JP5026052B2 - Communication control device and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control apparatus and a communication control method for performing half-duplex communication.

Recently, techniques for performing half-duplex communication between a plurality of communication terminals such as PoC (Push-to-talk Over Cellular) have been developed. The specification of PoC is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, and an example of a communication technique using half-duplex communication is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2005-535231-A OMA RELEASE PROGRAM AND SPECIFICATION, OMA Push-to-talk Over Cellular Archive, [online], [retrieved on 23 October 2006], Retrieved from the Internet: <http://www.openmobilealliance.org/release_program/poc-v1_0. html>

  Such half-duplex communication is performed between a plurality of communication devices having a PTT button (PTT: Push To Talk), which is an operation device for acquiring a transmission right for half-duplex communication. It is difficult for a communication device such as an interactive voice response (IVR) that is not provided to participate in half-duplex communication. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable communication between a communication device having an operation device for obtaining a transmission right for half-duplex communication and a communication device not having this operation device to perform half-duplex communication. A control device and a communication control method are provided.

  According to the present invention, a first communication device having an operation device for acquiring a data transmission right in half-duplex communication and a second communication device not having the operation device perform half-duplex communication. A communication control device for controlling, when data is input from the second communication device, data storage means for storing the data; and when data is input from the second communication device, A transmission right requesting means for requesting acquisition of a data transmission right for transmitting the data to the first communication device, and a communication management device for managing the acquisition of the data transmission right. And a data transmission control means for transmitting the data accumulated by the data accumulation means when received from the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when data is input from the second communication device, a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication is made while the data is accumulated. Then, after acquiring the data transmission right, the accumulated data is transmitted. Therefore, since it is possible to request acquisition of data transmission right without using an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication, an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication is provided. The second communication device that is not present can also participate in the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device.

  According to the present invention, a first communication device having an operation device for acquiring a data transmission right in half-duplex communication and a second communication device not having the operation device perform half-duplex communication. A communication control device for controlling, when there is a data transmission request from the second communication device, for transmitting the data to the first communication device to a communication management device managing half-duplex communication A transmission right request means for requesting acquisition of the data transmission right, and a transmission instruction means for instructing the second communication apparatus to transmit the data upon receiving the data transmission right acquisition notification from the communication management apparatus It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the present invention, in response to a data transmission request from the second communication device, a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication is performed. Then, after obtaining the data transmission right, the second communication device is instructed to transmit data. Therefore, since it is possible to request acquisition of data transmission right without using an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication, an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication is provided. The second communication device that is not present can also participate in the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device.

  In the present invention, the communication management device further includes a communication start request unit that requests the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with the first communication device, and the transmission right request unit includes the first communication device and the first communication device. It is preferable to make an acquisition request for the data transmission right after the start of half-duplex communication, and the communication start requesting unit is instructed to start communication with the first communication device from the second communication device. When input, it is preferable to request the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with the first communication device in response to the start instruction. For this reason, if the communication control apparatus of this invention is used, the 2nd communication apparatus which does not have the operating device for acquiring the transmission right of a half-duplex communication will be the 1st communication apparatus which has this operating device. It is possible to request the start of half-duplex communication between them.

  According to the present invention, a first communication device having an operation device for acquiring a data transmission right in half-duplex communication and a second communication device not having the operation device perform half-duplex communication. A communication control method using a communication control device for controlling communication for managing half-duplex communication when an instruction to start communication with the first communication device is input from the second communication device. A communication start requesting step for requesting the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with the first communication device in response to the start instruction; and a half-duplex between the first communication device and the management device. When there is data input from the second communication device after the start of communication, the communication management device issues a data transmission right acquisition request for transmitting the data to the first communication device while accumulating the data. A transmission right requesting step performed on the data transmission right, and Upon receiving the obtained notification from the communication management apparatus, and a data transmission step of transmitting the stored data, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, when data is input from the second communication device, a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication is made while the data is accumulated. Then, after acquiring the data transmission right, the accumulated data is transmitted. Therefore, since it is possible to request acquisition of data transmission right without using an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication, an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication is provided. The second communication device that is not present can also participate in the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device. Further, according to the present invention, when an instruction to start half-duplex communication with the first communication device is input, half-duplex communication with the first communication device can be performed in accordance with the instruction. Since the second communication device that does not have the operation device for acquiring the transmission right of the half-duplex communication is requested, the second communication device performs the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device. It is possible to request a start.

