JPH08195820A - Video conference reservation system, video conference monitoring system and video conference operation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a video conference reservation system capable of reserving a video conference even in a remote location whether the video conference is in session or not and letting a reserving person confirm a reservation condition. CONSTITUTION: A video conference reserving person uses the calling key 2 of a telephone set 1 and inputs reservation information corresponding to guidance from a reservation center 4. A reservation monitor 5 checks whether or not an error is present in the information inputted by the reserving person and stores the reservation information in a data base when no error is present. Further, the reservation monitor 5 returns the reservation condition to a facsimile equipment 2. Thus, by constituting this video conference reservation system in such a manner, the reserving person can reserve the video conference from anywhere when the telephone set is installed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference reservation system for making a video conference reservation without human intervention.
If the status of video conferencing is monitored and the abnormalities are found, the video conferencing monitoring system that handles the abnormalities and the video conferencing terminals that participate in the video conferencing are scattered at multiple points so that the charge will be low. The present invention relates to a video conferencing operation system that selects different relay points.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Conventional example 1. As a conventional video conference reservation system,
There is a multipoint communication control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-280153. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a conference reservation processing sequence in the multipoint communication control apparatus. A conference reservation processing procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. 31 and the block diagrams of FIGS. 32, 33, and 34.

First, when the reservation terminal 58 completes a one-to-one connection with the reservation center 55 via the modem 56 and the telephone line 57 (201), the reservation terminal input means 71 inputs each item of the reservation conference information ( 202). At this time, the reservation center 55 is in a state of waiting for a command from the reservation terminal 58.

When the input of each item of the reservation conference information is completed, the reservation terminal 58 transmits the transmission pattern as shown in FIG. 35 (a) to the reservation center 55 to perform reservation registration (203). . On the other hand, in the reservation center 55, the usage status of the conference terminal 53 and the conference device 51 is determined from the content of the reservation file 65 from the reservation determination items of the transmitted transmission pattern (FIG. 35A), and if the reservation is made, If it is determined that it is possible, the reservation conference number is numbered to create a reservation key code (204), and the transmission pattern as shown in FIG. 35 (b) is returned to the reservation terminal 58 (205).

The reservation terminal 58 receiving this transmission pattern (FIG. 35 (b)) notifies the operator by displaying the received reservation availability on the reservation terminal display means 72 (206), and the reservation is acceptable. For example, together with the received reservation key code, the reservation terminal input means 71 transmits the reservation detailed information already input to the reservation center 55 in a transmission pattern as shown in FIG. 35 (c) (207). And
In the reservation center 55, after the transmitted detailed reservation information is registered in the reservation file 65 (208), the telephone line 57 between the reservation terminal 58 and the reservation center 55 is disconnected (209).

Although the telephone line 57 is used as a communication line for connecting the reservation center 55 and the reservation terminal 58 in the above embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by using a dedicated line or a private telephone line. . In the above embodiment, the case where only one reservation terminal 58 is connected to the reservation center 55 has been described, but the number of reservation terminals 58 is not particularly limited.

Conventional example 2. In addition, as an example of monitoring the status of a video conference during a video conference and notifying an abnormality, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5
The communication terminal disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 252132 will be described below. FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a communication terminal. In the figure, the detecting means 87 writes whether or not the writing of the control data by the writing section 85 and / or the reading by the reading section 86 has been performed within a predetermined period. To detect. Then, the notification means 88 determines that an abnormality has occurred in its own terminal when the writing or / and reading is not detected within the predetermined period by the detection means 87, and the abnormality notification data in the control data is abnormal. Forcibly set to Yes and notify the other terminal.

Here, the control data described above will be described. The control data is input to the multiplexing unit 81 together with the transmission data. CCITT Recommendation H. Two
In 21, various control signals used as control data are defined, in which BA transmitted once every 20 mS.
S (Bit-rate Allocation Signal) is specified.
The BAS specifies how to divide a fast channel into slow channels, and the recommendation recommends to keep sending BAS repeatedly even if there is no change.

If the received BAS is a BAS instructing a mode change, the mode of its own terminal must be switched according to the instruction. If the switching to the mode of the own terminal is delayed, the received data becomes meaningless. Here, this BAS is designated as control data, and
It is considered that the writing and / or reading, or both of them are not performed, and the other terminal is notified of the abnormality of the own terminal.

[0010]

Since the conventional video conference reservation system is constructed as described above, the reservation terminal is limited in installation place, and the reservation person must move to the place where the terminal is installed. I have to.

Further, since the number of units is limited, it is necessary to wait until the end when other people are using to make a reservation, and there is a problem that the reservation person cannot make a conference reservation in real time. .

Further, the conventional video conference monitoring system is
Since it is configured as described above, it is only necessary to notify the other terminal who is in the video conference of the abnormality of his own terminal,
There was a problem that the participant who was holding the meeting had to handle the abnormality by himself / herself.

Furthermore, when the participants who participate in the video conference are far apart, such as Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, the relay device for relaying the video conference terminal is one.
If it is a pedestal, there is a problem that the line usage fee becomes expensive because it becomes a long distance communication.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and allows a reservation person to make a video conference reservation in real time by using a telephone or a facsimile device for reservation input of a video conference. enable.

Further, since telephones and facsimiles are already around us, it is possible for a reservation person to make a video conference reservation from a place where he is now with a small amount of movement.

Further, even if an abnormality occurs in the video conference terminal during the video conference, the system can automatically cope with the abnormality.

Further, when the users who participate in the video conference are far from each other, the system side can select the relay place of the video conference terminal having the lowest charge.

[0018]

A video conference reservation system according to the present invention is characterized by having the following elements. (A) The telephone transmits reservation information for the video conference using the calling key, and (b) the reservation center analyzes the reservation information from the calling key for the telephone to register the reservation for the video conference.

In the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, the reservation center is characterized by instructing input of reservation information by voice.

The video conference reservation system according to the present invention is characterized by having the following elements. (A) The facsimile device transmits the reservation information for the video conference, and (b) the reservation center recognizes the reservation information from the facsimile device and registers the reservation for the video conference.

In the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, the reservation center transmits the reservation status to a designated facsimile machine.

In the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, the reservation center is characterized in that the facsimile device for returning the reservation status is registered in advance.

In the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, the video conference reservation system has an operation status change requesting means for making a request for changing the conference operation status without interrupting the conference during the holding of the video conference, The reservation center is characterized by accepting a request for changing the conference operation status by the operation status change requesting means.

The video conference monitoring system according to the present invention has the following elements. (A) a plurality of video conference terminals, (b) a multipoint communication control device executes a video conference between video conference terminals, and (c)
A network connects the plurality of video conference terminals to the multipoint communication control device, and (d) a monitoring device is connected to the multipoint communication control device to monitor the video conference terminal, the multipoint communication control device, and the network. In addition, when an abnormality occurs, recovery processing for the abnormality is executed according to a procedure registered in advance.

In the video conference monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring device is characterized by including a procedure registration section for registering the recovery procedure, and registering the recovery procedure in the procedure registration section by the registration means.

In the video conference monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring device outputs a warning indicating that an abnormality has occurred when the recovery process does not become normal even if the recovery process is performed in accordance with the procedure registered in advance. I am trying.

In the video conference monitoring system according to the present invention, the above-mentioned monitoring device is characterized by having display means for displaying a conference holding status, a fault location, and a fault status.

The video conference operation system according to the present invention has the following elements. (A) A plurality of multipoint communication control devices perform a videoconference between a plurality of videoconference terminals, (b) A plurality of multipoint communication control devices perform a videoconference between videoconference terminals, and (c) an operation device performs a videoconference. Based on the plurality of video conference terminals to be used, one multipoint communication control device with a low usage charge is selected from the plurality of multipoint communication control devices.

