WO2003034251A1

WO2003034251A1 - Computer connection method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2003034251A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/010406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikio Maruyama
Original assignee: Mikio Maruyama
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2003-04-24

Abstract

A computer connection method includes a step (S3) for deciding whether a particular identification condition (such as an IP number) of a desired connection partner (A or B) is stored in a particular folder (Fw) of a Web page (Web b page; Xw) having folder hierarchical structure (whether the desired connection partner is in a wait state), a step (S5) for reading in the particular identification condition (such as an IP number) of the connection partner (A or B) if the identification condition (such as an IP number) of the desired connection partner (A or B) is stored (if the desired connection partner is in the wait state), and a step (S6) for directly connecting to (computer 2A or 2B of) the desired connection partner by using the read in identification condition (such as an IP number).

Description

Description Computer connection method and system Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for connecting computers to each other in a video conference or the like (for example, a video conference), a specific identification condition of a communication partner (for example, in the case of a video conference, an IP assigned to each computer). Method and system for easily and reliably obtaining the identification condition (for example, IP number) of the other party who wants to communicate when it is necessary to input the same number, and connecting to the computer of the other party. About.

This application is related to the following Japanese patent application. Designated States that are permitted to be incorporated by reference to the literature are incorporated into the present application by reference to the contents described in the following application and are incorporated as part of the description of the present application.

Application Number Japanese Patent Application No. 2 0 0 1— 3 1 3 0 5 3 Filing Date Heisei 13 October 10 Background Art

As an example of the above “when it is necessary to enter a specific identification number of the communication partner”, for example, when conducting a TV conference, as shown in FIG.

An “IP number” assigned from PB (for example, for each access) is required. In other words, if both parties A and B holding the video conference do not acquire the IP numbers of the computers 2b and 2a used by the other party, respectively, the connection between the computers 2a and 2b is established. No, no video conference.

Therefore, in order for both parties A and B to have a video conference to obtain the IP number of the other party, a directory server (ILS server, Internet location server) has conventionally been used as shown in FIG. It was common to use 6.

Here, the configuration of a conventional TV conference and the procedure up to holding the TV conference will be described with reference to FIG.

User A has a computer 2a, input means (for example, a keyboard) 3a, a camera 4 &, a microphone (including a speaker) 5a connected to the computer, And is connected to the provider PA by the line La. On the other hand, the user B has a computer 2b, a CCD camera 4b connected to the computer 2b, and a microphone / mouth phone (including a speaker) 5b, and is connected to the provider PB by a line Lb.

The user A and the user B are connected to the Internet 7 via the communication lines Lia and Lib respectively via the providers PA and PB, and the Internet 7 is a directory server having a list 6a of connection applicants. 6 and line Ld.

When the user A and the user B hold a video conference, first, the user A connects to the contracted provider PA via the line La. On the other hand, the provider P A gives the user A an IP number.

The user A obtains the IP number, connects to the Internet 7 via the communication line Lia and the provider PA, and connects to the directory server 6 (connected to the Internet 7) via the line Ld. Access is made to find out the user B who is the person to be invited to the meeting from the middle of the list of connection applicants 6 a of the directory server 6.

If the user B who has obtained the IP number from the provider PB also accesses the directory 'server 6 via the communication line Lib and the provider PB, the user' A 'and the user' B ' Since the IP number of the connection destination of the conference can be known, the computers 2a and 2b can be connected to each other.

As described above, in the conventional connection technology shown in FIG. 6, the directory server 6 is used so that the parties A and B who desire the video conference acquire the IP number.

The use of the directory server 6 is not generalized, and many users do not know the existence of the directory server 6 itself! / ,.

In addition, in order to hold a video conference using the directory server 6, in addition to general communication software, special software for logging on to the directory * server 6 (for example, a micro-software trademark " Ne t Me.etin gj) is required.

And such a (special for logging on to the directory 'server 6') 6

3 software is very complicated and difficult to set up in order to use it, and users with little computer knowledge may need special software to log on to the directory 'server 6'. Configuration (for use) is virtually impossible.

In addition, the directory server 6 displays a list of persons who want to communicate (persons who are waiting in a standby state) in the form of a list 6a. It must be selected or searched, and such selection or search is a very complicated and time-consuming operation.

