HK1066314A - Personal computer lesson system using video telephone - Google Patents

Description

Computer classroom system using television telephone

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a computer classroom system using a video phone.

Background

In the past, a computer online classroom system has been proposed in which a lecture is given by connecting a lecturer-side computer and a student-side computer via a general telephone line, and displaying the images of both computers to share the images, and performing computer operations using a television telephone.

However, this system has the following problems: if the computer is stopped during operation, the telephone line is cut off, and the computer cannot communicate with the lecturer thereafter, and the lecture cannot be given to the computer. In addition, when the computer is stopped, the computer is restarted to reconnect with the computer at the lecturer side, and the lecture is only restarted from the beginning, which wastes the content and time of the previous lecture.

The present invention is made to solve the problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide: a computer classroom system using a television telephone, which can continue teaching even when a computer is stopped during teaching, by connecting a computer and a communication function of the television telephone separately, can be used.

Disclosure of Invention

The computer classroom system using a television telephone of the present invention is a system in which a lecturer-side device for lecturing a lecture by a computer and a student-side device for listening to the lecture by the computer are bidirectionally connected via various communication lines, wherein the lecturer-side device includes: a computer for lecturing; a photographing unit for photographing the image of the instructor and the image of the keyboard; a voice input unit for inputting the voice of the instructor; a mixing switching unit for mixing or switching the image information loaded from the computer and the image information shot by the shooting unit according to the requirement; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information mixed or switched by the mixing and switching unit and the voice information inputted by the voice input unit according to the requirement and transmitting the multiplexed information to the student side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the student side device; and a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the student side device. The above-mentioned student side device includes: a computer for listening and speaking; a photographing unit for photographing images of students and keyboard; a voice input unit inputting a voice of a student; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information loaded from the computer or the image information shot by the shooting unit and the voice information input by the voice input unit and transmitting the multiplexed information to the instructor-side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the lecturer-side device; and a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the lecturer side device. The image information loaded from the computer includes, in addition to the screen information, teaching material data stored in the computer, teaching material data read from an external storage medium, and the like. Further, according to the computer classroom system using a television phone of the present invention, learning can be continued by the transmission unit even when the computer on the student side or the computer on the instructor side is stopped.

According to the present invention having the above-described features, the student learns the operation method of the own computer based on the teacher's voice output from the voice output unit while watching the computer image or keyboard image on the instructor side displayed on the display unit of the student side device. In addition, since the image information loaded from the computer includes the teaching material data stored in the computer and the teaching material data read from the external storage medium in addition to the screen information, the student can learn a more specific operation method with respect to the computer while viewing the teaching materials.

In addition, even when the computer on the student side is stopped during the listening/speaking, for example, since the part of the television telephone function such as the imaging device, the audio input unit, and the display unit on the student side can be effectively operated, the television telephone function can communicate with the lecturer side by image and audio, and the lecture can be continued after the computer on the student side is started. That is, even if the computer is stopped, since the communication line with the lecturer is not cut off, the student is not strained even by the beginner, and the student can continue to attend the lecture in accordance with the instruction of the lecturer. Similarly, even when the lecturer computer is stopped, since the lecturer camera, the voice input unit, and the display unit, which are parts of the videophone function, can be effectively operated, the videophone function can communicate with the student side through images and voices, and the subsequent lecture can be continued. The voice information transmitted from the instructor to the student side and the voice information transmitted from the student side to the instructor side also include voice (acoustic) information such as voice.

In addition, a computer classroom system using a television phone according to the present invention is characterized in that: the lecturer-side device includes an electronic blackboard capable of performing various writing operations on the image loaded from the computer, and computer image information written and processed on the electronic blackboard is output to the mixing and switching unit.

According to the present invention having such a feature, since various writing operations can be performed on the image loaded from the computer, it is possible to clearly provide an instruction, for example, to add a circle to an icon on the initial screen of the computer to indicate a place, or to write a "double click" or the like, so that the student does not make an input error.

