RU2279767C2 - System for organization of video conference service, metod for providing video conference service and service center - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: data transfer networks, possible use for organization of video conferences.

SUBSTANCE: module for processing services, included in service center, realizing control over video conference, uses expandable multilevel client-server architecture, wherein module for processing services of n-th level processes module for processing services of (n-1)th level as a client, where n - natural number greater than one.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of operation of system for organization of video conferences, increased number of users.

2 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This invention has wide application in the field of multimedia communications, especially in video conferencing.

BACKGROUND

The video conferencing service provides a remote multimedia service, including video, audio and other data. With the help of video conferencing services, when people communicate with each other from different places, they can see and hear each other, thus there is a feeling of reality, proximity and being in a single space. Video conferencing can be used in military affairs, politics, economics, education and healthcare; The advantage of real-time action and high efficiency will give people an effective way to communicate, manage and collaborative decision making.

A videoconference service is a communication tool used to organize communication between two or more locations through communication channels using video technologies and equipment. As shown in FIG. 1, in general, a video conferencing system includes video conferencing terminals transmitting channels and MCU bridges (Multipoint Control Units); they will be described later.

The videoconference terminal is directly controlled by the subscriber, the terminal provides input and output of video, audio and other signals in the video conferencing system; the video conferencing terminal includes a video data input / output device, audio data input / output device, a terminal processor and a terminal control system, may also include peripherals such as a power amplification device, a large screen or a white electronic board, etc.

On the one hand, the video conferencing terminal selects, compresses, encodes and multiplexes video, audio and other data on the video conferencing site in real time, and then transmits via the transmission channel, on the other hand, sorts, decodes and restores the received signal into original video, audio and other forms of data. In addition, the video conferencing terminal also transmits video conferencing control signals, such as a conversation request, requesting a video conferencing management request, and other signals to the MCU bridge to the local site, and executes commands sent by the MCU bridge.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this technology, the MCU is the control core of the video conferencing system. When a videoconference has more than two participants, i.e. two video terminals, the process must be controlled by the MCU and the video conferencing terminals connect to the MCU with a standard interface; The MCU performs the exchange and mixing of video, audio signals according to standard international protocols such as H.221, H.242, H.243 and T.120. In general, an MCU consists of two parts: a central processor and a console; the central processor performs the functions defined in the protocols, and the console implements the human-machine interface, where the operator sends commands and performs actions with the MCU; when the videoconference service is open to a large number of users, it is necessary to create rooms for registration in a videoconference, for reservation, charging, etc.

In a video conferencing system, a communication network is required to connect video conferencing terminals and MCU bridges; at the physical level, these transmission channels can be fiber optic, cable, microwave or satellite. Typically, communication networks for video conferencing systems are: Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Packet Switched Public Data Network (PSPDN) and Digital Data Network (DDN) ) etc.; At present, ATM technologies, some broadband networks such as B-ISDN, IP networks and IQ networks can be used to provide video conferencing services. With the growing popularity of ISDN and the Internet, the use of video conferencing services is also growing.

However, the existing system for organizing video conferencing services does not have an effective control mechanism to maximize its capabilities, because of this, the efficiency of using the MCU cannot be increased; they can only be used for a small number of services, and therefore network efficiency is low. In such a situation, it is difficult to provide a videoconference service to a large number of users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is the creation of a video conferencing organization system, a method for providing video conferencing services and a service center to expand the capabilities of MCU bridges, coordinate their work and increase the efficiency of using a video conferencing system in order to make it accessible to a large number of users.

The invention provides a method for providing a video conferencing service, wherein the MCU bridges exchange information with video conferencing terminals using a communication network; a distinctive feature is that with this method, a service center that receives and processes a video conferencing service request, allocates MCU bridge resources, manages and supports a video conferencing service, is connected to the MCU bridges via a computer network.

The specified service center according to the invention includes: a Web server that receives a subscriber’s request for service on the network, a service processing module that receives subscriber information sent by the Web server, and distributes the resources of the MCU bridges through this computer network.

The invention provides a video conferencing system, including video conferencing terminals and MCU bridges connected by communication networks, characterized in that said video conferencing system further includes a service center connected to the MCU bridges via a computer network, receiving and processing video conferencing service requests, distributing MCU bridge resources, managing and supporting video conferencing service.

The invention provides a video conferencing organization system, a method for providing a video conferencing service, and a service center, where a service center receiving and processing a video conferencing service request allocating MCU resources, managing and maintaining a video conferencing service is connected to the MCU bridges via a computer network. Thus, the video conferencing service is available to a large number of users and the efficiency of the MCU bridges is increased, their work is optimally coordinated and the efficiency of using the video conferencing system is increased.

