ES2589161B1 - Telephone conference control device - Google Patents

Abstract

Telephone conference control device # The invention relates to a control device (100) of a telephone conference, comprising: # - a first connector (101) for voice and audio input and output (V1, A1) of a first user (U1); # - a second connector (102) for voice and audio input and output (V2, A2) of a second user (U2); and # - a third connector (103) for voice and audio input and output (V3, A3) of a third user (U3); and, # - first switching means (120, 111, 112) configured to deliver the voice of the first user as audio to the second user or as audio to the third user or as audio to both second and third users; and, # - second switching means (130, 113) configured to switch between a closed position in which the voice of the second user arrives as audio to the third user and the voice of the third user arrives as audio to the second user, and a position open in which said second and third users are not connected to each other.

Description

ES2589 l6l Al

Telephone conference control device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is encompassed within the conference or telephone multi-conferencing systems, especially in their application in the field of simultaneous interpretation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, simultaneous interpretation is understood as listening in a first language, while interpreting (translating) into a second language. Unlike the consecutive interpretation - in which the interpreter waits until the speaker has finished speaking in the first language before translating his words into the second language -, in the simultaneous interpretation it is important that the interpreter finishes saying the words (translated into the second language) almost simultaneously or shortly after what the speaker does.

Simultaneous interpretation can be done in several ways, of which the following are best known:

i) There is simultaneous interpretation in the booth, which may be especially suitable for seminars, congresses or other meetings with a large number of participants.

ií) The simultaneous whispered interpretation can also be performed, in which the interpreter whispers to a listener the messages given by the speaker, in real time and without the need for technical equipment. This option may be suitable for meetings in which all participants drive are understood in the same language except one or two people.

iií) There is also the possibility of performing simultaneous interpretation using a portable and wireless system, which includes a transmitter with a speaker microphone and a receiver for each listener, which can even receive simultaneous interpretation in 1 to 6 different languages.

Any of the cases described in the above is considering that the two people (or groups of people) who wish to communicate and use different languages are in the same environment or room, in which the corresponding equipment (microphones, speakers, etc.) to be able to carry out simultaneous interpretation.

The problem is that many times the needs for simultaneous interpretation arise to interpret conversations, negotiations or meetings between people who are located in different places. In this case, in order to communicate with each other, there are currently multi-conference systems.

However, in such a case it is not possible to provide simultaneous interpretation with the same effect as simultaneous translation in the booth. In such a situation, the interpreter could physically move to one of the two rooms in which the conference call is established, let's call it Room1 (where it is spoken in a first language, language1) being the other - in which the interpreter is not Room2 (where a second language, language2) is used. And essentially there would be two options:

Become the interpreter with the audio and voice (headphones and microphone) in Room1, so that only he / she will listen to Room2 in language2, and perform the corresponding simultaneous interpretation - by previously disconnecting the microphone in Room1, e.g. , by clicking on the button; Mutequot ;, so that you are not heard in Room2-to language1 for the attendees in Room1. and as some assistant in Room1 began to speak in language1, he would have to do the reverse operation, activate the microphone and simultaneously interpret the language2 as said in Room1. One problem is that attendees in Room2 would hear the words or conversation in the language1 of Room1 as background voice.

The other possibility is for the interpreter to perform an interpretation similar to the whispered one (ii), superimposing his voice in language1 to audio in language2 received in Room1. It would also be possible for Room 1 attendees to use a portable system (iii) to listen only to the interpreter and not what is being said in Room2.

The interpreter in both options has to move to one of the meeting rooms, and there is also the problem already mentioned of the overlapping of voices or background voice / noise, which can be annoying.

ES2589l6 l Al DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multi-conference control device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the control device are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a control device for establishing telephone conference calls with at least two participants -which may be located in different locations-, whereby a user having access to the device of the invention is allowed to control and decide which participant You can talk, listen or do both at the same time, there is a possibility that all participants are communicated with each other and can talk and listen.

The device of the invention has special application in the field of simultaneous interpretation and translation between users connected through the telephone conference.

