Conference system

Abstract

To make it possible to simultaneously hold a plurality of meetings that use a virtual space.SOLUTION: A conference system (100) for holding a plurality of conferences in a real space where a plurality of wireless communication environments are provided includes communication means (1) for providing the plurality of wireless communication environments, and display means (2) for displaying common content in a shared virtual space to conference participants who connect to the same wireless communication environment among the plurality of wireless communication environments.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conference system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the need to hold conferences using virtual spaces has been increasing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Under such circumstances, it would be very convenient if the limited conference space in a building could be effectively utilized to hold multiple conferences for multiple participants simultaneously, and a virtual space could be used for each conference. However, there is no literature that discloses a technology for realizing such a conference.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to enable multiple conferences using virtual spaces to be held simultaneously.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a conference system according to one aspect of the present invention is a conference system for conducting multiple conferences in a real space where multiple wireless communication environments are provided, and includes communication means for providing multiple wireless communication environments, and display means for displaying common content in a shared virtual space for conference participants connected to the same wireless communication environment among the multiple wireless communication environments.

[0007] According to the above configuration, multiple wireless communication environments are provided in the real world via communication means, and a different virtual space can be constructed for each wireless communication environment. The constructed virtual space is presented to each conference participant using the same wireless communication environment via a display means and shared among conference participants using the same wireless communication environment. This makes it possible to conduct multiple conferences using different virtual spaces simultaneously in the real world. As a result, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the limited space of the real world and hold multiple diverse conferences using virtual spaces simultaneously. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to hold multiple meetings simultaneously using a virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the outline of a conference system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of an individual meeting space in a meeting system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of how the virtual space shared among meeting participants is displayed. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a pattern applied to a tracking sheet laid out in a meeting space. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment 1] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0011] <Overview of Conference System 100> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the conference system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the conference system 100 is a system that manages conferences held in each of the conference spaces in a real space equipped with multiple conference spaces. Here, the conferences managed by the conference system 100 can be any conference in which multiple people communicate according to a predetermined purpose or agenda, and include, for example, meetings, discussions, seminars, lectures, etc. Furthermore, the conferences managed by the conference system 100 may also be conferences held in educational institutions.

[0012] The real-world space is assumed to be a facility or building with a finite area, such as an educational institution like a school, a company, or other public space. The real-world space includes multiple spaces equipped with the function of holding meetings (hereinafter referred to as "meeting spaces"). Each meeting space may be a closed space with partitions such as walls, windows, or partitions on all sides, or it may be an open space with no partitions on at least part of its surroundings. Furthermore, meeting spaces may be permanent or temporary spaces. Furthermore, meeting spaces may be indoors or outdoors. For example, meeting spaces may be set up on the grounds of an educational institution. In this case, multiple meeting spaces (for example, the first to third meeting spaces shown in Figure 1) may be set up on the grounds of the educational institution. Specific examples of meeting spaces include classrooms where lectures or seminars are held, conference rooms, and meeting booths. Furthermore, the size of the meeting spaces may be flexibly changed by changing the position of partitions, expanding or shrinking partitions, etc.

[0013] <Configuration of Conference System 100> The conference system 100 is a conference system for conducting multiple conferences in a real space where multiple wireless communication environments are provided. As shown in Figure 1, the conference system 100 includes a communication means 1 that provides multiple wireless communication environments, and a display means 2 that displays common content in a shared virtual space for conference participants who are connected to the same wireless communication environment.

[0014] According to the above configuration, multiple wireless communication environments are provided in the real world via communication means. A different virtual space is constructed for each provided wireless communication environment. The constructed virtual space is presented to each conference participant using the same wireless communication environment via a display means and is shared among conference participants using the same wireless communication environment.

[0015] This makes it possible to conduct multiple meetings using different virtual spaces simultaneously in real-world locations (for example, educational institutions such as schools, companies, and meeting facilities set up in public spaces). In other words, multiple meeting spaces can be flexibly constructed in real-world locations according to the size or purpose of the meetings, allowing for effective use of real-world space. As a result, it becomes possible to hold multiple diverse meetings using virtual spaces simultaneously in meeting facilities with limited space, thereby improving the convenience of the facilities.

[0016] Multiple wireless communication environments provided in the real world may be, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication environments. Communication means 1 may be, for example, a wireless communication access point, and more specifically, a Wi-Fi access point, or a Wi-Fi router equipped with a Wi-Fi access point. Communication means 1 may consist of one wireless communication access point, or it may consist of multiple wireless communication access points.