In addition, a computer classroom system using a television phone according to the present invention is characterized in that: the lecturer-side device and the student-side device or devices are bidirectionally connected by a multi-site connecting device that interconnects the student-side device or devices and the lecturer-side device or devices connected.

According to the present invention having such a feature, since a plurality of students can simultaneously listen to the teaching of one lecturer, one-to-many computer lectures can be performed.

In addition, a computer classroom system using a television phone according to the present invention is characterized in that: the multi-point connection device divides and combines image information transmitted from the connected instructor-side device and each student-side device in one screen, displays the combined image on the screens of the instructor-side device and each student-side device, and divides and simultaneously displays image information of all the connected devices in one screen.

According to the present invention having such a feature, a group consisting of one lecturer and a plurality of students can give computer lectures in an atmosphere as if it were one classroom.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a computer classroom system using a television telephone according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a lecturer-side device in the computer classroom system using a television telephone shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a student-side device in the computer classroom system using a videophone shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen transmitted from the student side displayed on the display of the instructor side.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen transmitted from the instructor side displayed on the display of the student side.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen transmitted from the instructor side displayed on the display of the student side.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an example of a configuration for generating a synthesized picture MCU.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a divided screen.

Examples of the invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a computer classroom system using a television telephone according to the present invention.

A computer classroom system using a television telephone is configured such that a lecturer-side device 1 for lecturing computer operations and a student-side device 3 for listening to and speaking computer operations are bidirectionally connected to each other via various communication lines N such as an integrated digital network (ISDN) and the Internet.

The lecturer-side apparatus 1 includes, in appearance: a computer 11 for lecture (computer bodies 11a and 11b, a display 11a1, a keyboard 11a2, and a mouse 11a 3); a display 24 for displaying various videos transmitted from the student-side device 1; a camera 15 for photographing the appearance of the lecturer, etc.; an overhead camera (OHC)16 for shooting a keyboard, a mouse, and the like operated by the lecturer; a headset 21 composed of a microphone 21a and an earphone 21 b; a terminal device (tv phone) 20 connected to a terminal adapter (not shown) and controlling the whole lecturer side device.

The student-side apparatus 3 includes, in appearance: a computer 31 for listening and speaking (a computer main body 31a, a display 31a1, a keyboard 31a2, and a mouse 31a 3); a display 36 for displaying various images transmitted from the lecturer-side apparatus 1; a camera 33 for taking images of students; a headset 35 composed of a microphone 35a and an earphone 35 b; and a terminal device 34 connected to a terminal adapter not shown and controlling the whole student side device.

That is, the computer classroom system using a television telephone according to the present invention has a system configuration in which the lecture computer 11 (the computer main body 11a, the display 11a1, the keyboard 11a2, and the mouse 11a3) and the television telephone display 24 and the terminal device 20 are provided in the lecturer-side device 1, and the student-side terminal device 1 is provided with the lecture computer 31 (the computer main body 31a, the display 31a1, the keyboard 31a2, and the mouse 31a3) and the television telephone display 37 and the terminal device 34.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the lecturer-side device 1 in the computer classroom system using a television telephone shown in fig. 1.