Another possible application of the device of the invention is in that of mediation.

To solve the problem posed at present, the invention proposes a control device that puts two or more participants in communication - at least in voice communication - to each other, the device having a series of switching elements and signal adaptation ( amplifiers, and mixers) that allow a user of the device of the invention to have control over the communication between the participants.

Thus, a first aspect of the invention relates to a telephone conference control device, characterized in that it comprises:

a first connector for input and output of voice and audio signals, respectively, of a first user U1;

at least a second connector for input and output of voice and audio signals, respectively, of a second user U2; Y

at least a third connector for input and output of voice and audio signals, respectively, of a third user U3;

further comprising the control device:

first switching means configured to deliver the voice signal of the first user U1 as an audio signal to the second user U2 or as an audio signal to the third user U3 or as audio signals to both second and third users U2, U3; Y,

second switching means configured to switch between a closed position in which the voice signal of the second user U2 arrives as an audio signal to the third user U3 and in which the voice signal of the third user U3 arrives as an audio signal to the second user U2, and an open position in which said signals are not connected to each other (ie, said second and third users are not connected to each other).

That is, the device of the invention establishes communication between two or more participants of a conference or telephone conversation (the participants being the second and third users), and provides control of said communication to a user of the device (first user). The communication between the second and third users controlled by the first user is established regardless of whether the conference call is made through a conventional telephone line, or by voice over IP. Or if the conference call is held between a single second user and a single third user, if said second and third users include a group of participants connected in different rooms using separate conference equipment.

In this way, the control device of the invention can be used in the field of simultaneous interpretation, the first user of the control device being the interpreter, and obtaining an effect such as simultaneous interpretation in the cabin with the advantage of not requiring the physical presence of the first user in one of the rooms. Or it can also be used in the field of mediation (eg, a negotiation), the first user of the control device being the mediator, without requiring the physical presence of the first user in one of the rooms.

It is also possible that the control device of the invention incorporates video, so that the conference call is a videoconference.

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Preferably the device of the invention further comprises mixing and signal amplification means for mixing and amplifying the voice signals of the second and third users U2, U3 in said audio signal received by the first user U1.

Likewise, preferably the device of the invention further comprises signal preamp means configured to amplify the first voice signal of the first user.

Preferably the device of the invention comprises a plurality of first connectors, a plurality of second connectors and / or a plurality of third connectors. These first connector, second connector and / or said third connector may be different connectors, such as a telephone connection socket, or a data connection socket.

The control device may further comprise indicating elements of what position the first switching means are in, in order to indicate whether the voice signal of the first user is reaching the second user, the third user or both.

In this way the device can receive the voice and audio signals of each of the participants through the connector most adapted to each occasion. For example, if the first and second users are in the same room, it is not necessary to use the telephone connection jack, but can use a headphone jack with microphone (Jack connector or TRS connector), while the third user it is in another place and connects to the conference through a telephone line, so for the second user, within the different second connectors enabled on the device, the telephone connection socket is used.

Other advantages and additional features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows and will be particularly noted in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to an example of practical implementation thereof, a set of figures in which with character is accompanied as an integral part of the description Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a possible embodiment of the telephone conference control device of the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows the housing of the control device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the electrical scheme of the control device shown in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A diagram of a possible embodiment of the telephone conference control device 100 of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

In the embodiment shown the device of the invention 100 will be explained in the context of a simultaneous interpretation between two different teleconference rooms, with an unlimited number of participants in each of them, and being able to call from anywhere in the world. The U2 users of the first room, Room1, speak the same language (for example, French), and the U3 users of the second room, Room2, also speak the same language, in this case different from that of Room1 (for example , Spanish).

In addition there is a first user U1, who in this case would be an interpreter, and who has control device control of the invention.

