JP2005208710A - Synchronous control method, communication synchronous controller and interactive communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interactive communication service for easily performing synchronous control within communication functions and between those in each of finely categorized communication functions when a plurality of communication terminals are participating in the same interactive communication service. <P>SOLUTION: A synchronous control system deciding part manages the use propriety/nonpropriety of each of communication functions for each of communication terminals, and a synchronous parameter managing part individually manages synchronization precision between communication terminals and the allowable maximum delay time for each of communication functions, and the synchronous control system deciding part individually selects the synchronous control system to be used for each communication function according to the increase/decrease of the number of users who participate in the interactive communication service or the increase/decrease of a network delay time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention implements interactive communication services such as electronic conferencing, IP (Internet Protocol) multimedia telephone, IP contact center, remote consultation service, remote consultation, help desk service, remote education, program-linked interactive service, and network game. The present invention relates to a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system between communication terminals, within communication functions and between communication functions.

  In recent years, with the spread of broadband lines such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and FTTH (Fiber To The Home, always-on service to optical fiber communication networks), etc., electronic conferences In addition, interactive communication services such as IP multimedia telephone, IP contact center, remote consultation service, remote consultation, help desk service, remote education, program-linked interactive service, and network game are attracting attention. In addition, the use of these two-way communication services is becoming widespread within enterprises.

  In the interactive communication service, communication terminals of users in remote locations can communicate with each other via video and audio, as well as electronic materials and virtual whiteboards via communication networks such as the Internet and corporate LAN (Local Area Network). It is common to communicate while sharing application software screens. In other words, it can be said that each user shares three types of information: video information, audio information, and command information. In such communication between a plurality of remote users via a network, the information of video system, audio system, and command system is synchronized in each user's communication terminal. is important.

  The video information is, for example, image data of the face of the user who is communicating. The voice system information is, for example, voice data of a voice of a user who is communicating. The command system information includes, for example, commands for instructing each user's terminal to play, stop, pause, and resume playback of image data and audio data, and movements of arrow pointers on electronic materials and virtual whiteboards. A command for instructing a user terminal, a command for instructing each user terminal to execute or stop the application software, and the like.

  As a conventional technique for interactive communication service, first, a conventional technique proposed for the purpose of synchronous control between terminals, which is important for smooth remote communication, is described. Next, the prior art proposed for the purpose of realizing a function in which the system actively adapts to changes in the environment and situation surrounding the system, which is important for smooth remote communication, will be described. Next, an outline will be described with an example of an application for two-way communication. Finally, the conventional technology proposed for the purpose of participating in interactive communication services from various types of terminals in the ubiquitous environment is described.

  First, the following is mentioned as a conventional technique proposed for the purpose of synchronous control between terminals, which is important for smooth remote communication.

  Patent Document 1 describes a digital broadcast transmission apparatus that encodes a plurality of time-series information including video, audio, or various data streams, and then multiplexes and transmits the information. When encoding a plurality of pieces of time-series information including video, audio, or various data streams, this digital broadcast transmission device is configured to provide a period between a presentation reference time serving as a synchronization reference and an event reference time serving as an event reference. The offset time is calculated, multiplexed and transmitted. As described above, the time-series information transmitted by the digital broadcast transmitting apparatus described in Patent Document 1 arrives at the receiving terminal in a multiplexed form as one stream. For this reason, the positional relationship on the time axis regarding each time-series information arrives at the receiving terminal while maintaining the positional relationship at the stage of being multiplexed in the digital broadcast transmission device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a compression that can eliminate the data delay in a range that does not give the viewer a sense of incongruity when a data delay occurs due to a lack of processing capability of the apparatus for synchronously reproducing compressed video data and compressed audio data. An apparatus for providing a synchronized playback apparatus for video data and compressed audio data is described. Specifically, when a video processing delay occurs, first, the video data format conversion processing is skipped by several frames, and when the video processing delay continues, the number of frames to be skipped is increased. A device is described in which the decoding of compressed video data is omitted when the delay is not eliminated even if the number of frames skipping the format conversion of the video data is increased.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a distribution method and a method for providing a system for reproducing a video stream larger than the capacity of a transmission path on a large number of terminals simultaneously at a timing intended by a provider without being illegally reproduced. Is described. Specifically, first, a video provider encodes a video by a video encoding method that encodes at least two types of frames to make each frame a packet, assigns an identification code to each packet, Separate for each frame type and distribute to recipients with time difference. Next, a method in which a video receiver obtains an original video by rearranging and combining packets distributed for each frame type in a predetermined order according to an identification code given to the packet and reproducing the packet as a video stream Is described.

  In Patent Literature 4 and Patent Literature 5, by applying a statistical technique such as a moving average value or variance to a packet transmitted from a transmission side terminal device to a reception side terminal device, A method and system for synchronizing with a receiving terminal is described.

  As described above, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5 limit the types of streams to be handled to video and audio. That is, only video or audio characterized by a large amount of data or a large amount of packets being transmitted continuously is assumed as the target of synchronization control.

  Further, in the technical field of distributed transactions, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a transaction control method called two-phase commitment in order to ensure that a plurality of related operations are executed without contradiction. In this method, the coordinator of the transaction first asks the workers who execute the related operations whether they are ready to commit the assigned operations. If an affirmative response is received from all workers within a certain period of time, all workers are instructed to commit. If even one negative response is received, an abort is instructed to all workers. Such a procedure ensures that the transaction is either committed or aborted.

  Further, in order to realize exclusive control in the technical field of distributed processing systems, Non-Patent Document 2 describes an exclusive control method called majority vote agreement algorithm. In this method, first, a process trying to enter a critical section in exclusive control sends a request message to all other processes involved in exclusive control. The process receiving the request message returns a reply message only if it has not issued the request or if this message is older than its own request. The process that issued the request message can then enter the critical section only if the number of answer messages to it exceeds a majority of all processes.

  By generalizing this majority voting agreement algorithm, Non-Patent Document 3 puts votes (weights) for each process, so if you get a majority of the total votes of the process rather than a majority of the processes, you can put it in the critical section An exclusive control method called a quorum agreement algorithm is described.

  In the technical field of time synchronization, in order to synchronize the internal clock of each terminal among a plurality of terminals via a network, RFC (Request For Comment) 1305 includes a time synchronization method called NTP (Network Time Protocol). Proposed. The NTP server can be constructed hierarchically. The NTP server at the top of the hierarchy is called the NTP server of Stratum1. The server of Stratum1 is an important server that serves as a reference for all other NTP servers, and operates in synchronization with an accurate time information source (a reference clock using an atomic clock, GPS, wireless radio wave, etc.). Is set to An NTP server that operates by receiving time information from the Stratum 1 server using the NTP protocol is referred to as a Stratum 2 server, and an NTP server that operates based on the NTP server is referred to as a Stratum 3 server. Similarly, an NTP server can be constructed up to a maximum of 15 layers (Stratum 15). In NTP, the time can be adjusted with high accuracy (an error of 1 ms or less within the same LAN) by taking into account the delay time of network communication and its variation.

  RFC 2030 proposes a time synchronization method called SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) as a protocol that reduces the weight of NTP for use in time adjustment of clients. NTP is a protocol for constructing a hierarchical time synchronization server system, but an advanced and large-scale server protocol such as NTP is not necessary if the time of a client is simply adjusted. In SNTP, NTP is simplified, and only a request for time information from the SNTP client to the NTP server and a response to the request are used. Since it does not have a statistical error processing function for a long time like an NTP server and has only a single time adjustment function, there is a possibility that the accuracy may be lowered if network traffic is temporarily included.

  Further, in the technical field of multimedia control, SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) 1. is a language that controls and synchronizes the reproduction of multimedia data in various formats such as video, audio, music, still images, text, and the like. Multimedia data synchronous playback control methods 0 and SMIL 2.0 have been proposed. SMIL is a standard standardized by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). An interactive presentation can be created by using SMIL. In addition, it is possible to designate what is displayed at which timing on which part of the screen and to reproduce a plurality of multimedia data in synchronization.

  The following technologies are important technologies for smooth remote communication, and have been proposed for the purpose of realizing functions that the system actively adapts to changes in the environment and circumstances surrounding the system. It is done.

  Patent Document 6 relates to a method of determining a communication method for performing data communication between devices connected by a data communication channel, and the capacity and load of the data communication channel, the transmitting device, the receiving device, the data update frequency, A method is described in which the communication method is switched between a push type, a pull type, and a notify type according to various factors that change dynamically, such as a reference frequency. The purpose of this method is to effectively use network and computer resources and reduce data communication costs by adaptively switching communication methods.

  Patent Document 7 relates to an information transmission system, in particular, a technique for transmitting information according to the user's situation, and when a user issues various processing requests from a terminal to a server in a mobile communication environment, Based on the rules set by the user in advance, the server performs acquisition of the user's location information, information processing according to the destination device, media conversion for the information to be transmitted, selection of information to be transmitted, etc. A method of transmitting the result of the processing request to the user terminal is described.

  Patent Document 8 relates to a communication device and a communication method that can change a service providing method according to a user situation, and mainly analyzes image information in order to support communication between humans. In other words, a method is described in which a service is provided that provides information in a timely manner and easily retrieves necessary information by exchanging the information.

  Patent Document 9 discloses in advance which communication means (for example, e-mail, telephone, video conference, etc.) from which user contacts both the user who wants to contact and the user who is contacted. By registering a policy such as whether you want to make a contact on the server side, when the contact side user actually tries to contact the contacted side user, the server is based on the registered policy. It describes a method of facilitating the start of communication between users by automatically inferring and selecting an optimal communication means.

  Next, an outline will be described by giving an example of an application for bidirectional communication. Patent Document 10 relates to a method for controlling playback of a video file transmitted / received by video mail or the like, by adding a bidirectional / real time element to a unilateral / non-real time video mail function, For the purpose of improving quality and diversity as a means of communication between senders and receivers, the same video is displayed on both monitors in a coordinated manner by exchanging video playback control signals over the communication line. Interactive and real-time video file playback by exchanging communication information such as voice communication by telephone, text display by keyboard, and marking by mouse or electronic pen through other communication lines. Describes how to achieve control

  Moreover, the following is mentioned as a prior art proposed for the purpose of participating in a two-way communication service from various types of terminals in a ubiquitous environment.

  In Patent Document 11, conditions such as a user terminal using a similar network band and available peripheral devices (such as a microphone and a camera) among user terminals already connected to the server are similar. There is described a method for supporting participation from various types of terminals in a ubiquitous environment by automatically searching for and connecting user terminals that are present to each other.

  In Patent Document 12, when data that cannot be displayed or reproduced is generated while communicating with another user using a certain user terminal, the display work or the reproduction work is taken over to another user terminal that can be displayed or reproduced. Thus, a method for supporting participation in services from various types of terminals in a ubiquitous environment is described.

  Patent Document 13 discloses various types in a ubiquitous environment by converting a quality level of content such as an image, video, and audio based on a user authentication result and providing a service according to the usage environment. Describes a method for supporting participation in services from other terminals.

  Patent Document 14 describes a method for supporting participation in services from various types of terminals in a ubiquitous environment by converting data to be displayed on a screen according to the terminal environment of the other party.

  Patent Document 15 describes a device that supports participation in services from various types of terminals in a ubiquitous environment by using a style template prepared for each terminal and converting the display content of the screen. ing.

  In addition, the following technologies have been proposed for the purpose of negotiating the media attributes used for actual multimedia communication by exchanging the capabilities of each terminal when starting two-way communication. Is mentioned.

  ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Standardization Sector, International Telecommunication Union) is a standard of quality of service (QoS (Quality of Service)) non-guaranteed LAN and WAN and its terminal equipment. It is standardized by the information technology standard name of H.323. The QoS non-guaranteed LAN refers to a LAN to which no LAN user communication function band is allocated, and the communication speed changes according to the number of users. H. The H.323 protocol configuration uses a plurality of protocols defined by other standards. Among them, H.C. There is a control protocol for multimedia communication of H.245. H. In H.245, H.H. In order to enable the H.323 terminals to connect to each other, the H.323 terminal may Specifications for negotiating terminal capabilities between 323 terminals are defined. Specifically, selection of a video / audio codec used for multimedia communication, negotiation of a bit rate, a frame rate, an image format, an algorithm used for video / audio, and the like are performed.

  ITU-T An information technology standard name of 120 standardizes a communication protocol for multimedia data conferencing. T. T. et al. The 120 series provides data conferencing functions such as whiteboard and file transfer. T. T. et al. In 120, in addition to point-to-point communication, multipoint communication is defined. T. T. et al. The protocol configuration of 120 uses a plurality of protocols defined by other standards. Among them, T.M. There is a general conference control service / protocol called T.124. In 124, a specification for notifying a list of data conference functions such as a whiteboard and a file transfer in use in the multimedia data conference is defined.

  RFC 3261 proposes a protocol that handles call signaling and control in a communication service based on IP, which is being standardized in IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), called SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). Thus, the technical area covered by SIP is H.264. There are many parts that overlap with H.323. As described above, H.C. The control protocol for multimedia communication in H.323 is H.323. There is a standard specification of H.245, but there is a protocol called SDP (Session Description Protocol) proposed in RFC2327 as a control protocol for multimedia communication in SIP. Information expressed in SDP is classified into three: session description (information about the name and creator of the session), time description (when the session is valid), and media description (information necessary to receive video and audio). Broadly divided. Among these, the media description describes the type of video and audio encoding, the beat rate, the port number to be used, and the like. In the negotiation of the terminal capability between SIP terminals using SDP, for example, among the encoding methods presented by the other party who is trying to talk, for those that do not want to be used for talking, the port number is set to 0 and returned. Exchanges such as.

JP 2000-4209 (pages 9-15, FIG. 1) JP 2001-128171 A (pages 16-27, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-25023 (page 4-8, FIG. 2) JP 2002-135299 A (page 4-9, FIG. 1) JP-A-5-14399 (page 3-4, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-77294 (page 4-12, FIG. 1) JP 2000-2011175 A (page 4-19, FIG. 11) JP-A-9-307868 (page 4-17, FIG. 1) JP 2002-374318 A (page 9-26, FIG. 1) JP 2001-203982 A (page 3-6, FIG. 4) JP 2002-324038 A (page 4-8, FIG. 1) JP 2000-122957 A (page 5-10, FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-167854 (page 5-11, FIG. 1) JP 2002-7296 A (page 3-4, FIG. 1) JP 2000-148647 A (page 4-8, FIG. 1)

Lampson, BW, and H. Sturgis., “Crash Recovery in a Distributed Data Storage System.”, Technical Report, (USA), Computer Science Laboratory. Palo Alto, CA: Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, 1979, p.1. -28 Thomas, R. “A Majority Consensus Approach to Concurrency Control for Multiple Copy Databases”, [online], 1979, Association for Computing machinery, Internet <URL: http://portal.acm.org/results .cfm? coll = ACM & dl = ACM & CFID = 15379223 & CFTOKEN = 13698800>, ACM Transactions on Database Systems. Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 180-209 Gifford, D. K., “Weighted Voting for Replicated Data.”, 7th SIGOPS Symposium on Operation System Principles. New York, (United States), Association for Computing machinery, 1979, p. 150-162.

  In order to achieve smooth and dense remote communication in a two-way communication service, the system that realizes the two-way communication service automatically detects changes in the environment and situation surrounding the two-way communication service. It is important that the system that implements the two-way communication service has a mechanism to actively follow the change.

  Furthermore, the type of terminal is not limited to home or corporate personal computers (PCs), but by participating in interactive communication services from mobile terminals such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and mobile phones, the time and place can be reduced. There is a need to provide services and services that are not limited. In other words, there is a demand for the realization of a two-way communication service in a so-called ubiquitous environment where there are a plurality of terminals with nonuniform functions.

  However, the first problem is that, in a conventional interactive communication system, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, each communication function is classified into individual communication functions. In addition, the synchronization control between the communication functions cannot be performed. The individual communication functions finely categorized include, for example, rich media playback control, slide turning, shared comment writing, proxy input, text chat, annotation using an arrow pointer, screen scroll control, and the like in a plurality of communication terminals. Specifically, for example, it is difficult to separately manage which communication control is required and which communication control is not required. Furthermore, for example, the setting of the synchronization accuracy between the communication terminals and the setting of the allowable maximum delay time cannot be performed separately within each communication function and between each communication function.

  The reason will be described. In general, in a two-way communication service, dense remote communication between users is established only when a plurality of individual communication functions are combined and appropriate synchronization control is performed within each communication function and between each communication function.

  Nevertheless, in the conventional two-way communication system, the classification of the target of synchronization control is divided only into three categories: video functions, audio functions, and command functions. That is, even if the command-related functions are not finely classified or are classified, they are classified only to the extent of categorization based on the type of display content, such as text display, still image display, and animation image display. In other words, in the conventional two-way communication system, the classification of the synchronization target related to the command communication function is limited to the classification at the content level. As described above, the conventional system has not sufficiently considered the synchronization within the media and the synchronization between the media regarding the command communication function.

  Therefore, command-related communication functions related to operation and control of shared information such as rich media playback control, slide turning, shared comment writing, proxy input, text chat, arrow pointer annotation, screen scroll control, etc. Synchronization control and inter-media synchronization control cannot be performed. Therefore, from the system side that controls synchronization, which communication function and which communication function require synchronization control within each communication function and between each communication function, which communication function and which communication function require synchronization control Cannot be detected separately or managed separately. For this reason, parameter settings required for synchronization control, such as required synchronization accuracy between communication terminals and setting of an allowable maximum delay time, cannot be performed separately within each communication function and between each communication function.

  The systems described in Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, Patent Literature 4, and Patent Literature 5 assume only video or audio as a target of synchronization control. For this reason, the first problem cannot be solved. Further, in SMIL 1.0 and SMIL 2.0, since the object of synchronization control is closed within a single terminal, synchronization control between a plurality of terminals is not considered, and thus the first problem is solved. It is not possible.

  The second problem is that, in a conventional interactive communication system, when a plurality of terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, each communication function is classified into individual communication functions and each Regarding synchronization algorithms between communication functions, an appropriate synchronization algorithm for synchronization control within and between communication functions is selected from multiple synchronization algorithms based on the number of users participating in the service and network delays. , Each can not be executed separately. For example, the synchronization algorithm A is executed for the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, and at the same time, another synchronization algorithm B is executed for the synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function. Can not.

