JP2015041911A - Quality information management system, user terminal, quality management server, and quality information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect quality deterioration in a real-time communication service without depending on a type of medium (for example, a type of codec) or a real-time communication protocol (for example, RTP).SOLUTION: A quality information management system 5 comprises: a plurality of user terminals 3 connected with a session control server 2 that provides a real-time communication service; and a quality management server 1. Each user terminal 3 detects deterioration in speech quality by determining that operation (confirmation operation at a time of quality deterioration) specific to a user at the time of communication quality deterioration is performed, and transmits the quality deterioration detection information to the quality management server 1. The quality management server 1 aggregates and analyzes the quality deterioration detection information received from the respective user terminals 3, and generates speech quality deterioration information indicating the state of speech quality per service in a prescribed time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a quality information management system, a user terminal, a quality management server, and a quality information management method for collecting and analyzing quality information of a real-time communication service.

  In recent years, various real-time communication services have been provided, and it is left to the user to select which service is used for communication. For example, in the case of a call service, in addition to a telephone service provided by a communication carrier, an OTT (Over The Top) operator can provide various real-time communication services (for example, “skype (registered trademark)”, “ Line (registered trademark) "and the like, and the user can select which service is used for communication. Hereinafter, the real-time communication service may be simply referred to as “service” or “call service”.

  On the other hand, as a conventional technique, a technique for detecting the deterioration of the quality of the call service and managing the service quality has been proposed. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a media stream (Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) / RTCP (RTP Control Protocol)) is monitored and packet loss, packet delay, and jitter are detected as a method for detecting deterioration in call quality. By detecting it, quality degradation is detected (see Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2001/034090

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to apply to a proprietary call service that does not use RTP for a media stream. Further, even in a call service that uses RTP for a media stream, there is a problem that the monitoring processing load is heavy, for example, it is necessary to always monitor the RTP time stamp value in order to detect jitter. Further, there are problems such as the need to adjust the parameter of the time stamp value to be monitored according to the type of codec used, and the detection algorithm to be changed according to the presence or absence of silence compression.

  On the other hand, for the user side, since the quality status of each service cannot be known in advance, if the quality of the call service selected by the user has deteriorated at that time, the call is interrupted and the call is interrupted. In order to resume the operation, the user needs to take action such as manually switching the call service.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and the present invention detects a deterioration in quality of a real-time communication service without depending on a media type (codec type or the like) or a real-time communication protocol (RTP or the like). It is an object to provide a quality information management system, a user terminal, a quality management server, and a quality information management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that, by connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers providing each real-time communication service, a call is received in response to the provision of the real-time communication service. A quality information management system comprising: a plurality of user terminals to be realized; and a quality management server that stores information on call quality of each of the real-time communication services, wherein the user terminal is connected to the other through the session control server. Specific to the user at the time of call quality deterioration based on the session control unit that realizes a call by the real-time communication service and the detection information of the sensor included in the user terminal and the operation information output from the input means Operation When the corresponding information is acquired, it is detected that the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call is deteriorated, and quality deterioration detection information with a service identifier for identifying the real-time communication service is generated, A communication quality deterioration detecting unit for transmitting to the quality management server, wherein the quality management server stores, for each real-time communication service, a total service user number that is the total number of users who use the real-time communication service. And receiving the quality degradation detection information, totaling the number of quality degradation detection information received within a predetermined time for each real-time communication service, and normalizing the total number of service users for each real-time communication service. Quality information management system characterized in that it and a quality control unit for generating a quality degradation information.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of user terminals that realize a call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service by connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services. A quality information management method for a quality information management system comprising: a quality management server that stores information on call quality of each of the real-time communication services, wherein the user terminal is connected to the other through the session control server Based on the step of realizing a call using the real-time communication service with the user terminal, the detection information of the sensor provided in the user terminal, and the operation information output from the input means, the operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated Corresponding information Is detected, the quality of the real-time communication service during a call is detected to be deteriorated, quality deterioration detection information with a service identifier for identifying the real-time communication service is generated, and the quality management is performed. Transmitting to a server, and the quality management server includes a storage unit that stores the total number of users, which is the total number of users using the real-time communication service, for each real-time communication service, Receiving the quality degradation detection information, summing up the number of quality degradation detection information received within a predetermined time for each real-time communication service, and normalizing by the total number of users of the service for each real-time communication service And quality information managing method characterized by performing the step of generating a broadcast.

As described above, in the quality information management system, the user terminal detects a decrease in the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call by detecting an operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated. It can be sent to the quality management server. Then, the quality management server can count the number of quality deterioration detection information received from each user terminal for each real-time communication, and generate call quality deterioration information normalized by the total number of service users.
As a result, the quality information management system provides a general-purpose real-time communication service quality degradation detection method that does not depend on the media type (codec type, etc.) or RTP. Information on quality degradation can be easily collected.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a sensor information processing in which the call quality deterioration detection unit detects whether a detection target is separated from the user terminal itself by a predetermined distance based on information of a proximity sensor included in the call quality deterioration detection unit. And the dial operation detection unit for detecting an input operation of the dial number and the other user terminal, the sensor information processing unit determines the detection target from the user terminal itself. If the dial operation detection unit does not detect the dial number input operation within a predetermined time after the detection, the real-time communication service during the call is detected. A quality deterioration detection unit that detects that the call quality has deteriorated, generates the quality deterioration detection information, and transmits the information to the quality management server. And quality information management system according to claim 1,.

