as a conference ID or CU ID. Preferably, this is achieved using a URL encoded into the optical code, which is hosted directly or indirectly by the conference server. Note that this allows the conference server to limit the validity of the code, i.e., the code can only be valid during the conference. Another conference can use another code, thereby generating another URL also hosted by the conference server. As an alternative or supplement, the conference system includes a conference application service product configured to be installed on a personal communication device, the conference application service product including instructions for the conference application service, which is configured to:

[0017] Scanning an optical code including unique identification information representing the unit;

[0018] Use a web-based connection to connect to the conference server and pass the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server.

[0019] In such an embodiment, information allowing the personal communication device to connect to the conference server via the web may be encoded and / or preconfigured in the conference application service.

[0020] The optical code also includes unique delegate unit identification information, i.e., the optical code (directly or indirectly) includes information identifying a delegate unit within the conference system. Because the optical code originates from the conference server and / or central unit, each delegate unit can be identified using a centralized identification scheme, and the conference server and / or central unit can track which delegate unit is linked to which optical code. This means that the conference server and / or central unit controls which delegate unit is linked to which identification information. When the personal mobile device connects to the conference server, the delegate unit identification information is passed to the conference server. Preferably, this identification information is passed via a URL encoded in the optical code.

[0021] More preferably, the optical code comprises information representing a URL allowing the personal communication device to connect to a site hosted by the conference server, the site being specifically linked to the delegate unit via the delegate unit identification information.

[0022] In some embodiments, it is important that the information embedded in the optical code (CU ID, conference ID, ...) is protected in one way or another from tampering, such as tampering with the optical code or the URL, e.g.:

[0023] The CU or conference server maintains a list of all valid optical codes presented on each DU - each of these optical codes can be considered and / or contain a one-time token

[0024] When the CU or central server generates the optical code, it also adds random bits (unique key, valid only once) (so the information is signed)

[0025] The URL extension is encrypted using the public key of the CU or conference server

[0026] · In addition: Once the code is scanned, it becomes ineffective

[0027] After the meeting, all related optical codes will be invalid

[0028] Important functionalities provided by the invention are authentication, authorization and / or identification functionalities, optionally via third-party services. These functionalities can be very important in the case of meetings where participants can vote, for example. The invention makes it possible to prevent fraud regarding the identity of participants, but it can also make it possible to prevent fraud in other situations. For example, if some members are not present during a voting session, the members who were present could vote twice using the representative units of absent members of the same party. While passwords and even badges can be shared between party members to allow illegal voting, the invention makes it more difficult to share complete identity tokens. For example, identity authentication via a personal communication device can be configured to use biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scans, or a combination of these data. Furthermore, the authentication platform can be coupled to the specific personal communication device of the participant, as in the Belgian Similarly, reliance on biometric data and / or specific personal communication devices makes it more difficult for absent participants to share login credentials with present participants. While solutions exist to circumvent these limitations, the inventors believe that the likelihood of unintentional voting fraud is significantly reduced.

[0029] On the other hand, the present invention also relates to a conference system, which includes a central unit and a group of one or more delegate units, wherein each delegate unit is in a predefined connection arrangement with the central unit, whereby each delegate unit includes an optical code presentation component configured for presenting an optical code, such as a display for showing the optical code, and the conference system also includes a conference server with a web interface, whereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other, whereby the central unit is configured to send data representing an optical code to each of the delegate units, the optical code including unique delegate unit identification information, whereby the conference server is configured to allow a web-based connection to a personal communication device and to receive unique delegate unit identification information from the personal communication device, whereby the conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the user of the personal mobile device when the personal communication device is connected to the server, preferably via a third-party identity server, and preferably before establishing a logical link, optionally, the conference server and the central unit are configured to establish a logical link between the personal communication device and the delegate unit based on the unique delegate unit identification information. The inventors have discovered that in some embodiments, establishing a logical link between the PD and the DU is optional, particularly when only authentication, authorization and / or identification of the user is required and no additional functionality needs to be provided to the user of the DU. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1A and 1B A prior art conference system is shown.