  The reason will be described. In general, in a two-way communication service, a command-type communication function is realized by the following procedure. First, a communication server that controls synchronization of a certain communication terminal or communication function instructs each communication terminal participating in the same bidirectional communication service to operate and control data shared between the communication terminals. The instruction is generated as a synchronization command and transmitted to each communication terminal. Next, each communication terminal receives the synchronization command, and executes operations and controls on the data being shared according to the contents described in the synchronization command.

  Here, the types of synchronization commands usually correspond to the types of individual communication functions that are finely categorized, or are classified more finely than the types of these communication functions. For example, as a synchronization command related to a single communication function called screen scroll control, there can be a plurality of synchronization commands “scroll up” and “scroll down”. Depending on the type of interactive communication service, there may be a synchronization command for scrolling left or right.

  In addition, when the type of the synchronization command is different, the length of time required to complete the execution of the synchronization command varies depending on the communication function. For example, the synchronization command for the screen scroll control only performs the screen scroll process on each communication terminal, so that the time required to complete the execution of the synchronization command is relatively short. On the other hand, since the synchronization command for the slide turning function of the document requires each communication terminal to download the slide with the specified slide number and then display it, the synchronization command can be executed in an environment with a large network delay. The time taken to complete is relatively long.

  Therefore, for example, the synchronization algorithm A is an algorithm that can achieve high synchronization accuracy instead of taking a relatively long time to process the synchronization command, and the synchronization algorithm B is low instead of taking a relatively short time to process the synchronization command. When the algorithm can only achieve the synchronization accuracy, the synchronization algorithm A is executed for the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, and at the same time, the synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function is performed. There may be a case where another synchronization algorithm B is desired to be executed. For example, the timing of moving the arrow pointer may be slightly different from the timing of scrolling the screen, but it is desired that the order relationship between the timing of turning the slide and the timing of moving the arrow pointer is not reversed.

  However, in the conventional system, although the individual communication functions finely categorized are treated as separate functions that operate on the communication terminal, as pointed out in the first problem, synchronous control is performed. It is not treated as a target of. Only the “video system function and audio system function”, “video system function or audio system function, and command system function” are classified as objects of synchronization control. Therefore, with regard to the synchronization control of command-related functions, the synchronization algorithm that can be executed by the conventional system is single, uniform, and must be the greatest common divisor synchronization algorithm.

  Therefore, for example, synchronization algorithm A is executed for synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function from among a plurality of synchronization algorithms based on the number of users participating in the interactive communication service, network delay, etc. On the other hand, for synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function, another synchronization algorithm B is executed simultaneously with the synchronization algorithm A, and the synchronization algorithms of a plurality of communication functions are executed separately. I can't.

  For example, the digital broadcast transmission device described in Patent Document 1 does not consider “synchronous commands having different lengths of time until execution is completed”. For this reason, when an operation specified by the synchronization command is attempted to be executed at the receiving terminal at the timing when data arrives at the receiving terminal, the length of time required to complete the operation may differ. Therefore, the second problem cannot be solved.

  Further, in the system of Patent Document 6, in order to control playback of a moving image, a video frame number is simultaneously transmitted in addition to control instructions such as “play” and “stop” as synchronization control in the rich media playback control function. Thus, a device for increasing the synchronization accuracy is provided. However, for example, synchronization control between the rich media playback control function and the arrow pointer function is not taken into consideration, and therefore synchronization control cannot be performed so that the order relationship between the playback timing of the moving image and the movement timing of the arrow pointer is not reversed.

  The third problem is that in the conventional interactive communication system, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, the individual communication functions finely divided into each communication function and As for the synchronization algorithm between each communication function, the synchronization within the communication function and between the communication functions is selected from multiple synchronization algorithms in response to changes in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and network delays. The synchronization algorithm suitable for control cannot be switched and executed separately. For example, regarding the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, the synchronization algorithm C is executed when the network delay is relatively small, and another synchronization algorithm D is simultaneously performed when the network delay is relatively large. It cannot be controlled to execute.

  The reason will be described. As pointed out in the second problem, the synchronization algorithm that can be executed in the conventional system related to the synchronization control of the command function is single, uniform, and the synchronization algorithm of the greatest common divisor. . For this reason, even if the synchronization algorithm is switched in response to fluctuations in the number of users participating in the two-way communication service, network delay, etc., the control target of the synchronization algorithm is classified into individual communication functions. Therefore, the same control is performed in a form in which a plurality of command communication functions are grouped. That is, when the synchronization algorithm C is changed to the synchronization algorithm D, for example, not only the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function but also the synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function is synchronized. The effect of changing the algorithm will be affected. As described above, the synchronization algorithm cannot be adaptively switched and executed individually for each communication function in response to environmental changes.

  Therefore, in response to fluctuations in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and network delay, among the multiple synchronization algorithms, an appropriate synchronization algorithm for synchronization control within and between communication functions, Each cannot be switched separately. For example, the methods described in Patent Document 7 and Patent Document 10 focus on switching the information format and the like adaptively to the communication method, but the adaptive synchronization control method is considered. Not. The systems described in Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9 focus on adaptively switching communication means for content, but do not consider an adaptive synchronization control method. Therefore, the third problem cannot be solved by the conventional techniques described in Patent Document 7, Patent Document 8, Patent Document 9, and Patent Document 10.

  The fourth problem is that, in the conventional interactive communication system, when a plurality of terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, the individual communication functions divided into categories are classified in each communication function and Regarding the synchronization algorithm between the communication functions, the synchronization method cannot be customized to an appropriate one according to the nature of the two-way communication service.

  The reason will be described. For example, in an electronic conference service, it is typically important that synchronization between a slide turning function and an arrow pointer function is performed with high accuracy. However, in the help desk service, it is typically important that the synchronization between the arrow pointer function and the substitute input function is executed with high accuracy. In addition, even if the same electronic conference service needs to be brainstormed between teams to generate a lot of ideas, typically, the synchronization between the arrow pointer function and the shared comment writing function is performed accurately. It's important to. However, when a persuasive presentation is given to a conversation partner, it is important that the synchronization between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function is executed with high accuracy.

  However, as pointed out in the second problem, the synchronization algorithm that can be executed in the conventional system related to the synchronization control of the command function is single, uniform, and the algorithm of the greatest common divisor. It has become. For this reason, with regard to the synchronization algorithm for each communication function that is finely categorized, within each communication function and between each communication function, an appropriate synchronization algorithm is separately provided for synchronization control according to the nature of the bidirectional communication service. Can not be executed.

  A fifth problem is that in the conventional bidirectional communication system, communication terminals having different capabilities, that is, a plurality of communication terminals whose usable communication functions differ depending on the type of the communication terminal, are the same bidirectional communication service. In the so-called ubiquitous environment that participates in the system, it is not possible to identify the availability of each individual communication function for each communication terminal from the side of the system that performs synchronous control of communication functions. is there.

  The reason will be described. In a conventional system that provides some kind of service to various types of communication terminals, when the system that performs communication function synchronization control identifies the type of communication terminal, the content to be provided depends on the type of the communication terminal. It was converted to something suitable for communication terminals. Thus, in the conventional system, the terminal type information is used only for content processing, and communication function processing has not been sufficiently considered. For this reason, in a so-called ubiquitous environment, the availability of the individual communication functions finely categorized cannot be identified for each communication terminal from the side of the system that performs synchronous control of the communication functions.

  For example, in the method described in Patent Document 11, a system that performs synchronous control of communication functions can specify information related to individual communication terminals such as a network bandwidth to be used and peripheral devices that can be used. However, a system that performs synchronization control of communication functions cannot specify which communication terminal can use the arrow pointer function and which communication terminal cannot use the arrow pointer function. Further, in the method described in Patent Document 12, information that can be specified by a system that performs synchronization control of communication functions regarding the communication functions of individual communication terminals includes functions such as video playback, audio playback, image display, and text display. It is limited to information of rough classification, such as availability of Further, in the method described in Patent Document 13, the screen resolution of each communication terminal is specified by a system that performs synchronous control of communication functions, and high resolution or low resolution, full color or It is possible to provide image data that has undergone content conversion processing, such as black and white images. For example, the availability of communication functions related to operations and control of shared data, such as the availability of the arrow pointer function, A system that performs synchronous control of functions cannot be identified.

  And since the method described in Patent Document 14 and the device described in Patent Document 15 only perform content conversion processing, for example, it relates to operations and controls on shared data such as availability of an arrow pointer function. The availability of the communication function cannot be specified by the system that performs synchronous control of the communication function. In addition, a system using the ITU-T standard (H.245) can grasp various parameters used in video and audio communication functions from the system side that performs synchronous control of the communication functions. However, for example, the availability of the communication function related to the operation and control of the shared data such as the availability of the arrow pointer function cannot be specified by the system that performs the synchronization control of the communication function. Also, in a system using the ITU-T standard (T.124), a system that performs synchronization control of communication functions specifies a list that is currently in use from among data conference functions such as whiteboard and file transfer. However, for example, the availability of the communication function regarding the operation and control of the shared data such as the availability of the arrow pointer function cannot be specified by the system that performs the synchronization control of the communication function.

  In a system using the RFC2327 standard (SDP), as a general usage, as in a system using the ITU-T standard (H.245), there are various types used in video and audio communication functions. These parameters can be specified by a system that performs synchronous control of communication functions. However, the service provider can define and extend the SDP format itself. For this reason, for each communication terminal, the availability of the individual communication functions finely categorized is described in the SDP format, and this SDP information is stored at the stage before starting the bidirectional communication. By exchanging between communication terminals, it is possible for a system that performs synchronization control of communication functions to specify the availability of the individual communication functions finely categorized for each communication terminal. Thus, SDP can be regarded as one of the means necessary for realizing the present invention. However, in the conventional two-way communication system, SDP is not currently used for such a purpose.

  A sixth problem is that, in the conventional bidirectional communication system, each communication function has a communication function in a so-called ubiquitous environment in which a plurality of communication terminals having uneven communication ability participate in the same bidirectional communication service. In addition, it is difficult to perform synchronization control between each communication function compared to the situation where multiple communication terminals with uniform communication ability participate in the same two-way communication service. .

  The reason will be described. As pointed out in the fifth problem, since it is difficult to identify the availability of individual communication functions finely categorized for each communication terminal, a system for performing synchronous control of communication functions, The number of users for each communication function cannot be detected. In addition, if there is a bias in the number of available users for each communication function, the network delay time for each communication function will also be biased, which is also detected by the system that controls the synchronization of the communication functions. I can't. Therefore, since the system that performs synchronization control of communication functions cannot identify information such as the number of users and network delay required for synchronization control, synchronization control is performed within each communication function and between communication functions. I can't.

  Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a communication function within each communication function and between each communication function for each communication function finely categorized when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same bidirectional communication service. It is intended to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a two-way communication system that realize a two-way communication service capable of performing synchronization control in a network. For example, a synchronization control method for realizing a two-way communication service capable of separately managing which communication control is required and which communication control is not required. It is to provide a communication synchronization control device and a bidirectional communication system. Furthermore, for example, to realize a bidirectional communication service in which the setting of the synchronization accuracy between the communication terminals and the setting of the allowable maximum delay time can be separately performed within each communication function and between each communication function. A synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system are provided.

  In addition, the second object of the present invention is that each communication function and each communication for each communication function categorized with fine granularity when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same bidirectional communication service. Regarding the synchronization algorithm between functions, based on the number of users participating in the service, network delay, etc., among the multiple synchronization algorithms, an appropriate synchronization algorithm for synchronization control within and between communication functions, To provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system for realizing a bidirectional communication service that can be executed separately. For example, the synchronization algorithm A is executed for the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, while another synchronization algorithm B is used as the synchronization algorithm A for the synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function. To provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can be controlled simultaneously.

  Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a communication function within and between communication functions for individual communication functions that are finely categorized when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service. As for the synchronization algorithm, the appropriate synchronization as a synchronization control within and between communication functions from among multiple synchronization algorithms, corresponding to fluctuations in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service, network delay, etc. It is to provide a two-way communication service in which algorithms can be switched and executed separately. For example, regarding the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, the synchronization algorithm C is executed when the network delay is relatively small, and another synchronization algorithm D is synchronized when the network delay is relatively large. To provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system for realizing a bidirectional communication service that can be executed simultaneously with the algorithm C.

  The fourth object of the present invention is to synchronize the communication functions within and between the communication functions of the individual communication functions finely categorized when a plurality of terminals participate in the same interactive communication service. An algorithm is to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control apparatus, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can customize a synchronization method to an appropriate one according to the bidirectional communication service.

  A fifth object of the present invention is to allow communication terminals having different capabilities, that is, a plurality of communication terminals whose available communication functions differ depending on the type of communication terminal, to participate in the same interactive communication service. In a so-called ubiquitous environment, the synchronous control of the communication function realizes a bidirectional communication service that can specify for each communication terminal whether or not each communication function that is finely categorized can be used. A method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system are provided.

  Furthermore, the sixth object of the present invention is not only that a plurality of communication terminals having uniform communication capability participate in the same bidirectional communication service, but a plurality of communication terminals having non-uniform communication capability are the same. Synchronization control method and communication synchronization control for realizing a bidirectional communication service capable of performing synchronization control within each communication function and between each communication function even in a so-called ubiquitous environment such as participating in other interactive communication services It is to provide a device and a two-way communication system.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same two-way communication service, it is easy to perform synchronization control within and between communication functions for each communication function finely categorized. In order to provide a bidirectional communication service that can be performed, the synchronization control method determining means individually manages the availability of each communication function for each communication terminal, and the synchronization parameter management means determines the synchronization accuracy between the communication terminals. The allowable maximum delay time is individually managed for each communication function, and the synchronization control method determining means is used according to the increase or decrease of the number of users participating in the interactive communication service, the increase or decrease of the network delay time, etc. Select the synchronization control method to be used individually Do individually to the communication function.

  A synchronization control method according to the present invention is a synchronization control method for implementing a bidirectional communication service in which a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving information to and from each other. For each communication function, which is a means for transmitting information on the operation, the operation performed by the user of one communication terminal within the communication function and between each communication function is executed in synchronization with other communication terminals. Whether to perform synchronous control, which is control to be performed, is set individually for each communication function.

  The interactive communication service may be an electronic conference, an IP multimedia telephone, an IP contact center, a remote consultation service, a remote consultation, a help desk service, a remote education, a program-linked interactive service, or a network game. Then, the present invention can be applied to various interactive communication services.

  The communication function may be rich media playback control, slide turning, shared comment writing, proxy input, text chat, annotation using an arrow pointer, or screen scroll control. Then, the present invention can be applied to synchronous control of various communication functions.

  The synchronization algorithm to be adopted is determined based on the number of users participating in the two-way communication service and the network delay, and the synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function is individually executed based on the determined synchronization algorithm. Also good. Then, synchronous control can be performed according to the execution status of the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization algorithm is changed according to changes in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and the network delay time, and synchronization control within and between communication functions is individually performed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. May be executed. Then, the synchronization control method can be changed according to changes in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and the network delay time.

  The synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function may include a process of waiting for a response reply transmitted by each communication terminal, and associates a weight value having a bias of importance with each communication terminal, When the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the importance value is equal to or greater than the total number of communication terminals, the process of waiting for a response reply may be canceled. As a result, among users participating in the interactive communication service, it is possible to perform synchronization control according to the operation status of the communication terminals of important users.

  The synchronization accuracy between communication terminals may be individually set for synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function. Then, the synchronization accuracy for the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions can be set.

  A maximum allowable delay time that is an allowable maximum delay time may be individually set for the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions. Then, it is possible to set the synchronization accuracy for the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions and the maximum allowable delay time without associating them.

  When the setting of the synchronization accuracy between the communication terminals or the maximum allowable delay time is changed, the synchronization algorithm is changed according to the changed synchronization accuracy or the maximum allowable delay time, and within the communication function based on the changed synchronization algorithm In addition, the synchronization control between the communication functions may be executed individually. Then, the synchronization control method can be changed according to the change in the setting of the synchronization accuracy or the maximum allowable time.

  A template in which the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time are set in advance is selected via a setting screen for allowing the user of the communication terminal to select the template in advance, and the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay of the template selected by the user are selected. The synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions may be executed individually based on the time. Then, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay within the communication function and between the communication functions via the setting screen without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. You can choose time and time.

  When the user changes the template via the setting screen for selecting the template, the synchronization algorithm may be changed, and the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions may be individually executed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. . Then, even if the user is participating in the interactive communication service, the synchronization control method can be changed via the setting screen.

  Based on the requested synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the synchronization control policy data set by the user in advance through the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control policy data which is information of the requested synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time, The synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function may be executed individually. Then, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay within the communication function and between the communication functions via the setting screen without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. You can choose time and time.

  When the user changes the synchronization control policy data via the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control policy data, the synchronization algorithm is changed, and the synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function is individually performed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. It may be executed. Then, even if the user is participating in the interactive communication service, the synchronization control method can be changed via the setting screen.

  The synchronous control operation may be customized by analyzing the synchronous control operation description data in which the user describes the synchronous control operation in advance. Then, the user can participate in the interactive communication service with the customized synchronization control method.

  When the user changes the synchronization control action description data via the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control action description data, the communication function is set within the communication function and between the communication functions based on the synchronization algorithm according to the changed synchronization control action description data. You may perform synchronous control separately. Then, even if the user is participating in the interactive communication service, the synchronization control method can be changed via the setting screen.

  Whether or not each communication function preset by the user may be used may be identified for each communication terminal. Then, it is possible to prevent communication function information not supported by the communication terminal from being transmitted to the communication terminal.

  The communication terminal is a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a television with a network connection function, or a game machine with a communication network connection function, and the available communication functions vary depending on the type of the communication terminal. Also good. Then, the present invention can be applied to various communication terminals.

  The number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and the network delay time may be individually set for each communication function. Then, the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and the network delay time can be managed for each communication function.

