JP2007096989A - Communication device and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device and a communication method in which processing for a communication start request is set, and the communication start request is automatically processed. <P>SOLUTION: A communication section 2 receives a communication start request made by other communication terminals from a communication server device 200. A control part 7 transmits a message indicating a drive mode to the communication start request when the section 2 is in the drive mode, and automatically stops the communication with the communication server device 200. In a manner mode, on the other hand, a message indicating the manner mode is sent and communication is automatically started, and the control part 7 converts speech data from the other communication terminal into text data, and displays them in a display section 5, and a sound recording section 9 records and stores the speech data from the other communication terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method used in a communication system in which three or more communication devices communicate with each other.

  In recent years, modes of communication by communication terminals such as mobile phones have been diversified, and in addition to conventional voice calls by circuit switching, new modes of communication such as packet communication using an IP (Internet Protocol) network are being performed. . For example, there is “chat mail” in which a conversation is performed by exchanging characters between communication terminals in real time (see Patent Document 1). Chat mail is one of communication modes called “group communication” in which a group is formed between members registered in advance and data such as characters is communicated in real time within the group.

One group communication that has recently attracted attention is called PoC (Push to Talk over Cellular). PoC is a technology that enables a plurality of communication terminals forming a group to perform real-time communication. In PoC, data can be transmitted all at once from one communication terminal on the transmission side to a plurality of communication terminals on the reception side.
JP 2003-174520 A

However, PoC has a disadvantage that, for example, even if the user does not want to participate in communication during driving, the communication device must be operated directly in order to notify the transmission side of rejection.
In addition, even if you cannot participate in communication such as during driving or a meeting, you can not set to automatically refuse communication, you must always reply manually to the communication request from the PoC organizer side There was a disadvantage.
Furthermore, there is a disadvantage that when a communication request is manually rejected for reasons such as driving or a meeting, the PoC organizer cannot be notified of the reason for communication rejection.
Furthermore, even when the communication device such as a cellular phone is set to be silent, such as a manner mode, when PoC communication is started, a voice call starts, which is annoying.

  In order to eliminate the disadvantages described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus and a communication method capable of setting a process for a communication start request and automatically processing the request.

  In order to eliminate the disadvantages described above, a communication device according to a first aspect of the invention includes a communication unit that performs communication, a setting selection unit that selects at least one setting from a plurality of settings, and the communication unit. An automatic response unit that automatically performs a response process in accordance with a setting preset by the setting selection unit, and the automatic response unit includes a parameter described in the communication start request. As a response process, the communication unit performs either a communication start process for logging in to a predetermined address on the Internet or a communication rejection process for not logging in.

  More preferably, the setting selection unit includes, as one of the plurality of settings, a first setting that causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform the communication start process when receiving the communication start request.

  More preferably, the setting selection unit includes, as one of the plurality of settings, a second setting that causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform communication rejection processing when the communication start request is received.

  More preferably, it further includes a conversion unit that converts voice data into text, and a display unit that displays the text, and the setting selection unit automatically receives the communication start request from the automatic response unit. The third setting for causing the communication refusal process to be performed and converting the voice data received by the communication unit into text by the conversion unit and displaying the text on the display unit is provided as one of the plurality of settings.

  More preferably, it further includes a recording unit for recording audio data, and the setting selection unit causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform a communication rejection process upon receiving the communication start request, and the communication unit A fourth setting for recording the received audio data in the recording unit is provided as one of the plurality of settings.

  The communication method of the second aspect of the invention is a first step of receiving a communication start request from another communication device and performing communication, and a second step of selecting at least one setting from a plurality of settings. A third step of determining whether or not to automatically perform a response process according to the setting selected in the second step with respect to the communication start request received in the first step, and the response One of the processes includes a fourth step of logging in to a predetermined Internet address using parameters described in the communication start request.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication apparatus and communication method which can set the process with respect to a communication start request and can be made to process automatically can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment.
The communication system according to the present invention includes, for example, three or more communication terminals (100-1, 100-2, 100-3...) And a communication server device 200 as shown in FIG.

  The communication terminal 100-i (i represents a natural number) is a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone, and is connected to the communication network 300 via base stations (300-1, 300-2, 300-3,...). The In addition, the communication terminal 100-i performs data communication according to the control of the communication server device 200 connected to the communication network 300. In the present embodiment, as an example, group communication by PoC (Push to Talk over Cellular) is performed.

