JP2000174910A - Video conference terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video conference terminal device capable of optimizing connection through exchange of minimum connecting information. SOLUTION: This device has a mutual connection control part 3 exchanging information on the kind of a device for specifying the kind of the device between with an opposite video conference terminal device and a connecting information fixing part 4 retrieving a terminal optimal information table based on the device kind information to fix the minimum connecting information receivable by its own video conference terminal device and fixing the connection information optimum for the opposite television conference terminal equipment. The part 3 transmits the optimal connecting information fixed by the part 4 to the opposite video conference terminal device to establish communication with the opposite video conference terminal device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference terminal device which constitutes a video conference system by connecting to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many types of video conference terminal devices have been released from various companies with the improvement of CPU performance, the speeding up of information infrastructure, and the development of the Internet, and their functions have been advanced. In addition, videoconferencing software that runs on personal computers has been released, and video and audio encoding methods have been newly added.
The ability to express information and exchange information has been rapidly increasing, which has spurred diversification.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional video conference terminal device. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 2 denotes a counterpart terminal information storage unit, 3 denotes an interconnection control unit, 4 denotes a connection information determination unit, and 6 denotes M
UX control unit (multiplexer control unit), 7 is a video control unit, 8 is an audio control unit, 9 is a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit), 10 is a camera, 11 is a monitor, 12
Is a microphone, 13 is a speaker, 20 is components 2 to 4, 6
13 is a video conference terminal device.

As shown in FIG. 5, a video conference terminal device is generally connected through a communication interface unit 9 via an existing analog telephone network (GSTN) or integrated services digital network (ISDN). Audio, video, other data,
Exchange system control information. This is performed by multiplexing by the MUX control unit 6.

First, when a call connection is established with the other party's video conference terminal device, the interconnection control unit 3 exchanges the mutual connection capability between the terminal devices through the control channel and stores it in the other party terminal information storage unit 4. From the connection ability of this partner terminal,
The connection information unit 4 determines the most suitable transmission capability of the own terminal, and thereby performs communication. The video is managed by the video control unit 7, and a video taken by the camera 10 of the own terminal is sent to the partner terminal. Also, what is shot by the camera of the partner terminal is sent and is displayed on the monitor 11 of the terminal itself. The sound is managed by the audio control unit 8, and the sound recorded by the microphone 12 of the own terminal is transmitted to the partner terminal.
What is recorded by the microphone of the partner terminal is sent to the terminal itself and reproduced by the speaker 13.

FIG. 6 is a procedure diagram showing a communication establishment procedure according to ITU-T H.245 for exchanging general system control information. In FIG. 6, 41 is the first
A video conference terminal device, 61 is a second video conference terminal device, 42 to 45 and 62 to 65 are capability information exchange procedures, 46, 47, and 66 are master / slave determination procedures,
48-51 and 67-70 are multiplex table procedures
52 to 55 and 71 to 74 are procedures for opening a logical channel. As shown in FIG. 6, between the first video conference terminal device 41 and the second video conference terminal device, there are roughly four types: capability information exchange, master / slave determination, multiplex table, and logical channel open. Requires two procedures. These are, except for master-slave decisions,
It is necessary to exchange information with each other, and the information is often divided into a plurality of pieces and exchanged.

FIG. 7 is a data diagram showing an outline of data of information exchanged in the capability information exchange (42, 44, 62, 64) having the largest information amount among the four procedures. 1
The capability information 80 used in each time of the capability information exchange includes data including a sequence number, a multiplexing capability 81, a capability table 83, and a capability descriptor 82. Multiplexing capability 81
Contains many parameters indicating the multiplexing capability of the video conference terminal device. The capability table 83 includes a plurality of capability information entries with entry numbers possessed by the video conference terminal device, and these capability information entries include more parameters.

[0008] The capability descriptor 82 describes a combination of entry numbers for combining and using capability information entries. These pieces of information are exchanged between the video conference terminals to determine the optimal connection information, establish communication, and start video and audio communication.

In such a video conference terminal device, the capability of expressing information and the capability of exchanging information are rapidly increasing, and there is a tendency that terminal devices compatible with a large number of video and audio coding methods are produced. Therefore, the video conference terminal device has various kinds of connection information.

In order to make effective use of this and establish a connection in the most optimal manner, it is necessary to transmit all information from the own video conference terminal to the partner video conference terminal. In addition, the other party's video conference terminal must also connect in an optimal manner while considering combinations based on a lot of connection information from the own video conference terminal. Further, when a high-performance video conference terminal device sends all connection information to a very low-performance video conference terminal device, it may be possible to receive an amount of information that cannot be processed by the partner video conference terminal device.

