JPH10327395A - Video conference device, its system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively reuse data by superposing information to store in a text file storing character information, a marker file for calling attention on a communicating opposite side and a graphic file for storing another image information to the prescribed area of a display screen so as to display it. SOLUTION: A data storing part 45 stores data content to display on an electronic blackboard in each file 47a to 47c by sorting to each of graphic data, text data, marker data and transfers each data to a display output part 14 with black board size setting data. When the data reading of the electronic black board is requested from an input managing part 41, reading request data is fetched from an electronic blackboard file 47 to transfer to the part 41. A display processing part 46 receives graphic data, text data, marker data to display on the electronic black board and black board size setting data to display in the prescribed area of receiving CRT.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a video conference apparatus and system and a recording medium suitable for advancing a conference or a meeting while using software such as CAD.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video conferencing systems have been developed and used with recent advances in computer technology and communication technology.

In this video conference system, each video conference device is connected by a communication line, and a camera, a microphone, a speaker, etc. are connected to a personal computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, and a computer screen is displayed. , And communicate with another person or several persons in real time while watching the other party's situation and listening to the voice from the speaker.

Further, in a general video conference system, an electronic blackboard is provided on a computer screen, common materials are displayed on the electronic blackboard, and a handwriting-like writing display is performed with a mouse or the like to show the other party. be able to.

[0005] As described above, the video conference system is provided with an electronic blackboard for presenting the other party's video and audio, common information, and information transmitting means such as a means for making a common marking on the electronic blackboard. It is expected that it will be an effective remote communication method to replace communication in the Internet.

[0006] As a method of use, for example, meetings and information communication between the head office / branch office in a company, understanding of the market between manufacturers / distributors (customers), support from a remote location in case of trouble, progress management of a remote location project, research Information exchange between researchers in development and the like is considered.

[0007]

Even in the above-mentioned conventional video conference system, there is no particular problem when information is exchanged at a mere meeting, such as when a real blackboard is used. However, when considering the reusability of meeting data, or when using advanced application programs usefully on a conference system, it cannot be said that it has sufficient functions, and the usability is not sufficient. It was hard to say that it was good.

First, for example, on a video conference system, only a simple application tool which operates in a window of a standard setting used by a system supplier can be started up, and can be shared by each computer. Did not. Therefore, an advanced application program such as CAD software is started in a shared state on each computer in a conference state, and the CAD is accessed through the communication in the shared state while fully utilizing the functions of the CAD. I couldn't do that.

Further, since the electronic blackboard is treated with picture information (image data), it has been difficult to effectively use the data displayed on the electronic blackboard at the time of the meeting after the meeting or the meeting.

Further, when non-digitized information is to be displayed on an electronic blackboard, data such as drawings and photographs are once captured using a scanner device and scanner capture software, data processing is performed, and the electronic data is further pasted on the electronic blackboard. This requires a complicated operation with many procedures.

[0011] Furthermore, 64K per side is used for voice information communication.
It requires a bandwidth of 128 Kbps on both sides, and it is hard to say that the exchange of voice information over a public line or the like is realistic.

The conventional video conference system is a kind of host-client system. In order to share tools, it is necessary to install in advance all application tools necessary for a host computer. In this case, the host computer and the user thereof are specified, which is inconvenient as a communication tool.

Further, it is conceivable to install a tool which may be necessary at the time of the conference on all the computers in advance so that any host may be used as a host, but this is inefficient. Furthermore, in the conventional system, since the calling side cannot exit the conference first, there is also a problem that when a conference is held by a plurality of persons, flexibility such as joining and leaving the conference is lacking.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a video conference apparatus in which data displayed on an electronic blackboard can be effectively reused. .

A second object of the present invention is to provide a video conference apparatus and a system which enable tools to be shared without depending on a specific host, and which allow a user to freely join or leave a conference on the way. is there.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a video conferencing apparatus which achieves the above first or second object and which can transfer files more safely.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer for transmitting and receiving at least image information and audio information via a communication line. In a video conference device that enables information exchange by displaying information common to the communication partner, a text file that stores character information and marking information that allows the communication partner to call attention A marker file to be saved, a graphic file for saving image information that is not saved in the marker file among image information, and a text file, a marker file and information to be saved in the graphic file are superimposed on a predetermined area of a display screen of a computer. This is a video conference device including electronic blackboard display means for displaying.

Since the present invention has such a configuration, the character information, the marking information, and the image information can be separately retrieved later, freely edited, and made reusable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided scanner means for capturing image information, and capture information processing means for displaying the image information captured by the scanner means in a predetermined area. It is a meeting device provided with.

Since the present invention has such a configuration, the present invention has the same operation and effect as the invention according to the first aspect. In addition, when image information is taken in from a scanner, the image is stored on the electronic blackboard by a simple and small procedure. Information can be attached.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 comprises a computer which transmits and receives at least image information and audio information via a communication line, and displays information common to a communication partner on a display screen of the computer. In a video conference apparatus capable of exchanging information, a storage means for storing an application program, a start means for calling and starting an application program, an input / output management means for managing input / output for the started application, Display means for outputting the application output output from the output management means to a display screen; communication means for transmitting the same output as the display output displayed on the display means to a communication partner via a communication line; Operation input to the received application and application input to the computer It accepts an operation input, a video conference device equipped with an input receiving means for delivering to the input-output management means.

Since the present invention is provided with such a configuration, when the own video conference device and the other video conference device share an application (including a tool), most of the sharing processing is performed by the own video conference device. Can be. That is, only data used for display is transmitted to the other party's video conference device, and an operation input from the other party's video conference device can be input to the application.

Therefore, if a video conference system is constructed using the apparatus of the present invention, each conference apparatus does not depend on each other when sharing a tool. For this reason, if any one of the video conference devices participating in the conference owns the application program to be shared,
The conference device can execute sharing by activating the application. In other words, it is possible to use one application on one video conference device and another application on another video conference device.

By using the video conference apparatus of the present invention, a distributed video conference system can be constructed in this way.

Next, the invention corresponding to claim 4 is the invention corresponding to claim 3, wherein the setting state of the window system before the start of the application program and the setting of the window system before the application program operates. A video conferencing apparatus including setting information adding means for extracting setting state information for the application when the setting states are different, and providing the setting state information for the application to a display means for outputting an application output to a display screen It is.

Since the present invention is provided with such a configuration, the present invention has the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 3, and furthermore, a window system setting state of an application program and a program for operating the video conference apparatus. The application can be operated normally even if is different.

The invention corresponding to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the display color number used before the application program is started and the display color number used when the application program operates. If the display color number is different from the display color number to be output, a display color information adding means for extracting the application display color number and giving the application display color number to the display means to output the application output to the display screen is provided. It is a video conference device provided.

Since the present invention is provided with such a configuration, the present invention has the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 3 or 4, and displays colors of an application program and a program for operating the video conference apparatus. Even if the numbers are different, the output from the application can be displayed in a normal display color.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the audio information compressing means for compressing the audio information to be transmitted, and the audio information for expanding the received compressed audio information. This is a video conference device provided with a decompression means.

