JP2012175463A - Remote communication management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoidably actualize communication with an opposite-party communication terminal in a system by switching a destination list picture to alternative means (alternative picture) and allowing a communication terminal to operate the alternative means (alternative picture) when a communication terminal cannot communicate with the opposite-party communication terminal by operating the destination list picture.SOLUTION: A remote communication management device provides destination list information, determines whether to provide the destination list information and requests a relay device to acquire an authentication ID, and transmits an IP address of a relay device and an authentication ID to the terminal. The relay device stores a plurality of authentication IDs, issues an authentication ID, and performs terminal authentication on receiving a first connection request including the authentication ID of a first terminal and connection authentication between terminals on receiving a second connection request including an authentication ID of a second terminal, and relays data communication between the terminals. The first terminal receives the IP address of the relay device and the authentication ID, requests a first connection request including the authentication ID of the relay device, and sends a second connection request including an authentication ID of the second terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications management systems.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, remote communication systems and video conference systems that perform video conferences and the like via a communication network such as the Internet have become widespread in response to requests for reducing business trip expenses and business trip times. In such a remote communication system, when a call is started between a plurality of communication terminals, image data and audio data are transmitted and received, and a video conference can be realized. In addition, recent enhancement of the broadband environment has made it possible to transmit and receive high-quality image data and high-quality sound data between a plurality of communication terminals. As a result, it became easier to grasp the situation of the other party of the video conference, and the fulfillment level of communication through conversation can be improved.

  Such telecommunication systems use protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and XMPP (eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol). For example, in the case of SIP, a communication terminal has an ID called a SIP URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). By accessing the remote communication system (proxy server) using, you can communicate without knowing the IP address of the other communication terminal. In general, call control and actual data exchange often use different protocols. For example, SIP is used for call control, and exchange of actual data (image data, voice data, etc.) after the call is established. For this, a protocol such as RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) is used.

  Now, even in the recent enhancement of the broadband environment, image data and audio data are received when a large number of video conferences are held via a communication network or when a narrow band path on the communication network is used. In some cases, there may be a delay in receiving image data or audio data. It is said that a user of a telecommunications system feels stress during a conversation when a delay of 0.5 seconds or more occurs in receiving image data or audio data. For this reason, in a remote communication system, a relay device (MCU: Multi Conferencing Unit) that relays image data and audio data may be installed between communication terminals such as a video conference terminal for each LAN in the communication network. . This is because these relay devices can reduce the load on each relay device by distributing the communication processing of the video conference, and can also distribute the data transmission amount such as image data and audio data to be relayed. By selecting a relay device having an IP address close to the IP address of the communication terminal from among a plurality of relay devices, high-quality image data and high-quality sound data are transmitted / received via the selected relay device. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, such a remote communication system has a “state management function”, and indicates whether or not a destination candidate communication terminal is logged in to a requesting communication terminal that makes a call start request on the system. The status of the destination candidate can be ascertained before the status information is sent and the call (communication) is started. Specifically, the requesting communication terminal manages the destination list indicating the destination names of the destination candidates at its own terminal, and before starting a call, whether or not the communication terminal as a destination candidate has logged in. The status information shown is received and reflected in the destination list of the terminal itself (for example, see Patent Document 2). As described above, since the status of the destination candidate is known before the call is started, a wasteful work such that the destination communication terminal is logged out and cannot make a call after making a call start request from the requesting communication terminal. Can be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an example (part 1) of a destination list screen. When the destination list is displayed immediately after the requesting communication terminal is turned on, the destination candidate status information is not received at that time, so the destination candidate status is assumed as a temporary status as shown in the figure. Are all displayed as an icon indicating that the power is off.

  FIG. 2 shows an example (part 2) of the destination list screen. After the destination list is displayed, for example, in a few seconds, when status information is sent from a plurality of communication terminals among the destination candidates, the status related to the received status information is displayed as shown in the figure. Switch to the icon shown.

