JP5227762B2 - Relay device, linkage method, and linkage program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linkage system, a relay device, a linkage method, and a linkage program that link a plurality of terminals to communicate with an external terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various systems using terminals and networks have been developed with the advancement and spread of network technologies such as telephone networks and Internet networks, and the progress and spread of terminal technologies that can be connected to these networks.

  For example, multimedia communication that communicates multiple signals such as audio and video, rather than either audio or video, to a user by communication of multiple types of signals such as audio signals and video signals, such as a video phone There is also a technology to realize this.

  In a normal video phone, since a single terminal handles audio signals and video signals, the user needs to use a new dedicated video phone even if the user has a normal phone that only supports audio signal communication. is there.

  On the other hand, there is a technology that realizes multimedia communication that uses video signals in addition to audio signals by linking video display devices in the vicinity after starting communication with audio signals using an audio telephone terminal. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to add a video terminal (display device) during a call with a voice terminal (telephone device) and perform communication using a video signal simultaneously with the voice signal. become.
JP 2008-276309 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot start video communication unless communication of an audio signal is started in advance.

  Therefore, depending on the regulations of the communication service, when the terminal cannot be added or deleted during the communication, or when the communication partner terminal does not support the addition or deletion of the terminal during the communication, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used. Not applicable. In other words, when using such a communication service or when communication is being performed with a restricted terminal, a different signal format is used simultaneously with the same communication partner during communication with an audio signal. Since the communication of the video signal cannot be started or the terminal corresponding to one of the audio signal and the video signal cannot be stopped during the communication between the audio signal and the video signal, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied.

  In view of the above problems, in the present invention, a linkage system, a relay device, a linkage method, and a linkage program for communicating data in a plurality of formats with other communication terminals (external terminals) using a plurality of existing communication terminals. I will provide a.

  The relay device according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of terminals having different types of communicable data via a first network, and is connected to an external terminal via a second network. The plurality of terminals and the external terminal A relay device that relays data communication between the receiving device and a receiving unit that receives data in different formats from a plurality of terminals via a first network, and a second data that is received by the receiving device in a second format. A communication unit that transmits data to an external terminal via a network and receives a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network, and the data received by the communication unit respectively correspond to the format of the data Transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal via the first network.

  In the cooperation method according to the present invention, a plurality of terminals having different types of communicable data are connected to each other via the first network, and a relay device connected to the external terminal via the second network includes a plurality of terminals. There is a cooperation method for executing communication with an external terminal in cooperation with a terminal, the step of receiving data of different formats from a plurality of terminals via a first network, and the reception of the plurality of received data of different formats by a second network The step of transmitting to the external terminal via the network, the step of receiving a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network, and the data received from the external terminal respectively corresponding to the format of the data Transmitting to the terminal via the first network.

The cooperation program according to the present invention is described by a computer-readable code, and causes the computer to function as the relay device according to claim 1 or 2 .

  According to the present invention, a plurality of types of data can be communicated with other communication terminals (external terminals) using a plurality of existing communication terminals.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Cooperation system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooperation system 1 according to the present invention includes a relay device 10, an audio terminal 20, and a video terminal 30.

  The relay device 10 is connected to a first network 40 such as a private network, and can communicate with the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30. The relay device 10 is connected to a second network 2 such as a public telephone network, and can communicate with an external terminal (not shown) connected via the telephone server 3.

  The audio terminal 20 is a terminal that transmits and receives audio signals such as a telephone, and can communicate audio signals with external audio terminals via the second network 2. The video terminal 30 is a terminal that transmits and receives video signals, such as a personal computer, and can communicate video signals with external video terminals via the second network 2.

  In the cooperation system 1, the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 can be linked by the relay device 10 to communicate with an external terminal. That is, the audio terminal 20 can only perform communication of the audio signal, and the video terminal 30 can only perform communication of the video signal. However, the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 can be connected using the relay device 10. Are combined to form a single virtual terminal, and for external terminals, it is possible to simultaneously perform audio signal communication and video signal communication as a single terminal.

  The first network 40 and the second network 2 are not limited, and may be, for example, a wired network or a wireless network. In FIG. 1, the cooperation system 1 includes one audio terminal 20 and one video terminal 30. However, the number of the audio terminals 20 is not limited and includes a plurality of audio terminals and a plurality of video terminals. May be. Furthermore, the external terminal that communicates with the virtual terminal composed of the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 may be a single terminal that can transmit and receive data of different formats, or is composed of a plurality of terminals. It may be a virtual terminal.

