A CONFERENCING SYSTEM

摘要

A conference control station (10) is arranged to transmit signals on a first allocated satellite communication channel (SC1). A number of conference stations (20) forming at least one group is provided. Each conference station (20) of a group is arranged to transmit signals on one or more further communication channels allocated to the group with the number of further communication channels allocated to the group being small compared to the number of conference stations. Generally the communication channels are satellite communication channels. Access to the or the selected further communication channel is controlled by the conference station itself. Generally two further communication channels (SC2 and SC3) are allocated to a group of conference stations (20). Each conference station (20) of a group is arranged to receive signals on the first communication channel (SC1) allocated to that group from the control station (10) and on any of the number of further communication channels (SC2 and SC3) allocated to the group from the other conference stations (20) of that group. The control station (10) is arranged to receive signals on the further channels (SC2 and SC3) allocated to the or each group of the conference stations (20).