According to the present invention, a first communication device having an operation device for acquiring a data transmission right in half-duplex communication and a second communication device not having the operation device perform half-duplex communication. A communication control method using a communication control device for controlling communication for managing half-duplex communication when an instruction to start communication with the first communication device is input from the second communication device. A communication start requesting step for requesting the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with the first communication device in response to the start instruction; and a half-duplex between the first communication device and the management device. When there is a data transmission request from the second communication device after the start of communication, a transmission right request step for requesting the communication management device to acquire a data transmission right for transmitting the data to the first communication device And notification of acquisition of the data transmission right It receives from the management apparatus, and a transmission instruction step of instructing the second communication device to transmit said data, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, in response to a data transmission request from the second communication device, a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication is performed. Then, after obtaining the data transmission right, the second communication device is instructed to transmit data. Therefore, since it is possible to request acquisition of data transmission right without using an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication, an operating device for acquiring transmission rights for half-duplex communication is provided. The second communication device that is not present can also participate in the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device. Further, according to the present invention, when an instruction to start half-duplex communication with the first communication device is input, half-duplex communication with the first communication device can be performed in accordance with the instruction. Since the second communication device that does not have the operation device for acquiring the transmission right of the half-duplex communication is requested, the second communication device performs the half-duplex communication performed with the first communication device having the operation device. It is possible to request a start.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication apparatus which has an operating device for acquiring the transmission right of half-duplex communication, and the communication apparatus which does not have this operating device can perform half-duplex communication.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, if possible, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a half-duplex communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The solid arrow in FIG. 1 represents a data communication path, and the dashed arrow represents a signal communication path. As shown in FIG. 1, a half-duplex communication system 1 includes a communication management device 3, a data processing device 4, an IVR 5 (second communication device), an adapter 6, and communication terminals 11 and 12 (first communication device). Prepare. The half-duplex communication system 1 is a communication system for performing half-duplex communication such as a PoC system between a plurality of communication terminals such as the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 and an automatic voice response device such as an IVR 5. The communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 form a group of devices that perform half-duplex communication. In the present embodiment, the communication terminals included in the half-duplex communication system 1 are the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12, but not limited to this, three or more communication terminals are half-duplex communication. The structure which performs this may be sufficient.

  The communication management device 3 manages half-duplex communication performed by the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the IVR 5. The communication management device 3 physically includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and functionally includes a central signal control unit 31. The CPU of the communication management device 3 loads computer software stored in a built-in memory such as a ROM into the RAM, executes it, and operates the physical components of the communication management device 3 to operate the central signal control unit. 31 functions are realized.

  When the central signal control unit 31 receives a half-duplex communication start instruction from any of the communication devices of the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 6 (IVR5), the half-duplex communication start process (for example, half-duplex communication) Processing such as creation of a list of telephone numbers and IP addresses of communication devices participating in duplex communication and transmission of a start notification to a communication device participating in half-duplex communication) is executed. When the central signal control unit 31 receives a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication from the signal control unit 11a of the communication terminal 11, the signal control unit 12a of the communication terminal 12, or the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6, this data It is determined whether the transmission right is currently assigned to any communication device of the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 6 (IVR5), and it is determined that the transmission right is not assigned to any communication device. In this case, the communication apparatus that has requested acquisition of the data transmission right is assigned with the data transmission right and notified of acquisition of the data transmission right.

  The data processing device 4 transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 6 (IVR5) that perform half-duplex communication. The data processing device 4 physically includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and functionally includes a data reception unit 41, a data processing unit 42, and a data transmission unit 43. The CPU of the data processing device 4 loads computer software stored in a built-in memory such as a ROM into the RAM and executes it, and operates each physical component of the data processing device 4 to receive the above data. The functions of the units 41 to 43 are realized.