《Relay device》
As shown in FIG. 2, the relay device 10 includes an audio terminal management unit 11, a video terminal management unit 12, a cooperation unit 13, and an external terminal communication unit 14.

  The voice terminal management unit 11 transmits / receives data to / from the voice terminal 20 connected via the first network 40 and manages data related to the voice terminal 20. Means 113 are provided.

  The receiving unit 111 receives data transmitted from the voice terminal 20 via the first network 40 and outputs the data to the management unit 113 or the linkage unit 13. Specifically, the reception unit 111 outputs the performance of the voice terminal 20 received from the voice terminal 20 to the management unit 113. In addition, the reception unit 111 outputs a request, a response, and the like necessary for cooperation with the video terminal 30 received from the audio terminal 20 and communication with an external terminal to the cooperation unit 13. Further, the reception unit 111 outputs an audio signal received from the audio terminal 20 to the linkage unit 13.

  The transmission unit 112 transmits data to the voice terminal 20 via the first network 40. Specifically, the transmission unit 112 transmits to the voice terminal 20 a voice terminal ID that is an identifier given to the voice terminal 20 by the management unit 113. Further, the transmission unit 112 transmits a request, a response, and the like necessary for cooperation with the video terminal 30 and communication with an external terminal to the audio terminal 20. Further, the transmission unit 112 inputs an audio signal transmitted from an external terminal that is a communication partner from the cooperation unit 13, and transmits the input audio signal to the audio terminal 20.

  When the performance of the voice terminal 20 is input from the receiving means 111, the management means 113 issues a voice terminal ID that is an identifier to the voice terminal 20. Further, the management unit 113 outputs the issued voice terminal ID to the transmission unit 112 and causes the voice terminal 20 to transmit it. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the management unit 113 associates the issued voice terminal ID with the received performance of the voice terminal 20 and stores them in a memory (not shown).

  FIG. 3A is an example in which data relating to two voice terminals 20 is stored, the terminal performance of the voice terminal ID “A1” is “G.711”, and the voice terminal ID “A2”. It can be seen that the performance of the terminal is “G.711” and “G.722”. Here, in order to express the performance of one voice terminal 20, a plurality of data ("G.711", "G.722") may be associated as "A2". As described above, the format of data (voice signal) that can be communicated with the voice terminal 20 can be specified by the performance of the voice terminal 20 managed by the management unit 113.

  The video terminal management unit 12 transmits and receives data to and from the video terminal 30 connected via the first network 40, and manages data related to the video terminal 30, so that the reception unit 121, the transmission unit 122, and the management Means 123 are provided.

  The receiving unit 121 receives data transmitted from the video terminal 30 via the first network 40 and outputs the data to the management unit 123 or the linkage unit 13. Specifically, the receiving unit 121 outputs the performance of the video terminal 30 received from the video terminal 30 to the management unit 123. In addition, the reception unit 121 outputs a request, a response, and the like necessary for cooperation with the audio terminal 20 received from the video terminal 30 and communication with an external terminal to the cooperation unit 13. Further, the receiving unit 121 outputs a video signal received from the video terminal 30 to the linkage unit 13.

  The transmission unit 122 transmits data to the video terminal 30 via the first network 40. Specifically, the transmission unit 122 transmits to the video terminal 30 a video terminal ID that is an identifier given to the video terminal 30 by the management unit 123. The transmission unit 122 transmits a request, a response, and the like necessary for cooperation with the audio terminal 20 and communication with an external terminal to the video terminal 30. Further, the transmission unit 122 inputs a video signal transmitted from an external terminal as a communication partner from the cooperation unit 13 and transmits the input video signal to the video terminal 30.

  When the performance of the video terminal 30 is input from the reception unit 121, the management unit 123 issues a video terminal ID that is an identifier to the video terminal 30. Further, the management unit 123 outputs the issued video terminal ID to the transmission unit 122 and causes the video terminal 30 to transmit it. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the management unit 123 stores the issued video terminal ID and the received performance of the video terminal 30 in a memory (not shown) in association with each other.

