JP2006080817A - Voice call apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the security problems etc. that it is needed to know other party's IP addresses, etc. each for mutually connecting remote apparatus on a network and set them, but this is troublesome, or, if erroneous information are inputted, there is a fear of connecting unwanted parties. <P>SOLUTION: Using a telephone having voice call function, the connected other party is designated, the address and the authentication information of an apparatus connected to the party's telephone via the telephone are commonly possessed to input that party telephone number, thus easily identifying the connected other party by operations being accustomed to use up to now. Since the apparatus can be connected after confirming the other party by voice call, a danger of connecting it to unexpected parties is avoidable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice communication device capable of voice and digital data communication using a communication line.

  In recent years, it has become possible to digitize and transmit not only data but also video and audio using an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and efforts to apply the technology to home appliances are progressing. For example, it becomes possible to view video data stored in a DVD recorder from a digital television connected via Ethernet (registered trademark). In that case, in order to handle it as easily as conventional home appliances, it is necessary to have a mechanism for easy connection without performing complicated procedures such as setting the IP address of the connection destination.

  Conventionally, as a technology for easily connecting devices on the same LAN (Local Area Network), there has been a universal plug and play (UPnP) technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 or the like. A procedure in which the television 62 acquires and displays the video data of the DVD recorder 61 by UPnP will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the television 62 transmits an inquiry packet to all devices on the network by broadcast in order to search for devices connected to the network. Among the received devices, all UPnP compatible devices including the DVD recorder 61 return the attribute information of their own devices by broadcast. As a result, all devices including the inquired device can know what kind of device exists on the network.

  Furthermore, by inquiring each device individually based on the obtained attribute information, more detailed attribute information of each device can be obtained, and the functions of each device and the services that can be provided can be known. . In the example of FIG. 5, the television 62 can know that the DVD recorder 61 can provide video data to devices on the network. Therefore, the television 62 acquires a list of video data from the DVD recorder 61. The television can acquire video data from the DVD recorder 61 from information listed and display it.

  As a technique for connecting devices on different LANs, there is a method using a directory server on a network. A device that wants to accept connections from other devices connects to a directory server whose address is known in advance and registers attribute information such as the address, nickname, and function of the device itself. When another device wants to connect to the device, it can connect to the directory server, obtain a list of registered devices, and obtain information on the device to which connection is desired.

  However, since the UPnP method uses broadcast packets to search for devices, when applied to a huge network in which a plurality of LANs are combined such as the Internet, a large number of broadcast packets are sent from all over the world. This is not realistic because it imposes a huge load on the network, and there is a limitation that it can be applied only when the devices are connected to each other in a small network such as a home.

In addition, in the case of a method using a directory server, if the information registered in the directory server becomes enormous, it becomes difficult to find a partner device to be connected from the list. There is a problem that it takes time and effort because it is necessary to know and input information such as nicknames in advance. In addition, since searching from a large number of registered devices, there is a security problem that there is a risk of accidental connection to an unintended partner having similar attributes.
“UNDERSTANDING Universal Plug and Play White Paper”, HTTP: // www. upnp. org / download / UPNP_UnderstandingUPNP. doc

  The present invention does not require complicated settings such as the address of a connection partner device even when devices on different LANs are connected, and the network has a huge load like a method of searching by a broadcast packet. In addition, a technique for safely connecting with a simple operation to avoid accidental connection to an unintended partner is provided.

  Specify the other party using a telephone with a voice call function, and enter the other party's telephone number by sharing the address and authentication information of the equipment connected to the other party's telephone through the telephone. The connection partner can be easily identified by simply using the operation that you are already familiar with. Further, since the device can be connected after confirming the other party by voice call, it is possible to avoid the risk of connecting to an unpredicted party.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, by using a method of designating a connection partner using an IP telephone, it is possible to easily specify a connection partner only by an operation that has been used to date, such as inputting a partner's telephone number. Further, since the device can be connected after confirming the other party by voice call, it is possible to avoid the risk of connecting to an unpredicted party.