[0031] Figure 2 A conference system and a conference method according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0032] Figure 3 A conference system and a conference method according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] exist Figure 2 An embodiment of the invention is outlined in the text, which shows a conference system (1) comprising a conference server (2), a central unit (3) and a group of delegate units (4A, 4B, 4C). The central unit (3) and each delegate unit of the group of one or more delegate units (4A-C) are in a predefined connection arrangement (50) with the central unit (3), wherein each delegate unit comprises an optical code presentation component, preferably a display (5A, 5B, 5C) for presenting an optical code. The conference server (2) comprises a web interface (6), whereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other (7). The central unit (3) is configured to send data representing an optical code to each of the delegate units via a predefined connection (8A, 8B, 8C), the optical code comprising unique delegate unit identification information, in one embodiment the optical code comprising web-based connection information for allowing a personal communication device to connect to the web interface (6) of the conference server via a browser application and pass the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server. Alternatively or additionally, the conference system includes a conference application service product configured to be installed on a personal communication device, the conference application service product including instructions for a conference application service, the conference application service being configured to:

[0034] Scanning an optical code including unique identification information representing the unit;

[0035] Use a web-based connection to connect to the conference server and pass the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server.

[0036] In one embodiment, the central unit may be configured to send data representing an optical code to each delegate unit upon request from the conference server. Preferably, in various embodiments, the optical code includes web-based connection information. Alternatively or additionally, the central unit may be configured to proactively send data representing an optical code to each delegate unit. Preferably, in various embodiments, the conference system includes a conference application service product.

[0037] Note that, here, the optical code is intended to be presented by the optical code presentation component. Therefore, each of the representative units is configured to present the optical code by the optical code presentation component. In a preferred embodiment, the optical code presentation component includes a display, and each representative unit is configured to display the optical code on the display. As an alternative or supplement, the optical code presentation component includes a group of light emitters, such as one or more LEDs, and each representative unit is configured to present the optical code by the light emitters. For example, the light emitter can be turned on and off in a certain mode, thereby presenting the optical code to the user and / or personal communication device. The personal communication device can be configured to capture the optical code via a camera and / or a dedicated optical code capture application, for example, installed on the personal communication device. Therefore, the group of light emitters can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more light emitters, preferably LEDs, which are preferably configured to emit light of one or more wavelengths, which can be located in the visible and / or invisible spectrum, such as the infrared spectrum, preferably the near infrared spectrum.

[0038] In this case, the optical code is presented using a set of light emitters that turn on and off in a pattern to present the optical code. The maximum frequency at which the light emitters flash is preferably at most 60 Hz, more preferably at most 50 Hz, such as 50 Hz, 49 Hz, 48 Hz, or lower, even more preferably at most 25 Hz, such as 25 Hz, 24 Hz, or lower, and even more preferably at most 12 Hz. Note that the maximum frequency is preferably at most half the image capture rate of the camera of the personal communication device. Since many personal communication devices, such as smartphones, currently have a capture rate of 24 Hz, the maximum frequency at which the light emitters flash is preferably at most 12 Hz.

[0039] The conference server (2) and the central unit (3) are configured to establish a logical link between a personal communication device that has scanned an optical code of a delegate unit and has connected to the conference server and a delegate unit based on the unique delegate unit identification information. The conference server is preferably also configured to establish a web-based session with the personal communication device.

