Web conference system, Web conference server, control method and control program for Web conference server, and program for Web conference application

Abstract

To prevent howling caused by presence of a plurality of information devices.SOLUTION: A web conference system includes a web conference server and a plurality of web conference applications that operates on a plurality of respective information terminals. Each of the plurality of web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires position information on its own terminal, and transmits the acquired position information to the web conference server. The web conference server calculates a distance between the information terminals on the basis of the position information, and, when receiving a microphone on signal from one web conference application, transmits a microphone off command signal to the web conference application of another information terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal having the web conference application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a Web conference system, a Web conference server, a control method and control program for a Web conference server, and a program for a Web conference application. [Background technology]

[0002] When a web conference is held in a closed space such as a conference room using multiple information terminals (e.g., personal computers (PCs), smartphones, etc.), the microphones and speakers of the information terminals of the multiple participants may interfere with each other, causing feedback. Even if there is only one participant, if that participant uses a PC and a smartphone at the same time, these microphones and speakers may interfere with each other and cause feedback. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-045416 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The following analysis was performed by the inventors.

[0005] However, in order to prevent the above-mentioned howling, no attempt has been made to control an information terminal based on the physical location of the information terminal.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an Internet telephone system using multiple mobile terminals. However, Patent Document 1 aims to prevent a terminal receiving audio from hearing overlapping audio that occurs when audio from another terminal reaches the terminal via multiple different routes, and does not describe how to prevent feedback.

[0007] The objective of the present disclosure is to provide a Web conferencing system, a Web conferencing server, a control method and control program for a Web conferencing server, and a program for a Web conferencing application that contribute to preventing the occurrence of howling that can be caused by the presence of multiple information devices, each of which is equipped with a microphone and a speaker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a Web conference system including a Web conference server and a plurality of Web conference applications each running on a plurality of information terminals. In the web conferencing system, each of the plurality of Web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires location information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired location information to a Web conference server; The Web conference server includes: Calculating a distance between the information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from one Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal having the Web conference application. (Form 1) (2) A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which runs a Web conference application, can be connected via a network. The Web conference server includes: A receiving unit configured to receive location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; A calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and A transmitter configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals. Including, The receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals; The transmission unit is further configured to, when the reception unit receives a microphone ON signal from a Web conference application of at least one information terminal, transmit a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. It is characterized by (morphology 3 ). (3) A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which runs a Web conference application, can be connected via a network. The control method includes: receiving location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; Calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference applications of other information terminals located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. The present invention is characterized by including 4 ). (4) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a control program for a Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which runs a Web conference application, can be connected via a network. The control program A process of receiving location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; A process of calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference applications of other information terminals located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. The present invention is characterized in that the computer executes the following (form 5 ). (5) A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a Web conference application program that runs on an information terminal. The program for the Web conferencing application is A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal (own terminal) or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal (own terminal) and transmitting the acquired location information to a Web conference server; and When the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) is ON, if another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal (own terminal) receives a microphone OFF command signal from a Web conference server in order to transmit audio data, a process of turning off the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) The present invention is characterized in that the computer executes the following (form 6 ).

[0009] In the above-mentioned Web conferencing system of form 1, At least one of the plurality of Web conference applications preferably acquires location information of another information terminal instead of location information of its own terminal, and transmits the location information to the Web conference server (mode 2). 。