  A communication synchronization control device according to the present invention is connected to a content distribution device for transmitting content used for bidirectional communication between a plurality of communication terminals and communication terminals to a communication terminal via a communication network, and is performed by a user of one communication terminal. Is a communication synchronization control device that performs two-way communication services by performing synchronization control, which is control for causing other communication terminals to synchronize and execute operations, via a communication terminal, a content distribution device, and a communication network Synchronization parameter list including information on the accuracy of synchronization between communication terminals for each communication function and between each communication function as a means for expressing the network connection processing means for transmitting / receiving information and the operation of the user of the communication terminal In accordance with the type of bidirectional communication provided to the user of the communication terminal, the synchronization parameter storage means for storing in advance, the synchronization parameter management means for storing the synchronization parameter list in advance in the synchronization parameter storage means, and the synchronization parameter storage means Synchronization control method determining means for determining the synchronization control method according to the information in the synchronization parameter list, and synchronization control within and between communication functions based on the synchronization control method determined by the synchronization control method determining means. The synchronization control method execution means to be executed and the information received by the network connection processing means identify whether or not the information is a synchronization command based on the communication function. If the information received by the network connection processing means is a synchronization command, the synchronization command The synchronization parameter management hand Communication function identification means for outputting to the communication function, and a synchronization control information storage means for storing the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and network delay time for each communication function. The synchronization command output by the means is output to the synchronization control system execution means via the synchronization control system determination means, and the synchronization control system execution means executes the synchronization control and the synchronization command output by the synchronization parameter management means It transmits to a communication terminal via a means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Synchronous control method determining means and synchronous control information storage means for the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication, and synchronous control method executing means for the product of the number of communication functions and the number of synchronous control methods used for bidirectional communication Each synchronization control method determining means and each synchronization control information storage means and the communication function may correspond one-to-one, and each synchronization control method execution means is a combination of the communication function and the synchronization control method. And one-to-one correspondence. According to such a configuration, the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions can be executed separately at the same time.

  Synchronization control information storage means for storing a lock state flag that is information indicating whether or not to temporarily stop execution of the synchronization command may be included, and the synchronization command transmitted by the synchronization control method execution means is returned as a response to each communication terminal. If the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is suspended, the transmission of the synchronization command is suspended, and when a response reply is received from each communication terminal, the synchronization command is transmitted. Also good. According to such a configuration, according to such a configuration, the execution of one synchronization command and the execution of another synchronization command can be prevented from being reversed in order on the time axis.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means may include information on a maximum allowable delay time that is a maximum delay time that can allow execution of synchronization control within and between communication functions. When the synchronous control method execution means executes synchronous control, it starts counting time, and when the counted time exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, it identifies the communication function that has exceeded the maximum allowable delay time and identifies the specified communication. The synchronous control method decision means corresponding to the function may be notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded, and if the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronous command is suspended, the maximum allowable delay time is exceeded. The synchronization control method determination means that is notified that the It rewrites the lock state flag broadcast storing means stores, may be to perform the transmission of the synchronization command to the synchronous control method execution unit. According to such a configuration, it is possible to give priority to the response time for executing the synchronous command over the order of executing the synchronous command within the communication function and between the communication functions.

  When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means manages the received synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information via the communication function identification means. The synchronization parameter management means outputs the input synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information to the synchronization parameter storage means for storage, and the synchronization control method determination means causes the synchronization accuracy to be The synchronization control method determining means may send a synchronization command according to the changed synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information. You may change the synchronous control system execution means to output. According to such a configuration, according to such a configuration, the user of the communication terminal can change the information on the synchronization accuracy and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. And a synchronous control system can be changed according to the change of the information of a synchronous precision.

  When individual communication terminals may include terminal-specific information storage means for storing importance data, which is a weight value with a bias, in advance, and the lock state flag indicates that execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped The synchronization control method executing means may transmit a synchronization command when the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the value of importance data is equal to or greater than the total number of communication terminals. According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform synchronization control according to the operation status of the communication terminal of an important user among users participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time, which are templates of information on synchronization accuracy in communication functions between individual communication functions and between communication terminals. The network connection processing means, when receiving the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template from the communication terminal, sends the synchronization parameter management means via the communication function identification means. The synchronization parameter management unit may store the input synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the synchronization parameter storage unit. According to such a configuration, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable value within the communication function and between the communication functions without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. Delay time can be entered.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores template setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template, and passes through the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The template setting screen information may be transmitted to the user terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the template via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information in accordance with the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means is based on the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the changed template. The synchronization control method executing means for outputting the synchronization command may be changed. According to such a configuration, even when the user is participating in the interactive communication service, the synchronization control method can be changed via the setting screen.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization control policy that is a description for specifying the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication terminals in advance. The synchronization parameter management means analyzes the synchronization control policy data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, generates synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information, and generates the synchronization parameter storage means. May be stored. According to such a configuration, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable value within the communication function and between the communication functions without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. The delay time can be described and input.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control policy data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control policy data, and the user via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The synchronization control policy data setting screen information may be transmitted to the terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control policy data via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization parameter management means stores the synchronization parameter storage means. The synchronization control policy data may be analyzed to generate synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information and store them in the synchronization parameter storage means. The synchronization control method execution means is generated by the synchronization parameter management means. The synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command may be changed based on the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information. According to such a configuration, the user can change the synchronization control method via the synchronization control policy data setting screen even when participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization that describes the synchronization control method based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication functions in advance. Control operation description data may be included, and the synchronization control method execution means analyzes the synchronization control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, and analyzes the result of the analysis, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the maximum allowable delay time. Synchronization control may be performed based on the information. According to such a configuration, the user can participate in the interactive communication service by a customized synchronization control method.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control action description data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control action description data, and via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The synchronization control operation description data setting screen information may be transmitted to the user terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the synchronization control operation description data setting screen based on the synchronization control operation description data setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control action description data via the synchronization control action description data setting screen based on the synchronization control action description data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means The control operation description data may be analyzed, and the synchronization control may be executed based on the analysis result, information on the synchronization accuracy, and information on the maximum allowable delay time. According to such a configuration, the user can change the synchronization control method via the synchronization control operation description data setting screen even when participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a conditional expression based on the status of the interactive communication service, and the synchronization control method execution means is synchronized control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means. And the synchronization control may be executed based on the result of whether or not the conditional expression is met, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. According to such a configuration, the communication synchronization control apparatus can dynamically change the synchronization control method according to the status of the bidirectional communication service.

  The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a condition whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time. May be included. According to such a configuration, the synchronization control method can be changed depending on whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the interactive communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time.

  The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means may include a condition whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is less than a predetermined number. . According to such a configuration, the synchronization control method can be changed depending on whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the interactive communication service is less than a predetermined number.

  Terminal type / communication function table storage means for storing whether or not each communication function can be used in advance is associated with the communication terminal. According to such a configuration, it is possible to manage whether or not each communication function can be used in each communication terminal.

  The interactive communication system according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminals, a content distribution apparatus that transmits content used for bidirectional communication between the communication terminals to the communication terminal, and an operation performed by a user of the one communication terminal. Bidirectional communication comprising a communication synchronization control device that performs synchronization control, which is control that is executed in synchronization with a communication terminal, a plurality of communication terminals, a content distribution device, and a communication network that connects the communication synchronization control device An interactive communication system for providing a service, wherein the content distribution apparatus includes content distribution processing means for transmitting content for executing bidirectional communication to each communication terminal according to the type of interactive communication service, The terminal Communication data processing means for transmitting a synchronization command, which is information indicating an operation performed on the communication terminal by the user on the content, to the communication synchronization control apparatus. The communication synchronization control apparatus is connected to the communication terminal, the content distribution apparatus, and the communication network. A network connection processing means for transmitting and receiving information and a synchronization parameter including information on the accuracy of synchronization between communication terminals for each communication function and means for expressing the operation of the user of the communication terminal and between communication terminals According to the type of bidirectional communication provided to the user of the communication terminal, the synchronization parameter storage means for storing in advance, the synchronization parameter management means for storing the synchronization parameter list in advance in the synchronization parameter storage means, and the synchronization parameter Synchronization control method determining means for determining the synchronization control method according to the information of the synchronization parameter list stored in the data storage means, and within the communication function and each communication function based on the synchronization control method determined by the synchronization control method determining means The synchronization control method executing means for executing synchronization control between the network connection processing means and the information received by the network connection processing means is identified as a synchronization command based on the communication function, and the information received by the network connection processing means is the synchronization command. Communication function identification means for outputting a synchronization command to the synchronization parameter management means, and synchronization control information storage means for storing the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and the network delay time for each communication function. , Synchronization parameter management The means outputs the synchronization command output by the communication function identification means to the synchronization control method execution means via the synchronization control method determination means, and the synchronization control method execution means executes the synchronization control and is output by the synchronization parameter management means The synchronization command is transmitted to the communication terminal via the network connection processing means.

  The communication synchronization control device is a product of the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication, the product of the synchronization control method determining means and the synchronization control information storage means, and the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication and the number of synchronization control methods. Each synchronization control method determination means, each synchronization control information storage means and the communication function have a one-to-one correspondence, and each synchronization control method execution means has a communication function and synchronization control. One-to-one correspondence with the combination with the method may be possible. According to such a configuration, the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions can be executed separately at the same time.

  The communication synchronization control device may include a synchronization control information storage unit that stores a lock state flag that is information indicating whether or not to temporarily stop the execution of the synchronization command. When information including a request for response reply to each communication terminal is included and the lock status flag indicates that execution of the synchronization command is suspended, transmission of the synchronization command is suspended and response reply is received from each communication terminal A synchronization command may be transmitted. According to such a configuration, the execution of one synchronization command and the execution of another synchronization command can be prevented from being reversed in order on the time axis.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means may include information on a maximum allowable delay time that is a maximum delay time that can allow execution of synchronization control within and between communication functions. When the synchronous control method execution means executes synchronous control, it starts counting time, and when the counted time exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, it identifies the communication function that has exceeded the maximum allowable delay time and identifies the specified communication. The synchronous control method decision means corresponding to the function may be notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded, and if the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronous command is suspended, the maximum allowable delay time is exceeded. The synchronization control method determination means that is notified that the It rewrites the lock state flag broadcast storing means stores, may be to perform the transmission of the synchronization command to the synchronous control method execution unit. According to such a configuration, it is possible to give priority to the response time for executing the synchronous command over the order of executing the synchronous command within the communication function and between the communication functions.

  When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means sends the received synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information to the synchronization parameter management via the communication function identification means. The synchronization parameter management means outputs the input synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information to the synchronization parameter storage means for storage, and the synchronization control method determination means causes the synchronization accuracy to be The synchronization control method determining means may change the synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command according to the changed information of the synchronization accuracy. According to such a configuration, the user of the communication terminal can change the information on the synchronization accuracy and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. And a synchronous control system can be changed according to the change of the information of a synchronous precision.

  The communication synchronization control device may include terminal specific information storage means for storing importance data that is a weight value having a bias in advance in each communication terminal, and the lock state flag temporarily stops execution of the synchronization command. In this case, the synchronization control method executing means may transmit a synchronization command when the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the value of the importance data is equal to or greater than the total number of communication terminals. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform synchronization control according to the operation status of the communication terminal of an important user among users participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time, which are templates of information on synchronization accuracy in communication functions between individual communication functions and between communication terminals. The network connection processing means, when receiving the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template from the communication terminal, sends the synchronization parameter management means via the communication function identification means. The synchronization parameter management unit may store the input synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the synchronization parameter storage unit. According to such a configuration, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable value within the communication function and between the communication functions without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. Delay time can be entered.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores template setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template, and passes through the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The template setting screen information may be transmitted to the user terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the template via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information in accordance with the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means is based on the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the changed template. The synchronization control method executing means for outputting the synchronization command may be changed. According to such a configuration, the user can change the synchronization control method via the template setting screen even when participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization control policy that is a description for specifying the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication terminals in advance. The synchronization parameter management means analyzes the synchronization control policy data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, generates synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information, and generates the synchronization parameter storage means. May be stored. According to such a configuration, the user can input the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable value within the communication function and between the communication functions without individually inputting the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time within the communication function and between the communication functions. The delay time can be described and input.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control policy data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control policy data, and the user via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The synchronization control policy data setting screen information may be transmitted to the terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control policy data via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization parameter management means stores the synchronization parameter storage means. The synchronization control policy data may be analyzed to generate synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information and store them in the synchronization parameter storage means. The synchronization control method execution means is generated by the synchronization parameter management means. The synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command may be changed based on the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information. According to such a configuration, the user can change the synchronization control method via the synchronization control policy data setting screen even when participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization that describes the synchronization control method based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication functions in advance. Control operation description data may be included, and the synchronization control method execution means analyzes the synchronization control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, and analyzes the result of the analysis, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the maximum allowable delay time. Synchronization control may be performed based on the information. According to such a configuration, the user can participate in the interactive communication service by a customized synchronization control method.

  The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control action description data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control action description data, and via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The synchronization control operation description data setting screen information may be transmitted to the user terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can set the synchronization control method via the synchronization control operation description data setting screen based on the synchronization control operation description data setting screen information.

  When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control action description data via the synchronization control action description data setting screen based on the synchronization control action description data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means The control operation description data may be analyzed, and the synchronization control may be executed based on the analysis result, information on the synchronization accuracy, and information on the maximum allowable delay time. According to such a configuration, the user can change the synchronization control method via the synchronization control operation description data setting screen even when participating in the interactive communication service.

  The synchronization control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a conditional expression based on the status of the interactive communication service, and the synchronization control method execution means is synchronized control action description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means. And the synchronization control may be executed based on the result of whether or not the conditional expression is met, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. According to such a configuration, the communication synchronization control apparatus can dynamically change the synchronization control method according to the status of the bidirectional communication service.

  The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a condition whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time. May be included. According to such a configuration, the synchronization control method can be changed depending on whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the interactive communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time.

  The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means may include a condition whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is less than a predetermined number. . According to such a configuration, the synchronization control method can be changed depending on whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the interactive communication service is less than a predetermined number.

  The communication synchronization control device may include a terminal type / communication function table storage unit that stores in advance the availability of each communication function in association with the communication terminal. According to such a configuration, it is possible to manage whether or not each communication function can be used in each communication terminal.

  The communication terminal is a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a television with a network connection function, or a game machine with a network connection function. Good. According to such a configuration, the bidirectional communication system according to the present invention can be applied to various communication terminals.

  The first effect of the present invention is that, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, the synchronization control within each communication function and between each communication function is performed for each communication capability finely categorized. It is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can be easily performed. For example, within each communication function and between each communication function, which communication function and which communication function require synchronization control, and which communication function and which communication function do not require synchronization control are managed separately. It is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can be performed. In addition, for example, a two-way communication service that can set synchronization accuracy between each communication terminal and set an allowable maximum delay time separately within each communication function and between each communication function is realized. A synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a two-way communication system.

  The second effect of the present invention is that, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, the individual communication functions finely categorized within each communication function and between each communication function. Regarding synchronization algorithms, appropriate synchronization algorithms for synchronization control within and between communication functions are selected from multiple synchronization algorithms based on the number of users participating in interactive communication services, network delays, etc. It is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can be executed separately. For example, the synchronization algorithm A is executed for synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, while another synchronization algorithm B is executed simultaneously for synchronization control between the arrow pointer function and the screen scroll function. It is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system that realize a bidirectional communication service that can be controlled.

  The third effect of the present invention is that, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same interactive communication service, the individual communication functions that are finely categorized are within each communication function and between each communication function. Regarding synchronization algorithms, a synchronization algorithm suitable for controlling synchronization within and between communication functions from among multiple synchronization algorithms in response to fluctuations in the number of users participating in interactive communication services and network delays. Can be provided by providing a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a bidirectional communication system for realizing a bidirectional communication service that can be switched and executed separately. For example, regarding the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, the synchronization algorithm C is executed when the network delay is relatively small, and another synchronization algorithm D is synchronized when the network delay is relatively large. It is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a two-way communication system that realize a two-way communication service that can be easily controlled simultaneously with the algorithm C.

  The fourth effect of the present invention is that, when a plurality of communication terminals participate in the same bidirectional communication service, synchronization within each communication function and between each communication function for each communication function finely categorized. As for the algorithm, it is possible to provide a synchronization control method, a communication synchronization control device, and a two-way communication system that realize a two-way communication service that can easily customize the synchronization control method to an appropriate one according to the two-way communication service. is there.

  The fifth effect of the present invention is that communication terminals having different capabilities, that is, a plurality of communication terminals whose available communication functions differ depending on the type of communication terminal, participate in the same bidirectional communication service. A synchronization control method for realizing a bidirectional communication service in which a system that performs synchronization control of communication functions in a so-called ubiquitous environment can specify for each communication terminal whether or not each communication function is finely categorized; A communication synchronization control device and a bidirectional communication system can be provided.

  The sixth effect of the present invention is not limited to a situation where a plurality of communication terminals having uniform communication capability participate in the same bidirectional communication service, and a plurality of communication terminals having non-uniform communication capability are Synchronization control method and communication synchronization for realizing a bidirectional communication service capable of performing synchronization control within each communication function and between each communication function even in a so-called ubiquitous environment such as participating in the same bidirectional communication service It is possible to provide a control device and a two-way communication system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one configuration example for carrying out the present invention. Communication synchronization control device 200, content distribution device 300, and user terminal (communication terminal) 1 to user terminal N are connected via communication network 400. The connection forms of the above-described apparatuses and terminals between the above-described communication networks 400 include wide-area communication network networks such as the Internet, local communication networks such as corporate LANs and home LANs, wireless communication networks, and wireless networks. It may be a packet communication network, a terrestrial broadcast network, a satellite broadcast network, a satellite communication network, or other connection forms similar to these.

  The user terminals 1 to N are a personal computer (PC), a portable computer (PDA), a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a television with a communication network connection function, and a game machine with a communication network connection function. These are other communication terminals having a function of exchanging information with the outside in a similar manner. The communication synchronization control device 200 and the content distribution device 300 are realized by a computer such as a server, for example.

