JP2002354448A - Method and system for managing communication - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for managing communication in which media data, e.g. audio data or video data, can be distributed or delivered freely utilizing a network. SOLUTION: A distributing section 11 distributes media data outputted from a unit connected through a network to designated units and an object managing section 16 makes a decision whether the media data requires conversion of format or not based on the management information of each unit. If conversion is required, the distributing section 11 distributes media data subjected to conversion of format at the media converting section 14 to designated units.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication management method and apparatus, and more particularly to a communication management method and apparatus for distributing media data such as audio data and video data using a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the improvement of performance of AV equipment, etc.,
These devices have been used in various situations. For example, in a scene such as a lecture or a meeting, materials such as slides and images of a speaker (speaker) are displayed on a projector, and sound is output from a speaker or the like.

[0003] In such a case, the video to be displayed on the projector and the audio to be output are often output from a plurality of sources. For example, a video signal that displays a slide
The video signal output from the computer and displaying the video of the speaker is output from the video camera. Therefore, it is necessary to sequentially switch and output (display, etc.) data from a plurality of sources, and signal switching can be performed using a signal distributor based on circuit switching technology represented by a matrix switcher. General.

In a signal distributor based on the circuit switching technology, various devices serving as signal sources are connected to the input side of the signal distributor with a cable, and the output side of the signal distributor is connected to a signal output device with a cable. The switch is operated so that the output terminal of the source device and the input terminal of any output device are electrically connected.

On the other hand, recently, not only computers but also AV devices such as video cameras are compatible with networks, and it has become possible to distribute audio signals, video signals, and the like via networks.

[0006]

As described above, recently, AV devices such as video cameras compatible with the network are becoming widespread, and media data output from these devices is distributed via the network. Is increasing. However, signal distributors such as matrix switchers cannot be used in networks because they are based on circuit switching technology.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication management method and apparatus capable of freely distributing and distributing media data such as audio data and video data using a network.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises at least one
In a communication management method for inputting data output from one connected first device to at least one second device connected to the network, an output format of data output from the first device is recognized. Recognizing an input format of data that can be input to the second device, and converting the data output from the first device into data of the input format when the output format is different from the input format. And inputting the data to the second device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the output format and the input format are the same, the data output from the first device is used as is in the second device. It is characterized by inputting to an apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when data output from the first device is input to a plurality of the second devices, , The input format of the data is recognized, the data output from the first device is converted into the data of the input format for each of the second devices, and the data is input to each second device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the output format and the input format are recognized from information registered in advance.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the output format is recognized based on information obtained from the first device immediately before data is output from the first device. The input format is recognized based on information obtained from the second device immediately before data is output from the first device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication management apparatus for inputting data applied from a first device connected to at least one network to a second device connected to at least one network. Data format recognizing means for recognizing an output format of data output from the first device and an input format of data that can be input to the second device; and data for receiving data output by the first device. Receiving means, a data format converting means for converting the data received by the data receiving means into data in the input format based on a recognition result by the data format recognizing means, and converting the data converted by the data format converting means into Data transmission means for transmitting the data to the second device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the output format and the input format recognized by the data format recognition unit are the same, The data received by the data receiving means is transmitted to the second device as it is.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect, when data output from the first device is input to a plurality of the second devices, the data format recognizing means is provided. Recognizing an input format of data for each of the second devices, and wherein the data format conversion means converts data output from the first device to data of an input format for each of the second devices. Features.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an information holding means for holding information on the first device and the second device, wherein the data format recognizing means comprises: The input format and the output format are recognized based on information registered in the information holding unit in advance.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the data format recognizing means is based on information obtained from the first device immediately before data is output from the first device. And recognizing the output format based on information obtained from the second device immediately before data is output from the first device.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a communication management method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network including a switch server provided by the present invention. As shown in the figure, the network 4 to which the switch server 1 is connected includes a plurality of sending-side servers 2 (2-1 to 2-
n) and the receiving server 3 (3-1 to 3-m) are connected.

The sending server 2 sends the media data to the network 4, and the receiving server 3 receives the media data from the network 4, and displays a video, outputs a sound, and the like. The switch server 1 distributes the media data transmitted by the transmitting server 2 to the receiving server 3.

The sending server 2 and the receiving server 3
As long as at least one of them is connected to the network 4, a plurality of switch servers 1 may be connected to the network 4. Also, the receiving server 3
Alternatively, a client running an application software that performs video display, audio output, etc., may be connected.

Next, the configurations of the switch server 1, the sending server 2, and the receiving server 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the switch server 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sending server 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiving server 3.

