Apparatus and method for managing online meetings - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for managing an online meeting.SOLUTION: A system architecture for use in bidirectional audio visual communication performed over a communication network, a communication apparatus 107 executes: a step S201 of sending an access request to a meeting control apparatus 103 providing control functions for an online meeting; a step S207 of generating a client ID after passing an authentication process executed according to the access request; a step S208 of sending a connection request including the client ID to the meeting control apparatus; and a step S210 of controlling, after connecting between the communication apparatus and the meeting control apparatus on the basis of the connection request, the online meeting by using the control functions provided by the meeting control apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 349,756, filed June 7, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Technical field) This disclosure relates generally to authentication used in two-way audiovisual communications conducted over a communications network. [Background technology]

[0003] Online conferencing services such as Teams, Zoom, and Skype are known. Typically, during an online conference using such a service, each attendee can join and leave the conference and use chat or other features provided by the online conferencing service.

[0004] In an online conference, it is convenient if control rights for controlling aspects of the online conference are assigned to a specific computer (e.g., a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone). In this way, a specific computer can perform conference management processes such as starting the conference, stopping the conference, managing attendees, and / or defining areas of interest that correspond to objects or surfaces available for viewing by conference participants. However, if there are many authorized computers with control rights for the same online conference, attendees may become confused. This may result in different control actions being performed and the conference may become disjointed and not function properly as a collaboration session between conference participants as intended. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A communication device is provided to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the communication device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions, which, when executed, are configured to: send an access request to a conference control device providing a control function of the online conference, generate a client ID after passing an authentication process performed according to the access request, send a connection request including the client ID to the conference control device, and control the online conference using a control function provided by the conference control device after connecting between the communication device and the conference control device based on the connection request.

[0006] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system architecture of the present disclosure.

[0008] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of the present invention.

[0009] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of the present invention.

[0010] [Figure 4A] 1 is a user interface display of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 is a user interface display of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] 1 is a user interface display of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a user interface display of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram detailing the hardware components of an apparatus for executing algorithms according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the described embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with illustrative and exemplary embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments described without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the individual configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present disclosure is applied. Therefore, the present disclosure is by no means limited to the following exemplary embodiments, and according to the drawings and embodiments described below, the described embodiments may be applied / performed in situations other than those described below as examples.

[0014] 1 illustrates a system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment. The system includes a camera 102, a conference controller 103, a server 104, a client computer A 105, a client computer B 106, and communication devices 107-109. The communication devices 107-109 may be laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, or another type of computer, and each of the communication devices 107-109 may be operated by a respective one of the attendees 110-112.

[0015] 1, a client A 105 and a client B 106 attend an online conference held in a conference room 101 via a communication network. In this embodiment, a camera 102, a conference control device 103, communication devices 107-109, attendees 110-112, a presenter 113, and whiteboards 114-115 may be present in the conference room 101, but this is not considered to be limiting. For example, the conference control device 103 may be located in the cloud.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing performed by the conference control device 103, the server 104, and the communication devices 107-108 according to an exemplary embodiment. The processing of the exemplary embodiment is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the process described with reference to FIG. 2 may be initiated in response to a trigger event detected by the communication device 107, whereby a user operation is detected and requests the use of one or more online conference control functions provided by the conference control device 103. In an exemplary embodiment, the process of FIG. 2 is initiated when a browser of the communication device 107 accesses a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and a particular image element on a web page is selected (e.g., clicked or tapped).

[0017] However, this is not considered limiting. For example, the operation with reference to FIG. 2 may be initiated by a predetermined hand gesture, voice control, or keyboard operation by a user of the communication device 107. Also, each step described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed by one of the conference control device 103, the server 104, and the communication devices 107 and 108. Each of these components includes an individual processing unit (e.g., one or more CPUs 601 such as those shown in the hardware block diagram of FIG. 6) that reads and executes a set of instructions such as a predetermined program stored in one or more memories (ROM 603). It should be noted that the conference control device 103 has logged in to the server 104 before starting the process of FIG. 2 in this embodiment, as indicated by S200.

[0018] In S201, the communication device 107 sends an access request to the conference control device 103 configured to provide a control function for an online conference. In S202, the conference control device 103 executes an authentication process for the communication device 107 to determine whether the communication device 107 is authorized to access the conference control device 103. In an exemplary embodiment, the conference control device 103 determines whether the user of the communication device 107 that sent the access request is present in the conference room 101 by using the camera 102, and if the conference control device 107 determines that the user is present in the conference room 101, the authentication by the conference control device 103 is determined to be successful. However, the authentication method is not considered to be limiting.