  In the following, a plurality of terminals are used in interactive communication services such as electronic conference, IP multimedia telephone, IP contact center, remote consultation service, remote consultation, help desk service, remote education, interactive program-linked service, and network game. It is expressed as “service application (service AP)”, referring to “place of communication” on the premise of participation of The service AP here means, for example, an individual electronic conference room in an electronic conference, and an individual session of a conversation in which video, voice, and data are combined in an IP multimedia telephone, a remote consultation service or a remote consultation. And help desk services mean conversation sessions that combine video, audio, and data between operators and customers, distance education means individual virtual classrooms and educational courses, and program-linked interactive services relate to programs In a communication network game, it means a virtual session in which content related to the game is displayed.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment of the present invention includes a communication synchronization control device 200, a content distribution device 300, user terminals 1 to N, and a communication network 400.

  The communication synchronization control device 200 includes a network connection processing unit (network connection processing means) 201 that connects the communication synchronization control device 200 and the communication network 400, and a terminal type / memory that stores information specifying a communication function that can be executed by each user terminal. Information is written in the communication function table storage unit (terminal type / communication function table storage means) 202 and terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202, and the terminal type from which the information stored in the terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202 is read out. / Communication for specifying whether the information received by the communication function table management unit 203 and the network connection processing unit 201 is information related to the communication function A function identification (communication function identification means) unit 204, a synchronization parameter storage (synchronization parameter storage means) unit 205 for storing a requested synchronization accuracy list which is information of synchronization accuracy necessary for execution of each service AP, a clock of each user terminal, Terminal specific information storage (terminal specific information storage means) unit 212 that stores terminal specific information including time error data that is time error information with respect to the clock of communication synchronization control apparatus 200, terminal specific information storage unit 212, and synchronization parameter storage The synchronization parameter management (synchronization parameter management means) unit 206 that writes information in the unit 205 and reads out the information stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 and the synchronization parameter storage unit 205, and the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 Server input unit 207 that inputs information, and determines the synchronization control method Synchronization control method determination (synchronization control method determination means) units 208-1 to 208 -M, synchronization control information storage (synchronization control information storage means) units 209-1 to 209 -M that store parameters related to synchronization control, and synchronization It includes synchronization control method execution (synchronization control method execution means) units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML for executing control.

  The network connection processing unit 201 transmits and receives communication data for the communication function between the content distribution device 300 and the user terminals 1 to N. When communication data is received from the content distribution device 300 or the user terminals 1 to N, it is specified whether or not the communication data is communication data related to the communication function. Specifically, it is specified based on the contents described in the header part of the communication data. If the received communication data is related to the communication function, the communication data is output to the communication function identification unit 204. Otherwise, the communication data is output to the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. . When communication data is received from any of the synchronization control method execution units 211-1 to 211 -ML, any one of the content distribution device 300 and the user terminals 1 to N is determined based on the description of the header part of the communication data. The communication data is output.

  The terminal type / communication function table management unit 203 reads information stored in the terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202 and writes information to the terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202. The terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202 stores a terminal type / communication function table that is a table of information that specifies whether or not each communication function can be used for the terminal types of the communication terminals used for the user terminals 1 to N. I remember it. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the terminal type / communication function table. The terminal type data is information that identifies the type of communication terminal used for the user terminals 1 to N. Examples of the type of communication terminal include a personal computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone. The terminal type / communication function table includes, for each terminal type data, communication function data for specifying each communication function and an availability flag indicating whether each communication function can be used. . Specifically, for example, for each of the K types of terminal types, among the M types of communication functions, which communication function is available and which communication function is unusable is set as an availability flag. Show.

  Here, M is the total number of communication functions used in a certain service AP. Since the total number of communication functions used may vary depending on the service AP, the value of M may be different for different service APs. The communication function type data is information specifying the type of communication function. Accordingly, each communication function type data indicates a different type of communication function. The availability flag is information indicating whether or not user terminals belonging to the type of communication terminal indicated by the terminal type data can use the type of communication function indicated by the communication function type data.

  The communication function identification unit 204 receives communication data related to the communication function from the network connection processing unit 201, specifies which communication function the communication data is related to, and sends it to the synchronization parameter management unit 206. The communication data is output. Note that the communication function identification unit 204 may output the communication data to any of the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208 -M corresponding to the specified communication function via the synchronization parameter management unit 206. .

  The synchronization parameter management unit 206 reads the synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 and writes the synchronization parameter list to the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. The synchronization parameter storage unit 205 stores the written synchronization parameter list. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization parameter list. The service APID is an ID that identifies the service AP. The synchronization parameter list is information that associates each service APID with the requested synchronization accuracy list. Then, the required synchronization accuracy within each communication function and between each communication function is specified.

  The service APID is information having the same content as the service APID of the content list stored in the content information storage unit 302 of the content distribution device 300. When the service AP is generated or deleted in the content distribution device 300, the content is stored. The content distribution processing unit 301 of the distribution apparatus 300 notifies the synchronization parameter management unit 206 that the corresponding service APID has been generated or deleted. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 generates a service APID in the synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 with the notified service APID, or deletes the service APID from the synchronization parameter list. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 identifies a specific service AP from among a number of service APs using the service APID when setting the required synchronization accuracy for the specific service AP.

  The request synchronization accuracy list is composed of M communication function type data rows and M communication function type data columns, and has a matrix structure of M × M request synchronization accuracy data. The M communication function type data in the matrix row correspond to the communication functions used in the service AP. The M communication function type data in the matrix column correspond to the communication functions used in the service AP. However, the order of the communication functions in the matrix row and the order of the communication functions in the matrix column in the required synchronization accuracy list are the same.

  The M × M requested synchronization accuracy data, which are elements of the matrix, store the required synchronization accuracy for the synchronization processing of the column communication function when a synchronization command for the row communication function is generated. Specifically, when 1 ≦ i ≦ M and 1 ≦ j ≦ M, and i is not j, communication in the j-th column is performed when a synchronization command for the communication function in the j-th column is generated in the service AP. The requested synchronization accuracy for the synchronization process between communication functions between the function and the communication function in the i-th row uses the requested synchronization accuracy data arranged in the i-th row and the j-th column. Here, since it is assumed that i = j is not established, the communication function synchronization processing is performed. For example, in the case of i = j, it is a synchronization process within a communication function, and the required synchronization accuracy data used in the i-th row and the j-th column is used as the required synchronization accuracy.

  The requested synchronization accuracy data is information that describes the content of executing synchronization control within each communication function or between each communication function for each service AP.

  In this way, each communication function is arranged in the form of a matrix structure, and the required synchronization accuracy data is arranged as an element of the matrix, thereby setting the required synchronization accuracy for the inter-communication function synchronization processing and the intra-communication synchronization processing. Request synchronization accuracy settings can be managed using a single framework called a matrix.

  The terminal specific information storage unit 212 stores terminal specific data. Specifically, terminal-specific data that associates a terminal ID, which is an ID for identifying each user terminal, with time error data is stored. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of terminal-specific data. The time error data is information indicating a time error between a clock (not shown) of the user terminal corresponding to the terminal ID and a clock (not shown) of the communication synchronization control device 200. The number of time error data is the same as the total number of user terminals.

  The administrator of communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs information to server input unit 207, and server input unit 207 inputs the input information to terminal type / communication function table management unit 203 and synchronization parameter management unit 206. . Specifically, the administrator of communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs terminal type data, communication function type data corresponding to each terminal type data, and availability flag in association with communication function type data to server input unit 207. . The server input unit 207 outputs the input terminal type data, the communication function type data corresponding to each terminal type data, and the availability flag associated with the communication function type data to the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. Terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202. Further, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs the requested synchronization accuracy data of the matrix elements of the requested synchronization accuracy list in association with the service APID. The server input unit 207 associates the input request synchronization accuracy data with the service APID, outputs it to the synchronization parameter management unit 206, and stores it in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205.

  The synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208-M are connected to the synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M, respectively, and the synchronization control stored in the synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M. Read and write the synchronization control data, which are the parameters of. Then, one of the synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M stores synchronization control data related to one communication function from among M types of communication functions. The synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208 -M determine which synchronization control method is to be adopted from among the L types of synchronization control methods for the communication function. That is, since there are M synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208 -M, the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208 -M have, for example, L types of synchronization control methods for each of the M communication functions. Which synchronization control method is to be adopted is determined. Specifically, for example, a synchronization control method to be employed is determined according to the requested synchronization accuracy data, a synchronization control method to be employed is determined according to the number of users logged into the content distribution apparatus 300, communication synchronization The synchronization control method to be adopted is determined according to the network delay time of information transmission / reception between the control device 200 and the user terminal.

  The synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M store synchronization control data, respectively. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization control data. The communication function type data is information that identifies which communication function of the M types of communication functions is the synchronization control data. The terminal ID is a terminal ID of a user terminal that can use one communication function specified by the communication function type data among the terminal IDs of all the user terminals 1 to N. The total terminal data is a value of the total number of user terminals that can use one communication function specified by the communication function type data.

  The network delay data is a network delay time from when the user terminal corresponding to the terminal ID outputs the communication data until it arrives at the network connection processing unit 201 of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200. The number of network delay data is the same as the value of the total terminal data.

  Whether the preparation completion flag has received response information indicating completion of execution of synchronization command from each user terminal in the process of synchronization command execution executed by the synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML This is information indicating whether or not. The number of preparation completion flags is the same as the value of the terminal total number data.

  The lock state flag is a synchronization control method execution unit 211-1 that is responsible for a synchronization command of another communication function in the process of a synchronization command executed by one synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-1-1 to 211-ML. -1 to 211-ML is information indicating whether or not the execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped. The number of lock state flags is the same as the value of the number M of communication function types. If any one of the M lock state flags is locked (a state indicating that the execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped), the synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-1-1. 211-ML temporarily stops execution of the synchronous command of a communication function.

  There are L × M synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML in total. Here, L indicates the number of types of processing contents of synchronization control, that is, the number of types of synchronization control methods. The contents of the synchronization control process are those that operate at high speed instead of simply obtaining a low level of synchronization accuracy, those that operate at low speed instead of obtaining a complicated and high level of synchronization accuracy, and further There can be various types, up to intermediate ones. As described above, the processing contents of the synchronization control can be various with different properties. Further, in addition to the axis of the type of processing contents of the L synchronization controls, the synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML are also present on the axis of the number of communication functions (M). . That is, if one synchronous control process content is extracted from the synchronous control process contents with L variations, there are M synchronization control method execution apparatuses that execute the synchronous control process contents. become. That is, in the present invention, among the L × M synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML in total, a plurality of synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -M- L can execute the synchronization command simultaneously.

  The content distribution device 300 includes a content distribution processing unit (content distribution processing unit) 301 that connects the content distribution device 300 and the communication network 400, a content information storage unit 302 that stores the service APID and the content of the service AP in association with each other, All user information storage unit 304 that stores terminal IDs and terminal type data in association with each other, reads all information stored in all user information storage units 304, and writes information to all user information storage units 304 A user information processing unit 303 and a content input unit 305 for inputting content are included.

  The content distribution processing unit 301 reads information stored in the content information storage unit 302 and writes information in the content information storage unit 302. In addition, the content of the service AP is distributed to the user terminals 1 to N via the communication network 400. The content information storage unit 302 stores a content list that associates service APIDs with service AP content. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the content list. The total number of service APIDs matches the total number of service APs.

  The service AP content includes composite content of the service AP. Composite content is content used in both electronic conferences and IP multimedia telephones, for example. The total number of service AP contents matches the total number of service APIDs. The service AP content includes content component data, link data, communication function type data, and synchronization command data. The total number of content component data, the total number of link data, and the total number of communication function type data may be different from each other. The total number of communication function type data may not be M. Further, the total number of communication function type data and the total number of synchronous command data are the same.

  The content component data is individual content constituting the service AP. For example, an HTML file, a still image file, an animation image file, a moving image file, a JAVA (registered trademark) applet, plug-in software, and the like. The link data is link information that is information linked to content component data in the service AP and content outside the service AP. This link data is associated with the content component data of the content of the service AP. The communication function type data is associated with the synchronization command data, and specifies which communication function the synchronization command data corresponds to. Communication function type data is handled as a set with synchronous command data.

  The synchronization command data is information necessary for executing the synchronization control. For example, when the communication function is a slide-turn, the data is used to instruct each of the communication terminals 1 to N with a command such as downloading the next page data (content component data) from the content information storage unit 302. This is information for executing the synchronization command.

  The all-user information processing unit 303 is connected to the communication network 400 and reads information stored in the all-user information storage unit 304 and writes information to the all-user information storage unit 304. Further, the all-user information processing unit 303 generates terminal IDs of the user terminals 1 to N and stores them in the all-user information storage unit 304. Further, the all user information storage unit 304 stores all user information data. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. All user information data is information that associates a terminal ID with terminal type data.

  The terminal ID is an ID assigned to each communication terminal in order to identify the communication terminal registered in the interactive communication service. The total number of terminal IDs is equal to the total number of user terminals 1 to N registered in the interactive communication service. The total number of terminal type data is equal to the total number of terminal IDs. The administrator of the content distribution apparatus 300 inputs content component data, link data, communication function type data, and synchronization command data to the content input unit 305. The content input unit 305 outputs the content part data, link data, communication function type data, and synchronization command data input by the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 300 to the content distribution processing unit 301 and causes the content information storage unit 302 to store them. . Further, the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 300 may input terminal type data to the content input unit 305 in association with the terminal ID, and the content input unit 305 sends the terminal type data to the all user information processing unit 303. It may be stored in association with the ID. Hereinafter, content component data, link data, communication function type data, and synchronization command data are collectively referred to simply as content.

  In this embodiment, the communication terminals are user terminals 1 to N, which means that there are a total of N user terminals that are communication terminals. Here, the user terminal 1 will be described. However, the user terminals 2 to N have the same configuration and the same operation as the user terminal 1, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. The user terminal 1 will be described as an example. The user terminal 1 includes a communication data processing unit (communication data processing unit) 11-1 that connects the communication network 400 and the user terminal 1, a display unit 12-1 that displays information, and a user of the user terminal 1 that receives information. An input unit 13-1 for inputting and a user information storage unit 14-1 for storing information of the user terminal 1 are included.

  The communication data processing unit 11-1 receives the content of the service AP from the content distribution device 300 via the communication network 400, or based on the link data included in the content by a user operation, the content distribution device 300. New content is received, or the received content is displayed on the display unit 12-1. Further, the communication function type data and the synchronization command data included in the content are transmitted to the communication synchronization control device 200 based on the user's operation. Further, the information stored in the user information storage unit 14-1 is transmitted to the content distribution device 300 and the communication synchronization control device 200. Furthermore, based on the synchronization command received from the communication synchronization control device 200, the contents of the synchronization command are executed, and the execution result is displayed on the display unit 12-1.

  The display unit 12-1 displays content based on the control of the communication data processing unit 11-1. The input unit 13-1 allows the user of the user terminal 1 to input information to the communication data processing unit 11-1 or input information for operating the user terminal 1. The user information storage unit 14-1 stores user information data. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of user information data. The user information data is information that associates the terminal ID with the terminal type data. The user information storage unit 14-1 stores the terminal ID of the user terminal 1 and the terminal type data in association with each other.

  Next, the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into a preparation phase and an execution phase. First, the preparation phase will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the preparation phase in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the content distribution apparatus 300, the content input unit 305 outputs the content that is the service AP content to the content distribution processing unit 301. The content distribution processing unit 301 stores the input content in the content information storage unit 302 (step S101).

  In the communication synchronization control device 200, an administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 stores the terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202 via the server input unit 207 and the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. The terminal type data of the user terminals 1 to N is stored in the existing terminal type / communication function table list (step S102).

  In the content distribution device 300, the content distribution processing unit 301 transmits the service APID stored in the content information storage unit 302 to the communication synchronization control device 200 (step S103). In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 receives the service APID, and the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 stores the service APID via the communication function identification unit 204 and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. Register to the list. Then, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 sends the synchronization accuracy to each element of the requested synchronization accuracy list matrix corresponding to this service APID via the server input unit 207 and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. The data is input to 205 and stored (step S104). Note that the user who hosts the service AP may transmit the synchronization accuracy of each element of the matrix of the requested synchronization accuracy list to the communication synchronization control device 200 by operating the user terminal. In the communication synchronization control device 200, the synchronization accuracy of each element of the matrix of the requested synchronization accuracy list is stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 via the network connection processing unit 201, the communication function identification unit 204, and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. It may be memorized.

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 transmits the terminal type data of the user terminal 1 to the all user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 300 (step S105). Similarly, communication data processing units 11-2 to 11-N of user terminals 2 to N transmit terminal type data to all user information processing units 303 (steps S106 and S107).

  In the content distribution device 300, the all-user information processing unit 303 generates a terminal ID and transmits the terminal ID to the user terminal 1 (step S108). Similarly, in the content distribution apparatus 300, the all-user information processing unit 303 generates terminal IDs of the user terminals 2 to N, respectively, and transmits them to the user terminals 2 to N, respectively. Further, the all-user information processing unit 303 associates the generated terminal ID with the received terminal type data, and stores it in the all-user information storage unit 304 as all-user information data.

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 receives the terminal ID (step S109), and stores the terminal ID in the user information storage unit 14-1. Similarly, in the user terminals 2 to N, the communication data processing units 11-2 to 11-N receive the terminal IDs (steps S110 and S111), and store them in the user information storage units 14-2 to 14-N, respectively. .

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 transmits the terminal ID to the all user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution apparatus 200, and logs in to the service AP (step S112). Similarly, in the user terminals 2 to N, the communication data processing units 11-2 to 11 -N transmit terminal IDs to all the user information processing units 303 of the content distribution device 200, respectively, and log in to the service AP (steps). S113, S114).

  In the content distribution apparatus 300, since the terminal IDs received from the user terminals 1 to N are already stored in the all user information storage unit 304, the all user information processing unit 303 performs login processing (step S115), and the content distribution processing The unit 301 causes the content of the service AP stored in the content information storage unit 302 to be transmitted to each user terminal (step S116). When the communication data processing unit 11-1 receives the content of the service AP (step S117), the user terminal 1 causes the display unit 12-1 to display the received content. Similarly, in the user terminals 2 to N, when the communication data processing units 11-2 to 11-N respectively receive the contents of the service AP (Steps S118 and S119), the received contents are displayed on the display units 12-2 to 12-, respectively. N is displayed. The all-user information processing unit 303 transmits user terminal information, which is information in which the terminal ID of each user terminal is associated with the terminal type data, to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 (step S120).