The operating device registers the distances between a plurality of video conference terminals and each multipoint communication control device in advance, and based on the sum of the distances between each video conference terminal used for a video conference and the multipoint communication control device. The multi-point communication control device is selected.

[0030]

The video conference reservation system according to the first invention is
The reservation information of the video conference is transmitted to the reservation center using the calling key of the telephone. Therefore, a special terminal for reservation becomes unnecessary. Also, even if the video conference terminal is in use,
You can make a reservation. In addition, it is possible to make a reservation for a video conference not only from a telephone in the company but also from a public telephone. Also,
Since the operator on the reservation receiving side is not required, it is possible to prevent a reservation registration error due to a mistake in listening. It also reduces labor costs.

In the video conference reservation system according to the second aspect of the invention, when the reservation person inputs reservation information, the input instruction is given by voice. Therefore, even a user who is unfamiliar with the reservation can easily make a reservation for the video conference.

Further, the video conference reservation system according to the third aspect of the present invention transmits the video conference reservation information to the reservation center using the facsimile device. Therefore, a special terminal for reservation becomes unnecessary. Also, reservations can be made even when the video conference terminal is in use. Furthermore, by using the reservation form that was used before, the reservation information can be easily prepared because the previously reserved information and the information that has not changed in the reservation information have already been filled in. is there. Further, it is possible to reduce reservation mistakes due to entry mistakes.

Further, the video conference reservation system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention transmits the reservation status to the facsimile machine for which the reservation center is designated. Therefore, the reservation person can visually check the contents reserved by himself / herself. In addition, it has storability due to facsimile output paper. Furthermore, the reservation status of another person can be referred to.

Further, in the video conference reservation system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the facsimile device for returning the reservation status can be registered in advance. Therefore, the operation of designating the facsimile device at the time of inputting the reservation information can be omitted, so that the reservation operation becomes simpler than that of the fourth aspect.

Further, the video conference reservation system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention has operation status change requesting means. For this reason, for example, even if the scheduled time is desired to be extended during the holding of the video conference, the conference participants can make a change request without interrupting the conference. In addition, it is possible to easily increase or decrease the number of video conference terminals participating in the conference during the conference.

Also, in the video conference monitoring system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the monitoring device monitors the video conference terminal, the multipoint control controller and the network, and when an abnormality occurs, a recovery process for the abnormality is performed. Execute according to the procedure registered in advance. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs during the holding of the video conference, it can be recovered in a shorter time than in the case where it is conventionally handled manually, and the influence on the progress of the conference can be reduced.

Further, in the video conference monitoring system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the recovery procedure for the abnormality is registered in the procedure registration section by the registration means. Therefore, even if a change occurs in the recovery procedure, the recovery procedure can be changed simply by re-registering in the procedure registration unit. Further, in the case where the recovery processing for the abnormality is newly handled by the monitoring device, if the recovery procedure is registered in the procedure registration unit, the recovery processing for the abnormality is immediately executed.

Further, the video conference monitoring system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention outputs a warning when the recovery process in the monitoring device is not successful. Therefore, the person who monitors the monitoring device can know the occurrence of the abnormality, and can immediately respond to the abnormality that has been manually generated.

Further, in the video conference monitoring system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the person who monitors the monitoring device can confirm the conference holding status, fault location, and fault status displayed by the display means. , It is possible to easily investigate the video conference terminal number or connection line number connected to the video conference in which the abnormality has occurred. Therefore, in the case of manually handling an abnormality, necessary information can be easily retrieved.

Further, in the video conference operating system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the network of the video conference operating system is connected by the operating device so that the usage fee is reduced. Therefore, a user who uses the video conference operation system can use the video conference operation system at a low charge without being aware of it.

Furthermore, in the video conference operation system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the operating charge is based on the total distance between the video conference terminals having a plurality of operation devices and each multipoint communication control device. Connect the low-cost video conference operation system network. Therefore, in a video conference in which participants participating in the video conference exist at a plurality of long distances, a more effective video conference operating system can be provided to the user.

[0042]

【Example】

Example 1. In this embodiment, a video conference reservation system will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for realizing a video conference reservation system according to the present invention. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a telephone for making a video conference reservation and having a call key 1a. Reference numeral 2 is a facsimile machine for making a video conference reservation. Also, the reservation status resulting from the reservation is received from the reservation center. A telephone network 3 connects the telephone 1 or the facsimile device 2 to the reservation center.
A reservation center 4 is composed of a reservation monitor 5, a printer 6, an operation monitor 7, a database 8 and an MCU monitor 32.

The reservation monitor 5 has a function of accepting reservations for holding a video conference. The operation monitor 7 prepares to hold a video conference based on the reservation information. The printer 6 outputs a form of reservation contents.
The database 8 is a database such as a reservation information file for registering the received reservation of the video conference. MC
The U monitor 32 is a device that monitors a multipoint communication control device (hereinafter referred to as MCU). 9 is MCU monitoring 32
And a dedicated line for connecting the MCU 10. MCU10
Is a video conferencing terminal 13 installed in various parts of Japan,
It is connected by a communication line 12. MCU10
It is a device for controlling the holding of a video conference.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for realizing the video conference reservation system according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a telephone for making a video conference reservation, and 3 is a telephone network connecting the telephone 1 and the reservation monitor 5. The reservation monitor 5 constitutes the reservation monitor device 14, and comprises a reservation status monitor 14a for monitoring the video conference reservation status, a reservation acceptance process 14b for receiving the video conference reservation data received via the telephone network 3, and an operation status. Change request processing 14c and voice processing board control 14
It has a function of d. The operation status change request processing 14c will be described in detail in a later embodiment. The database 8 also includes database files such as a reservation information file 16, a reservation status history file 17, a communication history file 18, and a system operation definition file 19.

The voice processing board control 14d is a control for giving a voice instruction to input a video conference reservation made by using the telephone 1. The reservation information received by the reservation monitoring device 14 is the LAN 11
The operation monitoring device 15 is notified via the. Further, the reservation information is accumulated in the database 8, and the reservation information accumulated in the database 8 is retrieved from the operation monitor 7.

The operation monitoring 7 constitutes the operation monitoring device 15 and has the function of the reservation monitoring reservation acceptance processing 15a. The reservation monitoring reservation acceptance processing 15a has a function of listing the reservation status and listing the reservation status by date. Further, the center operator has a function of directly accepting a conference reservation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a video conference reservation memo. When making a video conference reservation, the reservation person fills in the necessary information in the video conference reservation memo shown in FIG. 3 in advance, and makes a video conference reservation using the call key 1a of the telephone 1 while referring to the memo.

The video conference reservation memo 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a user code 21, a password 22, and an operation number 2.
3, entry date 24, start time 25, end time 26, organizer's terminal number 27, partner's terminal number 28, partner's designated end 29, fax number 30, acceptance number 31 entry fields . In the video conference reservation system in this embodiment, the user right of the video conference operation system is confirmed by the user code 21 and the password 22. For example, if the head office of a company is in Tokyo and the branch office is in Osaka, user codes are assigned to the Tokyo head office and Osaka branch office, or passwords are assigned to each department. In this way, the user code and password are used.

Further, in the video conference reservation system according to this embodiment, the reservation operation, the cancel operation, the inquiry operation and the reference operation are possible, and the corresponding operation number is the operation number 23.
Please specify. In addition, the organizer-side terminal number 27 specifies the video conference terminal number used by the organizer, and the partner-side terminal number 28 specifies the terminal number that participates in the video conference. Note that, here, up to eight other party terminal numbers can be registered.