  In these drawings, each destination name such as a destination name “Japan Tokyo Office AB terminal” 1100-2 is displayed in the destination list frame 1100-1, and this state is reflected to reflect the status information for each destination name. Are displayed (1100-3a, 1100-3b, 1100-3c, 1100-3d). Among these, the icon 1100-3a indicates that one communication terminal as a destination candidate is in an OFF line state and cannot communicate with this communication terminal. The icon 1100-3b indicates that one communication terminal as a destination candidate is in an ON-line state and can communicate with this communication terminal. The icon 1100-3c indicates a state in which one communication terminal as a destination candidate is in a call with another communication terminal and is able to perform three-party communication or the like in addition to a call partner. The icon 1100-3d indicates a state in which one communication terminal as a destination candidate is in a call with another communication terminal, but is temporarily suspended due to being away from the desk or the like, and thus is not added as a call partner.

  On the remote communication system, the requesting communication terminal that makes a call start request only operates (selects), for example, the ON-line icon 1100-3b among the destination candidate communication terminals on the destination list screen. A call can be easily established with a communication terminal of the other party (USA New York office CA terminal), and actual data (image data, high-quality voice data, etc.) can be exchanged thereafter.

  In such a remote communication system, when a problem or failure occurs in the state management function, the destination list screen displays all the destination candidate states as icons indicating that the power is OFF, or depending on the system, the destination Since the candidate (icon) is not displayed, the communication terminal cannot establish a call with the counterpart communication terminal from the system. If you know the IP address of the other party's communication terminal, there may be data communication with the other party's communication terminal by direct access, but this is rare when using a telecommunication system. is there.

  To prevent this, there are methods such as multiplexing servers or providing a redirect server that notifies the IP address of the communication terminal. However, the former has a problem that it is expensive to install and operate, and the latter has direct access between communication terminals, so that it is difficult to perform centralized control on the remote communication system side (call service providing side). there were.

  In the present invention, in view of the above problems, when the communication terminal cannot communicate with the communication terminal of the other party by operating the destination list screen, the destination list screen is switched to an alternative means (substitute screen), and communication is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote communication management system that allows a terminal to operate an alternative means (substitute screen) so as to avoid communication with a communication terminal of a counterpart on the system.

  In order to solve the above problems, a remote communication management system according to the present invention includes a plurality of remote communication terminals, a relay device, and a remote communication management device, and is remotely communicated between a plurality of remote communication terminals via a communication network. Is a remote communication management system that communicates while relaying data communication with a relay device, the remote communication management device communicating with the first storage means that stores and manages at least the IP address of the relay device and the remote communication terminal A destination list providing unit that provides destination list information including the terminal status of the destination remote communication terminal, whether or not the destination list information can be provided by the destination list providing unit, and whether or not the destination list information is provided is determined. A determination unit that makes an authentication ID acquisition request to the relay device stored in the first storage unit, and a remote communication terminal that is to provide the destination list information. In response, the relay device includes a transmission unit that transmits the IP address of the relay device stored in the first storage unit and the authentication ID acquired from the relay device, and the relay device includes a plurality of authentication IDs. Second storage means stored and managed, authentication ID issuing means for issuing an authentication ID stored in the second storage means in response to the authentication ID acquisition request from the remote communication management device, and authentication from a remote communication terminal When receiving the first connection request including the ID, the terminal authentication means for performing terminal authentication by checking whether the authentication ID is the authentication ID issued from the second storage means, and the first remote communication terminal When the second remote communication terminal receives the second connection request including the authentication ID of the second remote communication terminal from the first remote communication terminal after the terminal is authenticated, the authentication ID is issued from the second storage means. Authentication A connection authentication means for performing connection authentication between the first remote communication terminal and the second remote communication terminal by collating with D, and after the connection authentication, the first remote communication terminal and the second remote communication And relay means for relaying data communication between terminals.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the remote communication management system, the remote communication management system includes a plurality of relay devices and a UI providing device, and the UI providing device is connected to the first remote communication terminal. Screen providing means for providing a first screen for making one connection request, wherein the first remote communication terminal receives the first screen from the UI providing device and the IP addresses of the plurality of relay devices from the remote communication management device; And when the authentication ID acquired from the relay device is received, if one relay device is input among the plurality of relay devices displayed in the first screen, the IP address of the one relay device The first connection request including the authentication ID is made to the relay device having the address as the destination.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the remote communication management system, the UI providing device has a screen providing means for providing a second screen for making the second connection request to the first remote communication terminal. When the first remote communication terminal receives the second screen from the UI providing device and the authentication ID of the second remote communication terminal is input in the second screen, the IP address of the first relay device is set. A second connection request including the authentication ID of the second telecommunications terminal is made to the relay device as the destination.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, when the communication terminal cannot communicate with the communication terminal of the other party by operating the destination list screen, the destination list screen is switched to the alternative means (alternative screen), and the communication terminal By operating the (screen), it is possible to provide a remote communication management system that can avoid communication with the communication terminal of the other party on the system in an avoidable manner.