The switch server 1 includes a distribution unit 11, a stream reception unit 12, a stream reception unit 13, a media conversion unit 14, a combination processing unit 15, and an object management unit 16.
It comprises.

The distribution unit 11 includes a stream receiving unit 12
Distributes the received media data, determines its output destination, and transmits it from the stream transmission unit 13. Before transmitting the media data, the media data is distributed to the media conversion unit 14 and the synthesis processing unit 15 as necessary, and the media conversion in the media conversion unit 14 and the mixing process in the synthesis processing unit 15 are performed. The passed media data is output from the stream transmission unit 13. The distribution unit 11
Does not always sort the media data itself, and in some cases, only the path of the media data may be set.

The stream receiving unit 12 is a
Receives the media data transmitted by the distribution unit 11, and the stream transmission unit 13 transmits the media data distributed by the distribution unit 11 to the receiving server 3 according to the distribution.

The media conversion section 14 converts the format of the media data and the like, and the synthesizing section 15 performs a mixing process and the like of the media data. The object management unit 16 manages information on a source object managed by the sending server 2 and a destination object managed by the receiving server 3. This information is
The format includes the format of the media handled by each object, and may be obtained when each object (the object will be described later) becomes connectable, or may be obtained from each object as necessary. You may.

The sending server 2 includes a stream transmitting unit 21
And source object (SO) 22 (22-1 to 22-)
j). Source object 2
Numeral 2 generates media data, and is composed of, for example, a combination of a video camera and application software (driver), a microphone and application software (driver), and the like. Also,
The source object 22 may be a storage medium that stores media data generated in advance. Note that at least one source object 22 may be provided.

The stream transmitting section 21 transmits the media data output from the source object 22 to the receiving server 3 via the network 4 according to the path set by the switch server 1 or the distribution section 11 of the switch server 1. .

The receiving server 3 includes a stream receiving unit 31
And destination object (DO) 32 (3
2-1 to 32-k). The stream receiving unit 31 receives media data from the network 4.

Destination object 32
Reproduces the media data received by the stream receiving unit 31, and includes, for example, a projector and application software (driver), a speaker (including an amplifier), and application software (driver). It is sufficient that at least one destination object 32 is provided in the receiving server 3.

When a client on which application software for displaying video, outputting audio, etc. operates is used in place of the receiving server 3, the application software corresponds to the destination object 32.

Next, the operation of the switch server 1 will be described based on the flow of media data. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing the flow of media data. In each figure,
The stream receiving unit 12, the stream transmitting unit 13, the stream transmitting unit 21, and the stream receiving unit 31 are omitted.

First, most simply, source object 2
When the media data output by 2-1 is input to the destination object 32-1, the flow of the media data is as shown in FIG. 5A or 5B. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the media data output by the source object 22-1 is input to the distribution unit 11 via the stream transmission unit 21 and the stream reception unit 12, and is transmitted from the distribution unit 11 to the stream transmission unit 13 Is input to the destination object 32-1 via the stream receiving unit 31. FIG.
In the example shown in (b), first, the distribution unit 11 sets a path, and in response to this, the stream transmission unit 21 transmits the media data output by the source object 22-1 via the stream reception unit 31 to the destination. Input to the nation object 32-1.

The media data output from the source object 22-1 is transmitted to the destination object 32.
In the case of inputting to -1 and 32-2, the flow of the media data is as shown in FIG. 5C or 5D. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the media data output by the source object 22-1 is distributed to the distribution unit 1 via the stream transmission unit 21 and the stream reception unit 12.
1 to the stream transmission unit 1 from the distribution unit 11
3. The data is input to the destination object 32-1 and the destination object 32-2 via the stream receiving unit 31. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the media data output by the source object 22-1 is input to the distribution unit 11 via the stream transmission unit 21 and the stream reception unit 12, and is transmitted from the distribution unit 11 to the stream transmission unit 13 , Stream receiving unit 3
1 through the destination object 32-
1 and the stream transmission unit and the stream reception unit 31 according to the path setting by the distribution unit 11.
Is input to the destination object 32-2.

When the media data output by the source object 22-1 and the media data output by the source object 22-2 are combined (mixed) and input to the destination object 32-1, the flow of the media data is as follows. The result is as shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the source object 22-
Media data output by 1 and source object 22
-2 is output to the stream transmission unit 2
1. The data is input to the distribution unit 11 via the stream reception unit 12, and is distributed to the combination processing unit 15 by the distribution unit 11, respectively. The combination processing unit 15 combines the two media data and outputs this to the distribution unit 11. The distribution unit 11 inputs the media data output from the synthesis processing unit 15 to the destination object 32-1 via the stream reception unit 31.