Further, in this video conference reservation system,
The registration status can be transmitted to the facsimile device designated by the reservation person so that the reservation person can visually check the reserved contents, and the facsimile number of the transmission destination is specified in the fax number 30. Finally, in the reception number 31, the reception number of the reservation made by the reservation person is notified by voice from the reservation center. The reception number is
It is necessary when inquiring about the reserved contents. It is also possible to omit the organizer side terminal number 27, and when omitted, the organizer side terminal number 27 is determined by the user code 1. The detailed processing of the inquiry will be described in a later example.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure for reservation processing of a video conference. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of reservation registration processing for a video conference. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the other party's terminal number input processing of the video conference. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of error processing in the video conference reservation processing.

Next, referring to the video conference reservation memo of FIG. 3, the reservation procedure will be described according to the flowcharts of FIGS. When a person who reserves a video conference calls the reservation center 4 using the call key 1a of the telephone 1, the telephone 1 is connected to the reservation monitor 5 via the telephone network 3. Then, the reservation monitor 5 gives a voice guidance to the telephone 1 via the telephone network 3 by the voice processing board control 14d, "This is a video conference reservation center. Please operate according to the operation procedure." Send (S1). In this way, since the guidance for prompting the input is transmitted from the reservation center 4 to the telephone 1, the reservation person inputs according to the guidance. Following the guidance in S1 above, the guidance will be sent from the reservation center, "Please enter the user code." (S2), so that the reservation user can refer to the video conference reservation memo in FIG. Enter the code 21 as "01025 #". The reservation reception processing 14b checks whether the input user code has exceeded the number of digits, or whether a key other than numbers has been input, or whether it has been registered. If an error has occurred, The process moves to the error message transmission process of S3a. In the error message transmission process S3a, a message prompting the user to re-enter the user code is transmitted to the telephone 1 (S3
2) The reservation person inputs the user code again (S3).
3). At this time, if the re-input is not performed within 15 seconds, the reservation reception processing 14b transmits the input request message to the telephone 1 again. If the re-input result is normal, the process continues to the next process (S35). If the re-entered user code is not normal, input errors up to two times are permitted, but if an input error is found in the third input, the reservation center 4 sends a message to the telephone 1.
"The specified method is incorrect. Please check the usage method and try again from the telephone that can send a push signal." (S34), and the telephone line is disconnected (S36).

If the user code is entered correctly, the guidance "Please enter password" will be sent next (S4), so the reservation person enters the password "777 #". . The reservation acceptance process 14b checks whether the number of digits of the entered password and a key other than the numbers have been transmitted or has been registered, and if an error is found, the process of error message transmission (S3a) is performed. Move. Note that the flow of the process of S3a for transmitting an error message is as shown in FIG. 7 for any input, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the password is entered correctly, the next message is "Please enter the operation number." (S6), so the reservation person enters "1" (S).
7). In this embodiment, since the procedure for making a reservation for a video conference is described, the operation number is input as "1 (reserve)". The reservation acceptance process 14b confirms whether or not the operation number is a number of 1 to 4, and if it is a number other than 1 to 4, the process proceeds to S3a of error message transmission.

When the operation number is correctly entered, reservation registration processing is performed (S9). In the reservation registration process, the guidance "Please input the date of the meeting" is sent, so the reservation person inputs "940901 #" as the usage date.
The reservation reception processing 14b determines whether the input conference execution date is a number, whether it is a future date for each of the year, month, and day, and that the video conference reservation system reserves a month ahead of today. If it can be done, it checks whether the meeting is held within one month from today.

When the conference execution date is correctly entered, the guidance "Please enter the start time" is sent (S22), so the reservation person inputs the start time "1500 #". In the reservation reception processing 14b, if the input start time is a number and the holding time of the video conference must be between 9:00 and 16:00,
It is checked whether the input start time is within the above time range. Also, it is checked whether the same user has already made a video conference reservation because the times overlap on the same day. If an error is found, the process moves to S3a for sending an error message.

When the start time is correctly entered, the guidance "Please enter the end time." Is transmitted (S24), and the reservation person inputs "1645 #" as the end time. The reservation reception process 14b checks whether or not the end time is later than the start time, in addition to the check of the start time. Also, it is checked whether the same user has already made a video conference reservation because the times overlap on the same day. If an error is found, the process moves to S3a for sending an error message. When the end time is correctly input, the process of inputting the conference participant user (S2
Go to 6).

In inputting the users participating in the conference, first,
A guidance will be sent saying, "Please press the terminal number or group number of the person who will participate in the conference. When you are finished, press # only." (S37). Transmission is made to the reservation center 4 using the calling key 1a of the telephone 1 in order from the first side terminal number 27 and the second side terminal number 28. When one terminal number is entered, the reservation center 4 sends a guidance, "Please press the next terminal number." (S39).
Input each one (S38). In the reservation reception processing 14b,
It is checked whether the input terminal number is a numeral and whether it is an existing terminal number. If an error is found, the process proceeds to S3a for transmitting an error message. If the input is correct and the designation end "#" is input, or if the group number is input in the input of S38, the reservation reception processing 14b expands the terminal number based on the group number. The user code designation process is terminated (S40).

The group number is assumed to be, for example, four video conference terminals installed in the Tokyo area and three video conference terminals installed in the Osaka area. Shows the numbers assigned to each area by grouping. Also, when participants are decided in advance such as in a regular meeting, group numbers are used to simplify the reservation operation, and terminal numbers of a plurality of participants can be reserved using one group number. deep.

When the designation of the users who participate in the video conference is completed, the flow returns to the flowchart of FIG. 5, and the reservation registration processing (S27) is performed in the reservation reception processing 14b. The reservation reception process 14b checks whether the terminal number participating in the video conference is reserved for another conference at the same time on the same day. If an error is found, the process of S3a of the error message transmission process is performed. Move to. If no error is found, the reservation content is written in the reservation information file 16 and the reservation status history file 17. Then, the reception number is transmitted to the reservation person, "The reservation is completed. The reception number is 0124545." (S28). The reservation person writes the received reception number in the reception number 31 of the video conference reservation memo 20. Furthermore, from the reservation center 4,
"0 # to confirm the receipt number, # to end
Please enter only. Is sent (S29), the reservation person inputs 0 # when he / she wants to confirm the reception number again, and inputs # when he / she does not want to end. If an input other than 0 # or # is made, the process proceeds to S3a for transmitting an error message.

In the processing of S30, when 0 # is input, the reservation center 4 displays "the reception number is 012454.
Is 5. The guidance will be sent. If only # is entered in S30, return to the process in Fig. 4 and from the reservation center 4, "Please enter the fax number starting with the area code. If not required, enter only #." . "Is transmitted (S10), and the reservation person inputs the fax number as" 0350006860 # "(S11). The reservation reception processing 14b checks whether the inputted fax number is a numeral and whether the number of digits is correct, and if an error is found, the process proceeds to S3a for transmitting an error message. When the reply of the reservation status is not required, only "#" is input in the input of S11. From the reservation center 4,
When the guidance "Thank you for using" is sent (S15), the reservation is completed.