Since the present invention is provided with such a configuration, the present invention not only has the same functions and effects as the inventions according to the first to fifth aspects, but also can transmit and receive voice information with a small communication amount.
Therefore, the present apparatus can be operated even when the data transmission capacity of the communication line is low.

Next, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the video conferencing devices according to any one of the third to fifth aspects are connected in a communicable state. There is provided a video conference system that includes termination processing means for terminating a state in which communication with another video conference device is possible, and in which any of the video conference devices can terminate a state in which communication with another video conference device is possible at any time.

Since the present invention has such a configuration,
In addition to the same operation and effect as the inventions according to the first to fifth aspects, each video conference device can withdraw from the video conference at any time.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the video conference apparatuses according to any one of the third to fifth aspects are connected in a communicable state. It is a video conference system that can start a program.

Since the present invention has such a configuration,
The same operation and effect as the invention corresponding to claims 1 to 5 are exhibited,
The application program can be activated from any of the video conference devices.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video conference system in which each video conference apparatus has a call processing means capable of calling so that another video conference apparatus which is not in a communicable state is in a communicable state. It is.

The present invention is provided with such a configuration.
In addition to having the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 7 or 8, any other video conference device that is not in a connected state can be called from any of the video conference devices.

Further, the invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the data transmission means for transmitting data to a communication partner, and the encryption means for encrypting the transmitted data. And a data receiving means for receiving data transmitted from a communication partner, and a decrypting means for decrypting the received data when the received data is encrypted. And a video conferencing device.

According to the present invention, such a configuration is provided.
In addition to having the same operation and effect as the invention corresponding to claim 1 or 3, it is also possible to transfer data between the video conference devices, and to perform secure data transfer by encrypting the transfer data.

Further, according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the transmission processing means includes an input control means for designating a storage location of transmission data in a data transmission partner, and the reception processing means comprises A video conferencing apparatus including file management means for performing a file operation such that when a storage location of received data is designated, the received data is stored in the designated storage location.

Since the present invention has such a configuration,
In addition to the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 10, data management can be facilitated.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the reception processing means specifies the data transmission partner by the machine number of the partner device so that the communication partner is valid. This is a video conference apparatus provided with means for authenticating whether or not it can be a data transmission partner.

Since the present invention has such a configuration,
In addition to having the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 10 or 11, it is possible to confirm whether the other party who is trying to transmit data is legitimate.

On the other hand, the invention corresponding to claim 13 is a recording medium storing a program capable of causing a computer to realize the invention corresponding to claim 1.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program capable of causing a computer to realize the third aspect of the present invention.

[0045]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration and an overall concept of a video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This video conference system can start up CAD software during a video conference, and
D is a system that can share D, and is composed of networks 1 such as a public line and a dedicated line for connecting each video conference device installed in each place and connecting them.

In the case shown in the figure, each video conference device is installed in the head office of a company and each of the branch offices A to D. As exemplified in the prior art, the present video conference system can be used in various installation cases.

The video conference device includes a video conference device main body 2 composed of a computer such as a workstation or a personal computer;
A CRT 3 as a display device, a keyboard 4, a mouse 5, a microphone 6 as input means, and a C for imaging the user of the device
It comprises a CD camera 7, a scanner (not shown in the figure), and a speaker 8 as an audio output means.

The video conference apparatus main body 2 is a computer which reads a program recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, and whose operation is controlled by the program. The computer has hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory. The read program is combined organically to constitute some function realizing means.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of the video conference apparatus main body 2 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG.
Is an input unit 10 for receiving input from the keyboard 4 and the mouse 5, a voice input unit 11 for receiving a voice input from the microphone 6, an image input unit 12 for receiving an image input from the camera 7, and a voice to the speaker 8. A voice output unit 13 for performing output, a display output unit 14 for performing display output to the CRT 3, and an electronic blackboard unit 15 connected to the scanner device 9.
, A sharing processing unit 16, an audio processing unit 17, and an image processing unit 18.
, A control unit 19, a storage unit 20, and other peripheral elements (not shown).

Here, the storage unit 20 includes a secondary storage device such as a hard disk or a CD-ROM, in addition to a memory such as a so-called main memory. In the figure, these are collectively shown as the storage unit 20.

Hereinafter, a more detailed configuration of each section will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in each figure of FIGS. 3-7, each part 15-1 shown in each figure for convenience of explanation.
In addition to the 9 unique function configuration means, other video conferencing devices to be communicated with and related components in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit in this embodiment.

The control unit 19 starts the video conference system program by mouse input or the like, and furthermore, the electronic blackboard unit 1
5, shared processing unit 16, audio processing unit 17, image processing unit 18
And controls communication with other video conference devices. This control unit 19
Has a self-activation unit 21, a data control unit 22, a process activation management unit 23, an end processing unit 24, a call processing unit 25, a standby processing unit 26, and a communication control processing unit 27.

The self-activation unit 21 activates the video conference system program based on the activation input by clicking the mouse, and controls the process activation management unit 23 via the data control unit 22.

The data control unit 22 distributes data destinations to the self-starting unit 21, the process start managing unit 23, the standby processing unit 26 and the communication control processing unit 27 in the control unit 19.

The process activation management unit 23 starts up each processing unit (process) independently based on an instruction input from the input unit 10 and manages each unit. Further, it requests the termination processing unit 24 and the call processing unit 25 to perform the processing when necessary. Also, the process activation management unit 23
Has status information of other conference devices participating in the video conference in a corresponding storage means (not shown in FIG. 3),
The management of each unit of the conference device by the process activation management unit 23 is independently completed within the conference device. For this reason, a distributed video conference system is constructed by all video conference devices participating in the video conference.

The termination processing section 24 performs the processing when terminating the video conference system program. In addition, since the management method of the process activation management unit 23 is as described above, only the present video conference device can be interrupted during a video conference in cooperation with the sharing processing unit 16. In other words, although the operation of the sharing processing unit 16 will be described later, the sharing process is completed in the conference device that has started the external software, and the other conference devices receive only the information necessary for display. Therefore, it is possible to freely call a new video conference device and terminate the process midway.

The call processing unit 25 performs a call process for the other party's video conference device in a video conference.

The stand-by processing unit 26 performs a process for responding to a call from the other party's video conference device in a video conference.

The communication control processing section 27 is a communication means for exchanging data with the other party's video conference device to be connected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit according to this embodiment.

The image processing unit 18 processes an input image from the camera 7 and transmits image data of another conference device via the control unit 19, and processes image information from another conference device. This is displayed on CRT3. The image processing unit 18 includes an image adjustment unit 31, an input management unit 32, a data conversion unit 33, an output management unit 34, and a data conversion unit 35.

That is, the imaging input from the image input unit 12 is once input to the input management unit 32, converted into the H261 format by the data conversion unit 33, and returned to the input management unit 32 for editing. . The user image data converted into the H261 format is stored in the input management unit 3.
2 is transmitted to another video conference device via the control unit 19.

On the other hand, image data from another video conference device is input to the output management unit 34, converted from the H261 format to the display format on the CRT 3 by the data conversion unit 35, and edited by the output management unit 34. Then, it is displayed on the CRT 3 via the display output unit 14.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic blackboard unit in the present embodiment.