[0017] As an example, a WiFi router whose directionality can be adjusted by changing the orientation of its antenna may be used as communication means 1. By adjusting the orientation of the antenna of communication means 1 so that it can transmit radio waves toward a meeting space at a specific location, interference of wireless radio waves in multiple meeting spaces can be avoided.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, one wireless communication access point may be provided as the communication means 1 in association with a plurality of conference spaces. In this case, the communication means 1 may provide a plurality of wireless communication environments by using a plurality of communication channels according to each of the plurality of wireless communication environments. As an example, the communication means 1 may allocate channel 1 to the first conference space and provide the first wireless communication environment for the first conference space, allocate channel 11 to the second conference space and provide the second wireless communication environment for the second conference space. Then, the communication means 1 may allocate channel 6 to the third conference space and provide the third wireless communication environment for the third conference space.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the communication means 1 constructs one wireless communication environment with one communication channel. By switching the plurality of communication channels of the communication means 1, it is possible to provide a plurality of wireless communication environments in the real space. Thereby, since different communication channels can be allocated for each conference space, problems such as crosstalk and radio wave interference of communication devices used in different conferences can be reduced.

[0020] In another example, the communication means 1 may be a plurality of wireless communication access points. In this case, one or more different wireless communication access points are associated with each of the conference spaces. For example, the first wireless communication access point associated with the first conference space provides the first wireless communication environment for the first conference space, the second wireless communication access point associated with the second conference space provides the second wireless communication environment for the second conference space. Then, the third wireless communication access point associated with the third conference space provides the third wireless communication environment for the third conference space.

[0021] According to the above configuration, one or more different wireless communication access points (for example, WiFi access points) are associated with each of the conference spaces allocated to one conference. Thereby, a plurality of wireless communication environments can be realized and different wireless communication environments can be provided for each conference.

[0022] As an example, 60GHz Wi-Fi may be used to realize the wireless communication environment provided by communication method 1. Because 60GHz radio waves have high directivity and are less likely to spread widely across multiple conference spaces, adopting 60GHz radio waves can reduce problems such as interference and radio wave interference. Furthermore, 60GHz Wi-Fi enables high-capacity communication and is suitable for conferences using virtual spaces.

[0023] Display means 2 is an output device that visually presents the virtual space shared in the meeting to meeting participants present in the meeting space. Display means 2 is equipped with a communication function and receives various data necessary for rendering the virtual space from an external data provider via communication means 1, and presents the virtual space to meeting participants as visualization data. Alternatively, display means 2 may read various data necessary for rendering the virtual space stored locally in its built-in memory, convert it into visualization data, and present it to meeting participants. As shown in Figure 1, display means 2 may be provided to each meeting participant, and meeting participants can view the virtual space through the display means 2 they are using.

[0024] In the illustrated example, each display means 2 using the first wireless communication environment in the first conference space is provided with a first virtual space where a virtual object d1 is placed. This allows the first virtual space and the virtual object d1 (common content) within the first virtual space to be shared among conference participants using the display means 2 in the first conference space. Each display means 2 using the second wireless communication environment is provided with a second virtual space. This allows the second virtual space and the virtual objects within the second virtual space to be shared among conference participants using the display means 2 in the second conference space. Each display means 2 using the third wireless communication environment is provided with a third virtual space. This allows the third virtual space and the virtual objects within the third virtual space to be shared among conference participants using the display means 2 in the third conference space.

[0025] The conference system 100 may include a conference management device (not shown) that communicates with display means 2 for each conference participant via communication means 1. The conference management device may have, as a first function, a function to manage the correspondence between the data of the virtual space used for each conference and the constructed wireless communication environment (e.g., WiFi channel). The conference management device may also identify the data of the virtual space to be provided to the display means 2 depending on which wireless communication environment the display means 2 is using. Such a conference management device can be realized, for example, by installing a program on a computer that causes the computer to execute (1) a process for managing the data of the virtual space (data used in the conference) and (2) a process for automatically managing the WiFi channel assigned to the conference space corresponding to the data.

[0026] As an example, display means 2 may superimpose and display common content from the virtual space onto an object in the real space. The common content is, for example, a virtual object d1 placed in the virtual space. In this case, display means 2 can be any user interface device used in technologies that merge the real world and the virtual world to create a new experience for conference participants, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and substitutional reality (SR). For example, display means 2 may be a head-mounted display such as XR (Extended Reality) goggles or an XR headset. Alternatively, display means 2 may be a projector that displays holograms.