If a fax number is entered in S11, the reservation center 4 asks, "Your fax number is 0350006860. Please enter 0 # if correct and 1 # if correct. The guidance will be sent. The booker follows the guidance,
If the fax number is correct, enter "0 #", and if you want to correct it, enter "1 #" (S13). If a key other than "1 #" or "0 #" is input in the input processing of S13, S of error message transmission is sent.
Move to processing of 3a. In the process of S13, "1
When "#" is input, the fax number is repeatedly input from the process of S10. When "0 #" is entered, the reservation center 4 sends a guidance to the user saying "I will send a fax. Please hang up and wait." (S14), and the reservation acceptance processing 14b is entered. Send the reservation status to the fax. Finally, reservation center 4
Sends the guidance "Thank you for using" to the reservation person (S15), and ends the reservation process.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the reservation status is transmitted to the facsimile machine in the processing of S14. Also,
FIG. 9 shows an example of transmitting the reason to the designated facsimile machine because reservation registration cannot be performed when there is an error in the reservation information input by the reservation person. For example, in FIG. 9, the sponsor user number (host number on the sponsor side) “02
5 ”participated in another conference at the same time on the same day,
It can be seen that a duplication error has occurred and that the participation user number (partner terminal number) “009” cannot be connected due to the breakdown of the video conference terminal.

As described above, when it becomes possible to make a video conference reservation using a telephone, it is possible to make a video conference reservation even when out of the office if there is a push line telephone. In addition, it is possible to make a video conference reservation regardless of whether the video conference terminal is used or not. Further, since the reservation contents are returned to the facsimile machine, the reservation person can visually check whether the reservation contents he / she made are correct.

Further, since the reservation person can input the video conference reservation information in accordance with the guidance from the reservation center, the reservation can be made even if the user is unfamiliar with the reservation work.

Example 2. Further, in the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, in addition to the reservation registration described in the first embodiment, the reservation can be deleted. The procedure for deleting a reservation will be described below.

The reservation can be deleted by designating the operation number 23 in the video conference reservation memo 20 of FIG. 3 as "2". FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure for performing reservation deletion processing. In order to delete the reservation,
The reservation person makes a call to the reservation center 4 by using the calling key of the telephone set 1a, and the processes of S1 to S7 of FIG. However, when inputting the operation number in S7, "2 #" is input. When the operation number has been entered, the reservation center 4 sends a guidance, "Please enter the reception number to be deleted." According to the flow chart of FIG. 10 (S50), and the reservation person has made a reservation in the past. Enter the reception number you want to delete from the reception numbers at that time. For example, the reception number in the first embodiment is “012454.
5 ”, the reception number“ 012 ”in the second embodiment.
4545 # ”is input (S51).

When the reception number is input, the reservation reception processing 14b confirms whether the input value is a number or the number of digits is correct, and if an error is found, the above is performed. Similar to the first embodiment, S3 for sending an error message.
Process a. If the input is correct, the reception processing 14b refers to the reservation information file 16 and executes the above S51.
Search the reservation data of the reception number entered in.

When the reservation data of the receipt number does not exist in the reservation information file 16 as a result of the search, the processing of S3a for transmitting an error message similar to that of the first embodiment is performed. If the video conference reservation for the reception number is in progress or if the conference is over, the deletion process cannot be performed. Therefore, the error message transmission S3a is performed in the same manner as above. If you can retrieve the reservation data,
The reservation center 4 sends a guidance to the reservation person, "Delete the conference with the reception number 0124545. If you are not sure, press #, otherwise press 1 #." (S5
2). The reservation person follows the guidance in S52 above and selects "1.
Either "#" or "#" is input (S53).

When an input other than "1 #" or "#" is made in the input of S53, the reservation acceptance processing 14b
Performs the process of S3a for transmitting an error message. When "1 #" is input in the input of S53, the reservation center 4 transmits a guidance "Processing has been terminated" to the reservation person and interrupts the deletion processing. Then, the reservation center 4 disconnects the telephone line with the reservation person. Also,"#"
When is input, the reservation reception processing 14b deletes the reservation data retrieved in S52 from the reservation information file 16 (S54). Then, the reservation center 4 notifies the reservation person of the guidance that "the deletion has been completed" (S55). After that, the reservation center 4 disconnects the telephone line with the reservation person and ends the deletion process.

As described above, in the video conference reservation system, since the reserved data can be deleted using the telephone, the reservation of the video conference can be deleted from the public telephone even from the outside. In addition, the reservation can be deleted in real time without being affected by whether or not the video conference terminal is in use.

Example 3. Further, in the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, it is possible to inquire reservation data. The procedure for making a reservation inquiry will be described below.

The reservation inquiry is executed by inputting "3" as the operation number 23 in the video conference reservation memo 20 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure for performing a reservation inquiry process. In order to make a reservation inquiry, the reservation person makes a call to the reservation center 4 by using the call key 1a of the telephone set 1 and similarly performs the processing from S1 to S7 in the first embodiment. In addition,
When entering the operation number in S7, a reservation inquiry is made.
Enter "#". Then, according to the flow chart of FIG. 11, the reservation center 4 sends guidance to the reservation person, "Please input the reception number to be inquired." (S60).
In this embodiment, the reception number "0124545 #" when the reservation is made in the first embodiment is input as the reception number (S61). The reservation reception process 14b checks whether the received reception number is a number or the number of digits is correct, and if an error is found, the process of S3a of error message processing is performed. If the input is correct, the reservation reception processing 14b searches the reservation information file 16 for reservation data using the reception number as a key (S62).

As a result of the search, if the corresponding reception number does not exist, or if the video conference reservation corresponding to the reception number is in a conference or the conference has already ended, an inquiry is made. I can not do it so I made an error,
The process of S3a for transmitting an error message is performed. When the search is correctly performed, the reservation reception processing 14b acquires the reservation data for the reception number input in S60 from the reservation information file 16. Then, the reservation center 4 sends the guidance to the reservation person, "I have acquired the reservation information of the reception number 0124545." Thereafter, the reservation reception processing 14b returns the reservation data acquired from the reservation information file 16 to the facsimile number designated when the reservation registration is performed, to the reservation person. The reservation person can receive the reservation information of the video conference as shown in FIG.

The fax number for returning the inquired reservation data may be returned to a fax number other than the fax number designated at the time of reservation registration.
For this reason, it is possible to input the facsimile number for returning the inquired contents next to the reception number input process of S61 in FIG.

Example 4. Further, with the video conference reservation system according to the present invention, it is possible to refer to reservation data. In the reservation inquiry described in the third embodiment, since the reservation data corresponding to the receipt number is acquired, only one reservation data can be inquired. For the reference in this embodiment, the reservation data can be referred to based on the video conference holding date for each user code.

The procedure for making a reservation reference will be described below. Refer to the reservation for the video conference reservation memo 20 in FIG.
It can be executed by inputting the operation number 23 in "4". FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing a reservation reference process. In order to refer to the reservation, the reservation person makes a call to the reservation center 4 using the call key 1a of the telephone set 1, and similarly performs the processing from S1 to S7 in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Since the reservation is referred to when the operation number is input in S7, "4 #" is input. Then, according to the flow chart of FIG. 13, the guidance is sent from the reservation center 4 "Please input the reference user code." (S7).
0). The reservation person inputs the user code according to the guidance in S70 (S71). Here, the user code is re-entered in order to check whether the user has the right to use the video conference reservation system with the user code and password in the previous user code input. The code input is for inputting a user code which is a key for referring to the reservation content. If the user code is input twice, the number of input errors and the number of input operations will increase by one. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the input of the user code for the guidance in S70.

The reservation acceptance processing 14b checks whether the input user code is a number, or whether the number of digits is correct or is a registered user code, and if an error is found, an error is detected. The processing of S3a for message transmission is performed. If the user code is entered correctly, the reservation center 4
Sends guidance to the reservation person, "Please input the reference date." (S72).