The electronic blackboard section 15 performs processing relating to the electronic blackboard, and includes an input management section 41, a scanner reading section 42, a scanner control section 43, a size setting section 44,
It comprises a data storage unit 45, a display processing unit 46, and an electronic blackboard file 47 provided in the storage unit 20.

The input management unit 41 includes input information from a keyboard or mouse via the input unit 10, input information from another conference device via the control unit 19, and scanner information via the scanner control unit 43 and the scanner reading unit 42. It manages and processes input information from the device 9. That is, the input information is transferred to the data storage unit 45, and when there is a write request for information relating to the electronic blackboard from the control unit 19, the data storage unit 45 is instructed to write the requested data, and the display processing unit is notified of the data. Is delivered and output.

The scanner reading section 42 includes the scanner control section 4
By instructing 3, the scanner device 9 is set and read processing is performed, and the read information is transferred to the input management unit 41.
Specifically, when there is an image data capture instruction from the input unit 10 by the scanner device 9, the instruction is received via the input management unit 41 and the scanner device 9 is controlled.

The scanner controller 43 controls the operation of the scanner 9.

The size setting unit 44 sets the size of the electronic blackboard based on a command from the control unit 19, creates an electronic blackboard, and delivers the result to the data storage unit 45.

The data storage unit 45 accesses the electronic blackboard file 47 provided in the storage unit 20 to store and read data. The electronic blackboard file 47 includes a graphic file 47a, a text file 47b, and a marker file 47c.
It corresponds to an electronic blackboard on CRT3.

That is, the data storage unit 45 separates data contents to be displayed on the electronic blackboard into graphic data (picture information), text data (character information), and marker data (marking), and separates the files 47a, 47b,
47c, and the data is transferred to the display processing unit 14 together with the blackboard size setting data. When a request to read data from the electronic blackboard is made by the input management unit 41, the read request data is extracted from the electronic blackboard file 47 and passed to the input management unit 41.

Upon receiving the graphic data, text data, and marker data to be displayed on the electronic blackboard and the blackboard size setting data, the display processing unit 46 combines the contents into a displayable state and outputs the contents via the display output unit 14. CRT
3 is displayed.

Note that the marker data is data corresponding to a marker in which a graffiti-like typeface such as a pencil or a felt-tip pen is displayed on an electronic blackboard for a meeting or the like, and the data format is image data. .
Since such markers need to be separated when the display on the electronic blackboard is reused later, they are managed as separate data. The graphic data is stored in the scanner device 9.
And bitmap data obtained by duplicating screen display information.

A plurality of electronic blackboards can be provided, and an electronic blackboard file 47 is provided for each blackboard.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the shared processing unit according to this embodiment.

The sharing processing section 16 performs sharing processing so that external software (abbreviated as external software) can be shared by all conference apparatuses participating in the video conference.
Registration / selection / activation unit 51, input processing unit 53, window type acquisition unit 54, information addition processing unit 55, display color acquisition unit 56, display color conversion unit 57, input management unit 58
And an output processing unit 59.

The sharing processing unit 16 can share advanced software such as CAD software. That is,
Various color displays can be reliably displayed, and the external software operates reliably in response to the window system settings required by the external software.

The registration / selection / activation unit 51 registers, selects, and activates the external software 52 stored in the storage unit 20 and to be shared based on a command from the control unit 19.

The activated external software 52 becomes one functional block, and is accessed via the shared processing unit 16 with other processing units and other conference devices.

The input processing unit 53 is for extracting a display command output from the external software 52, and is provided with an output processing unit 59.
Is for transferring the response and operation information from the sharing processing unit 16 to the external software 52.

When initializing the external software 52, the window type obtaining section 54 obtains and analyzes the window type of the external software 52, returns a response to the external software 52, and returns the obtained and analyzed result. Information addition processing unit 55
Hand over to

The information addition processing section 55 adds window setting information which is insufficient for sharing and display based on the window type acquisition analysis result, and outputs the result to the display output section 14.
And the control unit 19. The control unit 19 sends the notification result to the conference device at the connection destination, and further notifies the display output unit 14 at the connection destination. With this mechanism, even if the window setting in which the video conference system program operates and the window setting of the external software 52 are different, setting information necessary for the external software 52 is passed to the display output unit 14 of each conference device.

The display color obtaining section 56 obtains the display color numbers from the external software 52, stores the result of the correspondence in the storage section 20, and notifies the display output section 14.

The display output unit 14 performs the process of display output to the CRT 3 as described with reference to FIG. 2. In this case, more specifically, the display of the external software 52 such as CAD is performed by the input processing unit. This is executed based on a display command via 53. According to the input from the information addition processing unit 55 and the display color acquisition unit 56, the setting information correction and the color information number correction based on the difference in the window type are received, but from the display output unit 14, the external software 52 uses the correction. It only looks as if the display output unit 14 is commanded by the window setting and color display to be performed.

When the display command is output from the external software 52, the display color conversion unit 57 obtains from the storage unit 20 the result of color number conversion performed by the display color obtaining unit 56,
9 and the display command together with the display command. As a result, the connection destination display output unit 14
In this case, a display command is received from the outside in the window setting and color display to be used by the external software shown in FIG.

The input management unit 58 edits, organizes, and delivers operation information based on the keyboard and mouse from the input unit 10 to external software. Further, an input from the conference device of the connection destination is also input via the control unit 19, and the input management unit 58
These operation information is also input to the external software 52.

That is, according to the above configuration, the display output unit 14 in all the conference devices during the video conference outputs the output of the external software 52 with the window setting information and color designation used by the external software 52. Become. In addition, input can be received from each conference device. Therefore, in the case of CAD software, in response to an operation input from any of the input units 10, for example, a menu screen is displayed, a CAD screen is displayed, a palette is opened, and an ordinary CAD operation is performed. Will be able to

As described above, since the sharing processing unit 16 is configured so that most of the sharing processing is performed on the initiating side, the management load on the connection destination is small, and new external software is started on the connection side. Sharing is possible without any confusion.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the audio processing unit in this embodiment.

The voice processing unit 17 performs voice transmission / reception processing, and includes an input management unit 61 and a data compression unit 62.
, An output management unit 63, a data decompression unit 64, and an audio adjustment unit 65.

The audio adjustment section 65 adjusts the audio level based on a command from the control section 19 and stores the adjustment result in the storage section 20. At the time of audio level adjustment, a level adjustment is input from the input unit 10 to the control unit 19.

The input management unit 61 receives an input from the microphone 5 via the audio input unit 11 that performs the processing, edits the audio data based on the audio level stored in the storage unit 20, and converts the audio data into a data compression unit. Input to 62. Further, it receives the compressed audio data from the data compression unit 62 and transmits it to another conference device via the control unit 19.

The data compression section 62 compresses the audio data received from the input management section 61.

The output management unit 63 receives the compressed audio data from another conference device received from the control unit 19 and inputs the data to the data decompression unit 64. Further, it receives the decompressed audio data from the data decompression unit 62, edits it based on the audio level stored in the storage unit 20, and outputs it from the speaker 8 via the audio output unit 13.