  By doing in this way, the user terminal of the quality information management system detects that the detection target (ear, etc.) has left the user terminal based on the information of the proximity sensor, and within the predetermined time after the detection, When the number input operation is not detected, it is possible to detect that the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call has deteriorated.

  The invention according to claim 3, wherein the user terminal transmits a quality information acquisition request for inquiring a state of call quality of each real-time communication service to the quality management server, and the real-time communication service is transmitted from the quality management server. A quality degradation information acquisition unit that acquires quality degradation information for each service including the call quality degradation information for each and displays the information on a display unit, and the quality management server receives the quality information acquisition request from the user terminal Then, the quality degradation information transmission part which produces | generates the said quality degradation information for every service, and transmits to the said user terminal which transmitted the said quality information acquisition request is further provided, The claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The quality information management system.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a step in which the user terminal transmits a quality information acquisition request to the quality management server for inquiring a state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services, from the quality management server, Further, a step of acquiring quality degradation information for each service including the call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service and displaying the information on a display unit is performed, and the quality management server issues the quality information acquisition request from the user terminal. The quality information management method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating the quality degradation information for each service upon reception and transmitting the quality information acquisition request to the user terminal that has transmitted the quality information acquisition request. did.

  In this way, the user terminal of the quality information management system can obtain the call quality status of a plurality of real-time communication services by inquiring the quality management server. Can be appropriately selected.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of user terminals that are connected to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services, thereby realizing a call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication services. And a quality management server that stores information on the call quality of each of the real-time communication services, the user terminal of a quality information management system, between the other user terminals via the session control server Thus, based on the session control unit that realizes a call by the real-time communication service, the detection information of the sensor provided in the device itself, and the operation information output from the input means, information corresponding to the operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated. Acquired When the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call is deteriorated, the deterioration detection information with a service identifier for identifying the real-time communication service is generated and transmitted to the quality management server. The user terminal is characterized by comprising a call quality deterioration detecting unit.

  In this way, the user terminal detects a decrease in call quality of the real-time communication service during a call by detecting an operation peculiar to the user when the call quality is deteriorated, and transmits it to the quality management server as quality deterioration detection information. be able to.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the user terminal transmits a quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services to the quality management server, and from the quality management server, the real-time communication service 5. The user terminal according to claim 4, further comprising a quality degradation information acquisition unit that acquires quality degradation information for each service including call quality degradation information for each and displays the information on a display unit.

  In this way, the user terminal can obtain the call quality status of a plurality of real-time communication services by inquiring of the quality management server, so that the user appropriately selects a service that satisfies the required quality. It becomes possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of user terminals that are connected to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each real-time communication service, thereby realizing a call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service. A quality management server of a quality information management system comprising: a quality management server that stores information on call quality of each of the real-time communication services, and a total service user who is the total number of users who use the real-time communication service A storage unit that stores a number for each real-time communication service, and quality deterioration detection information indicating that a decrease in call quality of the real-time communication service during a call is detected from the user terminal. A quality management unit that aggregates the number of quality degradation detection information received and received within a predetermined time for each real-time communication service, and generates call quality degradation information normalized by the total number of users for each real-time communication service And a quality control server characterized by comprising:

  In this way, the quality management server can aggregate the number of quality degradation detection information received from each user terminal for each real-time communication and generate call quality degradation information normalized by the total number of service users.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the quality management server receives from the user terminal a quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services, the call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service The quality management server according to claim 6, further comprising: a quality degradation information transmitting unit that generates quality degradation information for each service including the information and transmits the quality information acquisition request to the user terminal that has transmitted the quality information acquisition request. did.

  By doing in this way, the quality management server can transmit the call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service to the user terminal that has transmitted the request in response to the request from the user terminal.

  According to the present invention, a quality information management system, a user terminal, a quality management server, and a quality management server that detect a deterioration in quality of a real-time communication service without depending on a media type (codec type or the like) or a real-time communication protocol (RTP or the like), and Quality information management method can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the quality information management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the session control server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the quality management server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of the quality management information which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow from the quality fall detection to the update of quality management information by the quality information management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the quality degradation detection process (in the case of the speech quality degradation determination algorithm (A-1)) which the speech quality degradation detection part of the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the quality degradation detection process (in the case of a speech quality degradation determination algorithm (A-2)) which the speech quality degradation detection part of the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the quality degradation detection process (in the case of a speech quality degradation determination algorithm (A-3)) which the speech quality degradation detection part of the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the quality degradation detection process (When the speech quality degradation determination algorithm (A-1) and (B) are combined) which the speech quality degradation detection part of the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the inquiry process of the quality condition of a service by the quality information management system which concerns on this embodiment.

  Next, the quality information management system 5 and the like in a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described.

