Patent ID: 6346963
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A multi-point video conference system comprising: a plurality of conference terminals; and distribution means connected to the plurality of said conference terminals for distributing video signals and audio signals outputted from said respective conference terminals to the plurality of said conference terminals, said distribution means comprising: measuring means for measuring speech times of the plurality of said conference terminals, respectively; selection means for selecting one of the plurality of said conference terminals, whose speech time is the longest, according to a result of the speech time measurement in said measuring means; judgement means for determining whether or not the longest speech time of said conference terminal selected by said selection means exceeds a threshold value; and simultaneous display means for simultaneously displaying a video signal from said one conference terminal on the plurality of said conference terminals as a single picture when the longest speech time exceeds the threshold value or simultaneously displaying video signals from the plurality of said conference terminals on the plurality of said conference terminals as a synthesized picture when the longest speech time is shorter than the threshold value.