  In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 receives the user terminal information (step S121) and outputs it to the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. The terminal type / communication function table management unit 203 refers to the terminal type / communication function table list and identifies which communication function each user terminal can use. Then, each of the synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M via the network connection processing unit 201, the communication function identification unit 204, the synchronization parameter management unit 206, and the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208-M. The terminal ID and the total number of terminals are registered in each synchronization control data corresponding to the communication function. This completes the preparation phase.

  Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using a specific example. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a specific example of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  As a specific example, each one of a PC terminal (user terminal 1), a PDA terminal (user terminal 2), and a mobile phone terminal (user terminal 3) participates in a service AP with a service API of “progress meeting”. Suppose a situation where an electronic conference is advanced while synchronizing with each communication function. Also, in this service AP, the available communication functions are assumed to be three functions of slide turning, arrow pointer, and screen scrolling. The PC terminal can use all three communication functions, but the PDA terminal cannot use the arrow pointer, and the mobile phone terminal cannot use screen scrolling.

  First, the preparation phase will be described. In the content distribution apparatus 300, the content input unit 305 outputs the service APID and service AP content of the service AP to the content distribution processing unit 301, and the content distribution processing unit 301 outputs the service APID and service AP content to the content information storage unit. 302 is stored. Here, it is assumed that the service APID is “progress meeting” and the service AP content is a set of contents (content component data, link data, communication function type data, and synchronization command data) that realize the service AP.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of the content list according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the content component data is an HTML file or a still image file that constitutes the service AP, the link data is link information to the content component data, the communication function type data is a slide turn, an arrow pointer There are three types of screen scrolling, and the synchronization command data is a command to download the specified slide (and, if there is a response reply request, return a ready completion response when the specified slide is downloaded); A command to display the specified slide that has been downloaded (and no response will be returned even if the slide display is completed, regardless of whether there is a response reply request) and the distance specified in the direction specified by the arrow pointer Move (and when there is a response reply request) , Move the arrow pointer to the specified distance in the specified direction (and return the response when the arrow pointer has been moved) and scroll the screen if there is a response reply request. Then, a command that returns a ready completion response) is assumed.

  In the communication synchronization control device 200, an administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 stores the terminal type / communication function table storage unit 202 via the server input unit 207 and the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. The terminal type data and the availability flag are registered in association with the terminal type / communication function table list. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of the terminal type / communication function table list according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, specifically, as an example of the terminal type data, two types of PC terminal type, PDA terminal type, and mobile phone terminal type are registered. And the communication function utilization ability of the terminal whose terminal type data is “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” is the three functions of turning, arrow pointer and screen scrolling, and the terminal type data is “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5 .5 ”is a function for using the communication function of the terminal, which is two functions of turning the screen and scrolling the screen. It was made to be one function. In FIG. 13, when there is a communication function utilization capability, the availability flag is “true”, and when there is no communication function utilization capability, the availability flag is “false”.

  In the content distribution device 200, the content information processing unit 301 transmits a “progress meeting” of the service APID to the communication synchronization control device 200. In the communication synchronization control device, the network connection processing unit 201 receives the “progress meeting” of the service APID, and the synchronization parameter management unit 206 transmits the “progress meeting” of the service APID via the communication function identification unit 204. Is registered in the synchronization parameter list stored. Further, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs the synchronization accuracy to each element of the requested synchronization accuracy list matrix corresponding to this service APID via the server input unit 207 and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of the synchronization parameter list according to the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, as an example of the synchronization accuracy, the value of the required synchronization accuracy between the slide turning and the arrow pointer when the slide turning occurs is set to level 2, and the other required synchronization accuracy. All values were set at level 1. The level will be described later in detail.

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 transmits the terminal type data “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” of the user terminal 1 to the all user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 300. Similarly, in the user terminal 2, the communication data processing unit 11-2 transmits the terminal type data “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5” of the user terminal 2 to the all user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 300. Similarly, in the user terminal 3, the communication data processing unit 11-3 transmits the terminal type data “mPhone; N77” of the user terminal 3 to the all user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 300.

  In the content distribution device 300, the all-user information processing unit 301 issues a terminal ID “PC001” to the user terminal 1 and transmits it to the user terminal 1. Similarly, in the content distribution apparatus 300, the all-user information processing unit 301 issues a terminal ID “PDA001” to the user terminal 2 and transmits it to the user terminal 2. Similarly, in the content distribution apparatus 300, the all-user information processing unit 301 issues a terminal ID “MP001” to the user terminal 3 and transmits it to the user terminal 3. The all-user information processing unit 303 stores the generated terminal ID and the received terminal type data in the all-user information storage unit 304 in association with each other. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of all user information data according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the terminal ID “PC001” of the user terminal 1 and the terminal type data “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” of the user terminal 1 are stored in association with each other, and the terminal ID “PDA001” of the user terminal 2 is stored. ”And the terminal type data“ PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5 ”of the user terminal 2 are stored in association with each other, and the terminal ID“ MP001 ”of the user terminal 3 and the terminal type data“ mPhone; N77 ”of the user terminal 3 are stored. Correspondingly stored.

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 receives the terminal ID “PC001” and stores the terminal ID in association with the terminal type data in the user information storage unit 14-1. Similarly, in the user terminal 2, the communication data processing unit 11-2 receives the terminal ID “PDA001” and stores the terminal ID in association with the terminal type data in the user information storage unit 14-2. Similarly, in the user terminal 3, the communication data processing unit 11-3 receives the terminal ID “MP001” and stores the terminal ID in association with the terminal type data in the user information storage unit 14-3. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of user information data according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the terminal ID “PC001” of the user terminal 1 and the terminal type data “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” of the user terminal 1 are stored in the user information storage unit 14-1 in association with each other. The user information storage unit 14-2 stores the terminal ID “PDA001” of the user terminal 2 and the terminal type data “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5” of the user terminal 2 in association with each other, and the user information storage unit 14- 3 stores the terminal ID “MP001” of the user terminal 3 and the terminal type data “mPhone; N77” of the user terminal 3 in association with each other.

  In the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-1 transmits the terminal ID “PC001” to the all-user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 200 and logs in to the “progress meeting” service AP. Similarly, in the user terminal 2, the communication data processing unit 11-2 transmits the terminal ID “PDA001” to the all-user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution apparatus 200, and logs in to the service AP of “Progress Meeting”. Similarly, in the user terminal 3, the communication data processing unit 11-3 transmits the terminal ID “MP001” to the all-user information processing unit 303 of the content distribution device 200, and logs in to the “progress meeting” service AP.

  In the content distribution device 300, since the terminal IDs “PC001”, “PDA001”, and “MP001” received from the user terminals 1 to 3 are already stored in the all user information storage unit 304, the all user information processing unit 303 The content distribution processing unit 301 transmits the content of the service AP “progress meeting” stored in the content information storage unit 302 to the user terminals 1 to 3. When the communication data processing unit 11-1 receives the content of the service AP, the user terminal 1 causes the display unit 12-1 to display the received content. Similarly, when the communication data processing unit 11-2 receives the content of the service AP, the user terminal 2 causes the display unit 12-2 to display the received content. Similarly, when the communication data processing unit 11-3 receives the content of the service AP, the user terminal 3 displays the received content on the display unit 12-3.

  The all-user information processing unit 303 transmits the terminal IDs of the user terminals 1 to 3 and the terminal type data to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 in association with each other. Specifically, the terminal ID “PC001” of the user terminal 1 and the terminal type data “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” of the user terminal 1 are transmitted to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 in association with each other. The terminal ID “PDA001” and the terminal type data “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5” of the user terminal 2 are transmitted in association with each other. The terminal ID “MP001” of the user terminal 3 and the terminal type data “mPhone; N77 "is transmitted in association with it.

  In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 includes terminal IDs “PC001”, “PDA001”, and “MP001” of each user terminal, and terminal type data “PC; WinXP: IE6.0” of each user terminal, “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5” and “mPhone; N77” are received and output to the terminal type / communication function table management unit 203. The terminal type / communication function table management unit 203 refers to the terminal type / communication function table list and identifies which communication function each terminal can use. Specifically, since the terminal type data of the user terminal 1 whose terminal ID is “PC001” is “PC; WinXP: IE6.0”, as shown in FIG. However, it is possible to specify that the three functions are slide turning, arrow pointer, and screen scrolling. In addition, since the terminal type data of the user terminal 2 whose terminal ID is “PDA001” is “PDA; sigIII; pocketIE5.5”, the communication function utilization ability of the user terminal 2 is the two of the screen turning and the screen scrolling. It can be identified as a function. In addition, since the terminal type data of the user terminal 3 whose terminal ID is “MP001” is “mPhone; N77”, the communication function utilization ability of the user terminal 3 is two, that is, a flip and an arrow pointer. Can be identified.

  The user terminals 1 to 3 transmit the current time of a built-in clock (not shown) to the communication synchronization control device 200 in association with the terminal ID. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 associates the received current times of the user terminals 1 to 3 with the terminal IDs and outputs them to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 calculates time errors between a clock (not shown) built in the communication synchronization control device 200 and the clocks of the user terminals 1 to 3, and stores them in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 as terminal specific data. Remember me. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of terminal-specific data according to the first embodiment.

  The terminal type / communication function table management unit 203 includes a synchronization control information storage unit via the network connection processing unit 201, the communication function identification unit 204, the synchronization parameter management unit 206, and the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208-3. The terminal ID and the total number of terminals are registered in the respective synchronization control data corresponding to the communication functions 209-1 to 209-3. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of the synchronization control data according to the first embodiment. Data shown in FIG. 18 is stored in the three synchronization control data corresponding to the three communication functions of the slide turning, the arrow pointer, and the screen scroll.

  Here, the level of the requested synchronization accuracy data in the matrix of the requested synchronization control list used for the synchronization control will be described. In this service AP, level 1 and level 2 are prepared as examples of the level of requested synchronization accuracy data. The synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-1, the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 and the synchronization control method execution unit 211-3-1 execute level 1 synchronization control, and the synchronization control method execution unit 211-1. -2, the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-2 and the synchronization control method execution unit 211-3-2 execute level 2 synchronization control.

  In level 1, each synchronization control method execution unit and each user terminal do not perform any special processing for synchronization control, and each synchronization control method execution unit sends a synchronization command to each user via the network connection processing unit 201. A synchronization algorithm of transmitting to the terminal is used.

  On the other hand, at level 2, when an instruction of ACK is included in the synchronization command data, in addition to the instruction of execution of the contents of the synchronization command to each user terminal, the execution of the synchronization command is completed after the execution of the synchronization command is completed. A synchronization algorithm is used in which an ACK response, which is information indicating completion, is requested to be transmitted to the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208-3.

  A synchronization command that does not include an ACK instruction in the synchronization command data only instructs each user terminal to execute the contents of the synchronization command. When a synchronization command in which an instruction ACK is included in the synchronization command data is transmitted to each user terminal at level 2, the synchronization control method determination units 208-1 to 208-3 do not receive ACK responses from all user terminals. As long as transmission of synchronization commands related to the communication function to be synchronized is stopped. And the synchronous control system determination part 208-1-208-3 will restart transmission of the synchronous command regarding the communication function used as a synchronization object, if an ACK response is received from all the user terminals. Therefore, the synchronization algorithm is different between the level 1 synchronization control and the level 2 synchronization control.

  This completes the preparation phase. Next, the execution phase will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in the execution phase according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  In the execution phase, an example of executing synchronous control will be described with a specific example. Specifically, it will be described in what procedure the synchronization operation between communication functions is performed when the user terminal 1 moves, slides, and scrolls the arrow pointer.

  As an example, first, when the arrow pointer is moved at the user terminal 1 and screen scrolling is performed immediately after that, how the synchronization between communication functions between the arrow pointer and the screen scroll is executed. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the user terminal 1, the user operates the input unit 13-1 to move the arrow pointer. For example, the format of the synchronization command of the communication function when the arrow pointer is moved is “arrow pointer; moving direction (angle with respect to the horizontal direction); moving distance (dot); To do. For example, when the arrow pointer moves 20 dots at an angle of 35 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction and the synchronization command data requests an ACK response, the communication data processing unit 11-1 A synchronization command “arrow pointer; direction = 35; distance = 20; ack” is transmitted to 200 (step S201).

  In the communication synchronization control device 200, the network connection processing unit 201 receives a synchronization command (step S202). For example, the network connection processing unit 201 detects that the received communication data is a synchronization command based on the header portion of the received communication data. The network connection processing unit 201 outputs a synchronization command to the communication function identification unit 204. The communication function identification unit 204 identifies that the synchronization command is related to the arrow pointer, and outputs the synchronization command to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 together with information specifying that the synchronization command is related to the arrow pointer. .

  The synchronization parameter management unit 206 scans the row of the requested synchronization accuracy list matrix stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 in which the column column is an arrow pointer, and synchronization control that may cause a lock occurs. It is checked whether or not the level is set (step S203). As a result of the inspection, all the levels of the synchronization control are level 1, and it is known that no lock is generated at level 1, and therefore it is found that no lock is generated for the arrow pointer and other communication functions. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 sends a synchronization command together with information indicating that the lock to the arrow pointer and other communication functions does not occur, to a synchronization control method determination unit that is a synchronization control method determination unit corresponding to the communication function of the arrow pointer. It outputs to 208-2.

  The synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function checks the contents of the lock state flag in the synchronization control data stored in the synchronization control information storage unit 209-2. As a result of the inspection, if it is found that all the lock state flags are not in the locked state, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 determines that the synchronization control method determination unit 211-2-1 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function Immediately, it is determined that the arrow pointer synchronization control may be executed. Further, since the terminal that is the transmission target of the synchronization command is all terminal IDs held in the synchronization control data corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function, the synchronization control data corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function is used. Since the terminal IDs in the list are “PC001” and “MP001”, it is determined that the synchronization command is transmitted to the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3.

  The synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function executes synchronization control of the arrow pointer (step S204). Specifically, a synchronization command “arrow pointer; direction = 35; distance = 20” obtained by removing “ack” from “arrow pointer; direction = 35; distance = 20; ack” is transmitted to user terminal 1 and user terminal 3. To the network connection processing unit 201 together with information to transmit to the network connection processing unit 201. The network connection processing unit 201 transmits a synchronization command “arrow pointer; direction = 35; distance = 20” to the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3 (step S205).

  The user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3 receive the synchronization command “arrow pointer; direction = 35; distance = 20” (steps S206 and S207). The communication data processing unit 11-1 of the user terminal 1 and the communication data processing unit 11-3 of the user terminal 3 analyze the contents of the synchronization command, and the display unit 12-1 of the user terminal 1 and the display unit 12 of the user terminal 3 are analyzed. -3, the arrow pointer is moved and displayed at an angle of 35 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction (steps S208 and S209). Here, since “ack” is not included in the received synchronization command, each user terminal does not transmit an ACK response to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 even if the content of the synchronization command is executed.

  Further, when the user operates the input unit 13-1 and scrolls the screen immediately after moving the arrow pointer on the user terminal 1 (step S210), the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 is the same as in the case of the arrow pointer. As for the row where the column column of the matrix of the required synchronization accuracy list stored in the screen is scrolled, the level of the synchronization control is all level 1, and it turns out that the lock does not occur at level 1. Therefore, the screen scrolling and other communication functions are not locked. Accordingly, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-3 corresponding to the screen scroll communication function determines that the screen scroll synchronization control may be executed immediately. Therefore, the synchronization control of the arrow pointer and the synchronization control of the screen scroll are simply executed in parallel without interfering with each other (steps S211, S212, S213, S214). The user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 receive the screen scroll synchronization command and scroll the screens displayed on the display unit 12-1 and the display unit 12-2 (steps S215, S216, S217, and S218).

  Next, how the synchronization between communication functions between the slide turning and the arrow pointer is executed when the user terminal 1 performs the slide turning and the arrow pointer is moved immediately after that is explained. .

  In the user terminal 1, the user performs an operation of specifying a slide to be displayed via the input unit 13-1 and jumping to the slide. For example, when specifying a slide to be displayed and jumping to that slide, the command format of the communication function is “slide turn; slide number that identifies the slide; download instruction for the identified slide; synchronization command data It is assumed that “the presence / absence of an ACK response request” and “slide turning; slide number; indication of display of specified slide; presence / absence of request of ACK response in synchronous command data”. For example, if the jump instruction to the designated slide is jumped to the slide with the slide number 22 and displayed on each user terminal, the communication data processing unit 11-1 instructs the communication synchronization control device 200 to “slide turning; -num = 22; download; ack "" slide-turn; slide-num = 22; show; noack "is transmitted (step S219).

  In the communication synchronization control device 200, the network connection processing unit 201 receives a synchronization command (step S220). The network connection processing unit 201 detects that the received communication data is a synchronization command by reading the header portion of the received communication data. The network connection processing unit 201 outputs a synchronization command to the communication function identification unit 204. The communication function identification unit 204 identifies that the synchronization command is related to slide turning, and outputs the synchronization command to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 together with information specifying that the synchronization command is related to slide turning. .

  The synchronization parameter management unit 206 scans the row in which the column column of the required synchronization accuracy list matrix stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 is turned, and synchronization control that may cause a lock is generated. It is checked whether or not the level is set (step S221). As a result of the inspection, it is detected that a level 2 synchronization control level is included. Since it is known that a lock may occur at level 2, it turns out that a lock for slide turning and other communication functions may occur. Specifically, as shown in the required synchronization accuracy list of FIG. 14, there is a possibility that the arrow pointer communication function may be locked.

  Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 sends a synchronization command together with information indicating that the arrow pointer may be locked together with a synchronization control method determination unit 208 which is a synchronization control method determination unit corresponding to the slide-turn communication function. Output to -1.

  The synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 corresponding to the slide turning communication function inspects the content of the lock state flag in the synchronization control data stored in the synchronization control information storage unit 209-1. As a result of the inspection, if it is found that all the lock state flags are not in the lock state, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 locks the communication function of the arrow pointer of the user terminal that performs the turning, It is determined that the synchronization control method determination unit 211-1-2 corresponding to the slide-turning communication function may immediately execute the arrow pointer synchronization control.