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a voice communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of a system using the voice communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of an overview of a voice communication apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. A procedure for connecting from the television 212 of the home 21 to the DVD recorder 202 of the home 20 using the IP phones 211 and 211 in FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  It is assumed that the other party and the target device that are permitted to be connected by operating the telephone are registered in advance in the telephone. That is, IP phone 201 has the telephone number of IP phone 211 registered as a connection partner and the ID of DVD recorder 202 as the connection target device. IP phone 211 has the telephone number of IP phone 201 and television 212 set. ID is registered.

  (1) When the operator 214 designates the telephone number of the IP telephone 201 by pressing the telephone number of the other party with the numeric buttons 108 of the IP telephone 211 (1-1), the voice communication processing unit 102 of the telephone 211 calls the telephone 201. A connection request is sent (1-2), and when the voice communication processing unit 102 of the telephone 201 receives the connection request, it rings a ringing tone and notifies the operator 204. When the operator 204 lifts the handset 106 (1-3), the telephone 211 and the telephone 201 are connected, and the operator 214 and the operator 204 can talk (1-4).

  (2) When the operator 214 presses the device connection button 109 of the telephone 212 during a call (2-1), the device connection processing unit 103 of the IP phone 211 calls whether the other party of the call is registered as connectable to the device. If the inquiry is made to the book database 104 and it is registered that the device can be connected, a list of connectable devices registered in the device database 105 is displayed on the display 151 as in the example shown in FIG. (If the call partner is not registered in the phone book database 104 as being connectable to the device, the fact that the call partner device cannot be connected is displayed on the display 151.) Next, the operator 214 uses buttons 152, 153, and 154. When the television is selected on the screen 151, the device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 211 sends a device connection request for requesting connection from the television 212 to the telephone 201 (2-2).

(3) Upon receiving the device connection request, the device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 201 inquires of the telephone directory database 104 whether the other party's IP phone 211 is registered as being connectable to the device. The content of the connection request is displayed on the screen 151 as in the example shown in FIG. 3D, the device connection button 109 is lit, a chime is sounded, and the operator is notified that there is a device connection request (3- 1). (If the call partner is not registered in the phone book database 104 as being connectable to the device, the display 151 indicates that the call partner cannot be connected, and the device connection processing unit 103 of the phone 201 When the operator 204 accepts the connection from the television 212, when the operator presses the device connection button 109 of the telephone 201 (3-2), the device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 201 A connection permission response is sent to 211 (3-3). (If the operator 204 does not want to accept the connection from the television 212, the device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 102 can call the telephone 211 after a certain period of time without releasing the device connection button 109. Send connection reject response.)
(4) The device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 201 acquires the address information (including the IP address and the port number) and the authentication key of the DVD recorder 202 and the authentication key from the DVD recorder 202 (4-1) and transmits them to the telephone 211. (4-2). The device connection processing unit 103 of the telephone 211 passes the received address information and authentication key to the television 212 (4-3).

  (5) The television 212 sends a connection request to the DVD recorder 202 based on the received address information, and sends an authentication key to request authentication (5-1). If the DVD recorder 202 verifies the received authentication key and determines that authentication is possible, the DVD recorder 202 permits connection from the television 212 (5-2).

  (6) In this state, the television 212 and the DVD recorder 202 are logically connected, and video data can be transmitted between them by the following procedure. The television 212 acquires a list of video data that can be provided by the DVD recorder 202 from the DVD recorder 202 (6-1) and displays it on the screen of the television 212. When the operator 214 operates the television remote controller to select desired video data, the television 212 requests the DVD recorder 202 for the selected video data. The DVD recorder 202 transmits the requested video data to the television 212 (6-2), and the television 212 receives the video data, decodes it, and displays it.

  The cutting procedure is as follows.

  (7) When the operator 214 hangs up the receiver 31 of the telephone 211 (7-1), the voice communication processing unit 102 of the telephone 211 sends a disconnection notice to the telephone 201, and ends the voice communication (7-2). ), A disconnection request is sent to the television 212 (7-3). The television 212 sends a disconnection notice to the DVD recorder 202 and disconnects the communication (7-4).