  FIG. 3B is an example in which data relating to two video terminals 30 is stored, the terminal of the video terminal ID “V1” has a performance of “MPEG4”, and the terminal of the audio terminal ID “V2”. It can be seen that the performance of the "MPEG2" and "H.264". Here, in order to represent the performance of one video terminal 30, a plurality of data (“MPEG2”, “H.264”) may be associated with each other like “V2”. As described above, the format of data (video signal) that the video terminal 30 can communicate with can be specified by the performance of the video terminal 30 managed by the management unit 123.

  The cooperation unit 13 realizes a virtual terminal by linking the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 and executes transmission / reception of an audio signal and a video signal with an external terminal. Therefore, the transfer unit 131, the registration unit 132, and the acquisition unit 133 And a search means 134.

  The transfer unit 131 executes data transfer among the audio terminal management unit 11, the video terminal management unit 12, and the external terminal communication unit 14. Specifically, the transfer unit 131 outputs the audio signal input from the audio terminal management unit 11 and the video signal input from the video terminal management unit 12 to the external terminal communication unit 14. The transfer unit 131 outputs an audio signal input from the external terminal communication unit 14 to the audio terminal management unit 11 and outputs a video signal input from the external terminal communication unit 14 to the video terminal management unit 12. Further, the transfer unit 131 outputs a request or response to the video terminal 30 input from the audio terminal management unit 11 or the external terminal communication unit 14 to the video terminal management unit 12, and the video terminal management unit 12 or the external terminal communication unit 14. The request or response addressed to the voice terminal 20 input from is output to the voice terminal management unit 11. In addition, the transfer unit 131 outputs a request or response addressed to the external terminal input from the audio terminal management unit 11 or the video terminal management unit 12 to the external terminal communication unit 14.

  When the transfer unit 131 inputs a request or a response from the audio terminal management unit 11 or the video terminal management unit 12, the registration unit 132 registers the cooperation state and communication state of the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30.

  When the acquisition unit 133 inputs a session request from the external terminal communication unit 14, the acquisition unit 133 acquires the performance of the audio terminal 20 from the management unit 113 of the audio terminal management unit 11, and acquires the performance of the video terminal 30 from the management unit 123 of the video terminal management unit 12. Get performance.

  When the acquisition unit 133 acquires the performance of the terminals 20 and 30, the search unit 134 searches for the terminals 20 and 30 that match the performance included in the session request. That is, the session request includes the performance of the external terminal that is the communication partner in order to specify the format of the data to be communicated, but it is not the terminal 20 or 30 that communicates data in a format corresponding to this external terminal. Because communication with the external terminal is not established. Therefore, the search means 134 searches for the terminal IDs of the terminals 20 and 30 that match the external terminal from the terminal IDs managed by the management means 113 and 123.

  The external terminal communication unit 14 transmits the data input from the transfer unit 131 to the external terminal of the communication partner via the second network 2, and transmits the data from the external terminal of the communication partner to the transfer unit 131 via the second network 2. Output. Specifically, the external terminal communication unit 14 transmits data such as an audio signal, a video signal, a request, or a response input from the transfer unit 131 to the external terminal of the communication partner, and the audio signal received from the external terminal of the communication partner. Then, data such as a video signal, a request, or a response is output to the transfer unit 131.

  The relay device 10 is, for example, a device such as a VoIP router, and the cooperation unit 13 described above is mounted on the relay device 10 by installing a cooperation program that links the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal to such a device. Thus, data between the virtual terminal composed of the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal and the external terminal is relayed.

  As described above, the relay device 10 cooperates with the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 that transmit and receive data of different formats, and realizes communication between the terminals 20 and 30 and an external terminal.

<Voice terminal>
As shown in FIG. 4, the audio terminal 20 includes a transmission unit 21, a reception unit 22, an ID management unit 23, an input unit 24, an output unit 25, an operation unit 26, and a signal processing unit 27.

  The transmission unit 21 transmits data to the relay device 10 via the first network 40. Specifically, the transmission unit 21 relays the performance of the voice terminal 20 that specifies the format of data that can be communicated with the voice terminal 20 stored in the memory (not shown) of the voice terminal 20 at a predetermined timing. Transmit to device 10. The predetermined timing is, for example, a timing when the voice terminal 20 is turned on and activated, a timing when a communication function is activated in the voice terminal 20, or the like. Further, the transmission unit 21 transmits a request and a response necessary for cooperation with the video terminal 30 and communication with an external terminal to the relay device 10 in response to an operation input from the operation unit 26. Further, the transmission unit 21 transmits the compressed audio signal input from the signal processing unit 27 to the relay device 10.