An example (part 1) of a destination list screen is shown. An example (part 2) of a destination list screen is shown. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the remote communication terminal 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the remote communication management apparatus 50 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of each terminal and each apparatus which comprise the telecommunication system 1 of this embodiment. The example of a data table of authentication ID management DB3001 is shown. The example of a data table of relay apparatus management DB5001 is shown. The example of a data table of terminal authentication management DB5002 is shown. The example of a data table of terminal management DB5003 is shown. The example of a data table of destination list management DB5004 is shown. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining normal login request to destination list display processing; It is a sequence diagram explaining a login request to an abnormal time screen display process at the time of abnormality. An example of an abnormal screen A is shown. It is a sequence diagram explaining a connection request to a connection process at the time of abnormality. An example of an abnormal screen B is shown.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in each embodiment.

[System configuration]
<Overall Configuration of Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the telecommunications system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  3 includes a plurality of remote communication terminals (10aa, 10ab,..., 10db) and displays (11aa, 11ab,..., 11db) for the respective remote communication terminals (10aa, 10ab,..., 10db). , A plurality of relay devices (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) and a remote communication management device 50 are constructed.

  In the present embodiment, “remote communication terminal 10” is used to indicate any remote communication terminal among the remote communication terminals (10aa, 10ab,..., 10db), and the relay devices (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) are used. ), The “relay device 30” is used.

  The remote communication terminal 10 transmits / receives image data, audio data, and the like to / from other remote communication terminals 10. The image of the image data may be a moving image or a still image, or may include both a moving image and a still image. The relay device 30 relays image data and audio data between the plurality of remote communication terminals 10. The remote communication management device 50 manages the remote communication terminal 10 and the relay device 30 in an integrated manner.

  Further, the plurality of routers (70a, 70b,..., 70g) shown in FIG. 3 perform selection of optimal paths for image data and audio data.

  The UI providing apparatus 90 holds screen information to be displayed on the remote communication terminal 10 (for example, a framework screen of a destination list screen), and appropriate screen information is received in response to a screen information acquisition request from the remote communication terminal 10. Is returned to the remote communication terminal 10. The remote communication management device 50 can also be configured to hold the screen information also as the UI providing device 80.

  Further, the remote communication terminal 10aa, the remote communication terminal 10ab, the relay device 30a, and the router 70a are communicably connected via the LAN 2a. The remote communication terminal 10ba, the remote communication terminal 10bb, the relay device 30b, and the router 70b are communicably connected via the LAN 2b. The LAN 2a and the LAN 2b are communicably connected via a dedicated line 2ab including the router 70c, and are constructed in a predetermined area A. For example, the region A is Japan, the LAN 2a is constructed in a Tokyo office, and the LAN 2b is constructed in an Osaka office.