When the media data output from the source object 22-1 and the media data output from the source object 22-2 are combined (mixed) and input to the destination objects 32-1 and 32-2, the media data Is as shown in FIG. 6B. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the media data output by the source object 22-1 and the media data output by the source object 22-2 are transmitted to the distribution unit 11 via the stream transmission unit 21 and the stream reception unit 12. It is input and distributed to the combination processing unit 15 by the distribution unit 11, respectively. In the synthesis processing unit 15, 2
The two media data are combined and output to the distribution unit 11. The distribution unit 11 inputs the media data output from the synthesis processing unit 15 to the destination objects 32-1 and 32-2 via the stream receiving unit 31.

When the media data output from the source object 22-1 is input to the destination object 32-1,
If the format of the media handled by the destination object 32-1 differs from that of the destination object 32-1, the flow of media data is as shown in FIG. 7A. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the source object 22-1
Are output by the stream transmission unit 21,
The data is input to the distribution unit 11 via the stream reception unit 12. The allocating unit 11 determines the source object 22-1 and the destination object 32-based on information of each object managed by the object management unit 16.
When it is confirmed that the format of the media handled by 1 is different, the media data is distributed to the media conversion unit 14. The media conversion unit 14 converts the format of the media data based on the information of each object managed by the object management unit 16 and outputs the result to the distribution unit 11. And the distribution unit 11
Inputs the converted media data to the destination object 32-1 via the stream transmission unit 13 and the stream reception unit 31.

When the media data output by the source object 22-1 is input to the destination objects 32-1 and 32-2, the format of the media handled by the source object 22-1 and the destination object 32-1 is changed. In contrast, if the media formats handled by the source object 22-1 and the destination object 32-2 are the same, the flow of media data is
The result is as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the media data output by the source object 22-1 is transmitted to the stream transmitting unit 21 and the stream receiving unit 12-1.
Is input to the distribution unit 11 via the. Sorting unit 11
Differs in the format of the media handled by the source object 22-1 and the destination object 32-1 based on the information of each object managed by the object management unit 16.
When it is confirmed that the media formats handled by the destination object 32-2 are the same, the media data is distributed to the media conversion unit 14 and the destination object 32-2. The media conversion unit 14 converts the format of the media data based on the information of each object managed by the object management unit 16 and distributes the result to the sorting unit 1.
Output to 1. Then, the distribution unit 11 transmits the format-converted media data to the stream transmission unit 13,
The data is input to the destination object 32-1 via the stream receiving unit 31. On the other hand, the sorting unit 11
Is distributed to the destination object 32-2 by the stream transmission unit 1
3. Input to the destination object 32-2 via the stream receiving unit 31.

The flow of media data described here is merely an example. In addition, both the format conversion of media data and the mixing process are performed.
There is also a flow of media data in which the above cases are variously combined.

Next, the operation of the switch server 1 will be described in terms of the operation of the distribution unit 11. 8 to 13 are diagrams illustrating examples of a UI (user interface) for operating the distribution unit 11. Note that these UIs are displayed on a display (not shown) of the switch server 1,
The operation is performed from an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device. Alternatively, a client (not shown) connected to the network 4 may access the switching server 1 and operate these UIs on the client side.

The UI 100 shown in FIG. 8 includes a source selection button 101 (101-1 to 101-j) corresponding to the source object 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and a destination object 32 (32-1 to 32-1). 32-
Destination selection button 102 corresponding to k)
(102-1 to 102-k), a matrix column 103 indicating the connection status between the objects is displayed. In the UI 100, the source object 22 and the destination object 32 can be arbitrarily connected by operating the source selection button 101 and the destination selection button 102. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the output of the source object 22-1 is connected so as to be input to the destination objects 32-1 and 32-2, and the output of the source object 22-3 is connected to the destination object 32-4. Connected to input. The allocating unit 11 operates based on the settings made by the UI 100. When processing such as format conversion of media data is required, the allocating unit 11 automatically executes the processing.

The UI 110 shown in FIG. 9 includes source selection buttons 111 (111-1 to 111-j) corresponding to the source objects 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and destination objects 32 (32-1 to 32-1). 32-
Destination selection button 112 corresponding to k)
(112-1 to 112-k), a matrix column 113 indicating the connection status between the objects is displayed. This UI 110 is basically the same as the UI 100 shown in FIG. 8, but when the source selection button 101 is operated and the source object 22 is selected, a destination that can be connected to the selected source object 22 is displayed. The destination selection button 112 corresponding to the nation object 32 is highlighted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the source selection button 111-1 corresponding to the source object 22-1 is selected, and accordingly, the destination object 32-1 which can be connected to the source object 22-1, Destination selection buttons 112-1 corresponding to 32-2 and 32-4,
112-2 and 112-4 are highlighted. This eliminates the need for the user to issue an instruction that cannot be connected, for example, an instruction to connect a source object that outputs a video signal and a destination object that reproduces audio. This highlighting is performed by the object management unit 16.
Is performed based on the information about each object managed by. Instead of highlighting, the destination selection button 112 corresponding to the unconnectable destination object 32 may be displayed in gray.