[0027] According to the above configuration, some of the physical resources that should be shared in a meeting can be replaced with virtual objects. This makes it easier to prepare the environment for the meeting and increases the freedom of designing the meeting space. Furthermore, common content within the virtual space, i.e., virtual objects, can be superimposed on the physical resources (objects in the real space) actually deployed in the meeting space. As a result, meeting participants present in the meeting space can perceive and recognize all the resources that should be shared as if they were actually present before their eyes, allowing them to participate in the meeting with a sense of reality.

[0028] In other examples, the display means 2 may consist of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. Specifically, it may be a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer operated individually by each meeting participant. Each meeting participant can recognize that virtual objects are placed in the virtual space based on the content displayed on their smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer.

[0029] <Example of meeting space configuration> Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of multiple meeting spaces provided in real space. As shown in Figure 2, multiple meeting spaces 11, meeting space 12, ... are provided in real space. In the illustrated example, two meeting spaces, meeting space 11 and meeting space 12, are provided in the real space indicated by the dashed lines, but other meeting spaces may also be provided behind these meeting spaces.

[0030] (Partitioning material) In this embodiment, the conference system 100 may further include partition members that divide the real space into multiple conference spaces (multiple spaces). Furthermore, in the conference system 100, a wireless communication environment may be provided for each of the multiple conference spaces separated by the partition members.

[0031] According to the above configuration, meeting participants can visually recognize the extent of the meeting space where their meeting is taking place through the partitioning elements. Furthermore, by being within this visually recognized meeting space, participants can intuitively understand that they will receive virtual video footage corresponding to their meeting via the wireless communication environment assigned to that space. Additionally, the visual recognition of a single meeting space through the partitioning elements fosters a sense of unity among the meeting participants belonging to that partitioned space, as if they are conducting a single meeting.

[0032] Partition members are not limited to those that physically separate at least one of the top, side, and floor boundaries of a space. Partition members may include any member that can make at least one boundary visually recognizable to meeting participants.

[0033] In other examples, frames formed by combining elongated rod-shaped members may be placed on the ceiling, wall, or floor to visually represent the ceiling, wall, or floor. Such rod-shaped members and frames formed by combining them are also included in partition members.

[0034] In yet another example, a rug with a color or pattern indicating a single meeting space area may be placed on the floor, or markings may be applied to indicate the boundary of the meeting space area. Such rugs and markings are also included as partitioning members. In yet another example, curtains may be hung from the ceiling to serve as the side boundary of the meeting space. Curtains are also included as partitioning members.

[0035] For example, the partitioning member may be a partition 22. By using a partition that physically separates at least one of the top boundary, side boundary, and floor boundary of the space, a more clearly enclosed space can be realized as a meeting space.

[0036] According to the specific example shown in Figure 2, the partition member may be a partition 22 that separates the side boundary of the meeting space.

[0037] Multiple marks may be formed on the partition 22 such that adjacent marks are separated by a predetermined pitch. For example, the partition 22 may be a perforated partition with holes arranged regularly at equal intervals on the wall surface, and can be used as an auxiliary member for spatial recognition. For example, when video of the meeting space is captured by a camera or other shooting mechanism, the holes of the partition 22 will be reflected in the obtained image, so meeting participants can more accurately grasp the positional relationships of themselves, other meeting participants, and objects based on the obtained image. Alternatively, the partition 22 may have a regular pattern such as a grid instead of regularly arranged holes. Such patterns are also effective for perceiving depth.

[0038] The partition 22 may be configured to allow for free rearrangement, changing its position, width, height, etc.

[0039] Partition 22 may be configured to accommodate a display 24 that can be viewed by meeting participants. Partition 22 may also be configured to allow attachment of paper materials such as posters, documents, and memos. The display 24 may display materials shared by meeting participants, or it may display video from the perspective of any of the meeting participants, or from the perspective of all participants.

[0040] Furthermore, the partition 22 may be made of a material that shields radio waves. This prevents radio waves from different wireless communication environments used in other nearby conference spaces from entering the conference space enclosed by the partition 22. In other words, the partition 22 can be applied as a wireless adjustment member, as described later, to partition the radio waves so that different wireless communication environments can be used in each conference space.

[0041] (Synchronization member) In this embodiment, the conference system 100 may have a synchronization member in the real space that synchronizes the position in the virtual space with the position in the real space.

[0042] Synchronization elements marked with identical symbols at regular, even intervals are installed on the top, sides, and floor of the meeting space, allowing the position within the virtual space to be synchronized with the position in the real space. This provides meeting participants with a more immersive and realistic meeting experience, where the real and virtual spaces are merged.