On the other hand, the remote communication terminal 10ca, the remote communication terminal 10cb, the relay device 30c, and the router 70c are communicably connected via a LAN 2c. The remote communication terminal 10da, the remote communication terminal 10db, the relay device 30d, and the router 70d are communicably connected via a LAN 2d. The LAN 2c and the LAN 2d are communicably connected by a dedicated line 2cd including the router 70e, and are constructed in a predetermined area B. For example, region B is the United States, LAN 2c is built in a New York office, and LAN 2d is Washington D.C. C. Is built in the office. Area A and area B are connected to each other via routers (70c, 70e) via the Internet 2i.
The remote communication management device 50 and the UI providing device 90 are connected to the remote communication terminal 10 and the relay device 30 through the Internet 2i so as to be communicable. The remote communication management device 50 and the UI providing device 90 may be installed in the region A or the region B, or may be installed in a region other than these.

  In the present embodiment, the communication network 2 of the present embodiment is constructed by the LAN 2a, the LAN 2b, the dedicated line 2ab, the Internet 2i, the dedicated line 2cd, the LAN 2c, and the LAN 2d.

  In FIG. 3, four sets of numbers shown under each remote communication terminal 10, each relay device 30, remote communication management device 50, each router 70, and the PU UI providing device 90 are general IPv4. The IP address in is simply shown. For example, the IP address of the remote communication terminal 10aa is “1.2.1.3”. Further, IPv6 may be used instead of IPv4. In order to simplify the description, description will be made using IPv4.

<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment>
Next, the hardware configuration of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the remote communication terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote communication terminal 10 of this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that controls the operation of the entire remote communication terminal 10 and a ROM (Read Only) that stores a program for the remote communication terminal. Memory) 102, RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 used as a work area of the CPU 101, SSD (Solid State Drive) 104 that reads or writes data according to the control of the CPU 101, data of the recording medium 105 such as flash memory A media drive 106 that controls reading or writing (storage), an operation button 107 that is operated when a destination of the remote communication terminal 10 is selected, a power switch 108 for switching ON / OFF of the power supply of the remote communication terminal 10, Necessary for data transmission using the communication network 2 described later. Network I / F 111, CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 112 that captures an image of the subject under the control of the CPU 101 and obtains image data, an image sensor I / F 113 that controls driving of the CCD 112, a microphone 114 that inputs sound, and a speaker that outputs sound 115, an audio input / output I / F 116 that processes input and output of audio signals between the microphone 114 and the speaker 115 according to the control of the CPU 101, and a display I / F 117 that transmits image data to the external display 11 according to the control of the CPU 101. In addition, a bus line 110 such as an address bus or a data bus for electrically connecting the above-described components as shown in FIG. 2 is provided.

  The recording medium 105 is detachable from the remote communication terminal 10. Further, not only the SSD 104 but also an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or the like may be used as long as data is read or written according to the control of the CPU 101. Further, the CCD 105 is a charge coupled device that converts light into electric charges and digitizes an image (video) of a subject. The CCD 105 is not limited to a CCD but may be a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or the like as long as it captures the subject. It may be used. The display 11 is composed of a liquid crystal or organic EL that displays a subject image, an operation icon, and the like.

  Further, the remote communication terminal program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as the recording medium 105 and distributed as a file in an installable or executable format.

  FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the remote communication management device 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The remote communication management device 50 includes a CPU 201 that controls the overall operation of the remote communication management device 50, a ROM 202 that stores a remote communication management program, a RAM 203 that is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and an HD (Hard Disk) that stores various data. 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 205 that controls reading or writing of data to the HD 204 according to the control of the CPU 201, a media drive 207 that controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 206 such as a flash memory, a cursor, Display 208 for displaying various information such as menus, windows, characters, images, etc., network I / F 209 for data transmission using communication network 2 described later, for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. Multiple keys Data for a keyboard 211 with a keyboard, a mouse 212 for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 213 as an example of a removable recording medium A CD-ROM drive 214 for controlling reading or writing of data, and a bus line 210 such as an address bus or a data bus for electrically connecting the above components as shown in FIG. .

  The remote communication management program is a file in an installable or executable format, and is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as the recording medium 206 or CD-ROM 213 for distribution. Good.

  Further, since the relay device 30 has the same hardware configuration as the remote communication management device 50, the description thereof is omitted. However, the ROM 202 stores a relay device program for controlling the relay device 30. Also in this case, the relay device program is a file in an installable or executable format, and is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as the recording medium 206 or CD-ROM 213 for distribution. Good.

  As another example of the detachable recording medium, the recording medium is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a Blu-ray Disc. May be.

<Functional Configuration of Embodiment>
Next, the functional configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of each terminal and each device constituting the remote communication system 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the remote communication terminal 10, the relay device 30, the remote communication management device 50, and the UI providing device 90 are connected so that data communication can be performed via the communication network 2.

<Functional configuration of remote communication terminal>
The remote communication terminal 10 is a terminal that transmits and receives image data, audio data, and the like to and from other remote communication terminals 10, and is specifically a video conference terminal used by a user. The remote communication terminal 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11, an operation input reception unit 12, a login request unit 13, an imaging unit 14a, an image display control unit 14b, a voice input / output unit 15, a storage / read processing unit 16, and a storage unit 1000. is doing.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 is realized by the network I / F 111 illustrated in FIG. 4, and transmits / receives various data (information) to / from other terminals, devices, or systems via the communication network 2. The operation input receiving unit 12 is realized by the operation button 107 and the power switch 108, and receives various inputs by the user. For example, when the user turns on the power switch 108, the operation input receiving unit 12 receives the power ON and turns on the power. The login request unit 13 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101, and login request information indicating that the remote communication management device 50 is requested to log in from the transmission / reception unit 11 via the communication network 2 when the power-on is accepted. , And the current IP address of the remote communication terminal 10ab is automatically transmitted.

  The imaging unit 14a is realized by the CCD 112 and the imaging element I / F 113, images a subject, and outputs image data obtained by the imaging. The image display control unit 14 b is realized by an image display program and a display I / F 117, and performs control for generating a display image and transmitting image data to the external display 11. The voice input / output unit 15 is realized by a microphone 114, a speaker 115, and a voice input / output I / F 116. The voice input / output unit 116 inputs a user's voice and converts the voice into a voice signal, thereby outputting voice data related to the voice signal. To do. Also, the audio signal related to the audio data is converted into audio and output.

(Functional configuration of relay device)
Next, functions or means of the relay device 30 will be described. The relay device 30 includes a transmission / reception unit 31, a terminal authentication unit 32, a storage / reading processing unit 33, an authentication ID issuing unit 34, and a storage unit 3000. In the storage unit 3000, an authentication ID management DB 3001 is constructed.

  The transmission / reception unit 31 is realized by the network I / F 209, and transmits / receives and relays various data (information) to / from other terminals, devices, or systems via the communication network 2. Specifically, when the remote communication terminals 10 perform a video conference, the image (video) data and audio data are relayed. The relay device 30 distributes the video conference communication processing to reduce the system load and also distributes the amount of data transmission such as image data and audio data to be relayed. And traffic quality management, but details are omitted for the sake of brevity.

  When the remote communication terminal 10 is connected to the relay device 30, the terminal authentication unit 32 acquires the authentication ID from the remote communication terminal 10 and performs terminal authentication by collating with the authentication ID in the authentication ID management DB 3001. That is, terminal authentication is performed based on whether or not the authentication ID is lent out from the authentication ID management DB 3001.

  The storage / reading processing unit 33 reads the authentication ID from the authentication ID management DB 3001 of the storage unit 3000. One authentication ID stored in the authentication ID management DB 3001 is read from the remote communication management device 50 in response to an authentication ID acquisition request.

