JP2009089150A - Information processing apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience. <P>SOLUTION: A television receiver 12-1 receives a call arrival request, transmitted from a server 11, requesting the start of net meeting from a television receiver 12-2. The television receiver 12-1 determines, whether or not to permit call arrival from the television set 12-2, from a partner who requests the start of net meeting using the call arrival request and which input source supplies the image being displayed on the television receiver 12-1, and transmits to the server 11 a call arrival response according to a result of the determination. The present invention can be applied to television receivers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus, method, and program that can improve convenience.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a net meeting in which a user uses a device connected to a communication network and talks with a partner while viewing the image of the partner displayed on the device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . This net meeting is also called a videophone.

  In a net meeting, a device operated by a user transmits an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting to other devices connected via a communication network. Then, the other device that has received the incoming call request transmits an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call request has been sent to the device that has sent the incoming call request, permits the incoming call, and starts a net meeting.

  Such net meetings are used in video conference systems and the like, but it is expected that full-fledged development of television receivers having a net meeting function will progress in the future.

JP 2004-78364 A

  However, in the above-described technology, it is not possible to flexibly perform the operation when receiving an incoming call, that is, the operation when receiving an incoming request from another device, according to the user's needs in a device having a net meeting function. It was.

  Thus, for example, in a television receiver having a net meeting function, the main purpose of a user who uses the television receiver is to watch a television broadcast program or a recorded program. There was a risk that viewing of a program could be hindered by an incoming request for a net meeting.

  That is, for some users, when watching a program, it is more important to watch the program than with a net meeting, or you may not want to make a call with a specific other user while watching the program. However, since the incoming call is permitted in the television receiver, the user must give up watching the program and have a net meeting.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to improve the convenience of a device having a net meeting function.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that receives an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting for exchanging at least one of an image and a sound with another apparatus connected via a communication network; Obtaining state information indicating the state of itself at the time of reception of the incoming request, and in response to at least one of the partner who requested the start of the net meeting or the state indicated by the state information, Determination means for determining whether or not to allow an incoming call from the other device in order to start a net meeting.

  The determination unit can acquire state information indicating an input source of an image displayed on the display unit or a power state of the information processing apparatus.

  The determination means can determine whether or not to accept an incoming call according to the partner and the state indicated by the state information.

  The information processing apparatus further includes setting means for setting whether to accept an incoming call, reject an incoming call, or allow an incoming call according to a user instruction for each partner's own state, The determination means receives an incoming call from the user when it is set to permit an incoming call in response to the user's instruction in response to a request for starting a net meeting from the other party in the state indicated by the state information. It is possible to determine that the other device is allowed to receive an incoming call when the permission is issued.

  An information processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method or program for an information processing apparatus connected to another apparatus via a communication network, and the other apparatus and at least one of an image and a sound Receiving an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting, receiving state information indicating the state of itself upon reception of the incoming request, and the partner requesting the start of the net meeting, or the state In accordance with at least one of the states indicated by the information, the method includes a step of determining whether or not to accept an incoming call from the other device in order to start a net meeting with the other party.

  In one aspect of the present invention, an incoming request requesting the start of a net meeting for exchanging at least one of image and audio with another device connected via a communication network is received, and when the incoming request is received In order to start a net meeting with the partner in response to at least one of the partner who has requested the start of the net meeting and the state indicated by the state information. In addition, it is determined whether or not to accept an incoming call from the other device.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the convenience of a device having a net meeting function can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication unit that receives an incoming request for requesting the start of a network meeting that exchanges at least one of an image and a sound with another apparatus connected via a communication network (for example, 2, the communication module 48) of FIG. 2, obtains status information indicating its own status at the time of reception of the incoming request, and at least one of the statuses indicated by the status information and the other party who requested the start of the net meeting In response to any of the above, a determination unit (for example, the management module 47 in FIG. 2) for determining whether or not to accept an incoming call from the other device is provided in order to start a net meeting with the other party.

  The determination means acquires state information indicating the input source of the image displayed on the display means (for example, the display unit 42 in FIG. 2) or the power state of the information processing apparatus (for example, in FIG. 5). Step S42).

  The determination means can determine whether or not to accept an incoming call according to the partner and the state indicated by the state information (for example, the processing in steps S43 and S44 in FIG. 5).

  In the information processing apparatus, setting means (for example, FIG. 2) for setting whether to accept an incoming call, to reject an incoming call, or to accept an incoming call according to a user instruction is set for each partner. The setting UI module 46) is further provided, and the determination means permits an incoming call in response to an instruction from the user in response to a request for starting a net meeting from the partner in the state indicated by the state information. When the user is instructed to accept an incoming call, it can be determined that the incoming call from the other device is permitted (for example, the process of step S45 in FIG. 5).

  An information processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method or program for an information processing apparatus connected to another apparatus via a communication network, and the other apparatus and at least one of an image and a sound 5 is received (for example, step S41 in FIG. 5), and status information indicating its own state when receiving the incoming request is acquired (for example, in FIG. 5). Step S42), in response to at least one of the other party who has requested the start of the net meeting and the state indicated by the state information, an incoming call from the other device to start the net meeting with the other party. (For example, the process of step S43 and step S44 of FIG. 5) is included.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a net meeting system to which the present invention is applied.