  The receiving unit 22 receives data transmitted from the relay device 10 via the first network 40. For example, the receiving unit 22 receives a compressed audio signal from the relay device 10 and outputs the received audio signal to the signal processing unit 27. In addition, the receiving unit 22 receives a request or response necessary for cooperation with the video terminal 30 or communication with an external terminal from the relay device 10, and outputs the request or response to the output unit 25 or the signal processing unit 27.

  The ID management unit 23 stores, in a memory (not shown), the voice terminal ID that the receiving unit 22 receives from the relay device 10 after the transmission unit 21 transmits the performance of the voice terminal 20. The audio terminal 20 uses the audio terminal ID managed by the ID management unit 23 for cooperation with the video terminal 30.

  The input unit 24 is a device that inputs an audio signal such as a microphone. The output unit 25 is a device that outputs an audio signal such as a speaker.

  The operation unit 26 is an input button or the like for a user to input various operation signals. For example, in the operation unit 26, the telephone number of the terminal of the communication partner (destination), the video terminal ID of the video terminal 30 to be linked, the response to the request, etc. are input as operation signals.

  The signal processing unit 27 compresses the audio signal input via the input unit 24 and outputs the compressed audio signal to the transmission unit 21. In addition, the signal processing unit 27 expands the audio signal received by the receiving unit 22 and outputs it to the output unit 25.

  As described above, the voice terminal 20 transmits and receives data via the relay device 10 instead of directly transmitting and receiving data when communicating with an external terminal.

<Video terminal>
As shown in FIG. 5, the video terminal 30 includes a transmission unit 31, a reception unit 32, an ID management unit 33, an input unit 34, an output unit 35, an operation unit 36, and a signal processing unit 37.

  The transmission unit 31 transmits data to the relay device 10 via the first network 40. Specifically, the transmission unit 31 relays the performance of the video terminal 30 that specifies the format of data that can be communicated with the video terminal 30 stored in the memory (not shown) of the video terminal 30 at a predetermined timing. Transmit to device 10. The predetermined timing is, for example, a timing when the video terminal 30 is turned on and activated, a timing when a communication function is activated in the video terminal 30, or the like. Further, the transmission unit 31 transmits a request and a response necessary for cooperation with the voice terminal 20 and communication with an external terminal to the relay device 10 in response to an input from the operation unit 36. Further, the transmission unit 31 transmits the compressed video signal input from the signal processing unit 37 to the relay device 10.

  The receiving unit 32 receives data transmitted from the relay device 10 via the first network 40. For example, the receiving unit 32 receives a compressed video signal from the relay device 10 and outputs the video signal to the signal processing unit 37. In addition, the receiving unit 32 receives a request and a response necessary for cooperation with the voice terminal 20 and communication with an external terminal from the relay device 10, and outputs them to the output unit 35 and the signal processing unit 37.

  The ID management unit 33 stores, in a memory (not shown), the video terminal ID that the reception unit 32 receives from the relay device 10 after the transmission unit 31 transmits the performance of the video terminal 30. The video terminal 30 uses the video terminal ID managed by the ID management unit 33 for cooperation with the audio terminal 20.

  The input unit 34 is a device that inputs a video signal such as a camera. The output unit 35 is a device that outputs a video signal such as a display.

  The operation unit 36 is an input button or the like for a user to input various operation signals. For example, in the operation unit 36, the telephone number of the communication partner (destination) terminal, the voice terminal ID of the voice terminal 20 to be linked, the response to the request, and the like are input as operation signals.

  The signal processing unit 37 compresses the video signal input via the input unit 34 and outputs the compressed video signal to the transmission unit 31. In addition, the signal processing unit 37 expands the video signal received by the receiving unit 32 and outputs it to the output unit 35.

  As described above, the video terminal 30 transmits and receives data via the relay device 10 instead of directly transmitting and receiving data when communicating with an external terminal.

"registration process"
An example of processing when the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 are registered in the relay device 10 in the cooperation system 1 will be described using the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  For example, when the voice terminal 20 is activated, the transmission unit 21 transmits the performance of the voice terminal 20 to the relay device 10 (S001).

  When the reception unit 111 of the voice terminal management unit 11 receives the performance of the voice terminal 20, the management unit 113 issues a voice terminal ID to the voice terminal 20, and stores it in the memory in association with the received performance (S002). ). The transmission unit 112 transmits the voice terminal ID issued by the management unit 113 to the voice terminal 20 (S003).