The "reference date" in S72 is the use date 24 in the video conference reservation memo 20 of FIG. 3 reserved in the first embodiment. The reservation person inputs the reference date according to the guidance (S73).
In the reservation reception processing 14b, the input reference date is a number, or each of the year, month, and day is a future date,
Check if the date exists on the calendar. If an error is found as a result of the check, the reservation reception process 14b performs the process of S3a for transmitting an error message.

When the reference date is correctly input, the reservation reception processing 14b refers to the reservation information file 16 based on the user code and the reference date (S74). As a result of the reference, if the corresponding record does not exist in the reservation information file 16, it means that the reference is unsuccessful, and therefore the processing of S3a for transmitting an error message is performed. If the user code can be referred to, but the reference date cannot be referred to, it means that there is no reservation, so the guidance "Sent no reservation" is sent to the reservation person (S76). Further, although not shown, the reservation status of which the conference has already ended cannot be referred to. If the user code and the reference date are present in the reservation information file 16, the reservation center 4 sends a guidance to the reservation person, "The reservation status has been acquired." (S75), and the reservation center 4 and the telephone set. Disconnect line 1. Then, the reservation reception processing 14b transmits the contents referred to the fax number designated at the time of reservation registration described in the first embodiment. The user can receive a list of reference results as shown in FIG. Since the facsimile numbers specified at the time of reservation registration may be different for each reservation, the reservation data shall be returned to the first reservation facsimile number that can be searched. Further, in some cases, the reference data may be returned to a facsimile number other than the facsimile number designated when the reservation registration is made. In this case, a guidance prompting the user to enter the facsimile number after the process of S75 in FIG. You may enter the input operation.

Example 5. Further, in the above-described first embodiment, reservation registration is performed using the telephone. However, instead of filling in the teleconference reservation memo, prepare a teleconference reservation form for a facsimile machine, fill in the reservation information on this form, and send it to the reservation center 4 by facsimile as shown in FIG. It doesn't matter. Further, it is also possible to delete, inquire, and refer to by using the facsimile device 2 as in the second to fourth embodiments. The information necessary for performing the above processing can be executed using the conference reservation form filled in when making the conference reservation. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the television reservation conference system according to the present invention automatically prepares a conference by connecting a terminal that participates in the conference to the MCU 10 when the date and time of the conference reservation arrives.

Example 6. Further, in the above embodiment, the facsimile number of the return destination of the reservation status was input at the time of reservation registration, but the facsimile number of the return destination is registered in advance in the reservation center 4 for each user code, and the reservation It is also possible to omit the facsimile number. In this case, in the video conference reservation procedure in FIG. 4, a message “Please enter 0 # when sending to a registered FAX number” is added to the guidance in S100, and in the input process in S11, “0” is added. Enter "#" and skip the process of entering the facsimile number. However, it may be desirable to return the reservation status to a facsimile number other than the registered facsimile number, so it is desirable to leave the function that allows the designation of the facsimile number.

Example 7. In this embodiment, an example will be described below in which the operation status change requesting means is used to extend the conference time and add a participating terminal without interrupting the conference during the video conference.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for changing the holding time of the video conference from the telephone. Figure 17
It is a figure which shows the conference control screen which changes the holding time of a video conference. In FIG. 17 (A), if "end time change" is input in "conference control", the "end time change box" of FIG. 17 (B) is displayed.

Next, a procedure for the teleconference participant to extend the conference time from the telephone 1 to the reservation center 4 during the conference will be described. First, a video conference participant uses the telephone 1 to call the reservation center 4. Then, an input instruction is started from the reservation center 4. Since the processing from S1 to S7 in FIG. 16 is the same as the processing from S1 to S7 in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment, the description is omitted here. However, in the operation number input process of S7, "5 #" is input. The operation number “5” indicates that the meeting end time is changed. After the processing of S7 is completed, the reservation center 4 sends the guidance "Please input the reception number to be changed." (S90), and the reception number of the video conference is input using the caller-1a. (S91). For example, in the first embodiment described above, the reception number of the reserved video conference is “0124.
545 # ”is input.

In the operation status change request processing 14c shown in FIG.
Whether the entered reception number is a number or the number of digits is correct,
It is checked whether or not it is registered in the reservation information file 16, and if an error is found, an error message transmission process S3a is performed. Error message transmission process S3
The processing content a is the same as the processing content S3a of the error message transmission described in the first embodiment.

When the reception number is entered correctly, the reservation center 4 sends the guidance "Please enter the end time." (S92), and the changed meeting end time is input (S93). ). For example, in the video conference reservation described in the first embodiment, the end time is "1.
Since it was "6:45", "1730 #" is input to change to "17:30". The operation status change request processing 14c checks whether the input end time is a number, 0 ≦ hour ≦ 23, 0 ≦ minutes ≦ 59, or the like. If an error is found, an error is detected. A message transmission process S3a is performed.

When the end time is input correctly, the operation status change request processing 14c updates the reservation information file 16 and the reservation status history file 17. Then, the operation monitoring device 15 is notified that the conference end time has been changed in the video conference with the reception number “0124545”. The operation monitoring device 15 notifies the end of the video conference to the MCU relaying the video conference terminal used for the conference of the reception number “0124545” when the changed end time comes, and the video conference terminal is notified. Disconnect the connection. When the reservation center 4 notifies the operation monitoring device 15 of the change in the meeting end time, it sends the guidance that "the change of the end time is completed" (S94). Then, after sending the guidance "Thank you for using." (S1
5), disconnect the telephone line.

The above is the processing procedure for changing the conference end time using the telephone 1. When adding a participating terminal, the operation number input in S7 is input as "6 #" (operation number "6" indicates that a video conference terminal is to be added). Furthermore, the guidance for prompting for the end time of S92 is changed to the guidance for inputting the terminal number of the video conference terminal to be added, This can be realized by inputting the terminal number as the input in S93.

Further, in the flow chart of FIG. 16, since the video conference participant who made the call cannot confirm the changed conference end time, the process of S94 is added after the process of S94 to end the conference after the change. It is also possible to send the time back to the above fax number. When the input of the facsimile number is omitted, the conference end time may be returned to the facsimile number registered at the time of reservation or to the facsimile number registered in advance for each user code.

If a failure occurs during the holding of the video conference and the conference is interrupted, the operator monitoring the operation monitoring device 15 monitors the change of the video conference end time as shown in FIG. It is also possible to change the end time using the conference control screen.

The operator inputs "change end time" in "meeting control" on the conference control screen of FIG. 17A, and then enters the reception number of the video conference whose end time is to be changed in the right input box. input. Enter the receipt number
Since the end time change screen of (B) is displayed, the operator inputs the changed end time "1730" and "change"
Click the button. Operation status change request processing 14c
Updates the reservation information file 16 and the reservation status history file 17 when an instruction to change the end time is issued. Then, the operation monitoring device 15 is notified that the conference end time has been changed in the video conference with the reception number “0124545”. The operation monitoring device 15 has the reception number "0124545".
When the changed end time arrives, the MCU relaying the video conference terminal used in the conference is notified of the end of the video conference, and the connection of the video conference terminal is interrupted.
Furthermore, the operation monitoring device 15 notifies the video conference participants of
In order to notify that the conference end time has been changed, the message "the conference end time has been changed to 17:30" is sent to the video conference terminal in the form of a temporary TV breaking news.

As described above, it is possible to flexibly change the time and the participating terminals by the operation status change request process even during the conference. As a result, this video conference reservation system is a system that is easier for users to use.

Example 8. In this embodiment, the display means for displaying the holding status during the holding of the video conference in the video conference monitoring system will be described below.