<System configuration and processing overview>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a quality information management system 5 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the quality information management system 5 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of user terminals 3 (# 1, # 2) made up of mobile phones, smartphones, and the like, and each user terminal 3 (# 1, # 2). ) From the quality management server 1 for acquiring information related to quality degradation of the real-time communication service ("quality degradation detection information" described later). This user terminal 3 (# 1, # 2) is connected to one of a plurality of session control servers 2 that provide each real-time communication service, thereby realizing a call by receiving the real-time communication service.
The user terminal 3 is not limited to the two user terminals 3 (# 1, # 2) shown in FIG. 1, and may be a plurality of user terminals 3 that can use each service. Connection with several thousand or tens of thousands of user terminals 3 is assumed.
The service quality degradation detection method in the quality information management system 5 according to the present embodiment does not depend on a technique for acquiring information specific to quality degradation obtained by monitoring a media stream as in the prior art, Focusing on the user behavior of the service, it is characterized by detecting a decrease in service quality.

  It is assumed that when the user selects a certain real-time communication service and is provided with the service, that is, when a call is in progress between the user terminals 3, the call quality deteriorates. In that case, the user takes the user terminal 3 away from his / her ear and performs an operation of confirming whether or not the state during the call is maintained on the display screen of the user terminal 3 (for example, a mark indicating that the call is in progress). is there. The user terminal 3 according to the present embodiment detects this operation (hereinafter referred to as “quality degradation check operation”) using a proximity sensor or the like provided in the user terminal 3 itself. Then, the user terminal 3 detects a decrease in call quality by determining that the quality deterioration confirmation operation has been performed, and transmits the quality deterioration detection information to the quality management server 1. The quality management server 1 aggregates and analyzes the quality deterioration detection information received from each user terminal 3, and generates call quality deterioration information indicating the state of the call quality for each service within a predetermined time. In response to a request from each user terminal 3, the quality management server 1 transmits the generated call quality degradation information for each service ("quality degradation information for each service" described later) as response information.

As described above, the quality information management system 5, the user terminal 3, and the quality management server 1 according to the present embodiment employ a quality degradation detection method that focuses on the user behavior at the time of quality degradation. No special terminal function is required to detect quality degradation. As a result, since it does not depend on the media type (codec type or the like), RTP, or the like, it is possible to provide a general-purpose quality degradation detection method and collect information on quality degradation of each service.
Since the user terminal 3 can obtain the call quality status of a plurality of real-time communication services by inquiring of the quality management server 1, the user can appropriately select a service that satisfies the required quality. It becomes.

<Configuration of each device>
Next, the configuration of each device (the user terminal 3 and the quality management server 1) and the session control server 2 constituting the quality information management system 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

≪User terminal≫
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal 3 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal 3 is a mobile phone, a smartphone, or the like, and is connected to another user terminal 3 as a communication partner to realize a real-time communication service. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 31, an input / output unit 32, a display unit 33, a sensor unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

The communication unit 31 includes a communication interface that transmits and receives information via a communication line.
The input / output unit 32 is provided with an operation means for inputting a dial number, not shown, an input means composed of a keyboard, a touch panel, etc., an input means such as a microphone for inputting voice data, and voice data. It is composed of an input / output interface for inputting / outputting information to / from an output means such as an output speaker.
The display unit 33 is an output unit such as a monitor, and in the present embodiment, a screen indicating whether or not the communication state of the real-time communication service, for example, a state during a call is maintained (a mark or the like indicating a call) Is displayed.

  The sensor unit 34 is configured by a proximity sensor that detects a detection target in a non-contact manner. In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 34 (proximity sensor) detects that the user has separated the user terminal 3 from the ear or the like to a predetermined distance. Further, as described later, the sensor unit 34 may further include an acceleration sensor that detects a state in which the user shakes the user terminal 3.

  The storage unit 35 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and the like. The storage unit 35 stores a program for realizing the functions of the control unit 30 and information necessary for data processing by the control unit 30. Remember. The storage unit 35 stores the IP (Internet Protocol) address and port number of each session control server 2 (2A,..., 2N) and the quality management server 1.

The control unit 30 controls the entire user terminal 3, and includes a session control unit 310, a media stream control unit 320, a call quality deterioration detection unit 330, and a quality deterioration information acquisition unit 340.
In addition, this control part 30 is implement | achieved when CPU (Central Processing Unit) expand | deploys and executes the program stored in the memory | storage part 35 to RAM which is main memory, for example.

  The session control unit 310 uses a control protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) with the other user terminal 3 via the session control server 2 to set the media type (codec type) and the like. Session control is performed by transmitting and receiving information.

  The media stream control unit 320 controls the microphone device, performs resampling and encoding of the acquired media data (voice data), and generates RTP packets and the like, thereby realizing voice communication.

  When the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 acquires information corresponding to the operation specific to the user at the time of call quality deterioration based on the detection information of the sensor unit 34 and the operation information output from the input / output unit 32, Detects that the call quality of the real-time communication service has deteriorated. In addition, the call quality degradation detection unit 330 generates quality degradation detection information with service identification information (service identifier) for specifying the service, and transmits the quality degradation detection information to the quality management server 1 via the communication unit 31. The call quality degradation detection unit 330 includes a sensor information processing unit 331, a dial operation detection unit 332, and a quality degradation detection unit 333.

  The sensor information processing unit 331 outputs information acquired from the sensor unit 34 to the quality deterioration detection unit 333. Specifically, the sensor information processing unit 331 acquires information such as that the ear or the like (detection target) is away from the user terminal 3 to a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor, and outputs the information to the quality deterioration detection unit 333. In addition, when the sensor unit 34 is provided with an acceleration sensor, the sensor information processing unit 331 provides information that an acceleration of a predetermined value or more is detected due to the user terminal 3 being shaken during a call or the like. Acquired and output to the quality degradation detection unit 333.

  The dial operation detection unit 332 detects that an operation unit that inputs a dial number or the like is operated via the input / output unit 32.

  Based on the information from the sensor information processing unit 331 and the information from the dial operation detection unit 332, the quality degradation detection unit 333 performs a preset quality degradation confirmation operation (user behavior at the time of quality degradation) on the user terminal 3. By determining that the holding user has performed, it is detected that the call quality has deteriorated. When the quality deterioration detection unit 333 detects that the call quality has deteriorated, it attaches service identification information (service identifier) for identifying the real-time communication service used by the user terminal 3 at that time. Quality degradation detection information is generated and transmitted to the quality management server 1 via the communication unit 31.

The determination by the quality deterioration detection unit 333 whether or not the user has performed a quality deterioration confirmation operation is performed based on, for example, a call quality deterioration determination algorithm described below.
(A) When the user terminal 3 is in a call with another user terminal 3 and the call quality deteriorates, the call state of the user terminal 3 (whether the call is in progress or whether the call is disconnected) is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 3 Based on the operation confirmed in the (display unit 33), any one of the operations (A-1) to (A-3) is performed.
(A-1) The proximity sensor of the user terminal 3 detects that the ear or the like (detection target) has been separated to a predetermined distance. If the dial operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the detection, it is determined that the call quality has deteriorated. The reason for confirming the dial operation is that the user terminal 3 or the like performs a dial input operation while confirming the screen even during a call in a certain product purchase service or automatic reception at a customer service. Therefore, when the operation is performed, it is to avoid erroneously detecting a deterioration in quality.
(A-2) The proximity sensor of the user terminal 3 detects that the ear or the like (detection target) has been separated to a predetermined distance. When the dial operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the detection, the call quality deteriorates when the proximity sensor of the user terminal 3 detects that the ear or the like (detection target) has approached the predetermined distance again. Is determined.
(A-3) The proximity sensor of the user terminal 3 detects that the ear or the like (detection target) has been separated to a predetermined distance. When the dial operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the detection, it is determined that the call quality has deteriorated when the call is disconnected after the predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the session is disconnected and the call is disconnected due to a decrease in the call quality of the service being used.
(B) In addition to the operations (A-1) to (A-3) described above, when the shaking of the user terminal 3 is detected by the acceleration sensor during a call, it is determined that the call quality has deteriorated. This is because the user may perform an operation of shaking (shaking) the user terminal 3 when the call quality is deteriorated, so that the shaking of the user terminal 3 is detected by an acceleration sensor to detect a decrease in the call quality. is there.

  The quality degradation detection unit 333 has any one of the calls (A-1) to (A-3) described above or a combination of (A-1) to (A-3) and (B). A quality degradation determination algorithm is preset. Based on the call quality deterioration determination algorithm, the quality deterioration detection unit 333 determines whether or not the call quality has deteriorated.

The quality deterioration information acquisition unit 340 generates a quality information acquisition request based on the quality information acquisition request of each service acquired via the input / output unit 32 and transmits the quality information acquisition request to the quality management server 1 via the communication unit 31. To do. Then, the quality degradation information acquisition unit 340 acquires quality degradation information for each service indicating the status of quality degradation of each service from the quality management server 1 and causes the display unit 33 to display the information.
The quality degradation information acquisition unit 340 displays, for example, a quality status confirmation button for each service that requests acquisition of quality information for each service on the display unit 33 of the user terminal 3, and the user selects and inputs the button. When the input / output unit 32 detects this, a quality information acquisition request is generated.

  As described above, the user terminal 3 includes the call quality degradation detection unit 330 and the quality degradation information acquisition unit 340, which are not included in the function of the user terminal in the prior art, so that the call quality can be improved while using a certain real-time communication service. When it falls, it can detect that call quality fell based on a user's behavior, and can transmit the detection information (quality fall detection information) to the quality management server 1. Also, the user terminal 3 can cause the quality management server 1 to inquire about the quality status of each service, and display the degradation status of the call quality on the display unit 33 in advance. Therefore, the user can select a service with little deterioration in quality, select the service, and make a call.

≪Session control server≫
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the session control server 2 according to the present embodiment. The session control server 2 is a device deployed by a carrier or a service provider that provides a real-time communication service, performs session control and user management, and realizes real-time communication between the user terminals 3. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the session control server 2 is uniquely deployed for each service.

  The session control server 2 includes a control unit (not shown) including the user management unit 21 and the real-time communication session control unit 22 shown in FIG. 3, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit (not shown).

  The user management unit 21 corresponds to the user management information (not shown) stored in the storage unit (not shown), such as the number, IP address, service, etc. of each user terminal 3 stored in the user management information. Register, change, and delete information.

  The real-time communication session control unit 22 performs session control between the user terminals 3 using a call control protocol such as SIP. Further, in cooperation with the user management unit 21, the user terminal 3 is authenticated, the IP address of the user terminal 3 is managed, and routing is performed.

  The communication unit 23 includes a communication interface that transmits and receives information via a communication line, and implements communication with the user terminal 3 based on IP or the like.

  As described above, the session control server 2 provided for each service provides each real-time communication service that enables a call between the user terminals 3.

≪Quality management server≫
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the quality management server 1 according to the present embodiment. The quality management server 1 receives quality degradation detection information from each user terminal 3 and updates the quality management information 100 described later, thereby managing the status of quality degradation for each service. Further, the quality management server 1 receives a quality information acquisition request from the user terminal 3, and transmits quality degradation information for each service indicating the quality degradation status of each service to the user terminal 3 that has transmitted the request.
As shown in FIG. 4, the quality management server 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, an input / output unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

  The communication unit 11 includes a communication interface that transmits and receives information via a communication line, and realizes communication with each user terminal 3 based on IP or the like.

  The input / output unit 12 includes an input / output interface for inputting / outputting information to / from an input unit such as a keyboard (not shown) or an output unit such as a monitor.

  The control unit 10 controls the quality management server 1 as a whole, and includes a quality management unit 110 and a quality deterioration information transmission unit 120.

  The quality management unit 110 acquires quality degradation detection information from each user terminal 3 via the communication unit 11 and updates the quality management information 100 stored in the storage unit 13 based on the acquired quality degradation detection information. .

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the quality management information 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the quality management information 100 includes fields of a service identifier 101, the total service user count 102, the number of times of quality degradation 103 per unit time, and call quality degradation information 104.

The service identifier 101 stores an identifier (“A”, “B”,..., “N”) unique to each real-time communication service in this system.
The total service user count 102 stores the total user count N (“N ₁ ”, “N ₂ ”,..., “N _n ”) subscribing to each service. The total number N of users of each service is updated with the latest information at predetermined time intervals (for example, every day, every week, every month, etc.). The “N” of the total service user number 102 may be determined that a service with a large total user number N may be determined to have poor quality when only the quality degradation count 103 per unit time is considered. This is used for the process of normalizing the number of quality degradations 103 per hour with the total number N of users of each service.

The quality management unit 110 is provided with service identification information (service identifier) from the user terminal 3 to the number of quality degradations 103 per unit time (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “quality degradations 103”). Each time the quality degradation detection information is received, a value obtained by adding “1” to the value of the quality degradation count 103 corresponding to the service identifier 101 of the service is stored. Further, the quality management unit 110 stores the time when the quality degradation count 103 is incremented by “1” and its service identifier 101, and after the unit time, for example, “1 hour” has elapsed, the quality degradation count 103 of the added service. "1" is subtracted from the value of.
In FIG. 5, “a ₁ ” is stored as the quality degradation count 103 of the service identifier “A” for the service identifier 101, and “a ₂ ” is stored as the quality degradation count 103 for the service “B”. (Hereinafter the same).
Thereby, the information of the number of times of quality degradation 103 reflecting the latest quality state in the service can be stored in the quality management information 100.

  The call quality degradation information 104 is information indicating the status of quality degradation of each service, and stores the number 103 of quality degradation per unit time normalized by the total service user count 102. Specifically, the call quality degradation information 104 stores a value calculated by the following equation (1).

  Number of quality degradations per unit time “a” / total number of users “N” (1)

  Each time the quality management unit 110 acquires the quality degradation detection information from each user terminal 3, the quality management information 110 adds "1" to the quality degradation frequency 103 per unit time of the quality management information 100, and updates the call quality degradation information 104. . Further, the quality management unit 110 updates the call quality degradation information 104 by subtracting “1” from the number of quality degradations 103 per unit time of the service corresponding to the information for the quality degradation detection information that has passed the unit time. . In this way, the quality management unit 110 always maintains the call quality degradation information 104 so that the latest communication status is reflected.

  Upon receiving a quality information acquisition request from each user terminal 3 via the communication unit 11, the quality degradation information transmission unit 120 refers to the quality management information 100 (FIG. 5) in the storage unit 13 and determines the service of each service. Service-specific quality degradation information including call quality degradation information 104 associated with each identifier 101 is generated. And the quality degradation information transmission part 120 transmits the produced | generated quality degradation information for every service to the user terminal 3 which has transmitted the quality information acquisition request.

  The storage unit 13 includes storage means such as a hard disk, a flash memory, and a RAM, and stores the quality management information 100 described above.

  In addition, this control part 10 is implement | achieved, for example, when CPU expand | deploys the program stored in the memory | storage part 13 to RAM which is main memory.

  Thus, the quality management server 1 can generate the call quality deterioration information 104 (see FIG. 5) for each service by acquiring the quality deterioration detection information from each user terminal 3. Then, the quality management server 1 can transmit, to the user terminal 3, the quality degradation information for each service including the generated call quality degradation information 104 for each service in response to the quality information acquisition request from the user terminal 3. .