  The data transmitted in this data communication includes, for example, data such as voice of calls, images, and characters.

  In this communication system, one communication terminal permitted to transmit by the communication server device 200 among three or more communication terminals (100-1, 100-2, 100-3,...) Transmits data to other communication terminals. It is possible to send. Communication terminal 100-i desiring data transmission transmits a communication permission request to communication server apparatus 200.

  Moreover, the communication terminal 100-i has a display unit that can display various types of information provided from the communication server device 200, as will be described later. When the communication terminal 100-i requests the above-described communication permission from the communication server device 200, information regarding the communication terminal currently waiting for communication permission in the communication system is transmitted from the communication server device 200 to the communication terminal 100-i. The The communication terminal 100-i receives information from the communication server device 200 and displays it on the display unit.

The communication server device 200 is a device that manages PoC group communication by three or more communication terminals (100-1, 100-2, 100-3,...).
Upon receiving a request for starting a group call by PoC from one communication terminal, communication server apparatus 200 calls the communication terminal of the other party in response to the request and establishes a communication session.

  After establishing the communication session, the communication server device 200 relays data transmitted from one communication terminal to a plurality of communication terminals. In other words, data transmitted from the transmitting communication terminal to the receiving communication terminal is temporarily received and transferred to the receiving communication terminal.

  Further, the communication server device 200 receives the transmission permission request of each communication terminal 100-i, lists the transmission permission request of each terminal in the order received, and puts it on the list every time transmission of the terminal that is currently transmitting ends. The next terminal is allowed to transmit in sequence.

Next, the communication terminal 100-i of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 100-i.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 100-i includes an antenna 1, a communication unit 2, a key input unit 3, a voice processing unit 4, a display unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a control unit 7. A text converting unit 8 and a recording unit 9.

The communication unit 2 performs processing related to wireless communication with the base stations (300-1, 300-2,...) Of the communication network 300. For example, the transmission data supplied from the control unit 7 is subjected to predetermined modulation processing to be converted into a radio signal and transmitted from the antenna 1. Further, the radio signal from the base station received by the antenna 1 is subjected to a predetermined demodulation process to be converted into reception data, and output to the control unit 7.
The communication terminal 100-i communicates with the communication server device 200 and other terminals connected to the communication network 300 via the communication unit 2.

  The key input unit 3 is a device for inputting user support to the communication terminal. For example, it has keys with various functions such as numeric keys, character keys, arrow keys, and decision keys. When these keys are operated by the user, the operation content is converted into electrical signals and controlled. Output to unit 7.

  The key input unit 3 is provided with a key (transmission key) for switching between transmission and reception in PoC. When the user operates this transmission key, a transmission permission request for the communication server device 200 is transmitted from the communication unit 2.

  The audio processing unit 4 processes an audio signal input / output through a speaker or a microphone. That is, the audio signal input from the microphone is subjected to signal processing such as amplification, analog-digital conversion, encoding, and the like, converted into digital audio data, and output to the control unit 7. In addition, the audio data supplied from the control unit 7 is subjected to signal processing such as decoding, digital-analog conversion, amplification, and the like, converted into an analog audio signal, and output to the speaker.

  The display unit 5 is configured using a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, for example, and displays an image corresponding to the image data supplied from the control unit 7. For example, the destination telephone number at the time of outgoing call, the telephone number of the other party at the time of incoming call, the contents of the received mail and the outgoing mail, the standby screen, date, time, remaining battery level, etc. are displayed.

  The display unit 5 displays various information and notifications sent from the communication server device 200 when performing group communication by PoC. For example, a list of communication terminals participating in group communication, information on communication terminals waiting for transmission permission, requests and messages issued from one communication terminal to other terminals, and other communication for this request and message Displays the terminal response.

The storage unit 6 stores various data used in the processing of the control unit 7 and data of processing results of the control unit 7. For example, the computer program of the control unit 7, constant data used for the processing, variable data that needs to be temporarily stored during the processing, and the like are stored.
Further, the storage unit 6 stores various settings in the processing of the control unit 7. Various settings will be described in detail later.

The control unit 7 performs various processes related to the overall operation of the communication terminal.
For example, as processing related to group communication, voice input / output in the voice processing unit 4 and input / display of character data from the key input unit 3 so that voice communication and data communication in accordance with a predetermined protocol in PoC are appropriately performed. The display of information in the unit 5 and the transmission / reception of data in the communication unit 2 are controlled.