  This net meeting system includes a server 11, a television receiver 12-1, a television receiver 12-2, and a communication network 13, and the server 11, the television receiver 12-1, and the television receiver 12-. 2 are connected to each other via a communication network 13 such as the Internet.

  The server 11 is a server for net meetings, and provides, for example, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server function. That is, the server 11 communicates with the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 according to SIP, and performs call control at the time of a net meeting.

  The television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 are television receivers having a net meeting function, that is, a so-called videophone function, and provide a SIP client function. That is, the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 communicate directly with other television receivers via the communication network 13 and transmit / receive user images and sounds during a net meeting. .

  More specifically, for example, when a user who operates the television receiver 12-1 and a user who operates the television receiver 12-2 conduct a net meeting, the television receiver 12-1 In response to the operation, an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting is transmitted to the television receiver 12-2 via the communication network 13 and the server 11.

  Also, the television receiver 12-2 receives the incoming request from the television receiver 12-1, and responds to the incoming call request to the communication network 13 and the server 11 in response to the incoming request. To the television receiver 12-1. Then, when the television receiver 12-1 receives the incoming call response from the television receiver 12-2, a net meeting is started, and the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 communicate with each other. Via the network 13, for example, by peer-to-peer communication, user images (live images) and voice, so-called chat text data, and the like are transmitted and received. Here, transfer of images, sounds, and the like between the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 is performed without going through the server 11.

  Thereby, the user can talk with the other party using the microphone or the speaker while viewing the image of the other party's user displayed on the television receiver 12-1 or the television receiver 12-2 operated by the user. You can chat with the other party using a software keyboard.

  In the following description, the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 are simply referred to as the television receiver 12 when it is not necessary to distinguish them individually.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the television receiver 12 of FIG.

  The television receiver 12 includes a television function module 41, a display unit 42, a camera 43, a microphone 44, a speaker 45, a setting UI (user interface) module 46, a management module 47, and a communication module 48.

  The TV function module 41 has a function of displaying an image based on image signals of various inputs such as digital television broadcast input, video input, and PC (Personal Computer) input on the display unit 42, and signal processing for displaying an image. It provides basic functions of the television receiver, such as a function, various setting functions, and a status management function for managing the power state of the television receiver 12.

  For example, the television function module 41 supplies the display unit 42 with an image signal of a program input by digital television broadcast or an image signal of a moving image input by video to display an image. Here, the image signal of the program inputted by the digital television broadcast means the image signal of the program broadcast by the digital television received by the television receiver 12, that is, the image signal inputted from the tuner. Further, the video input image signal is an image signal input from a video input terminal provided in the television receiver 12, for example, a video signal supplied from a device such as a hard disk recorder connected to the video terminal. An image signal of a program.

  Further, the TV function module 41 supplies the display unit 42 with a moving image input by a PC or an image signal of a moving image input by HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) to display the image. Here, the image signal input from the PC means an image signal supplied from a personal computer, that is, an image signal input from a terminal for connecting the television receiver 12 and the personal computer. The HDMI input image signal refers to an image signal input from the HDMI terminal, that is, an image signal supplied from a device connected to the television receiver 12 via the HDMI cable.

  Furthermore, in response to a request from the management module 47, the television function module 41 determines where the image displayed on the display unit 42 is an input image, for example, and whether the power state of the television receiver 12 is the power standby state. Status information indicating the status of the television receiver 12 itself, such as whether it is in the middle, is supplied to the management module 47.

  Further, when the television function module 41 is supplied with an image or sound of a communication partner of the net meeting, more specifically, an image signal or sound signal from the communication module 48 at the time of the net meeting, the image signal is displayed on the display unit 42. The other party's image is displayed and the audio signal is supplied to the speaker 45 to reproduce the other party's voice.

  Further, at the time of the net meeting, the television function module 41 supplies the communication module 48 with the image signal of the user's image supplied from the camera 43 and the audio signal of the user's voice supplied from the microphone 44.

  The display unit 42 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays an image based on an image signal supplied from the television function module 41 or the setting UI module 46. The camera 43 captures an image of a user who operates the television receiver 12 and supplies an image signal obtained thereby to the television function module 41.

  The microphone 44 acquires the voice of the user who operates the television receiver 12 and supplies the acquired voice signal to the television function module 41. The speaker 45 reproduces sound based on the sound signal supplied from the television function module 41.

  The setting UI module 46 provides a user interface function for setting an operation when an incoming network meeting is received, that is, an operation when an incoming request is received. That is, the setting UI module 46 supplies the display unit 42 with an image signal for displaying a setting screen for setting an operation at the time of incoming call, and displays the setting screen. Further, the setting UI module 46 is in a state indicated by the other party who requested the incoming call and the state information of the television receiver 12 based on a signal from a remote commander (not shown) for operating the television receiver 12. Each time an incoming call operation is set, setting information indicating the setting is supplied to the management module 47.

  The management module 47 provides an incoming call operation setting management function and a sequence function related to the incoming call operation. For example, the management module 47 records the setting information supplied from the setting UI module 46 or supplies an incoming call request to the communication module 48 in response to a user operation.