  The authentication ID issuing unit 34 reads the authentication ID from the authentication ID management DB 3001 of the storage unit 3000 in response to an authentication ID acquisition request from the remote communication management device 50, and issues (rents) the authentication ID temporarily.

(Authentication ID management DB 3001)
FIG. 7 shows a data table example of the authentication ID management DB 3001. “Authentication ID in relay device” is stocked in advance, and the remote communication management device 50 temporarily lends the authentication ID in response to an authentication ID acquisition request. And for authentication IDs that are lent out, a flag that determines whether the authentication ID is currently in use (loaned) or not (True: in use / False: not in use) in the “in use flag” that indicates the loan status Is put. Therefore, when a new authentication ID is lent out, an authentication ID whose flag is False is lent out. At the end of use (when returning), the flag is updated from True to False.

  The rented authentication ID is once rented to the remote communication management device 50 and further lent from the remote communication management device 50 to the remote communication terminal 10. Although details will be described later, when a failure occurs in the remote communication management device 50, the remote communication terminal 10 accesses and authenticates the relay device 30 using this authentication ID, and communicates with the remote communication terminal 10 of the other party. Communication will be performed.

  When there are a plurality of relay devices 30, the data in the authentication ID management DB 3001 is shared by all the relay devices 30. Therefore, all the relay devices 30 are synchronized in a shared manner at every data update timing.

(Functional configuration of remote communication management device)
Next, functions or means of the remote communication management device 50 will be described. The remote communication management device 50 includes a transmission / reception unit 51, a terminal authentication unit 52, a state management unit 53, a terminal extraction unit 54, a terminal state acquisition unit 55, a session management unit 56, a service determination unit 57, a storage / read processing unit 58, a Web A browser 59 and a storage unit 5000 are included. In the storage unit 5000, a relay device management DB 5001, a terminal authentication management DB 5002, a terminal management DB 5003, and a destination list management DB 5004 are constructed.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 is executed by the network I / F 209 and transmits / receives various data (information) to / from other terminals, devices, or systems via the communication network 2.

  The terminal authentication unit 52 searches the terminal authentication management DB 5002 of the storage unit 5000 using the terminal ID and password included in the login request information from the remote communication terminal 10 received via the transmission / reception unit 51 as search keys, Terminal authentication is performed by determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in the terminal authentication management DB 5002.

  The state management unit 53 stores the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10 and the operation state (ON line / OFF line) of the remote communication terminal 10 in the terminal management DB 5003 in order to manage the operation state of the remote communication terminal 10 that has requested login. Etc.), the remote communication management device 50 stores and manages the reception date and time when the login request information is received and the IP address of the request source terminal 10 in association with each other.

  The terminal extraction unit 54 searches the destination list management DB 5004 using the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10 that requested the login as a key, and is a candidate terminal of the remote communication terminal 10 that can remotely communicate with the remote communication terminal 10 that requested the login. The terminal ID is extracted by reading the ID. Further, the terminal extraction unit 54 searches the destination list management DB 5004 using the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10 that has requested the login as a key, and uses the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10 that has requested the login as the destination remote communication terminal 10. The terminal IDs of other requesting remote communication terminals 10 registered as candidates are also extracted.

  The terminal status acquisition unit 55 searches the terminal management DB 5003 using the candidate terminal ID of the destination remote communication terminal 10 extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54 as a search key, and for each terminal ID extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54. Read the operating status. Thereby, the terminal state acquisition unit 55 can acquire the operation state of the candidate of the destination remote communication terminal 10 that can remotely communicate with the remote communication terminal 10 that has requested login. Further, the terminal state acquisition unit 55 searches the terminal state management DB 5003 using the terminal ID extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54 as a search key, and also acquires the operating state of the remote communication terminal 10 that has requested login.