In a conventional video conferencing system, in normal operation, each MCU bridge corresponds to one console and one operator, and in the video conferencing system according to this invention, due to the presence of a service center, there are the following advantages: the system does not need an operator and can work automatically 24 hours a day , the service center can centrally manage a large number of MCU bridges at the same time, thus reducing the number of staff and equipment, the service center also has Stem accrual and payment of settlement that allows us to provide video conferencing services to a large number of users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a well-known video conferencing system.

Figure 2 shows a network diagram of a video conferencing system according to this invention.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of a service center in operational condition according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 depicts a video conferencing service from a subscriber point of view according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of a video conferencing service reservation process according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates a service center service processing module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

Figure 2 shows a network diagram of a video conferencing system according to this invention. As shown in the diagram, the system consists of five parts: a communication network, a computer network, MCU bridges, video conferencing terminals and a service center.

The communication network supports the video conferencing service, it can be a dedicated network E ₁ , dedicated network V ₃₅ , ISDN network, IP network, IQ network or other communication networks. The MCU used to provide access to and process video conferencing service requests from video conferencing terminals is a central processing unit; the MCU must have a large capacity with the ability to connect about 100 video conferencing terminals. The video conferencing terminal, which is purchased by the subscriber and used in conjunction with the TV, provides the service to the subscriber. A service center is a control center that manages and maintains a video conferencing service, provides functions such as processing requests for a video conferencing service, receiving a service, and charging payments, etc. A computer network is a support network with which a service center manages MCU bridges; it can be any computer network, such as a TCP / IP network, a LAN with / or without a TCP / IP protocol.

As shown in FIG. 2, MCU bridges are connected to video conferencing terminals using a communication network, which may be a dedicated E ₁ network, a dedicated V35 network, an ISDN network, an IP network, an IQ network, or another communication network. The main idea of the invention is to have a service center that receives and processes video conferencing service requests, allocates MCU resources, manages and centrally maintains a video conferencing service, and communication between the service center and MCU bridges is done through a computer network.

The invention provides a method for providing a video conferencing service in which MCU bridges exchange information with video conferencing terminals over a communication network, the service center receiving and processing a video conferencing service request allocating MCU bridge resources, managing and supporting a video conferencing service, connected to the MCU bridges using a computer network .

As a computer network, it is preferable to use a TCP / IP network or LAN.

Communication between the service center and MCU bridges is preferably established using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Preferably, the service center receives subscriber requests on the network through a Web server; using the service processing module, the service center receives subscriber messages transmitted centrally by the Web server and distributes the resources of the MCU bridges using the computer network.

Preferably, the service center stores information in a database.

Preferably, the service processing module uses an extensible tiered Client / Server architecture.

Preferably, the communication (interface) between the Web server and the service center is a socket with a hold mode.

Preferably, the method of providing a video conferencing service according to the invention includes the following steps:

(a) visiting the Web server using a browser to reserve video conferencing;

(b) the transfer by the Web server of the video conferencing reservation to the service processing module, the initiation by the service processing module of the distribution procedure; in case of unsuccessful distribution, returning a message about the refusal to reserve a video conference to the Web server by the service processing module;

(c) informing the relevant MCU at a time determined by the subscriber of the start of a video conference about the convening of a video conference;

(d) informing the relevant MCU at the end of the video conference about the end of the conference using the service processing module.

Preferably, the Web server creates the subscriber’s accounting resource number based on the subscriber’s request for the service and ensures the provision of the service, including updating the password and polling for charging.

Preferably, the Web server provides subscriber management tools by which a service provider can manage subscribers, including registering a subscriber, updating subscriber settings, deleting a subscriber, and polling subscriber parameters.

Preferably, the Web server provides video conferencing site management using a set of video conferencing site parameters defined in advance and stored in a database; when a video conference is called by a subscriber, the video conference site on which it will be implemented can be selected from the database.

Preferably, the Web server provides video conferencing management tools that switch between states: video conferencing cannot be distributed, video conferencing is successfully distributed, convening a video conferencing, ending the video conferencing, and interrupting the video conferencing.

Preferably, the Web server provides charging management tools providing a video conferencing charging service for a service provider and a charging subscription survey service for a subscriber.

Preferably, the Web server provides a messaging service, with the ability for the system administrator to forward the message to the assistant and subscribers through internal and external message boards, respectively.