  Further, the management module 47 obtains status information from the TV function module 41, and requests the start of a net meeting, that is, permission of incoming call based on the status information and the incoming request supplied from the communication module 48. The communication module 48 is supplied with an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is permitted or rejected.

  The communication module 48 communicates with the server 11 according to SIP, and provides a SIP client function as a communication function for a net meeting. For example, the communication module 48 transmits the incoming request or incoming response supplied from the management module 47 to the server 11, or receives the incoming request or incoming response sent from the server 11 and supplies it to the management module 47. To do.

  The communication module 48 receives image signals and audio signals transmitted from other television receivers and supplies them to the TV function module 41, and receives image signals and audio signals supplied from the TV function module 41. Or send it to other television receivers.

  By the way, the user can set the operation at the time of the incoming call to the television receiver 12 by operating a remote commander, for example. The television receiver 12 is a process of setting the operation at the time of incoming call according to conditions such as the partner of the net meeting and the state of the television receiver 12 when the user is instructed to set the operation at the time of incoming call. Perform the setting process.

  Hereinafter, the setting process by the television receiver 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 11, the display unit 42 displays a setting screen based on the image signal supplied from the setting UI module 46. That is, the setting UI module 46 supplies an image signal for displaying the setting screen to the display unit 42 and causes the display unit 42 to display the setting screen.

  Thereby, for example, a setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 42.

  The setting screen shown in FIG. 4 includes a setting field 71 for setting an operation when an incoming call is received from a user whose registered name is “Mr. A”, and a user whose registered name is “Mr. B”. A setting field 72 for setting an operation when an incoming call and a setting field 73 for setting an operation when an incoming call from a user whose registered name is “Mr. C” are displayed.

  The user operates the remote commander to display the setting field of the other party (user) to be set as the operation setting at the time of incoming call out of these setting fields 71 to 73, and from the other party Set the operation for incoming calls.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the setting field 71 is displayed in the foreground, and when there is an incoming call from a user whose name is “Mr. A”, the setting field 71 is displayed on the display unit 42. It is now possible to set the incoming call operation for when the image input is digital television broadcast input, video input, HDMI input, and PC input. ing.

  For example, in the figure of the setting column 71, the characters “operation upon incoming call during TV input” are displayed on the upper side, and the characters “automatic incoming call”, “manual incoming call”, and “reject incoming call” are displayed below it. Selection items with are displayed side by side.

  When the selection item “automatic incoming” is selected, the operation at the time of incoming is set to automatic incoming. That is, when there is an incoming call requesting the start of a net meeting (when an incoming call request is transmitted), the management module 47 does not confirm whether the user is allowed to receive the incoming call. Allowed and net meeting started. Therefore, from the user's perspective, incoming calls are automatically permitted.

  Further, when the selection item “manual incoming call” is selected, the operation at the time of incoming call is set to manual incoming call. That is, when there is an incoming call requesting the start of a net meeting, the display unit 42 displays a confirmation screen as to whether or not to allow incoming call from the other party. When the incoming call is permitted and the user instructs to reject the incoming call, the incoming call from the other party is rejected.

  Furthermore, when the selection item “reject incoming call” is selected, the operation at the time of incoming call is rejected. In other words, if there is an incoming call requesting the start of the net meeting, the management module 47 rejects the incoming call without confirming whether the user is allowed to receive the incoming call, and the net meeting is not started. Therefore, the incoming call is automatically rejected from the user's perspective.

  The user operates the remote commander and selects one of the three selection items displayed on the lower side in the figure of the character “operation during incoming call during TV input” to thereby display the display unit 42. When an image input by digital television broadcasting is displayed, it is possible to set an incoming call operation when there is an incoming call from a user whose name is “Mr. A”. In the example of FIG. 4, the circle on the left side of the incoming call rejection among the circles displayed on the left side of each selection item is displayed in a color different from the other circles, and the incoming call rejection selection item is selected. It is shown that. Accordingly, if there is an incoming call from Mr. A during the display of the image input to the digital television broadcast, the incoming call is rejected.

  Similarly, in the setting column 71, the characters “operation upon incoming call during video input” are displayed, and selection items for automatic incoming call, manual incoming call, and incoming call rejection are displayed below it. Then, the user selects one of these selection items, and sets an operation upon incoming when there is an incoming call from Mr. A when the video input image is displayed on the display unit 42. be able to. In the example of FIG. 4, the selection item for manual incoming call is selected, and if there is an incoming call from Mr. A while the video input image is displayed, a confirmation screen is displayed and the incoming call is permitted according to the user's instruction Or rejected.

  In the setting column 71, the characters “Operation when receiving an incoming call while HDMI is input” are displayed. Under the characters, selection items for automatic incoming call, manual incoming call, and incoming call rejection are displayed. Then, the user selects one of these selection items, and sets the operation upon incoming when there is an incoming call from Mr. A when the HDMI input image is displayed on the display unit 42. be able to. In the example of FIG. 4, the automatic incoming call selection item is selected, and the incoming call from Mr. A who is displaying the HDMI input image is permitted.

  Further, in the setting column 71, the characters “operation upon incoming call during PC input” are displayed, and selection items for automatic incoming call, manual incoming call, and incoming call rejection are displayed below the character. Then, the user selects one of these selection items, and sets the operation upon incoming when there is an incoming call from Mr. A when the image input by the PC is displayed on the display unit 42. be able to. In the example of FIG. 4, the automatic incoming call selection item is selected, and the incoming call from Mr. A who is displaying the image input to the PC is permitted.