  The data receiving unit 41 receives data (voice data or character data) or a PB signal from the data transmitting unit 11 b of the communication terminal 11, the data transmitting unit 12 b of the communication terminal 12, and the data transmitting unit 65 of the adapter 6. In the following, the expression “data” means digital data. The data processing unit 42 processes the data received by the data receiving unit 41 as distribution data for distribution to the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the IVR 5, and outputs this distribution data to the data transmission unit 43. The data transmission unit 43 transmits the distribution data input from the data processing unit 42 among the data reception unit 11c of the communication terminal 11, the data reception unit 12c of the communication terminal 12, and the data reception unit 52 of the IVR5. Deliver to the communication device except the original. 1 is configured to receive the output from the data transmission unit 43 of the data processing device 4 by the data reception unit 52 of the IVR 5, but is not limited thereto, and the output from the data transmission unit 43 is not limited thereto. The adapter 6 may have a function of converting the data into a data format that the IVR 5 can receive. In this case, the data reception unit 52 of the IVR 5 can receive the output from the data transmission unit 43 via the adapter 6.

  The IVR 5 has the same function as an automatic voice response device used for automatic voice guidance and the like. For example, when a number is input by voice or PB signal from the telephone, the IVR 5 acquires voice data corresponding to the number from the memory, and reproduces the voice of the voice data to the telephone that has input the number. . And IVR5 does not have the PTT button which is an operating device for acquiring the data transmission right in half-duplex communication.

  The IVR 5 physically includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and functionally includes a signal control unit 51, a data reception unit 52, a data recognition unit 53, a data management unit 54, and a data storage unit. 55 and a data transmission unit 56. The CPU of the IVR 5 loads the computer software stored in the built-in memory such as the ROM into the RAM and executes it, and operates each physical component of the IVR 5 to thereby perform the signal control unit 51 to the data transmission unit. Each of the 56 functions is realized.

  The signal control unit 51 performs transmission / reception of various control signals for performing half-duplex communication with the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6. The signal control unit 51 instructs the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 to start communication with the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12. Alternatively, the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 gives an instruction to start communication, and the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5 switches to half-duplex communication performed from the signal control unit 61 to the signal control unit 51 by this communication start instruction. Communication may be started (participation in half-duplex communication) in response to the participation instruction. In this case, the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5 performs the same process as when the communication terminal 11 or the communication terminal 12 gives an instruction to start communication. When receiving the distribution data transmitted from the data transmission unit 43 of the data processing device 4, the data reception unit 52 outputs the received distribution data to the data recognition unit 53.

  The data recognizing unit 53 analyzes the distribution data input from the data receiving unit 52 and recognizes the contents of the distribution data. For example, when the content of the distribution data is data indicating a number based on the PB signal, the data recognition unit 53 recognizes this number, or the content of the distribution data is a specific term (“number”, “ If the data includes “Yes / No”, “Name”, “Greeting”, etc., the voice content is recognized. The data recognition unit 53 outputs this recognition result to the data management unit 54.

  The data management unit 54 instructs the data storage unit 55 to acquire audio data to be distributed according to the distribution data based on the recognition result of the distribution data input from the data recognition unit 53. For example, when the distribution data recognition result by the data recognition unit 53 is the number “5”, the data management unit 54 instructs the data storage unit 55 to acquire audio data corresponding to the number “5”.

  The data storage unit 55 acquires audio data instructed by the data management unit 54 from a database (not shown) managed by the data storage unit 55. The data storage unit 55 outputs the acquired voice data to the data transmission unit 56, and the data transmission unit 56 converts the voice data output from the data storage unit 55 into the output line type (analog line, ISDN line or packet). Circuit) and the audio signal type (audio signal coding type), and the converted audio signal is transmitted to the data receiving unit 62 of the adapter 6.

  The adapter 6 controls communication between the device group and the IVR 5 so that the device group including the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 that perform half-duplex communication and the IVR 5 perform half-duplex communication. The adapter 6 physically includes a CPU 6a, a RAM 6b, a ROM 6c, an input device 6d, an output device 6e, a communication device 6f, and a recording device 6g shown in FIG. 2. The CPU 6a to the recording device 6g are connected to a bus 6h. It is connected to the. Functionally, the adapter 6 includes a signal control unit 61 (transmission right request unit, data transmission control unit, communication start request unit), a data reception unit 62, a data storage unit 63 (data storage unit), and a data start determination unit 64. And a data transmission unit 65.

