JP2004159127A - Video conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reserve conferences held on the same date and time as many as possible by efficiently materialize conference resource management in a video conference system. <P>SOLUTION: A conference reservation acceptance section 22 receives conference reservation information including the date and time for holding the conferences, the number of involved conference client terminal apparatuses 8 and information on a service zone per terminal apparatus from the terminal apparatuses 8, and determines whether or not reservation acceptance is possible based on the total value of the service zones on the date and time for holding the conferences and the information on the conference reservation. A conference parameter control section 15 decides information on a conference parameter restricting the service zone of the terminal apparatus 8 involved in the conference based on the information on the conference reservation. The conference resource control section 88 of the terminal apparatus 8 conducts control so that the service zone of the self-apparatus may be placed in a zone specified by the information on the conference parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reservation-type real-time video conference system using a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN, and more particularly to a method for efficiently managing and controlling conference resources.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, network services based on an IP (Internet Protocol) network, such as the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network), have become widespread. Also, on the client side, a wideband broadband communication environment is being prepared due to the recent spread of ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) lines and the like.
[0003]
With the spread of the broadband communication environment, a multipoint interactive real-time video conference service using image data having a large communication data amount, such as a video chat service, has begun to be provided. In these multipoint video conferencing systems, each user participating in a conference accesses a conference server device from a terminal device such as a personal computer connected to an IP network, and bidirectional image data and audio are transmitted to each other via the conference server device. It is possible to exchange data and hold a multipoint conference (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).
[0004]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional IP video conference system. In FIG. 8, a conference server device 101 connects a plurality of conference client terminal devices 108-A, 108-B, and 108-C participating in a video conference so as to be capable of two-way communication. The reservation server device 102 receives a reservation for a conference from the conference client terminal devices 108-A, 108-B, and 108-C. The database unit (hereinafter abbreviated as DB unit) 103 stores conference reservation information and user information. The billing server device 104 bills the conference client terminal devices 108-A, 108-B, and 108-C that have participated in the conference. The conference client terminal devices 108-A, 108-B, 108-C are connected to the conference server device 101, the reservation server device 102, and the billing server device 104 via the IP network 105.
[0005]
However, in the IP video conference system using the IP network 105 as shown in FIG. 8, unlike the conventional TV conference system using the telephone line network (ISDN), the number of connections to the conference server device 101 is used for the conference without any change. Does not match the number of resources For example, in the case of the ISDN TV conference system shown in FIG. 9, the number of TV conference client terminal devices 208 that can participate in a conference in the same time period is limited to the number of lines to which the center device 201 such as a server is connected. , And more client terminal devices 208 cannot be connected.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the case of the IP video conference system, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the specifications of the conference client terminal devices 108-A and 108-B to 108-N and the conference client terminal devices 108-A and 108-B to Since the speed of the communication line 109 connecting the IP-108 and the IP network 105 is not uniquely determined, even if the number of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference is the same, the communication required for each conference to be held The bands will be different. Therefore, there is no direct relationship between the bandwidth of the communication line 107 on the side of the conference server device 101 and the number of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference.
[0007]
Further, the required bandwidth of the image data differs greatly depending on the setting of the parameters even if the used coding method is the same, so that the number of bands required for the conference is not uniquely determined. Therefore, in the currently provided IP video conferencing system, a service contract is made with the user based on the maximum number of conference client terminals that can participate in the conference, and the system equipment side provides the maximum number of conference clients. In many cases, equipment having a certain margin is introduced so as to be able to cope with the case where all the terminal devices 108 use the communication line 109 having a high line speed (FIG. 11). For example, in the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that the maximum number of conference client terminal devices is 10, and that each conference client terminal device 108 uses the communication line 109 having a bandwidth of 2 [Mb / s] on the conference server device 101 side. The band of the communication line 107 is set to 20 [Mb / s] or more.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-1999-136367
[Non-patent document 1]
"Multimedia Communication System Based on Packets" (Section 6.6, Characteristics of Multipoint Processor), Recommendation H.323, Information and Communication Technology Committee (TTC), November 27, 1996
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method described with reference to FIG. 11, even if the assumed band is not used during the actual holding of the conference, the system equipment side reserves an extra band, and the band actually remains. There was a possibility. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, among the conference client terminal devices 108 participating in the conference, one conference client terminal device 108-1 accesses using the communication line 109 of the band 2 [Mb / s], and the remaining 9 When two conference client terminal devices 108-2 to 108-10 access using the communication line 109 having a bandwidth of 64 [kb / s], the bandwidth used during the conference is 2.576 [Mb / s]. 17.424 [Mb / s] is left over the band 20 [Mb / s] secured by the system equipment. Therefore, the conventional IP video conferencing system has a problem that efficiency is poor from the viewpoint of effective use of conference resources (band).
[0010]
For the same reason, it is not known how much resources (bandwidth) a conference reserved at a certain time will use during an actual conference until the conference is actually held. There is a problem that it is not known whether or not it is possible to make a reservation for a conference.