  The user can set an operation at the time of an incoming call by selecting a desired selection item for an incoming call when an image supplied from each input source is displayed. Further, the user displays the setting field 72 and the setting field 73 in the foreground, and the operation at the time of the incoming call from Mr. B and the operation at the time of the incoming call from Mr. C while the images supplied from the respective input sources are displayed. Can be set.

  In addition, for example, when the power state of the television receiver 12 is in the standby state, the operation upon incoming when each user receives an incoming call is selected from automatic incoming call, manual incoming call, and incoming call rejection. You may be able to do it. As described above, by setting the incoming call operation according to the state of the power supply, it is not necessary to turn on the power uselessly because the incoming request is transmitted when the power supply is in the standby state. Setting an incoming call operation according to the power supply state is particularly effective for power saving measures.

  In this way, for each partner who has requested an incoming call (the device that has sent the incoming call request), for each input source of the image displayed on the display unit 42 and the power supply state, that is, the television receiver at the time of receiving the incoming call request By making it possible to set an incoming call operation for each of the twelve states, it is possible to prevent the user's viewing of the program from being hindered or the power from being turned on unnecessarily.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 42, the user operates the remote commander, and the user (user other than himself) as the partner of the net meeting displayed on the setting screen. A user to be set is selected from the list. That is, for example, the user selects the user to be set by displaying the setting column of the partner to be set in the foreground from among the setting columns 71 to 73 in FIG.

  Then, since a signal corresponding to a user operation is transmitted from the remote commander to the television receiver 12, the television receiver 12 receives the transmitted signal and sets the UI based on the received signal. Instruct the module 46 to select a user (partner).

  In step S <b> 12, the setting UI module 46 selects a user (an internet meeting partner) to be set in accordance with an instruction from the television receiver 12.

  In addition, when the user selects a partner to be set, the operation at the time of an incoming call when there is an incoming call from the selected partner during display of each input image, that is, an image supplied from each input source, is performed. select. That is, for example, the user operates the remote commander and designates selection items in a state where the setting field 71 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the foreground, thereby enabling digital television broadcast input, video input, HDMI input, and When an image of each input of the PC input is displayed, each of the operations upon arrival when there is an incoming call from Mr. A is selected.

  As a result, a signal corresponding to the user's operation is transmitted from the remote commander to the television receiver 12, so the television receiver 12 receives the transmitted signal and sets based on the signal. Instructs the UI module 46 to select an operation upon arrival.

  In step S <b> 13, the setting UI module 46 selects an operation upon arrival for each state of the television receiver 12 in accordance with an instruction from the television receiver 12. That is, for example, when the setting UI module 46 displays an image input by digital television broadcasting, an image input by video, an image input by HDMI, and an image input by PC, on the display unit 42, Each of the operations when there is an incoming call from the partner selected in the process of step S12 is selected. In other words, in the setting UI module 46, the input sources of the images displayed on the display unit 42 were each a tuner for digital television broadcasting, a video terminal, an HDMI terminal, and a terminal for connecting a personal computer. In this case, each of the operations when there is an incoming call from the other party is selected.

  Then, the setting UI module 46 generates setting information indicating the selected partner and the operation for each state when receiving an incoming call from the partner, and supplies the setting information to the management module 47. If the user selects an incoming call operation for a plurality of partners while the setting screen is displayed, the setting UI module 46 generates setting information for each selected partner.

  In step S14, the management module 47 records the setting information supplied from the setting UI module 46, and the setting process ends.

  In this way, the television receiver 12 sets an incoming call operation for each state of the television receiver 12 for each partner of the net meeting in accordance with a user operation.

  In this way, by setting the incoming call operation for each state of the television receiver 12 such as the input source of the image being displayed on the display unit 42 and the power supply state for each partner, the incoming call is made based on the setting. Thus, the television receiver 12 can be made to perform an operation desired by the user for each partner who has requested the above and for each state of the television receiver 12. Thereby, the convenience of the television receiver 12 having a net meeting function can be improved.

  Therefore, for example, while watching a program, for a party who does not want to allow an incoming call, by setting an incoming call rejection as an incoming call operation, the user is disturbed by a request for a net meeting from the other party. Without having to watch the program. Also, for example, in some cases, for a party who may be allowed to receive a call while watching a program, by setting a manual call as an incoming call operation, the user can receive a call from that party. In addition, the incoming call can be permitted or the incoming call can be rejected depending on the situation at that time.

  Next, the incoming call processing by the television receiver 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This incoming call processing is performed when an incoming call request is transmitted from the server 11 via the communication network 13, that is, when a start of a net meeting is requested by a user (another party) operating another television receiver 12. Be started. In the following description, it is assumed that an incoming request from the television receiver 12-2 has been transmitted to the television receiver 12-1. That is, the incoming call process is performed by the television receiver 12-1.