[0011]

However, in the conventional video conference terminal, when all the connection information is sent to a very low performance video conference terminal, the connection is divided into a plurality of messages and transmitted. Due to the state transition, it is necessary to transmit the next message after one exchange is completed, which takes a very long time.

[0012] In this video conference terminal device, it is required to make an optimal connection by exchanging a minimum amount of connection information.

An object of the present invention is to provide a video conference terminal device capable of performing an optimum connection by exchanging minimum connection information.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem, a video conference terminal according to the present invention is an interconnection for exchanging device type information for specifying a device type with a partner video conference terminal. A control unit, and a connection information determining unit that searches the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and determines the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal and that is optimal for the partner video conference terminal. The interconnection control unit is configured to transmit the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit to the partner video conference terminal device and establish communication with the partner video conference terminal device.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a video conference terminal device capable of performing an optimum connection by exchanging minimum connection information.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A video conference terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information for specifying a device type with a remote video conference terminal. A connection information determining unit that searches the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and determines the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device. The connection control unit transmits the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit to the other party's video conference terminal device and establishes communication with the other party's video conference terminal device, based on the device type information. The optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal is determined as the minimum that can be received by the own video conference terminal, and the optimal connection is exchanged by exchanging the minimum and optimal connection information. An effect that is performed fast.

The video conference terminal device according to claim 2 is
An interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information and connection status information for identifying the device type and connection status with the partner video conference terminal device, and a terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and connection status information; Search and
A connection information determining unit that determines the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device, and the interconnection control unit determines the optimal connection determined by the connection information determination unit. The information is transmitted to the other party's video conference terminal device to establish communication with the other party's video conference terminal device. Based on the device type information and the connection state information, the minimum allowable reception by the own video conference terminal device is performed. The connection information optimal for the other party's video conference terminal device is determined at a minimum, and the optimal connection is quickly performed by exchanging the minimum and optimal connection information.

The video conference terminal device according to claim 3 is
3. The video conference terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the connection information determination unit determines the priority based on information indicating whether the own video conference terminal device has made the connection or has received the connection in the connection of the video conference terminal device. This has the effect that the connection is made by exchanging minimum connection information in the determination of the master / slave.

The video conference terminal device according to claim 4 is
The interconnection control unit obtains the device type and connection information based on the telephone number information and the address information. The interconnection control unit communicates with the other party's video conference terminal device based on the telephone number information and the address information. It has the effect that the type is specified.

The video conference terminal device according to claim 5 is
An interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information for specifying the device type with the other party's video conference terminal device, and searching for a terminal optimum information table based on the device type information, which is sent from the other party's video conference terminal device A connection information determination unit that determines the minimum connection information that the own video conference terminal device can transmit from the plurality of pieces of connection information and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device, and the interconnection control unit includes a connection information determination unit. The determined optimal connection information is transmitted to the other party's video conference terminal apparatus to establish communication with the other party's video conference terminal apparatus. From the connection information sent from the other party's video conference terminal apparatus, This has the effect that information for making a connection is determined quickly.

[0021] The video conference terminal device according to claim 6 is
Exchanges the device type information and the previous connection status information for identifying the device type with the other party's video conference terminal device, and when the line is interrupted for some reason or when the user reconnects, the connection status information Of these, an interconnection control unit that minimizes the establishment of communication from the immediately preceding connection status information is provided, and in the event of interruption or reconnection, the optimal connection is quickly established by exchanging minimal connection information. Has the effect of being done.

The video conference terminal device according to claim 7 is
7. The video conference terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, when performing the connection procedure, the interconnection control unit starts giving priority to audio connection, and then performs video connection. In connection with priority voice connection, there is an effect that an optimum connection is quickly established by exchanging minimum connection information.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video conference terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a video conference terminal device,
2 is a partner terminal information storage unit, 3 is an interconnection control unit, 4 is a connection information determination unit, 5 is a terminal optimum information table unit that stores a terminal optimum information table, 6 is a MUX control unit (multiplexer control unit), and 7 is A video control unit, 8 an audio control unit, 9 a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit), 10
Denotes a camera, 11 denotes a monitor, 12 denotes a microphone, and 13 denotes a speaker.