[0040] Figure 3A more detailed embodiment of the invention is shown in . A conference system (10) is shown comprising a conference server (2), a central unit (3) and delegate units (14) connected thereto (16). Only one delegate unit is shown, but it should be clear that many delegate units can be connected to the central unit in a similar manner to the delegate unit shown. The DU can be connected (16) to the CU in a dedicated network, which can be wired or wireless or a combination of wired and wireless networks. Note that the network connecting the CU and a group of DUs is typically a dedicated physical network that allows audio and video transmission with very low latency due to the absence of interfering packets. The network can be kept very secure and, for example, separated from other networks, allowing a substantially tamper-free network. This means that the network used for certain important functions of the conference system, such as transmitting audio data or voting, can be very secure and reliable. Upon request or on the initiative of the conference server (2), the CU (3) sends an optical code to the DU (14), which is rendered by the optical code rendering component, i.e. displayed on its display (15). The personal communication device (PD) (20) scans an optical code, in this example from a display (15), which optical code may preferably encode a URL hosted by a conference server. The URL allows the PD to connect to the conference server's web interface (6). This web-based connection allows the conference server to automatically obtain the PD's identification data and allows the delegate unit identification information to be passed to the conference server. Note that the delegate unit identification information may be encoded in the URL and the conference server may host several URLs corresponding to the delegate units of the conference system, each URL encoded with the corresponding delegate unit identification information. In a preferred embodiment, the conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the user of the personal communication device, and thereby the delegate identity, when the personal communication device connects to the server, preferably via a third party identity server, and preferably before establishing a logical link between the CU and the PD. This is in Figure 3 , which shows an authentication, authorization and / or identification server (31) connected to a conference server via a proprietary connection (22) and / or a web-based connection (23), i.e., a third-party authentication, authorization or identification server. When a PD is connected to the conference server, the conference server can be configured to first authenticate, authorize and / or identify the PD or its user via the authentication, authorization and / or identification server. Therefore, the authentication, authorization and / or identification server can typically preferably connect to the mobile device via the web to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the PD or its user, and communicate the results of the authentication, authorization and / or identification to the conference server. In the case of correct authentication, authorization and / or identification, the conference server then maintains and / or establishes a logical link between the PD and the DU, and optionally establishes a web-based session between the conference server and the personal communication device.

[0041] In one embodiment, the conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize, and / or identify the user of the personal mobile device before establishing a logical link when the personal communication device is connected to the server. This ensures that only authenticated, authorized, and / or identified users or PDs can interact with the conference system. However, in an alternative embodiment, the conference server is configured to establish a logical link when the personal communication device is connected to the server, and optionally subsequently authenticate, authorize, and / or identify the user of the personal communication device.

[0042] The conference system can be used to perform a conference method, comprising the following steps:

[0043] - providing a conference system according to the present invention;

[0044] - Providing a set of one or more personal communication devices, each personal communication device (PD) including an optical scanner for scanning an optical code; the PD will be able to interact with the conferencing system, said interaction being initiated by scanning the optical code, as described below.

[0045] - For each of the delegate units of the conference system:

[0046] Generate an optical code for the delegate unit, the optical code comprising unique delegate unit identification information and web-based connection information, for allowing the personal communication device to connect to the web interface of the conference server via a browser application and pass the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server. The optical code may be generated by the conference server and / or the central unit.

[0047] Sending an optical code to the delegate unit; this can be done using a predefined connection arrangement between the central unit and the delegate unit;

[0048] • Presenting the optical code by the optical code presenting component of the delegate unit, for example by showing the optical code on a display of the delegate unit. This will allow the PD to initiate interaction with the conferencing system.

[0049] - scanning an optical code presented by an optical code presenting component of a personal communication device, for example an optical code shown by the personal communication device on a display of a representative unit;

[0050] - connecting the personal communication device to the web interface of the conference server via a browser application using the web-based connection information of the optical code and passing the unique representative unit identification information of the optical code from the personal communication device to the conference server;

[0051] - establishing a logical link between the personal communication device and the representative unit based on the unique representative unit identification information,

[0052] -Optionally establish a web-based session with the personal communication device.

[0053] Preferably, the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other to exchange data regarding unique delegate unit identification information and / or web-based connection information. For example, the central unit may transmit to the conference server a list comprising unique delegate unit identification information relating to delegate units to which the central unit is connected, and the conference server may transmit to the central unit web-based connection information, for example in the form of a list of URLs, each URL being linked to a delegate unit via its unique delegate unit identification information. However, it will be appreciated that other possibilities exist.

[0054] In one embodiment, the conference server and the central unit are combined in a single device. This allows for fast interaction and data exchange between the conference server and the central unit.

[0055] In one embodiment, the conference server and the CU are connected via a gateway device.