As indicated, users U2 and U3 are not located in the same place, but are in different places. and the interpreter or first user U1 is also in another place - such as at home or at his usual place of work - and has the control device 100 of the invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control device 100 of the invention of this embodiment is simple, and has:

A first connector 101, eg, a Jack or TRS connector, for input of a voice signal V1 and output of an audio signal A1 of the first user U1, in this case the interpreter. In this way, the

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An interpreter can connect a headset to the first connector 101 and thus be able to speak and listen (voice and audio, A1, V1).

A second connector 102, eg, an RJ45 telephone connector, for input of a voice signal V2 and output of an audio signal A2 of the second user U2. This second connector 102 can also be another type of connector for connecting a voice and / or data line (voice over IP), which means that the second user can speak and listen (voice and audio, A2, V2)

A third connector 103, eg, an RJ45 telephone connector, for input of a voice signal V3 and output of an audio signal A3 of the third user U3. Likewise, this third connector 1031 can also be a connector connector to connect a voice and / or data line (voice over IP), which allow the third user to speak and listen (voice and audio, A3, V3).

The conlrol100 device of the invention further comprises:

First switching means 120 whose input is connected to the first connector 101 and whose output is connected to the second and third connectors 102, 103, these first switching means 120 being configured to deliver the voice signal V1 of the first user as a signal A2 audio to the second user or as an A3 audio signal to the third user or as A2, A3 audio signals to both second and third users.

Second switching means 130 configured to switch between a closed position in which the voice signal V2 of the second user as an audio signal A3 to the third user and to deliver the voice signal V3 of the third user as an audio signal A2 to the second user, and an open position in which said signals are not connected, link yes.

Mixing and amplifying means 110 for mixing and amplifying the voice signals V2, V3 of the second and third users in said audio signal A1 received by the first user U1. The input of the mixing and amplification means 110 is connected to the second and read connectors 102, 103, and whose output is connected to the first connector 101.

In the embodiment of the control device 100 shown in Figure 2, these first and second switching means include three control switches or elements 111, 112, 113:

The first switch 111 has three positions: right position, neutral position and left position. By placing this first switch in the left or right positions and as can be seen in the scheme in Figure 3, the interpreter U1 can speak with Room1 (second user U2) or with Room2 (third user U3), respectively. In the intermediate position, if the interpreter U1 speaks, he is not heard in either room; It is equivalent to silencing the microphone of the first user U1.

The second switch 112 has two positions: upper position (open) and lower position (closed). As can be seen in Figure 3, depending on what position this second switch 112 is in, the first switch 111 is or is not disabled. If this second switch 112 is in its upper position, the first switch is enabled, and the interpreter speaks with one or another room, or with none. If this second switch 112 is in its lower position, the voice signal of the interpreter U1 is heard in the two rooms, leaving the first switch disabled.

The third switch 113 also has two positions: upper or open and lower or closed. In the upper position, the second and third users U2, U3 cannot hear each other, the two rooms being isolated from each other, only through the interpreter. In the lower position the two rooms are connected, and the second and third user U2, U3, can talk and hear each other.

The following describes an operational sequence and professional gestures of the interpreter U1 that makes a teleconference with simultaneous translation with the control device of the invention:

1-The interpreter U1 introduces the microphone equipment in the first connector 101 to be able to listen and speak during the interpretation process.

In this way, everything that is spoken in Room1 and 5ala2 is reproduced in the two ears of the interpreter U1, so that the interpreter U1 receives all the conversations in a natural way, as it happens in the real world, in which one can listen to his interlocutor, while still hearing other conversations and surrounding noises.

2 · The interpreter U1 receives the users or participants of Room1 and Room2 as they connect after dialing the corresponding telephone number to the second and third connectors, respectively.

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3-The interpreter has placed the second switch 112 of the control device in the lower position, that is, has closed the switch in order to speak to the two rooms Sala1 and Room2, the third switch 113 being in its lower or closed position. In this way, everyone can talk and everyone can hear each other, being the start of the service is a non-conference call.

4-Once it is decided to start the telephone meeting, the interpreter U1 opens the second switch 112 and the third switch 113 thus separating Room1 and Room2, so, from this moment, the participants of a room do not they can hear or speak directly with the participants of the other room; only the interpreter U1 continues to hear the two rooms simultaneously.