  In step S <b> 41, the communication module 48 receives the incoming request from the other television receiver 12-2 transmitted from the server 11 and supplies it to the management module 47. That is, the communication module 48 analyzes the content of the received incoming call request, identifies the other party who has requested the incoming call, and supplies information indicating that the incoming call has been requested to the management module 47 together with information indicating the other party. . Here, the incoming request includes information indicating the other party who has requested the incoming call, that is, the user who operates the television receiver 12-2.

  In step S <b> 42, the management module 47 acquires state information from the television function module 41. That is, the management module 47 instructs the television function module 41 to supply state information, and the television function module 41 generates state information indicating the state of the television receiver 12-1 in response to the instruction. To the management module 47.

  For example, when an image input to a digital television broadcast is displayed on the display unit 42, the television function module 41 supplies status information indicating that the image input to the digital television broadcast is being displayed to the management module 47. To do.

  In step S43, the management module 47 is indicated by the status information for the other party who requested the incoming call based on the incoming request from the communication module 48, the status information from the TV function module 41, and the recorded setting information. It is determined whether or not the setting in the state is an automatic incoming call.

  If it is determined in step S43 that the incoming call is automatic, the process proceeds to step S47. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 that the incoming call is not an automatic incoming call, in step S44, the management module 47 determines the state of the other party who requested the incoming call based on the incoming call request, the state information, and the setting information. It is determined whether or not the setting in the state indicated by the information is a manual incoming call.

  If it is determined in step S44 that the incoming call is not a manual incoming call, that is, if the setting is incoming call rejection, the process proceeds to step S46.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the incoming call is a manual call, the management module 47 notifies the setting UI module 46 of the other party who has requested the incoming call, and instructs the display of a confirmation screen for the other party. In response to an instruction from the management module 47, the UI module 46 supplies an image signal for displaying a confirmation screen on the display unit 42, and displays the confirmation screen.

  Then, when a confirmation screen as to whether or not to accept the incoming call is displayed on the display unit 42 for the other party who has requested the incoming call, the process proceeds to step S45. Further, when the confirmation screen is displayed, the user operates the remote commander to instruct whether to accept or reject the incoming call for the other party who has requested the incoming call. Furthermore, the television receiver 12-1 receives a signal according to a user operation transmitted from the remote commander and supplies the signal to the management module 47.

  In step S <b> 45, the management module 47 determines whether an incoming call is instructed by the user based on a signal corresponding to the user operation supplied from the television receiver 12-1. If it is determined in step S45 that an incoming call has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S47. If it is determined in step S45 that an incoming call has not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S46.

  If it is determined in step S44 that it is not a manual incoming call or it is determined in step S45 that no incoming call is instructed, in step S46, the communication module 48 transmits an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is rejected. The incoming call processing ends. That is, if the setting is set to reject incoming calls or the user has instructed to reject incoming calls, the management module 47 determines that incoming calls will be rejected, and generates an incoming call response indicating that a net meeting will not be performed. To the communication module 48. Then, the communication module 48 transmits the incoming call response supplied from the management module 47 to the server 11 via the communication network 13.

  The incoming response transmitted to the server 11 in this way is received by the server 11, and further transmitted by the server 11 to the television receiver 12-2 that has transmitted the incoming request. When the incoming call response is received by the television receiver 12-2, a message that the net meeting cannot be started because the incoming call is rejected is displayed on the television receiver 12-2.

  If it is determined in step S43 that the incoming call is automatic, or if it is determined in step S45 that an incoming call is instructed, in step S47, the communication module 48 transmits an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is received to the server 11.

  That is, if the setting is automatic incoming call or the user has instructed to allow incoming call, the management module 47 determines that the incoming call is allowed and generates an incoming call response to start the net meeting. To the communication module 48. Then, the communication module 48 transmits the incoming call response supplied from the management module 47 to the server 11 via the communication network 13.

  The incoming response transmitted to the server 11 in this way is received by the server 11, and further transmitted by the server 11 to the television receiver 12-2 that has transmitted the incoming request. Then, when an incoming call response is received by the television receiver 12-2, a message that the incoming call is permitted and a net meeting is started is displayed on the television receiver 12-2.

  When the incoming call is permitted in this way, in step S48, the television receiver 12-1 directly communicates with the television receiver 12-2 that has requested the start of the net meeting via the communication network 13. To start a net meeting, and the incoming call processing ends.

  That is, when the net meeting is started, the communication module 48 transmits the image signal of the image of the other party of the net meeting and the voice of the other party transmitted from the television receiver 12-2 via the communication network 13. The signal is received, and the received image signal and audio signal are supplied to the television function module 41. Then, the TV function module 41 supplies the image signal supplied from the communication module 48 to the display unit 42 to display the other party's live image and supplies the audio signal supplied from the communication module 48 to the speaker 45. To play the other party's voice.

  In addition, the television function module 41 acquires an image signal of the user's image captured by the camera 43 from the camera 43 and acquires an audio signal of the user's voice collected by the microphone 44 from the microphone 44. The television function module 41 supplies the acquired image signal and audio signal to the communication module 48, and the communication module 48 transmits the image signal and audio signal from the television function module 41 to the television via the communication network 13. To John receiver 12-2.

  Thereby, a user who operates the television receiver 12 can make a call while viewing the image of the other party. Note that text data for chatting may be transmitted and received between the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 21-2, or only one of the image signal and the audio signal is transmitted. You may make it transmit / receive.