The data decompression section 64 decompresses the audio data received from the output management section 63.

Next, the operation of the video conference system configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing examples of screen display of the video conference apparatus of the present embodiment.

First, when the user starts the video conference system program, the self-starting section 2 of the control section 19 starts.
1, the process activation management unit 23 is activated, and an activation window 71 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. When the start button of this start window 71 is clicked with a mouse, a control panel 72 is displayed.

The control panel 72 is a part for performing basic operations of the present video conference apparatus. For example, a new conference partner is called, a voice is output to the conference partner, an electronic blackboard is used, and tools such as CAD are started. , Etc.

For example, when a call partner button is clicked on the control panel 72 and a call partner is selected, another video conference device is called by the operation of the call processing unit 25, and as shown in FIG. Each image is displayed from the partner display window 74.

On the other hand, if the activation window 71 is displayed in the activation completed state, it is possible to accept a call from another video conference device regardless of the display on the control panel 72. When such a call is received, the video conference device is connected by returning a response to the call by the standby processing unit 26. Therefore,
The user of the computer in which the video conference system program has been installed usually keeps the startup state in which only the startup window 71 is displayed, and performs other normal tasks using the multitasking or pseudo multitasking function of the computer. Just do it.

In this video conference system, a further conference partner can be called from any conference device connected to the conference, so that a conference can be held by a plurality of persons. In this case, the number of the partner display windows 74 increases in accordance with the number of conferences.

Also, during the conference, voice transmission / reception is possible.
The conversation is performed by the operation of the audio processing unit 17 described above. Since the audio processing unit 17 is provided with a data compression / expansion function, it is 13 KBPS on one side and 26 K in both directions.
Calls can be made with BPS and a small amount of data.

Next, each function that can be used during a video conference will be described.

First, by operating the control panel 72, as shown in FIG. 9, an electronic blackboard 75 (White Boa) is displayed.
rd) can be displayed and used.

On the electronic blackboard 75, three types of information such as handwritten marking, character data, and image data can coexist, and as described above, each data is separately managed and can be reused.

The handwriting-like marking 76 shown in FIG.
By selecting the marker means on the control panel 72, writing on the electronic blackboard 75 becomes possible. In other words, although not particularly shown, the electronic blackboard unit 15 has a built-in marking tool for making a mark on the electronic whiteboard 75 in a handwritten manner using image data as a basic processing program. The marking tool may be used as external software 52 that can be shared by the sharing processing unit 16 as described later. The marking 76 is stored in the marker file 47c.

The image data can be displayed on the electronic blackboard 75 by taking it in from the scanner device 9, calling a file or pasting other image data. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the image display 77 is displayed. This image display 77 is a graphic file 47
a. In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, direct reading from the scanner device is possible, so that the data captured by the scanner can be easily displayed on the electronic blackboard 75.

The character data is displayed as a character display 79 shown in FIG. 9 by a keyboard input or a file call via the input unit 10. This character display 79 is stored in the text file 47b.

The electronic blackboard 75 is shared by the conference devices via the control unit 19, and writing and data pasting can be performed from any of the conference devices. That is, the electronic blackboard 75 having the same content is displayed on all video conference devices participating in the video conference. FIG. 9 shows a cursor 80 of the user who operates the electronic blackboard 75 and a cursor 81 of the partner.

Next, sharing of tools will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which CAD software 82 has been started up as external software 52 using the sharing function of the tool. Regardless of the window setting information and the display color information to be used, the CAD software 82 operates without any abnormality in its operation and display color by the processing of the above-described shared processing unit 16 shown in FIG. Shared by.

That is, the sharing processing unit 16 on the start-up side
The content of the CAD software 82 is displayed on both the CRT 3 of its own conference device (master side) and the CRT of another conference device (slave side) participating in the video conference, and the operation from each conference device is performed. The input is returned to the CAD software 82. For this reason, the CAD software 82 and its data are both used on the master side, and the slave side can easily operate while simultaneously viewing the same screen as the master side. Such sharing processing is performed by CAD software 8.
2 is the only conference device that has started up, and other conference devices only receive display information from the startup device and output input operation information.

Further, the operation right of which conference apparatus operates the external software 52 can be switched by the operation of the control section 19 and the shared processing section 16, and the control panel 72 has a switching section 72a. .

Further, in the case shown in FIG. 8, the marking tool is started and shared. That is, the handwriting-like marking is shown in the CAD display screen 82 of the CAD software 82. This marking tool is similar to the marking used for the electronic blackboard 75,
It does not affect the CAD information itself. Therefore, when the screen is redrawn by the external software 52, the marking disappears. Note that the function of the marking tool may be provided as a basic function of the shared processing unit 16.

As described above, the sharing process by the sharing processing unit 16 is performed by the start-up device with respect to the external software 52 provided by its own conference device, so that the starting device performs most of the sharing process. In a video conferencing system in which a plurality of are connected, there is no particular device that plays a host role once the call processing is completed. In other words, the external software 52 provided by each conference device only manages the shared processing. However, the control unit 1 of each device
In 9, status information of all the conference devices participating in the conference is managed.

Thus, instead of the host client type,
Since the video conference system is configured in a distributed manner, as described above, the call processing unit 25
With the operation described above, a new conference device can be called to participate in the video conference, and the termination processing unit 24 can terminate the video conference at any time to end the video conference.

As described above, in the video conference apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the graphic file 47a, the text file 4
7b and the marker file 47c are separately provided, so that character information, marking information and image information can be separately extracted later, freely edited, and made reusable.

Further, the scanner device 9, the scanner control unit 43, and the scanner reading unit 42 are provided so that the image information taken from the scanner can be immediately displayed on the electronic blackboard. The image information can be captured, and the image information can be attached to the electronic blackboard with a simple and small procedure.

Further, the video conference apparatus and system according to the embodiment of the present invention process input / output to / from the activated external software 52 via the input processing unit 53 and the output processing unit 54, and The output of the output external software is displayed on its own device, and the same output is displayed on another conference device via the control unit 19, and the operation input from the own device and the other conference device is input to the input management unit 58. When the own video conference device and the other video conference device share a tool, most of the sharing processing can be performed by the own video conference device. That is, only data used for display is transmitted to the other party's video conference device, and an operation input from the other party's video conference device can be input to the application.

Therefore, if a video conference system is constructed using the apparatus of the present invention, each conference apparatus does not depend on each other when sharing tools. For this reason, if any one of the video conference devices participating in the conference owns the application program to be shared,
The conference device can execute sharing by activating the application. In other words, it is possible to use one application on one video conference device and another application on another video conference device.

By using the video conference apparatus of the present invention, a distributed video conference system can be constructed in this way. Therefore, each video conference device can withdraw from the video conference at any time, and any other video conference device that is not connected can be called from any of the video conference devices.

Further, a window type acquisition unit 54 and an information addition processing unit 55 are provided in the sharing processing unit 16, and when the setting state of the operation system (window) differs between the conference system program and the external software program, this external processing is performed. Since the setting state information for software is extracted and given to the display output unit 14, it is possible to operate normally even with most external software, and the number of types of software that can be shared is greatly increased as compared with the conventional case. Can be.