Here, the directory server 6 is not provided with a function (for example, a function of dividing the list, etc.) that makes it easy to search for a desired partner from the above-mentioned list 6a. Therefore, it is very difficult to specify (select and search) the desired communication partner from the above list 6a.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the problems of the conventional technology (computer connection technology using a directory server) described above, and does not require complicated setting work, and furthermore, the other party who connects the computer. The purpose is to provide a computer connection method and a system that allows the user to select a computer easily. Disclosure of the invention

According to the computer connection method of the present invention, a specific identification condition of a communication partner (user A or B) (for example, in the case of a video conference, In the connection method of the computer when it is necessary to input the IP numbers assigned to the computers 2A and 2B of the computer, a specific folder (Fw) of a web page (Web page; Xw) having a hierarchical structure of folders Whether a specific identification condition (for example, an IP number) of the desired connection partner (user A or B) is stored in the server (whether the desired connection user A or B is in standby mode) If the identification condition (for example, IP number) of the desired connection partner (user A or B) is stored (user A or B as the desired connection partner) (Step S5) for reading the specific identification condition (eg, IP number) of the connection partner (user A or B), and the read identification condition (eg, IP number) Using the desired connection partner (using (S6) directly connecting to the computer 2A or 2B).

In the computer connection method of the present invention, if the web page (Web page; X w) does not store the identification condition (for example, IP number) of the desired connection partner (A or B), If a certain user A or B is not in a standby state, the specific identification condition (for example, an IP number) of a person (user B or A) who has accessed the web page (Web page; Xw) is set to the relevant condition. It is preferable to include a step (S11) of storing (the accessed person B or A) of the web page (We b page; Xw) in a folder (Fw) specifying the accessed person.

Here, whether a specific identification condition (for example, an IP number) of a desired connection partner (user A or B) is stored in a specific folder (Fw) of the web page (Web page; Xw). In the step (S3) of determining whether or not the desired connection partner is in the standby state, the telephone number, various characteristics, etc. (resident, occupation, access, etc.) of the connection partner (user A or B) It is preferable to specify (or select and search for) the folder (Fw) that stores the above-mentioned identification conditions (for example, IP number) based on the relationship with the person who performed the search, age, binding name, etc.

The computer connection system of the present invention can be used to connect a plurality of computers (when conducting a video conference or the like) to a specific identification condition on the communication partner (A or B) side (for example, for a video conference, 2A, 2B), it is necessary to enter the IP number assigned to the computer. In the connection system of the computer, it has a multi-layer structure of Phonoleda and has the form of a web page (Web page ;: Kw). It has a site (X) configured, and the site (X) has a specific identification condition (for example, an IP number) of a desired connection partner (user A or B) in a folder (Fw) in the site. Is determined (whether or not the desired connection partner is in a standby state), and the identification condition (eg, IP number) of the desired connection partner (user A or B) is stored. If you (Nozomi (If the user A or B who is the desired connection partner is in the standby state) (The computer 2 of the person who accessed the specific identification condition (for example, IP number) of the connection partner (user A or B) B, 2 A). In the computer connection system of the present invention, the site (X: Web page; Xw) is a folder in the site (X) in which the identification condition (for example, IP number) of a desired connection partner (user A or B) is set. If it is not stored in the site (if user A or B, which is the desired connection partner, is not in a standby state), a specific identification condition of a person who accesses the site (X: Web page; Xw) (for example, It is preferable to store the IP number) in the folder (Fw) (specifying the accessing person B or A) of the site (X: Web page; Xw) (Claim 4) Here Whether or not a specific identification condition (for example, an IP number) of a desired connection partner is stored in a specific folder (Fw) of the site (X: Web page; Xw) (the desired connection partner is in a standby state). To determine whether or not (S3), the telephone number (Fwl and Nl) of the connection partner (user A or B), various characteristics, etc. (residence, occupation, relationship with accessor, age, latitudinal, etc.) It is preferable to specify (or select or search) a folder (Fw) that stores the identification condition (for example, IP number) from the Fw2 and N2) fields.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, by having a site (X) having a hierarchical structure of the folder (Fw) and configured in the form of a web page (Web page; Xw), There is no need to use the directory 'server (6) required for conventional connections. Since the site (X) is in the form of a web page, it can be accessed with ordinary communication software. Also, logging on to the directory server (6) does not require complicated settings like software. In addition, by using the hierarchical structure (Fw) of the folder of the site (X), even when there are a plurality of connection applicants, a specific connection partner who wants to connect can be easily and accurately specified. It is possible to do.

In this specification, the term “computer” is a term that generally indicates a device having a communication function and an information processing function, and is not limited to a so-called “desktop” or “laptop J computer, but also a mobile phone, a PDA, It is a term with a concept that encompasses various communication terminals, LANs, the Internet, and others. 6 Brief description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of site X used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation or control of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of a folder in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of folders different from FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional connection technology using a directory / supervisor. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the present invention will be described by taking a "video conference" as an example of "when it is necessary to input a specific identification condition of a communication partner when connecting computers". An embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, a user A includes a computer main body 2A, a monitor 2A connected to the computer main body 2A, input means (for example, a keyboard) 3A, a CCD camera 4A, and a microphone (including a speaker) 5A. And is connected to provider PA by circuit La.