  The CPU 6a loads the computer software stored in the built-in memory such as the ROM 6c into the RAM 6b and executes it, and operates the physical components of the adapter 6 to operate the signal control unit 61 to the data transmission unit 65 described above. Each function is realized. The input device 6d is a data input device such as a keyboard, and outputs input data to the CPU 6a. The output device 6e is a display device such as an LCD, and displays data input from the CPU 6a on the LCD or the like. The communication device 6f communicates with the communication management device 3, the data processing device 4, and the IVR 5. The recording device 6g is a memory that can be written and read.

  The signal control unit 61 transmits and receives various control signals for performing half-duplex communication between the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 and the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5. When the signal control unit 61 receives an instruction to start communication from the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5, the signal control unit 61 instructs the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 to start communication of half-duplex communication. For example, the signal control unit 51 may transmit an instruction to start communication with the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 to the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 based on a pre-programmed schedule. As another example, the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 is instructed to start the communication, and the IVR 5 is issued from the signal control unit 61 to the signal control unit 51 in response to the communication start instruction. Communication may be started (participation in half-duplex communication) in response to an instruction to participate in half-duplex communication. Here, a protocol such as ISUP (ISDN User Part), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), Parlay, ParlayX, or HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) can be used as a signaling method between the adapter 6 and the IVR 5. When the signal control unit 61 receives a notification from the data start determination unit 64 that the voice data has been transmitted from the IVR 5 after the start of communication, the signal control unit 61 issues a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication to the center of the communication management device 3. This is performed on the signal control unit 31. In addition, the signal control unit 61 receives a data transmission instruction (that is, a data transmission right acquisition notification) from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3, acquires the data transmission right, and then receives the received transmission instruction. Is output to the data storage unit 63, and the data storage unit 63 is instructed to output the audio data stored in the data storage unit 63. This transmission instruction is created by the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 in response to an acceptance response to the data transmission right acquisition request from the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6.

  When the data receiving unit 62 receives an audio signal (a signal transmitted through an analog line or a signal transmitted through an ISDN line or a packet line) transmitted from the data transmitting unit 56 of the IVR 5, the data receiving unit 62 converts the received audio signal. Obtained as digital audio data, and outputs this audio data to the data storage unit 63. The data storage unit 63 stores the audio data input from the data reception unit 62 in the recording device 6g. When a data transmission instruction is input from the signal control unit 61, the data storage unit 63 outputs the audio data stored in the recording device 6g to the data transmission unit 65. As a result, it is possible to avoid speech breaks that may occur within the signal processing time required to acquire the right to transmit data. If the data format of the audio data received by the data receiving unit 62 is different from the data format used in the subsequent data processing device 4, the data storage unit 63 converts the data format of the audio data, and after this conversion May be stored in the recording device 6g. Further, the data storage unit 63 may have the function of the data start determination unit 64.

  The data start determination unit 64 determines whether voice data is input from the data reception unit 62 to the data storage unit 63 and a speech or conversation is started. When the data start determination unit 64 analyzes the voice data in the data storage unit 63 and determines that speech or conversation has started, the signal control unit 61 notifies this fact (determination of speech or conversation start by analysis of voice data). Notify The data start determination unit 64 actually uses a speech or conversation instead of silence by grasping the content of the voice data or the data format used when judging the start of speech or conversation based on the presence or absence of voice data. A suitable determination method is used according to the data format used when determining whether or not the process has been started. The data transmission unit 65 transmits the audio data input from the data storage unit 63 to the data reception unit 41 of the data processing device 4.

  The communication terminal 11 is a communication device such as a mobile phone. And the communication terminal 11 has a PTT button which is an operating device for acquiring the data transmission right in half-duplex communication. The user operates the PTT button to make a request for acquisition of data transmission rights in the half-duplex communication to the communication management device 3.

  The communication terminal 11 functionally includes a signal control unit 11a, a data transmission unit 11b, and a data reception unit 11c. Physically, the communication device includes a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, a mobile phone, and the like. (Not shown). The CPU of the communication terminal 11 loads the computer software stored in a built-in memory such as a ROM into the RAM and executes it, and operates each physical component of the communication terminal 11 to thereby execute the above signal control units 11a to 11a. Each function of the data receiving unit 11c is realized.