[0010] The above program can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transient) storage medium. That is, the present disclosure can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program is input to the computer device from an input device or an external device via a communication interface, stored in a storage device, and drives the processor according to a predetermined step or process, and can display the processing result, including an intermediate state, at each stage via a display device as necessary, or can communicate with the outside via the communication interface. For example, a computer device for this purpose typically includes a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, which are connectable to each other via a bus. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present disclosure or each of its aspects can contribute, inter alia, to preventing the occurrence of howling that may be caused by the presence of multiple information devices each equipped with a microphone and a speaker. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an example of a Web conferencing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates an example of a Web conferencing server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an example of a DB server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an example of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an example of a terminal control setting means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 13 illustrates an example of an identical area determination means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a first operation example (operation example 1) of a Web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart of a second operation example (operation example 2) of a Web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of hardware resources. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The outline of the present disclosure will be described below. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this outline are intended solely to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated embodiment. The connecting lines between the blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. The unidirectional arrows are intended to diagrammatically indicate the flow of signals, information, data, etc., and do not exclude bidirectionality. Furthermore, the connections between the blocks in each drawing can be either wired or wireless. Furthermore, the program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, and the computer device is configured to be capable of communicating with devices (including computers) within or outside the device via the communication interface, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

[0014] In addition, in this disclosure, a "network" is typically the Internet, but is not limited to this, and includes any network that mediates the interconnection of multiple information devices, such as an intranet.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, an "information terminal" is one that is connected to one another via a network, whether wired or wireless, and is capable of transmitting and receiving at least audio data, and image data as necessary, and is, for example, but not limited to, a PC (personal computer), a tablet, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a smartphone, etc.

[0016] Furthermore, in this disclosure, a "connection" may include both wireless and wired systems.

[0017] Furthermore, in this disclosure, a "microphone ON signal" refers to a signal indicating that the microphone of an information terminal is ON. Also, in this disclosure, a "microphone OFF command signal" refers to a signal that commands the Web conference service 100 or its Web conference server 110 to the Web conference application 150a-150e of the information terminal to turn off the microphone of the information terminal. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the Web conference applications 150a-150e, they will simply be referred to as the Web conference application 150.

[0018] 1 shows an example of a Web conference system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The Web conference system includes a Web conference service 100 and a Web conference application 150 of an information terminal of a conference participant.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, four participants A, C to E participate in the Web conference. Participant A is located at home and uses two information terminals, namely, a PC and a smartphone on which Web conference applications 150a and 150b run or are recorded on a recording medium, respectively. Participants C to E are located in the same conference room at a company and use, as an information terminal, a PC on which Web conference applications 150c to 150e run or are recorded on a recording medium, respectively. In the illustrated example, the information terminals of participants A, C to E are each directly connected to the network, but the connection form is not limited to the illustrated form. For example, participant A's PC and smartphone can be connected to the network via a router installed at home.

[0020] The Web conference service 100 is provided by a server on the cloud, and is connected via a network to Web conference applications 150a to 150e on the information terminals (PCs, smartphones, etc.) of the conference participants A, C to E. In particular, when the network is an intranet or the like, the Web conference service 100 can also be provided by a server connected to the intranet or the like.

[0021] The Web conference service 100 includes a Web conference server 110 that provides a Web conference function, and a DB (database) server 120 that stores various functions, settings, and the like.

[0022] 2 illustrates an example of a Web conference server 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The Web conference server 110 includes a receiving unit 110a, a computing unit 110b, a transmitting unit 110c, and a control unit 110d.

[0023] The receiving unit 110a is configured to be able to receive location information of each information terminal from the Web conference application 150 of the information terminal of each of the conference participants A, C to E. The receiving unit 110a is further configured to be able to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications 150 of these information terminals.

[0024] The calculation unit 110b is configured to be able to calculate the distance between each of the information terminals of the participants A, C to E of the conference, based on the position information of the information terminals.

[0025] The transmitting unit 110c is configured to be capable of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the Web conference applications 150 of the information terminals of the conference participants A, and C to E. The transmitting unit 110c is further configured to be capable of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150 of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal when the receiving unit 110a receives a microphone ON signal from the Web conference application 150 of at least one information terminal.

[0026] Furthermore, the receiving unit 110a is configured to receive a howling detection signal from at least one of the Web conferencing applications 150 of the information terminals of the conference participants A, C to E, indicating that the information terminal or its Web conferencing application has detected howling, and the transmitting unit 110c is configured to transmit, when the receiving unit 110a receives a howling detection signal, a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conferencing application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the Web conferencing application that transmitted the howling detection signal.

