Patent Abstract:
A system for conducting a meeting which includes at least one control system, and a plurality of microphones configured to transmit an activation request to the control system. The control system generates an activation sequence for the microphones based on at least one activation request transmitted by a user for at least one of the microphones. The control system selectively activates each microphone for which an activation request has been transmitted. The selective activation occurs according to the generated activation sequence. One or more cameras may also be included for capturing video images of the users speaking into the microphones.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a system for conducting a meeting, and more particularly providing an orderly news conference or meeting.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Audio and video systems are used in a wide variety of situations. Generally, audio and video systems with recording functions are used to capture the sounds and images of a particular event. One example of a particular event where audio and video systems are used to record the event is a news conference.  
         [0005]     Generally, conducting a news conference requires expensive and bulky multimedia equipment such as a great number of cameras, camera stands, microphones, recording equipment, and display equipment. A support staff is typically needed to operate the multimedia equipment. In addition to the support staff, news conferences typically include a plurality of reporters from television stations, newspaper magazines, and radio stations. Combining all of these people and multimedia equipment into the same room where the news conference is conducted can lead to a disorderly event.  
         [0006]     News conferences where a plurality of individuals will be speaking tend to produce an even more disorderly event. Some news conferences do not establish a particular order for time periods when certain individuals can express their views or questions. This lack of order can lead to more than one individual speaking at a time and can prevent others from hearing and recording what each individual says. Additionally, camera operators may find it difficult to determine exactly at whom they should focus their cameras. Such a disorderly system can lead to a less productive news conference.  
         [0007]     Various audio and video systems have been developed for capturing voice and image data from a plurality of speakers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,510 to Meredith is directed to an audio/video system that includes several cameras and microphones for use in a courtroom or other adversarial setting, and which can record the various events occurring within the room. The system includes several cameras, microphones and video cassette recorders under the control of a Judge or other Official of the court. The cameras are activated to record upon receiving an audio signal from one of the microphones. A sound system provides the audio to the courtroom and remote video monitors may also be provided outside the courtroom. A programmable logic assembly insures that the camera switching is operated according to predefined camera switching rules. An audio mixer and an automatic gain controller are provided to improve the overall audio quality associated with the output signals of the microphones. Additionally, the system includes encoder and decoder means for ascertaining faults with the audio and video system. The system is reactive to audio signals from the microphones, meaning that several participants may attempt to speak at once.  
         [0008]     In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,667 to Maeng is directed to a video conferencing system having a voice activated camera preset selection system. The system includes a microphone array that receives the voices of speakers. The microphone array is coupled to a conference control unit that includes a locator that is operable to receive the audio signals from the microphone array and to provide position data representing the location of the microphone. The locator is coupled to the voice activated camera preset selection system so that the camera can respond to the preset data and view the speaker that is at the microphone receiving the audio signals. The camera preset is defined in several embodiments whereby triangulation or the like can determine the location of a speaker.  
         [0009]     Notably, the above-noted and other known systems do not have a control function whereby activation of the microphones can be controlled.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention concerns a system for conducting a meeting. The system includes at least one control system, and a plurality of microphones configured to transmit an activation request to the control system. The control system generates an activation sequence for the plurality of microphones based on at least one activation request transmitted by a user for at least one of the microphones. The control system then selectively activates each microphone for which an activation request has been transmitted, with the selective activation occurring according to the generated activation sequence. This arrangement enables a meeting to be run smoothly and efficiently, with the minimum amount of expensive equipment. In addition, the meeting participants are queued so that they can ask questions of a speaker or other meeting participants in an orderly manner.  
         [0011]     In one arrangement, the activation request can be initiated by a user-operable activation request button associated with each microphone.  
         [0012]     In one arrangement, the activation request includes an identification signal identifying the microphone from which it was transmitted. At least one input device may be included, whereby user identifying indicia can be inputted. The user identifying indicia may be associated with a microphone used by a particular user, and may be transmitted to the control system with the microphone identification signal. At least one display device may also be included. The display device can display the user identifying indicia of the user speaking on an activated microphone.  
         [0013]     At least one display device may be included for displaying the activation sequence of the microphones.  