  The signal control unit 11 a performs transmission and reception of various control signals for performing half-duplex communication with the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3. The signal control unit 11a instructs the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 to start half-duplex communication. The signal control unit 11 a transmits a data transmission right acquisition request input by operating the PTT button included in the communication terminal 11 to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3. The data transmission unit 11 b transmits input data input to the communication terminal 11 to the data reception unit 41 of the data processing device 4. This input data is, for example, character data created by key input (data indicating numbers and characters), voice data created by voice input via a microphone, and the like. The data reception unit 11 c receives distribution data (voice data) from the data transmission unit 43 of the data processing device 4.

  The communication terminal 12 has a configuration similar to that of the communication terminal 11. The signal control unit 12a, the data transmission unit 12b, and the data reception unit 12c of the communication terminal 12 are the same as the signal control unit 11a, the data transmission unit 11b, and the data reception unit 11c of the communication terminal 11, respectively. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the communication terminal 12 is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the half-duplex communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4 may be replaced with the communication terminal 12 or any communication terminal capable of half-duplex communication. With reference to FIG. 3, a half-duplex communication start process will be described. The IVR 5 and the communication terminal 11 can issue a communication start instruction. When the IVR 5 issues a communication start instruction, first, the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5 instructs the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 to start communication. (Step S1). After step S1, when the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 receives a communication start instruction from the signal control unit 51 of the IVR 5, the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 starts half-duplex communication to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3. (Step S2). When the communication terminal 11 gives an instruction to start communication, the signal control unit 11a of the communication terminal 11 instructs the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 to start half-duplex communication (step S3). Here, when the adapter 6 gives an instruction to start communication, Step 1 is omitted, and processing is performed from Step 2 (communication is started). In this case, the IVR 5 performs the same process as when communication is started from another communication terminal such as the communication terminal 11 or the communication terminal 12. That is, the IVR 5 responds to an instruction to participate in half-duplex communication performed from the signal control unit 61 to the signal control unit 51 by an instruction to start communication from another communication terminal such as the communication terminal 11 or the communication terminal 12. Start communication (participate in half-duplex communication).

  Then, after step S2 or step S3, when the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 receives a half-duplex communication start instruction from the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 or the signal control unit 11a of the communication terminal 11, Half-duplex communication start processing is executed for the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 6 (step S4). Through the above steps, the half-duplex communication start process is completed, and half-duplex communication becomes possible.

  Next, a data transmission process using half-duplex communication will be described with reference to FIG. The data transmission process shown in FIG. 4 is premised on the completion of the half-duplex communication start process shown in FIG. Although the IVR 5 and the communication terminal 11 can perform data transmission, when the IVR 5 performs data transmission, first, the data transmission unit 56 of the IVR 5 transmits the digital voice data output from the data storage unit 55 to the output line. Conversion is performed according to the type (analog line, ISDN line, packet line, etc.) and the audio signal type (audio signal coding type), and the converted audio signal is transmitted to the data receiving unit 62 of the adapter 6 (step S11). ). After step S <b> 11, when the data reception unit 62 receives an audio signal from the data transmission unit 56 of the IVR 5, this audio signal is acquired as digital audio data and output to the data storage unit 63.

  Then, the voice data input from the data receiving unit 62 is stored in the recording device 6g by the data storage unit 63, and the voice data is input to the data storage unit 63 (determination of speech and speech start by analysis of voice data) ) Is notified to the signal control unit 61, and when the signal control unit 61 receives a notification from the data start determination unit 64 that the voice data has started to be transmitted from the IVR 5, A transmission right acquisition request is sent to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 (step S12). After step S12, the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 receives a data transmission instruction (that is, data transmission right acquisition notification) from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3, and acquires the data transmission right. The received transmission instruction is output to the data storage unit 63, and the output of the voice data stored in the data storage unit 63 is instructed (step S13). Thereby, it is possible to avoid a break in the speech data. After step S13, when the data transmission instruction is input from the signal control unit 61, the data storage unit 63 outputs the audio data stored in the recording device 6g to the data transmission unit 65, and the data transmission unit 65 The output audio data is transmitted to the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4 (step S14).