  In this way, when the incoming call request is transmitted, the television receiver 12 receives the incoming request, specifies the other party who has requested the incoming call, and provides status information indicating the state of the television receiver 12. get. And the television receiver 12 performs the operation | movement at the time of an incoming call based on the setting with respect to the specified other party and the state shown by status information.

  In this way, by performing the operation at the time of incoming call based on the setting for the other party who requested the incoming call and the state indicated by the status information, it is possible to perform a flexible operation at the time of the incoming call according to the user's needs. As a result, the convenience of the television receiver 12 can be improved.

  In the above description, it has been described that the operation upon arrival is set for each state of the television receiver 12 for each partner who has requested the incoming call. However, for each state of the television receiver 12 regardless of the other party of the incoming call. The incoming call operation may be set, or the incoming call operation may be set for each incoming call party regardless of the state.

  Further, although it has been described that the television receiver 12 records the setting information and determines whether or not to allow incoming calls, the server 11 may determine whether or not to allow incoming calls.

  In such a case, the server 11 of FIG. 1 is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In FIG. 6, the server 11 includes a communication module 111, an acquisition module 112, and a management module 113.

  The communication module 111 communicates with the television receiver 12 via the communication network 13 to transmit / receive various data. The acquisition module 112 causes the communication module 111 to transmit an acquisition request for requesting the television receiver 12 to transmit state information indicating the state of the television receiver 12. Further, when the status information from the television receiver 12 is supplied from the communication module 111, the acquisition module 112 supplies the status information to the management module 113.

  The management module 113 records the setting information of the television receiver 12 supplied from the communication module 111, and permits an incoming call to the television receiver 12 using the status information and the setting information from the acquisition module 112. It is determined whether or not.

  Further, the television receiver 12 displays a setting screen, and when an incoming call operation is selected by the user, setting information corresponding to the selection is transmitted to the server 11 via the communication network 13. Then, the communication module 111 of the server 11 receives the setting information transmitted from the television receiver 12 and supplies it to the management module 113. The management module 113 records setting information for each television receiver 12 supplied from the communication module 111.

  Then, for example, when the server 11 receives an incoming request requesting permission of incoming to the television receiver 12-1 from the television receiver 12-2, the television receiver 12-1 in accordance with SIP. And the incoming call determination process for determining whether or not to accept the incoming call is started using the recorded setting information.

  Hereinafter, the incoming call determination processing by the server 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S81, the communication module 111 receives the incoming request for requesting the start of the net meeting with the television receiver 12-1 transmitted from the television receiver 12-2 via the communication network 13. To the management module 113. More specifically, when the communication module 111 receives an incoming request, the communication module 111 analyzes the content of the received incoming request to identify the other party who requested the incoming call, and information indicating that the incoming call has been requested along with information indicating the other party. Is supplied to the management module 113.

  Then, the management module 113 instructs the acquisition module 112 to acquire state information, and the acquisition module 112 requests the acquisition of state information indicating the state of the television receiver 12-1 in response to the instruction. Is supplied to the communication module 111. Then, the communication module 111 transmits the acquisition request from the acquisition module 112 to the television receiver 12-1 via the communication network 13. The server 11 also notifies the television receiver 12-1 of the other party who has received the incoming request together with the acquisition request.

  Further, when an acquisition request is transmitted from the server 11, the television receiver 12-1 receives the acquisition request and transmits status information indicating the state of the television receiver 12-1.

  When status information is transmitted from the television receiver 12-1, the communication module 111 of the server 11 receives the transmitted status information and supplies the received status information to the acquisition module 112 in step S82. . The acquisition module 112 supplies the management module 113 with the status information supplied from the communication module 111, that is, the status information acquired from the television receiver 12-1.

  In step S83, the management module 113 requests an incoming call based on the incoming call request from the communication module 111, the status information from the acquisition module 112, and the recorded user setting information of the television receiver 12-1. It is determined whether or not the setting in the state indicated by the state information for the other party is a manual incoming call.

  If it is determined in step S83 that the incoming call is a manual incoming call, the management module 113 requests the television receiver 12-1 to send incoming call necessity information indicating whether or not to allow incoming call from the other party. The process proceeds to step S84. In other words, the management module 113 supplies a transmission request for requesting transmission of incoming / outgoing necessity information to the communication module 111, and the communication module 111 transmits the supplied transmission request to the television receiver 12-1 through the communication network 13. Send to.

  Further, when a transmission request is transmitted from the communication module 111, the television receiver 12-1 receives the transmission request, and accepts the incoming call or rejects the incoming call according to the received transmission request. Incoming call necessity information indicating this is transmitted to the server 11.

  In step S <b> 84, the communication module 111 receives incoming call necessity information transmitted from the television receiver 12-1 and supplies it to the management module 113.

  In step S <b> 85, the management module 113 determines whether an incoming call is instructed by a user operating the television receiver 12-1 based on the incoming call necessity information supplied from the communication module 111.

  If it is determined in step S85 that an incoming call has not been instructed, the incoming call is rejected, and the process proceeds to step S88. If it is determined in step S85 that an incoming call has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S86.