         [0014]     The control system may generate the activation sequence in a processor. The control system may include a memory for storing the activation sequence.  
         [0015]     In one arrangement, the activation request is transmitted wirelessly from each microphone to the control system. The wireless transmission of the activation request may be at a radio frequency.  
         [0016]     In a preferred arrangement, each microphone may include a notification device for notifying a user when the microphone is activated by the control system. The notification device may include at least one of a display device, an illumination source and a structure for generating a vibration.  
         [0017]     The microphones may be portable. Each microphone may be powered by batteries, which may be rechargeable. At least one recharging station may be included for recharging the batteries of at least one of the plurality of microphones. At least one camera may be incorporated in the system. The control system can direct the camera substantially towards an activated microphone for at least one of recording and transmitting a video image of a user speaking into the activated microphone. The control system may be configured to record and/or transmit at least one of audio and video signals. The transmission may be to a remote location. At least one sensor for sensing the location of an activated microphone may be included. The camera may be directed to the sensed location of the activated microphone.  
         [0018]     In one arrangement, at least two cameras may be provided. The control system may direct a second camera substantially towards the next microphone to be activated in the activation sequence for recording a video image of the next user that has requested to speak into an activated microphone. A switching system may be included to switch at least one of recording and transmitting a video image from a first camera to the second camera upon activation of the next microphone to be activated..  
         [0019]     The control system may include at least one input device so that override instructions may be entered to override the activation sequence.  
         [0020]     The control system may be configured to perform at least one diagnostic test to determine if said system is functioning properly. A display device may display the results of the diagnostic tests.  
         [0021]     The control system may activate each activated microphone for a predetermined time period and may deactivate the microphone upon expiration of the predetermined time period. Alternatively or in addition, each microphone may include a user operable off switch for deactivating the microphone, with the user operable off switch only functioning after the microphone has been activated by the control system.  
         [0022]     The control system may generate an alert notification to the next microphone to be activated in the activation sequence. The microphone may include a notification device for notifying a user when the microphone is next to be activated by the control system. The notification device may include at least one of a display device, an illumination source and structure for generating a vibration.  
         [0023]     In another arrangement of the invention, each microphone may be associated with a display device, each display device displaying at least one of the turn number of the microphone in the activation sequence and the approximate time remaining to activation of the microphone once an activation request from the microphone has been received and processed by the control system. Each display device may be configured to display a “no activation request” message if no activation request has been made for that microphone.  
         [0024]     The control system may include a setting to deny activation requests after at least one of a predetermined time period and an instruction from a person controlling the meeting. The system may include a user operable activation request cancellation button for canceling the activation request for a particular microphone.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a microphone in accordance with the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating components of the microphone of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates an arrangement of a system in accordance with the invention, and incorporating a plurality of microphones of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a combined microphone and camera terminal in accordance with the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates another arrangement of a system in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring to the drawings, the present invention relates to a system for conducting a meeting. One embodiment of a microphone  10  for use in a system is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The microphone  10  includes an audio receiver head  12  and a handle  14 . The handle  14  may include several user operable control switches, such as an on/off switch  16 , a “Request Question” button  18  and a “Cancel” button  20 . The handle may further include LED indicator lights, which may include a “No Request” light  22 , an “In Queue” light  24 , a “Next In Queue” light  26 , and an “Active” light  28 . It will be appreciated that the illustrated user operable switches, buttons and the indicator lights are exemplary only, and that any suitable operative elements including activation request buttons or switches, and indicators may be used.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the microphone  10  may include a portable power supply such as a battery  30 , which may be rechargeable. The battery  30  may be connected to a processor  32  which can receive input from the user operable switches  16 ,  18  and  20 , and which can operate the indicator lights  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . The processor  32  may also be connected to an audio receiver  34 , which is typically placed in the head of the microphone  10  to receive sound generated by the user. The processor  32  may also be connected to an RF transmitter and receiver  36 , which may in turn be connected to an antenna  38 . Any suitable components may be used to form the microphone  10 , and the invention is not limited to those shown and described.  