  In addition, when the communication terminal 11 performs data transmission, the signal control unit 11 a of the communication terminal 11 sends a data transmission right acquisition request input by operating the PTT button included in the communication terminal 11 to the center of the communication management device 3. It transmits to the signal control part 31 (step S15). After step S15, after the signal control unit 11a receives the data transmission instruction (that is, the data transmission right acquisition notification) from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3, and acquires the data transmission right, the data transmission unit 11b transmits the input data (speech data and character data) input to the communication terminal 11 to the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4 (step S16).

  When the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4 receives data (voice data or character data) from the data transmitting unit 11b of the communication terminal 11 or the data transmitting unit 65 of the adapter 6, the data processing unit 42 receives the data. Distribution data for distribution to the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the IVR 5 is created from the received data, and this distribution data is output to the data transmission unit 43. The data transmission unit 43 distributes the distribution data input from the data processing unit 42 to a communication device other than the transmission source of the data related to the distribution data among the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 6 (IVR5). (Step S17). Through the above steps, data transmission processing using half-duplex communication is performed.

  Next, the operation and effect of the adapter 6 according to this embodiment will be described. The adapter 6 controls the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) having a PTT button for acquiring the right to transmit data in half-duplex communication and the IVR 5 not having the PTT button to perform half-duplex communication. . The data storage unit 63 stores the voice data when the voice data is input from the IVR 5. When the audio data is input from the IVR 5, the signal control unit 61 transmits the audio data to the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 that manages half-duplex communication. To obtain the right to send data to do this. When the signal control unit 61 receives from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 an acquisition notification of the data transmission right in response to the acquisition request, the signal control unit 61 transmits the audio data stored by the data storage unit 63.

  As described above, according to the adapter 6 according to the present embodiment, when voice data is input from the IVR 5, a data transmission right acquisition request in half duplex communication is performed while the voice data is accumulated. Then, after acquiring the data transmission right, the accumulated audio data is transmitted. Accordingly, since it is possible to request acquisition of the data transmission right without using the PTT button for acquiring the transmission right for half-duplex communication, the IVR 5 that does not have the PTT button can also communicate with the communication terminal 11 ( It is possible to participate in half-duplex communication with the communication terminal 12).

  The signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6 requests the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 to perform half-duplex communication with the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12), and the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12). It is preferable to make a data transmission right acquisition request after the start of half-duplex communication, and when an instruction to start communication with the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) is input from the IVR 5, this communication start instruction Accordingly, it is preferable to request the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 to perform half-duplex communication with the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12). For this reason, when the adapter 6 is used, the IVR 5 that does not have the PTT button for acquiring the transmission right of the half-duplex communication is performed with the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) having the PTT button. It is possible to request the start of communication.

  (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the half-duplex communication system 1 may perform the data transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 instead of the data transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The half-duplex communication system 1 according to this modification has an IVR 7 instead of the IVR 5 and an adapter 8 instead of the adapter 6.

  The IVR 7 is physically similar to the IVR 5 and functionally includes a signal control unit 71, a data reception unit 72, a data recognition unit 73, a data management unit 74, a data storage unit 75, and a data transmission unit 76. Among the signal control unit 71 to the data transmission unit 76, the data reception unit 72, the data recognition unit 73, the data storage unit 75, and the data transmission unit 76 are the data reception unit 52, the data recognition unit 53, and the data storage unit 55 of the IVR5. The signal control unit 71 and the data management unit 74 are different from the signal control unit 51 and the data management unit 54 of the IVR 5.

  The adapter 8 is physically similar to the adapter 6, and functionally includes a signal control unit 81, a data reception unit 82, a data storage unit 83, and a data transmission unit 85. Among the signal control unit 81 to the data storage unit 83 and the data transmission unit 85, the data reception unit 82, the data storage unit 83, and the data transmission unit 85 are the data reception unit 62, the data storage unit 63, and the data transmission unit of the adapter 6, respectively. This is the same as 65, and is necessary when data conversion is performed according to the output line type (analog line, ISDN line, packet line, etc.) and the audio signal type (audio signal coding type) as described above. The signal control unit 81 is different from the signal control unit 61 of the adapter 6.