  The ID management unit 23 of the voice terminal 20 stores the voice terminal ID received by the receiving unit 22 from the relay device 10 in the memory (S004).

  For example, when the video terminal 30 is activated, the transmission unit 31 transmits the performance of the video terminal 30 to the relay device 10 (S005).

  When the receiving unit 121 of the video terminal management unit 12 receives the performance of the video terminal 30, the management unit 123 issues a video terminal ID to the video terminal 30 and stores it in the memory in association with the received performance (S006). ). Further, the transmission unit 112 transmits the video terminal ID issued by the management unit 123 to the video terminal 30 (S007).

  The ID management unit 33 of the video terminal 30 stores the video terminal ID received by the receiving unit 32 from the relay device 10 in the memory (S008).

  As described above, in the linkage system 1, the relay device 10 manages the ID and performance of the terminals 20 and 30 that can communicate, and each terminal 20 and 30 also manages the ID issued by the relay device 10.

《Call processing》
Subsequently, using the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7, after the registration described above with reference to FIG. 6 is completed, the video terminal 30 transmits to the external terminal, and the virtual terminal including the video terminal 30 and the audio terminal 20 An example of processing when communication is performed with a terminal will be described.

  When a user inputs a telephone number of an external terminal that desires communication via the operation unit 36 of the video terminal 30 and an audio terminal ID of the audio terminal 20 that desires cooperation with the video terminal 30 ( S101), the transmission unit 21 receives the input telephone number, voice terminal ID, video terminal ID managed by the ID management unit 33, and telephone number of the video terminal 30 stored in advance in a memory (not shown). Is transmitted to the relay apparatus 10 (S102). The telephone number of the video terminal 30 included in the session request may be a number assigned to the video terminal 30 itself, or may be a number assigned to the relay device 10 to which the video terminal 30 is connected. .

  When the registration unit 132 of the cooperation unit 13 inputs the session request received by the reception unit 111, the registration unit 132 stores the telephone number, voice terminal ID, and video terminal ID included in the session request in a memory (not shown) (S103).

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the registration unit 132, for example, the ID “V1” of the video terminal 30 requesting communication, the ID “A1” of the audio terminal 20 requested to cooperate, and the video Cooperation with the video terminal 30 is approved by the audio terminal 20 and the telephone number “***” of the terminal 30, the telephone number “***” of the terminal that the video terminal 30 requests communication (session). Is stored in the memory in association with the approval status “unapproved”.

  In addition, the transfer unit 131 transmits a cooperation request for requesting cooperation with the video terminal 30 to the audio terminal 20 via the audio terminal management unit 11 (S104). The cooperation request output by the cooperation unit 13 includes the video terminal ID included in the session request as an identifier of the cooperation source terminal.

  When receiving the cooperation request transmitted from the relay device 10, the reception unit 22 of the voice terminal 20 notifies the user of the reception of the cooperation request by outputting the request to the output unit 25 (S105). When an approval operation for linking the audio terminal 20 with the video terminal 30 is input by the user via the operation unit 26 (S106), the transmission unit 21 transmits an approval response to the relay device 10 (S107). This approval response includes the video terminal ID of the video terminal 30 requesting cooperation and the audio terminal ID of the audio terminal 20 that has approved the cooperation.

  When the registration unit 132 of the cooperation unit 13 inputs an approval response via the reception unit 111, the registration unit 132 registers that the cooperation between the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 has been approved (S108). That is, when the cooperation unit 13 manages the audio terminal ID and the video terminal ID as shown in FIG. 8A, the approval associated with the audio terminal ID and the video terminal ID as shown in FIG. 8B. Update the status from “Unapproved” to “Approved”.

  The acquisition unit 133 acquires the performance of the audio terminal 20 from the management unit 113 of the audio terminal management unit 11 (S109), and acquires the performance of the video terminal 30 from the management unit 123 of the video terminal management unit 12 (S110). ), A session request is transmitted to the telephone server 3 via the external terminal communication unit 14 (S111). This session request includes the performance of the audio terminal 20 acquired in step S109, the performance of the video terminal 30 acquired in step S110, the telephone number of the video terminal 30, and the telephone number of the terminal that the video terminal 30 desires to communicate with. ing.

  The description of the processing of the telephone server 3 that has received the session request is omitted, but the session request transmitted by the external terminal communication unit 14 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal via the telephone server 3 and communicated. A session is established by receiving an establishment response from the partner terminal.