[0043] As an example, the synchronization member may be a tracking sheet 23. As shown in Figure 4, the upper surface of the tracking sheet 23 may have the same marks or patterns applied regularly at equal intervals. In other examples, the synchronization member may be, for example, a perforated board or a grid wall such as a partition 22.

[0044] Furthermore, floor coverings such as tracking sheets 23 can also function as partitions to visually indicate the boundaries of a single meeting space to meeting participants.

[0045] (Wireless adjustment component) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conference system 100 may include a radio wave irradiation panel 21 as a radio adjustment member for adjusting the wireless communication environment. The radio wave irradiation panel 21 may be installed, for example, on the ceiling surface of the real space. The radio wave irradiation panel 21 emits radio waves transmitted by the communication means 1 from directly above the conference space toward the conference space below, on the channel assigned to that conference space. This makes it possible to suppress interference or attenuation of radio waves.

[0046] For example, the radio wave irradiation panel 21 may be a sheet-like wireless adjustment member that can be installed on a flat surface. More specifically, the radio wave irradiation panel 21 may be a wireless adjustment member such as LANSheet®, which is a two-dimensional LAN system capable of constructing a WiFi environment targeting only a specific conference space. By employing such a radio wave irradiation panel 21, radio waves can be partitioned so that different wireless communication environments can be used in each conference space.

[0047] As described above, in the real space shown by the dashed line, not only are there two meeting spaces, meeting space 11 and meeting space 12, but there may also be meeting spaces behind these meeting spaces. Therefore, for example, one radio wave irradiation panel 21 may be configured to cover a total of four meeting spaces as the range to which radio waves are transmitted: the two meeting spaces, meeting space 11 and meeting space 12, and the meeting spaces behind each of them.

[0048] Furthermore, if the area of ​​each conference space is changed by rearranging the partitions 22, the conference system 100 can change the range (mesh range) of the radio waves to match the change.

[0049] For example, within one wireless radio wave irradiation panel 21, four WiFi access points are installed as communication means 1, and each WiFi access point provides a wireless communication environment to each of the four conference spaces mentioned above.

[0050] Now, let's assume that the partition 22 separating meeting space 11 and meeting space 12 is removed, and the two meeting spaces 11 and 12 are merged and treated as a single meeting space. In this case, the meeting management device may re-assign the WiFi access point's SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​to the display means 2 for each meeting participant taking part in the meeting held in the merged meeting space. Specifically, the meeting management device assigns the SSID of all or any of the four WiFi access points that were responsible for meeting spaces 11 and 12 to the display means 2 for meeting participants in the merged meeting space. In this way, the meeting management device can identify and change the range of the radio waves in accordance with changes in the layout of the meeting space, such as rearranging the partition 22.

[0051] If a single WiFi access point covers multiple meeting spaces by switching communication channels, the meeting management device reassigns the communication channels to each meeting space after the layout change to avoid overlap. The meeting management device then instructs the display means 2 for each meeting participant to connect to the WiFi access point using the reassigned communication channel.

[0052] (modified version) In other embodiments, the conference system 100 includes a conference management device (not shown) as described above, which may have a second function: managing the correspondence between the wireless communication environment and the display means 2 of each conference participant. The conference management device may identify which conference space a conference participant wearing the display means 2 is in and determine which wireless communication environment to provide to that display means 2.

[0053] For example, a meeting management system can provide each meeting participant with a user interface (UI) for starting or joining meetings using a virtual space.

[0054] First, the conference management device may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows each conference participant to operate the virtual conference settings screen or the general web conference settings screen using the display means 2 (such as a headset). This allows each conference participant to operate the display means 2 and register as a user in advance of a conference that has been established (hereinafter referred to as conference 1). The conference management device may also accept registration of the display means 2 that the user will use at the time of user registration. For example, the conference management device can manage a user ID that identifies a user and a terminal ID of the display means 2 that the user will use by linking them together.

[0055] Next, in meeting body 1, a meeting participant logs in to the meeting using display means 2. When the meeting management device receives the login operation, it may push the settings for the WiFi communication environment that the display means 2 of the meeting participant should use to the display means 2, and switch the WiFi access point (communication means 1). In another example, when the meeting management device receives the login operation of a meeting participant, it may notify the display means 2 of the meeting participant of the channel corresponding to meeting body 1, and switch the channel.

[0056] <Example of virtual space display> Figure 3 shows an example of how the virtual space shared among meeting participants is displayed in each meeting space.