User B has a computer 2B and input means (for example, a keyboard) 3B, a CCD camera 4B, and a microphone (including a speaker) 5B connected to the computer 2B, and is connected to the provider PB and the line Lb. It is connected.

User A is connected to the Internet 7 via the communication lines La1, La2 via the provider PA, and User B is connected to the Internet 7 via the communication lines Lb1, Lb2, Lb3 via the provider PB. are doing. The Internet 7 is connected to a site X configured in the form of a web page Xw by communication lines Lxa, Lxb, and Lx. '

Lines La, La1, La2, lines Lb, Lb1, Lb2 may be separate lines as shown in the figure, but lines La, Lai, La2 are assumed to be the same line, and lines Lb, Lbl, and Lb2 may be the same line.

On the Internet 7, sites organized in the form of web pages: 02 10406

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Power lines are connected by communication lines Lxa, Lxb, Lx.

As shown in FIG. 2, the site X includes a folder status judgment block B 1 of a desired partner, a standby block B 2, an IP number reading block B 3, an IP number output block B 4, and a telephone number T e. (Phone) Block B5, Video conference establishment decision block B6, control means (CPU) c1, storage means (memory) C2, and clocking means (timer) C3. ing.

In FIG. 2, cables are connected so that information can be exchanged between the blocks, but the cables are not shown for simplification of the drawing.

The desired party's folder status determination block B1 determines whether the party wishing to participate in the conference accesses and is in a standby state (standby state), and the standby block B2 sets the accessed person's folder in a standby state. A block that waits.

The IP number reading block B3 is a block for reading the IP number stored in the standby blocker, and the IP number output block: B4 is a block for outputting the stored IP number.

The T e 1. (Telephone) block B 5 is a block for making an e-mail or “call” call to the user, and the video conference establishment decision block B 6 is a condition for establishing a video conference. It is a block to determine whether or not.

The control means C1 controls the system by connecting all the function blocks B1 to B6 and the control devices C2 and C3 constituting the site X by lines.

In the previous memory C2, the IP number, telephone number, location, personal information, etc. are stored, and the timer C3 is used, for example, when the desired party is in a standby state and leaves the TV phone. This is a time measuring means for measuring a good predetermined time and the like.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and also to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a flow of control in holding a TV conference will be described.

In step S1, user B accesses site X via provider PB and proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the folder of the partner A who wants to participate in the video conference is specified. Note that the folder for specifying the desired partner has a hierarchical structure with a folder column of several digits, and will be described in detail later. In the next step S3, the control means C1 determines whether or not the desired partner folder is in a standby state (a state in which the IP number is stored) based on information from the desired partner folder state determination block B1 and the memory C2. If it is in the standby state (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. If it is not in the standby state (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the preparation of the user B is OK by the above-mentioned determination block: lip B1. If OK (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the IP number of the desired partner A is read by the IP number reading block B3, and the access to the site X is completed.

In step S6, the computer 2A of the desired partner A is accessed by the read IP number, a video conference is held, and the control is terminated.

As described above, steps S1 to S6 follow the route indicated by the thick solid line and the thick broken line signal line (line) in FIG. 1, and user A stores the IP number of computer 2A in site X. Then, in the standby state, user B accesses X, obtains the IP number of user A, and directly accesses computer 2 A, which knows the IP number of user A, and This shows the case where the meeting was established.

If the preparation of the user B is not OK in step S4 (for example, when the user leaves the seat: NO in step S4), the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, if user B is not at the computer (for example, when he is away from the desk), the mobile phone is ringed by Tel. Block B5, and user B has direct access to user A. Is notified, and the process proceeds to the next step S8.

In step S8, the control means C1 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by using the timer C3. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S8), for example, the user B takes a seat within the predetermined time. If not, the process proceeds to the next step S9, ends the “call” to the mobile phone of the user B, and proceeds to the step S18.

However, it is possible to configure so that the call continues continuously until user B answers the mobile phone. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S8 (NO in step S8), the process returns to step S4.

Steps S11 to S15 correspond to the case of following the route indicated by the thin solid line and the thin broken line signal line (line) in FIG.

In this case, the user B stores the computer's IP number in the site X, and when in the standby state, the user A accesses X to obtain the user B's IP number. User A, having obtained the IP number of User B, then accesses Computer 2 B of User B (who has obtained the IP number) directly to hold a TV conference.

In step S11, the user B's folder is set in a standby state (a state in which B's own IP number is stored), and the process waits for the next step S12. Send an e-mail to a contact stored in folder A, for example, a mobile phone, or call a conventional phone.

In the next step S13, the control means C1 determines whether or not the desired partner A has accessed the site X within a predetermined time by using the timer C3. (YES at 13), proceed to step SI4, and if not accessed (NO at step S14), bypass to step S16.