<Process flow>
Next, a processing flow of the quality information management system 5 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Flow from quality degradation detection to quality management information update)
First, with reference to FIG. 6 (refer to FIGS. 2 to 5 as appropriate), the flow from the detection of quality deterioration by the user terminal 3 to the update of the quality management information 100 by the quality management server 1 will be described.

First, it is assumed that the user terminal 3 (# 1) and the user terminal 3 (# 2) are in a state where a session is established through the session control server 2 (2A) and a call is made (step S1).
The session control server 2 (2A) is assumed to provide a real-time communication service “A”. In addition, it is assumed that each user terminal 3 (# 1, # 2) stores the IP address, port number, and the like of the quality management server 1 in the storage unit 35 in advance.

  Next, it is assumed that the call quality of the user media (RTP or the like) is lowered due to the influence of the communication status or the like, and the user performs a confirmation operation when the quality is lowered. That is, as the operations (A) and (B) described above, for example, it is assumed that the user moves the user terminal 3 away from the ear and confirms the display unit 33 (display screen) of the user terminal 3. At this time, the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 of the user terminal 3 (# 1, # 2) acquires information from the sensor unit 34 and the input / output unit 32 based on a preset call quality deterioration determination algorithm, A decrease in call quality is detected (step S2). Details of the quality degradation detection process in step S2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Subsequently, when the call quality deterioration detecting unit 330 (quality deterioration detecting unit 333) of the user terminal 3 (# 1, # 2) detects that the call quality has deteriorated, the user terminal 3 uses that at that time. The quality degradation detection information with the service identification information (service identifier) for specifying the real-time communication service is generated and transmitted to the quality management server 1 (step S3).
In addition, when a decrease in call quality is detected in each of the user terminal 3 (# 1) and the user terminal 3 (# 2), the quality deterioration detection information is received from both user terminals 3 (# 1, # 2). It is transmitted to the management server 1. However, since there may be a situation in which only one voice does not reach the other party during the call, in that case, the quality deterioration detection information is sent to the quality management server 1 only from the one user terminal 3 side where the call quality has deteriorated. Sent.

Then, the quality management unit 110 of the quality management server 1 that has received the quality degradation detection information updates the quality management information 100 stored in the storage unit 13 based on the received quality degradation detection information (step S4).
Specifically, each time the quality management unit 110 acquires the quality degradation detection information from each user terminal 3, the quality management information 100 (the service management information) is attached to the quality degradation detection information. For FIG. 5), the number of quality degradations 103 per unit time corresponding to the service identifier 101 is updated by adding “1”. Then, the quality management unit 110 recalculates the call quality degradation information 104 based on the above equation (1). For quality degradation detection information that has passed the unit time, the quality management unit 110 subtracts “1” from the value of the number of quality degradations 103 per unit time of the service corresponding to the information, and then performs call quality degradation information. 104 is recalculated based on the above equation (1). In this way, the quality management unit 110 always maintains the call quality degradation information 104 so that the latest communication status is reflected.

(Degradation detection process)
Next, details of the quality degradation detection process described in step S2 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a quality deterioration detection process executed by the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 of the user terminal 3 according to the present embodiment.
The call quality deterioration detection unit 330 of the user terminal 3 is one of (A-1) to (A3), or (A-1) to (A-3), which is the above-described call quality deterioration determination algorithm. Based on one of the algorithms combined with B), a decrease in call quality is detected. FIG. 7 shows an example in which (A-1) is adopted as the call quality degradation determination algorithm.

  First, the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 of the user terminal 3 determines whether or not the user terminal 3 itself is in a call with another user terminal 3 using a real-time communication service (step S10). . If the call is not in progress (step S10 → No), the call quality deterioration detecting unit 330 ends the process. On the other hand, if the call is in progress (step S10 → Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S11. The call quality deterioration detection unit 330 executes the determination process of step S10 at predetermined time intervals.

  In step S <b> 11, the sensor information processing unit 331 of the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 determines whether the ear or the like (detection target) is away from the user terminal 3 to a predetermined distance based on information from the sensor unit 34 (proximity sensor). Determine. Here, when the ear or the like is not separated to a predetermined distance (step S11 → No), the determination is repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the ear or the like is away from the user terminal 3 to a predetermined distance (step S11 → Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S12.

  In step S12, the dial operation detecting unit 332 of the call quality deterioration detecting unit 330 performs a dial operation within a predetermined time from the point in time when detecting that the ear or the like is separated from the user terminal 3 by a predetermined distance in step S11. It is determined whether or not. Here, when the dial operation detection unit 332 detects a dial operation (step S12 → Yes), the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the dial operation detection unit 332 does not detect the dial operation (step S12 → No), the process proceeds to the next step S14.

In step S14, the quality degradation detection unit 333 of the speech quality degradation detection unit 330 satisfies the condition in the speech quality degradation determination algorithm (A-1), and the speech quality of the real-time communication service currently used is degraded. Is determined. Then, the quality degradation detection unit 333 generates quality degradation detection information with service identification information (service identifier) for specifying the service.
By doing in this way, the user terminal 3 can detect that the call quality is lowered based on the behavior of the user when the call quality is lowered while using the real-time communication service.