As shown in FIG. 1, a video conference terminal 1
Is connected to the other party's video conference system via the existing analog telephone network (GSTN). Note that the case of the existing analog telephone network will be described as a connection method, but the same effect can be obtained in a connection via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) or a wide area network (WAN). The connected videoconference terminal device and the partner videoconference terminal device use a common protocol for voice,
It exchanges video, data, and system control information.
When a call connection is established with the partner video conference terminal device, it is necessary to determine an appropriate mode by exchanging mutual communication capabilities between the own video conference terminal device and the partner video conference terminal device through a control channel. Note that the operation of the video conference terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the conventional video conference terminal device except for the terminal optimum information table unit 5, and therefore, only the parts related to the terminal optimum information table unit 5 will be described. explain.

FIG. 2 shows a TTC standard J for exchanging system control information in the video conference terminal shown in FIG.
It is a procedure figure showing the communication establishment procedure by T-H245.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a first video conference terminal device;
21 is a second video conference terminal device, 102 and 122 are device type and connection state procedures, 103 to 106 and 1
23-126 are procedures for exchanging capability information, 107, 108,
127 is a master / slave determination procedure;
And 128 to 131 are multiplex table procedures, 113
116 to 132 to 135 are logical channel open procedures.

First, information for specifying the device type (device type information) and the previous connection state information (information relating to the connection state of the own terminal required by the own terminal) are exchanged with the partner video conference terminal device. In the case where the information for specifying the device type can be specified using the connection state information obtained up to now based on the telephone number information and the address information, the information can be obtained before the call connection is established, and the terminal device can be obtained. No need to exchange between them. The previous connection status information is used when the line is interrupted for some reason or when the user reconnects, and when both terminals can confirm the previous connection status information, the previous connection status information The connection procedure will be completed by using the connection state information immediately before in.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the information for specifying the device type is obtained, the capability information exchange (103-106,
123 to 126). The connection information determining unit 4 searches the terminal indication information table of the terminal optimum information table unit 5 from the information for specifying the device type, and determines the minimum connection that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and the optimum connection for the partner video conference terminal device. Information (information required by the partner terminal to establish a connection) is determined.

When connecting, exchange connection information with the partner terminal. As included in this connection information, 1 in FIG.
The procedures 03-108 and 123-127 are called capability information, the procedures 109-112 and 128-131 are called multiplexing table information, and the procedures 113-116 and 132-135 are called logical channel open information. Each of these pieces of information may make the procedure unnecessary if necessary, or may reduce the amount of connection information sent in the procedure.

FIG. 3 is a data diagram showing an outline of the data of the optimal connection information used in the capability information exchange. As shown in FIG. 3, the capability information 140 includes a sequencer number, a multiplexing capability 141, a capability table 143, and a capability descriptor 142.

FIG. 4A is a table structure diagram showing a structure of a reception capability information table of the terminal optimum information table, and FIG. 4B is a table showing a structure of a transmission capability information table of the terminal optimum information table. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal optimum information table includes a reception capability information table 151 and a transmission capability information table 152.

The reception capability information table 151 holds the optimum reception capability information of the own video conference terminal device for each device type. The connection information determining unit 4 searches the reception capability information table 151 from the information for specifying the device type, determines the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device, and When exchanging information, the determined optimal connection information is transmitted to the other party's video conference terminal device.

The transmission capability information table 152 holds optimal transmission capability information of the own video conference terminal device for each device type. The connection information determination unit 4 searches the transmission capability information table 152 based on the information specifying the device type, and transmits the own video conference terminal device from the plurality of capability information transmitted from the partner video conference terminal device. Determine the best acceptable connection information.

The device type serving as a key for searching the terminal optimum information table may use the product of the video conference terminal itself. However, some of these products are classified into groups according to their performances and ranked. In addition, by managing with this rank, the capacity of the terminal optimum information table can be reduced.

Next, master / slave determination (107, 1
08, 127). When information for identifying the type of the device can be exchanged with the other party's video conference terminal device, the master device uses information indicating whether the own video conference terminal device has been connected or has been connected in the connection of the video conference terminal device. The slave can be determined, and the master / slave procedure in FIG. 2 can be omitted.

Exchange of next multiplex table information (10
9-112, 128-131), the procedure can be performed with minimum information by the same method as the capability information exchange. Using this multiplexing table information, a logical channel is opened (113 to 116, 132 to 135), and video and audio can be streamed to establish communication.

In all of the above procedures, the connection information of only the audio is exchanged first, the connection of the audio is started first, and the connection information of the video is exchanged next. By performing the connection, the time until the first connection can be reduced.