  When the telephone server 3 transmits an establishment response in which a session is established via the second network 2, the voice terminal 20 receives the establishment response via the external terminal communication unit 14, the linkage unit 13, and the voice terminal management unit 11. (S112). The video terminal 30 also receives the establishment response via the external terminal communication unit 14, the cooperation unit 13, and the video terminal management unit 12 (S113).

  In the voice terminal 20, the voice signal input from the input unit 24 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal via the relay device 10 (S114, S115), and the voice signal received from the communication partner terminal via the relay device 10 is output. By outputting to the unit 25 (S115, S116), the session continues.

  In the video terminal 30, the video signal input from the input unit 34 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal via the external terminal communication unit 14 (S 117, S 118), and is received from the communication partner terminal via the relay device 10. By outputting the video signal to the output unit 35 (S118, S119), the session continues.

  As described above, in the cooperation system 1, when the terminals 20 and 30 transmit as virtual terminals, the relay device 10 cooperates with the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 to transmit a session request. Therefore, if only the relay device 10 is added, the existing terminals can be used for the terminals 20 and 30 themselves.

<< Reception processing >>
Next, using the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, after the registration described above with reference to FIG. 6 is completed, the video terminal 30 receives from the external terminal, the virtual terminal including the video terminal 30 and the audio terminal 20, and the external terminal An example of processing when communication is performed with a terminal will be described.

  When a session request is transmitted from an external terminal via the telephone server 3, the external terminal communication unit 14 of the relay device 10 receives the request (S201). This session request includes the telephone number of the external terminal requesting the session, the telephone number of the video terminal 30 requesting the session, and the performance of the external terminal requesting the session.

  The acquisition unit 133 of the cooperation unit 13 acquires the performance of the audio terminal 20 from the management unit 113 of the audio terminal management unit 11 (S202), and acquires the performance of the video terminal 30 from the management unit 123 of the video terminal management unit 12. (S203).

  Thereafter, the search unit 134 searches for the terminal included in the session request received in step S201 and the corresponding terminal from the performance acquired from steps S202 and S203 (S204). In addition, the search unit 134 transmits a session request to the video terminal 30 searched in step S204 via the transmission unit 122 of the video terminal management unit 12 (S205).

  When receiving the session request transmitted by the relay device 10, the receiving unit 32 of the video terminal 30 notifies the user of the reception of the session request by output to the output unit 35 (S206). When the user inputs the session approval operation and the voice terminal ID of the voice terminal 20 to be linked with the video terminal 30 via the operation unit 36 (S207), the transmission unit 31 transmits an approval response to the relay device 10. (S208). This approval response includes the video terminal ID of the video terminal 30 that has approved the session, and the audio terminal ID of the audio terminal 20 that is linked to the video terminal 30.

  When the approval response received by the reception unit 121 is input, the registration unit 132 of the linkage unit 13 stores the telephone number, video terminal ID, and audio terminal ID included in the approval response in the memory (S209).

  As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the registration unit 132 communicates with, for example, the ID “V1” of the video terminal 30 requesting cooperation and the ID “A1” of the audio terminal 20 requested to cooperate. The video terminal 30 by the audio terminal 20 and the telephone number “***” of the external terminal requesting communication, the telephone number “***” of the video terminal 30 requesting communication (session) by the external terminal. Is associated with an approval status “unapproved” for identifying whether or not cooperation with the device has been approved.

  Thereafter, the transfer unit 131 transmits a cooperation request for requesting cooperation with the video terminal 30 to the audio terminal 20 via the audio terminal management unit 11 (S210). The cooperation request output from the cooperation unit 13 includes the video terminal ID of the video terminal 30 as the identifier of the terminal of the cooperation source.

  When receiving the cooperation request transmitted from the relay device 10, the reception unit 22 of the voice terminal 20 outputs the output to the output unit 25 to notify the user of the reception of the cooperation request (S211). When an approval operation for linking the audio terminal 20 with the video terminal 30 is input by the user via the operation unit 26 (S212), the transmission unit 21 transmits an approval response to the relay device 10 (S213). This approval response includes the video terminal ID of the video terminal 30 requesting cooperation and the audio terminal ID of the audio terminal 20 that has approved the cooperation.