[0056] In a typical embodiment, the predefined connection arrangement allows a two-way data transmission between the central unit and each delegate unit. Note that when a set of PDs are logically linked to the individual delegate units, the functionality of the conference system is increased allowing the users of the PDs used for the system to communicate with the central unit via the conference server. However, in many cases a two-way data transmission between the central unit and the delegate units is still advantageous, in particular because the predefined connection arrangement between the central unit and the delegate units can be kept very secure and therefore also data transmission (e.g. when voting is required during a conference) can be kept secure. Note that the dual connection of the users to the central unit, i.e. once via the delegate unit and the predefined connection arrangement and once via the PD of the user and the conference server, allows a double check of critical data transmissions. For example, a vote can be taken via the DU and then checked and optionally confirmed via the PD.

[0057] In an embodiment, the optical code is a two-dimensional barcode, more preferably a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0058] In one embodiment, a conferencing system includes a group of one or more personal communication devices, each personal communication device including an optical scanner for scanning an optical code.

[0059] In one embodiment, the conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the user of the personal mobile device when the personal communication device is connected to the server, preferably before establishing a logical link and / or preferably via a third-party identity server. Authentication, authorization and identification of users of the conference system is one of the main advantages of the present invention, as these important functions may be crucial for certain conferences but are difficult to control at the delegate unit level. For example, the DU may have a card reader and the user may have a smart card for identification / authorization. However, smart cards may be stolen or lost. The DU may have a fingerprint reader for identification / authorization. However, fingerprint readers are not well suited for identification. In addition, it is not always practical to collect fingerprint samples of all delegates. Not all delegates want to have their fingerprint samples collected to log into the conference. The present invention allows the procedures for authentication, authorization and identification to be decoupled from the delegate units and rely on well-tested web-based procedures.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize, and / or identify the user of the personal device using a biometric authentication method (e.g., a fingerprint recognition method, a facial recognition method, and / or an iris scanning method). Therefore, preferably, the personal communication device is equipped with a biometric authentication application, such as a fingerprint recognition application, a facial recognition application, and / or an iris scanning application.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the conference server is configured to differentiate the functionality and / or data provided to the personal communication device, preferably based on the unique delegate unit identification information. This is particularly preferred in conjunction with authenticating, authorizing, and / or identifying the user of the PD, and allows different additional functionality and / or data to be provided to different users of the conferencing system.

[0062] In one embodiment, the delegate unit comprises a microphone, a loudspeaker and / or a small screen. This provides important functionality via a predefined connection arrangement.

[0063] In an embodiment, the central unit is connected to each delegate unit via a dedicated network, such as a dedicated IP network or a proprietary network, or to the Internet via a gateway, or to a server via an IP link.

[0064] In one embodiment, the conference server is publicly accessible. This allows access to the conference server via a public network and thereby allows PDs to access the conference server without having to register in advance in, for example, a private network.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the group of delegate units comprises at least two delegate units, more preferably at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 delegate units.

[0066] In one embodiment, the group of delegate units is a first group of delegate units, and the conferencing system may include a second group of delegate units, which is different from the first group. The DUs in the second group may be configured differently from the DUs in the first group, for example, the second group of DUs may lack an optical code presenting component, such as a display or a set of light emitters, or may not be configured and / or intended to have the additional functionality according to the present invention.

[0067] In an embodiment, the optical code is, is encoded with and / or comprises a one-time token. This allows ensuring that the validity of the optical code allowing the PD to connect to the conference server is limited and its limitation is essentially controlled by the conference server and / or the central unit.

[0068] In an embodiment, the optical code comprises a two-dimensional barcode, preferably a QR code.

[0069] In one embodiment, the optical code comprises a set of images, which can be a set of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more images. In the case where the set of images comprises at least 2 images, preferably, the images are sent sequentially to the DU and / or displayed sequentially on the display of the DU. Sending multiple images allows more data to be provided via the display, for example, this may be necessary in the case where the display is not large enough to show the complete optical code to be scanned. Preferably, in an embodiment where the conferencing system includes a conferencing application service product configured to be installed on a personal communication device, an optical code comprising a set of at least 2 images is used. In this way, the conferencing application service can be configured to scan the images sequentially or in a predefined order or setting.