[0011]
The present invention, in order to solve the above problems, realizes efficient conference resource (bandwidth) management in an IP video conference system, and a range of conference resources in which a system facility can provide a conference to be held on the same date and time. The purpose is to make as many reservations as possible.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a plurality of terminal devices having at least an image transmission / reception function, a reservation server device connected to the terminal devices via a communication network, and receiving a conference reservation from the terminal devices, and a terminal device and a communication network. And a conference server device connected through a two-way communication between a plurality of terminal devices participating in the video conference, wherein the reservation server device uses a reserved bandwidth of the conference. A conference resource management unit that manages the total value; and a conference reservation including information on the date and time of the conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference, the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference, and the bandwidth used per terminal device. Receiving information, and accepting a reservation based on the total used bandwidth value and the conference reservation information at the date and time managed by the conference resource management unit. A conference reservation receiving unit for determining whether or not the conference reservation information managing unit manages the conference reservation information of the conference determined to be receivable by the conference reservation receiving unit. A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to the conference from the reservation server device at the time of the conference, and a conference that limits a band used by the terminal device participating in the conference based on the acquired conference reservation information. A conference parameter control unit for determining parameter information and transmitting the determined conference parameter information to each terminal device participating in the conference, wherein the terminal device has its own band used specified by the conference parameter information. It is provided with a conference resource control unit for controlling so as to be within the band.
[0013]
Further, in the video conference system of the present invention, the reservation server device includes: a conference resource management unit that manages a total used bandwidth value of the reserved conference; and a conference start date and time and a conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference. Receiving conference reservation information including the number of the terminal devices to participate and information on the total used bandwidth of all the terminal devices participating in the conference, and using the total used bandwidth value at the holding date and time managed by the conference resource management unit and the A conference reservation receiving unit that determines whether a reservation can be received based on the conference reservation information; and a conference reservation information managing unit that manages the conference reservation information of the conference that is determined to be receivable by the conference reservation receiving unit. A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to the conference from the reservation server device when the conference is held, and participates in the conference. A client information management unit that manages information on an actually used bandwidth actually used by the terminal device, and participates in a conference based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the acquired conference reservation information. A conference parameter control unit that determines, for each terminal device, conference parameter information for limiting a band used by the terminal device, and transmits the determined conference parameter information to the corresponding terminal device. Is provided with a conference resource control unit that controls so that the used band is within the band specified by the conference parameter information.
[0014]
Further, in the video conference system of the present invention, the reservation server device includes: a conference resource management unit that manages a total used bandwidth value of the reserved conference; and a conference start date and time and a conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference. Receiving conference reservation information including information on the total used bandwidth of all participating terminal devices, and receiving a reservation based on the total used bandwidth at the holding date and time and the conference reservation information managed by the conference resource management unit. A conference reservation receiving unit for determining whether the conference is possible; and a conference reservation information managing unit for managing the conference reservation information of the conference determined to be receivable by the conference reservation receiving unit. A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to this conference from the reservation server device at the time of the conference, the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference, A client information management unit that manages information on the actually used bandwidth actually used by the terminal device, and participates in a conference based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the acquired conference reservation information. A conference parameter control unit that determines, for each terminal device, conference parameter information for limiting the use band of the terminal device, and transmits the determined conference parameter information to the corresponding terminal device. A conference resource control unit configured to control a used band to be within a band specified by the conference parameter information.
[0015]
Further, in one configuration example of the video conference system of the present invention, the conference resource control unit adjusts a video codec parameter when encoding an image transmitted from the own device, and controls a use band of the own device. is there.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The reservation type IP video conference system receives data from the conference client terminal device 8 and transmits data to the conference client terminal device 8, thereby enabling two-way communication between a plurality of conference client terminal devices participating in the video conference. A conference server device 1 to be connected, a reservation server device 2 for receiving a conference reservation from a conference client terminal device 8, a DB unit 3 for storing conference reservation information and user information (user ID, password, etc.), and participating in a conference Charging server device 4 for charging the conference client terminal device 8, an IP network 5 as a communication network, a conference server device 1, a reservation server device 2, and a router 6 for connecting the charging server device 4 to the IP network 5. A communication line 7 for connecting the router 6 to the IP network 5; The conference terminal 8, a communication line 9 connecting the conference client terminal 8 to the IP network 5, a microphone 90, a speaker 91, a monitor 92 and a camera 93 connected to the conference client terminal 8. I have. Although FIG. 1 shows only one conference client terminal device 8, a plurality of conference client terminal devices 8 are connected to the IP network 5.
[0017]
The conference server device 1 includes an IP network interface unit 10 for connecting to the IP network 5, and an HTTP server function unit 11 for exchanging information with the reservation server device 2 and the conference client terminal device 8 using an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) protocol. A video conference holding function unit 12 for connecting a plurality of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference so as to enable two-way communication; a conference information management unit 13 for managing information on the ongoing conference; The client information management unit 14 that manages the information of the participating conference client terminal devices 8 and the conference parameter information that limits the bandwidth used by the conference client terminal devices 8 that participate in the conference are determined. Send to conference client terminal device 8 And a conference parameter control unit 15.
[0018]
The reservation server device 2 includes an IP network interface unit 20 for connecting to the IP network 5, an HTTP server function unit 21 for exchanging information with the conference server device 1 and the conference client terminal device 8 by the HTTP protocol, and a conference client terminal. A conference reservation receiving unit 22 that receives a reservation from the device 8, a conference resource management unit 23 that manages the total bandwidth used for the reserved conference, and a conference reservation information management that manages the conference reservation information stored in the DB unit 3. It has a unit 24 and a user information management unit 25 that manages user information stored in the DB unit 3.
[0019]
The conference client terminal device 8 has an IP network interface unit 80 for connecting to the IP network 5, a Web browser function unit 81 for connecting to the IP network 5 and displaying a web page, and a conference server device 2. A conference reservation application (hereinafter, abbreviated as AP) unit 82 for reserving a video conference, and a video conference client AP unit 83 for performing a video conference.