Further, the display color acquisition unit 5 is provided to the shared processing unit 16.
6 and a display color conversion unit 57, so that when the display color numbers used in the conference system program and the external software program are different, the setting state information for the external software is extracted and given to the display output unit 14. As a result, color display can be normally performed even with most external software, and the types of software that can be shared can be greatly increased as compared with the related art.

Further, as described above, in the video conference apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the data compression section 62 and the data decompression section 64 are provided in the audio processing section 17, audio information can be transmitted with a small communication amount. You can send and receive. Therefore, the present apparatus can be operated even when the data transmission capacity of the communication line is low.

[0130] The video conference apparatus and system according to the present invention having the above functions and effects can be used in the following manner.

First, it can be used for technical transfer. For example, description of a process, work, education and guidance, and the like.

Then, it can be used for technical support.
For example, how to use tools, examination of results, know-how, etc.

Further, it can be used for design review.
Sign-off between processes, design result evaluation, progress confirmation, etc.

Further, it can be used for design meetings. Design criteria, submission meeting, schedule, production, etc.

For example, there is a case where a tool for LSI design in a semiconductor device is used as the external software, and in such a case, the merit of the above use is particularly large.
It is also possible to conduct training on the use of an LSI design tool using a shared function or to actually perform design work on a video conference. Further, troubleshooting at each stage of LSI design can be effectively performed using the conference system.

(Second Embodiment of the Invention) The video conference system of the present embodiment adds a file transfer function to the video conference system of the first embodiment, and encrypts the transfer data at the time of the file transfer. It is possible. Therefore, the second embodiment operates and has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the parts unique to this embodiment described below.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit and its relation to the related functional units in the video conference system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The description is omitted here.

The video conference system according to the present embodiment is similar to the video conference system shown in FIG.
0, the license confirmation unit 10 is provided in the control unit 19.
0, and a transfer processing unit 101 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the process activation / management unit 23 of the control unit 19, and the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The license confirmation unit 100 is configured to confirm whether the transfer processing unit 101 of the video conference system has a qualification to perform file transfer.
When there is a license confirmation from the transfer processing unit 101,
The presence or absence is notified.

The transfer processing unit 101 transfers a file (data) held by the video conference system to another video conference system, and receives a file held by another video conference system. Also, at the time of file transfer and reception, the transfer data is encrypted according to the instruction input, and the received data is decrypted. Note that FIG. 10 does not particularly show the connection relationship between the input unit 10, the storage unit 20, and the display output unit 14 as shown in FIG. 2, but the transfer processing unit 101 exchanges signals with these units. Things.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of a transfer processing unit in the video conference system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another example of the main configuration of the transfer processor in the video conference system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transfer processing unit 101 includes a transmission processing unit 102 and a reception processing unit 10.
And 3.

The transmission processing section 102 is a section for executing processing on the transmission side when performing file transfer.
1, end processing unit 112, input unit 113, input control unit 11
4, connection parameter storage unit 115, connection request unit 116,
It comprises a data transmission unit 117, a transmission data storage unit 118, a key number selection unit 119, an initial common key bundle storage unit 120, a key transmission and reception unit 121, an encryption processing unit 122, a decryption processing unit 123, and a check information creation unit 124. ing.

The input unit 113 includes a keyboard 4 and a mouse 5
And the like. The input control unit 11
Reference numeral 4 controls the screen based on the input and the connection parameters stored in the connection parameter storage unit 115, and controls the received input. The display unit 111 is a unit for displaying status and the like. It should be noted that the connection parameter storage unit 115 is a part in which information about the transmission destination is set in advance, and the user name (U
ser), a host name (Host), a host ID, which is a serial number (a kind of machine number) unique to a workstation, and an IP address (Name: addre)
ss) are stored.

The connection request unit 116 requests the control unit 19 to connect to another video conference device using the information in the connection parameter storage unit 115 according to the control of the input control unit 114. When the connection permission is received, the data transmission unit 117 and the key transmission / reception unit 121 are notified to perform the following processing.

The data transmission unit 117 encrypts the transmission data stored in the transmission data storage unit 118 using the runtime common key via the control unit 19 and the network 1 or transmits the data to the transmission destination without encryption. I do.

The key number selection unit 119, the initial common key bundle storage unit 120, the key transmission / reception unit 121, the encryption processing unit 122, and the decryption processing unit 123 use an encryption key (runtime common key) when encrypting transmission data. This is the configuration for obtaining. Among them, the encryption processing unit 122 and the decryption processing unit 123
Is a part for performing an encryption process or a decryption process by the DES (Data Encryption Standard) method.

The initial common key bundle storage unit 120 stores an initial common key bundle in which a large number of keys and their key numbers are identical to those of the transmission partner. The key number selection unit 119 selects one initial common key from the common key bundle in the initial common key bundle storage unit 120, encrypts the key number with the encryption key in the encryption processing unit 122, and transmits the key number to the key transmitting / receiving unit 121. Ask.

The key transmitting / receiving section 121 transmits the encrypted key number to the communication partner, and requests the decryption processing section 123 to decrypt the encrypted runtime common key received from the communication partner. The decryption processing unit 123 includes the key number selection unit 11
And decrypts the encrypted runtime common key with the selected initial common key received from the data transmission unit 11.
Hand over to 7.

The check information creation section 124 is a section for creating check information for confirming the contents after sending the encrypted transmission data. This check information is processed by a hash function in order to reduce the data amount and obtain the characteristics of the transmission data.

The termination processing unit 112 is connected to a disconnect (Disconnect) or an exit (EXI).
This is a process corresponding to T), and terminates the file transfer function.

Next, the configuration of the reception processing unit 103 will be described.

The reception processing section 103 is a section for executing processing on the reception side when performing file transfer.
1, file management unit 132, termination processing unit 133, input unit 134, input control unit 135, connection permission setting unit 136, connection management database 137, connection management unit 138, data reception unit 139, received data storage unit 140, key number Acquisition unit 141, initial common key bundle storage unit 142, key transmitting / receiving unit 14
3, decryption processing unit 144, runtime common key generation unit 14
5, a runtime common key encryption unit 146, a check information creation unit 147, and a reception data check unit 148.

The display unit 131, the end processing unit 133, the input unit 134, and the input control unit 135 are configured similarly to the display unit 111, the end processing unit 112, the input unit 113, and the input control unit 114 of the transmission processing unit 102. .

The connection permission setting section 136 is a section for setting a communication partner for receiving a file transfer, and includes a user name (User), a host name (Host), and a host ID (H).
ostID) and the like are set in the connection management DB. The connection management database 137 is a part for managing the information set by the connection permission setting unit 136, and stores the same information as the connection parameter storage unit 115.

When the connection management unit 138 receives a connection request from another video conference device for file transfer, it refers to the contents of the connection management DB 137, and if the request source is a connection permission target, Perform connection permission notification.

The file management section 132 is a section for executing a file operation in response to a file operation request from a data transmission source to its own video conference device. This file operation is performed, for example, when the transmission source specifies a data transfer destination directory.