[0070] In one embodiment, the optical code comprises a sequential optical pattern that can be presented by a set of light emitters configured to turn on and off according to the optical pattern. As described above, the personal communication device can be configured to capture the optical code via, for example, a camera installed on the personal communication device and / or a dedicated optical code capture application. Thus, the set of light emitters can include one, two, three, four, five, or more light emitters, preferably LEDs, preferably configured to emit light of one or more wavelengths, which can be in the visible and / or invisible spectrum, such as the infrared spectrum, preferably the near-infrared spectrum. In this case, the optical code is presented using a set of light emitters that turn on and off in a pattern to present the optical code. The maximum frequency at which the light emitters flash is preferably at most 60 Hz, more preferably at most 50 Hz, such as 50 Hz, 49 Hz, 48 Hz, or lower, even more preferably at most 25 Hz, such as 25 Hz, 24 Hz, or lower, and even more preferably at most 12 Hz. Note that the maximum frequency is preferably at most half the image capture rate of the camera of the personal communication device. Since many personal communication devices, such as smartphones, currently have a capture rate of 24 Hz, the maximum frequency at which the light emitters flash is preferably at most 12 Hz.

[0071] Conference System:

[0072] An exemplary prior art conferencing system is discussed below. The present invention is particularly advantageously applied to such prior art conferencing systems, but may also be applied to other arrangements of conferencing systems.

[0073] A conference system consists of a central unit connected to several delegate units for participating delegates. The central unit combines the audio channels from the delegate units and distributes received audio and data channels, as well as combinations of these channels. Delegate units may include hardware buttons for participating in the conference (e.g., voting, microphone activation, volume control, etc.). Delegate units may also be equipped with a web-based graphical interface.

[0074] Audio processing and transmission can be completely separated from video processing and transmission. Audio and video streams can each have their own network and control.

[0075] The existing technology is set up as Figure 1A. Multiple delegate units are shown connected to a central unit. Microphone signals are transmitted between the delegate units and the central unit via the conference network. The video input block for each delegate unit is also shown. Video sharing for each delegate is enabled by a video switch managed by an external control device. An operator must operate the switch, or in more advanced configurations, delegates can operate it themselves. However, in the example shown, there is no link between the video facilities and the audio conferencing system. The video section has its own control device. The video switch then generates the video output based on the received control signal.

[0076] exist Figure 1B In the configuration shown, another type of prior art conference system is shown. The conventional microphones and microphone controllers that control the transmission of microphone signals on the conference system network are not shown in the delegate units shown in the figure. Each delegate unit is equipped with a "video control" indicated in the figure, i.e. a video control device that allows the transmission of control signals (video requests) to the audio conference central unit. Figure 1A In contrast to the previous setup, the conference central unit now controls the external video switches.

[0077] Similar to the classic "speaking request" initiated by a delegate who wishes to speak in an audio conferencing system, delegates can now issue a video request, which is transmitted via the conference network to the conference central unit. Before operating the video switch, the conference central unit processes the video request according to some given protocol (for example, a protocol already commonly used in routing microphone signals). Some examples of these protocols are:

[0078] - Direct Access: A delegate requesting video streaming is immediately granted access to the main screen only if there are unassigned sub-screens. Otherwise, the request is denied.

[0079] -FIFO: If all sub-screens are occupied, the video of the first delegate assigned to access the main screen will be removed to make room for the last delegate requesting a video stream.

[0080] - Microphone coupling: When a delegate is granted access to the audio floor channel, he is automatically assigned a subscreen.

[0081] -Chairman authorization: The chairman can manually assign subscreens to delegates.

[0082] - Agenda-based: In meetings with an agenda, if the speakers and the order in which they will participate in the discussion of different items are known in advance, their video streams (and microphones) can be automatically turned on if the meeting has discussed the relevant agenda item.

[0083] Note that in Figure 1BIn some embodiments, the video control device is integrated into the delegate unit. In other embodiments, this may not be the case. The video control device can then form a separate device.