[0027] The control unit 110d is configured to be able to control the above-mentioned operations of the receiving unit 110a, the calculating unit 110b, and the transmitting unit 110c.

[0028] In addition, the Web conference server 110 can use the receiving unit 110a and the transmitting unit 110c for communication with the DB server 120, but can also use an independent transmitting / receiving unit that can be similarly controlled by the control unit 110d.

[0029] 3 illustrates an example of the DB server 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The DB server 120 is configured to store data such as a terminal control setting means 130 including information such as location information of the information terminals of the participants A, C to E of the conference, and a same area determination means 140, and further includes a transmission / reception unit 120a and a control unit 120b.

[0030] The transmitting / receiving unit 120 a is configured so as to be usable for communication with the Web conference server 110 .

[0031] The control unit 120b is configured to be able to control the above operations of the transmitting / receiving unit 120a.

[0032] 4 illustrates an example of an information terminal 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information terminal 160 includes a position information acquisition unit 160a, a storage unit (or memory) 160b, a transmission / reception unit 160c, a howling detection unit 160d, a microphone 160e, a speaker 160f, and a control unit 160g.

[0033] The location information acquisition unit 160a is configured to be able to acquire location information of the information terminal using, for example, a GPS (global positioning system / satellite) function.

[0034] The storage unit 160b can store at least a program for operating the Web conference application 150.

[0035] The transmission / reception unit 160c is configured to be able to communicate with the Web conference server 110, and performs operations such as transmitting a microphone ON signal to the Web conference server 110 and receiving a microphone OFF command signal from the Web conference server 110.

[0036] Howling detection section 160d is configured to be able to detect howling that occurs due to mutual interference between microphone 160e and speaker 160f of information terminal 160 and the microphone and speaker of another information terminal that is present within a predetermined range of information terminal 160.

[0037] The microphone 160e is a device that converts an acoustic signal (voice) into an electrical signal so that the voice of the user (conference participant) of the information terminal 160 can be reproduced on another information terminal.

[0038] Speaker 160f is a device that converts an electrical signal corresponding to the voice of a user (conference participant) of another information terminal transmitted from that other information terminal into an acoustic signal in information terminal 160, and reproduces the voice of the user of that other information terminal.

[0039] The control unit 160g is configured to be able to control the above-mentioned operations of the position information acquisition unit 160a, the storage unit 160b, the transmission / reception unit 160c, the howling detection unit 160d, the microphone 160e, and the speaker 160f.

[0040] The Web conference application 150 has a function to obtain location information of each user's information terminal using the GPS function of the information terminal when participating in a conference, and transmit the location information to the Web conference service 100 or its Web conference server 110, a function to transmit information as to whether the microphone is ON or OFF to the Web conference service 100 or its Web conference server 110, and a function to control the microphone to OFF when a microphone OFF command signal is received from the Web conference service 100.

[0041] Here, the means for acquiring the location information of each information terminal is not limited to the GPS function of the information terminal. For example, the location information of each information terminal can be acquired by an indoor positioning system using beacons attached to participants or information terminals.

[0042] It is also possible to obtain location information of one participant's information terminal from another participant's information terminal located near the other participant's information terminal via short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and use the location information of the other participant's information terminal as the location information of the one participant's information terminal.

[0043] Furthermore, if there is no means of acquiring location information such as GPS or a beacon, the Web conference application 150 can request the participant to input into his / her information terminal the address, place name, or location on a map where the participant will be located when joining the conference, and acquire location information based on the input information.

[0044] Furthermore, when the same participant uses both a PC and a smartphone when participating in a conference, and in some cases the smartphone already in use at the conference can obtain its location information using its GPS function, etc., it is also possible to use the location information of the smartphone as the location information of the PC. Similarly, for example, when a new smartphone, tablet, etc. is used in addition to the PC and smartphone already in use at the conference, it is also possible to use the location information of the PC or smartphone already in use at the conference as the location information of the newly added smartphone, tablet, etc.