  The session management unit 56 connects and manages sessions (for example, SIP sessions) between the remote communication terminals 10. Since the SIP INVITE (command) is issued when the requesting remote communication terminal 10 performs a connection operation to the remote communication terminal 10 that is logged in (operating) from the destination list, the session management unit 56 This is transferred to the destination remote communication terminal 10, and the SIP 200 OK from the destination remote communication terminal 10 is transferred to the requesting remote communication terminal 10 to connect the call.

  The service determination unit 57 investigates and determines whether the function / service for managing the state of the terminal is operating normally. The request source remote communication terminal 10 is provided with a destination list (see FIG. 2) as described above, and the destination remote communication terminal 10 and its operating state (ON line etc.) are displayed in this destination list. In order to provide this destination list to the requesting remote communication terminal 10, the remote communication management device 50 includes a plurality of the terminal authentication unit 52, state management unit 53, terminal extraction unit 54, terminal state acquisition unit 55, etc. It has the function of. That is, the service determination unit 57 is a functional unit that determines whether or not these destination list providing functions / services that provide the destination list are operating normally in order to determine whether or not the destination list can be provided. This point will be described later again.

  The storage / read processing unit 58 reads and writes various data stored in the storage unit 5000, and controls the storage unit 5000.

  The web browser 59 displays various display screens when performing a video conference. On the display screen, various setting screens, operation screens, a destination list screen (destination list), a conference partner's video screen, and the like are displayed. It should be noted that the destination list frame 1100-1 in FIG.

(Relay Device Management DB 5001)
FIG. 8 shows an example of a data table of the relay device management DB 5001. The relay device 30 in the remote communication system 1 is registered in the relay device management DB 5001. Specifically, for each relay device ID of each relay device 30, “operation status” of each relay device 30, “reception date and time” when status information indicating the operation status is received by the remote communication management device 50, relay device 30 “IP addresses” and the like are managed in association with each other. For example, in the figure, the relay device 30a with the relay device ID “111a” is “ON line” in the operation state, and the date and time when the status information is received by the remote communication management device 50 is “13:00 on November 10, 2009”. “00 minutes” indicates that the IP address of the relay device 30a is “1.2.1.2”. Each data in the relay device management DB 5001 is periodically updated when the remote communication management device 50 confirms the status of the relay device 30 or when the relay device 30 notifies the remote communication management device 50 of the status. Updated to

(Terminal authentication management DB 5002)
FIG. 9 shows an example of a data table in the terminal authentication management DB 5002. In the terminal authentication management DB 5002, each “password” is associated with each “terminal ID” of each remote communication terminal 10 managed by the remote communication management device 50 and managed. For example, in the figure, it is shown that the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10aa is “01aa” and the password is “aaaa”.

(Terminal management DB 5003)
FIG. 10 shows an example of a data table in the terminal management DB 5003. In the terminal management DB 5003, for each “terminal ID” of each remote communication terminal 10, “operating state” of each remote communication terminal 10, “reception date / time” when the login request is received by the remote communication management device 50, and remote communication The “IP address” of the terminal 10 is managed in association with it. For example, in the figure, the remote communication terminal 10aa with the terminal ID “01aa” has the operation state “ON line”, and the date and time when the login request information is received by the remote communication management device 50 is “13 November 2009, 13th”. "Time 40 minutes" shows that the IP address of this remote communication terminal 10aa is "1.2.1.3".