  In addition, the control unit 7 includes a computer that executes processing based on a program (operating system, application, or the like) stored in the storage unit 6, for example, and executes the above-described processing according to the program.

  In addition, the control unit 7 controls processing for converting the voice data into text by the text conversion unit 8 and processing for recording the voice data by the recording unit 9.

  The control unit 7 includes a transmission control unit 71, a reception control unit 72, a display control unit 73, an automatic response unit 74, and a setting selection unit 75 as processing blocks related to PoC processing.

  The transmission control unit 71 performs a process of transmitting data from the communication unit 2 during PoC group communication. For example, when a PoC transmission key is pressed in the key input unit 3, a transmission permission request for the communication server device 200 is transmitted from the communication unit 2.

  The reception control unit 72 performs a process of receiving data in the communication unit 2 during PoC group communication. For example, after transmitting the above-mentioned transmission permission request from the communication unit 2, the communication unit 2 receives transmission reservation list information transmitted from the communication server apparatus 200 (information on communication terminals waiting for transmission permission in the communication system). To do.

  The display control unit 73 performs control related to information display on the display unit 5. For example, various information and notifications received from the communication server device 200 during group communication by PoC are displayed on the display unit 5.

  The automatic response unit 74 automatically performs the PoC group communication according to the setting by the setting selection unit 75 when the user cannot reply to the communication start request of another communication terminal due to, for example, driving. Response.

  The setting selection unit 75 selects and determines from the settings previously set by the user and stored in the storage unit 6 that the automatic response unit 74 automatically responds to a communication start request from another communication terminal.

  The text conversion unit 8 converts the voice data transmitted from the communication server device 200 into text. The method for converting voice data into text is not limited in the present embodiment, and text conversion may be performed by any method.

  The recording unit 9 records and stores audio data transmitted from the communication server device 200. When recording, analog-digital conversion, encoding conversion, encoding, and the like may be performed. In the present embodiment, the method for recording audio data is not limited. Any method may be used for recording.

  Note that the text conversion unit 8 and the recording unit 9 described above may operate by hardware independent from the control unit 7 as shown in FIG. 7, or operate as software on the control unit 7 and perform processing. You may comprise so that it may perform.

Hereinafter, various settings of the PoC process performed by the control unit 7 will be described.
<Drive mode processing>
If this setting is set to ON, an automatic response is made to the incoming call without notifying the ringing sound in the voice processing unit 3 when a voice incoming call occurs while driving a car. It is generally known as a function that terminates communication after sending a message indicating that the vehicle is in operation and avoids influencing the operation. A PoC process when the communication terminal 100-i has such a drive mode function and is set will be described.
The name “drive mode” is merely an example, and other names may be used in practice.

An operation example of the communication terminal 100-i when the drive mode is set will be described with reference to the drawings. Needless to say, when the drive mode setting operation is performed by the key input unit 3, the control unit 7 sets the drive mode by causing the storage unit 6 to store the fact that the drive mode is set.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i in the drive mode.

Step ST1:
The communication unit 2 receives a communication start request from another communication terminal from the communication server device 200.
Step ST2:
The automatic response unit 74 automatically starts a communication from another communication terminal by automatically replying to the communication terminal that sent the communication start request a message stating that “cannot communicate because it is currently in the drive mode”. A communication rejection process is automatically performed in response to the request, and at the same time, the reason why communication cannot be performed can be notified to another communication terminal. This message is an example, and in practice, for example, a message set in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 6 may be automatically returned.

Step ST3:
The automatic response unit 74 automatically disconnects communication with the communication server device 200 and ends the PoC process.

  As described above, in the drive mode, in response to a PoC group communication start request from another communication terminal, a message indicating that communication is not possible is transmitted, and the communication start request is automatically rejected (communication server) Disconnect communication with device 200). For this reason, it is possible to automatically disconnect the communication when it is not convenient without performing the operation for the communication start request, and to inform the other terminal of the reason for disconnecting the communication at the same time.

<Manner mode processing>
Next, if the manner mode is set to ON, when a voice incoming call occurs, the voice processing unit 3 does not output a ringing tone, and instead vibrates with a vibration notification unit such as a vibrator (not shown). Since it is possible to notify the occurrence of an incoming call without outputting a ringing tone for the incoming call, it is generally known as a function that is used so as not to inconvenience surrounding people. A PoC process when the communication terminal 100-i has such a manner mode function and is set will be described.
In addition, the name of manner mode is an example, and other names may be used.

An operation example of the communication terminal 100-i when the manner mode is set will be described with reference to the drawings. As for the manner mode setting operation, as in the case of the drive mode setting, when the manner mode setting operation is performed by the key input unit 3, the control unit 7 sets the manner mode in the storage unit 6. It goes without saying that the manner mode setting is performed by storing.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i in the manner mode.

Step ST11:
The communication unit 2 receives a communication start request from another communication terminal from the communication server device 200.
Step ST12:
The automatic response unit 74 automatically returns a message “currently in manner mode” to the communication terminal that has transmitted the communication start request. This message is an example, and in practice, for example, a message set in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 6 may be automatically returned. At this time, if the sound processing unit 3 does not ring, it may be notified that the communication start request has been received by vibration in the vibration notification unit.

Step ST13:
Thereafter, the automatic response unit 74 automatically communicates with the communication server device 200 and starts PoC processing. That is, the user logs in to the communication server device 200 based on parameters such as an address included in the communication start request.
Step ST14:
Then, the text conversion unit 8 converts voice data emitted from another communication terminal received from the communication server device 200 into text data and displays the text data on the display unit 5.

Step ST15:
Furthermore, the recording unit 9 records and stores voice data emitted from other communication terminals received from the communication server device 200.
Step ST16:
The control unit 7 disconnects communication with the communication server device 200 and ends the PoC process.

  As described above, in the manner mode, in response to a PoC group communication start request from another communication terminal, the other communication terminal is informed that the manner mode is in effect, and the voice data emitted from the other communication terminal is converted into text. It converts it into a video, displays it, and records the audio data so that you can listen to it later. For this reason, for example, even if there are many people around and cannot participate in the PoC by voice, the contents of the PoC group call are displayed in text on the display unit 5, so that the content of the conversation can be known, and the recording unit 9 Since the contents of the group call are recorded, the contents of the group call can be confirmed slowly after the manner mode can be canceled.

  In the manner mode of the present embodiment, both the text conversion of the voice message by the text conversion unit 8 and the recording of the voice message by the recording unit 9 are performed. However, in the present invention, both are not necessarily performed. There is no, either one is good. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 described above, the text conversion by the text conversion unit 8 is performed before the recording by the recording unit 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the text conversion process The recording process may be performed earlier than these processes, or these processes may be performed simultaneously.

Next, an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i throughout will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i when a communication start request is received from another communication terminal.

Step ST21:
If the communication unit 2 receives a call addressed to the terminal itself from the communication network 300 and this call is a request to start communication of PoC communication from another communication terminal or the communication server device 200, the process proceeds to ST22. Since it is the same as before, it is omitted.
Note that in the case of a system in which a communication start request is sent from another communication terminal device via the communication server device 200, the sender of the received call is referred to or the content of the received call is sent to the communication server device 200. It is only necessary to determine whether the communication start request referred to in the present invention, the incoming call for the purpose of voice call by normal circuit switching, or the mail reception is performed by various methods such as whether the parameters used for login are described.
Step ST22:
The setting selection unit 75 determines whether or not the current communication terminal 100-i is in the drive mode with reference to the storage unit 6, and if in the drive mode, proceeds to step ST23, otherwise proceeds to step ST24. move on.

Step ST23:
The setting selection unit 75 determines to perform the drive mode process described above, and the automatic response unit 74 executes the process in the drive mode as shown in FIG.
Step ST24:
The setting selection unit 75 determines whether or not the current communication terminal 100-i is in the manner mode with reference to the storage unit 6, and if in the manner mode, proceeds to step ST25, otherwise proceeds to step ST26. move on.

Step ST25:
The setting selection unit 75 determines to perform the manner mode process described above, and the automatic response unit 74 executes the process in the manner mode as shown in FIG.
Step ST26:
The control unit 7 notifies the user that the communication start request related to PoC communication has been received by displaying on the display unit 5, ringing by the voice processing unit 3, vibration by the vibration notification unit, and whether to start PoC communication to the user. If the key input unit 3 does not start the process, the process proceeds to step ST27. If the process starts, the process proceeds to step ST28.

Step ST27:
The control unit 7 disconnects communication and ends the PoC process.
Step ST28:
The control unit 7 responds to the communication start request and starts PoC communication according to the user's decision.