The data receiving section 139 receives the transfer data from the transmission source, and stores the encrypted data in the received data storage section 140 while decrypting the data with the runtime common key.

The key number acquisition unit 141, the initial common key bundle storage unit 142, the key transmission / reception unit 143, the decryption processing unit 144, the runtime common key creation unit 145, and the runtime common key encryption unit 146 decrypt the received data. This is a configuration for obtaining a decryption key (run-time common key) to be used. The decryption processing unit 144 is a part that performs the decryption processing by the DES method.

The initial common key bundle storage unit 142 stores the same initial common key bundle as the initial common key bundle storage unit 120.

The key number acquiring section 141 takes out the initial common keys one by one from the initial common key bundle, decodes the encrypted initial common key number received thereby, and
If the key numbers of the keys used for decryption match, this is extracted as the initial common key selected by the communication partner.

The runtime common key generation unit 145 generates a runtime common key randomly and independently of the initial common key. This runtime common key is an ad-hoc, one-time file transfer only.

The runtime common key encryption unit 146 encrypts the runtime common key created by the runtime common key creation unit 145 using the initial common key extracted by the key number extraction unit 141, and encrypts the runtime common key with the key transmission / reception unit 143. Pass to.

The key transmitting / receiving section 143 receives the encrypted initial common key number from the communication partner, and receives the key number acquiring section 141
And transmits the encrypted runtime common key received from the runtime common key encryption unit 146 to the communication partner.

The check information creation unit 147 obtains a hash value from the received data using the same hash function as the check information creation unit 124, and creates check information corresponding to the check information transmitted from the transmission partner.

The received data check unit 148 includes the check information received from the transmission partner and the check information creation unit 14.
7. Check the check information created in step 7 to confirm that the received data is correct.

Next, the operation of the video conference system configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the overall processing flow will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of file transfer.

First, prior to the file transfer,
The transfer processing unit 101 is activated in both video conference system bodies 2 on the receiving side (a1, b1). At this time, the license is confirmed by the license confirmation unit 100 (a2, b2).
Stand up.

Upon activation of the transfer processing unit 101, the screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the transmitting side, and the screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the receiving side (a3, b3).

FIG. 14 shows an example of the file transmission screen.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the file reception screen.

Inputs to FIGS. 14 and 15 are input units 113 and 134 of the transmission processing unit 102 and the reception processing unit 103.
And the control according to the input is performed by the input control unit 11.
4, 135. Although the connection relations from the input control units 114 and 135 are not particularly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the input control units 114 and 135 issue necessary control commands to the respective units according to the inputs.

In FIG. 14, a transmission screen 151 includes a destination setting section 152, a comment input / connect section 153, a file setting / transfer execution section 154, and a status display section 15.
6. Console information display unit 157.

The destination setting section 152 is a screen for selecting a file destination from information in the connection parameter storage section 115 or inputting a destination using a keyboard. In addition, the destination setting unit 152 includes a switch 152a for designating that encryption is performed when transmitting a file.
And a switch 152b for designating no encryption.

The comment input / connect section 153 determines what information the file to be transmitted is in the comment section 1
Switches 153b and 153c for inputting to 53a and for connecting and disconnecting with the other party are also provided.

The file setting / transfer execution section 154 includes a directory display section 154a and a file display section 154b for files to be transferred.
Button 1 for sending after changing 4c or file name
54d are provided.

The file setting / transfer execution section 154 is provided with a partner file operation section 155 for operating a file of the transmission partner. This file operation
This is for specifying where in the file system of the transmission destination the data is to be transferred. It should be noted that the transmitting side only makes a file operation request, and the actual file operation is performed by the file management unit 132 of the reception processing unit 103 of the partner. The partner file operation unit 155 is provided with a delete button 155a, a directory creation button 155b, a rename button 155c, a directory, and file display units 155d and 155e for operating the partner file.

The status display section 156 displays various states. Specifically, the display unit 156 displays the data transfer status, such as a transfer file name, a data transfer start time, a scheduled transfer end time, a remaining transfer time, and a current transmission amount percentage.
a, 156b, 156c, 156d, and 156e.

The console information display section 157 displays connect information and various types of console information.

Next, the reception screen will be described.

In FIG. 15, the reception screen 161 includes a transmission source information section 162, a transmission source information registration section 163, a status display section (not shown), and a console information display section 164. The status display unit (not shown) and the console information display unit 164 are similar to the transmission screen 151.

The transmission source information section 162 includes a transmission source information display section 162a, a reception permission button 162b, a reception non-permission button 162c, an all permission button 162d, and an all non-permission button 16
2e, a delete button 162f, and the like. The information displayed on the transmission source information display section 162a corresponds to the connection management database 137.

The transmission source information registration section 163 is a part for registering a new data transmission permitted partner. The permission button and the like of the transmission source information unit 162 and the transmission source information registration unit 163 correspond to the function of the connection permission setting unit 136.

When the transmission screen 151 and the reception screen 161 having such functions start up on the transmission side and the reception side, respectively, the reception side sets in advance. When the menu screen is closed after the setting, it enters the standby state. After that, the transmission side starts up the transmission menu and performs connection to transmission. First, as shown in FIG.
2. A connection request is made to the receiving side by operating the comment input / connect unit 153 (a4). At this time, an inquiry about whether to encrypt the transfer data is also made.

On the other hand, on the receiving side, a file transmission permission target is set in advance (b3), and the receiving side is in a reception waiting state (b4). Here, when a connection request is received from the transmission side (b5), a response such as a permission notification is returned to the connection request (b5).
6). At this time, whether or not the cipher can be used is also notified. It should be noted that, in determining whether or not to permit, it is possible to make a setting so as to make the determination based on the host ID of the partner.

On the transmitting side receiving this response (a5), the operation command is determined. If the encryption is possible (a6), encryption preparation using the initial encryption key (a7), reception and decryption of the runtime common key (a7) are performed. a8) is performed.

When there is a file operation or the like of the transmission partner and encryption is used, the operation information is encrypted (a9), and when encryption is not used, the information is transmitted unencrypted (a10). (A11).

On the other hand, the reception side prepares for reception,
When encrypting (b7), the key number of the initial common key is received from the transmitting side (b8), while a runtime common key is generated (b9). This runtime common key is encrypted with the initial common key and sent to the transmission side.

Then, when encrypting, the runtime common key is passed to the file management unit 132 and the data receiving unit 139 (b10), and when not encrypting, the fact is notified (b11). This completes preparations for receiving file operation information and data from the transmission side.

At the receiving side receiving the operation information (b12) from the transmitting side, the received information is decoded if necessary (b
13), a file operation is executed (b14). This operation result is notified to the transmission side (b15). FIG.
Does not show the relationship between the file management unit 132, the runtime common key creation unit 145, and the decryption processing unit 144, but this is not shown in the figure.
The file management unit 132 communicates with these as necessary to decode the received information.

On the other hand, the transmitting side which has received the operation result (a12) from the receiving side specifies transmission data next (a1
3). If necessary, the encryption is performed by the encryption processing unit 122 using the runtime common key (a14), and the designated transmission data is transmitted (a15). The encryption performed by the encryption processing unit 122 is based on the DES method.