[0045] The location information of the information terminals of these conference participants is grasped by the Web conference service 100 or the Web conference server 110, and the grasped location information is made into a database as the terminal control setting means 130, and the data of the information itself is stored in the DB server 120.

[0046] The Web conference application 150 further has a function of detecting howling, and when it detects howling, a function of transmitting a howling detection signal to the Web conference server, and a function of receiving a microphone OFF command signal from the Web conference server that has received the howling detection signal when certain conditions are satisfied.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows an example of the terminal control setting means 130 stored in the DB server 120. Note that the terminal control setting means 130 shown in Fig. 5 is merely an example, and is not necessarily based on that of the information terminal in the example of the Web conference system shown in Fig. 1.

[0048] The terminal control setting means 130 stores information such as terminal IDs that are identifiers of the information terminals of the participants of the conference, location information acquired by GPS or the like, a conference ID, and an area ID.

[0049] In the field of location information, a value indicating the location coordinates of the corresponding information terminal is entered.

[0050] In the area ID field, a value is entered that makes it possible to identify the area that each information terminal is in. For example, when multiple participants participate in a conference in the same conference room (or when multiple information terminals are used in a conference), the area IDs of the information terminals that are determined to be in the same area are assigned the same value (xxxxx111).

[0051] The conference ID field is entered with the identifier of the conference in which the participant has participated or to which the participant is being called. This makes it possible to determine whether multiple participants are participating in the same conference (or whether multiple information terminals are being used in the same conference). Since the same participant may be called to multiple conferences, multiple values ​​can also be entered in the conference ID field.

[0052] 6 shows an example of the same area determination means 140 stored in the DB server 120. Note that the same area determination means 140 shown in FIG. 6 is also just an example, and is not necessarily based on the one for the information terminal in the example of the Web conference system shown in FIG.

[0053] The same area determination means 140 can be used to determine whether multiple participants or multiple information terminals are in the same area or room for each Web conference room. For example, the distance between each information terminal is calculated from position information acquired by GPS or the like, and if the calculated distance value is a value at which audio interference, i.e., howling, occurs (for example, 2 m, 1 m in the illustrated example), the information terminals are determined to be in the same area and the same area ID is assigned. For example, if the distance between information terminals with terminal IDs "00000A" and "00000B" is 1 m (see FIG. 6), these information terminals are determined to be in the same area and the same area ID "001" is assigned (see FIG. 5).

[0054] (Example 1) An operation example (operation example 1) of the Web conference system when the information terminal does not detect the occurrence of howling will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. In the description of this operation example, an example will be taken of the same participant A participating in the Web conference at home in Fig. 1 using a PC and a smartphone, but operation example 1 is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to an example in which different participants C to E participating in the Web conference in the conference room in Fig. 1 each use one PC. In the description of each operation example below, "information terminal" will be abbreviated to "terminal" and "step" will be represented by "S".

[0055] First, the Web conference application 150 receives a conference participation operation signal generated by a conference participation operation on its own terminal, acquires location information of its own terminal in response to the signal, and transmits the acquired location information to the Web conference server 110 (S1). For example, the Web conference application 150a of the participant A's PC and the Web conference application 150b of the smartphone acquire location information of the PC and the smartphone, for example, using a GPS, when the participant A performs a predetermined operation on the PC and the smartphone to participate in the conference, and transmits the acquired location information to the Web conference server 110. Note that, for example, if the PC does not have a means for acquiring the location information such as a GPS, the Web conference application 150a of the PC can also use the location information of a smartphone, which usually has a GPS function even for a common product, as the location information of the PC.

[0056] Next, the Web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each of the two terminals (S2). For example, the Web conference server 110 calculates the distance between a PC and a smartphone.

[0057] Next, when a participant turns on the microphone of the terminal to speak in the conference, the Web conference server 110 receives a microphone ON signal from the Web conference application 150 of that terminal (S3). For example, when participant A turns on the microphone of his / her PC, the Web conference application 150a of the PC generates a microphone ON signal and transmits it to the Web conference server 110.