[0020]
The video conference client AP unit 83 encodes the audio signal collected by the microphone 10 to generate audio data to be transmitted to the conference server device 1 and converts the audio data received from the conference server device 1 into an analog audio signal. An audio codec unit 84 for outputting the shared data to be transmitted to the conference server device 1, a data conference function unit 85 for displaying the shared data received from the conference server device 1 on the monitor device 92, A video codec that encodes a video signal captured by the camera 93 to generate image data to be transmitted to the conference server device 1, converts the image data received from the conference server device 1 into a video signal, and displays the video signal on the monitor device 92. Unit 86, a conference information management unit 87 that manages information on an ongoing conference, and use of its own device. A conference resource control unit 88 for controlling the area to be within the band specified by the conference parameter information, and adjusting a video codec parameter when encoding an image transmitted from the own apparatus to control the use band of the own apparatus. And a video codec controller 89.
[0021]
The conference reservation AP unit 82 may be realized by dedicated application software, or may be a part of the Web browser function unit 81. Further, in the present embodiment, the conference server device 1 and the reservation server device 2 are configured separately, but the same operation is possible even if the function of the reservation server device 2 is implemented in the conference server device 1.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the reservation type IP video conference system. FIG. 2 shows only one conference client terminal device 8 as in FIG. With reference to FIG. 2, a conference resource management / control method in the reservation type IP video conference system of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the conference server device 1 is connected to the IP network 5 by a communication line 7 in a communication band of WA [b / s].
[0023]
A user who reserves a video conference accesses the reservation server device 2 using the function of the Web browser function unit 81 of the conference client terminal device 8 (step S101 in FIG. 2). The conference reservation receiving unit 22 of the reservation server device 2 requests the input of the user ID and the password to the conference client terminal device 8 of the access source (step S102).
[0024]
The user inputs a user ID and a password to the conference client terminal device 8, and the conference client terminal device 8 transmits the input user ID and password to the reservation server device 2 (step S103). The conference reservation receiving unit 22 of the reservation server device 2 performs user authentication by referring to the user information in the DB unit 3 based on the received user ID and password.
[0025]
If the user authentication is successful, the conference reservation receiving unit 22 transmits data of the conference reservation screen 900 as shown in FIG. 3 to the conference client terminal device 8 of the access source (Step S104). As a result, the conference reservation screen 900 is displayed on the monitor device 92 of the conference client terminal device 8.
[0026]
The user looks at the conference reservation screen 900 displayed on the monitor device 92, and holds the date of the conference, the start time, the conference time, the number M of the conference client terminals 8 participating in the conference, and the conference client terminal 1. Enter the used bandwidth WN [b / s] per unit and press the confirm button on the screen. Thus, the conference reservation information including the date, start time, conference time, the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference, and the bandwidth WN used per conference client terminal device is transmitted from the conference client terminal device 8 to the reservation server. It is transmitted to the device 2 (step S105).
[0027]
Upon receiving the conference reservation information from the conference client terminal device 8, the conference reservation receiving unit 22 of the reservation server device 2 receives the conference reservation information from the conference client terminal device 8 (the start time from the start time until the conference time elapses). In the meantime, an inquiry is made to the conference resource management unit 23 as to whether or not another reservation is made.
[0028]
In response to the inquiry from the conference reservation reception unit 22, the conference resource management unit 23 refers to the reserved conference reservation information stored in the DB unit 3 and specifies the conference reservation information received by the conference reservation reception unit 22. Check if any other reservations have been made during the scheduled time of the date. Then, the conference resource management unit 23 determines that at least one reservation has already been made in the same holding time zone on the same day, and the used bandwidth of the reserved meeting is WB [b / s] in total. This used bandwidth total value WB [b / s] is notified to the conference reservation receiving unit 22.
[0029]
The conference reservation receiving unit 22 holds the conference specified by the remaining band (WA-WB) of the communication line 7 when the reserved conference is held and the conference reservation information received from the conference client terminal device 8. Then, the required bandwidth (M × M × WN) is compared. If (WA−WB) ≧ (M × M × WN), there is room in the bandwidth of the communication line 7, so the conference reservation receiving unit 22 determines that the reservation can be received. If (WA−WB) <(M × M × WN), the bandwidth of the communication line 7 is insufficient, so the conference reservation receiving unit 22 determines that the reservation cannot be received.
[0030]
When the reservation reception is possible, the conference reservation receiving unit 22 records the conference reservation information received from the conference client terminal device 8 in the DB unit 3 as reserved conference reservation information, and displays a reservation permission screen on the conference client terminal device 8. It transmits (step S106). Thus, the reservation of the conference is successful, and the conference can be held at the holding time of the reserved date.
[0031]
Next, an operation when a conference is actually held will be described. The user participating in the conference transmits a conference participation request to the conference server device 1 using the conference client terminal device 8 (step S107). When a conference participation request is received from the conference client terminal device 8, the conference information management unit 13 of the conference server device 1 determines the user information of the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source and the information of the conference in which the conference client terminal device 8 participates. The reservation server 2 is queried for the conference reservation information (step S108).
[0032]
In response to the inquiry from the conference server device 1, the user information management unit 25 of the reservation server device 2 acquires the user information of the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source from the DB 3 and transmits it to the conference server device 1 at the same time. The conference reservation information management unit 24 of the reservation server device 2 acquires the conference reservation information of the conference in which the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source participates from the DB unit 3 and transmits the conference reservation information to the conference server device 1 (step S109). ).
[0033]
Subsequently, the conference information management unit 13 requests the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source to input a user ID and a password (step S110). The user inputs a user ID and a password to the conference client terminal device 8, and the conference client terminal device 8 transmits the input user ID and password to the conference server device 1 (step S111).
[0034]
The conference information management unit 13 of the conference server device 1 performs user authentication by comparing the received user ID and password with the user information received from the reservation server device 2. If the user authentication is successful and the participation of the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source matches the conference reservation information received from the reservation server device 2, the conference information management unit 13 determines that the participation in the conference is successful. It is determined that it is appropriate, and the conference client terminal device 8 of the participation request source is permitted to participate in the conference (step S112).
[0035]
At this time, the conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 transmits the conference parameter information for controlling the bandwidth used by the conference client terminal device 8 that has requested the participation at the same time as transmitting the conference participation permission. The conference parameter information includes information on the used bandwidth WN per conference client terminal device acquired from the conference reservation information transmitted from the reservation server device 2.
[0036]
The conference resource control unit 88 of the conference client terminal device 8 that has received the conference parameter information performs control so that the band used by the own device falls within the used band WN specified by the conference parameter information. The use band may be controlled by controlling all three of the audio codec unit 84, the data conference function unit 85, and the video codec unit 86. In the present embodiment, the image data having the largest proportion of the use band is used. Is adjusted to control the band used.
[0037]
That is, the conference resource control unit 88 controls the video codec unit 86 through the video codec control unit 89. The video codec control unit 89 controls the size and frame rate of the image data so that the used band of the image data captured by the camera 93 and encoded by the video codec unit 86 falls within the used band WN specified by the conference parameter information. Adjust video codec parameters such as.
[0038]
Thus, audio data collected by the microphone 90 and encoded by the audio codec unit 84, shared data used for document sharing and text chat by the data conference function unit 85, and used bandwidth output from the video codec unit 86 The adjusted image data is transmitted from the conference client terminal device 8 to the conference server device 1 (step S113).
[0039]
Upon receiving the audio data, the shared data, and the image data from the conference client terminal device 8, the video conference holding function unit 12 of the conference server device 1 transmits the received data to all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference. (Step S114). In each conference client terminal device 8, the audio data transmitted from the conference server device 1 is converted into an analog audio signal by the audio codec unit 84 and output from the speaker 91, and the shared data transmitted from the conference server device 1 is converted into a data conference. The image data transmitted from the conference server device 1 is converted into a video signal by the video codec unit 86 and displayed on the monitor device 92 by the function unit 85.
[0040]
Since the bandwidth used by each conference client terminal device 8 is controlled to be within WN [b / s], the communication volume between one conference client terminal device 8 and the conference server device 1 is (M × WN) [b / s] or less. Then, the total bandwidth used in the entire conference is equal to or less than (M × M × WN) [b / s], and the bandwidth beyond that reserved by the conference reservation information is not used. Therefore, if the reservation server has made a reservation for another conference in the same time zone, the conference can be held at the same time.
[0041]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This embodiment describes the first embodiment more specifically.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, a communication line 7 for connecting the equipment on the video conference server side composed of the conference server device 1, the reservation server device 2, the DB unit 3, the billing server device 4, and the router 6 to the IP network 5 Is a dedicated line of 6 [Mb / s]. Also, there are six conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, 8-D, 8-E, 8-F, of which the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B are provided. , 8-C are connected to the IP network 5 by an ADSL line which is a communication line 9 having a bandwidth of 1.5 [Mb / s], and the conference client terminal devices 8-D, 8-E, 8-F. Are connected to the IP network 5 through an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, which is a communication line 9 having a bandwidth of 64 [kb / s].
[0043]
The user A accesses the reservation server device 2 from the conference client terminal device 8-A, and makes a first conference reservation. At this time, the user A has three conference client terminal devices to participate in the conference, the user A who uses the conference client terminal device 8-B as the conference participating user, and the user C who uses the conference client terminal device 8-C. In this case, 500 [kb / s] is reserved as the used bandwidth WN per one conference client terminal device.
[0044]
Assuming that no other reservation is made in the holding time period of the holding date on which the user A has made a reservation, the band required for the first conference is 500 × 3 × 3 = 4.5 [Mb / s]. Become. Since the bandwidth required for the first conference is smaller than the bandwidth 6 [Mb / s] of the communication line 7 of the video conference server-side equipment, the reservation of the first conference is permitted, and the conference reservation for the first conference is permitted. The information is recorded in the DB unit 3 of the reservation server device 2.
[0045]
Next, it is assumed that the user D reserves the second conference from the conference client terminal device 8-D in the same holding time period as the user A has reserved. The user D is assumed to have three conference client terminal devices participating in the conference, and assume that the user D and the user E who use the conference client terminal device 8-E and the user F who use the conference client terminal device 8-F as the conference participation users. I do.
[0046]
At this time, if the user D assumes 500 [kb / s] as the bandwidth WN used per conference client terminal device, the bandwidth required for the second conference is 500 × 3 × 3 = 4. 5 [Mb / s]. However, since the reservation of the first conference has already been made, the remaining band of the communication line 7 in the time slot where the user D wants to make a reservation is 6-4.5 = 1.5 [Mb / s]. , The bandwidth 4.5 [Mb / s] required for the second conference cannot be secured.