[0019] For example, the conference control device 103 may display the password on a display screen in the conference room 101, and if the password is correctly entered into the communication device 107, the authentication process may be determined to be successful. If the authentication process is successful, the process proceeds to the next step. In S203, the conference control device 103 generates an access code:XXX for the communication device 107. In S204, the access code:XXX is provided to the communication device 107. This access code:XXX is used by the communication device 107 to establish a connection with the conference control device 103.

[0020] In S205, when the communication device 107 receives the access code:XXX, it opens a predetermined user interface (hereinafter, this is called "Web UI") for controlling the online conference. In S206, the communication device 107 logs into the server 104 using the user ID:WebClient_{AccessCode:XXX}, and in S207, the communication device 107 generates a client ID:AAA. In other words, the communication device 107 generates a client ID after passing the authentication process performed by the conference control device 103 in S202.

[0021] In S208, the communication device 107 transmits a connection request to the conference control device 103 via the server 104 to establish a connection with the conference control device 103. The connection request includes an access code: XXX and a client ID: AAA. In S209, the conference control device 103 transmits a response to the communication device 107 via the server 104, and in this step, a connection between the conference control device 103 and the communication device 107 may be established.

[0022] After establishing a connection between the conference device 103 and the communication device 107, in S210, the communication device 107 may send a control signal based on a user operation on the conference control device 103 via the server 104 to control the online conference.

[0023] In S211, the conference controller 103 executes a control process according to a control signal from the communication device 107. In an exemplary embodiment, the conference controller 103 provides control functions including at least one of: (i) starting and / or stopping an online conference, (ii) adding and / or removing attendees from the online conference, (iii) zoom control for the camera 102 in the conference room 101, and (iv) adding, editing and / or removing an ROI (Region of Interest).

[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates a display screen 400 displayed by the communication device 107 in S208. The display screen 400 includes a start button 401, and when the attendee 110 clicks the start button 401, the communication device 107 transmits a control signal for starting the online conference to the conference control device 103. The conference control device 103 that receives the control signal executes a process for starting the online conference. More specifically, the conference control device 103 may detect a person from an image captured by the camera 102. As shown in FIG. 4B, the communication device 107 displays a display screen 400 including status information 402 that provides a status when starting the online conference. After starting the online conference, the communication device 107 displays a display screen 400 including a stop button for stopping the online conference, as shown in FIG. 4C. The display screen 400 illustrated by FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C is displayed according to a feedback signal from the conference control device 103 provided via the server 104 in S212.

[0025] In S213, another communication device 108 sends an access request to the conference controller 103, and in S214, the conference controller 103 starts an authentication process for the communication device 108. If the conference controller 103 determines that the communication device 108 passes the authentication process, in S215, the conference controller 103 determines whether the number of established connections reaches a threshold N. In an exemplary embodiment, the threshold N is 1, and the conference controller 103 currently has a connection with the communication device 107, therefore, in S215, the conference controller 103 determines that the number of connections reaches the threshold N, and the conference controller 103 sends a termination message to terminate the connection between the conference controller 103 and the communication device 107 in S216.

[0026] However, the above S214-S216 are not considered to be limiting. For example, the conference control device 103 may be able to reject the access request received in S213 if the conference control device 103 has N connections with other communication devices.

[0027] In S217, the conference control device 103 generates an access code: YYY, which is different from the access code: XXX, for the communication device 107. In S218, the access code: YYY is provided to the communication device 108. The access code: XXX is no longer valid, and the communication device 107 may not be able to control the online conference via the conference control device 103 after S217.

[0028] If the conference control device 103 determines in S215 that the number of connections has not reached the threshold N, the conference control device 103 may skip S216 and S217, and in S218, the access code: XXX may be sent to the communication device 108 so that the conference control device 103 can provide information to both the communication devices 107 and 108 using the same access code as necessary. In S219, upon receiving the access code: YYY, the communication device 108 opens a predetermined user interface (web UI) for controlling the online conference. In S220, the communication device 108 logs in to the server 104 using the user ID: WebClient_{AccessCode: YYY}.