         [0032]     A meeting system according to an arrangement of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the meeting system a plurality of microphones  10  are provided in wireless or wired communication with a central control system  40 . One or more cameras  42  may also be provided, which may be controlled by the control system  40 , or may be manually controlled. The control system  40  may include an input for the main speaker to indicate when an answer to a question has been given, and when it is time for the control system to activate the next microphone in the queue for receipt of the next question.  
         [0033]     In a news conference or other meeting setting, the audience participants may be given portable microphones as they enter the meeting. In order to use the microphone  10 , a user may first switch the microphone  10  on using the on/off switch  16 . This may cause the “No Request” indicator light  22  to light up, indicating to the user that they have not yet requested to ask a question of the meeting, and also that the microphone  10  is on. If the user wishes to ask a question of the meeting chair or person giving the news conference, they can depress the “Request Question” button  18 . The depression of the “Request Question” button  18  is sensed by the processor  32 , which generates an activation request. The activation request is a signal that is transmitted by the RF transmitter/receiver  36  via the antenna  38  to the central control system  40 . The processor  32  may also cause the “No Request” light  22  to be switched off, and the “In Queue” light  24  to be lit once the activation request has been sent to the central control system. The activation request is received by the central control system  40 , which may return a signal to the microphone  10  indicating that the activation request has been placed in the queue. In one arrangement, the “In Queue” light  24  may only be activated by the processor  32  once a return signal has been received from the central control system  40 .  
         [0034]     The activation request signal sent to the central control system  40  by the processor  32  may include an identification signal identifying the microphone  10 . The central control system  40  decides the order in which to activate each microphone  10  to allow the participants to ask questions. The timing of the question may be triggered by the main speaker or person giving the news conference indicating that they have finished answering the previous question, or each user may be given a predetermined time period for their question and answer. The control system  40  returns an activation signal to the microphone  10  in order to activate the microphone  10 . The microphone  10  then signals to the user holding it that it is about to become active, by lighting the “Active” indicator light  28 , and/or by vibrating the microphone  10 , or by emitting a sound, or by any other means. In one arrangement, the control system  40  may signal the microphone  10  that it is next to be activated. On receipt of the “next to be activated” signal, the microphone  10  can light the “Next In Queue” indicator light  26 , and/or can indicate to the user by vibrating, emitting a sound or any other means. This alerts the user to be ready to ask their question.  
         [0035]     After activation of the microphone  10  by the control system  40 , the user speaks into the microphone  10 , with the audio receiver  34  picking up the user&#39;s voice. The sound is processed by the processor  32  and relayed via the RF transmitter/receiver  36  and the antenna  38  to one or more loudspeakers, and/or to a recording device (not shown). When the user has completed their question, they can either operate the on/off switch  16  or the cancel button  20 . This signals to the microphone  10  that it is to stop transmitting the user&#39;s voice. In addition the processor  32  can send an “end of question” signal to the control system  40  so that the control system can alert the next microphone in the queue. The cancel button  20  may also be used if the user decides that they no longer wish to ask a question of the meeting, for example if another user has already asked a similar question. If the cancel button  20  is pressed before the microphone  10  is activated, the microphone  10  can transmit a “cancel” signal to the control system  40  to remove the microphone  10  from the queue.  
         [0036]     In a news conference setting, one or more cameras  42  may be located in the news conference room. One camera  42  may be permanently directed towards the main speaker, and one or more other cameras  42  may be used to capture video images of each person asking a question at the news conference. The cameras  42  may be driven manually, or the system may include one or more sensors (not shown) to automatically determine the position of the active microphone  10 , and to direct the camera toward the microphone  10 . The sensors may work using RF, such as by a triangulation method. Alternatively, the cameras  42  may simply be static, and may record video images of the entire audience or a section of the audience at one time.  
         [0037]     The cameras  42  may include two or more cameras such that, while one camera is recording video images of the active microphone  10  and its user, a second camera may receive a signal indicating the location of the next microphone  10  in the queue to be activated. This enables the camera to be focused on the next user to ask a question in advance of the activation of their microphone  10 . The focusing may either be done manually or automatically. The control system  40  may include a switching system to switch a displayed video image on activation of the second microphone  10 .  