  In addition, the user terminals that are transmission targets of the synchronization command are all terminal IDs held by the synchronization control data corresponding to the slide-turning communication function. Here, since the terminal IDs in the synchronization control data corresponding to the slide-turning communication function are “PC001”, “PDA001”, and “MP001”, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 is the user terminal 1 It is determined that the synchronization command is transmitted to the user terminal 2 and the user terminal 3. Therefore, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 corresponding to the slide-turn communication function corresponds to the arrow pointer communication function because the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 execute the slide-turn communication function. The synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 is caused to rewrite the lock state flag values of the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 of the synchronization control data corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function to the locked state (step S222).

  Then, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 causes the synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-2 corresponding to the slide turning communication function to execute the slide turning synchronization control (step S223). Specifically, a synchronization command “slide-num = 22; download; ack” is output to the network connection processing unit 201 together with information that the synchronization command is transmitted to the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3. Since the synchronization command “slide-turn; slide-num = 22; download; ack” requires an ACK response, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 determines “slide-turn; slide-num = 22; show. ; noack "is temporarily stopped to be output to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-2. In addition, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 outputs a synchronization command “slide-turn = slide-num = 22; show; noack” to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-1-2 to temporarily stop the execution. May be. The network connection processing unit 201 transmits a synchronization command “slide-num = 22; download; ack” to the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 (step S224).

  By the way, referring to FIG. 19, the user of the user terminal 1 moves the arrow pointer immediately after instructing to turn the slide (step S247). Here, among the lock state flags of the synchronization control data corresponding to the communication function of the arrow pointer, the values of the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 that execute the slide turning are the synchronization corresponding to the slide turning communication function. The locked state is set by the synchronous control method determining unit 8-2 via the control method determining unit 8-1. Therefore, the synchronization control method determination unit 8-1 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function temporarily stops the arrow pointer synchronization control (steps S248, S249, and S250). Specifically, the synchronization control method determination unit 8-1 temporarily stops outputting the synchronization command related to the arrow pointer to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1. The synchronization control method determination unit 8-1 may output a synchronization command related to the arrow pointer to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 to temporarily stop the execution of the synchronization command. While the arrow pointer synchronization control is paused, the slide turning synchronization control proceeds.

  The user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 receive the synchronization command “slide-num = 22; download; ack” (steps S 225, S 226, S 227), and the communication data processing unit of the user terminal 1 11-1, the communication data processing unit 11-2 of the user terminal 2 and the communication data processing unit 11-3 of the user terminal 3 analyze the contents of the synchronization command and execute the synchronization command. Specifically, the slide of the slide number 22 stored in the content information storage unit 302 is connected to the content distribution processing unit 301 of the content distribution apparatus 300 (steps S228, S229, and S230). Downloaded by the unit 11-1, the communication data processing unit 11-2 of the user terminal 2, and the communication data processing unit 11-3 of the user terminal 3. Specifically, the content distribution processing unit 301 transmits the slide with the slide number 22 stored in the content information storage unit 302 to the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 (step S231). However, even if the download is completed (steps S232, S233, and S234), the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 are not displayed immediately. When the communication data processing unit 11-1 of the user terminal 1, the communication data processing unit 11-2 of the user terminal 2, and the communication data processing unit 11-3 of the user terminal 3 finish the slide download process, the communication synchronization control device An ACK response regarding the turning of the slide is transmitted to 300 (steps S235, S236, and S237).

  In the communication synchronization control apparatus 300, when the network connection processing unit 201 receives an ACK response related to the turning (step S238), the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 receives an ACK via the communication function identification unit 204 and the synchronization parameter unit 206. Output a response.

  When receiving the ACK response from each user terminal, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 corresponding to the slide turning communication function corresponds to the slide turning communication function stored in the synchronization control information storage unit 209-1. The preparation completion flag corresponding to each user terminal in the synchronization control data is rewritten to “done”. During this time, the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 corresponding to the slide turning communication function temporarily stops transmission of the synchronization command “slide turning; slide-num = 22; show; noack” related to the sliding turning.

  Also, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 corresponding to the slide-turning communication function receives an ACK response from all user terminals that can use the slide-turning communication function, that is, the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3. Upon receipt, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function receives the ACK response by executing the slide turning among the lock state flags of the synchronization control data corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function. The values corresponding to the user terminal 1, user terminal 2, and user terminal 3, which are user terminals, are rewritten to the open state, and the lock is released (step S239).

  The synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 rewrites the ready flags corresponding to all user terminals in the synchronization control data corresponding to the slide-turning communication function stored in the synchronization control information storage unit 209-1 to “done”. Then, it is determined that the synchronization command “slide-num; show; noack” may be executed by the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 corresponding to the slide-turn communication function.

  The synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 outputs the synchronization command “slide-num; show; noack” to the network connection processing unit 201 together with information that the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 are transmitted. To do. The network connection processing unit 201 transmits a synchronization command “slide-num; show; noack” to the user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 (step S240).

  The user terminal 1, the user terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 receive the synchronization command “slide-num; show; noack” (step S <b> 241), the communication data processing unit 11-1 of the user terminal 1, the user terminal The communication data processing unit 11-2 of 2 and the communication data processing unit 11-3 of the user terminal 3 analyze the contents of the synchronization command and execute the synchronization command. As a result, the display unit 12-1 of the user terminal 1, the display unit 12-2 of the user terminal 2, and the display unit 12-3 of the user terminal 3 respectively display the slide with the slide number 22 that has been downloaded in advance ( Steps S244, S245, S246).

  Then, the rewriting of the lock state flag becomes a trigger, and the synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 corresponding to the communication function of the arrow pointer starts processing to determine whether or not to resume from the paused state. . Specifically, the synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 corresponding to the communication function of the arrow pointer, first, the requested synchronization accuracy list matrix stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 via the synchronization parameter management unit 206. The row in which the column column is an arrow pointer is scanned to check whether a synchronization control level that may cause a lock is set. As a result of the inspection, all the synchronization control levels are level 1, and it is known that no lock is generated at level 1, and therefore, it is found that no lock is generated for the arrow pointer or other communication functions.

  Next, the content of the lock state flag in the synchronization control data stored in the synchronization control information storage unit 209-2 is checked (step S251). As a result of the inspection, it is found that all the lock state flags are not in the lock state. Then, the synchronization control method determination determination unit 208-2 corresponding to the arrow pointer communication function determines that the synchronization control of the arrow pointer may be resumed immediately (step S252). The synchronization control method determination unit 208-2 transmits a synchronization command related to the arrow pointer to the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3 via the network connection processing unit 201 (step S253). The user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3 receive the synchronization command regarding the arrow pointer (step 254, S255). As a result, the display unit 13-1 of the user terminal 1 and the display unit 13-3 of the user terminal 3 move and display the arrow pointer (steps S256 and S257).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, by setting the required synchronization accuracy of level 2 between the synchronous control of the slide turning and the arrow pointer, the synchronization command regarding the slide turning is exchanged. Even when a large network delay occurs, the timing of occurrence of the event “slide download complete” on the terminal based on the slide turning communication function and the arrow pointer communication function The order of occurrence of the event “movement” on the terminal does not reverse on the time axis. Therefore, synchronization control between communication functions can be realized.

  In the conventional system, since fine synchronization control between such communication functions is difficult, for example, after switching the display from the 22nd slide to the 23rd slide on the speaker's terminal, the arrow pointer 23 is used. If a large network delay occurs when the description is made while pointing to a part of the slide of the first sheet, the display unit will not be able to download before the download of the 23rd slide is completed at the user terminal of a certain user. There has been a problem that a phenomenon that the speaker does not intend at all occurs that the displayed arrow pointer moves and the arrow pointer moves on the 22nd slide. When a conventional system in which such a phenomenon occurs is used in an environment where the change in network delay time is large, such a phenomenon often occurs.

  Further, for example, when the requested synchronization accuracy of the element of the screen scroll row of the matrix of the requested synchronization accuracy list stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 and the element of the screen scroll column is level 2, Even if the screen scroll is performed continuously, the other screen scroll is not performed until the communication synchronization control device 200 receives the ACK response to the one screen scroll from all the user terminals 1 to 3. The occurrence timing of the screen scroll is not reversed on the time axis. Therefore, synchronous control within the communication function can be performed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of the synchronization parameter list according to the second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, a maximum allowable delay time list is added to the synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. The maximum allowable delay time list has a matrix structure similar to the required synchronization accuracy list. The element of the matrix of the maximum allowable delay time list is the maximum allowable delay time. The maximum allowable delay time is a timeout value that releases the lock when the synchronization control processing within or between communication functions exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, compared to the synchronization control processing within or between communication functions. is there.

  Specifically, when the synchronization parameter management unit 206 executes a synchronization command within or between communication functions in which the maximum allowable delay time is set in the matrix of the maximum allowable delay time list, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 starts counting time. When the counted time exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 identifies a communication function whose maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded, and a synchronization control method determination unit 208-1 corresponding to the identified communication function. One of .about.208-M is notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded. The synchronization control method determination unit that is notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded rewrites the lock state flag stored in the corresponding synchronization control information storage unit and releases the lock. And a synchronous command is output to a corresponding synchronous control system execution part, and synchronous control is performed.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of terminal-specific data. Since the data configuration of the terminal specific data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal specific data in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the second embodiment is similar to the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the content list. Since the data structure of the content list in the second embodiment is the same as the data structure of the content list in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. Since the data configuration of all user information data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of user information data. Since the data configuration of the user information data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in a preparation phase in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the operation preparation phase of the second embodiment, the administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 inputs the maximum allowable delay time list to the server input unit 207 after inputting the requested synchronization accuracy list (step S305). The input unit 207 outputs the input information to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 and stores it in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. Note that the user hosting the service AP may transmit the maximum allowable delay time of each element of the matrix of the maximum allowable delay time list to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 by operating the user terminal. Then, in the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the maximum allowable value of each element of the matrix of the maximum allowable delay time list is stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 via the network connection processing unit 201, the communication function identification unit 204, and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. The delay time may be stored. Since other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described using a specific example. Since the configuration of the specific example of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the specific example of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of the content list. Since the data structure of the specific example of the content list in the second embodiment is the same as the data structure of the specific example of the content list in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data structure of the specific example of the terminal type / communication function table in the second embodiment is the same as the data structure of the specific example of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of the synchronization parameter list in the second embodiment. In the data configuration of the second embodiment, a maximum allowable delay time list is added to the data configuration of the first embodiment. Specifically, a maximum allowable delay time of 3500 ms is set for synchronization control between the communication functions between the slide-turn communication function and the arrow pointer communication function when a slide-turn synchronization command is generated. Other maximum allowable delay time data is set to NULL. Here, NULL means that the maximum allowable delay time is not set.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of all user information data. Since the data configuration of a specific example of all user information data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of a specific example of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of user information data. Since the data configuration of a specific example of user information data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of a specific example of user information data in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of terminal-specific data. Since the data configuration of a specific example of terminal-specific data in the second embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the specific example of terminal-specific data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the specific example of the synchronization control data in the second embodiment is similar to the data configuration of the specific example of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of a specific example of the second embodiment will be described. The operation of the second embodiment is that the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs the maximum allowable delay time list and sets the maximum allowable delay time in the preparation phase (step S305 in FIG. 27). Different from the first embodiment. Since other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 35 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in the execution phase according to the second embodiment of this invention. In the execution phase, in the synchronization between the communication functions of the slide turning and the arrow pointer, the maximum allowable delay time of 3500 ms is exceeded while the synchronization control of the arrow pointer is locked (step S450 in FIG. 35). This is different from the operation of the first embodiment. Then, immediately after that, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 unlocks the synchronization control of the arrow pointer (step S451). Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 outputs the synchronization command to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 that executes the synchronization command of the arrow pointer to execute the synchronization control. The other operations in the execution phase of the second embodiment are the same as the operations in the execution phase of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Note that a user such as a host of the service AP may change the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time by operating the user terminal while logging in to the service AP. Specifically, a user such as an organizer of the service AP operates the user terminal while logging in to the service AP, and the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 associates the requested synchronization accuracy with the rows and columns of the communication function type data. And the maximum allowable delay time. Then, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs the received request synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 outputs the requested requested synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time to the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 for storage. In addition, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 changes the request synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time to the synchronization control method determination unit corresponding to the communication function type data associated with the input request synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time. Notify that Then, the synchronization control method determination unit notified that the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time have been changed changes the synchronization control method. Specifically, the synchronous control method execution unit is changed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when performing synchronization between communication functions, priority can be given to response time of synchronization command execution over the order of execution of synchronization commands between communication functions. .

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data structure of the terminal type / communication function table in the third embodiment is the same as the data structure of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization parameter list. Since the data configuration of the synchronization parameter list in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the synchronization parameter list in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of terminal-specific data according to the third embodiment. In contrast to the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, terminal importance data is added to terminal-specific data. The terminal importance data is a weight value associated with the terminal ID and having a bias of importance for each user terminal. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when level 2 synchronization control is performed, the next communication function synchronization command is not executed unless an ACK response is received from all user terminals. The synchronization control information storage units 209-1 to 209-M store the ACK response from the user terminal having a large degree value (high importance), and the value of the importance level data of the user terminal that has received the ACK response is stored. When the terminal total data value, which is the total number of user terminals that execute the next communication function, is exceeded, the synchronization command for the next communication function is executed. Therefore, by reflecting the weight associated with each terminal in the ACK response in the synchronization control process, the ACK response is received from the less important terminal when the higher importance terminal returns the ACK response. Even if it does not return, there is a case where the progress of the synchronization control process can be continued.

  FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the content list. Since the data structure of the content list in the third embodiment is the same as the data structure of the content list in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. Since the data configuration of all user information data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of user information data. Since the data configuration of the user information data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 43 is a sequence diagram showing operations in the preparation phase in the third embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, in the preparation phase, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 sends a terminal importance to the server input unit 207 after inputting the maximum allowable delay time list. Data is input (step S506), and the server input unit 207 outputs the input information to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 to be stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212. The user who hosts the service AP may operate the user terminal to transmit the terminal importance data of each user terminal to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the terminal importance data of each user terminal is stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 via the network connection processing unit 201, the communication function identification unit 204, and the synchronization parameter management unit 206. Also good. Since other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described using a specific example. Since the configuration of the specific example of the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the specific example of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a specific example of the content list. Since the data structure of the specific example of the content list in the third embodiment is the same as the data structure of the specific example of the content list in the first embodiment, the description is omitted. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of the terminal type / communication function table. The data structure of the specific example of the terminal type / communication function table in the third embodiment is the same as the data structure of the specific example of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of the synchronization parameter list. Since the data structure of the specific example of the synchronization parameter list in the third embodiment is the same as the data structure of the specific example of the synchronization parameter list in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of all user information data. The data configuration of a specific example of all user information data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of a specific example of all user information data in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a specific example of user information data. Since the data configuration of a specific example of user information data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of a specific example of user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a specific example of terminal-specific data according to the third embodiment. In the data configuration of the third embodiment, terminal importance data is added to the data configuration of the second embodiment. Specifically, terminal importance data “1” is set for the user terminal 1, “3” is set for the user terminal 2, and “1” is set for the user terminal 3. FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration of a specific example of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the specific example of the synchronization control data in the third embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the specific example of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of a specific example of the third embodiment will be described. The operation of the third embodiment is that the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs terminal importance data and sets terminal importance in the preparation phase (step S506 in FIG. 43). This is different from the embodiment. Since other operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 51 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in an execution phase according to the third embodiment of this invention. In the execution phase, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 adds the importance data value of the user terminal for which the synchronization parameter management unit 206 has received the ACK response.

  The synchronization between the arrow pointer and the screen scrolling communication function is the same as that in the second embodiment. However, in the synchronization between the communication functions of the slide turning and the arrow pointer, when the reception waiting in the reception process of the ACK response receives the ACK response from the user terminal 2 (step S637), the synchronization parameter management unit 206 adds The value of the degree data is 3, and the value is the same as 3 which is the total number of terminals for turning the slide stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. Therefore, without waiting for the ACK response from the user terminals 1 and 3, Immediately, the lock of the arrow pointer synchronization control processing is released (step S638). Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 outputs the synchronization command to the synchronization control method execution unit 211-2-1 that executes the synchronization command of the arrow pointer to execute the synchronization control. Other operations in the third embodiment are the same as the operations in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the concept of terminal importance is introduced, and the number of terminals that may become a problem in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is very large. In the case of a large scale, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the system throughput performance.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a synchronization parameter list in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a required synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time template are added to the synchronization parameter list as compared to the third embodiment. The request synchronization accuracy template is composed of M communication function type data rows and M communication function type data columns as in the configuration of the request synchronization accuracy list, and M × M request synchronization accuracy data. It has a matrix structure. The requested synchronization accuracy data corresponding to the service AP is inputted in advance by the administrator of the communication synchronization apparatus 200 to the elements of the matrix of the requested synchronization accuracy template. Similarly to the configuration of the maximum allowable delay time list, the maximum allowable delay time template includes M communication function type data rows and M communication function type data columns. It has a matrix structure of maximum allowable delay time data. The maximum allowable delay time data corresponding to the service AP is input in advance to the element of the matrix of the maximum allowable delay time template by the administrator of the communication synchronization apparatus 200.

  The synchronization parameter list may include a plurality of required synchronization accuracy templates and a maximum allowable delay time template for one service APID. For example, when the service AP is an electronic conference, it may include a requested synchronization accuracy template and maximum allowable delay time template for brainstorming, and a required synchronization accuracy template and maximum allowable delay time template for presentation. In addition, a plurality of request synchronization accuracy templates and maximum allowable delay time templates may be included according to the number of users participating in the service AP.

  FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of terminal-specific data. The data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the third embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. FIG. 55 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 56 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the content list. The data structure of the content list in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data structure of the content list in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. Since the data configuration of all user information data in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of user information data. Since the data configuration of the user information data in the fourth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs the requested synchronization accuracy data and the maximum allowable delay time data corresponding to the service AP in advance to the server input unit 207 in association with the service APID. The server input unit 207 stores the input request synchronization accuracy data and maximum allowable delay time data in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 via the synchronization parameter management unit 206 as a request synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time template, respectively. Let Then, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 requests request synchronization instead of inputting the request synchronization accuracy data performed in the operations of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. Select an accuracy template. Further, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 selects the maximum allowable delay time template instead of inputting the maximum allowable delay time data performed in the second embodiment. Then, the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time can be set. Therefore, when the type of service AP or the number of communication functions is large, the administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 can create a matrix of a required synchronization accuracy list and a maximum allowable delay time list for each synchronization control process. The problem that it is complicated to input the requested synchronization accuracy data and the maximum allowable delay time data can be solved.

  Further, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 may store information on a setting screen for the required synchronization accuracy for synchronization control and information on a setting screen for the maximum allowable delay time for synchronization control. FIG. 59 is an example of a setting screen for the required synchronization accuracy of the synchronization control. FIG. 60 is an example of a setting screen for the maximum allowable delay time for synchronous control. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 causes the display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 to display a setting screen for the required synchronization accuracy and maximum allowable delay time for synchronization control. The administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 inputs the requested synchronization accuracy data and the maximum allowable delay time data based on the screen displayed on each setting screen via the server input unit 207, and the synchronization parameter management unit 206 inputs The requested synchronization accuracy data and the maximum allowable delay time data are stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205 as a required synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time template.

  Here, the user of the organizer of the service AP such as an electronic conference may store information specifying the organizer of the service AP in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 in advance. Specifically, the user ID is operated to transmit the terminal ID to the communication synchronization control device 200. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 that has received the terminal ID outputs the received terminal ID to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 stores the input terminal ID in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 as the terminal ID of the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP.

  In addition, when the service AP organizer or the like operates the user terminal while logging in to the service AP, the request synchronization accuracy template different from the request synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template used so far and the maximum An acceptable delay time template may be selected. Further, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 may store information on a setting screen for the synchronization control template. FIG. 61 is an example of a setting screen for the synchronization control template. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 displays a selection screen for a synchronization control template on a display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control device 200 or a display unit of the organizer user terminal of the service AP. When the synchronization control template selection screen is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal of the service AP organizer, specifically, the service AP organizer operates the user terminal to control synchronization with the communication synchronization control apparatus 200. Request output of template setting screen. Then, in the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs a request for output of the synchronization control template setting screen to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 refers to the terminal ID of the user terminal of the service AP organizer stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 and identifies the user terminal of the service AP organizer. Information on the setting screen of the synchronization control template is transmitted to the user terminal via the communication function identification unit 204 and the network connection processing unit 201. When receiving the information on the setting screen for the synchronization control template, the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP displays the setting screen for the synchronization control template on the display unit.

  When the service AP is an electronic conference, the user as the organizer of the service AP operates the user terminal to perform a conference room (for example, a progress conference), a conference style (for example, brainstorming), Select the number of participants (for example, 5 to 10 people). Then, the selected information is transmitted to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs the information selected by the service AP organizer on the synchronization control template setting screen to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 specifies the required synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template according to the content selected on the synchronization control template setting screen.

  Further, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 may store a confirmation screen for the synchronization control template. FIG. 62 is an example of a confirmation screen for a synchronization control template. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 displays the specified request synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template on the display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control device 200 or the display unit of the user terminal of the service AP organizer. . When the confirmation screen for the synchronization control template is displayed on the display unit of the service user's organizer user terminal, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 stores the user terminal of the service AP's organizer stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212. With reference to the terminal ID, the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP is specified, and information on the confirmation screen of the synchronization control template is transmitted to the specified user terminal via the communication function identifying unit 204 and the network connection processing unit 201. . When receiving the information on the setting screen for the synchronization control template, the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP displays the setting screen for the synchronization control template on the display unit.

  In addition, by performing a sufficient operation test in a test environment in advance, it is possible to prevent problems from occurring during actual service.

  For example, in an electronic conference service, it is important that synchronization between communication functions of a slide turning and an arrow pointer is typically performed with high accuracy. In a help desk service, an arrow is typically added in addition to that. It is important that synchronization between the communication functions of the pointer and the substitute input is performed with high accuracy. Also, even in the same electronic conferencing service, when there is a need to brainstorm between teams and generate a lot of ideas, typically, the synchronization between the communication functions of the arrow pointer and shared comment writing is performed accurately. However, in a scene where a persuasive presentation is given to a conversation partner, it is rather important that the communication function between the slide turning and the arrow pointer is accurately synchronized. As described above, in the interactive communication service, the importance of synchronization control within individual communication functions or between communication functions varies depending on the style of communication with the other party.

  According to this embodiment, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 presets the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of typical synchronization control in advance according to the style of individual communication in these templates. Therefore, when the user of each user terminal starts the service AP, the synchronization control setting, which tends to be complicated, can be set by a simple action that allows the organizer of the service AP to select these templates. Can be completed.

  Further, while the two-way communication service is being implemented in the service AP, the setting of the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time is changed using these templates, and matrix information for individual synchronization control processing is performed. To provide a two-way communication service in which the synchronization control is appropriately customized according to the style of individual communication by dynamically changing the behavior of the synchronization control processing according to the update of Can do.

  For example, in the case where the presentation is first performed in the service AP of the electronic conferencing service, and then the brainstorming is performed on the topic raised in the presentation, the individual communication style can be set as follows. Accordingly, a two-way communication service that executes appropriately customized synchronization control can be realized. First, the organizer of the service AP or the like selects a template in which the synchronization between the arrow pointer function and the shared comment writing function that are important in the presentation are accurately performed, and the presentation is performed. Next, the organizer of the service AP or the like selects a template in which the synchronization between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function, which are important in brainstorming, is performed with high accuracy, and performs brainstorming. Then, synchronous control within the communication function or between the communication functions according to the communication style can be performed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 63 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 64 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a synchronization parameter list in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, synchronization control policy data is added to the synchronization parameter list as compared to the third embodiment. There is no limit to the total number of synchronous control policy data.

  The synchronization control policy data is a representation of the required synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the fourth embodiment in the form of text or source code of a simple programming language so that human readability is high. It is. Specifically, there may be plain text (plain text), XML document, HTML document, etc., but it is not limited to these.

  FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of terminal-specific data. Since the data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 67 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the content list. The data configuration of the content list in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the content list in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. FIG. 68 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. Since the data configuration of all user information data in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of user information data. Since the data configuration of the user information data in the fifth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 inputs synchronization control policy data to the server input unit 207. The server input unit 207 outputs the input synchronization control policy data to the synchronization parameter management unit 206. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 analyzes the synchronization control policy data, automatically generates a requested synchronization accuracy list and a maximum allowable delay time list, and stores them in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. Therefore, when there are many types of service APs and many communication functions, it is complicated to input the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time from the beginning into the matrix for each synchronization control process. Solve a problem.

  A user such as a host of the service AP may input synchronization control policy data to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 by operating the user terminal. Specifically, a user such as an organizer of the service AP inputs the synchronization control policy data to the input unit of the user terminal. The input unit of the user terminal outputs the input synchronization control policy data to the communication synchronization control device 200 via the communication data processing unit. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 that has received the synchronization control policy data outputs the received synchronization control policy data to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204.

  FIG. 70 is a description example of synchronization control policy data. Using this description example, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 can automatically generate the required synchronization accuracy list and the maximum allowable delay time list described in the data structure in the third embodiment. Further, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 may store information on a setting screen for synchronization control policy data. FIG. 71 is an example of a setting screen for synchronization control policy data. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 causes the display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control device 200 to display a setting screen for a selection screen for synchronization control policy data.

  Here, the user of the organizer of the service AP may select the synchronization control policy data by operating the user terminal. Specifically, the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP is operated to request the communication synchronization control device 200 to output a synchronization control policy data setting screen. Then, in the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs a request for output of the synchronization control policy data setting screen to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 refers to the terminal ID of the user terminal of the service AP organizer stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 and identifies the user terminal of the service AP organizer. Information on the setting screen of the synchronization control policy data is transmitted to the user terminal via the communication function identifying unit 204 and the network connection processing unit 201. When receiving the information on the setting screen of the synchronization control policy data, the user terminal of the host of the service AP displays the setting screen of the synchronization control template on the display unit.

  The administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 selects the synchronization control policy data based on the screen displayed on the selection screen via the server input unit 207 and the organizer of the service AP via the input unit. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 generates a requested synchronization accuracy list and a maximum allowable delay time list based on the selected synchronization control policy data, and stores them in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. FIG. 72 is a confirmation screen example of the requested synchronization accuracy list and the maximum allowable time list generated by the synchronization parameter management unit 206 based on the description example of the synchronization control policy data described in FIG. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 may store information on confirmation screens of the requested synchronization accuracy list and the maximum allowable time list. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 displays a confirmation screen of the generated request synchronization accuracy list and the maximum allowable time list on the display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control device 200 or the display unit of the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP. The manager of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 or the organizer of the service AP confirms the displayed request synchronization accuracy list and the maximum allowable time list.

  In addition, it is possible to prevent a problem from occurring during an actual service by sufficiently performing an operation test in a test environment in advance.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, if the synchronization control policy data describes the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of typical synchronization control according to the style of individual communication. When the user of the user terminal starts the service AP, the synchronization control setting, which tends to be complicated, is completed with a simple action that allows the organizer of the service AP to select the synchronization control policy data. Can do. Furthermore, since the synchronization control policy data is expressed in the form of text or simple program language source code, it is highly portable. Therefore, if the synchronization control policy data is held in the form of an electronic file, this file can be reused for setting the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time in another communication synchronization control apparatus 200. .

  Similarly to the request synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the fourth embodiment, the service AP uses the synchronization control policy data selection screen while the two-way communication service is being performed. Change the synchronization control policy data to be used, change the settings of the required synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time, and update the matrix information for each synchronization control process. Thus, it is possible to provide a two-way communication service that executes synchronization control appropriately customized according to the style of individual communication.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram of the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table. Since the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal type / communication function table in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 74 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the synchronization parameter list in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, L synchronization control operation description data are added to the synchronization parameter list as compared to the third embodiment.

  As described in the description of the first embodiment, since there are L synchronization control schemes for each of the M communication functions, there are a total of L × M synchronization control scheme execution units. ing. Each of the L synchronization control operation description data describes operations of L types of synchronization control methods. Each synchronization control method execution unit performs synchronization control based on the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. The synchronous control operation description data is expressed in an XML document, a programming language such as C ++ or Java (registered trademark), or a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or PHP, but is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 75 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of terminal-specific data. Since the data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the terminal-specific data in the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 76 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the synchronization control data. Since the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the synchronization control data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 77 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the content list. Since the data structure of the content list in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data structure of the content list in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 78 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of all user information data. Since the data configuration of all user information data in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of all user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 79 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of user information data. Since the data configuration of the user information data in the sixth embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the user information data in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 inputs synchronization control operation description data via the server input unit 207. The server input unit 207 outputs the input synchronization control operation description data to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 and stores it in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205. Then, the administrator of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 can externally program L types of synchronization control methods of L × M synchronization control method execution units.

  This synchronization control operation description data solves the problem that it is difficult to customize each synchronization control method after the system is constructed. Usually, in a bidirectional communication system, a synchronization control function is implemented as a built-in function of the system. For this reason, even if a request for correcting a part of the synchronization control method comes out after the construction of the system, it is not easy to correct the synchronization control method.

  However, by describing the operation of each synchronization control method execution unit using the synchronization control operation description data and causing the synchronization control method execution units 211-1-1 to 211 -ML to dynamically analyze both, The operation of the synchronous control method can be easily customized even after the communication system is established. Furthermore, like the synchronization control policy data, the synchronization control operation description data is highly portable (portability) when expressed in the form of text, simple program language source code, or the like. Therefore, if the synchronization control operation description data is held in the form of an electronic file, this file can be reused for setting the operation of the synchronization control method execution unit in another communication synchronization control device.

  FIG. 80 is a description example of synchronous control operation description data in the sixth embodiment. Using this description example, it is possible to express the operation of level 2 out of the required synchronization accuracy data constituting the data structure of the synchronization parameter list of the third embodiment described in FIG. By changing a part of the description example, the behavior of the synchronization control method execution unit corresponding to the level 2 required synchronization accuracy data can be easily customized. For example, by applying known techniques proposed in RFC1305 and RFC2030 and changing this synchronous control operation description data, the timing of synchronization can be set regardless of the clock of the user terminal. Since it becomes possible to match the clock, the synchronization accuracy can be further increased.

  A dedicated setting screen may be used for setting the synchronous control operation description data, and the synchronous parameter management unit 206 may store such screen data. FIG. 81 shows an example of a setting screen for synchronous control operation description data. The synchronization parameter management unit 206 causes the display unit (not shown) of the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 to display a setting screen for a synchronization control method customization selection screen. The administrator of the communication synchronization control device 200 selects the conference room (service AP), the requested synchronization accuracy level, and the operation method of the synchronization control method based on the screen displayed on the selection screen via the server input unit 207. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 generates synchronization control operation description data based on each selected information and stores it in the synchronization parameter storage unit 205.

  In addition, a user as a service AP organizer may set synchronization control operation description data by operating a user terminal. Specifically, the organizer of the service AP operates the user terminal to request the communication synchronization control apparatus 200 to output a setting screen for synchronization control operation description data. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs a request for output of the setting screen for the synchronization control operation description data to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204. Then, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 refers to the terminal ID of the user terminal of the service AP organizer stored in the terminal specific information storage unit 212 and identifies the user terminal of the service AP organizer. Information on the setting screen of the synchronization control action description data is transmitted to the user terminal via the communication function identifying unit 204 and the network connection processing unit 201. When receiving the information on the setting screen for the synchronization control template, the user terminal of the organizer of the service AP displays the setting screen for the synchronization control template on the display unit. Then, the selected information is transmitted to the communication synchronization control apparatus 200. In the communication synchronization control apparatus 200, the network connection processing unit 201 outputs the information selected by the service AP organizer on the synchronization control template setting screen to the synchronization parameter management unit 206 via the communication function identification unit 204.

  In addition, by performing a sufficient operation test in a test environment in advance, it is possible to prevent problems from occurring during actual service.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the synchronization control method can be corrected after the bidirectional communication system is constructed.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the seventh embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. In addition, since each data structure in the seventh embodiment of the present invention is the same as each data structure in the fifth embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Here, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the best mode for carrying out the fourth invention by using the synchronization control policy data expressed in the form of text or source code of a simple programming language is used. The required synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the form are made highly readable for humans.

  However, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the required synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template are statically defined, the operation of the synchronization control processing of each synchronization control method execution unit is changed. Therefore, it is necessary to reset the synchronization control policy data.

  On the other hand, in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the requested synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the synchronization control policy data are plain text (plain text), XML document, HTML document, etc. (limited to this). In addition to the above description, a conditional expression is newly described using a programming language, a script language, or the like (not limited to this). Specifically, in the synchronization control policy data, a plurality of candidates are described in advance for the requested synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template, and further, a request having a plurality of candidates using a conditional expression. Which of the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template is to be activated is dynamically determined. Then, the operation of the synchronization control process of each synchronization control method execution unit can be dynamically changed without resetting the synchronization control policy data.

  In the interactive communication service, even if the service status changes from moment to moment, if a plurality of conditional expressions indicating the service status are described in the synchronization control policy data, the synchronization parameter management unit 206 selects a request synchronization accuracy template or a maximum allowable delay time template that matches a conditional expression from a plurality of candidates in accordance with a change in service status.

  FIG. 82 is a description example of synchronization control policy data according to the seventh embodiment. Using this description example, if the average network delay time for a user terminal that can use the slide turning function is 1000 ms or less, the network is relatively free, and therefore, between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function. Synchronous control is processed at level 1 (optimistic method), but when the network is relatively crowded and the average network delay time for a terminal capable of using the slide turning function is longer than 1000 ms, the slide turning is performed. The synchronization control between the function and the arrow pointer function can be dynamically changed to be processed at level 2 (ACK confirmation method).

For example, in FIG.
If (average (synchronous control data, slide turning, network delay data) <= 1000ms) {
The conditional expression part of
If (sum (synchronous control data, slide turn, terminal ID) <200) {
Assuming that When the total number of user terminals that can use the slide turning function is less than 200, the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function is processed at level 1, but the number of user terminals increases and the slide turning function increases. When the total number of terminals that can be used becomes 200 or more, the synchronization control between the slide turning function and the arrow pointer function can be dynamically changed to be processed at level 2.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the synchronization control method can be dynamically changed.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the electronic conference has been described as an example of bidirectional communication. However, bidirectional communication to which the synchronization control of the present invention is applied is not limited to electronic conference, and IP multimedia It can also be applied to telephones, IP contact centers, remote consultation services, remote consultations, help desk services, distance learning, interactive programs, network games, etc.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the arrow pointer, the turning and the screen scroll are described as examples of the communication function, but the communication function in the bidirectional communication to which the present invention is applied is not limited to these. , Rich media playback control, shared comment writing, proxy input, text chat, etc.

  The present invention relates to a terminal having non-uniform functions such as a personal computer (PC), a portable computer (PDA), a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a TV with a network connection function, and a game machine with a network connection function. In a so-called ubiquitous environment, there are two-way communications such as electronic conferencing, IP multimedia telephone, IP contact center, remote consultation service, remote consultation, help desk service, remote education, program-linked interactive service, network game, etc. This is applied to synchronization control between terminals when a service is implemented.

It is explanatory drawing which shows one structural example for implementing this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a synchronous parameter list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of the preparation phase in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the specific example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the content list in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the terminal classification / communication function table list | wrist in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the synchronous parameter list | wrist in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of all the user information data in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the user information data in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the terminal specific data in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the synchronous control data in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of the execution phase in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the terminal classification / communication function table of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the synchronization parameter list | wrist in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the preparation phase in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the synchronous parameter list | wrist in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of all user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of synchronous control data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of the execution phase in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a synchronous parameter list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the terminal specific data in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of the preparation phase in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of a synchronous parameter list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of all user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of the terminal specific data in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the specific example of synchronous control data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of the execution phase in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the synchronization parameter list | wrist in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is an example of a setting screen of the request | requirement synchronous precision of synchronous control. It is an example of a setting screen of the maximum allowable delay time of synchronous control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting screen of a synchronous control template. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a confirmation screen of a synchronous control template. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the synchronization parameter list | wrist in 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is a description example of synchronous control policy data. It is an example of a setting screen of synchronous control policy data. It is an example of a confirmation screen for a requested synchronization accuracy list and a maximum allowable time list generated by a synchronization parameter management unit based on a description example of synchronization control policy data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a terminal classification / communication function table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the synchronization parameter list | wrist in 6th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of terminal specific data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of synchronous control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of all the user information data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of user information data. It is an example of description of synchronous control action description data. It is an example of a setting screen of synchronous control action description data. It is a description example of the synchronization control policy data in the seventh embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, N User terminals 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-N Communication data processing units 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-N Display units 13-1, 13 -2, 13-3, 13-N Input unit 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-N User information storage unit 200 Communication synchronization control device 201 Network connection processing unit 202 Terminal type / communication function table storage unit 203 terminal type / communication function table management unit 204 communication function identification unit 205 synchronization parameter storage unit 206 synchronization parameter management unit 207 server input unit 208-1, 208-2, 208-3, 208-M synchronization control method determination unit 209- 1, 209-2, 209-3, 209-M synchronization control information storage unit 211-1-1, 211-2 1, 211-3-1, 211-M-1, 211-1-2, 211-2-2, 211-3-2, 211-M-2, 211-1-L, 211-2-L, 211-ML Synchronization Control Method Execution Unit 300 Content Distribution Device 301 Content Distribution Processing Unit 302 Content Information Storage Unit 303 All User Information Processing Unit 304 All User Information Storage Unit 305 Content Input Unit 400 Communication Network

Claims (57)

In a synchronization control method for implementing a bidirectional communication service in which a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving information,
For each communication function, which is a means for transmitting information on operations performed by the user of the communication terminal, the operations performed by the user of one communication terminal can be performed within the communication function and between each communication function. Whether to perform synchronization control, which is control executed in synchronization with each other, is set individually for each communication function. The synchronous control according to claim 1, wherein the interactive communication service is an electronic conference, an IP multimedia telephone, an IP contact center, a remote consultation service, a remote consultation, a help desk service, a remote education, a program-linked interactive service, or a network game. Method. The synchronization control method according to claim 1, wherein the communication function is rich media playback control, slide turning, shared comment writing, proxy input, text chat, annotation using an arrow pointer, or screen scroll control. The synchronization algorithm to be adopted is determined based on the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and the network delay, and the synchronization control within and between the communication functions is individually executed based on the determined synchronization algorithm. The synchronization control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The synchronization algorithm is changed according to changes in the number of users participating in the interactive communication service and the network delay time, and synchronization control within and between communication functions is individually performed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. The synchronization control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the synchronization control method is executed. The synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function includes a process of waiting for a response reply transmitted by each communication terminal,
Associating each communication terminal with a weight value with a bias of importance, when the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the importance value is greater than or equal to the total number of communication terminals, The synchronous control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the process of waiting for the is canceled. The synchronization control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein synchronization accuracy between communication terminals is individually set for synchronization control within a communication function and between each communication function. The synchronous control method according to claim 7, wherein a maximum allowable delay time that is an allowable maximum delay time is individually set for the synchronous control within the communication function and between the communication functions. When the setting of the synchronization accuracy between the communication terminals or the maximum allowable delay time is changed, the synchronization algorithm is changed according to the changed synchronization accuracy or the maximum allowable delay time, and within the communication function based on the changed synchronization algorithm The synchronization control method according to claim 8, wherein synchronization control between the communication functions is performed individually. A template in which the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time are set in advance is selected via a setting screen for allowing the user of the communication terminal to select the template in advance, and the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the template selected by the user are selected. The synchronization control method according to claim 8, wherein the synchronization control within the communication function and between the communication functions is individually executed based on the above. The synchronization algorithm is changed when the user changes the template via a setting screen for selecting a template, and synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function is individually executed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. The synchronous control method described. Communication function based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the synchronization control policy data set by the user in advance through the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control policy data that is information of the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time The synchronization control method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein synchronization control between the communication function and each communication function is individually executed. When the user changes the synchronization control policy data via the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control policy data, the synchronization algorithm is changed, and the synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function is individually performed based on the changed synchronization algorithm. The synchronization control method according to claim 12. The synchronization control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the user analyzes the synchronization control operation description data in which the operation of the synchronization control is described in advance and customizes the operation of the synchronization control. When the user changes the synchronization control action description data via the setting screen for selecting the synchronization control action description data, the communication function is set within the communication function and between the communication functions based on the synchronization algorithm according to the changed synchronization control action description data. The synchronization control method according to claim 14, wherein the synchronization control is executed individually. The synchronization control method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each communication terminal identifies whether or not each communication function preset by a user can be used. The communication terminal is a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a television with a network connection function, or a game machine with a communication network connection function, and a usable communication function varies depending on the type of the communication terminal. Item 17. The synchronization control method according to Item 16. 18. The synchronization control method according to claim 16, wherein the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and the network delay time are individually set for each communication function. An operation performed by a user of one communication terminal is connected to a plurality of communication terminals and a content distribution apparatus that transmits content used for bidirectional communication between the communication terminals to the communication terminal via a communication network. In a communication synchronization control device that performs synchronization control that is executed in synchronization with each other and provides a bidirectional communication service,
Network connection processing means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the communication terminal and the content distribution device via the communication network;
Providing a user of a communication terminal with a synchronization parameter list that includes information on the accuracy of synchronization between communication terminals within each communication function and between each communication function as means for expressing the operation of the user of the communication terminal. In accordance with the type of bidirectional communication, synchronization parameter storage means for storing in advance,
Synchronization parameter management means for storing a synchronization parameter list in the synchronization parameter storage means in advance;
Synchronization control method determining means for determining a synchronization control method according to the information of the synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means;
Synchronization control method execution means for executing synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function based on the synchronization control method determined by the synchronization control method determination means;
Identify whether the information received by the network connection processing means is a synchronization command based on a communication function, and if the information received by the network connection processing means is a synchronization command, output the synchronization command to the synchronization parameter management means A communication function identification means for performing communication, and a synchronization control information storage means for storing the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and network delay time for each communication function,
The synchronization parameter management means outputs the synchronization command output by the communication function identification means to the synchronization control method execution means via the synchronization control method determination means,
The communication synchronization control device, wherein the synchronization control method execution means executes synchronization control and transmits a synchronization command output from the synchronization parameter management means to the communication terminal via the network connection processing means. Synchronization control method for the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication, including synchronization control method determining means and synchronization control information storage means, and the product of the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication and the number of synchronization control methods Including execution means,
There is a one-to-one correspondence between each synchronization control method determination means and each synchronization control information storage means and the communication function.
The communication synchronization control device according to claim 19, wherein each synchronization control method execution unit corresponds one-to-one with a combination of a communication function and a synchronization control method. Including synchronization control information storage means for storing a lock state flag that is information indicating whether or not to temporarily stop execution of the synchronization command;
The synchronization command transmitted by the synchronization control method execution means includes information requesting a response reply to each communication terminal, and when the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is suspended, the synchronization command transmission is temporarily stopped. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the communication synchronization control device transmits a synchronization command when a response reply is received from each communication terminal. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes information on the maximum allowable delay time, which is the maximum delay time that can allow execution of synchronization control within and between communication functions,
The synchronization parameter management means starts counting the time when the synchronization control method executing means executes the synchronization control, and when the counted time exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, identifies the communication function that exceeds the maximum allowable delay time. , Notify the synchronous control method decision means corresponding to the specified communication function that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded,
When the lock state flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped, the synchronization control method determination unit notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded is stored in the corresponding synchronization control information storage unit The communication synchronization control device according to claim 21, wherein the lock state flag is rewritten, and the synchronization control method executing unit is caused to transmit a synchronization command. When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means manages the received synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information via the communication function identification means. Output to the means,
The synchronization parameter management means outputs and stores the input synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information to the synchronization parameter storage means, and causes the synchronization control method determination means to set the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time. Inform you that the information has changed,
23. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 22, wherein the synchronization control method determining means changes the synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command according to the changed synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information. Including individual terminal specific information storage means for storing importance data, which is a weight value having a bias, in advance in each communication terminal;
When the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is suspended, the synchronization control method execution means determines that the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the value of the importance data The communication synchronization control device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a synchronization command is transmitted when the number of terminals is greater than or equal to the number of terminals. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time, which are templates of information on synchronization accuracy in communication functions between individual communication functions and between communication terminals. Including a maximum allowed delay time template that is a template for
When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means outputs the synchronization parameter management means via the communication function identification means,
The communication synchronization control device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the synchronization parameter management means stores the inputted synchronization accuracy template and maximum allowable delay time template in the synchronization parameter storage means. The synchronization parameter management means stores template setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template, and passes through the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 25, wherein template setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the template via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information in accordance with the user's operation, the synchronization control method execution means is based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the changed template. 27. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 26, wherein the synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command is changed. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization control policy that is a description for specifying the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication terminals in advance. Including data,
23. The synchronization parameter management unit analyzes the synchronization control policy data stored in the synchronization parameter storage unit, generates synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information, and stores them in the synchronization parameter storage unit. The communication synchronization control apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 24. The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control policy data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control policy data, and the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means via the communication function identification means in response to a request from the user terminal The communication synchronization control device according to claim 28, wherein the synchronization control policy data setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control policy data via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization parameter management means stores the synchronization parameter storage means. Analyzing synchronization control policy data, generating synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information and storing them in the synchronization parameter storage means,
30. The communication synchronization method according to claim 29, wherein the synchronization control method executing means changes the synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command based on the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information generated by the synchronization parameter management means. Control device. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization that describes the synchronization control method based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication functions in advance. Including control action description data,
The synchronization control method execution means analyzes the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, and executes the synchronization control based on the analysis result, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. The communication synchronization control device according to any one of claims 22 to 24. The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control action description data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control action description data, and via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. 32. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 31, wherein the synchronization control operation description data setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control action description data via the synchronization control action description data setting screen based on the synchronization control action description data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means 33. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 32, wherein the control operation description data is analyzed, and the synchronization control is executed based on the analyzed result, information on the synchronization accuracy, and information on the maximum allowable delay time. The synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a conditional expression based on the status of the interactive communication service,
The synchronization control method executing means analyzes the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, information on the result of whether or not the conditional expression is met, information on the synchronization accuracy, and information on the maximum allowable delay time 32. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 31, wherein synchronization control is executed based on the communication control. The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a condition whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time. 35. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 34. The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a condition whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is less than a predetermined number. 34. The communication synchronization control device according to claim 34 or claim 35. The communication synchronization control apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 36, further comprising: a terminal type / communication function table storage unit that stores in advance whether or not each communication function can be used in association with a communication terminal. Multiple communication terminals,
A content distribution device for transmitting content used for bidirectional communication between the communication terminals to the communication terminal;
A communication synchronization control device that performs synchronization control, which is control that causes another communication terminal to execute an operation performed by a user of one communication terminal in synchronization;
In a bidirectional communication system that provides a bidirectional communication service comprising a communication network that connects the plurality of communication terminals, the content distribution device, and the communication synchronization control device,
The content distribution apparatus includes content distribution processing means for transmitting content for executing bidirectional communication to each communication terminal according to the type of interactive communication service,
The communication terminal includes communication data processing means for transmitting a synchronization command, which is information indicating an operation performed on the communication terminal by a user on content to the communication synchronization control device,
The communication synchronization control device includes:
Network connection processing means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the communication terminal and the content distribution device via the communication network;
Providing a user of a communication terminal with a synchronization parameter list that includes information on the accuracy of synchronization between communication terminals within each communication function and between each communication function as means for expressing the operation of the user of the communication terminal. In accordance with the type of bidirectional communication, synchronization parameter storage means for storing in advance,
Synchronization parameter management means for storing a synchronization parameter list in the synchronization parameter storage means in advance;
Synchronization control method determining means for determining a synchronization control method according to the information of the synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means;
Synchronization control method execution means for executing synchronization control within the communication function and between each communication function based on the synchronization control method determined by the synchronization control method determination means;
Identify whether the information received by the network connection processing means is a synchronization command based on a communication function, and if the information received by the network connection processing means is a synchronization command, output the synchronization command to the synchronization parameter management means Communication function identification means for
Synchronization control information storage means for storing the number of communication terminals that can use the communication function and the network delay time for each communication function,
The synchronization parameter management means outputs the synchronization command output by the communication function identification means to the synchronization control method execution means via the synchronization control method determination means,
The two-way communication system, wherein the synchronization control method execution means executes synchronization control and transmits a synchronization command output from the synchronization parameter management means to the communication terminal via the network connection processing means. The communication synchronization control device is a product of the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication, the product of the synchronization control method determining means and the synchronization control information storage means, and the number of communication functions used for bidirectional communication and the number of synchronization control methods. Synchronization control method execution means,
There is a one-to-one correspondence between each synchronization control method determination means and each synchronization control information storage means and the communication function.
39. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 38, wherein each synchronization control method execution means corresponds one-to-one with a combination of a communication function and a synchronization control method. The communication synchronization control device includes synchronization control information storage means for storing a lock state flag that is information indicating whether or not to temporarily stop execution of the synchronization command,
The synchronization command transmitted by the synchronization control method execution means includes information requesting a response reply to each communication terminal, and when the lock status flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is suspended, the synchronization command transmission is temporarily stopped. 40. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the interactive command is transmitted when a response reply is received from each communication terminal. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes information on the maximum allowable delay time, which is the maximum delay time that can allow execution of synchronization control within and between communication functions,
The synchronization parameter management means starts counting the time when the synchronization control method executing means executes the synchronization control, and if the counted time exceeds the maximum allowable delay time, identifies the communication function that exceeds the maximum allowable delay time. , Notify the synchronous control method decision means corresponding to the specified communication function that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded,
When the lock state flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped, the synchronization control method determination unit notified that the maximum allowable delay time has been exceeded is stored in the corresponding synchronization control information storage unit 41. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 40, wherein the lock state flag is rewritten, and the synchronization control method executing means transmits a synchronization command. When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means manages the received synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information via the communication function identification means. Output to the means,
The synchronization parameter management means outputs and stores the input synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information to the synchronization parameter storage means, and causes the synchronization control method determination means to set the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time. Inform you that the information has changed,
42. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 41, wherein the synchronization control method determining means changes the synchronization control method executing means for outputting a synchronization command in accordance with the changed synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information. The communication synchronization control device includes, in advance, terminal-specific information storage means for storing importance data that is a weight value having a bias in each communication terminal,
When the lock state flag indicates that the execution of the synchronization command is temporarily stopped, the synchronization control method execution means determines that the product of the number of response replies received from each communication terminal and the value of the importance data is 43. The bidirectional communication system according to any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein a synchronization command is transmitted when the number exceeds a number. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a synchronization accuracy template and a maximum allowable delay time, which are templates of information on synchronization accuracy in communication functions between individual communication functions and between communication terminals. Including a maximum allowed delay time template that is a template for
When the network connection processing means receives the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template from the communication terminal, the network connection processing means outputs the synchronization parameter management means via the communication function identification means,
44. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 42, wherein the synchronization parameter management unit stores the input synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template in the synchronization parameter storage unit. The synchronization parameter management means stores template setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization accuracy template and the maximum allowable delay time template, and passes through the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. 45. The interactive communication system according to claim 44, wherein template setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the template via the template setting screen based on the template setting screen information in accordance with the user's operation, the synchronization control method execution means is based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time of the changed template. 46. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 45, wherein the synchronization control method execution means for outputting a synchronization command is changed. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization control policy that is a description for specifying the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication terminals in advance. Including data,
The synchronization parameter management means analyzes the synchronization control policy data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, generates synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information, and stores them in the synchronization parameter storage means. 45. The interactive communication system according to any one of claims 43 to 43. The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control policy data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control policy data, and the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means via the communication function identification means in response to a request from the user terminal 48. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 47, wherein the synchronization control policy data setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control policy data via the synchronization control policy data setting screen based on the synchronization control policy data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization parameter management means stores the synchronization parameter storage means. Analyzing synchronization control policy data, generating synchronization accuracy information and maximum allowable delay time information and storing them in the synchronization parameter storage means,
49. The bidirectional control according to claim 48, wherein the synchronization control method execution means changes the synchronization control method execution means for outputting a synchronization command based on the synchronization accuracy information and the maximum allowable delay time information generated by the synchronization parameter management means. Communication system. The synchronization parameter list stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a synchronization that describes the synchronization control method based on the synchronization accuracy and the maximum allowable delay time between communication terminals for each communication function and between communication functions in advance. Including control action description data,
The synchronization control method execution means analyzes the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, and executes the synchronization control based on the analysis result, the information on the synchronization accuracy, and the information on the maximum allowable delay time. The interactive communication system according to any one of claims 41 to 43. The synchronization parameter management means stores synchronization control action description data setting screen information, which is screen information for setting the synchronization control action description data, and via the communication function identification means and the network connection processing means in response to a request from the user terminal. 51. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 50, wherein synchronization control operation description data setting screen information is transmitted to the user terminal. When the communication terminal changes the synchronization control action description data via the synchronization control action description data setting screen based on the synchronization control action description data setting screen information according to the user's operation, the synchronization control method executing means 52. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 51, wherein the control operation description data is analyzed, and synchronization control is executed based on the analysis result, information on synchronization accuracy, and information on maximum allowable delay time. The synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a conditional expression based on the status of the interactive communication service,
The synchronization control method executing means analyzes the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means, information on the result of whether or not the conditional expression is met, information on the synchronization accuracy, and information on the maximum allowable delay time 51. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 50, wherein synchronization control is executed based on the information. The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means is a condition whether or not the average network delay time of the communication terminal using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is equal to or less than a predetermined time. 54. The two-way communication system according to claim 53. The conditional expression included in the synchronization control operation description data stored in the synchronization parameter storage means includes a condition whether or not the number of communication terminals using the communication function of the bidirectional communication service is less than a predetermined number. 53. The interactive communication system according to claim 53 or claim 54. The communication synchronization control device includes a terminal type / communication function table storage unit that stores in advance the availability of each communication function in association with a communication terminal. Communication system. The communication terminal is a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a street multimedia terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, a television with a network connection function, or a game machine with a network connection function, and a usable communication function varies depending on the type of the communication terminal. 57. The interactive communication system according to any one of claims 38 to 56.

Images