  When receiving the approval response via the receiving means 111, the registration means 132 of the cooperation unit 13 registers that the cooperation between the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 has been approved (S214). That is, when the cooperation unit 13 manages the audio terminal ID and the video terminal ID as shown in FIG. 10A, the approval associated with the audio terminal ID and the video terminal ID as shown in FIG. 10B. Update the status from “Unapproved” to “Approved”.

  When the cooperation between the video terminal 30 and the audio terminal 20 is approved, the request for the session from the external terminal is approved, and the registration unit 132 communicates with the external terminal that is the communication partner via the external terminal communication unit 14. A session approval response is transmitted (S215).

  Although the description of the processing of the telephone server 3 that has received the session approval response is omitted, the telephone server 3 transmits the session approval response transmitted by the external terminal communication unit 14 to the external terminal that is the communication partner. A session is established when an approval response is received by the external terminal.

  When the session is approved, the transmission unit 112 of the audio terminal management unit 11 transmits a session start notification that notifies the audio terminal 20 of the start of the session (S216), and the transmission unit 122 of the video terminal management unit 12 Then, a session start notification for notifying the start of the session is transmitted to the video terminal 30 (S217).

  The communication after receiving the session start notification is the same as that described above with reference to FIG. 7, and the same processing will be described with the same number. That is, in the voice terminal 20, the voice signal input from the input unit 24 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal via the relay device 10 (S114, S115), and is received from the communication partner terminal via the relay device 10. Is output to the output unit 25 (S115, S116), the session continues.

  In the video terminal 30, the video signal input from the input unit 34 is transmitted to the communication partner (source) terminal via the external terminal communication unit 14 (S 117 and S 118), and the relay device 10 is transmitted from the communication partner terminal. By outputting the video signal received via the output unit 35 to the output unit 35 (S118, S119), the session continues.

  As described above, in the cooperation system 1, when the terminals 20 and 30 receive as virtual terminals, the relay device 10 performs communication in cooperation with the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30. Therefore, if only the relay device 10 is added, the existing terminals can be used for the terminals 20 and 30 themselves.

  As described above, in the cooperation system 1 according to the best embodiment of the present invention, by using the relay device 10, the audio terminal 20 and the video terminal 30 that transmit and receive existing different types of data are used, and the external system Can communicate with the terminal. That is, the user can realize multimedia communication using a terminal such as the existing audio terminal 20 and video terminal 30.

It is a figure showing an example of the cooperation system which concerns on the best embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the relay apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the information regarding the terminal managed with a relay apparatus. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the audio | voice terminal shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the video terminal shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram explaining an example of the registration process of the terminal in the cooperation system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram explaining an example of the process at the time of transmitting to the external terminal from the terminal of the cooperation system of FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the information regarding the state of the terminal managed by a relay apparatus. It is a sequence diagram explaining an example of a process when the terminal of the cooperation system of FIG. 1 receives reception from an external terminal. It is a figure showing an example of the information regarding the state of the terminal managed by a relay apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cooperation system 10 ... Relay apparatus 11 ... Voice terminal management part 111 ... Reception means 112 ... Transmission means 113 ... Management means 12 ... Video terminal management part 121 ... Reception means 122 ... Transmission means 123 ... Management means 13 ... Cooperation part 131 ... Transfer means 132 ... Registration means 133 ... Acquisition means 134 ... Search means 14 ... External terminal communication section 20 ... Voice terminal 21 ... Transmission section 22 ... Reception section 23 ... ID management section 24 ... Input section 25 ... Output section 26 ... Operation section 27 ... Signal processing unit 30 ... Video terminal 31 ... Transmission unit 32 ... Reception unit 33 ... ID management unit 34 ... Input unit 35 ... Output unit 36 ... Operation unit 37 ... Signal processing unit 40 ... First network 2 ... Second network 3 ... Phone server

Claims (5)