The invention proposes to use a service center to provide video conferencing services in a video conferencing organization system; the service center contains a Web server that receives a subscriber's request for a service on the network, a service processing module that receives subscriber information sent centrally by the Web server, and distributes the resources of the MCU bridges through a computer network.

Preferably, said computer network is a TCP / IP or LAN network.

Preferably, the communication (interface) between the Web server and the service center is a socket with a hold mode.

Preferably, said service center further has a database for storing information.

Communication between the service center and MCU bridges is preferably established using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Preferably, said service processing module includes: a resource management module, a video conferencing management module, a video conferencing website management module, a subscriber management module and a charging module.

Preferably, the service processing module uses an extensible tiered Client / Server architecture.

The invention provides a video conferencing service organization system comprising video conferencing terminals and MCU bridges connected through communication networks; the video conferencing service organization system further includes a service center connected to the MCU bridges via a computer network, receiving and processing a video conferencing service request, allocating MCU bridge resources, and managing and supporting the video conferencing service.

Preferably, said communication network is an ATM network, an ISDN network, or an IP network.

Preferably, said computer network is a TCP / IP or LAN network.

Communication between the service center and MCU bridges is preferably established using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Preferably, said service center includes: a Web server receiving subscriber requests for a service on the network, a service processing module receiving information from the subscriber sent centrally by the Web server and distributing resources of MCU bridges in the computer network.

Preferably, said service center further has a database for storing information.

Preferably, the service processing module uses an extensible tiered Client / Server architecture.

It is necessary that the service center provides the function of reception and processing services. The web server receives and transmits subscriber requests for a service to a service processing module that manages the services, i.e. distributes and controls services. Figure 3 shows the first embodiment of the invention, where the service center consists of a Web server, a service processing module and a database. The service center receives a subscriber’s request for a service either through a Web server on the network or through an assistant, then the service processing module, receiving subscriber information sent centrally by the Web server, distributes the resources of the MCU bridges through the computer network, and the data is stored in the database.

The system provides a Web server with which the subscriber can reserve a video conference in the network station mode in order to work through www. In order for the MCU to reserve video conferencing information, a unique distribution center is required. The system provides the specified service processing module, acting as a unique distribution center, which is invisible to subscribers and is used only by the service provider for monitoring and control. The service processing module, on the one hand, receives subscriber information sent by the specified Web server, on the other hand, interacts with the MCU bridges after storing and distributing the subscriber information. Thus, there is a problem of correspondence of communication protocols between the service processing module and MCU bridges of different manufacturers due to the presence of different communication protocols. By applying standard communication protocols such as SNMP, this problem can be solved; SNMP belongs to the TCP / IP stack and is based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

Since the data for processing video conferencing is very large and also very important, the database is adapted for storing information in the system. In this embodiment, the database is part of said service center. The database also performs data backup, logical verification and other database functions such as computing, adding and deleting data, etc.

From the above, we can conclude that this option for the implementation of the service center includes: Web server, service processing module and database. The Web server interacts with the subscriber directly, it processes the subscriber’s request and returns the result, including a message on accrued payments, etc .; basically, all the functions of video conferencing are performed by the service processing module, especially the distribution function, i.e. MCU resource allocation and video conferencing management; the database performs the functions of data storage and data protection management, etc.

Figure 4 shows a diagram of a video conferencing service in the first embodiment from the point of view of the subscriber. In Fig. 4, the subscriber reserves a video conference using manual mode or Web mode; after the sequential processing performed by the video conferencing system, the video conferencing automatically starts at a time determined by the subscriber, and the reserved video conferencing terminals will be available; after the end of the video conference, the costs of the video conference will be calculated within a certain time. 4, a video conferencing system includes MCU bridges, a communication network, a system providing this service, etc.

In this embodiment, the Web server provides the following services: creating an account resource number for each video conference subscriber, updating the subscriber’s password, and tracking payments made to the subscriber; provides the service provider with subscriber management tools, including subscriber registration, updating subscriber data, deleting the subscriber, and polling the status of the subscriber; means for managing the videoconference site, including storing the videoconference site defined in advance in the database, and when the videoconference is convened, selecting the site of each videoconference to participate in the videoconference from the convened videoconference database; means for managing a video conference, including the processing of transitional states: the state when the video conference is not distributed, the state of the video conference when it is successfully distributed, the state of the video conference when it is convened, the state of the video conference when it is finished, the state of the video conference when it is interrupted; funds for managing the charging of payments, providing the service provider with tools for charging payments and interviewing subscribers to determine the charged payments; The internal bulletin board used by the system administrator to send messages to the assistant; An external bulletin board used by the system administrator to send messages to subscribers.