In step S14, the desired party user A reads the IP number of the user B in the standby state by the IP number reading block B3, and confirms the establishment of the video conference by the video conference establishment judgment block B6. User A accesses user B and holds a video conference.

Next, in step S16, a signal is sent to the contact stored in the folder of the other party A who wants to be notified that the video conference has not been established in the same manner as described in step S12, and in the next step S17, the user Release the standby state of B. Then, in step S18, the TV conference establishment decision block B6 determines that the TV conference is not established, and then ends the control.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the web page Xw and the sentence in Site X, which shows a part of the web page: Xw, and shows the structure for IP number storage (or retrieval).

The web page Xw (Xw 1) in Fig. 4 is, for example, a telephone number column containing an area code. It has a hierarchical structure composed of several digit folder strings (number strings Fl to Fn) for specifying folders and number (number) strings for specifying individuals. The specific IP number (specific folder Fwl) is stored.

That is, in Fig. 4, the IP number of the other party that wants to hold a video conference is specified (Fw) using the telephone number, and the telephone number and the IP number of the other party are stored as a pair. . Specifically, if the other party's phone number is “242 ···” 7 1 2 3456 ”, the folder is specified (Fwl) using the first few digits of the phone number '242 ··· 7'. In the second half j, the individual in the folder is identified (N 1) by “1 23456”. FIG. 5 shows an example of a hierarchical structure of a folder which is almost different from FIG. Instead of specifying the folder by telephone number in Fig. 4 (inputting the telephone number of the communication partner and accessing the folder storing the IP number of the communication partner), the attribute of the communication partner ( For example, if you are a “friend” living in “Kanagawa” prefecture and enter “Dental dentist J and your name is“ Shiroo ”), you will access the folder where the IP number of the desired partner is stored. ing.

The IP number is stored as a combination of the column folder F a for the prefecture of residence, the column folder F b for personal relationships, the column folder F c for occupations, and the column folder F d for common names such as binding names. Identify as a folder.

As is clear from FIGS. 4 and 5, parameters for specifying (F w) the folder in which the IP number is stored can be freely selected, such as a telephone number, various characteristics, and the like.

According to the computer connection method of the present embodiment having such a configuration and steps, according to the present embodiment, a site X having a folder hierarchical structure Fw and having a site X configured in the form of a web page Xw is provided. Eliminates the need to use the directory server required by

And, since the site X is in the form of Web page: Xw, it can be accessed with ordinary communication software, and the directory 'log on to the server' is complicated, as in the case of software. Does not require any special settings.

In addition, by using the folder hierarchical structure Fw, even when there are a plurality of connection applicants, it is possible to easily and accurately specify a specific connection partner to be connected. 02 10406

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Can be set.

The illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the case where the IP number of the computer of the communication partner is acquired at the time of conducting a video conference is described, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the video conference and should be acquired. Identification numbers are not limited to computer IP numbers.

For example, the present invention can be applied to secret communication, in which case the identification number to be obtained can be a secret key or a public key.

In the illustrated embodiment, the server X is accessed via the Internet. However, when a local area network (LAN) is constructed, a video conference is held within the LAN. The present invention is applicable to the above.

Alternatively, in the illustrated embodiment, in step S3 and step S13 described above, it may be configured to transfer (move, jump) to another folder. Industrial applicability

The functions and effects of the present invention are listed below.

(a) By having a folder hierarchical structure and having a site configured in the form of a Web page, there is no need to use a directory server required for a conventional connection.

(b) Since it is in the form of a Web page, it can be accessed with ordinary communication software, and it requires complicated settings such as the case of software because it logs on to the directory 'log on server'. do not do.

(c) By using the hierarchical structure of folders, even when there are a plurality of connection applicants, it is possible to easily and accurately specify a specific connection partner who wants to connect.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. When connecting computers to each other, it is necessary to input a specific identification condition of the communication partner side. A step of determining whether a specific identification condition is stored; a step of reading the specific identification condition of the desired connection partner if the identification condition of the desired connection partner is stored; and a step of reading the read identification condition. And a step of directly connecting to the desired connection partner by using a condition.

2. The computer connection method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, if the identification condition of the desired connection partner is not stored in the web page, storing a specific identification condition of a person who has accessed the web page in a folder of the web page. .

3. When connecting computers to each other, it is necessary to input specific identification conditions of the communication partner. In a computer connection system, a site that has a hierarchical structure of folders and is configured in the form of a web page is used. The site determines whether or not the specific identification condition of the desired connection partner is stored in the folder in the site, and if the identification condition of the desired connection partner is stored, the site determines A computer connection system characterized in that a specific identification condition of a connection partner is read by an accessing person.

4. The site is configured to store, in a folder of the site, specific identification conditions of a person who has accessed the site, unless identification conditions of a desired connection partner are stored in a folder in the site. 4. The computer connection system of claim 3, wherein: