JP2004080143A - Communication apparatus and management method thereof, and videophone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine arithmetic operation parameters used for elimination of the echo components of voice in media information in accordance with an installation environment of a media input output apparatus in managing an optional media input apparatus and an optional media output apparatus, which are connected to a network as the media input output apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A group management section 407 selects the optional media input apparatus and the optional media output apparatus out of a plurality of media input apparatuses to receive media information and a plurality of media output apparatuses outputting the media information which are connected to the network as the media input output apparatus and manages them. Then an echo cancel DSP 405 determines the arithmetic operation parameters used to eliminate the echo component of the voice in the media information inputted / outputted by the managed media input output apparatus according to the installation environment of the media input output apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device connected to a network for communicating media information with a remote point, a management method thereof, and a videophone system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, dial-up connection using an analog line (PSTN) or a digital line (ISDN), which requires a communication fee in addition to a provider fee, is mainly used to connect a general household to the Internet.
[0003]
However, recently, fixed-rate IP connection using a dedicated line such as a so-called Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or a CATV network, which enables digital data communication while making a call through one telephone line, is also available. Operation has begun. As described above, when the Internet is constantly connected to the terminals of ordinary households, communication means such as telephones and faxes, which used to use the public line network, can now be performed by IP packet communication using the packet communication network. It is becoming.
[0004]
Therefore, a packet communication terminal device that transmits moving images, voices, still images, and other multimedia information over a LAN is currently in H.264. 323 is recommended. This H. The use of terminal equipment according to the H.323 recommendation and the use of a constant connection to the Internet have made it possible to realize communication means such as an IP telephone and a video telephone system with a fixed usage fee.
[0005]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video conference device. In FIG. This is a video conference device main body according to the H.323 recommendation. Reference numeral 101 denotes a video / audio codec, which includes a plurality of functions as a video decoding unit, an audio decoding unit, a video encoding unit, and an audio encoding unit, which will be described later, and is realized by a digital signal processor (DSP) or the like. .
[0006]
A delay processing unit 102 processes a delay added to a media stream in consideration of maintaining synchronization and a packet arrival jitter in a network, and further delays received encoded audio information for a predetermined period to synchronize with video information. It is also provided to take (lip sync). Reference numeral 103 depackets the received video packets and audio packets, and reconstructs coded video information and coded audio information. 104 performs packetization processing on the encoded video information and audio information into video packets and audio packets.
[0007]
Reference numeral 105 denotes a call control / system control unit, which provides signaling for appropriate operation. The functions provided here include call control, capability information exchange, command and notification signaling, and establishment of logical channels. 106 arranges the transmitted video, audio, data, and control streams according to the format for output to the LAN interface unit 107, and converts the received video, audio, data, and control streams from the message input from the LAN interface unit 107. Take out. Furthermore, it provides logical framing, sequence number addition, error detection, and error correction functions according to each media type. A LAN interface (I / F) unit 107 performs necessary adaptation between the network and the terminal, and 120 is a packet network such as a LAN.
[0008]
121 is a video output device such as a video monitor, 122 is a video input device such as a video camera, 123 is an audio output device such as a speaker, 124 is an audio input device such as a microphone, and 123 and 124 are integrated as a device. Sometimes used as a phone.
[0009]
In the video / audio codec 101, reference numeral 111 denotes a video decoding unit for expanding and decoding received coded video information and outputting it to a video monitor 121. Reference numeral 113 denotes a video coding unit for compressing and coding a video signal from a video camera 122. And 111 and 113 are, for example, H.264. 261, H .; 263 and the like. 112 is an audio decoding unit that expands and decodes the received encoded audio information and outputs it to the speaker 123, 114 is an audio encoding unit that compresses and encodes the audio signal from the microphone 124, and 112 and 114 are For example, G. 711, G.R. An operation based on a standard such as 723.1 is performed.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a speakerphone with an echo canceller used by connecting to a conventional video conference apparatus. As shown in the figure, the audio output from the speaker output terminal is input to the echo canceller 201, and is divided into a path going to the amplifier 202 and a path going to the delay difference block. The audio output is amplified by the amplifier 202, and the audio is output from the speaker 203. The output voice is reflected on a wall, a ceiling, or the like, and is input to the microphone 204 as an echo 205. The input from the microphone 204 enters the echo canceller 201, where the difference from the converted and delayed speaker output is obtained, the echo component is canceled, and the result is output to the microphone terminal.
[0011]
By the way, the delay time of the reflected sound from the speaker, the attenuation characteristic for each frequency, and the like differ depending on the installation environment. Therefore, in order to operate the echo canceller optimally, learning of parameters is generally performed. When the power of the speakerphone is turned on, a predetermined learning sound is output from the speaker. The echo is input from a microphone, and the echo is canceled by adjusting the parameters of the echo canceller so as to remove the echo component. Such products include, for example, Polycom sound stations.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the input / output devices such as the camera, the speaker, the microphone, and the monitor in the above-described conventional example are all directly connected to the video conference device, their uses are occupied exclusively for the video conference device. Therefore, the device could not be used for other purposes, even when not in a meeting. In addition, the arrangement position is also limited to the vicinity of the installation location of the video conference device main body, and it cannot be installed at a free position in the room.
[0013]
Further, since the parameters of the echo canceller between the camera and the speaker are set when the power is turned on, the power must be turned off / on every time the connection is changed. If this is forgotten, there is a problem that an echo is generated because parameters are not adjusted in accordance with the installation environment, and it is difficult to hear the sound when performing a video conference.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when managing an arbitrary media input device and an arbitrary media output device connected to a network as a media input / output device, the media input / output device It is an object of the present invention to determine a calculation parameter used for removing an echo component of a sound in media information according to an installation environment of the media information.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a communication device connected to a network for communicating media information with a remote point, comprising a plurality of media connected to a network for inputting media information. A management unit that selects and manages an arbitrary media input device and an arbitrary media output device as a media input / output device from among an input device and a plurality of media output devices for outputting media information; And echo canceling means for removing, by a predetermined operation, an echo component of audio in the media information input / output by the media input / output device.
[0016]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of managing a communication device connected to a network and performing communication of media information with a remote point, comprising the steps of: A plurality of media input devices and a plurality of media output devices for outputting media information, a management step of selecting and managing any media input device and any media output device as media input / output devices; And an echo canceling step of removing, by a predetermined operation, an echo component of audio in the media information input / output by the media input / output device managed by the management step.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
As an example of a packet communication terminal system according to the present embodiment, a videophone system of a general home in which a LAN environment based on ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is introduced will be described.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the videophone system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a telephone line 301 is connected to a splitter 302, and the splitter 302 separates a low-frequency component composed of an audio signal and a high-frequency component carrying a data signal flowing through a LAN line by a filter. The voice signal component is sent to the telephone 303 and the data signal component is sent to the ADSL modem 304. The output from the ADSL modem 304 is input to the HUB 305, where it is distributed to a plurality of LAN cables.
[0020]
Reference numeral 310 denotes a packet communication terminal according to the present embodiment, and a plurality of devices for inputting and outputting audio and video are connected to the LAN via the HUB 305. Reference numeral 320 denotes a network camera with a camera platform that has a LAN interface, compresses and encodes the camera input and sends the data to the LAN, 321 denotes a normal large-screen television for home use, and 330 denotes a video input terminal and an audio input terminal of the television 321. A monitor and speaker adapter 331 for outputting video and audio from the terminal 310 via the LAN to the television, and an infrared remote controller 331 for controlling the adapter 330. Reference numeral 340 denotes a network microphone having a LAN interface and packetizing voice input and sending the packet to the LAN.
[0021]
With the above configuration, the camera 320, the microphone 340, the monitor of the television 321 and the speaker (hereinafter, remote terminal) are connected to the terminal 310 via the LAN interface, and constitute a video conference system.
[0022]
On the other hand, when watching a television program on the television 321, the microphone 340 and the speaker of the television 321 cannot be used for the purpose of a video conference, so another remote terminal is required as an alternative in that case.
[0023]
Reference numeral 350 denotes a camera adapter which inputs an image of a normal video camera 351, compresses and encodes and packetizes the video, and outputs the video to a LAN interface. 360 is a network video monitor having a LAN interface. 370 has a LAN interface. Network speaker that receives and outputs
[0024]
Next, a detailed configuration of the packet communication terminal 310 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the packet communication terminal 310. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a protocol control unit which arranges video, audio, data, and control streams to be transmitted according to a format so as to be output to a LAN interface (I / F) unit 408, and receives an input from the LAN interface unit 408. Extract the received video, audio, data and control streams from the received message. Then, it provides logical framing, sequence number addition, error detection, and error correction functions according to each media type. Reference numeral 402 denotes a call control / system control unit, which provides signaling for appropriate operation. The functions provided here include call control, capability information exchange, command and notification signaling, establishment of logical channels, and the like. An operation control unit 403 controls devices according to user operation information received from connected devices on the LAN.
[0026]
Reference numeral 404 denotes an audio codec for decoding encoded voice from a remote terminal and compression-coding a voice signal from a microphone. 711, G.R. An operation based on a standard such as 723.1 is performed. An echo canceling DSP 405 cancels an acoustic echo between the speaker and the microphone. A group management unit 407 manages information such as the IP address and video encoding / decoding capability of the connected devices grouped with the communication terminal 310. A packetization / depacketization control unit 406 converts a destination IP address of a video packet received from a remote terminal into an IP address of a grouped video monitor adapter based on information from a group management unit 407, and The data is transmitted to the LAN via the interface unit 408.
[0027]
Also, the packetization / depacketization control unit 406 converts the destination address of the video packets from the grouped network cameras into the remote terminal, converts the source address into the address of the main body, and transmits it to the remote terminal. Further, the coded voice information received from the remote terminal is adjusted to an appropriate timing by the reception path delay unit 409, and then passed to the audio codec 404. Further, audio information from the grouped network microphones is passed to the echo cancellation DSP 405. A LAN interface 408 controls communication between the LAN line 120 and the terminal 310.
[0028]
Next, the flow of data between the echo cancellation DSP 405 and the audio codec 404 and the echo cancellation in the echo cancellation DSP 405 will be described.
[0029]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow between the echo cancellation DSP 405 and the audio codec 404. First, the coded voice information of the remote terminal passed from the packetization / depacketization control unit 406 is decompressed and decoded by the decoder unit 502 of the audio codec 404 after appropriate timing is taken by the reception path delay unit 409. , Is passed to the echo cancel DSP 405. The echo cancellation DSP 405 passes data to the packetization / depacketization control unit 406 and data to the delay filter 503 in order to packetize the decoded audio information and pass it to the speaker unit. The delay filter 503 is parameter-controlled by the filter control 504 to convert and delay received data.
[0030]
On the other hand, the input voice from the microphone unit is received by the LAN interface unit 408, depacketized by the packetization / depacketization control unit 406, and passed to the echo cancellation DSP 405. Then, in the echo cancellation DSP 405, the difference calculator 505 takes the difference from the information from the delay filter 503, and the echo component is removed. The microphone audio information after the echo removal is compressed / encoded by the encoder 501 of the audio codec 404 by a predetermined method, and the compressed / encoded audio information is packetized by the packetization / depacketization control unit 406. The data is transmitted to the remote terminal via the LAN interface unit 408.
[0031]
Here, the configuration of the remote terminal (audio and video input / output unit) connected to the LAN will be described in order.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the monitor & speaker adapter 330. Reference numeral 601 denotes a LAN interface unit for receiving audio packet data, video packet data, and control data from the communication terminal 310; 602, a depacketizing control unit for extracting data from the received packet; 604 is a reception path delay section for reproducing and lip-syncing, 604 is a video decoding section for decoding the compressed video data, and 605 is for converting the decoded digital video information into an NTSC analog signal and outputting it to a monitor. A video interface unit for passing, 606 is a D / A conversion unit for converting received digital audio data into an analog signal, 607 is an amplifier for expanding the analog audio signal to an appropriate output level and passing it to a speaker, and 608 is red. Remote controller that accepts user input from outside remote controller 331 Light unit, 609 is an operation system control unit that controls the reception system a user operation.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the network video monitor 360. Incidentally, 601 to 605 and 608 are the same as the configuration of the monitor & speaker adapter 330 shown in FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a video monitor unit which receives a video signal from the video interface unit 605 and displays the video signal. An operation / system control unit 702 controls the entire system according to user operation data from the infrared light receiving unit 608 and control data received from the communication terminal 310.
[0034]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of the network speaker 370. Note that 601 to 603, 606 and 607 have the same configuration as the monitor & speaker adapter 330 shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a speaker unit that outputs an audio signal from the amplifier 607, and 802 denotes an operation / system control unit that controls the entire system.
[0035]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the network camera 320. Reference numeral 901 denotes a camera unit that captures an image of a subject to generate a digital video signal; 902, a video encoding unit that compresses and encodes a video signal from the camera unit 901 by a predetermined method such as, for example, H263; A packetization control unit 904 for packetizing the video signal into an RTP (Real Time Protocol) video packet; a LAN interface 904 for transmitting video packet data to the communication terminal 310 via the LAN and receiving a control packet from the communication terminal 310 And 905, an operation / system control unit that receives control data from the communication terminal 310 and controls the system, and 906, a pan head unit that operates according to control from the control unit 905.