On the receiving side, when the received transmission data (b16) is encrypted, it is decrypted by the decryption processing section 144 using the runtime common key (b17), and the data is stored (b18).

On the transmitting side, after data transmission (a1
In 5), check information including the hash value of the transmission data is created (a16) and transmitted (a17).

On the receiving side, the received check information (b19) and the check information (b20) created from the previously received data are compared to determine whether there is an error in the received data (b21). . After the determination, the check result is transmitted to the transmission side (b22), and a series of file transfer processing on the reception side ends (b2).
3).

When the transmitting side receives the check result (a18) from the receiving side, the series of file transfer processing ends (a19).

The above is the file transfer processing between the video conference devices. Upon this file transfer, the encryption processing unit 122 and the encryption processing unit 1 in the transfer processing unit 101
46, the decryption processing unit 123 and the decryption processing unit 144 perform encryption or decryption according to the DES method. However, the ad hoc runtime common key used for actual transmission data encryption is a key preparation process using a preparation common key (note that the initial common key, the initial common key, From the second time on, the sender and receiver share the current common key (using the runtime common key). Hereinafter, a process until the runtime shared key (transfer key) is obtained will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing on the transmission side when key preparation (encryption negotiation) is performed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing on the receiving side when key preparation (encryption negotiation) is performed.

First, both the transmission processing units 10 on the transmission and reception sides
2 or the reception processing unit 103 acquires the encryption level from the control unit 19 of each conference device (FIG. 1).
6: S1, FIG. 17: T1). There are three encryption levels: strong encryption, weak encryption, and no encryption. When encrypting, it is possible to set in advance whether to perform strong encryption or weak encryption. It is possible.

Next, the encryption level acquired on the transmitting side is transmitted to the receiving side (S2, c1-> d1). On the receiving side receiving this (T2), the weaker of the two encryption levels is calculated and set as the common encryption level (T3). The set common encryption level is notified to the transmission side (T4, d2-> c2).

On the transmitting side, the validity of the received common encryption level (S3) is evaluated (S4), and the evaluation result is transmitted to the receiving side (S5, c3-> d3). If the evaluation result is NG, the process ends as a negotiation failure. If the evaluation result is OK, the process proceeds to step S7 (S6), and the process for obtaining a runtime common key is started.

On the receiving side receiving the evaluation result (T5, c3-> d3), if the evaluation result is NG, the process ends as a negotiation failure. If the evaluation result is OK, the process proceeds to step T7 (T6). This processing for obtaining the runtime common key is started.

When the process for obtaining the runtime common key is started, first, an initial common key for transferring the runtime common key is selected from the initial common key ring storage unit 120 by the key number obtaining unit 141. The management number corresponding to the selected key is also extracted (S7).

This management number is encrypted with the initial common key and transmitted to the receiving side by the key transmitting / receiving unit 121 (S
8, c4-> d4). This encryption is performed by the encryption processing unit 122 using the DES method.

On the receiving side receiving the encrypted initial common key (T7, c4-> d4), the key number acquiring section 141 sets the key bundle in the initial common key bundle storage section 142 and the decryption processing section 144 to The key number is obtained by the processing used (T8). The details of this process will be described later.

The obtained key number is evaluated, for example, whether or not a normal key number has been obtained, and the evaluation result is transmitted to the transmitting side (T9, d5-> c5).
If the evaluation result is NG (T10), the process ends as negotiation failure, and if the evaluation result is OK (T1).
0), a runtime common key generation unit 145 generates a runtime common key (T11).

The created runtime common key is encrypted with the initial common key corresponding to the previously obtained key number (T12) and transmitted to the transmission side (T13, d6-> c).
6). After the transmission, the runtime common key is stored for decryption of the file management information and the transmission data, and is used for the data reception unit 139 and the file management unit 132.
The decryption processing itself is performed by the decryption processing unit 144 using the DE.
This is performed by the S method.

On the other hand, in step T9, the transmitted evaluation result is received by the transmission side (S9, d5-> c5), and if this evaluation result is NG (S10), the negotiation is terminated as failure and the evaluation result is terminated. Is OK (S1
0), the encrypted runtime common key is received from the receiving side (S11, d6-> c6).

Since the received encrypted runtime common key has been encrypted with the initial common key selected in step S7, it is decrypted with the initial common key (S11). Then, the runtime common key is stored for encrypting the file management information and the transmission data, and is used for the data transmission unit 117 and the like.

Next, a method of obtaining an initial common key (key number) in step T8 in FIG. 17 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process of acquiring the initial common key on the receiving side in this embodiment.

First, the first key number of the initial common key bundle (key table) and its initial common key are extracted by the key number obtaining section 141 (U1). The extracted initial common key is registered as a decryption key (U2), and the encryption key number received in step T7 in FIG. 17 is decrypted by the decryption processing unit 144 using the decryption key (U3).

If the decrypted key number matches the key number obtained from the initial common key bundle and the decrypted information is significant (U4), the process ends assuming that the key number has been successfully obtained, and ends. If they do not match (U4), the next key number and initial common key are extracted from the initial common key ring (key table) (U5).

At this time, if there is no next initial common key and all the keys have been checked (U6), the process ends abnormally. If there is another key (U6), the process returns to step U2 to return to the key number. Is continued.

As described above, the video conference apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and also has a transfer processing unit 101 capable of encrypting transfer data.
Is provided, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to enabling the file transfer between the video conference devices, the transfer data can be encrypted, and the file can be safely transferred. Can be.

Also, when encrypting transmission data by the DES method, a runtime common key for encryption is generated for each data transfer, so that the security of file transfer can be enhanced. In addition, when the runtime common key is shared, the encryption is also performed in the delivery thereof, so that the runtime common key itself can be safely transferred.

Further, since not only the IP address but also the host ID can be used to specify the other party prior to data transfer, the sender can be authenticated by the host ID, and the other party can be checked. It can be done easily.

Further, since the data receiving side can also specify the data transmission partner, unauthorized incoming calls can be rejected, and internal browsing and intrusion of unnecessary data can be prevented.

[0222] File operations on the receiving side can be performed from the transmitting side, and a directory on the receiving side for storing transmission data can be set from the transmitting side, so that data management can be facilitated.

Further, since the graphical user interface as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is provided, the operability is excellent and the transfer status can be easily confirmed.