  The signal control unit 71 performs transmission / reception of various control signals for performing half-duplex communication with the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8. The signal control unit 71 instructs the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8 to start communication with the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12. The signal control unit 71 transmits to the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8 a data transmission request for transmitting voice data to the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 using half-duplex communication. When the signal control unit 71 receives a voice data transmission instruction from the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8, the signal control unit 71 outputs the received transmission instruction to the data management unit 74 and instructs the data management unit 74 to output the voice data.

  When a data transmission instruction is input from the signal control unit 71, the data management unit 74 instructs the data storage unit 75 to acquire audio data corresponding to the transmission instruction and output it to the data transmission unit 76. Further, the data management unit 74 instructs the data storage unit 75 to acquire audio data for distribution according to the distribution data based on the recognition result of the distribution data input from the data recognition unit 73.

  The signal control unit 81 (transmission right request unit, transmission instruction unit, and communication start request unit) transmits and receives various control signals for performing half-duplex communication, and signals from the central signal control unit 31 and the IVR 7 of the communication management device 3. This is performed with the control unit 71. When the signal control unit 81 receives an instruction to start communication from the signal control unit 71 of the IVR 7, the signal control unit 81 instructs the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 to start communication of half-duplex communication. The signal control unit 81 creates a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication based on the data transmission request from the IVR 7, and sends the data transmission right acquisition request to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3. Send to. The signal control unit 81 receives a data transmission instruction (that is, a data transmission right acquisition notification) from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 and acquires the data transmission right. It transmits to the control part 71 and instruct | indicates transmission of audio | voice data to IVR7.

  Hereinafter, another data transmission process using half-duplex communication will be described with reference to FIG. The data transmission process shown in FIG. 5 is premised on the completion of the half-duplex communication start process shown in FIG. Note that steps S26 and S27 shown in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S16 and S17 shown in FIG. For this reason, only step S21-step S25 and step S28 are demonstrated below.

  First, the signal control unit 71 of the IVR 7 transmits a data transmission request to the communication terminal 11 and the communication terminal 12 to transmit the voice data of the IVR 7 using half-duplex communication to the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8 ( Step S21). After step S21, the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8 creates a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication based on the data transmission request from the IVR 7, and transmits the data transmission right acquisition request to the communication management. It transmits to the central signal control part 31 of the apparatus 3 (step S22). After step S22, the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8 receives a data transmission instruction (that is, a data transmission right acquisition notification) from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3, and acquires the data transmission right. The transmission instruction is transmitted to the signal control unit 71 of the IVR 7, and the transmission of the audio data is instructed to the IVR 7 (step S23). After step S23, when the signal control unit 71 receives the voice data transmission instruction from the signal control unit 81 of the adapter 8, the signal control unit 71 outputs the received transmission instruction to the data management unit 74 and outputs the voice data to the data management unit. 74 is instructed (step S24).

  After step S24, when a data transmission instruction is input from the signal control unit 71, the data management unit 74 acquires voice data corresponding to the transmission instruction and outputs the audio data to the data transmission unit 76. The data transmission unit 76 transmits the audio data input from the data storage unit 75 to the adapter 8 (step S25).

  The data transmission unit 76 matches the output line type (analog line, ISDN line, packet line, etc.) and the audio signal type (audio signal coding type) with the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4. If available, the audio data may be directly transmitted to the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4.

  Then, after step S25 or step S27, the data receiving unit 41 of the data processing device 4 receives data (voice data or data) from the signal control unit 11a of the communication terminal 11, the data transmitting unit 76 of the IVR 7, or the data transmitting unit 85 of the adapter 8. When receiving the character data), the data processing unit 42 creates distribution data for distribution to the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the IVR 7 from the received data, and outputs the distribution data to the data transmission unit 43. . The data transmission unit 43 distributes the distribution data input from the data processing unit 42 to a communication device other than the transmission source of the data related to the distribution data among the communication terminal 11, the communication terminal 12, and the adapter 8 (IVR7). (Step S28). Through the above steps, data transmission processing using half-duplex communication is performed.