[0047]
However, the three conference client terminals 8-D, 8-E and 8-F are all connected to the IP network 5 by a communication line (ISDN line) 9 having a bandwidth of 64 [kb / s]. The bandwidth used per conference client terminal device may be assumed to be 64 [kb / s]. In this case, the band required for the second conference is 64 × 3 × 3 = 0.576 [Mb / s]. Therefore, if the user D inputs the used bandwidth WN per conference client terminal device to the conference reservation screen 900 as 64 [kb / s], the second conference is also reserved.
[0048]
When it is time to hold the meeting, the first meeting and the second meeting are held at the same time. The three conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B and 8-C participating in the first conference respectively use the bandwidth used by the conference server device 1 (for data transmitted and received with the conference server device 1) when participating in the conference. Of the communication line 7 used for the first conference is 4.5 [Mb / s] or less.
[0049]
On the other hand, the three conference client terminal devices 8-D, 8-E, and 8-F participating in the second conference have a usage band of 64 [kb / s] from the conference server device 1 when participating in the conference. Therefore, the bandwidth of the communication line 7 used for the second conference is 0.576 [Mb / s] or less.
[0050]
Therefore, a total bandwidth of 5.076 [Mb / s] or less is used for the first conference and the second conference, and this bandwidth is smaller than the bandwidth 6 [Mb / s] of the communication line 7. , The first meeting and the second meeting are both normally held.
[0051]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of the reservation type IP video conference system are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description will be made with reference to FIGS. The difference from the first and second embodiments is that, in the above-mentioned conference reservation information, instead of the used bandwidth WN [b / s] per conference client terminal device, all conference clients participating in the conference are replaced. The point is that the total used bandwidth WT [b / s] of the terminal device 8 is reserved. FIG. 5 shows a conference reservation screen 900 in this case.
[0052]
Thus, in the present embodiment, the date, start time, conference time, the number M [units] of conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference, and the total used bandwidth of all conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference Conference reservation information including WT [b / s] is transmitted from the conference client terminal device 8 to the reservation server device 2.
[0053]
The conference reservation receiving unit 22 of the reservation server device 2 inquires of the conference resource management unit 23 whether or not another reservation is made in the holding time zone of the date specified in the conference reservation information. The conference resource management unit 23 determines that at least one reservation has already been made in the holding time zone of the date specified by the conference reservation information received by the conference reservation reception unit 22, and the used bandwidth of the reserved conference is If WB [b / s] is obtained, the total used bandwidth WB [b / s] is notified to the conference reservation receiving unit 22. The conference reservation receiving unit 22 compares the remaining bandwidth (WA-WB) of the communication line 7 when a reserved conference is held with the total used bandwidth WT specified in the received conference reservation information.
[0054]
If (WA−WB) ≧ WT, there is room in the bandwidth of the communication line 7, so the conference reservation accepting unit 22 determines that the reservation can be accepted. If (WA-WB) <WT, the bandwidth of the communication line 7 is insufficient, so the conference reservation receiving unit 22 determines that the reservation cannot be received.
[0055]
The bandwidth that can be used by one conference client terminal device 8 when the conference is held is assumed to be (WT @ M @ M) [b / s] at the time of reservation. However, in the present embodiment, since the used bandwidth WN [b / s] per one conference client terminal device is not determined by the conference reservation information, the used bandwidth of each conference client terminal device 8 during the conference is set to the status. It can be changed accordingly. That is, since the client information management unit 14 of the conference server device 1 manages the bandwidth actually used by the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference for each conference client terminal device 8, the client information management unit 14 The band used by each conference client terminal device 8 can be changed based on the information managed by 14.
[0056]
For example, if some of the conference client terminal devices 8 switch the communication line 9 used at the time of holding a conference to a line that is slower than the originally planned line, the bandwidth used by the conference client terminal device 8 becomes the bandwidth assumed at the time of reservation. Since it is smaller than (WT ÷ M ÷ M), a surplus occurs in the total used bandwidth WT of all the reserved conference client terminal devices 8. Therefore, it is possible to allocate the margin of the band generated in the used band WT to the conference client terminal device 8 using the high-speed communication line 9.
[0057]
The conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 is notified from the client information management unit 14 of the information on the used bandwidth of each conference client terminal device 8 participating in the conference, and the total of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference. Recognizing that the bandwidth used falls below the reserved value WT and that there is a margin in the bandwidth, joins the conference parameter information (the bandwidth WN used per conference client terminal) to be transmitted to each conference client terminal 8. The total bandwidth used by all the conference client terminal devices 8 in the middle is changed within the range of WT or less, and the bandwidth allocation to the conference client terminal devices 8 using the high-speed communication line 9 is increased. Thus, by increasing the bandwidth used by the conference client terminal device 8, it becomes possible to exchange high-quality video images.
[0058]
After the bandwidth of the conference client terminal device 8 is increased, if the total used bandwidth of all the participating conference client terminal devices 8 exceeds the reserved value WT, the transmission to each conference client terminal device 8 is performed. Needless to say, the changed bandwidth is changed by changing the conference parameter information.
[0059]
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. This embodiment describes the third embodiment more specifically.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, a communication line 7 for connecting the equipment on the video conference server side composed of the conference server device 1, the reservation server device 2, the DB unit 3, the billing server device 4, and the router 6 to the IP network 5 Is a dedicated line of 6 [Mb / s]. Also, there are six conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, 8-G, 8-H, 8-I, of which the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B are provided. , 8-C are connected to the IP network 5 by an ADSL line, which is a communication line 9 having a bandwidth of 1.5 [Mb / s], and are conference client terminal devices 8-G, 8-H, which are mobile terminals. , 8-I are connected to the IP network 5 by a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) line which is a communication line 9 having a bandwidth of 64 [kb / s].