  If (A-2) is set as the speech quality degradation determination algorithm, the speech quality degradation detection unit 330 performs step S13 after step S12 → No in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. -1. In step S <b> 13-1, the sensor information processing unit 331 determines whether an ear or the like has approached the user terminal 3 to a predetermined distance based on information from the sensor unit 34 (proximity sensor). If the ear or the like has not approached the predetermined distance (step S13-1 → No), the determination is repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the ear or the like has approached the user terminal 3 to a predetermined distance (step S13-1 → Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that the call quality of the service has deteriorated.

  Further, when (A-3) is set as the speech quality degradation determination algorithm, the speech quality degradation detection unit 330 performs step S13 after step S12 → No in FIG. 7 as shown in FIG. -2. In step S13-2, the quality deterioration detection unit 333 determines whether or not the service call is disconnected. When the call is not disconnected (step S13-2 → No), the determination is repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the call is disconnected (step S13-2 → Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined that the call quality of the service is deteriorated. Here, when the call is disconnected (step S13-2 → Yes), more specifically, the operation is not performed by the user to end the call to the user terminal 3, but is disconnected due to a decrease in the call quality. Means when

  Note that the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 may detect a decrease in call quality by combining (A-2) and (A-3), which are call quality deterioration determination algorithms. For example, the call quality deterioration detection unit 330, after step S12 → No in FIG. 7, when the ear or the like approaches the user terminal 3 up to a predetermined distance, or when the call is disconnected, You may make it determine with quality deteriorating.

  Further, when the sensor unit 34 of the user terminal 3 is provided with an acceleration sensor, when (B) is set in addition to (A-1) as the call quality deterioration determination algorithm, the step next to Step S12 → No in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, step S13-3 is provided. In step S <b> 13-3, the sensor information processing unit 331 determines whether the acceleration sensor has detected the shaking motion of the user terminal 3. If the acceleration sensor has not detected the shaking motion (step S13-3 → No), the determination is repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the acceleration sensor detects the shaking motion (step S13-3 → Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined that the call quality of the service has deteriorated.

  Note that the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 may detect a decrease in call quality by combining the call quality deterioration determination algorithms (A-2), (A-3), and (B). For example, the call quality deterioration detection unit 330 detects the shaking motion when the ear or the like approaches the user terminal 3 up to a predetermined distance after the step S12 → No in FIG. 7 or when the call is disconnected. In such a case, it may be determined that the call quality of the service has deteriorated when any of the above cases is satisfied.

  In this way, the user terminal 3 uses the call quality degradation determination algorithm set in advance in the quality degradation detection unit 333 when the speech quality is degraded while using the real-time communication service. It is possible to detect that the call quality has deteriorated based on the above.

(Quality status inquiry processing)
Next, with reference to FIG. 11 (refer to FIGS. 2 to 5 as appropriate), the flow of the inquiry process of the quality status of each real-time communication service to the quality management server 1 by the user terminal 3 will be described.
In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the user terminal 3 (# 1) is the calling terminal, and that a new call is made to the user terminal 3 (# 2).

  For example, the quality degradation information acquisition unit 340 of the user terminal 3 (# 1) displays the quality status confirmation for each service that requests acquisition of quality information of each service displayed on the display unit 33 of the user terminal 3 (# 1). When the button is selected and input, a quality information acquisition request is generated and transmitted to the quality management server 1 (step S20).

  Next, the quality degradation information transmission unit 120 of the quality management server 1 that has received the quality information acquisition request from the user terminal 3 (# 1) refers to the quality management information 100 (FIG. 5) in the storage unit 13 and each service. Service-specific quality degradation information including call quality degradation information 104 associated with each service identifier 101 is generated. And the quality degradation information transmission part 120 transmits the produced | generated quality degradation information for every service to the user terminal 3 (# 1) which transmitted the quality information acquisition request (step S21).

  Then, the quality degradation information acquisition unit 340 of the user terminal 3 (# 1) that has received the quality degradation information for each service causes the display unit 33 to display the received quality degradation information for each service (step S22). Thereby, the user can confirm the call quality degradation information 104 for each service (service identifier 101) before the call connection. Therefore, the user can select an optimum service with less deterioration in call quality at that time.

  As described above, according to the quality information management system 5, the user terminal 3 and the quality management server 1, and the quality information management method according to the present embodiment, a simple quality degradation detection method focusing on user behavior is performed. By adopting it, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the quality of the real-time communication service without depending on the media type (codec type or the like) or the real-time communication protocol (RTP or the like). In addition, since the user terminal 3 can obtain in advance the call quality of a plurality of real-time communication services, the user can appropriately select a service that satisfies the required quality.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Quality management server 2 Session control server 3 User terminal 5 Quality information management system 10,30 Control part 11,23,31 Communication part 12,32 Input / output part 13,35 Storage part 21 User management part 22 Real-time communication session control part 33 Display unit 34 Sensor unit 100 Quality management information 110 Quality management unit 120 Quality degradation information transmission unit 310 Session control unit 320 Media stream control unit 330 Call quality degradation detection unit 331 Sensor information processing unit 332 Dial operation detection unit 333 Quality degradation detection unit 340 Quality degradation information acquisition unit