         [0038]     The meeting system may include a diagnostic test system. This may be provided as a program loaded on the central control system  40 . The diagnosis system can detect technical problems in the system, and can display a warning advisory on a display screen.  
         [0039]     An alternative arrangement of microphone system is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The microphone system of  FIG. 4  is in the form of a terminal  50 , which incorporates a display screen  52 , data input means  54 , user operable buttons  56 , audio receivers  58  and a built-in camera  60 . The arrangement of  FIG. 4  may be suitable for meeting settings where desks or other permanent speaking locations are used, such as large lecture theaters, committee meeting rooms and other settings.  
         [0040]     The data input means  54  allows the user seated at the terminal to input their identity. The data input means  54  may be a keyboard, or may be another device such as an identification card reader, a thumbprint device or any other identification device. When the user seats themselves at the terminal  50 , they can either type in their identity, or can, for example, scan an identification card into a reader. The terminal  50  may be interrogated by a control system to ensure that the person identified as seated at the terminal is authorized to participate in the meeting. If the person is not authorized to participate in the meeting, access to questions may be denied by the control system. An identification check may be useful in a parliamentary, courtroom or committee-type setting where only certain persons may be authorized to speak. Once the user&#39;s identity has been input in the terminal  50 , and optionally once their identity has been checked, the user&#39;s name and any other identifying indicia, such as company name, region represented, title, etc, can be transmitted to the control system along with the microphone identity. The user&#39;s identity can then be displayed while they are speaking. The camera  60  may also record a video image of the user for display. The identity of the user and their image may be displayed on a central display screen, or on the display screens  52  of all the terminals  50  that are participating in the meeting. The display  52  can also display the time remaining until the microphone  50  is activated, to alert the user as to when their speaking turn will be.  
         [0041]     A built-in camera  60  may be particularly useful where it is not desirable to provide separate video cameras, or where one or more of the participants are located remotely from the main speaker or other meeting participants. The camera  60  can capture the video image of the user, which can be transmitted together with the audio signal via a LAN, via the internet or any other remote connection.  
         [0042]     The user operable switches  56  may include a request question button, a cancel button, and on and off buttons in a similar manner to the microphone  10  of  FIG. 1 . The buttons  56  can be operated by the user to cause the terminal  50  to transmit activation requests and other signals to a central control system.  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  illustrates a further arrangement of the invention. A terminal  70 , similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is provided at desks  72 . A microphone  74  is also provided, adjacent each terminal  70 . The terminal  70  includes data input means  76 , such as a keyboard, at which a user can enter their identity. A central control system  78  is provided, such as at a lectern  80 , at which a lecturer or other main speaker may control the meeting. A central display screen  82  and a central camera  84  may be provided. The terminal  70  is used for requesting activation and operating the other features of the microphone  74 . The control system  78  can display to the lecturer the name and location of the person that wishes to ask the next question. The lecturer can input into the control system  78  that the next question is allowed, and the terminal  70  of the user that requested the next question can indicate to the user that their microphone  74  is activated. The camera  84  may be automatically controlled to point to the microphone  74  that is activated, in order to display a video image of the participant on the central display screen  82 . The video image may contain the user&#39;s identification.  
         [0044]     One or more of the terminals  70  may be incorporated into computers connected to a network such as the internet. Any remote terminals  70  may be provided with their own microphones  74  and cameras  84 , which can be simple built-in devices commonly provided with personal computers. This system enables, for example, college lectures to be delivered remotely to some students via the internet or any other network while other students are present on-campus. This can allow all students an equal opportunity to question the lecturer, and the control system  78  will inform the lecturer which student is next in the queue. The lecturer may manually allow questions from the students, as a request is queued up, or a predetermined time for questions at the end of the lecture may be programmed in to the system. The camera on the remote student&#39;s computer may transmit both the audio and a video image of the student to the central control system  78  for display on the central display screen  82 . The control system  78  may also transmit all images displayed on the central display screen  82 , and audio captured by the microphones  74  to the remote students&#39; computers.  
         [0045]     Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, it should be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7