The lecturer-side apparatus 1 includes: a plurality of computers (2 computers in the present embodiment) 11a, 11b for lectures; a display switcher 12 for switching and outputting the images of the computers 11a and 11 b; an electronic blackboard 13 for performing various writing operations on the computer image switched by the display switcher 12; a down-scan converter 14 for converting the computer image information of R, G, B written and processed on the electronic blackboard 13 into a television signal of NTSC system; the camera 15 for photographing the appearance of the lecturer; the OHC16 described above that photographs a keyboard or the like operated by the lecturer; a video cd (vcd)17 that stores various computer teaching material data as audio and video; a selector 18 for selecting an image (video) output from any one of the cameras 15, the OHC16, and the VCD 17; a video mixer 19 for mixing the computer image information outputted from the down-scan converter 14 in the NTSC mode television signal with the image information selected by the selector 18; the terminal device 20 that connects the signal from the video mixer 19 to a multipoint connection device (MCU)26 via a Terminal Adapter (TA) 25; an image processing unit 23 for processing the image information transmitted from the student side device 3; a display 24 for displaying the image processed by the image processing section 23. In addition, a Terminal Adapter (TA)25 is connected to the computers 11a, 11b and the internet 27. That is, the Terminal Adapter (TA)25 controls 2 connection paths: a path connecting a television telephone, i.e., the terminal device 20, and a multi-site connection device (MCU)26, and a path connecting the computers 11a, 11b and the internet 27.

Further, the apparatus includes: an audio mixer 22 for mixing the audio information from the computers 11a and 11b or the audio information from the VCO17 with the instructor's audio information input from the microphone 21a (see fig. 1) of the headset 21 and outputting the resultant audio information from the terminal device 20 to the student-side device 3, and for outputting the student's audio information transmitted from the student-side device 3 to the headphones 21b (see fig. 1) of the headset 21 via the terminal device 20; the display 24 displays the image information transmitted from the student side device 3. The output of the down-scan converter 14 (the output is R, G, B) is also output to the display 11a1 of the computer (for example, 11a) in use, and the computer image written and processed by the interactive board 13 can be confirmed on the display 11a1 of the computer 11 a.

In fig. 2, the keyboard and the mouse connected to the computer main bodies 11a and 11b are not shown. In fig. 2, one selector 18 is used to select any one of the camera 15, the OHC16, and the VCD17 to input the video mixer 19, and selectors may be provided for the camera 15, the OHC16, and the VCD17 to input the video mixer 19, respectively, whereby composite images of various combinations (for example, a combination of the image of the camera 15, the image of the OHC16, and the image of the down-scan converter 14) can be generated.

In fig. 2, the signal lines shown by the thin solid lines are NTSC signal lines, the signal lines shown by the open arrows are R, G, B signal lines, the signal lines shown by the broken lines are audio signal lines, the signal lines shown by the dot-dash lines are serial cables connecting the computer bodies 11a and 11b and TA25, and the signal lines shown by the thick solid lines are ISDN lines.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the student-side device 3 in the computer classroom system using a television telephone shown in fig. 1.

The student-side device 3 includes: a computer main body 31a of the computer 31 for listening and speaking operations; a down-scan converter 32 for converting R, G, B computer image information from the computer main body 31a into NTSC television signals; the above-mentioned camera 33 for taking images of students, etc.; the terminal device 34 for outputting the computer image information from the down scan converter 32 or the image information of the student photographed by the camera 33 to the multipoint connection device (MCU)26 via the Terminal Adapter (TA) 38; an image processing unit 36 for processing the image information transmitted from the lecturer-side apparatus 1; a display 37 for displaying the image processed by the image processing section 36. Further, a Terminal Adapter (TA)38 is connected to the computer main body 31a and the internet 27. That is, the Terminal Adapter (TA)38 controls 2 connection paths: a path connecting the television telephone, i.e., the terminal device 34, and the multipoint connection device (MCU)26, and a path connecting the computer body 31a and the internet 27.

The terminal device 34 is connected to the headset 35 in both directions and also connected to the display 36 for displaying the image information transmitted from the instructor-side device 1. The output of the down-scan converter 32 is also output to the display 31a1 of the computer 31 in use.

In fig. 3, the keyboard and the mouse connected to the computer main body 31a are not shown.

In fig. 3, the signal lines shown by the thin solid lines are NTSC signal lines, the signal lines shown by the open arrows are R, G, B signal lines, the signal lines shown by the broken lines are audio signal lines, the signal lines shown by the dot-dash lines are serial cables connecting the computer main body 31a and TA38, and the signal lines shown by the thick solid lines are ISDN lines.