The UI 120 shown in FIG. 10 includes a source selection button 121 (121-1 to 121-j) corresponding to the source object 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and a destination object 32 (32-1 to 32-1). 32-
destination selection button 122 corresponding to k)
(122-1 to 122-k), a matrix column 123 indicating the connection status between the objects, a mixing input button 124 for selecting an input to the mixing process (synthesis processing unit 15), and a mixing for selecting an output from the mixing process. An output button 125 is displayed. This UI 120
Is basically the same as the UI 100 shown in FIG. 8, except that a button for performing a mixing process is added. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the output of the source object 22-1 and the output of the source object 22-2 are subjected to mixing processing, and the result is output to the destination object 32-2.

In the UI 130 shown in FIG. 11, source icons 131 (131-1 to 131-j) corresponding to the source objects 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and a source icon display area 132 where these are arranged, Destination object 32 (32-1 to 32-32)
destination icon 133 corresponding to k)
(133-1 to 133-k) and a destination icon display area 134 where these are arranged. In this UI 130, the source icon 131
By operating the destination icon 133, the source object 22 and the destination object 32 can be arbitrarily connected. For example, in the example shown in FIG.
1 is superimposed (drag and drop) on the destination icons 133-1 and 133-2 corresponding to the destination objects 32-1 and 32-2. , The output of the source object 22-1 is the destination object 32-1 or 32.
-2. The distribution unit 11
The operation is performed based on the settings made by the UI 130. When processing such as format conversion of media data is required, the processing is automatically executed. It should be noted that the operation of the icons does not necessarily require the source icon 131 to be superimposed on the destination icon 133, and the same result can be obtained by operating the destination icon 133 to be superimposed on the source icon 131.

In the UI 140 shown in FIG. 12, source icons 141 (141-1 to 141-j) corresponding to the source objects 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and a source icon display area 142 where these are arranged, Destination object 32 (32-1 to 32-32)
destination icon 143 corresponding to k)
(143-1 to 143-k) and a destination icon display area 144 where these are arranged. This UI 140 is basically the same as the UI 130 shown in FIG. 11, but when the source icon 141 is selected, the selected source icon 141
Is highlighted, the destination icon 143 corresponding to the destination object 32 connectable to the source object 22 corresponding to. For example,
In the example shown in FIG. 12, the source icon 141-1 corresponding to the source object 22-1 has been selected, and
Accordingly, destination objects 32-1 and 32-2 that can be connected to the source object 22-1.
The destination icons 143-1, 143-2, and 143-4 corresponding to 2, 32-4 are highlighted. This eliminates the need for the user to issue an instruction that cannot be connected, for example, an instruction to connect a source object that outputs a video signal and a destination object that reproduces audio. This highlighting is performed based on information on each object managed by the object management unit 16. It should be noted that, instead of highlighting, the destination object 32 which cannot be connected is displayed.
May be displayed in gray. Also, source icon 1
If the destination icon 143 is selected prior to 41, the source icon 141 is highlighted or grayed out.

The UI 150 shown in FIG. 13 includes a source icon 151 (151-1 to 151-j) corresponding to the source object 22 (22-1 to 22-j) and a source icon display area 152 where these are arranged. Destination object 32 (32-1 to 32-32)
Destination icon 153 corresponding to k)
(143-1 to 143-k), a destination icon display area 154 in which these are arranged, a mixing icon 155 corresponding to the mixing process in the synthesis processing unit 15, and a converter icon display area 156 in which these are arranged are displayed. Have been. This UI150
Is basically the same as the UI 130 shown in FIG. 11, except that a mixing icon 155 for performing a mixing process is added.

In the above description, the source object 22 and the destination object 3
Although each of the two has been treated independently, these can also be treated collectively as a group. For example, FIG.
As shown in (a), a source object 22-x for outputting an audio signal and a source object 22-y for outputting a video signal are set as a source group 23. On the other hand, a destination object 32-x for reproducing an audio signal and a destination object 32-y for reproducing a video signal are set as a destination group 33.