[0058] At this time, if there is a terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined first distance from the terminal of the Web conference application 150 that sent the microphone ON signal, the Web conference server 110 judges that these terminals are in the same area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150 of the latter terminal (S4). In response to this, the Web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned OFF (muted) (S5). For example, the Web conference server 110 compares the calculated distance between the PC and the smartphone with the predetermined first distance, and if the former is shorter than the latter, it judges that the PC and the smartphone are in the same area, assigns them the same area ID, and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150b of the smartphone. In response to this, the Web conference application 150b controls the smartphone to turn OFF (muted) its microphone if the microphone of the smartphone is ON at that time.

[0059] The determination as to whether or not a plurality of terminals are in the same area may be made in advance (before S4) after the distance between the terminals is calculated in S2.

[0060] Furthermore, after the above processing, the Web conference server 110 determines that the PC and smartphone are in the same area, and when it receives a microphone ON signal from one of the Web conference applications 150a and 150b, it sends a microphone OFF command signal to the other Web conference application 150a or 150b, thereby controlling the microphones of the PC and smartphone to not be turned ON at the same time.

[0061] In this way, according to operation example 1, terminals located within a range where audio interference is determined to occur are controlled so that their microphones are not turned on at the same time, i.e., only one of the terminals' microphones is turned on, regardless of whether or not feedback is actually occurring, so that participants in the web conference can smoothly carry on their conversation without being disrupted by feedback.

[0062] As described above, this operation example can also be applied to cases where there are three or more terminals in the same area. Therefore, for example, in the conference room of Figure 1, if participants C to E participating in a Web conference each use one PC, when participant C turns on the microphone of his / her PC, the microphones of participants D and E's PCs will be forcibly turned off if they are ON at that time.

[0063] (Example 2) An operation example (operation example 2) of the Web conference system when an information terminal detects the occurrence of howling will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. In the description of this operation example, an example will be taken of different participants C to E participating in the Web conference in the conference room of Fig. 1 each using one PC, but operation example 2 is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to, for example, an example in which the same participant A participating in the Web conference at home in Fig. 1 uses a PC and a smartphone.

[0064] First, the Web conference application 150 receives a conference participation operation signal generated by a conference participation operation on its own terminal, acquires location information of its own terminal in response to the signal, and transmits the acquired location information to the Web conference server 110 (S11). For example, the Web conference applications 150c-150e of the PCs of the participants C-E acquire location information of the respective PCs, for example, using a GPS, when the participants C-E perform a predetermined operation on their PCs to participate in the conference, and transmit the acquired location information to the Web conference server 110.

[0065] Next, the Web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each two of the terminals (S12). For example, the Web conference server 110 calculates the distance between each two of the three PCs.

[0066] Next, when the Web conference application 150 of one terminal detects howling, the Web conference application 150 transmits a howling detection signal to the Web conference server 110 (S13). For example, when the Web conference application 150c of the PC of the participant C detects a sound of a volume equal to or greater than a predetermined volume that continues for a certain period of time, it determines that howling has occurred and transmits a howling detection signal to the Web conference server 110.

[0067] At this time, if there is a terminal located at a distance shorter than a predetermined second distance from the terminal of the Web conference application 150 that transmitted the howling detection signal, the Web conference server 110 judges that these terminals are in the same area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150 of the latter terminal (S14). In response to this, the Web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned OFF (muted) (S15). For example, if the Web conference server 110 judges that the calculated distance between the PC of participant C and the PC of participant D is shorter than the predetermined second distance (for example, 10 m), but the calculated distance between the PC of participant C and the PC of participant E is equal to or greater than the predetermined second distance, it judges that the PC of participant C and the PC of participant D are in the same area, assigns the same area ID to them, and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150d of the PC of participant D. In response to this, the Web conference application 150d controls the PC so that, if the microphone of the PC is ON at that time, the microphone is turned OFF (muted).