Step ST29:
The setting selection unit 75 determines whether or not the mode for automatically performing the text conversion of the audio data as described above is set by referring to the storage unit 6, and if so, the process goes to step ST30. If not, the process proceeds to step ST31.
Step ST30:
The text conversion unit 8 converts voice data emitted from another communication terminal received from the communication server device 200 into text data and displays the text data on the display unit 5.

Step ST31:
The setting selection unit 75 determines whether or not the mode for automatically recording the audio data as described above is set by referring to the storage unit 6, and if so, the process goes to step ST32. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST33.
Step ST32:
The recording unit 9 records and stores voice data emitted from other communication terminals received from the communication server device 200.

Step ST33:
The control unit 7 performs PoC communication by voice with other communication terminals.
Step ST34:
When the PoC communication ends, the control unit 7 disconnects communication with the communication server device 200.

As described above, according to the communication terminal 100-i of the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically respond to a communication start request from another communication terminal according to the setting of the drive mode, manner mode, etc. In addition to the mode and manner mode, the mode that automatically converts text and the mode that automatically records can be selected, so depending on the setting when a communication start request is received by setting in advance Can be processed automatically.
In particular, in PoC communication, each communication terminal logs in to the communication server apparatus 200 via the Internet, and various data are exchanged between the communication terminals in the form of packets in the form of packets as in the so-called VoIP communication. That is, the PoC communication is different from the voice call by the normal circuit switching, and the protocol processing equivalent to the Internet connection is performed for the communication unit 2 even though the voice is transmitted and received. Therefore, setting of various modes such as a drive mode and a manner mode constructed on the assumption of a normal voice incoming call has not been able to cope with PoC communication. However, it can be made possible by the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and alternatives regarding the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or an equivalent scope thereof.
For example, in the case of drive mode processing, the communication is automatically terminated after transmission of the message. In the manner mode processing, communication is automatically started after transmission of the message, and the received voice is converted into text and recorded. Even in the drive mode, the communication may be automatically started and the received voice may be converted into text and recorded, or the communication may be automatically ended even in the manner mode processing. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the user can select such a change in advance.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to group communication by PoC has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other group communication that performs one-to-many data communication. It is also applicable to.

  The communication terminal of the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone. For example, the present invention is widely applicable to terminal devices having a communication function such as PDA (personal digital assistants) and portable game machines.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 100-i. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i in the drive mode. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i in the manner mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the communication terminal 100-i when a communication start request is received from another communication terminal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna, 2 ... Communication part, 3 ... Key input part, 4 ... Voice processing part, 5 ... Display part, 6 ... Memory | storage part, 7 ... Control part, 71 ... Transmission control part, 72 ... Reception control part, 73 ... Display control unit, 74 ... automatic response unit, 75 ... setting selection unit, 8 ... text conversion unit, 9 ... recording unit, 100 ... communication terminal,
200: Communication server device, 300: Communication network

Claims (6)

A communication unit for communication;
A setting selection unit for selecting at least one setting from a plurality of settings;
When the communication start request is received by the communication unit, an automatic response unit that automatically performs a response process according to the setting preset by the setting selection unit,
The automatic response unit uses the parameter described in the communication start request to perform either a communication start process for logging in to a predetermined Internet address in the communication unit or a communication rejection process for not logging in. A communication device characterized by being performed as a process. The setting selection unit has, as one of the plurality of settings, a first setting that causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform the communication start processing when the communication start request is received. The communication apparatus according to 1. The setting selection unit has, as one of the plurality of settings, a second setting that causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform communication rejection processing when the communication start request is received. Or the communication apparatus of 2. A conversion unit that converts voice data into text;
A display unit for displaying the text;
Further comprising
The setting selection unit causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform a communication rejection process upon receiving the communication start request, and converts the voice data received by the communication unit into text by the conversion unit and displays the display The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third setting to be displayed on the unit as one of the plurality of settings. It further has a recording unit for recording audio data,
The setting selection unit causes the automatic response unit to automatically perform a communication refusal process when receiving the communication start request, and performs a fourth setting for recording the voice data received by the communication unit at the recording unit. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus has one of the plurality of settings. A first step of receiving a communication start request from another communication device and performing communication;
A second step of selecting at least one setting from a plurality of settings;
A third step of determining whether to automatically perform a response process in accordance with the setting selected in the second step with respect to the communication start request received in the first step;
And a fourth step of logging in to a predetermined Internet address using the parameter described in the communication start request as one of the response processes.

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