In the above configuration, the plurality of computers (the computer main bodies 11a and 11b) are prepared in the instructor-side apparatus 1 so that the computer for lecture can be selected in accordance with the operating environments of all the computers (the computer main bodies 31a) of the students. For example, a computer (for example, the computer main body 11a) to which Windows98 (registered trademark) is installed as an Operating System (OS) and a computer (for example, the computer main body 11b) to which Windows nt (registered trademark) is installed as an Operating System (OS) are prepared in the lecturer-side device 1, and when the operating environment of the student-side computer is, for example, Windows98 (registered trademark), the lecture is performed by switching the display switcher 12 to the computer main body 11 a. Such switching operation is performed by the instructor operating a remote controller or the like, not shown. In addition to switching the computers in accordance with the operational environment of the student as described above, it is also possible to set that 2 computer main bodies 11a and 11b operate in the same operational environment, and for example, when one computer main body 11a is stopped, the user can immediately switch to the other computer main body 11b side to adjust the usage environment and continue the lecture.

According to the above configuration, the instructor and the student make voice calls with each other via the headsets 21 and 35, and the instructor can confirm the operation status of the student in real time while watching the computer image on the student side displayed on the display 24, thereby performing computer lecture. On the other hand, the student can learn the computer operation by simulating the keyboard operation of the instructor while viewing the computer image on the instructor side displayed on the display 37 and the keyboard image which is displayed repeatedly with the computer image and which captures the input operation of the instructor. Further, since information written by the instructor using the electronic blackboard 13 as necessary can be displayed on the computer image displayed on the display 37 on the student side, the student can operate the computer according to the displayed content. Thus, input errors of students can be suppressed to a minimum.

The image information transmitted from the lecturer-side apparatus 1 to the student-side apparatus 3 may include various images such as teaching material data stored in the lecture computer 11(11a, 11b), teaching material data read from an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or MO, reproduced images of MPEG-format video files and reproduced images of slide files, internet connection screens, and the like, in addition to such computer images and computer screens, and these images are displayed as moving images and still images on the student-side display 37.

Next, a specific example of lecture in the computer classroom system using a television phone according to the present invention will be described.

Fig. 4 is an example of a screen transmitted from the student side displayed on the display 24 of the instructor side, and shows a state in which an initial screen is displayed on the display 31a1 of the computer 31 of the student side.

On the other hand, fig. 5 shows an example of a screen transmitted from the instructor side displayed on the display 37 on the student side, and is used for teaching an operation for connecting to the internet from the initial screen. The screen example shown in fig. 5 is generated in the lecturer side apparatus 1 as follows.

That is, the lecturer switches the display switcher 12 to the computer main body 11a for lecture (switching is performed by a remote controller or the like not shown), outputs an initial screen (the same screen as the initial screen on the student side) displayed on the computer main body 11a to the interactive board 13, circles an icon 51 described as "connected to the internet" on the interactive board, writes "double-click" next to the icon, converts the icon into a video signal of the NTSC system by the down-scan converter 14, and inputs the video signal to the video mixer 19. On the other hand, the lecturer operates the selector 18 (by operation of a remote controller or the like, not shown) to input the image captured by the camera 15 of the lecturer himself to the video mixer 19. Accordingly, the video mixer 19 synthesizes the lecturer's image captured by the camera 15 with the video information written on the electronic blackboard 13, and transmits the synthesized image as the image information shown in fig. 5 from the terminal device 20 to the student device 1 via the TA25 and the MCU 26. Accordingly, the student selects the same icon as the circled icon 51 displayed on the display 37 from the initial screen image displayed on the display 31a1 of the own computer 31, moves the cursor to the attached icon, and can make a double click with the mouse 31a3 or the like to connect to the internet.