5 is a flowchart of a video conference backup process according to a first embodiment of the invention. The flowchart includes the following steps:

(1) the subscriber uses a browser to visit the Web server to reserve video conferencing;

(2) The web server transmits the reservation information to the service processing module, the service processing module initiates a distribution mechanism; if the distribution failed, i.e. if a failure occurs, the failure to reserve the video conferencing is returned to the Web server by the service processing module;

(3) If the distribution process was successful, at the set time, the corresponding MCU bridges receive information about the convening of the conference from the service processing module;

(4) When the video conference ends, the service processing module informs the MCU bridges;

Waiting for settlements and charging.

In this embodiment, the Web server is used to reserve video conferencing; the advantages of this method are as follows:

(1) A videoconference subscriber may reserve a videoconference at any time and in any place if there is access to the Internet;

(2) The subscriber can control the process of making payments and calculating payments and use program records at any time and in any place;

(3) The interface of the network station is friendly, therefore it is easy and convenient to work with it;

(4) A service provider can easily send notifications and messages to subscribers using a network station, thus not only increasing the number of subscribers, but also simplifying information support. Subscribers who cannot connect via the Internet, however, have the opportunity to reserve video conferencing through the nearest service room themselves or through an assistant.

6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a service processing module. As shown in FIG. 6, the service processing module has an extensible layered Client / Server architecture, where S1, S2, and S3 represent different layers. Logically, the S3 level service processing module perceives the S2 level service processing module as a client, the S2 level service processing module perceives the S1 level service processing module as a client, and the S1 level service processing module perceives MCU bridges as clients and exchanges SNMP information with them.

The Client / Server architecture makes it easy to expand the video conferencing system for more MCU bridges. Higher-level service processing modules (S2 and S3 levels) can convert various protocols; in this way, various communication networks such as ISDN and IP can be connected together so that a video conferencing network can be formed.

As mentioned above, using a Web server, a video conferencing system can provide services to a large number of users and work automatically.

The embodiments disclosed above are provided only to describe the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any modification, correction, or rearrangement within the spirit of the invention is disclosed in the claims.

Claims (15)

1. The service center used to provide video conferencing services, consisting of a Web server that receives a subscriber’s request for a service in the network, a service processing module that receives subscriber information sent centrally by the Web server, and distributes MCU bridge resources through a computer network, characterized in that the service processing module uses an extensible multi-level Client / Server architecture, in which the second level service processing module perceives the first level service processing module as a client, the processing module and third-level service module receives the second level processing as the client services, more in analogy service processing module n-level service processing module receives (n-1) th layer as a client, where n - an integer greater than one. 2. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network LAN. 3. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, further having a connection to said Web server, the connection being a socket with a hold mode. 4. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a base for storing information. 5. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that the service processing module is connected to the MCU bridges using the SNMP protocol. 6. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that the service processing module comprises a resource management module, a video conferencing management module, a video conferencing website management module, a subscriber management module and a charging module. 7. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that the first-level service processing module perceives MCU bridges as clients and exchanges information with them via SNMP. 8. The service center used to provide video conferencing services according to claim 1, characterized in that the higher-level service processing modules are configured to convert various protocols. 9. A video conferencing service organization system comprising video conferencing terminals, MCU bridges connected through communication networks, and a service center, which includes a Web server that receives subscriber requests for a service on the network, and a service processing module that receives information sent from the subscriber centrally Web server and distributing the resources of MCU bridges in a computer network, characterized in that the service processing module uses an extensible multi-level Client / Server architecture, in which the second-level service processing module receives the first level service processing module as a client, the third level service processing module perceives the second level service processing module as a client, then, by analogy, the n-level service processing module perceives the (n-1) -th level service processing module as a client, where n is a natural number greater than one. 10. The video conferencing service organization system according to claim 9, characterized in that the communication network is a network based on asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology, a digital integrated services network (ISDN), or an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 11. The system for organizing video conferencing services according to claim 9, characterized in that the computer network is a TCP / IP network or LAN. 12. The video conferencing service organization system according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises communication between the service center and MCU bridges, organized using the SNMP protocol. 13. The video conferencing service organization system according to claim 9, characterized in that the first level service processing module perceives MCU bridges as clients and exchanges information with them via SNMP protocol. 14. The system for organizing video conferencing services, according to clause 13, characterized in that the service center contains a database for storing information. 15. The system for organizing video conferencing services according to claim 13, characterized in that the higher-level service processing modules are configured to convert various protocols.

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