  Next, functions and effects of the adapter 8 according to this modification will be described. The adapter 8 controls the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) having the PTT button for acquiring the right to transmit data in half-duplex communication and the IVR 7 not having the PTT button to perform half-duplex communication. . When there is a request for transmission of audio data from the IVR 7, the signal control unit 81 transmits the audio data to the communication terminal 11 (communication terminal 12) to the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3 that manages half-duplex communication. When the data transmission right acquisition notification corresponding to the acquisition request is received from the central signal control unit 31 of the communication management device 3, the IVR 7 is instructed to transmit the audio data. .

  As described above, according to the adapter 8 according to this modification, a data transmission right acquisition request in half-duplex communication is performed in response to a data transmission request from the IVR 7. After obtaining the data transmission right, the IVR 7 is instructed to transmit data. Accordingly, since a data transmission right acquisition request can be made without using a PTT button for acquiring a transmission right for half-duplex communication, an IVR 7 that does not have a PTT button can also receive a communication terminal 11 ( It is possible to participate in half-duplex communication with the communication terminal 12).

  Note that the IVR 7 and the adapter 8 (or one of them) may execute both the data transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the data transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG. You may have the switching apparatus to switch.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the half-duplex communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the adapter which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the start process of the half duplex communication which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the data transmission process using the half-duplex communication which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the start process of the half-duplex communication which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Half-duplex communication system, 3 ... Communication management apparatus, 4 ... Data processing apparatus, 5, 7 ... IVR, 6, 8 ... Adapter 8 ... CPU, 6b ... RAM, 6c ... ROM, 6d ... Input device, 6e ... Output device, 6f ... communication device, 6g ... recording device, 6h ... bus, 11 ... communication terminal, 11a ... signal control unit, 11b ... data transmission unit, 11c ... data reception unit, 12 ... communication terminal, 12a ... signal control unit , 12b ... Data transmission unit, 12c ... Data reception unit, 31 ... Central signal control unit, 41 ... Data reception unit, 42 ... Data processing unit, 43 ... Data transmission unit, 51, 71 ... Signal control unit, 52, 72 ... Data receiving unit, 53, 73 ... Data recognition unit, 54, 74 ... Data management unit, 55, 75 ... Data storage unit, 56, 76 ... Data transmission unit, 61, 81 ... Signal control unit, 62, 81 ... Data reception Part, 63, 83 Data storage unit, 64 ... data start determination unit, 65, 85 ... data transmission unit.

Claims (4)

Communication control device for controlling half-duplex communication between first communication device having operation device for acquiring data transmission right in half-duplex communication and automatic voice response device not having the operation device Because
When data is input from the automatic voice response device , data storage means for storing the data;
When there is an input of the data from the automatic voice response device , the data stored in the data storage means is analyzed, and when it is determined that a speech or conversation is started, a communication management device that manages half-duplex communication On the other hand, a transmission right requesting means for making a request for acquiring a data transmission right for transmitting the data to the first communication device;
A data transmission control means for transmitting the data stored by the data storage means upon receiving the data transmission right acquisition notification from the communication management device;
A communication control device provided separately from the automatic voice response device. A communication start request means for requesting the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with the first communication device;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission right request unit makes an acquisition request for the data transmission right after starting half-duplex communication with the first communication apparatus. When an instruction to start communication with the first communication device is input from the automatic voice response device , the communication start request unit communicates with the first communication device in half duplex communication according to the start instruction. The communication control apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the communication management apparatus is requested to perform the communication. Communication control device for controlling half-duplex communication between first communication device having operation device for acquiring data transmission right in half-duplex communication and automatic voice response device not having the operation device A communication control method using
When an instruction to start communication with the first communication device is input from the automatic voice response device , the first communication is sent to the communication management device that manages half-duplex communication according to the start instruction. A communication start request step for requesting the communication management device to perform half-duplex communication with a device;
When data is input from the automatic voice response device after the start of half-duplex communication with the first communication device, the accumulated data is analyzed while the data is accumulated , and speech and conversation are started. A transmission right requesting step for requesting the communication management device to acquire a data transmission right for transmitting the data to the first communication device,
Receiving the data transmission right acquisition notification from the communication management device, the data transmission step of transmitting the accumulated data, and
The communication control method, wherein the communication control device is provided separately from the automatic voice response device .

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