On the other hand, fig. 6 shows an example of a screen transmitted from the instructor side displayed on the display 37 on the student side, and is used for teaching an operation of creating a text by using Word processing software such as Word. The screen example shown in fig. 6 is generated in the lecturer side apparatus 1 as follows.

That is, the lecturer switches the display switcher 12 to, for example, the computer main body 11a for lecture (switching is performed by a remote controller or the like not shown), starts the word processing software of the computer main body 11a, and displays the text input screen. Then, a text is input to the text input screen based on, for example, a word processing teaching material supplied from the VCD17, and the input text is output to the interactive board 13. Then, in the interactive board, after "line feed" is written in the input text, the converted text is converted into an NTSC video signal by the down-scan converter 14 and is input to the video mixer 19. On the other hand, the lecturer operates the selector 18 (not shown, operated by a remote controller or the like) and inputs the image taken by the OHC16, that is, the keyboard operation image of the lecturer, into the video mixer 19. Accordingly, the video mixer 19 synthesizes the keyboard operation image of the lecturer captured by the OHC16 with the video information (text input screen) written on the electronic blackboard 13, and transmits the synthesized image information as the image information shown in fig. 6 from the terminal device 20 to the student device 1 via the TA25 and the MCU 26. Thus, the student inputs the same text as displayed on the display 31a1 through the keyboard 31a2 of the own computer 31 while viewing the keyboard operation image of the instructor displayed on the display 31a 1.

Thus, even during the lecture through the screen by the lecturer-side apparatus 1 and the student-side apparatus 3, the lecturer and the student can perform an audio conversation (lecture) with each other via the headsets 21 and 35.

The biggest feature of the computer classroom system using the television telephone having the above-described configuration is that the image information of each computer 11, 31 is not directly transmitted and received through the ISDN line. That is, the image information of the computers 11 and 31 is loaded to the terminal devices 20 and 34 through the down-scan converters 14 and 32, and transmitted to the other party by using the television telephone function of the terminal devices 20 and 34.

Therefore, even if the student side computer 31 is stopped and the image information of the computer 31 cannot be transmitted to the lecturer side apparatus 1, for example, the lecturer side apparatus 1 and the student side apparatus 3 can transmit and receive the video shot by the camera through the videophone conversation because the communication of the videophone can be secured. Thus, there is an advantage in that operations when the stopped computer 31 is recovered can also be taught using the computer classroom system of the present invention. Similarly, even if the lecturer-side computer 11 is stopped, since the communication by the videophone is secured, the lecturer can continue the lecture by making a conversation by the videophone and transmitting the video shot by the camera to the student-side apparatus 3.

In the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, only one selector 18 is provided, and any one of the video image (video image) output of the camera 15, the OHC16, and the VCD17 is selected by the selector 18, but the number of the selectors 18 is not limited to one, and a plurality of selectors may be provided. In addition, as the selector 18 is increased, a plurality of cameras 15 and OHCs 16 and VCDs 17 may be provided as needed. By these selectors, the signals from the respective devices are multiply distributed and switched, and various combinations of signals can be made and output to the video mixer 19. In addition, one or more selectors may be provided between the down-scan converter 14 and the video mixer 19, so that more various signal combinations may be performed in the video mixer 19.

In the above embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the configuration in which one lecturer-side device 1 and one student-side device 3 are connected by the MCU26 is adopted, but computer lectures can be given in a one-to-many (1-to-3) format by connecting one lecturer-side device 1 and a plurality of (for example, 3) student-side devices 3, 3 to each other according to the function of the MCU 26. In this case, the MCU26 divides and combines the image information transmitted from the lecturer-side device 1 and the student-side devices 3, and 3 connected to each other in one screen, and displays the combined image on the display screens of the lecturer-side device 1 and the student-side devices 3, and 3, thereby dividing and simultaneously displaying the image information of all the devices connected to each other in one screen.

The MCU26 for generating such a composite image can use, for example, the configuration of the center device described in Japanese patent laid-open No. 11-220707.