[0061]
The user A accesses the reservation server device 2 from the conference client terminal device 8-A and makes a conference reservation. At this time, the user A has six conference client terminal devices to participate in the conference, and the user A who uses the conference client terminal device 8-B and the user C who uses the conference client terminal device 8-C as conference participation users. And users G, H, and I having the same terminal environment as the users A, B, and C, and assume that the bandwidth WN used per conference client terminal device is assumed to be 200 [kb / s]. As a result, the user A estimates the bandwidth required for this conference as 200 × 6 × 6 = 5.4 [Mb / s], and sets the total bandwidth WT of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference as 5 .4 [Mb / s] is reserved.
[0062]
Assuming that no other reservations are made in the holding time period of the holding date on which the user A has made a reservation, the total used bandwidth WT of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference is 5.4 [Mb / s]. Is smaller than the bandwidth 6 [Mb / s] of the communication line 7 of the video conference server side equipment, the reservation of the conference is permitted, and the conference reservation information of this conference is recorded in the DB unit 3 of the reservation server device 2.
[0063]
At the time of the reserved conference, six users A, B, C, G, H and I participate in the conference. However, the three users G, H, and I use the conference client terminal devices 8-G, 8-H, and 8-I, which are mobile terminals, instead of the fixed terminals originally planned, for example, for business trips. Suppose you decide to use it to join a meeting from outside.
[0064]
The communication line 9 used by the conference client terminals 8-G, 8-H, 8-I is a PHS line, and its data communication speed is 64 [kb / s], so that it is actually used in this conference. The band is the band (200 [kb / s] × 3 × 3) used by the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C and the conference client terminal devices 8-G, 8-H, 8-. The bandwidth (64 [kb / s] × 6 × 6) used by I is added to be 3.528 [Mb / s].
[0065]
Since the reserved total used bandwidth WT is 5.4 [Mb / s], there is a surplus in the used bandwidth WT by 5.4-3.528 = 1.872 [Mb / s]. Here, as for the three conference client terminals 8-A, 8-B and 8-C, which are accessed via the ADSL line (communication line 9), there is room in the bandwidth of the communication line 9, so that the It is possible to increase the band by 1.872 ÷ 3 ÷ = 0.208 [Mb / s] for the assumed use band WN = 200 [kb / s].
[0066]
Therefore, the conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 changes the used bandwidth WN of each of the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C to WN = 200 + 208 = 408 [kb / s], The conference parameter information including the information of the used bandwidth WN = 408 [kb / s] after the change is transmitted to the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C.
[0067]
The conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, and 8-C that have received the conference parameter information control the bandwidth to be used so as to be within 408 [kb / s]. In this way, by increasing the bandwidth used by the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, it becomes possible to transmit and receive high-quality image data accordingly, and conduct a video conference with good image quality. It becomes possible.
[0068]
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of the reservation type IP video conference system are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description will be made with reference to FIGS. The difference from the first and second embodiments is that all the conference client terminals participating in the conference are replaced with the bandwidth WN [b / s] per conference client terminal device in the conference reservation information described above. The point is that the total bandwidth WT [b / s] used by the device 8 is reserved, and the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference is not reserved.
[0069]
Thus, in the present embodiment, the conference reservation information including the date, the start time, the conference time, and the total used bandwidth WT [b / s] of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference is stored in the conference client terminal device. 8 to the reservation server device 2.
[0070]
As in the third embodiment, the conference reservation receiving unit 22 is specified by the remaining bandwidth (WA-WB) of the communication line 7 when a reserved conference is held and the received conference reservation information. A comparison is made with the total used bandwidth WT. The meeting reservation receiving unit 22 determines that a reservation can be received if (WA-WB) ≧ WT, and determines that a reservation cannot be received if (WA-WB) <WT.
[0071]
Also in the present embodiment, since the used bandwidth WN per one conference client terminal device is not defined by the conference reservation information, it is possible to change the used bandwidth of each conference client terminal device 8 during the conference according to the situation. It is possible. Further, in this embodiment, since the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference is not defined in the conference reservation information, it is possible to make a reservation even when the number of conference client terminal devices 8 is unknown at the time of reservation.
[0072]
When a conference is held, the bandwidth WN used per conference client terminal is determined based on the number of conference client terminals actually participating. The conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 receives the information of each conference client terminal device 8 participating in the conference from the client information management unit 14 to determine the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference. I do. The used bandwidth WN per conference client terminal device is calculated by WN = (WTＷM ÷ M). Then, the conference parameter control unit 15 transmits the conference parameter information including the information on the calculated used bandwidth WN to each conference client terminal device 8 participating in the conference.
[0073]
Thereby, the conference resource control unit 88 of each conference client terminal device 8 sets the audio codec unit 84, the data conference function unit 85, and the video so that the band used by the own device falls within the used band WN specified by the conference parameter information. The codec 86 is controlled.
[0074]
If the number M of conference client terminal devices fluctuates during the conference, the conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 uses the number M of conference client terminal devices based on the changed number M of conference client terminal devices. The bandwidth WN = (WT ÷ M ÷ M) [b / s] is recalculated, and the conference parameter information including the information on the calculated used bandwidth WN is transmitted to each conference client terminal device 8 participating in the conference. In this way, it is possible to change the band used by each conference client terminal device 8 according to the change in the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference.