[0068] If the howling continues despite the predetermined process being performed in S14, if there is a terminal located at a distance from the terminal of the Web conference application 150 that transmitted the howling detection signal that is longer than the second distance and shorter than the third distance that is determined in advance, the Web conference server 110 determines that these terminals are in the same area (the same area ID is assigned to these terminals), and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150 of the latter terminal (S16). In response to this, the Web conference application 150 controls its own terminal so that its microphone is turned OFF (muted) (S17). For example, if the Web conference server 110 determines that the calculated distance between the PC of the participant C and the PC of the participant E is equal to or longer than the second distance that is longer than the third distance that is longer than the second distance, it determines that the PC of the participant E is also in the same area, assigns the same area ID to them, and transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application 150e of the PC of the participant E. In response to this, the Web conference application 150e controls the PC so that, if the microphone of the PC is ON at that time, the microphone is turned OFF (muted).

[0069] The determination as to whether or not a plurality of terminals are in the same area may be made in advance (before S14 or S16) after the distance between the terminals is calculated in S12.

[0070] Furthermore, after the above processing, the Web conference server 110 determines that these PCs are in the same area, and when it receives a howling detection signal from any one of the Web conference applications 150c to 150e, it transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the other Web conference application 150c, 150d, or 150e, thereby controlling the microphones of these PCs not to be turned ON at the same time.

[0071] In this way, according to operation example 2, when feedback occurs, multiple terminals are controlled so that the microphones of terminals located within the range that generates feedback are not turned on at the same time, i.e., the microphone of only one terminal is turned on, so that participants in the web conference can smoothly carry on their conversation without being disrupted by feedback.

[0072] As described above, this operation example can also be applied to cases where there are two terminals in the same area. Therefore, for example, if Participant A is participating in a Web conference at home as shown in Figure 1 and is using a PC and a smartphone, if the PC detects the occurrence of feedback, the smartphone's microphone will be forcibly turned off.

[0073] (Other embodiments) In the above, the microphone of the terminal is turned off in a predetermined case, but it is also possible to turn off the speaker instead of the microphone, or to turn off both the microphone and the speaker.

[0074] Thus, according to the present disclosure, even when multiple Web conference participants, each using at least one information terminal, are located in a closed space such as an in-house conference room, or when one Web conference participant using multiple information terminals is located in a closed space such as his or her own room, the conversation can proceed smoothly without being disrupted by howling caused by the presence of multiple information terminals.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, when a new information terminal is added and used, it is possible to use the location information of other information terminals already being used in the Web conference as its location information, thereby making it possible to prevent howling from occurring with the information terminals of other participants that are nearby or with the user's own other information terminals.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, even if there is a large deviation from the actual value of the location information acquired by the location information acquisition function of the information terminal, the information terminal itself has a function for detecting howling, so that the howling can be automatically eliminated, and furthermore, it becomes possible to control each information terminal thereafter so that howling does not occur.

[0077] The control unit according to the above embodiment can be configured by so-called hardware resources (information processing device, computer), and can use one having the configuration shown in Fig. 9. For example, the hardware resources 200 include a processor 201, a memory 202, a network interface 203, and the like, which are connected to each other by an internal bus 204.

[0078] 9 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resource 200. The hardware resource 200 may include hardware (e.g., an input / output interface) that is not shown. The processor 201 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0079] The memory 202 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like.

[0080] The network interface 203 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, or the like.

[0081] The functions of the hardware resource 200 are realized by a processing module. The processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the memory 202. The program can be updated by downloading it via a network or by using a storage medium storing the program. Furthermore, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. That is, it is sufficient that the functions performed by the processing module are realized by executing software on some kind of hardware.