That is, as shown in fig. 7, the present invention includes: frame memories 51, 52, 53, and 54 for writing image information (video signal) from the lecturer-side device 1 and image information (video signal) from the student-side devices 3, and 3 in one screen (i.e., in frame units); buffer memories 55, 56, 57, 58 for writing the video signals read out from the frame memories 51, 52, 53, 54 in units of one horizontal scanning; an image memory 59 for appropriately reading out the video signals of one horizontal scanning line unit written in the buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58, generating and storing image data (composite video signal) of one screen; a memory control unit 60 for controlling the frame memories 51, 52, 53, and 54, the buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58, and the image memory 59; and a sound signal detection unit 61 for detecting the sound signal from the lecturer-side device 1 and the sound signals from the student-side devices 3, and 3.

Here, a process of equally dividing one screen into 4 parts and generating a composite video signal will be described.

Video signals S2, S3, and S4 of the respective students (a, b, c) transmitted from the instructor video signal S1 and the respective student-side terminals 3 and 3 are written into the respective frame memories 51, 52, 53, and 54 in frame units, respectively, and after writing one frame, are output to the subsequent buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58. The read video signals S1, S2, S3, S4 are written in units of one horizontal scanning line into the respective buffer memories 55, 56, 57, 58.

That is, the memory control unit 60 generates a clock CK synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal, and controls writing of the video signal to each of the frame memories 51, 52, 53, and 54 and the buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58 based on the clock CK. In this case, writing of the video signals S1, S2, S3, and S4 to the buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58 is performed at a rate of one for every two horizontal scanning lines. That is, the amount of data in the vertical direction is reduced 1/2.

On the other hand, the memory control unit 60 compresses 1/2 the video signals S11, S21, S31, and S41 written in one horizontal scanning line of the buffer memories 55, 56, 57, and 58 in accordance with the clock CK 2 times, reads out the compressed data, and writes the compressed data in the image memory 19. In this case, the video signals S11, S21, S31, and S41 are read out such that the video signal S11 written in the buffer memory 55 first and the video signal S21 written in the buffer memory 56 are read out alternately, and the video signal S31 written in the buffer memory 57 and the video signal S41 written in the buffer memory 58 are read out alternately.

As a result, when the image data (composite video signal) of one screen written in the image memory 59 is sequentially read and transmitted to the respective apparatuses 1, 3, and 3, the videos of the instructor and the student are simultaneously displayed in the state of being divided into 4 as shown in fig. 8 in the respective apparatuses 1, 3, and 3.

In 1-to-3 computer lectures in which one lecturer-side device 1 and 3 student-side devices 3, 3 are connected to each other, the MCU26 may select and display only one video on the displays 24, 37 of the connected lecturer-side device 1 and student-side devices 3, 3. For example, a video of the current speaker may be displayed in all the displays 24, 37, or only a video of the instructor may be displayed in the display 37 of each student-side apparatus 3, or only a video of one student selected by the instructor may be displayed in the display 24 of the instructor-side apparatus 1. Further, the display 24 of the instructor-side apparatus 1 may display videos of 3 students, or may display videos of 2 students selected by the instructor.

Claims

(modification according to article 19 of the treaty)

(modified) a computer classroom system using a television telephone, said system being a system in which a lecturer-side device for lecturing a lecture operated by a computer and a student-side device for listening to and speaking the lecture operated by the computer are bidirectionally connected via various communication lines,

the lecturer-side apparatus includes: a computer for lecturing; a photographing unit for photographing the image of the instructor and the image of the keyboard; a voice input unit for inputting the voice of the instructor; a mixing switching unit for mixing or switching the image information loaded from the computer and the image information shot by the shooting unit according to the requirement; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information mixed or switched by the mixing and switching unit and the voice information inputted by the voice input unit according to the requirement and transmitting the multiplexed information to the student side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the student side device; a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the student side device,