[0075]
[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation-type IP video conference system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This embodiment describes the fifth embodiment more specifically.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, a communication line 7 for connecting the equipment on the video conference server side composed of the conference server device 1, the reservation server device 2, the DB unit 3, the billing server device 4, and the router 6 to the IP network 5 Is a dedicated line of 6 [Mb / s]. Also, there are four conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, 8-J, and the conference client terminal devices 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, 8-J are: It is connected to the IP network 5 by an ADSL line which is a communication line 9 having a band of 1.5 [Mb / s].
[0077]
The user A accesses the reservation server device 2 from the conference client terminal device 8-A and makes a conference reservation. At this time, since the number A of the conference client terminal devices participating in the conference is not determined, the user A uses the user A and the user B using the conference client terminal device 8-B and the user using the conference client terminal device 8-C for the time being. Assume that C is a participant and make a conference reservation.
[0078]
At this time, assuming that the used bandwidth WN per conference client terminal device is 500 [kb / s], the bandwidth required for this conference is 500 × 3 × 3 = 4.5 [Mb / s]. 5.4 [Mb / s] is reserved as the total used bandwidth WT of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference. However, since the number M of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference is uncertain, no reservation is made.
[0079]
Assuming that no other reservation is made in the holding time period of the holding date on which the user A has made a reservation, the total used bandwidth WT of all the conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference is 5.4 [Mb / s]. Is smaller than the bandwidth 6 [Mb / s] of the communication line 7, the reservation of the conference is permitted, and the conference reservation information of this conference is recorded in the DB unit 3 of the reservation server device 2.
[0080]
If it is assumed that the user J who uses the conference client terminal device 8-J in addition to the users A, B, and C will also participate in the conference when the reserved conference is held, the conference client participating in the conference The number M of terminal devices is four instead of the initially assumed three. The conference parameter control unit 15 of the conference server device 1 determines the used bandwidth WN per conference client terminal device as WN = (WT {M}) based on the number of conference client terminal devices participating in the conference, M = 4 [units]. M) = 4.5 ÷ 4 ＝ 4 = 281.25 [kb / s], and the conference parameter information including the calculated used bandwidth WN information is used for each conference client terminal device 8-A, 8-B, 8-C and 8-J are transmitted.
[0081]
Thus, although the bandwidth used per conference client terminal device WN initially assumed is less than 500 [kb / s], the number of conference client terminal devices 8 participating in the conference increases more than expected. However, everyone can hold a video conference at the reserved time.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, conference reservation information including the date and time of holding a conference, the number of terminal devices participating in the conference, and information on the bandwidth used per terminal device is received from a terminal device that wants to reserve a conference, and conference resource management is performed. The conference reservation receiving unit of the reservation server device determines whether the reservation can be accepted based on the total bandwidth used at the date and time managed by the unit and the conference reservation information, and based on the conference reservation information managed by the reservation server device. The conference parameter control unit of the conference server device determines conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by the terminal device participating in the conference, and the conference resource of the terminal device so that the bandwidth used falls within the band specified by the conference parameter information. Since the control unit performs control, efficient conference resource (bandwidth) management can be performed in the video conference system. May be as many booking within the conference resource system meeting could provide to be held.
[0083]
Further, the terminal receives conference reservation information including the date and time of the conference, the number of terminal devices participating in the conference, and the information on the total bandwidth used by all the terminal devices participating in the conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference. The reservation reservation accepting section of the reservation server device determines whether or not the reservation can be accepted based on the total bandwidth used at the date and time managed by the section and the conference reservation information, and the terminal device participating in the conference actually uses the reservation. The client device management unit of the conference server device manages the information of the actual bandwidth used, and the terminal device participating in the conference based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the conference reservation information managed by the reservation server device The conference parameter control unit of the conference server device determines the conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by each terminal device, and the bandwidth used is specified by the conference parameter information. The conference resource control unit of the terminal device controls the conference so that it falls within the specified band, so that efficient conference resource management can be performed in the video conference system. As many reservations as possible can be made within the range of conference resources that can be provided. Further, since the conference parameter information is determined according to the actually used bandwidth actually used by each terminal device participating in the conference, a surplus occurs in the total used bandwidth of all the terminal devices reserved by the conference reservation information. In this case, the allocation of the band to the terminal device can be increased, and the video conference can be performed with good image quality.