FIG. 18 is a system configuration diagram of the video conference monitoring system. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 32 denotes an MCU monitor, which is a video conference terminal 1 connected to the MCU 10.
3 and the communication line 12 connecting the MCU 10 and the video conference terminal 13 and the operating state of the MCU 10 are monitored. In addition, the operation monitoring 7 is the MCU monitoring 32
The operating status information of the communication terminal 10, the communication line 12, and the video conference terminal 13 is acquired and the status during the meeting is displayed. Then, when an abnormality occurs in the MCU 10, the communication line 12, or the video conference terminal 13, this abnormal state is displayed.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of the display means included in the operation monitoring in the video conference monitoring system. FIG.
In the above, the display means has a function of displaying the conference holding status 40, and the conference holding status 40 includes a conference control 41, a conference failure status 42, and a channel usage status 43. The meeting holding status 40 displays the status of the currently held meeting in real time. In addition, the reservation number (reception number) of the conference being held, the conference number, the host terminal, the line speed, the date and time,
The operation type, the number of participating terminals, the number of abnormal terminals, the error code, the failure notification information, the conference type, etc. are displayed.

The conference control 41 has a function of controlling the currently held conference. The control function has three functions: mid-call, forced exit, and conference end. The halfway call causes the terminal of the video conference not participating in the ongoing conference to participate. The forced withdrawal forces the terminal of the video conference to be forcibly withdrawn from the ongoing conference. When the conference ends, the conference in progress is ended.

The conference failure status 42 displays the status of the failure that occurred in the currently held meeting. The information to be displayed is the date and time when the fault occurred, the fault code, the fault location, and the fault content.

The channel usage status 43 is the current M
The channel usage status of the CU 10 is displayed. Contents to be displayed include a channel number, a usage state, a line speed, a reservation number (reception number), a conference number, and the like.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which the conference holding status is displayed on the screen. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example in which the conference control is displayed on the screen. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which the conference failure status is displayed on the screen. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which the channel usage status is displayed on the screen.

Conference control 4 illustrated in FIG.
When 4 is clicked, the conference control screen of FIG. 21 is displayed, when the failure 45 is clicked, the failure status screen of FIG. 22 is displayed, and when the channel 46 is clicked, the channel usage status screen of FIG. 23 is displayed. In this way, when operating the video conference monitoring system, control is performed from the conference holding status screen of FIG. For example, in the screen displaying the conference holding status in FIG. 20, the reservation number “000000
It is assumed that an error code "E041" has occurred in the video conference "9". Assuming that the failure with the error code “E041” is a failure in the terminal, the operator who is monitoring the meeting holding status makes a reservation from the list displayed in the meeting holding status in FIG. No "00
Select the video conference "00009" and click obstacle 45. When the obstacle 45 is clicked, the conference failure status screen of FIG. 22 is displayed, and the location of the failure can be confirmed.

If the user wants to check the channel status, the user returns to the conference status shown in FIG. 20, selects the video conference with reservation number 9, and clicks the channel 46. When the channel 46 is clicked, the channel usage status list of FIG. 23 is displayed. From this channel usage list, make a reservation N
o In the video conference "000009", the status of the channel being used can be confirmed. After confirming the cause of the failure, the operator returns to the screen of the conference holding status in FIG. 20, selects the video conference with the reservation number “00000009”, and clicks the conference control 44. When the conference control 44 is clicked, the conference control screen of FIG. 21 is displayed, and the recovery work can be executed from this screen.

On the conference control screen shown in FIG. 21, a conference for which conference control is to be performed is selected from the conference states being held displayed at the bottom of the screen, and the recovery operation is designated in "conference control". Then, the selected content is displayed in the center of the screen.
Then, when the "control" button on the screen is clicked, the recovery operation is started.

As described above, the display means provided in the operation monitor 7 can be used to control from the status of the conference being held to the recovery operation.

Example 9. In this example, the following describes how to deal with a failure occurring during the holding of a video conference in the video conference monitoring system. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for notifying a failure that occurred during the holding of the video conference. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the notification is generated many times without confirming the failure notified in FIG. As shown in FIG. 24, when the failure is notified, the operator can display the screen of the conference holding status of FIG. 20 and investigate the details of the failure in the video conference in which the failure occurs.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing error codes and correspondences to failures that occur in the video conference operation system. In FIG. 26, “none” in the automatic recovery function means that automatic recovery is not performed. With the video conference monitoring system according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically recover a failure that occurred during the video conference.
The failure indicated as "recall" in the automatic recovery function of FIG. 26 indicates that the failure can be automatically recovered by the video conference monitoring system.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a procedure for automatically recovering from a failure that occurred during a video conference. Next, FIG.
According to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the procedure of the automatic recovery process when the failure of the error code “E041” occurs in the video conference with the reservation number 9 during the video conference is described below.

In the video conference monitoring system according to the present invention, the error code table shown in FIG. 26 is stored in the system as a database, and by referring to this database, the failure that occurred can be automatically recovered. When confirmed, perform automatic recovery. When a failure having an unrecoverable code is detected, recovery processing is not performed and a message is displayed on the screen to notify the operator of the failure and an alarm is sounded.

Further, when the value is changed to another error code during the recovery process, if the changed error code is a failure that can be automatically recovered, retry from the first time the failure is detected up to three times in total. In the case of an unrecoverable failure, the recovery process shall be terminated on the spot. For example, if a failure with error code "E041" occurs, automatic recovery processing is executed, and the error code is changed to "E038" that can be automatically recovered in the second execution, automatic recovery for error code "E038" is performed. The process is performed only once. Then, even if the failure is not recovered by one automatic recovery process, the automatic recovery process is interrupted. Further, even if the error code "E038" is changed to another automatically recoverable failure, the automatic recovery process is not performed.

The notification to the operator who is monitoring the operation monitoring 7 is made when the same MCU first fails, and the operator can click the "confirm" button displayed on the failure notification screen shown in FIG. Until you click
Notification of failure to the same MCU is suppressed. However, the failure that occurred during that time can be confirmed by checking the conference history. To check the conference history, click the "Monitor" button of the conference holding status in FIG. 20 to display the "Browse" button and display the conference history on the screen. Furthermore,
If any MCU has an unrecoverable failure,
The alarm shall be activated and shall remain active until all fault notifications have been acknowledged by the operator. Stop the alarm when all the failure notifications are confirmed.

In the video conference monitoring system as described above, one of the video conference terminals 13 connected to the MCU 10 of FIG. 18 has an error code "E0".
When the failure "41" occurs, the failure notification shown in FIG. 24 is displayed. The operator who is monitoring the operation monitor 7 clicks the “confirm” button on the failure notification screen displayed in FIG. 24 (S80). Then, the following failure recovery processing is executed by the operation monitor 7.

In the failure recovery processing, first, a database that stores error codes as shown in FIG. 26 is a failure that can be automatically recovered based on the error code of the failure that has occurred, an impossible failure, or the like. Is referred to and whether or not to execute the automatic recovery process is determined (S81). As a result of the judgment, the error code "E041" is a process that can be automatically recovered, so the operation monitoring 7 indicates that the MCU in which the failure has occurred.
Call the terminal on the way to 10 (S8)
2). Calling midway means sending a conference control command to a video conference terminal that does not participate in the conference currently being held, so that the video conference terminal that is not holding the conference is being held. I have not attended the meeting).

Next, the operation monitor 7 monitors the conference history information and acquires the notification information from the video conference terminal 13 that has transmitted the conference control command in the process of S82. Then, based on the acquired notification information, it is determined whether the failure is recovered or what response is made to the transmitted conference control command (S83). For example, if the mid-call execution of S82 is normally completed, the failure is automatically recovered (S84). When the execution of the mid-calling in S82 is notified as an error, the mid-calling is executed to the faulty terminal until the automatic recovery process reaches three times. If the recovery process does not recover even after being executed three times, it is determined that the recovery is impossible (S
85).