  In step S86, the communication module 111 transmits an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call has been received to the television receiver 12-2 that has transmitted the incoming call request via the communication network 13, and the incoming call determination process ends. That is, the management module 113 determines that the incoming call is permitted and supplies an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is received to the communication module 111, and the communication module 111 transmits the supplied incoming call response to the television receiver 12-2. .

  The management module 113 also supplies the communication module 111 with an incoming call permission notification indicating that incoming calls from the other party are permitted, and transmits the incoming call permission notification to the television receiver 12-1. After that, the television receiver 12-1 and the television receiver 12-2 communicate via the server 11 as necessary to perform a net meeting.

  If it is determined in step S83 that the incoming call is not a manual incoming call, in step S87, the management module 113 determines whether the setting is an automatic incoming call. If it is determined in step S87 that the incoming call is automatic, the user of the television receiver 12-1 permits the incoming call in the state indicated by the state information to the other party who has requested the incoming call. The process proceeds to step S86, and an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is received is transmitted to the television receiver 12-2.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S87 that the incoming call is not an automatic incoming call, that is, if the setting is incoming call rejection, the user of the television receiver 12-1 does not perform a net meeting, and the process proceeds to step S88. move on.

  If it is determined in step S87 that the incoming call is not automatic, or if no incoming call is instructed in step S85, in step S88, the communication module 111 transmits an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is rejected via the communication network 13. The data is transmitted to John receiver 12-2, and the incoming call determination process ends. That is, the management module 113 determines to reject the incoming call, and supplies an incoming call response indicating that the incoming call is rejected to the communication module 111. The communication module 111 sends the supplied incoming call response to the television receiver 12-2. Send.

  In this way, when an incoming request for the television receiver 12 is transmitted, the server 11 receives the incoming request and acquires state information. When the status information is acquired, the server 11 uses the recorded setting information to determine whether or not to allow the incoming call according to the settings for the acquired status information and the other party who has requested the incoming call. .

  In this way, the setting information is recorded, and the television at the time of receiving the incoming request is determined by determining whether or not to accept the incoming call according to the acquired state information and the partner that has transmitted the incoming request. The processing of the television receiver 12 can be reduced, and the convenience of the television receiver 12 can be improved.

  More specifically, when the server 11 receives an incoming request for the television receiver 12-1, the other party that has transmitted the incoming request, that is, the incoming call, according to the setting information received from the television receiver 12-1. When no setting is made for the user who operates the television receiver 12-2 that has transmitted the request, the server 11 rejects the incoming call to the television receiver 12-1.

  In other words, when the user of the television receiver 12-1 receives an incoming call from a partner who is not registered, that is, a partner whose incoming call operation is not set, the incoming call from that partner is not received. Rejected.

  As described above, the server 11 rejects an incoming call from an unregistered partner, so that the user is not prevented from viewing a program or the like by an incoming call from an unknown partner. Rejecting an incoming call from an unregistered party is particularly effective as a countermeasure against mischievous calls.

  Further, when the incoming call determination process is started in the server 11 and a request for acquisition of status information is transmitted from the server 11 to the television receiver 12-1, the television receiver 12-1 sets the operation for incoming call. In response, an incoming call process, which is a process of performing a net meeting, is started. Hereinafter, the incoming call processing by the television receiver 12-1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 111, the management module 47 acquires state information from the television function module 41 and supplies it to the communication module 48. That is, when an acquisition request is transmitted from the server 11, the communication module 48 of the television receiver 12-1 receives the transmitted acquisition request and supplies it to the management module 47. In response to the acquisition request from the communication module 48, the management module 47 instructs the television function module 41 to supply status information. Then, the television function module 41 supplies state information to the management module 47 in accordance with an instruction from the management module 47. The server 11 notifies the television receiver 12-1 of the other party who has received the incoming call, together with the request for obtaining the status information.

  In step S <b> 112, the communication module 48 transmits the status information from the management module 47 to the server 11 via the communication network 13.

  Then, the server 11 receives the state information transmitted from the television receiver 12-1, and uses the setting information recorded from the state indicated by the state information and the other party who requested the incoming call. Performs the incoming call operation that has been set. That is, when the incoming call operation is set to automatic incoming call or incoming call rejection, the server 11 performs an operation according to the setting. When the incoming call operation setting is set to manual incoming call, the server 11 transmits to the television receiver 12-1 incoming call necessity information indicating whether or not to allow incoming call from the other party. I will ask. That is, the server 11 transmits a transmission request for requesting transmission of the necessity information for incoming calls to the television receiver 12-1.

  In step S113, the management module 47 determines whether or not an instruction for necessity of incoming call is requested from the server 11, that is, whether or not transmission of information on necessity of incoming call is requested. For example, when a transmission request is transmitted from the server 11, it is determined that an instruction for whether or not an incoming call is required is requested.

  If it is determined in step S113 that an instruction for necessity of incoming call is not requested, the process proceeds to step S115.

  If it is determined in step S <b> 113 that an instruction to determine whether or not an incoming call is required, the communication module 48 receives the transmission request transmitted from the server 11 and supplies it to the management module 47. Then, the management module 47 instructs the setting UI module 46 to display a confirmation screen, and the setting UI module 46 causes the display unit 42 to display a confirmation screen in response to the instruction.