[0057] As described above, for example, each conference participant can wear XR goggles as display means 2. To explain with a specific example, the XR goggles worn by a conference participant in the first conference space receive a first wireless communication environment from communication means 1 and receive data necessary for rendering the first virtual space from a data providing device (not shown). The XR goggles can display virtual objects placed in the first virtual space superimposed on physical objects actually deployed in the first conference space. As a result, conference participants can perceive the physical objects that actually exist in the conference space and the virtual objects displayed superimposed on them as if they were present together in the conference space.

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 3, the meeting space 11 is equipped with real physical objects: a car seat 13 and a model engine 14 mounted on a cart. The model engine 14 is mounted on a cart and may be freely moved within the meeting space 11.

[0059] The display means 2 for meeting participants in meeting space 11 is provided with a first wireless communication environment constructed in meeting space 11, and therefore, data of the first virtual space corresponding to the first wireless communication environment is provided via the communication means 1.

[0060] The display means 2 processes the data of the first virtual space received via the communication means 1, renders the first virtual space with the car body 15 as a virtual object placed at predetermined coordinates, and outputs it to the screen provided on the display means 2. As a result, meeting participants wearing the display means 2 can see the virtual object car body 15 superimposed on the real object car seat 13, as shown in Figure 3.

[0061] The virtual object may include not only the vehicle body 15, but also windows or callouts containing text information, and these windows or callouts may be placed and rendered together with the vehicle body 15 in the first virtual space. This allows meeting participants to view the vehicle body 15 along with detailed information related to it.

[0062] For example, one possible use case is for a meeting participant to move from meeting space 11 to meeting space 12 to join another meeting. If a meeting participant wants to join another meeting from the meeting they are currently participating in, for example, the meeting participant can operate the display means 2 to log back into the meeting management device. When the meeting participant selects another meeting to join, the meeting management device pushes the settings for the WiFi communication environment corresponding to that other meeting to the display means 2. This causes the meeting management device to switch the connection of the display means 2 to the WiFi access point corresponding to that other meeting. As a result, for example, a meeting participant who was viewing the vehicle 15 in meeting space 11 can move to meeting space 12, rejoin the meeting being held in meeting space 12, and view the virtual kitchen object in meeting space 12. In this way, the meeting system 100 of this disclosure allows for comfortable meetings to be held without interference with radio waves from other meetings.

[0063] <Effects> As described above, the configuration of the conference system 100 according to this embodiment makes it possible to conduct multiple conferences using different virtual spaces simultaneously in the real world. In other words, multiple conference spaces can be flexibly constructed in the real world according to the scale or purpose of the conference, making effective use of the real world. As a result, it becomes possible to hold multiple diverse conferences using virtual spaces simultaneously in conference facilities with limited space, thereby improving the convenience of the facility.

[0064] If the conference system 100 according to this embodiment is applied, for example, to a conference facility in an educational institution such as a school, more educators and students will be able to participate in a variety of conferences, lectures, seminars, and other events using virtual space. Such effects will contribute to achieving goals such as Goal 4 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Quality Education for All."

[0065] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the communication means 1 and the display means 2 (hereinafter referred to as "the device") can be realized by a program that causes the device to function as a computer, and by a program that causes the computer to function as each control block of the device.

[0066] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0067] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0068] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0069] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Means of communication 2 Display means 21. Wireless radio wave irradiation panel 22 Partition (Dividing component) 23. Tracking sheet (synchronization member) 100 Conference Systems

Claims

1. A conferencing system for conducting multiple meetings in a real space where multiple wireless communication environments are provided, Communication means for providing the aforementioned multiple wireless communication environments, A conference system characterized by comprising a display means for displaying common content in a shared virtual space for conference participants connected to the same wireless communication environment among the aforementioned multiple wireless communication environments.

2. The conference system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means provides the plurality of wireless communication environments by using a plurality of communication channels according to each of the plurality of wireless communication environments.

3. The conference system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is a plurality of wireless communication access points.

4. The conference system according to claim 1, wherein the display means is capable of superimposing and displaying the common content in the virtual space onto an object in the real space.

5. The aforementioned real space is further provided with partition members that divide it into multiple spaces, The conference system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication environment is provided for each of the multiple spaces separated by the partition member.

6. The conference system according to claim 5, wherein the partitioning member is a partition.

7. The conference system according to claim 1, wherein a synchronization member is provided in the real space to synchronize the position in the virtual space with the position in the real space.

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