[0036]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the network microphone 340. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a microphone unit that converts audio into an electric signal; 1002, an A / D converter that converts an analog audio signal from the microphone unit 1001 into a digital signal; and 1003, a packetization control unit that packetizes audio data into RTP audio packets. , 1004 is a LAN interface unit for transmitting packetized voice data to the communication terminal 310 and receiving a control packet from the communication terminal 310. 1005 is an operation / system control for controlling the system according to the control data received from the communication terminal 310. Department.
[0037]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of the camera adapter 350. Note that 902 to 904 are the same as the configuration of the network camera 320 shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes a camera interface that receives an NTSC signal from the video camera 351, converts the NTSC signal into a digital video signal, and outputs the digital video signal. Reference numeral 1102 denotes an operation / system control unit that controls the system according to control from the communication terminal 310.
[0038]
Next, the learning timing of the echo canceller in the present embodiment will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the echo canceller learning process. First, the network camera 320 with a camera platform, the monitor & speaker adapter 330, and the network microphone 340 are grouped. That is, the large screen TV 321 is used as a monitor and a speaker of the video conference system. When the user watches a television program on the television 321 from this state, the screen and speakers of the television 321 are used for the television program, and thus cannot be used as a video conference system. Thus, the user selects an alternative monitor, speaker and camera.
[0040]
First, the user uses the infrared remote controller 331 to instruct the camera 320 to cancel the group. The infrared light of the remote controller is received by the monitor & speaker adapter 330, and control data including user operation data is transmitted to the communication terminal 310. Accordingly, the communication terminal 310 receives the user operation control data and releases the camera 320 from the management table in the group management unit 407. Then, control data for canceling grouping is transmitted from the communication terminal 310 to the camera 320 (step S101).
[0041]
Next, the user uses the infrared remote controller 331 to newly instruct grouping of the camera adapters 350. The instruction is sent to the communication terminal 310, and the grouping of the camera adapter 350 is registered in the management table in the group management unit 407. Then, control data for instructing grouping is transmitted from communication terminal 310 to camera adapter 350 (step S102).
[0042]
Next, the user uses the infrared remote controller 331 to instruct the monitor & speaker adapter 330 to cancel grouping. The instruction is sent to the communication terminal 310, and the grouping is released from the management table in the group management unit 407. The communication terminal 310 transmits control data for instructing cancellation of grouping to the monitor & speaker adapter 330 (step S103). Thereafter, all the infrared light from the infrared remote controller 331 is received by the infrared light receiving unit of the network video monitor 360, and the control data is sent to the communication terminal 310.
[0043]
Next, the user uses the infrared remote controller 331 to instruct grouping of the network video monitors 360. The infrared light of the remote controller is received by the infrared light receiving unit of the network video monitor 360, and the operation data is transmitted from the network video monitor 360 to the communication terminal 310. The group management unit 407 of the communication terminal 310 groups the network video monitors 360. Then, control data for instructing grouping is transmitted from communication terminal 310 to network video monitor 360 (step S104).
[0044]
Next, the user instructs grouping of network speakers 370 with remote controller 331, and control data is transmitted to communication terminal 310. The group management unit 407 of the communication terminal 310 groups the network speakers 370. Then, control data for instructing grouping is transmitted from communication terminal 310 to network speaker 370 (step S105).
[0045]
Since the microphone 340 and the speaker 370 are grouped by the group management unit 407 of the communication terminal 310 by the above-described process, the process proceeds to the echo canceller learning process.
[0046]
Here, the learning of the parameters is instructed to the filter control unit 504 of the echo cancellation DSP 405 (step S106). Next, control data for instructing the grouped microphones 340 to start transmitting input voice to the communication terminal 310 is transmitted via the LAN interface unit 408 (step S107).
[0047]
Next, the audio codec 404 is controlled to create predetermined learning sound data, and passes it to the echo cancel DSP 405 (step S108). Then, the data input to the echo cancellation DSP 405 is divided into two paths. That is, one path passes through the delay filter 503, and the other path is sent as it is to the packetization / depacketization control unit 406, packetized, and transmitted to the speaker 370 via the LAN interface unit 408 (step S109). ).
[0048]
As a result, the learning sound data is output from the speaker 370, and the echo is input by the microphone 340. The input echo is transmitted to the communication terminal 310 via the LAN. Further, the communication terminal 310 receives the echo data from the microphone, the acoustic signal data is extracted by the packetization / depacketization control unit 406, and is sent to the echo cancellation DSP 405 (step S110). The parameter of the delay filter 503 is adjusted by the filter control unit 504 of the echo cancellation DSP 405, and the learning of the echo canceller is completed. Then, the learned parameters are stored in the group management unit 407 (step S111).