If it is judged that the recovery is impossible in the judgment processing of S85, the fact that the recovery is impossible is displayed on the screen to the operator who is monitoring the operation monitoring 7, and the alarm is also activated. (S87). In addition, MCU
If an unrecoverable error has already occurred for 10 (S86), the notification and alarm to the operator have been executed, and the process is completed (S88).

In the determination processing of S83, if the notification information for the mid-call cannot be obtained from the conference history information within the predetermined time, the recovery processing is terminated,
The notification process of S86 and S87 is executed. The failure recovery processing is performed according to the above procedure.

Further, regarding the failure that cannot be dealt with by the automatic recovery processing, the operator who is monitoring the operation monitor 7 explained the conference holding status 40 and the conference control 4 in the eighth embodiment.
1. The cause is investigated using the conference failure status 42 and the channel usage status 43, and the failure recovery process is performed manually.

As described above, by automating the recovery process for a failure, the recovery process is performed more quickly than if the operator manually executes the recovery process. For example, a conference being held for the recovery process is interrupted. Even if it is done, the influence can be reduced.

Example 10. In this embodiment, the registration means for registering the procedure of the recovery process for the failure described in the ninth embodiment will be described below. In addition,
The registered recovery procedure is registered in the system operation definition file 19 shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a screen for registering the procedure of the recovery process. In FIG. 28, 47 is a recovery procedure registration screen. 47a is an error code input box for inputting an error code for identifying the content of the failure,
47b is an error level input box for the error code 47a. The error level "1" indicates that the recovery process is not retried, and the error level "2" indicates that the recovery process is retried. Further, the error level “0” indicates normality, and when the error level is designated as “0”, the operation monitoring 7 does not recognize as a failure even if the error occurs and the conference is continued.
Reference numeral 47c is an error detail input frame for inputting detailed fault content for the error code 47a. 47d is an insert button, and the input recovery procedure is applied to the operation definition file 1
Register at 9. 47e is a delete button, which deletes the recovery procedure for the displayed error code from the operation definition file 19. Reference numeral 47f is an inquiry button, which displays the recovery procedure registered in the operation definition file 19.
47g is a cancel button, which clears the entered recovery procedure.

When newly registering the recovery procedure for the error code "E001" in the operation definition file 19, as shown in FIG. 28, the error code, error level,
Enter the error details and click the insert button to register.
If an input error is made while the recovery procedure is being input, the input can be cleared by pressing the cancel button 47g, and the recovery procedure is input again. When changing the recovery procedure for the error code “E001” that has already been registered in the operation definition file 19, enter “E001” in the error code input frame 47a, press the delete button 47e, "E00
Delete the recovery procedure for the 1 "error code. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, enter the error code, error level, and error details, and press the insert button 47d.
The operation definition file 19 is registered. Inquiry 47f
When is pressed, the recovery procedure registered in the operation definition file 19 can be referred to as shown in FIG. Further, when changing the failure that was executing the recovery processing by the operation monitoring 7 so that the recovery processing is executed by the operator, if the corresponding error code is input in the error code input frame 47a and the delete button 47e is pressed. , Operation definition file 1
It is deleted from 9. After that, even if a failure of the corresponding error code occurs, the recovery process is not automatically performed by the operation monitor 7, but the recovery process is performed by the operator.

As described above, whether a new recovery procedure is registered or the already registered recovery procedure is changed,
The registration procedure of the operation monitor 7 can easily register and change the recovery procedure. The database storing error codes as shown in FIG. 26 described in the ninth embodiment is the system operation definition file 19 shown in FIG.

Example 11. In this embodiment, a multipoint control unit (hereinafter referred to as MCU) for connecting a plurality of video conference terminals used for a video conference is provided with a plurality of MUCs.
A video conference operation system that selects one MCU to which a video conference terminal is connected is described below so that the usage fee can be reduced.

FIG. 29 is a device configuration diagram of the video conference operation system. In FIG. 29, the MCU monitor 32 connects the MCUs 10a to 10c by the dedicated line 9,
Further, the MCUs 10a to 10c are the video conference terminals 1
3a to 13n can be connected by the communication line 12. The MCU 10a is installed in Tokyo, the MCU 10b is installed in Sapporo, and the MCU 10c is installed in Fukuoka. It is also assumed that the video conference terminal 13a is installed in Tokyo, the video conference terminal 13b is installed in Fukuoka, and the video conference terminal 13n is installed in Niigata. Note that FIG.
Although not shown in the figure, it is assumed that one video conference terminal is installed in each of Kochi, Miyagi, Sapporo, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Furthermore, the MCU monitor 32 determines which MCU is based on the video conference terminal used in the video conference.
This is to simulate whether the usage fee will be cheaper if the video conference terminal is connected by using the device, and select the MCU to be connected. Other reference numerals are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment. FIG.
0 is a table showing the distance between the MCU and the video conference terminal, and shows information stored in the MCU monitor.

Next, when a conference reservation is made in the video conference operation system configured as shown in FIG. 29,
An example of making a connection reservation between the MCU and the video conference terminal will be described. For example, if a video conference is booked to be held in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima or Osaka, the MCU monitor 32
Refers to a table as shown in FIG.
The connection distances of the video conference terminals when the connection is performed using a, the connection using the MCU 10b, and the connection using the MCU 10c are totaled. As a result of totaling, MC
When connected using U10a, the total connection distance is 2,45
It will be 0.5 km. In addition, the MCU 10b has 7,250
In the case of the MCU 10c, the distance is 1,550.5 km. As a result, it can be seen that if the video conference terminal is connected using the MCU 10c, the total connection distance becomes shorter and the usage charge becomes lower. Therefore, the MCU monitor 32 uses the MCU 10c.
Connect and use.

As described above, since the MCU monitoring selects the MCU to be connected so that the usage fee is low, the user of the video conference operation system can save the cost. Saving money will make it even easier to use video conferencing.

In the above description, the MCU monitor 32 simulates the connection distance and selects the MCU to connect. However, the operation monitor 7 simulates the connection distance by the same method as described above, selects the MCU to connect, notifies the selected result to the MCU monitor 32, and the MCU monitor 32 informs the operation monitor 7 of the contents. The MCU may be connected based on the above.

[0127]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is possible to make a reservation for a video conference using a telephone, it is not necessary to install a new reservation terminal and the video conference reservation system can be used at low cost. There is an effect that can be done.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the reservation information is input from the telephone, the reservation center informs the input by voice, so that the reservation information can be easily input even if the reservation person is unfamiliar. There is an effect that can be.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, since it is possible to make a reservation for a video conference by using a facsimile apparatus, the first aspect of the invention described above.
It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention. Further, since the reservation information that does not change for each reservation can be printed on the transmission paper in advance, it is possible to prevent an entry error.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the result of the reservation made by the first and third aspects is transmitted to the designated facsimile machine, so that the reservation person can confirm the reservation contents. Further, if the reservation cannot be made, the cause thereof is also transmitted, so that the reservation person can input the reservation information again after considering the cause.
Also, if the reservation person makes a reservation for a video conference on the go and there is a facsimile machine on the side of the telephone that made the reservation, the reservation status can be confirmed immediately by designating the facsimile machine as the destination. effective. Further, if there is no facsimile machine on the reserved telephone side, the facsimile status in the workplace can be designated as the destination, and the reservation status can be confirmed after returning to the office.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the facsimile device for transmitting the reservation status is designated. However, in the present invention, the reservation center registers the facsimile device in advance. be able to. Therefore, the reservation person has an effect that the same effect as the fourth effect can be realized more easily.