[0029] In S221, the communication device 108 generates a client ID: BBB. In other words, the communication device 108 generates a client ID that is different from the client ID: AAA of the communication device 107.

[0030] In S222, the communication device 108 transmits a connection request to the conference control device 103 via the server 104 to establish a connection with the conference control device 103. The connection request includes an access code: YYY and a client ID: BBB. In S223, the conference control device 103 transmits a response to the communication device 108 via the server 104, and in this step, a connection between the conference control device 103 and the communication device 108 may be established.

[0031] After establishing a connection between the conference device 103 and the communication device 108, the communication device 108 may transmit a control signal based on a user operation on the conference control device 103 to control the online conference, in a manner similar to the description referring to S210 to S212.

[0032] When the threshold N is a value of 2 or more, the determination in S215 may be "No," and the conference control device 103 may have a connection with the communication device 107 and a connection with the communication device 108 at the same time in S223. In this case, if the conference control device 103 attempts to send a message to both the communication devices 107 and 108, the conference control device 103 sends a message with a target "User ID=WebClient_{AccessCode:XXX}". Since the user IDs of the communication devices 107 and 108 are the same, the message is provided to both the communication devices 107 and 108.

[0033] On the other hand, if the conference control device 103 wishes to send a message to a specific communication device 107 among the connected communication devices 107 and 108, the conference control device 103 sends the message with the target "Client ID: AAA." Because the client IDs of the communication devices 107 and 108 are different from each other, the conference control device 103 can use the client ID to send a message to the specific communication device.

[0034] When the threshold N is a value equal to or greater than 2 and the conference control device 103 determines in S215 that the number of connections has reached the threshold N, the conference control device 103 may generate another access code different from the existing access code to terminate all existing connections. More specifically, in a situation where the threshold N is 2, the conference control device 103 executes as follows. (i) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the first communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (ii) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the second communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (iii) The conference controller 103 issues an access code: YYY to establish a connection with the third communication device and terminate the connections with the first and second communication devices.

[0035] However, this is not considered limiting. For example, the conference controller 103 may be able to terminate the connection with the oldest communication device and keep the existing access code. In this example, the conference controller 103 performs the following in a situation where the threshold N is 2: (i) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the first communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (ii) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the second communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (iii) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with a third communication device and terminates the connection with the first communication device by sending a termination message to the first communication device. The conference controller 103 maintains the existing access code:XXX so that the second communication device can continue to control the online conference through the conference controller 103 .

[0036] As another alternative, the conference control device 103 may be able to reject an access request from a new communication device if the conference control device 103 determines in S215 that the number of connections has reached the threshold N. In this example, the conference control device 103 performs the following in a situation where the threshold N is 2: (i) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the first communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (ii) The conference control device 103 establishes a connection with the second communication device and issues an access code: XXX. (iii) The conference controller 103 refuses to establish a connection with the third communication device and maintains the existing access code:XXX.

[0037] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of the conference controller 103, the server 104, and the clients A 105 and B 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the client A 105 and the client B 106 are located outside the conference room 101 and attend an online conference through a communication network. In an exemplary embodiment, the process described with reference to Figure 3 may be started in response to an instruction to start an online conference by clicking the start button 401 in Figure 4A. It should be noted that, as indicated by S300, before starting the process of Figure 3 in this embodiment, the conference controller 103 has logged in to the server 104.

[0038] In S301, the conference controller 103 identifies users (e.g., user names) to be invited to the online conference. In an exemplary embodiment, there are several options for identifying users to be invited to the online conference, such as (i) an operator of the conference controller 103 inputs a user name into the conference controller 103, (ii) a user of the communication device 107 that has established a connection with the conference controller 103 inputs a user name into the communication device 107 and provides the user name to the conference controller 103, and / or (iii) the conference controller 103 performs a face recognition process on faces detected from an image captured by the camera 102 to identify user names located in the conference room 101.

[0039] In S302, the conference controller 103 sends an online conference invitation to the client A 105 if the username A corresponding to the client A 105 is identified in S301. The online conference invitation includes specific identification information (hereinafter, this is referred to as a "conference ID") that may be used by the client A 105 to establish a connection with the conference controller 103. It should be noted that the format of the conference ID may be the same as the format of the access code.

[0040] In S303, the client A 105 receiving the online conference invitation may display a new window including predetermined information (e.g., a URL or a join button) for joining the online conference. If the user of the client A 105 clicks (or taps) the predetermined information, in S304, the client A 105 may log in to the server 104 using the user ID. After logging in, the client A 105 generates a client ID: CCC in S305.