[0049]
As described above, when a combination of a microphone and a speaker used in the video conference system using the communication terminal 310 is newly selected, the learning of the echo canceller is automatically performed, and the video conference with the remote terminal is performed. Sometimes acoustic echo is properly canceled.
[0050]
[Other embodiments]
Although not specifically described in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a speaker adapter 380 connected to the audio input of the system component 381 and flowing packetized audio from the LAN to the speaker of the system component 381. Alternatively, a microphone adapter 390 that packetizes an input from the normal microphone 391 and sends the packet to the LAN may be provided. The configuration of the microphone adapter 390 and the speaker adapter in that case will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the microphone adapter 390. Reference numeral 1301 denotes a microphone interface for receiving an analog signal from the microphone. Note that 1002 to 1005 have the same configuration as the network microphone 340 shown in FIG.
[0052]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of the speaker adapter 380. This is a configuration in which a portion related to audio is extracted from the configuration of the monitor & speaker adapter 330 shown in FIG. Reference numerals 601 to 603, 606 and 607 are the same as those shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1401 denotes an operation / system control unit that controls the system according to a control packet from the communication terminal 310.
[0053]
Also, in the present embodiment, the LAN connection between the packet communication terminal 310 and the remote terminal (audio and video input / output unit) is made by wire, but may be made by wireless.
[0054]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a videophone system according to another embodiment. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 1500 denotes a HUB type wireless LAN access device for performing connection and conversion between a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. In this case, the configuration of the remote terminal using the wireless LAN is the same except that the LAN interface unit is changed from wired to wireless, and other configurations are not changed. The same applies to the operation and the processing of the system.
[0055]
According to the embodiment described above, input / output units such as a camera, a speaker, a microphone, and a monitor need only be connected to a network, and may be installed at an arbitrary position. You can choose freely. This effect is particularly noticeable when the network is a wireless LAN or a power line LAN.
[0056]
In addition, when the camera and the speaker are grouped, the training of the echo canceller is automatically performed. Therefore, even if the grouping is changed, the echo is not bothered by the video conference.
[0057]
Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), the present invention can be applied to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, etc.) including one device. May be applied.
[0058]
Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code thus read.
[0059]
In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0060]
As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.
[0061]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0062]
Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when managing an arbitrary media input device and an arbitrary media output device connected to a network as a media input / output device, depending on the installation environment of the media input / output device, Thus, by determining the calculation parameters used for removing the echo component of the audio in the media information, the echo canceling process can be appropriately performed even if the media input device and the media output device are freely combined.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video conference device.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a speakerphone with an echo canceller used by connecting to a conventional video conference device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a videophone system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the packet communication terminal 310.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow between the echo cancel DSP 405 and the audio codec 404.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a monitor & speaker adapter 330.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network video monitor 360.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network speaker 370.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network camera 320.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network microphone 340.
11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera adapter 350. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an echo canceller learning process.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microphone adapter 390.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a speaker adapter 380.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a videophone system according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
301 telephone line
302 splitter
304 ADSL modem
305 HUB
310 packet communication terminal
320 Network Camera with Head
321 TV
330 Monitor & Speaker Adapter
331 infrared remote control
340 network microphone
350 Camera Adapter
351 video camera
360 Network Video Monitor
370 Network Speaker
380 Speaker Adapter
381 System component (speaker)
390 Microphone Adapter
391 microphone
401 Protocol control unit
402 call control / system control unit
403 Operation control unit
404 audio codec
405 Echo cancellation DSP
406 Packetization / depacketization control unit
407 Group Management Department

Claims (7)

A communication device connected to a network for communicating media information with a remote point,
Among a plurality of media input devices for inputting media information and a plurality of media output devices for outputting media information, which are network-connected, any media input device and any media output device can be used as media input / output devices. Management means to select and manage as
A communication apparatus comprising: echo canceling means for removing, by a predetermined operation, an echo component of audio in the media information input / output by the media input / output device managed by the management means. The echo canceling unit determines a parameter used for the predetermined calculation according to an installation environment of the media input / output device, and a timing for determining the parameter is determined by the management unit using any media input device and any media output device. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing is a timing for managing the media as a media input / output device. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the network is a local area network, and is always connected to the Internet via an asymmetric digital subscriber line. A videophone system comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the media input / output device. A method for managing a communication device connected to a network and communicating media information with a remote point,
Among a plurality of media input devices for inputting media information and a plurality of media output devices for outputting media information, which are network-connected, any media input device and any media output device can be used as media input / output devices. A management process to select and manage as
An echo canceling step of removing, by a predetermined operation, an echo component of audio in the media information input / output by the media input / output device managed in the managing step. A program for causing a computer to function as the communication device according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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