Claims (9)

By connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services, a plurality of user terminals that realize the call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service, and the call quality of each of the real-time communication services A quality information management system comprising a quality management server for storing information,
The user terminal is
A session control unit for realizing a call by the real-time communication service with the other user terminal via the session control server;
When the information corresponding to the operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated is acquired based on the detection information of the sensor provided by the user and the operation information output from the input means, the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call is A call quality degradation detection unit that detects that the quality has been degraded, generates quality degradation detection information with a service identifier for specifying the real-time communication service, and transmits the quality degradation detection information to the quality management server,
The quality management server
A storage unit that stores the total number of users, which is the total number of users using the real-time communication service, for each real-time communication service;
Call quality degradation information received by receiving the quality degradation detection information, totaling the number of quality degradation detection information received within a predetermined time for each real-time communication service, and normalized by the total number of users for each real-time communication service A quality information management system comprising: a quality management unit that generates The call quality deterioration detecting unit
A sensor information processing unit for detecting whether a detection target is separated from the user terminal itself by a predetermined distance based on information of a proximity sensor included in the device;
A dial operation detection unit for detecting a dial number input operation;
When a call is in progress with the other user terminal, the sensor information processing unit detects that the detection target has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the user terminal itself. If the dial operation detection unit does not detect the dial number input operation within a predetermined time, it detects that the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call has deteriorated and generates the quality deterioration detection information. And a quality deterioration detection unit to be transmitted to the quality management server,
The quality information management system according to claim 1, further comprising: The user terminal is
A quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services is transmitted to the quality management server;
From the quality management server, it further comprises a quality degradation information acquisition unit for acquiring quality degradation information for each service including the call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service and displaying the information on a display unit,
The quality management server
When the quality information acquisition request is received from the user terminal, the information processing apparatus further includes a quality deterioration information transmission unit that generates the quality deterioration information for each service and transmits the quality information acquisition request to the user terminal that has transmitted the quality information acquisition request. The quality information management system according to claim 1 or 2. By connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services, a plurality of user terminals that realize the call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service, and the call quality of each of the real-time communication services A quality management server for storing information, the user terminal of the quality information management system comprising:
A session control unit for realizing a call by the real-time communication service with the other user terminal via the session control server;
When the information corresponding to the operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated is acquired based on the detection information of the sensor provided by the user and the operation information output from the input means, the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call is A call quality degradation detection unit that detects degradation and generates quality degradation detection information with a service identifier for identifying the real-time communication service, and transmits the quality degradation detection information to the quality management server;
A user terminal comprising: The user terminal is
A quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services is transmitted to the quality management server;
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a quality degradation information acquisition unit that acquires quality degradation information for each service including call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service from the quality management server and displays the quality degradation information on a display unit. The described user terminal. By connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services, a plurality of user terminals that realize the call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service, and the call quality of each of the real-time communication services A quality management server for storing information, the quality management server of a quality information management system comprising:
A storage unit that stores the total number of users, which is the total number of users using the real-time communication service, for each real-time communication service;
From the user terminal, quality degradation detection information indicating that a degradation in call quality of the real-time communication service during a call is detected is received, and the number of quality degradation detection information received within a predetermined time is determined for each real-time communication service. A quality management unit that aggregates and generates call quality degradation information normalized by the total number of users for each real-time communication service;
A quality management server comprising: The quality management server
Upon receiving a quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services from the user terminal, it generates quality-by-service deterioration information including call quality deterioration information for each real-time communication service, and acquires the quality information The quality management server according to claim 6, further comprising a quality degradation information transmission unit that transmits the request to the user terminal that has transmitted the request. By connecting to one of a plurality of session control servers that provide each of the real-time communication services, a plurality of user terminals that realize the call by receiving the provision of the real-time communication service, and the call quality of each of the real-time communication services A quality information management method of a quality information management system comprising a quality management server for storing information,
The user terminal is
Realizing a call using the real-time communication service with the other user terminal via the session control server;
When the information corresponding to the operation specific to the user when the call quality is deteriorated is acquired based on the detection information of the sensor provided by the user and the operation information output from the input means, the call quality of the real-time communication service during the call is Detecting deterioration, generating quality deterioration detection information with a service identifier for specifying the real-time communication service, and transmitting to the quality management server,
The quality management server
A storage unit that stores the total number of users, which is the total number of users using the real-time communication service, for each real-time communication service;
Call quality degradation information received by receiving the quality degradation detection information, totaling the number of quality degradation detection information received within a predetermined time for each real-time communication service, and normalized by the total number of users for each real-time communication service The quality information management method characterized by performing the step which produces | generates. The user terminal is
Transmitting a quality information acquisition request for inquiring the state of call quality of each of the real-time communication services to the quality management server;
From the quality management server, acquiring per-service quality degradation information including the call quality degradation information for each real-time communication service, and displaying on a display unit, and further executing,
The quality management server
When the quality information acquisition request is received from the user terminal, the step of generating the quality degradation information for each service and transmitting the quality information acquisition request to the user terminal that has transmitted the quality information acquisition request is further executed. Item 9. The quality information management method according to Item 8.

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