When the source group 23 and the destination group 33 are set as described above, the UI for operating the distribution unit 11 is a UI 160 as shown in FIG. The UI 160 is a source group selection button 1 corresponding to the set source group 23.
61 (161-1, 161-2, etc.) and a source selection button 162 (162-162) corresponding to the source object 22.
1), a destination selection button 163 (16) corresponding to the set destination group 33.
3-1, 163-2, etc.), a destination selection button 164 (164-1, etc.) corresponding to the destination object 32, and a matrix column 165 indicating the connection status between the objects. Note that U
The operation of I160 is the same as that of UI 100 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 14C, the source group 23 corresponding to the source group selection button 161-1
Is connected to the destination group 33 corresponding to the destination selection button 163-1.
−x and the destination object 32-x are connected, and the source object 22-y and the destination object 32-y are connected.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, media data output from a device connected via a network is distributed to a specified device and output, and based on management information of each device. Therefore, when conversion of the format of the media data or the like is necessary, the conversion is performed, and then the data is distributed to the designated device, so that the media data output from one device is transmitted to a plurality of devices. Processing such as distribution can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network including a switch server provided by the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the switch server 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sending server 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving server 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (1) showing a flow of media data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram (2) showing a flow of media data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (3) showing a flow of media data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (1) showing an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 9 is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 10 is a diagram (3) showing an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 11 is a diagram (4) showing an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 12 is a diagram (5) showing an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram (6) showing an example of a UI for operating the distribution unit 11;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where objects are handled as a group.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch server 2, 2-1 to 2-n Sending server 3, 3-1 to 3-m Receiving server 4 Network 11 Distributing unit 12 Stream receiving unit 13 Stream receiving unit 14 Media converting unit 15 Combining processing unit 16 Object Management unit 21 Stream transmission unit 22, 22-1 to 22-j, 22-x, 22-y Source object (SO) 23 Source group 32, 32-1 to 32-k, 32-x, 32-y Destination Object (DO) 33 Destination group 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 1
60 UI 101, 111, 121, 162 Source object selection button 102, 112, 122, 164 Destination object selection button 103, 113, 123, 165 Matrix column 131, 141, 151 Source icon 132, 142, 152 Source icon display column 133, 143, 153 Destination icon 134, 144, 154 Destination icon display field 155 Mixing icon 156 Converter icon display area 161 Source group selection button 163 Destination group selection button

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A communication management method for inputting data output from a first device connected to at least one network to a second device connected to at least one network, wherein the data is output from the first device. Recognize the output format of the data to be input and the input format of the data that can be input to the second device, and output the data from the first device when the output format is different from the input format. A communication management method comprising: converting data into the input format data; and inputting the converted data to the second device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the output format is the same as the input format, data output from the first device is directly input to the second device. Communication management method. 3. When data output from the first device is input to a plurality of second devices, an input format of data for each of the second devices is recognized and the first device is recognized. 2. The communication management method according to claim 1, wherein the data output from the second device is converted into data of an input format for each of the second devices and input to each of the second devices. 4. The communication management method according to claim 1, wherein the output format and the input format are recognized from information registered in advance. 5. The output format is recognized based on information obtained from the first device immediately before data is output from the first device, and the input format is data from the first device. Just before the second
2. The communication management method according to claim 1, wherein the recognition is performed based on information obtained from the device. 6. A communication management device for inputting data from a first device connected to at least one network to a second device connected to at least one network, wherein the first device is connected to the first device connected to the network. A data format recognizing unit that recognizes an output format of data to be output and an input format of data that can be input to the second device; a data receiving unit that receives data output by the first device; Data format conversion means for converting the data received by the data reception means into the input format data based on the recognition result by the recognition means; and transmitting the data converted by the data format conversion means to the second device. A communication management device comprising: a data transmission unit. 7. When the output format and the input format recognized by the data format recognizing unit are the same, the data transmitting unit transmits the data received by the data receiving unit as it is to the second device. The communication management device according to claim 6, wherein the communication management device transmits the communication management device. 8. When data output from the first device is input to a plurality of second devices, the data format recognition unit recognizes an input format of data for each of the second devices. 7. The communication management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said data format conversion means converts data output from said first device into data in an input format for each of said second devices. 9. An information holding unit for holding information on the first device and the second device, wherein the data format recognizing unit is configured to store information based on information registered in the information holding unit in advance. The communication management device according to claim 6, wherein the input format and the output format are recognized. 10. The data format recognizing means recognizes the output format based on information obtained from the first device immediately before data is output from the first device. Immediately before data is output, the second
The communication management device according to claim 6, wherein the input format is recognized based on information acquired from the device.