  Then, the user operates the remote commander while looking at the confirmation screen, and instructs whether to allow incoming calls from the other party. When a signal according to a user operation is transmitted from the remote commander, the television receiver 12-1 receives the signal and supplies it to the management module 47. Further, the management module 47 supplies incoming communication necessity information indicating whether the incoming call is permitted or rejected to the communication module 48 in accordance with the signal supplied from the television receiver 12-1, for processing. Advances to step S114.

  In step S <b> 114, the communication module 48 transmits the incoming call necessity information supplied from the management module 47 to the server 11 via the communication network 13. In addition, when the user instructs to receive an incoming call from the other party, or when the incoming call operation setting is automatic incoming call, the server 11 allows the incoming call from the other party, and the server 11 sends the television receiver 12-1. Receives an incoming call permission notification indicating that the incoming call from the other party is permitted. When a communication permission notification is transmitted from the server 11, the communication module 48 receives the communication permission notification and supplies it to the management module 47.

  If it is determined in step S114 that the incoming call necessity information is transmitted, or if it is determined in step S113 that no incoming call necessity instruction has been requested, in step S115, the management module 47 determines whether the incoming call request has been transmitted to the network. Determine whether to have a meeting. For example, when an incoming call permission notification from the server 11 is supplied from the communication module 48 to the management module 47, it is determined that a net meeting is to be performed.

  If it is determined in step S115 that no net meeting is to be performed, the incoming call is rejected, and the incoming call process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S115 that a net meeting is to be performed, in step S116, the television receiver 12-1 starts a net meeting and transmits and receives image signals and audio signals to and from the television receiver 12-2. And the incoming call processing ends.

  In this way, the television receiver 12-1 transmits the status information to the server 11, and when the server 11 requests an incoming call necessity instruction, it displays a confirmation screen and responds to the user instruction. The incoming call necessity signal is transmitted to the server 11.

  If the setting information is transmitted to the server 11 and recorded in advance, the television receiver 12-1 displays a confirmation screen and receives an incoming call only when the server 11 requests an incoming call necessity. Since it suffices to instruct the server 11 whether to permit or not, it is not necessary to transmit an incoming response every time an incoming request is transmitted. Thereby, the convenience of the television receiver 12 can be improved.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

  In a computer, a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, and a random access memory (RAM) 203 are connected to each other by a bus 204.

  An input / output interface 205 is further connected to the bus 204. The input / output interface 205 includes an input unit 206 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, an output unit 207 including a display and a speaker, a recording unit 208 including a hard disk and nonvolatile memory, and a communication unit 209 including a network interface. A drive 210 for driving a removable medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is connected.

  In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 201 loads, for example, the program recorded in the recording unit 208 to the RAM 203 via the input / output interface 205 and the bus 204, and executes the program. Is performed.

  The program executed by the computer (CPU 201) is, for example, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor. The program is recorded on a removable medium 211 that is a package medium including a memory or the like, or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

  The program can be installed in the recording unit 208 via the input / output interface 205 by attaching the removable medium 211 to the drive 210. Further, the program can be received by the communication unit 209 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the recording unit 208. In addition, the program can be installed in the ROM 202 or the recording unit 208 in advance.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of implementation of the net meeting system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the function of a television receiver. It is a flowchart explaining a setting process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a setting screen. It is a flowchart explaining an incoming call process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a server. It is a flowchart explaining an incoming call determination process. It is a flowchart explaining an incoming call process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a computer.

Explanation of symbols

  11 server, 12-1, 12-2, 12 television receiver, 41 television function module, 42 display unit, 46 setting UI module, 47 management module, 48 communication module, 111 communication module, 112 acquisition module, 113 management module

Claims (6)

A communication means for receiving an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting for exchanging at least one of image and sound with another device connected via a communication network;
Obtaining status information indicating the status of itself at the time of reception of the incoming call request, and in response to at least one of the partner requested to start the net meeting or the status indicated by the status information, An information processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not to allow an incoming call from the other apparatus to start a net meeting. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit acquires state information indicating an input source of an image displayed on the display unit or a power state of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to permit an incoming call according to the partner and a state indicated by the state information. For each partner's own state, the apparatus further comprises setting means for setting whether to allow incoming calls, reject incoming calls, or allow incoming calls according to user instructions,
The determination means receives an incoming call from the user when it is set to permit an incoming call in response to an instruction from the user in response to a request for starting a net meeting from the other party in the state indicated by the state information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that the incoming call of the other apparatus is permitted when the permission is permitted. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to another apparatus via a communication network,
Receiving an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting for exchanging at least one of image and sound with the other device;
Obtaining status information indicating its own status when receiving the incoming request;
Whether to accept an incoming call from the other device in order to start a net meeting with the partner in response to at least one of the partner who has requested the start of the net meeting and the state indicated by the status information An information processing method including a step of determining whether or not. An information processing program for an information processing apparatus connected to another apparatus via a communication network,
Controlling reception of an incoming request for requesting the start of a net meeting for exchanging at least one of image and sound with the other device;
Obtaining status information indicating the status of the information processing device at the time of receiving the incoming call request;
Whether to accept an incoming call from the other device in order to start a net meeting with the partner in response to at least one of the partner who has requested the start of the net meeting and the state indicated by the status information A program that causes a computer to execute a process including a step of determining whether or not.

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