[0084] exist Figure 1B In the embodiment, each conference delegate system is equipped with a separate video unit, to which the external video signal is input. In an alternative embodiment, the video unit can be integrated into the delegate unit.

[0085] Figure 1B An important feature of the embodiment is that the video signal is still passed from the video input block to the central video switch, as shown by the dotted arrows.

[0086] Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention:

[0087] In one embodiment, the conferencing system may include:

[0088] • One or more delegate units (for participants, interpreters or chairpersons). A delegate unit has a microphone, a loudspeaker, a small screen (optionally with a touch screen) and some buttons, but may lack a full keyboard, for example.

[0089] Central Unit (the central device that controls all audio, video and other streams in the conference system). This central unit is connected to:

[0090] All delegate units in the room, preferably via a dedicated IP or proprietary network, and

[0091] Connect to the Internet via a gateway and / or connect to a conference server via an IP link.

[0092] • A conference server, which may be a publicly accessible cloud server.

[0093] Third-party identity and authorization servers, such as:

[0094] Itsme

[0095] Google

[0096] Microsoft Active Directory / Microsoft Authentication

[0097] From a representative's mobile device (e.g., smartphone)

[0098] Example workflow:

[0099] The central unit or conference server generates a unique, time-limited web link for each conference / delegate unit. The conference server also preferably maintains a register of valid web links, associated with the ID of the applicable delegate unit. The web link is presented on the delegate unit as a unique, time-limited optical code.

[0100] This QR code can contain <server-address> / <unique-path-per-unit>A web link in the form of (<server-address> / <unique path per unit>) or using parameters <server-address> / login?key= <unique-key-per-unit>(<server-address] / login?key=<per-unit unique key>). Of course, other forms are also possible. The general idea is that the key or unique path has a large number of characters, making brute force guessing practically impossible. The key or unique path is preferably a one-time token.

[0101] The delegate scans the QR code using a personal communication device (e.g., a smartphone) and uses a standard QR code scanning application (e.g., Google Lens) pre-installed on almost every Android smartphone, and then enters the web page (presented by the conference server). Since the QR code is unique, the server knows which delegate unit the request came from. Once the page with this unique code is accessed, the QR code can be optionally destroyed, i.e., marked as used and / or invalid.

[0102] The conference server presents a page to the participants that may display or list (multiple) external identification / authentication / authorization services (such as itsme in Belgium / Netherlands or Franceconnect in France), or a dedicated login page maintained by the customer. Google, Microsoft Active Directory or Microsoft Authentication are also possible.

[0103] When the identification / authentication / authorization process ends, the authorization server can return the identity of the representative to the conference server (if necessary, other information can also be returned). The central unit determines whether the identity (for example first name+last name) is in the list of the allowed identities of this specific proxy unit. (In many cases, the chairman's representative unit has only one person through the allowed list; The participant's representative unit may be very long through the allowed list, unless fixed seats are applicable). If the user is in this list, then this user (representative) is authorized to use this specific representative unit, or in other words, this representative unit is authorized to use in this meeting and is associated with this representative. This is also applicable to interpreter unit / station. In addition, during the meeting (or until the representative unit writes off), the representative's ID is preferably linked to this specific representative unit.

[0104] Access to the chairman unit is preferably only allowed to the delegate who holds the chairmanship, or people from the same (political) part must sit together (semi-fixed seats). Therefore, in one embodiment, the group of delegate units includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more delegate units, which are any combination of the following DU types:

[0105] - Standard delegate units, which typically include hardware and software that allow standard functions such as speaking, listening, voting

[0106] - a chairman unit, which typically includes hardware and software that allows moderator functions on top of the standard functions, such as turning on / off the microphones of other DUs, and / or

[0107] - A translator unit, which typically has no hardware and / or software for voting, but may have a set of buttons allowing the selection of the source and target languages. < / server-address>

Claims

1. A conference system comprising a central unit and a group of one or more delegate units, wherein each delegate unit is in a predefined connection arrangement with the central unit, whereby each delegate unit comprises an optical code presentation component for displaying an optical code, The conference system further comprises a conference server having a web interface, whereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other, whereby the central unit is configured to send data representing an optical code to each delegate unit, the optical code comprising unique delegate unit identification information, and each of the delegate units is configured to present the optical code by means of the optical code presenting component, Whereby the conference server is configured to allow a web-based connection to a personal communication device and receive the unique delegate unit identification information from the personal communication device, Thereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to establish a logical link between the personal communication device and the delegate unit based on the unique delegate unit identification information.