[0041] In S306, the client A 105 sends a connection request to establish a connection with the conference controller 103 via the server 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection request includes a conference ID and a client ID.

[0042] In S307, the conference control device 103 determines whether to establish a connection with the client A 105 based on the conference ID and the client ID: CCC included in the connection request. If the conference control device 103 determines that the connection is to be established, in S307, the conference control device 103 transmits a notification to notify the client A 105 of the establishment of the connection via the server 104. The notification includes a token, and in S308, the client A 105 includes the token in a video request sent to the video server to start receiving one or more video streams of the online conference.

[0043] 5 illustrates an online conference window 500 displayed in S308 of an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the online conference window 500 includes a single-view indicator 501, a two-view indicator 502, a three-view indicator 503, video icons 504-508, and an exit button 509.

[0044] When the single-view indicator 501 is selected by a user, the display area 511 may display one video as shown in FIG. 5. In the present exemplary embodiment, when the two-view indicator 502 is selected, two videos may be displayed in the display area 511, and when the three-view indicator 503 is selected, three videos may be displayed in the display area 511. The user of the client A 105 may choose any indicator from the indicators 501-503 to lay out the online conference window 500.

[0045] Additionally, a user of client 105 may select one or more video icons from among ROI icon 504, whiteboard icon A 505, whiteboard icon B 506, presenter icon 507, and conference room icon 508 located in menu area 510. In the current exemplary embodiment, the selection is performed by dragging and dropping the video icon from menu area 510 to display area 511.

[0046] In S309, when the conference control device 103 identifies a new attendee to invite to the online conference, it sends an online conference invitation to the client B 106. The online conference invitation includes the same conference ID as the conference ID described in S302. According to a user operation on the online conference invitation, the client B 106 logs in to the server 104 in S311, and the client B 106 generates a client ID: DDD in S312.

[0047] In S313, the client B 106 transmits a connection request to establish a connection with the conference control device 103 via the server 104. The connection request includes a conference ID and a client ID: DDD. In S314, the conference control device 103 determines whether to establish a connection with the client B 106 based on the conference ID and the client ID: DDD included in the connection request. If the conference control device 103 determines that the connection is to be established, in S314, the conference control device 103 transmits a notification to the client B 106 via the server 104 to notify the client B 106 of the establishment of the connection. The notification includes a token, and the client B 106 includes the token in a video request transmitted to the video server to start receiving one or more video streams of the online conference in S315.

[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates hardware representing any of the camera 102, the conference control device 103, the server 104, and the communication devices 107-109 that may be used in implementing the above disclosure. The device includes a CPU 601, a RAM 602, a ROM 603, an input unit, an external interface, and an output unit. The CPU 601 controls the device by using a computer program (one or more series of stored instructions executable by the CPU 601) and data stored in the RAM 602 or the ROM 603. Here, the device may include one or more dedicated hardware or a graphic processing unit (GPU) different from the CPU 601, and the GPU or dedicated hardware may execute a part of the process by the CPU 601. Examples of dedicated hardware include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. The RAM 602 temporarily stores the computer program or data read from the ROM 603, data supplied from the outside via the external interface, and the like. The ROM 603 stores computer programs and data that do not need to be changed and can control the basic operation of the device. The input unit includes, for example, a joystick, a jog dial, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and receives user operations and inputs various commands to the CPU 601. The external interface communicates with external devices such as a PC, a smartphone, a camera, etc. The communication with the external device may be performed by a local area network (LAN) cable, a serial digital interface (SDI) cable, a WiFi connection, etc., or may be performed wirelessly via an antenna. The output unit includes, for example, a display unit such as a display and an audio output unit such as a speaker, and displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and outputs a guide sound so that the user can operate the device as necessary.

[0049] The scope of the present disclosure includes non-transitory computer-readable media that store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more embodiments of the invention described herein. Examples of computer-readable media include hard disks, floppy disks, magneto-optical disks (MOs), compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk recordables (CD-Rs), CD re-writables (CD-RWs), digital versatile disk ROMs (DVD-ROMs), DVD-RAMs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs. Computer-executable instructions may also be provided to a computer-readable storage medium by being downloaded over a network.