Data communication is performed between a plurality of terminals and the external terminals connected to a plurality of terminals having different communication formats via the first network and connected to an external terminal via the second network. A relay device that relays
When a session request for data communication with the external terminal is received from one terminal among a plurality of terminals in cooperation with the other terminal, a request for cooperation with the terminal is requested from the other terminal for which cooperation is desired. A transfer means for transmitting a cooperation request to be performed;
Registration means for associating the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of another terminal that cooperates with the terminal into the memory,
Management means for managing in the memory the identifier of each terminal connected via the first network, in association with the performance specifying the format of data transmitted and received by the terminal;
While acquiring the performance of the terminal which transmitted the session request from the memory which the management means manages, and the other terminal whose cooperation is approved according to the session request, the new including the acquired performance of the terminal and the other terminal Acquisition means for transmitting a secure session request to the external terminal;
Receiving means for receiving different types of data from the plurality of terminals via the first network when a session requested by the new session request is established;
A plurality of different types of data received by the receiving means are transmitted to an external terminal via the second network, and a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network are received. Communication means;
Transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of different types of data received by the communication means from the external terminal to the corresponding terminal identified by the identifier registered in the memory by the registration means via the first network;
A relay device comprising: Data communication is performed between a plurality of terminals and the external terminals connected to a plurality of terminals having different communication formats via the first network and connected to an external terminal via the second network. A relay device that relays
Management means for managing in the memory the identifier of each terminal connected via the first network, in association with the performance specifying the format of data transmitted and received by the terminal;
When a session request for data communication with a terminal connected via the first network is received from an external terminal connected via the second network, a plurality of terminals are stored from the memory managed by the management unit. Acquisition means for acquiring performance;
Search means for searching for a terminal having a performance matching the performance of the external terminal included in the session request from the performance of the plurality of terminals acquired by the acquisition means, and transmitting a session request to the searched terminal;
When receiving a response including an identifier of another terminal from the terminal that transmitted the session request, transfer means for transmitting a cooperation request for requesting cooperation with the terminal to the other terminal,
Registration means for associating an identifier of a terminal with an identifier of another terminal that cooperates with the terminal and registering it in a memory;
Communication means for receiving a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network, and transmitting to the external terminal via the second network when a plurality of different types of data is input When,
Transmitting means for transmitting data received from the external terminal by the communication means to a corresponding terminal identified by an identifier registered in a memory by the registration means;
Receiving means for receiving different types of data from the plurality of terminals via the first network and outputting the data to the communication means;
A relay device comprising: A relay device connected via a first network to a plurality of terminals each having a different form of communicable data, and a relay device connected to the external terminal via a second network links the plurality of terminals to the external A cooperation method for executing communication with a terminal,
Receiving a session request for data communication with the external terminal in cooperation with another terminal from one terminal among a plurality of terminals;
Transmitting a cooperation request for requesting cooperation with the terminal to the other terminal for which cooperation is desired;
Depending on the identifier of each terminal connected via the first network and the memory managed in association with the performance specifying the format of data transmitted and received by the terminal, according to the terminal that transmitted the session request and the session request Acquiring the performance of other devices that have been approved for cooperation;
Transmitting a new session request including the acquired performance of the terminal and the other terminal to the external terminal;
Receiving a different format of data from the plurality of terminals via the first network when a session requested by the new session request is established;
Transmitting a plurality of different types of data received from a plurality of the terminals to the external terminal via the second network;
Receiving a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network;
A plurality of different formats received from the external terminal to the corresponding terminal identified by the registered identifier with reference to the memory registered in association with the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of the other terminal that cooperates with the terminal Sending the data over the first network;
The cooperation method characterized by providing. A relay device connected via a first network to a plurality of terminals each having a different form of communicable data, and a relay device connected to the external terminal via a second network links the plurality of terminals to the external A cooperation method for executing communication with a terminal,
Receiving, from an external terminal connected via the second network, a session request for data communication with a terminal connected via the first network;
When receiving a session request, acquiring the performance of a plurality of terminals from a memory that associates the identifier of each terminal connected via the first network with the performance specifying the format of data transmitted and received by the terminal;
A step of searching for a terminal having a performance matching the performance of the external terminal included in the received session request from the obtained identifiers and performance of the plurality of terminals;
Sending a session request to the found device;
Receiving a response including an identifier of another terminal from the terminal that transmitted the session request;
When receiving the response, transmitting a cooperation request for requesting cooperation with the terminal to the other terminal specified by the identifier included in the response;
Receiving a plurality of different types of data transmitted from the external terminal via the second network;
A plurality of different formats received from the external terminal to the corresponding terminal identified by the registered identifier with reference to the memory registered in association with the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of the other terminal that cooperates with the terminal Sending the data over the first network;
Receiving different types of data from the plurality of terminals via the first network;
Transmitting a plurality of different types of data to the external terminal via the second network;
The cooperation method characterized by providing. The linkage program described by the code | symbol which can be read by a computer, and making a computer function as a relay apparatus of the said Claim 1 or 2.

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