the above-mentioned student side device includes: a computer for listening and speaking; a photographing unit for photographing images of students and keyboard; a voice input unit inputting a voice of a student; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information loaded from the computer or the image information shot by the shooting unit and the voice information input by the voice input unit and transmitting the multiplexed information to the instructor-side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the lecturer-side device; a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the lecturer side device,

the image information or the voice information is loaded to a lecturer side terminal device for controlling the lecturer side terminal device and a student side terminal device for controlling the student side terminal device through the transmitting unit, and transmitted from the respective terminal devices to each other,

the student watches the computer image or keyboard image of the instructor side displayed on the display unit of the student side device, and learns the operation method of the computer of the student side according to the voice of the instructor output by the voice output unit.

2. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the image information loaded from the computer includes, in addition to the screen information, teaching material data stored in the computer and teaching material data read from an external storage medium.

(removal book)

(modified) computer classroom system using videophone as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

the lecturer-side device includes an electronic blackboard capable of performing various writing operations on the image loaded from the computer, and computer image information written and processed on the electronic blackboard is output to the mixing and switching unit.

(modified) the computer classroom system using videophone of any one of claims 1, 2, or 4, wherein:

the lecturer-side device and the student-side device or devices are bidirectionally connected by a multi-site connecting device that interconnects the student-side device or devices and the lecturer-side device or devices connected.

6. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in claim 5, wherein:

the multi-point connection device divides and combines image information transmitted from the connected instructor-side device and each student-side device in one screen, displays the combined image on the screens of the instructor-side device and each student-side device, and divides and simultaneously displays image information of all the connected devices in one screen.

Claims (6)

1. A computer classroom system using a television telephone, the system being a system in which a lecturer-side device for lecturing lectures operated by a computer and a student-side device for listening to and speaking the lectures operated by the computer are bidirectionally connected via various communication lines,

the lecturer-side apparatus includes: a computer for lecturing; a photographing unit for photographing the image of the instructor and the image of the keyboard; a voice input unit for inputting the voice of the instructor; a mixing switching unit for mixing or switching the image information loaded from the computer and the image information shot by the shooting unit according to the requirement; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information mixed or switched by the mixing and switching unit and the voice information inputted by the voice input unit according to the requirement and transmitting the multiplexed information to the student side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the student side device; a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the student side device,

the above-mentioned student side device includes: a computer for listening and speaking; a photographing unit for photographing images of students and keyboard; a voice input unit inputting a voice of a student; a transmitting unit for multiplexing the image information loaded from the computer or the image information shot by the shooting unit and the voice information input by the voice input unit and transmitting the multiplexed information to the instructor-side device; a display unit for displaying the image information transmitted from the lecturer-side device; a voice output unit for outputting the voice information sent from the lecturer side device,

the student watches the computer image or keyboard image of the instructor side displayed on the display unit of the student side device, and learns the operation method of the computer of the student side according to the voice of the instructor output by the voice output unit.

2. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the image information loaded from the computer includes, in addition to the screen information, teaching material data stored in the computer and teaching material data read from an external storage medium.

3. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

even if the student-side computer or the instructor-side computer is stopped, learning can be continued by the transmission unit.

4. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

the lecturer-side device includes an electronic blackboard capable of performing various writing operations on the image loaded from the computer, and computer image information written and processed on the electronic blackboard is output to the mixing and switching unit.

5. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

the lecturer-side device and the student-side device or devices are bidirectionally connected by a multi-site connecting device that interconnects the student-side device or devices and the lecturer-side device or devices connected.

6. A computer classroom system using a videophone as defined in claim 5, wherein:

the multi-point connection device divides and combines image information transmitted from the connected instructor-side device and each student-side device in one screen, displays the combined image on the screens of the instructor-side device and each student-side device, and divides and simultaneously displays image information of all the connected devices in one screen.