[0050] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of this disclosure describing one or more aspects of the disclosure (particularly in the context of the claims below) should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprises," "has," "includes," and "comprises" should be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to"), unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein is intended only to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually set forth herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended only to better illuminate the subject matter disclosed herein and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any disclosure that may derive from this disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential.

[0051] It will be understood that the present disclosure can be incorporated in the form of various embodiments, only a few of which are disclosed herein. Variations of these embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure and any inventions derived therefrom include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A communication device for controlling an online conference, the communication device comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories that store instructions; When the instructions are executed, the one or more processors: sending an access request to a conference control device that provides a control function for the online conference; generating a client ID after passing an authentication process performed according to said access request; sending a connection request including the client ID to the conference control device; controlling the online conference using the control functionality provided by the conference controller after establishing a connection between the communication device and the conference controller based on the connection request; A communication device configured to perform the following:

2. 2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further comprise: configured to receive an access code from the conference controller after passing the authentication process; The connection request includes the access code and the client ID.

3. 2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further comprise: configured to log in to the server using a user ID different from the client ID; The connection request is sent to the conference control device via the server.

4. 4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the user ID of the communication device is the same as a user ID of another communication device accessing the conference control device.

5. 5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the client ID of the communication device and the client ID of the other communication device are different.

6. 2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the control functions for the online conference provided by the conference control device include at least one of: (i) starting and / or stopping the online conference; (ii) adding and / or removing attendees from the online conference; (iii) zoom control for a camera in a conference room; and (iv) adding, editing, and / or removing areas of interest.

7. 1. A conference control device providing a control function for an online conference, the conference control device comprising: One or more processors one or more memories that store instructions; When the instructions are executed, the one or more processors: receiving an access request from a communication device; responsive to the access request, performing an authentication process for the communication device; receiving a connection request from the communication device after the communication device has passed the authentication process; controlling the online conference based on control signals received from the communication device via a connection between the conference control device and the communication device established based on the connection request; A conference control device configured to:

8. 8. The conference control device of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed, further comprise: performing the authentication process for another communication device in response to receiving an access request from the other communication device after establishing the connection between the conference control device and the communication device; terminating the connection between the conference controller and the communication device if the other communication device passes the authentication process; The conference control device is configured to:

9. 9. The conference control device of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed, further comprise: providing an access code to the other communication device if the other communication device passes the authentication process; establishing a connection between the conference control device and the other communication device in response to receiving a connection request including the access code from the other communication device, such that the control for the online conference is performed by a control signal from the other communication device; The conference control device is configured to:

10. 1. A communication method for controlling an online conference, the communication method comprising: sending an access request to a conference control device that provides a control function for the online conference; generating a client ID after passing an authentication process performed according to said access request; sending a connection request including the client ID to the conference control device; and controlling the online conference using a control function provided by the conference control device connected based on the connection request.

11. 11. The communication method according to claim 10, receiving an access code from the conference controller after passing the authentication process; The communication method, wherein the connection request includes the access code and the client ID.

12. 11. The communication method according to claim 10, further comprising logging into the server using a user ID that is different from the client ID; The connection request is sent to the conference control device via the server.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user ID of a communication device is the same as a user ID of another communication device accessing the conference control device.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the client ID of the communication device and the client ID of the other communication device are different.

15. 11. The communication method of claim 10, wherein the control functions for the online conference provided by the conference controller include at least one of: (i) starting and / or stopping the online conference; (ii) adding and / or removing attendees from the online conference; (iii) zoom control for a camera in a conference room; and (iv) adding, editing and / or removing areas of interest.

16. 1. A control method for controlling an online conference, the control method comprising: receiving an access request from a communication device; responsive to the access request, performing an authentication process for the communication device; receiving a connection request from the communication device after the communication device has passed the authentication process; and controlling the online conference based on a control signal received from the communication device via a connection between the conference control device and the communication device established based on the connection request.

17. 17. The control method of claim 16, performing the authentication process for another communication device in response to receiving an access request from the other communication device after establishing the connection between the conference control device and the communication device; If the other communication device passes the authentication process, terminating the connection between the conference controller and the communication device.

18. 18. A control method according to claim 17, comprising: providing an access code to the other communication device if the other communication device passes the authentication process; The control method further includes establishing a connection between the conference control device and the other communication device in response to receiving a connection request including the access code from the other communication device, such that the control for the online conference is performed by a control signal from the other communication device.

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