2. The conference system according to claim 1, wherein: The central unit is configured to transmit data representing the optical code via the predefined connection arrangement.

3. The conference system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The optical code includes web-based connection information for allowing a personal communication device to connect to a web interface of the conference server via a browser application and transmit the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server.

4. The conference system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The invention comprises a conference application service product configured to be installed on a personal communication device, wherein the conference application service product comprises instructions for a conference application service, wherein the conference application service is configured to: Scanning an optical code including the unique delegate unit identification information; connecting to the conference server using a web-based connection and transmitting the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server.

5. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The optical code is a Quick Response (QR) code.

6. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conferencing system includes a group of one or more personal communication devices, each personal communication device including an optical scanner for scanning the optical code.

7. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conference server is configured to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the user of the personal mobile device when the personal communication device connects to the server, preferably before establishing the logical link and / or preferably via a third party identity server.

8. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Said optical code comprises a set of at least 2 images, preferably whereby said images are sequentially transmitted to each delegate unit and / or sequentially presented by the optical code presentation component of each delegate unit.

9. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conference server is configured to differentiate functions and / or data provided to the personal communication device based on the unique delegation unit identification information.

10. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The delegate unit comprises a microphone, a loudspeaker and / or a small touch screen.

11. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The central unit is connected to each delegate unit via a dedicated IP or proprietary network.

12. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The central unit is connected to the Internet via a gateway and / or preferably to the conference server via an IP link.

13. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The group of delegate units includes at least two delegate units.

14. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The central unit is configured to send data representing an optical code to each of the delegate units based on a request from the conference server.

15. The conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The optical code presentation assembly comprises a display, and each representative unit is configured to display the optical code on the display.

16. Conference system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The optical code presenting assembly comprises a set of light emitters, preferably one or more LEDs, and each delegate unit is configured to present the optical code by means of the light emitters.

17. A conference method comprising the following steps: - providing a conferencing system according to any one of the preceding claims; - providing a set of one or more personal communication devices, each personal communication device comprising an optical scanner for scanning an optical code; For each of the delegate units of the conference system: generating an optical code for the delegate unit, the optical code comprising unique delegate unit identification information and optionally web-based connection information for allowing a personal communication device to connect to the web interface of the conference server via a browser application and pass the unique delegate unit identification information to the conference server, and sending the optical code to the delegate unit; presenting the optical code by means of an optical code presenting component of the representation unit; - scanning, by said personal communication device, an optical code presented by the optical code presenting component of the representative unit; - connecting the personal communication device to the web interface of the conference server via a browser application and transferring the unique representative unit identification information of the optical code from the personal communication device to the conference server; - establishing a logical link between the personal communication device and the delegate unit based on the unique delegate unit identification information.

18. A conference system comprising a central unit and a set of one or more delegate units, wherein each delegate unit is in a predefined connection arrangement with the central unit, whereby each delegate unit comprises an optical code presenting component configured for presenting an optical code, The conference system further comprises a conference server having a web interface, whereby the conference server and the central unit are configured to communicate with each other, whereby the central unit is configured to send data representing an optical code to each of the delegate units, said optical code comprising unique delegate unit identification information, Whereby the conference server is configured to allow a web-based connection to a personal communication device and receive the unique delegate unit identification information from the personal communication device, The conference server is thereby configured to authenticate, authorize and / or identify the user of the personal mobile device when the personal communication device connects to the server, preferably via a third party identity server, and preferably before establishing a logical link. Optionally, the conference server and the central unit are configured to establish a logical link between the personal communication device and the delegate unit based on the unique delegate unit identification information.

Images