[0224] In addition to the above components, a dedicated communication port is used for communication.
r protocol, one of the file transfer standards) and telnet
Even in an environment in which (a function that enables remote control by connecting a line to a terminal on a network), file transfer can be performed through an ftp-like interface with simple operations.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

The method described in the embodiment can be executed by a computer as a program such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, etc. And can also be transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. A computer that implements the present apparatus reads a program recorded on a storage medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0227]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a video conference apparatus in which data displayed on an electronic blackboard can be effectively reused.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a video conference apparatus and a system which enable sharing of tools without depending on a specific host, and which allow a user to freely join or leave a conference on the way. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a video conference apparatus that can transfer files safely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration and an overall concept of a video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main configuration example of a video conference apparatus main body 2 according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic blackboard unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of a sharing processing unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of an audio processing unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing a screen display example of the video conference apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing a screen display example of another video conference apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in the video conference system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of a transfer processing unit in the video conference system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary block diagram showing another example of the main configuration of the transfer processing unit in the video conference system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the processing flow of file transfer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a file transmission screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a file reception screen.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing on the transmission side when performing key preparation (encryption negotiation).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing on the receiving side when key preparation (encryption negotiation) is performed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an initial common key acquisition process on the receiving side in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2. Video conference apparatus body 3. CRT 4. Keyboard 5. Mouse 6. Microphone 7. Camera 8. Speaker 9. Scanner device 10. Input unit 11. Audio input unit 12. Image input unit 13. Audio output unit 14. Display Output unit 15 Electronic blackboard unit 16 Shared processing unit 17 Audio processing unit 18 Image processing unit 19 Control unit 20 Storage unit 21 Self-start unit 22 Data control unit 23 Process start management unit 24 Termination process Unit 25 Call processing unit 26 Standby processing unit 27 Communication control processing unit 31 Image adjustment unit 32 Input management unit 33 Data conversion unit 34 Output management unit 35 Data conversion unit 41 Input management unit 42 Scanner reading unit 43 Scanner control unit 44 Size setting unit 45 Data storage unit 46 Display processing unit 47 Electronic blackboard file 47a Graphic file 47 ... Text file 47c Marker file 51 Registration / selection / activation unit 53 Input processing unit 54 Window type acquisition unit 55 Information addition processing unit 56 Display color acquisition unit 57 Display color conversion unit 58 Input management unit 59 output processing unit 62 data compression unit 64 data decompression unit 100 license confirmation unit 101 transfer processing unit 102 transmission processing unit 103 reception processing units 111 and 131 display units 112 and 133 termination processing unit 113 134 input unit 114, 135 input control unit 115 connection parameter storage unit 116 connection request unit 117 data transmission unit 118 transmission data storage unit 119 key number selection unit 120, 142 ... initial common key bundle storage unit 121 ... key transmitting / receiving unit 122 ... encryption processing unit 123 ... decryption processing unit 124 ... check information creation unit 132 ... File management unit 136 Connection connection setting unit 137 Connection management database 138 Connection management unit 139 Data reception unit 140 Received data storage unit 141 Key number acquisition unit 143 Key transmission / reception unit 144 Decryption processing unit 145 Runtime Common key creation unit 146 Runtime runtime key encryption unit 147 Check information creation unit 148 Received data check unit 151 Transmission screen 152 Destination setting unit 153 Comment input / connect unit 154 File setting / transfer execution unit 155 ... partner file operation unit 156 ... status display unit 157 ... console information display unit 161 ... reception screen 162 ... transmission source information unit 163 ... transmission source information registration unit 164 ... console information display unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A video conference comprising a computer for transmitting and receiving at least image information and audio information via a communication line, and enabling information exchange by displaying information common to a communication partner on a display screen of the computer. In the apparatus, a text file for storing character information, a marker file for storing information for marking that allows the communication partner to call attention, and image information that is not stored in the marker file among image information And a graphic file for storing the text file, the marker file, and the information to be stored in the graphic file, and an electronic blackboard display unit for displaying the information to be superimposed on a predetermined area of the display screen of the computer. Conference equipment. 2. A video conference apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: scanner means for taking in the image information; and capture information processing means for displaying the image information taken in by the scanner means in the predetermined area. . 3. A video conference comprising a computer for transmitting and receiving at least image information and audio information via a communication line, and enabling information exchange by displaying information common to a communication partner on a display screen of the computer. In the apparatus, a storage unit for storing an application program, an activation unit for calling and activating the application program, an input / output management unit for managing input / output for the activated application, and an output from the input / output management unit Display means for outputting the application output to a display screen, communication means for transmitting the same output as the display output displayed on the display means to the communication partner side via the communication line, and receiving from the communication partner. An operation input to the application and the application input to the computer; A video conferencing apparatus comprising: an input receiving unit that receives an operation input to the application and transfers the input to the input / output management unit. 4. When the setting state of the window system before the application program is started is different from the setting state to be set when the application program operates, setting state information for the application. 4. The video conference apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising setting information adding means for giving application setting state information to said display means in order to extract the application output on a display screen. 5. When a display color number used before the application program is started is different from a display color number to be used when the application program operates, a display for the application is displayed. 5. The video conference apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display color information adding means for giving a display color number for an application to the display means for extracting a color number and outputting an application output to a display screen. . 6. An audio information compressing means for compressing audio information to be transmitted, and audio information decompressing means for expanding received compressed audio information. 1
The video conferencing device according to the item. 7. A plurality of video conference devices according to claim 3 are connected in a communicable state, and each video conference device is capable of communicating with another video conference device. A video conference system comprising termination processing means for terminating a state, wherein any of the video conference apparatuses can terminate a state in which communication with another video conference apparatus is possible at any time. 8. A video conferencing device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the video conferencing devices are connected in a communicable state, and the application program can be started from any of the video conferencing devices. Video conferencing system characterized by the following. 9. The video conferencing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the video conferencing apparatuses includes a call processing unit that can call another video conferencing apparatus that is not in a communicable state so as to be in a communicable state. Video conferencing system. 10. A data transmission means for transmitting data to the communication partner, a transmission processing means comprising encryption means for encrypting the data to be transmitted, and a data for receiving transmission data from the communication partner. 4. The video according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit, and a receiving unit configured to decrypt the received data when the received data is encrypted. Conference equipment. 11. The transmission processing means includes input control means for designating a storage location of transmission data at a data transmission partner, and the reception processing means, when a storage location of the reception data is designated, the designated designation is stored. 11. The video conference apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising file management means for performing a file operation so that the received data is stored in the storage location. 12. The reception processing means includes means for identifying a data transmission partner by a machine number of a partner device to authenticate whether the communication partner can be a valid data transmission partner. Claim 10 or 11
A video conferencing device as described. 13. A program for controlling a computer that transmits and receives at least image information and audio information via a communication line and displays information common to a communication partner on a display screen thereof, thereby enabling information exchange. In the computer, a text file for storing character information, a marker file for storing information for marking to enable attention on the communication partner side, and a marker file for image information, File management means for managing a graphic file for storing image information that is not stored; and an electronic blackboard display for displaying information to be stored in the text file, the marker file, and the graphic file on a predetermined area of a display screen of the computer. Means, a computer recording a program to function as Data readable recording medium. 14. A program for controlling a computer which transmits and receives at least image information and audio information via a communication line and displays information common to a communication partner on a display screen thereof, thereby enabling information exchange. Starting means for calling and starting an application program for the computer; input / output management means for managing input / output for the started application; and an application output output from the input / output management means on a display screen. Display means for outputting, communication means for transmitting the same output as the display output displayed on the display means to the communication partner side via the communication line, operation input to the application received from the communication partner, and Operation input to the application input to the computer is received, and the A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for functioning as an input receiving means to be passed to the force management means is recorded.