5-The teleconference begins with the intervention of a first participant, for example, from 8ala1. At that time, the interpreter positions the first switch 111 in the left position and simultaneously translates the intervention of the participant that is expressed in 8a1 to the listeners of 8ala2. When the 8ala1 participant finishes his speech, the 8ala2 listeners are ready to answer, since they have received the information in real time. When a participant from 8ala2 answers the speaker of 8ala1, then the interpreter places the first switch 112 in the right position, to speak to 8ala1 while simultaneously translating what he hears in 8ala2.

And so on.

The control device of the invention gives the interpreter the possibility of being able to address both users U2 and U3 at the same time (8ala1 and 8ala2), so that they can moderate or regulate if there is an incident. To this end, it places the second switch 112 in a lower position, which allows the interpreter to simultaneously go to 8ala1 and 8ala2. This position is used to communicate quick messages to the two rooms.

Once the teleconference is over, the interpreter mixes the two rooms again so that the interlocutors are back together to say goodbye in their own way.

A detailed electrical diagram of the embodiment of the control device 100 shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 3.

As can be seen in this Figure 3, the control device 100 of the invention includes amplifiers 159 to amplify the voice signals V2, V3 of the second and third users that the first user U1 receives as audio signal A1.

Likewise, this Figure 3 shows how the first, second and third switches 111, 112, 113 are connected to provide the different functionalities explained above of the device of the invention.

As can also be seen in Figure 3, the control device of the invention also includes several rheostats R in connection with different elements to control the volume of the different voice and audio signals, and more specifically a control element to regulate the volume of the headphones - speaker and audio - of the interpreter.

The device can also include an indicator element, such as a LEO, from which room, 8ala1 and / or 8ala2, is activated.

The control device 100 of the invention further comprises a power supply (not shown) to convert the alternating voltage (220 V) into a continuous and as stable voltage as possible, in this case to power the amplifiers 159 (output 158 to 12 V) shown in Figure 3, and to feed the voice input of the first user V1 (output 159 also at 12 V) which are also shown in Figure 3.

In this text, the word · comprehequot; and its variants (such as · understandingquot ;, etc.) should not be interpreted in an exclusive way, that is, they do not exclude the possibility that what has been described includes other elements, steps, etc.

On the other hand, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments that have been described but also covers, for example, the variants that can be carried out by the person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within what follows from the claims.

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Claims (8)

1. Control device (100) of a telephone conference, characterized in that it comprises: a first connector (101) for input and output of voice and audio signals (V1, Al), respectively, of a first user (Ul); at least a second connector (102) for input and output of voice and audio signals (V2, A2), respectively, of a second user (U2); Y at least a third connector (103) for input and output of voice and audio signals (V3, A3), respectively, of a third user (U3); further comprising the device (100): first switching means (120, 111, 112) configured to deliver the first user's voice signal as an audio signal to the second user or as an audio signal to the third user or as audio signals to both second and third users; Y, second switching means (130, 113) configured to switch between a closed position in which the voice signal of the second user arrives as an audio signal to the third user and in which the voice signal of the third user arrives as an audio signal to the second user and an open position in which said signals are not connected to each other.

2.

Control device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising amplification means (110, 159) for amplifying the voice signals of the second and third users in said audio signal received by the first user.

3.

Control device (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, further comprising preamp means (140) for amplifying the voice signal of the first user.

Four.

Control device (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a plurality of first connectors, a plurality of second connectors and / or a plurality of third connectors.

5.

Control device (100) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said first connector, second connector and / or the third connector are a telephone connection socket, or a data connection socket.

6.

Control device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, which also includes first, second and / or third video inputs, so that the telephone conference is a video conference.

7.

Control device (100) according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising control means (R) of voice signals and / or audio signals.

8.

Control device (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising indicator elements in which position said first switching means (120, 111, 112) are.