The connection information can be exchanged even after the video and audio can be played. Therefore, as for the connection information having a higher priority other than the connection information transmitted first, assuming that the connection information transmitted first may not be appropriate,
The transmission is performed sequentially.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the interconnection control unit 3 for exchanging the device type information for specifying the device type with the partner video conference terminal device, and the terminal based on the device type information. A connection information determining unit for retrieving an optimum information table and determining the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device; By transmitting the optimum connection information determined by the information determining unit 4 to the partner video conference terminal device and establishing communication with the partner video conference terminal device, based on the device type information,
Since the optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal device can be determined at the minimum that can be received by the own video conference terminal device, the optimal connection can be quickly performed by exchanging the minimum and optimal connection information. .

An interconnection control unit 3 for exchanging device type information and connection status information for specifying the device type and connection status with the partner video conference terminal device;
A connection information determining unit for retrieving a terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and the connection state information and determining the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal device and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device; The interconnection control unit 3 transmits the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit 4 to the partner video conference terminal device and establishes communication with the partner video conference terminal device.
Based on the device type information and the connection status information, it is possible to determine the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal and the optimum connection information for the partner video conference terminal device. Thus, an optimal connection can be made quickly.

Further, the connection information determining unit 4 determines the priority based on information indicating whether the own video conference terminal has made a connection or has received a connection in the connection of the video conference terminal, The connection can be established by exchanging a minimum amount of connection information in the master / slave determination.

Further, the interconnection control unit 3 acquires the device type and the connection information based on the telephone number information and the address information, so that the other party's video conference terminal device can be obtained based on the telephone number information and the address information. And the device type can be specified.

Further, an interconnection control unit 3 for exchanging device type information for specifying the device type with the other party's video conference terminal device, searching the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information, A connection information determining unit for determining, from a plurality of pieces of connection information sent from the apparatus, the minimum connection information that can be transmitted by the own video conference terminal apparatus and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal apparatus; 3 is transmitted from the other party's video conference terminal device by transmitting the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit 4 to the other party's video conference terminal device so as to establish communication with the other party's video conference terminal device. From the incoming connection information, information for performing an optimum connection can be quickly determined.

Further, when the device type information for specifying the device type and the previous connection status information are exchanged with the other party's video conference terminal device, and the line is interrupted for some reason or when the user reconnects. In addition, the provision of the interconnection control unit 3 that minimizes the establishment of communication from the immediately preceding connection state information in the connection state information enables quickest optimal connection by exchanging minimum connection information at the time of interruption or reconnection. Can be done.

Further, when performing the connection procedure, the interconnection control unit starts by giving priority to the audio connection and then performs the video connection. Optimal connection can be made quickly by exchanging limited connection information.

[0046]

As described above, according to the video conference terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, the exchange of the device type information for specifying the device type with the partner video conference terminal is performed. An interconnection control unit, and a connection information determining unit that searches the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and determines the optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal device at a minimum that can be received by the own video conference terminal device. Has, the interconnection control unit, by transmitting the optimal connection information determined by the connection information determination unit to the other party video conference terminal device, by establishing communication with the other party video conference terminal device,
Based on the device type information, it is possible to determine the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal and the optimum connection information for the partner video conference terminal device. Has the advantageous effect of being able to carry out quickly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information and connection state information for specifying a device type and a connection state with a partner video conference terminal. A connection information determining unit that searches the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and the connection state information, and determines the optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal device at a minimum that can be received by the own video conference terminal device; The interconnection control unit transmits the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit to the other party's video conference terminal device and establishes communication with the other party's video conference terminal device, so that the device type information and the connection Based on the status information, it is possible to determine the minimum connection information that can be received by the own video conference terminal and the optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal. Since kill, advantageous effect that it is possible to perform optimum connection by exchanging optimum connection information with minimal rapidly can be obtained.

According to the video conference terminal device of the third aspect, in the video conference terminal device of the second aspect,
The connection information determining unit determines the priority based on information indicating whether the own video conference terminal has made a connection or has received the connection in the connection of the video conference terminal device, thereby minimizing the connection in the master-slave determination. An advantageous effect that a connection can be made by exchanging information is obtained.

According to the video conference terminal device of the fourth aspect, the interconnection control unit acquires the device type and the connection information based on the telephone number information and the address information.
An advantageous effect is obtained that the device type can be specified with the other party's video conference terminal device based on the telephone number information and the address information.