[0084]
Also, the terminal receives the conference reservation information including the date and time of the conference and the information on the total bandwidth used by all the terminal devices participating in the conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference, and uses the bandwidth at the date and time managed by the conference resource management unit. Based on the total value and the conference reservation information, it is determined by the conference reservation reception unit of the reservation server device whether reservation reception is possible, and the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference and the number of terminals actually used Terminal information that is managed by the client information management unit of the conference server device and that participates in the conference based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the conference reservation information managed by the reservation server device The conference parameter control unit of the conference server device determines the conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by each terminal device, and the bandwidth used is specified by the conference parameter information. The conference resource control unit of the terminal device controls the conference so that it falls within the specified band, so that efficient conference resource management can be performed in the video conference system. As many reservations as possible can be made within the range of conference resources that can be provided. Also, since the conference parameter information is determined according to the number of terminal devices participating in the conference and the actual bandwidth actually used by these terminal devices, the sum of all terminal devices reserved by the conference reservation information is calculated. If there is a surplus in the used bandwidth, it is possible to increase the allocation of the bandwidth to the terminal devices, and even if the number of terminal devices participating in the conference is different from the assumption at the time of reservation, Can hold meetings in the form of
[0085]
Further, by adjusting the video codec parameter when encoding an image transmitted from the terminal device, it is possible to easily and efficiently control the band used by the terminal device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the reservation type IP video conference system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conference reservation screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conference reservation screen according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reservation type IP video conference system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional IP video conference system.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ISDN TV conference system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a difference between an ISDN TV conference system and an IP video conference system.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conference resource management method in a conventional IP video conference system.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional IP video conference system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conference server device, 2 ... Reservation server device, 3 ... Database part, 4 ... Charging server device, 5 ... IP network, 6 ... Router, 7, 9 ... Communication line, 8 ... Conference client terminal device, 10, 20, 80: IP network interface unit, 11, 21: HTTP server function unit, 12: Video conference holding function unit, 13: Conference information management unit, 14: Client information management unit, 15: Conference parameter control unit, 22: Conference reservation Reception unit 23 23 Conference resource management unit 24 Conference reservation information management unit 25 User information management unit 81 Web browser function unit 82 Conference reservation application unit 83 Video conference client application unit 84 Voice Codec section, 85: Data conference function section, 86: Video codec section, 87: Conference information management section, 88: Conference lithography Scan control unit, 89 ... video codec controlling section, 90 ... microphone, 91 ... speaker, 92 ... monitor device, 93 ... camera.

Claims (4)

A plurality of terminal devices having at least an image transmission / reception function, a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network, and receiving a reservation for a conference from the terminal device; and a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network. A video conference system comprising: a conference server device that connects two or more terminal devices that participate in the video conference in a bidirectional manner.
The reservation server device,
A conference resource management unit that manages the total bandwidth usage of the reserved conference;
The conference resource management unit receives the conference reservation information including the date and time of holding the conference, the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference, and the information on the bandwidth used per terminal device from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference. A conference reservation receiving unit that determines whether reservation reception is possible based on the used bandwidth total value and the conference reservation information at the holding date and time,
A conference reservation information management unit that manages the conference reservation information of the conference determined to be receivable by the conference reservation reception unit;
The conference server device,
A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to the conference from the reservation server device when the conference is held;
Based on the acquired conference reservation information, determines conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by the terminal devices participating in the conference, and transmits the determined conference parameter information to each terminal device participating in the conference. And a control unit,
The terminal device,
A video conference system, comprising: a conference resource control unit that controls a band used by the own apparatus to fall within a band specified by the conference parameter information. A plurality of terminal devices having at least an image transmission / reception function, a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network, and receiving a reservation for a conference from the terminal device; and a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network. A video conference system comprising: a conference server device that connects two or more terminal devices that participate in the video conference in a bidirectional manner.
The reservation server device,
A conference resource management unit that manages the total bandwidth usage of the reserved conference;
Receiving conference reservation information including the date and time of the conference, the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference, and information on the total used bandwidth of all the terminal devices participating in the conference from the terminal device that wants to reserve the conference; A conference reservation receiving unit that determines whether a reservation can be received based on the used bandwidth total value and the conference reservation information at the date and time managed by the management unit,
A conference reservation information management unit that manages the conference reservation information of the conference determined to be receivable by the conference reservation reception unit;
The conference server device,
A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to the conference from the reservation server device when the conference is held;
A client information management unit that manages information on the actual bandwidth used by the terminal device participating in the conference;
Based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the acquired conference reservation information, conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by the terminal devices participating in the conference is determined for each terminal device. Comprising a conference parameter control unit that transmits information to the corresponding terminal device,
The terminal device,
A video conference system, comprising: a conference resource control unit that controls a band used by the own apparatus to fall within a band specified by the conference parameter information. A plurality of terminal devices having at least an image transmission / reception function, a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network, and receiving a reservation for a conference from the terminal device; and a reservation server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network. A video conference system comprising: a conference server device that connects two or more terminal devices that participate in the video conference in a bidirectional manner.
The reservation server device,
A conference resource management unit that manages the total bandwidth usage of the reserved conference;
The terminal device that wants to reserve a conference receives conference reservation information including the date and time of the conference and the total used bandwidth of all terminal devices participating in the conference, and receives the conference reservation information at the date and time managed by the conference resource management unit. A conference reservation receiving unit that determines whether reservation reception is possible based on the total bandwidth used and the conference reservation information,
A conference reservation information management unit that manages the conference reservation information of the conference determined to be receivable by the conference reservation reception unit;
The conference server device,
A conference information management unit that acquires the conference reservation information corresponding to the conference from the reservation server device when the conference is held;
A client information management unit that manages the number of the terminal devices participating in the conference and the information on the actually used bandwidth actually used by these terminal devices,
Based on the information managed by the client information management unit and the acquired conference reservation information, conference parameter information for limiting the bandwidth used by the terminal devices participating in the conference is determined for each terminal device. Comprising a conference parameter control unit that transmits information to the corresponding terminal device,
The terminal device,
A video conference system, comprising: a conference resource control unit that controls a band used by the own apparatus to fall within a band specified by the conference parameter information. The video conference system according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
The video conference system, wherein the conference resource control unit adjusts a video codec parameter when encoding an image transmitted from the own device to control a band used by the own device.

Images