[0082] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] A Web conferencing system comprising a Web conferencing server and a plurality of Web conferencing applications each running on a plurality of information terminals. Each of the plurality of Web conference applications receives the conference participation operation signal, acquires location information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired location information to the Web conference server. The Web conference server includes: Calculating a distance between the information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from one Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal having that Web conference application. [Appendix 2] In the above Web conferencing system, At least one of the plurality of Web conference applications acquires location information of another information terminal instead of location information of its own terminal, and transmits the location information to the Web conference server. [Appendix 3] In the above Web conferencing system, The Web conference application further has a function of detecting feedback, and upon detecting feedback, transmits a feedback detection signal to the Web conference server. When the Web conference server receives the howling detection signal from the Web conference application, it transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the Web conference application and has its microphone ON. [Appendix 4] In the above Web conferencing system, The Web conference server determines that the information terminal having the Web conference application that sent the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the Web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and when it receives a microphone ON signal from one Web conference application, it sends a microphone OFF command signal to the other Web conference application. [Appendix 5] In the above Web conferencing system, If the Web conference server cannot find a Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, it searches for a Web conference application of another information terminal that is closer than a third distance that is longer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, and if such a Web conference application is found, it sends a microphone OFF command signal to this Web conference application. [Appendix 6] A Web conferencing server to which multiple information terminals, each running a Web conferencing application, can connect via a network. The Web conference server includes: A receiving unit configured to receive location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; A calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and A transmitter configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals. Includes. The receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals. The transmitting unit is further configured, when the receiving unit receives a microphone ON signal from a Web conferencing application of at least one information terminal, to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conferencing application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. [Appendix 7] In the above Web conferencing server, The receiver is further configured to receive a feedback detection signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals. The transmitting unit is further configured, when the receiving unit receives a howling detection signal, to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to a Web conferencing application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal of the Web conferencing application that transmitted the howling detection signal. [Appendix 8] The above Web conference determines that the information terminal having the Web conference application that sent the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the Web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and when a microphone ON signal is received from one Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is sent to the other Web conference application. [Appendix 9] If the Web conferencing server cannot find a Web conferencing application of another information terminal that is located closer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, it searches for a Web conferencing application of another information terminal that is closer than a third distance that is longer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, and if such a Web conferencing application is found, it sends a microphone off command signal to this Web conferencing application. [Appendix 10] A method for controlling a Web conferencing server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which runs a Web conferencing application, can be connected via a network. The control method includes: (The Web conference server) receives location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from the Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; (The Web conference server) calculates the distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and (When the Web conference server receives a microphone ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals,) it transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference applications of other information terminals located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. Includes. [Appendix 11] The above-mentioned control method for the Web conference server further includes: When the Web conference server receives a howling detection signal from one of the Web conference applications, it transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the one of the Web conference applications and has its microphone ON. Includes. [Appendix 12] The above-mentioned control method for the Web conference server further includes: (The Web conference server) determines that the information terminal having the Web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the Web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and when it receives a microphone ON signal from one Web conference application, transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the other Web conference application. Includes. [Appendix 13] The above-mentioned control method for the Web conference server further includes: (When the Web conference server) does not find a Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, it searches for a Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than a third distance that is longer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, and if the Web conference application is found, it transmits a microphone off command signal to the Web conference application. Includes. [Appendix 14] A control program for a Web conferencing server to which multiple information terminals, each of which runs a Web conferencing application, can be connected via a network. The control program (the Web conference server) receives location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from the Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; (The Web conference server) calculates the distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and (The Web conference server) transmits a microphone-OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal when the Web conference server receives a microphone-ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals. to be executed by the computer. [Appendix 15] The control program of the above Web conference server further: (The Web conference server) transmits, when it receives a howling detection signal from one Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than a predetermined second distance from the information terminal having the one Web conference application and has its microphone ON. to have a computer execute Includes. [Appendix 16] The control program of the above Web conference server further: (The Web conference server) determines that the information terminal having the Web conference application that transmitted the howling detection signal and the information terminal having the Web conference application that received the microphone OFF command signal are located close to each other, and when the Web conference server receives a microphone ON signal from one of the Web conference applications, transmits a microphone OFF command signal to the other Web conference application. to have a computer execute Includes. [Appendix 17] The control program of the above Web conference server further: (The Web conference server) searches for a Web conference application of another information terminal that is located closer than the predetermined second distance and has its microphone turned on, and if the Web conference application is found, sends a microphone off command signal to the Web conference application. to have a computer execute Includes. [Appendix 18] A web conferencing application program that runs on an information terminal. The program for the Web conferencing application is A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal (own terminal) or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal (own terminal) and transmitting the acquired location information to a Web conference server; and When the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) is ON, if another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal (own terminal) receives a microphone OFF command signal from a Web conference server in order to transmit audio data, a process of turning off the microphone of the information terminal (own terminal) to be executed by the computer. [Appendix 19] The above Web conferencing application program further includes: (The Web conference application (or its own terminal)) acquires the location information of another information terminal instead of the location information of its own terminal, and transmits the location information to the Web conference server. to have a computer execute Includes. [Appendix 20] The above Web conferencing application program further includes: When the Web conference application (or its own terminal) detects feedback, the Web conference application transmits a feedback detection signal to the Web conference server. to have a computer execute Includes.