According to the video conference terminal device of the fifth aspect, an interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information for specifying the device type with the partner video conference terminal device,
Searches the terminal optimum information table based on the device type information and, based on a plurality of pieces of connection information sent from the partner video conference terminal device, the minimum connection that the own video conference terminal device can transmit and the optimal connection for the partner video conference terminal device A connection information determining unit for determining information, the interconnection control unit,
By transmitting the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determining unit to the other party's video conference terminal device and establishing communication with the other party's video conference terminal device, the connection information sent from the other party's video conference terminal device An advantageous effect is obtained that information for making a secure connection can be determined quickly.

According to the video conference terminal device of the sixth aspect, the device type information for specifying the device type and the previous connection state information are exchanged with the partner video conference terminal device, and the line is interrupted for some reason. In the event that the connection has been established or the user has reconnected, the interconnection control unit that minimizes the establishment of communication from the immediately preceding connection state information in the connection state information will minimize the possibility of interruption or reconnection. An advantageous effect is obtained that the optimal connection can be quickly performed by exchanging the connection information.

According to the video conference terminal device described in claim 7, in the video conference terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the interconnection control unit performs audio connection when performing the connection procedure. By starting the connection first and then connecting the video, there is an advantageous effect that the optimum connection can be quickly established by exchanging the minimum connection information with respect to the priority audio connection. Can be

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video conference terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an ITU-T H.245 for exchanging system control information in the video conference terminal device of FIG.
Diagram showing communication establishment procedure by

FIG. 3 is a data diagram showing an outline of data of optimal connection information used in capability information exchange.

4A is a table structure diagram showing a structure of a reception capability information table of a terminal optimum information table; FIG. 4B is a table structure diagram showing a structure of a transmission capability information table of a terminal optimum information table;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional video conference terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a procedure diagram showing a communication establishment procedure according to ITU-T H.245 for exchanging general system control information.

FIG. 7 is a data diagram showing an outline of data of information exchanged in capability information exchange having the largest amount of information among the four procedures.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 video conference terminal device 2 remote terminal information storage unit 3 interconnection control unit 4 connection information determination unit 5 terminal optimum information table unit 6 MUX control unit 7 video control unit 8 audio control unit 9 communication interface unit 10 camera 11 monitor 12 microphone 13 Speaker

Claims (7)

[Claims] An interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information for specifying a device type with a partner video conference terminal device, and searching a terminal optimum information table based on the device type information, A connection information determining unit that determines optimal connection information for the other party's video conference terminal device at a minimum that can be received by the video conference terminal device, wherein the interconnection control unit determines the optimal connection information determined by the connection information determination unit. A video conference terminal device for transmitting connection information to a remote video conference terminal device and establishing communication with the remote video conference terminal device. 2. An interconnection control unit for exchanging device type information and connection status information for specifying the device type and connection status with the other party's video conference terminal device, based on the device type information and connection status information. A connection information determining unit that determines the optimal connection information for the partner video conference terminal device at a minimum that can be received by the own video conference terminal device, and the interconnection control unit, A video conference terminal device, wherein the optimal connection information determined by the connection information determination unit is transmitted to a remote video conference terminal device to establish communication with the remote video conference terminal device. 3. The connection information deciding unit decides a priority based on connection state information indicating whether the own video conference terminal device has made a connection or has received a connection in the connection of the video conference terminal device. The video conference terminal device according to claim 1. 4. The video conference terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the interconnection control unit acquires the device type and the connection information based on telephone number information and address information. 5. An interconnection control section for exchanging device type information for specifying a device type with a partner video conference terminal device, searching a terminal optimum information table based on the device type information, A connection information determining unit for determining the minimum connection information that can be transmitted by the own video conference terminal and is optimal for the partner video conference terminal device from a plurality of pieces of connection information sent from the device; Transmitting the optimum connection information determined by the connection information determination unit to the other party's video conference terminal device and establishing communication with the other party's video conference terminal device. 6. Exchanging device type information for specifying the device type and the previous connection status information with the other party's video conference terminal device, and when the line is interrupted for some reason or when the user reconnects A video conference terminal device, further comprising an interconnection control unit for minimizing communication establishment from the immediately preceding connection state information in the connection state information. 7. The connection control unit according to claim 1, wherein, when performing the connection procedure, the interconnection control unit starts by giving priority to the audio connection, and then performs the video connection. 5. The video conference terminal device according to 1.