Further, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the operation status can be changed during the holding of the video conference by the video conference operation status change requesting means. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily extend the conference time or increase the number of terminals participating in the video conference without interrupting the video conference.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the monitoring device executes the pre-registered recovery processing procedure for the abnormality that has occurred in any of the video conference terminal, the multipoint control controller and the network. . Therefore, for abnormalities with high occurrence frequency, if the recovery processing procedure is registered in advance, it is possible to recover the abnormalities without human intervention, and it is possible to reduce the probability of interrupting the video conference. is there. In addition, the number of supervisors who monitor the monitoring device can be one for a plurality of monitoring devices, which has the effect of reducing labor costs.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the recovery procedure is registered in the procedure registration section, and the registration means registers the recovery procedure in the procedure registration section. Therefore, when it is desired to recover the abnormality by the monitoring device, the recovery procedure can be easily executed by registering the recovery procedure in the procedure registration unit in advance. Also,
Even if the recovery procedure is desired to be changed, it is possible to easily change the recovery procedure by re-registering the registration procedure.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the abnormality cannot be recovered by the seventh aspect of the invention, the monitoring device outputs a warning, so that the monitoring staff who monitors the monitoring device
There is an effect that it is possible to easily know the occurrence of an abnormality and to immediately perform a recovery process for the abnormality manually.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the monitoring staff who monitors the monitoring device can confirm the failure location and failure status by the display means. Therefore, in the eighth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the recovery process for the abnormality can be easily performed manually.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the network of the video conference operation system is connected so that the operation fee can be reduced by the operation monitoring device. Therefore, the user can effectively reduce the cost by using this video conference operation system.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the operation monitoring apparatus of the video conferencing system can reduce the usage fee based on the total distance between the video conferencing terminal and the multipoint communication control apparatus. Connect the network. Therefore, the user can reduce the cost by using the video conference operation system even when the participants of the video conference are located at remote places.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for realizing a video conference reservation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram for realizing the video conference reservation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a video conference reservation memo according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reservation processing procedure of a video conference in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of reservation registration processing for a video conference in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the other party's terminal number input process of the video conference in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of error processing in the video conference reservation processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation status returned to the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation status returned to the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a video conference reservation deletion process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a reservation inquiry process in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a result of making a reservation inquiry in Example 3,
It is a figure which shows an example of the information returned to a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reservation reference processing according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of inquiry contents returned to a facsimile apparatus as a result of making a reservation inquiry.

FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram for making a video conference reservation using the facsimile apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for changing the holding time of a video conference from the telephone set in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a conference control screen for changing the holding time of a video conference according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a system configuration diagram of a video conference monitoring system according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a functional configuration diagram of a display unit included in the operation monitoring of the video conference monitoring system according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a conference holding situation on a screen in the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example in which the conference control according to the eighth embodiment is displayed on the screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which a conference failure situation is displayed on the screen in the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which the channel use status in Example 8 is displayed on the screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying a failure that occurred during a video conference in Example 9.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which notification is generated many times without confirming the failure notified in FIG. 24.

[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a diagram showing error codes and their correspondence to failures that occur in the video conference operating system in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure for automatically recovering from a failure that occurred during the video conference held in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a screen for performing recovery procedure registration in the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a device configuration diagram of the video conference operation system in the eleventh embodiment.

[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the MCU monitor in a table of distances between the MCU and the video conference terminal.

FIG. 31 is a processing sequence diagram for explaining an operation of registering reservation conference information of the multipoint control device in the first conventional example.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multipoint communication control apparatus in Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint communication control device in Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint communication control apparatus in Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration of various data transmitted / received between a reservation center and a reservation terminal of the multipoint communication control device in the first conventional example.

FIG. 36 is a configuration diagram showing a communication terminal in Conventional Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 telephone, 1a call key, 2 facsimile machine,
3 telephone network, 4 reservation center, 5 reservation monitoring, 6 printers, 7 operation monitoring, 8 database, 9 dedicated line, 1
0 MCU, 10a, 10b, 10c MCU, 11
LAN, 12 communication lines, 13 video conference terminals, 13
a, 13b, 13n video conference terminal, 14 reservation monitoring device, 14a reservation status monitoring, 14b reservation acceptance processing,
14c Operation status change request processing, 14d Voice processing board control, 15 Operation monitoring device, 15a Reservation monitoring reservation acceptance processing, 16 Reservation information file, 17 Reservation status history file, 18 Communication history file, 19 System operation definition file, 20 Television Meeting reservation memo, 21 user code, 22 password, 23 operation number, 24
Date of use, 25 start time, 26 end time, 27 organizer side terminal number, 28 partner side terminal number, 29 partner side designated end, 30 fax number, 31 reception number, 32
MCU monitoring, 33 meeting status display, 40 meeting status, 41 meeting control, 42 meeting failure status, 43 channel usage status, 44 meeting control, 45 failure, 46
channel.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Atsuyuki Wada 87-1 Kawakami-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Mitsubishi Electric Eastern Computer Systems Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazunaga Kaminaga 87 Kawakami-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa No. 1 Mitsubishi Electric Eastern Computer Systems Co., Ltd.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A video conference reservation system having the following elements: (a) a telephone that transmits reservation information for a video conference using a calling key; and (b) analyzing reservation information from the calling key of the telephone. A reservation center that registers video conference reservations. 2. The video conference reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation center gives an instruction by voice to input reservation information. 3. A video conference reservation system having the following elements: (a) a facsimile device for transmitting video conference reservation information; (b) a reservation for recognizing reservation information from the facsimile device and registering a video conference reservation. center. 4. The video conference reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation center sends the reservation status to a designated facsimile machine. 5. The video conference reservation system according to claim 4, wherein the reservation center registers a facsimile device for returning the reservation status in advance. 6. The video-conference reservation system has an operation-status change request means for requesting a change in the meeting operation status without interrupting the meeting while the video-conference is held, and the reservation center changes the operation status. 4. The video conference reservation system according to claim 1, wherein a request for changing the conference operation status by the requesting unit is accepted. 7. A video conference monitoring system having the following elements: (a) a plurality of video conference terminals, (b) a multipoint communication control device for executing a video conference between video conference terminals, and (c).
A network connecting the plurality of video conference terminals and the multipoint communication control device, (d) connected to the multipoint communication control device, monitoring the video conference terminal, the multipoint communication control device, and the network, and abnormally A monitoring device that executes recovery processing for the abnormality according to a procedure registered in advance when the occurrence of the abnormality occurs. 8. The television according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring device further comprises a procedure registration unit for registering a recovery procedure, and registration processing for registering a recovery procedure for an abnormality in the processing registration unit. Conference monitoring system. 9. The television according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring device outputs a warning indicating that an abnormality has occurred when the recovery process does not become normal even if the recovery process is executed according to a procedure registered in advance. Conference monitoring system. 10. The video conference monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring device has display means for displaying a conference holding status, a fault location, and a fault status. 11. A video conference operation system having the following elements: (a) a plurality of video conference terminals, (b) a plurality of multipoint communication control devices for performing a video conference between the video conference terminals,
(C) An operation device that selects one multipoint communication control device with a low usage charge from the plurality of multipoint communication control devices based on a plurality of videoconference terminals used for the videoconference. 12. The operation device registers in advance the distances between a plurality of video conference terminals and each multipoint communication control device, and determines the distance between each video conference terminal used for a video conference and the multipoint communication control device. The video conference operation system according to claim 11, wherein the multipoint communication control device is selected based on the total sum.