[0083] Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the scope of claims), modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible based on the basic technical ideas. Furthermore, within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art would be able to make based on the entire disclosure including the scope of claims and the technical ideas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 100 Web conferencing services 110 Web conference server 110a Receiving section 110b Arithmetic unit 110c Transmitter 110d Control section 120 Database Server 120a Transmitter / receiver 120b control unit 130 Terminal control setting means 140 Same area determination means 150 Web conferencing applications 150a~e Web conferencing applications 160 Information terminal 160a Location information acquisition unit 160b Storage unit (or memory) 160c transmitter / receiver 160d Feedback detection section 160e Microphone 160f speaker 160g Control section 200 Hardware Resources 201 Processor 202 Memory 203 Network Interface 204 Internal Bus

Claims

1. A Web conference system including a Web conference server and a plurality of Web conference applications each operating on a plurality of information terminals, each of the plurality of Web conference applications receives a conference participation operation signal, acquires location information of its own terminal, and transmits the acquired location information to the Web conference server; The Web conference server includes: Calculating a distance between the information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from one Web conference application, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal having the Web conference application. A web conferencing system characterized by the above.

2. The Web conference system according to claim 1, At least one of the plurality of Web conference applications acquires location information of another information terminal instead of location information of its own terminal, and transmits the location information to the Web conference server. A web conferencing system characterized by the above.

3. A Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which operates a Web conference application, can be connected via a network, The Web conference server includes: a receiving unit configured to receive location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; a calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a microphone OFF command signal to at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals; Including, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a microphone ON signal from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals; The transmission unit is further configured to, when the reception unit receives a microphone ON signal from the Web conference application of at least one information terminal, transmit a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A Web conference server comprising:

4. A method for controlling a Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which operates a Web conference application, can be connected via a network, comprising: receiving location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; Calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, a microphone OFF command signal is transmitted to the Web conference applications of other information terminals located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A control method comprising:

5. A control program for a Web conference server to which a plurality of information terminals, each of which operates a Web conference application, can be connected via a network, comprising: receiving location information of each of the plurality of information terminals from a Web conference application of the plurality of information terminals; A process of calculating a distance between each two of the plurality of information terminals based on the position information; and When a microphone ON signal is received from at least one of the Web conference applications of the plurality of information terminals, a process of transmitting a microphone OFF command signal to the Web conference application of another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal. A control program that causes a computer to execute the above.

6. A web conferencing application program that runs on an information terminal, A process of acquiring location information of the information terminal or another information terminal in response to a conference participation operation on the information terminal, and transmitting the acquired location information to a Web conference server; and When the microphone of the information terminal is ON, if another information terminal located closer than a predetermined first distance from the information terminal receives a microphone OFF command signal from a Web conference server in order to transmit voice data, the microphone of the information terminal is turned OFF. A Web conferencing application program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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