  Next, a procedure for registering connectable devices in the IP phone will be described below using the home 21 in FIG. 2 as an example.

  (I) When the operator 214 presses the device search button 110 of the IP phone 211, the device connection processing unit 103 supports plug and play in the network of the home 21 using the conventional plug and play technology. All the devices that have been searched are retrieved and displayed on the display 151 as in the example of FIG.

  (Ii) When the operator 214 selects the device displayed on the screen using the buttons 152 and 153 of the IP phone 211 and presses the button 154, the device connection processing unit 103 displays the selected device as “connection”. Registered in the device database 105 as “Available Devices”.

  (Iii) If there are multiple devices to be registered, repeat steps (i) to (ii).

  In the first embodiment, a connection request is issued from the calling side (side that makes a call), but a connection request may be issued from the called side (side that receives the call).

  Further, although the procedure for acquiring the authentication key from the DVD recorder is described, the procedure may be such that the IP telephone generates the authentication key and passes it to the DVD recorder.

  In the first embodiment, the case where a digital TV and a DVD recorder are connected has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other devices.

  In the first embodiment, the procedure for connecting a device after pressing the device connection button is used. However, a procedure for automatically connecting a preset device when a telephone is connected may be used. For example, if the home 20 video camera and the home 21 TV, and the home 20 TV and the home 21 video camera are set to be automatically connected, the video of the other party is automatically set when the phone is connected. Is displayed on the television at home, and the videophone function can be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the TV 212 and the DVD player 202 are directly connected by operating the IP phone. However, the router 213 and the router 202 may be connected by a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in the same procedure. This is possible and does not detract from the intent of the present invention. In this case, since the networks of the home 21 and the home 22 can be logically regarded as a single network by being connected by VPN, the TV 212 and the DVD player 202 can be easily configured by the plug and play mechanism in the prior art. You can search and connect with the other party.

  The voice call device according to the present invention uses a method of designating a connection partner using an IP telephone, and thus the connection partner can be easily specified only by an operation that has been used to date, such as inputting the other party's telephone number. In addition, by connecting the device after confirming the other party by voice call, it is possible to avoid the risk of connecting to an unpredicted party, This is useful in communication and the like.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a voice communication device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which showed an example of the network connection using the audio | voice communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which showed the external view and screen display of the audio | voice communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which showed the apparatus connection procedure using the audio | voice communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which showed the apparatus connection procedure using UPnP in a prior art example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Voice communication apparatus 101 Network interface 102 Voice communication processing part 103 Equipment connection processing part 104 Telephone directory database 105 Equipment database 106 Voice input / output part (handset)
108 Number button 109 Device connection button 110 Device search button 120 Network terminal 151 Display 152 Up button 153 Down button 154 Enter button 20, 21 Home 201, 211 Voice communication device 202 DVD recorder 212 Television 203, 213 IP router 204, 214 Operator 22 IP network 61 DVD recorder 62 TV

Claims (3)

A voice communication device connected to a communication line, wherein an operator designates a second voice communication device and means for performing a voice call through the communication line between the second voice communication device And a means for sharing authentication information for authenticating with a device connected via the communication line with the device, and a means for sharing the authentication information with the second voice communication device. An input means for detecting an operation of the operator, a means for transmitting a device connection request to the voice communication device of the call destination according to an output of the input means, and a notification for notifying the operator that the device connection request has been received A connection acceptability input means for designating whether or not an operator accepts a device connection request; and accepting a device connection request to a voice communication apparatus that is a transmission source of the device connection request according to a result of the connection input means The voice communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting whether or not. Determination of whether or not device connection destination table storing unique information of the voice communication device and whether or not the voice communication device unique information included in the received device connection request is registered in the device connection destination table And means for transmitting whether or not to accept a device connection request to a voice communication apparatus that is a transmission source of the device connection request according to the results of the determination unit and the connection input unit. The voice communication device according to the description.

Images