(Destination list management DB 5004)
FIG. 11 shows an example of a data table in the destination list management DB 5004. In the destination list management DB 5004, the terminal ID of the destination remote communication terminal 10 registered (preliminarily) as a candidate of the destination terminal 10B with respect to the terminal ID of the requesting remote communication terminal 10 requesting the start of the video conference. Are all associated and managed. For example, in the figure, the candidate of the destination remote communication terminal 10 that can request the start of the video conference from the remote communication terminal 10 of the request source terminal whose terminal ID is “01aa” is the remote communication whose terminal ID is “01ab”. It is shown that there are three terminals: a terminal 10ab, a remote communication terminal 10ba having a terminal ID “01ba”, and a remote communication terminal 10db having a terminal ID “01db”. The destination remote communication terminal 10 candidates are updated by being added or deleted in response to a request for addition or deletion from the requesting remote communication terminal 10 to the remote communication management device 50. That is, the requesting remote communication terminal 10 registers in advance the destination remote communication terminal 10 that frequently conducts video conferences.

(Functional configuration of UI providing device)
Next, functions or means of the UI providing apparatus 90 will be described. The UI providing apparatus 90 includes a transmission / reception unit 91 and a UI providing unit 92.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 is executed by the network I / F 209 and transmits / receives various data (information) to / from other terminals, devices, or systems via the communication network 2.

  The UI providing unit 92 holds various screen information composed of HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, and the screen displayed on the remote communication terminal 10 is displayed based on this screen information. Various screen information is provided in response to a screen information acquisition request from. Note that the screen information can be prepared in advance by the remote communication terminal 10 or provided by the remote communication management device 50, but the screen information can be updated by constructing a single UI providing device 90. (For example, updating the screen design) and the like.

  The above is the main functional configuration of each device. These functions are actually realized by a computer by a program executed by the CPU of the apparatus.

[Information processing]
Hereinafter, information processing / operation in the remote communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Login request-Address list display: Normal>
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating normal login request to destination list display processing. First, processing / operation from a login request to the remote communication device 50 of the remote communication terminal 10 to display of a destination list will be described. That is, when starting a video conference, the remote communication terminal 10 first logs into the remote communication device 50. This is processing / operation until a destination list (list screen) of the remote communication terminal 10 which is a video conference partner is displayed after login.

  S1: First, at the timing when the remote communication terminal 10aa is turned on and activated, the login request unit 13 of the remote communication terminal 10aa indicates a login request from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the remote communication management device 50 via the communication network 2. Automatically send login request information. This login request information includes a terminal ID and a password for identifying the remote communication terminal 10aa as the request source. These terminal ID and password are data read from the storage unit 1000 via the storage / read processing unit 16 and sent to the transmission / reception unit 11. When the login request information is transmitted from the remote communication terminal 10aa to the remote communication management device 50, the remote communication management device 50 on the receiving side can grasp the IP address of the remote communication terminal 10aa on the transmitting side. it can.

  S2: Next, when receiving the login request information via the transmission / reception unit 51, the terminal authentication unit 52 of the remote communication management device 50 stores the terminal ID and password included in the received login request information as a search key. The terminal authentication is performed by searching the terminal authentication management DB 5002 (see FIG. 9) of the unit 5000 and determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in the terminal authentication management DB 5002.

  S3: The service determination unit 57 of the remote communication management device 50 determines (confirms) whether the destination list provision (destination list provision service) for managing the state of the terminal is operating normally. The requesting remote communication terminal 10aa is provided with the destination list as described above, and the destination remote communication terminal 10 and its operating state (ON line, etc.) are displayed in this destination list. 50 provides a plurality of functions such as the above-described terminal authentication unit 52, state management unit 53, terminal extraction unit 54, and terminal state acquisition unit 55 in order to provide this destination list to the requesting remote communication terminal 10aa. ing. That is, the service determination unit 57 determines whether or not these destination list providing functions and services that provide the destination list are operating normally in order to determine whether or not the destination list can be provided.

  The service determination method varies depending on the type of function / service, but mainly checks whether the function / service is alive (or a combination thereof). For example, in the service existence confirmation, in the case of an http service or the like, it is conceivable to actually try GET whether data can be acquired. In addition, it is possible to check whether the process is running in the service existence confirmation. As a result, the destination list is obtained from the request source by determining whether all the functions of the terminal authentication unit 52, the state management unit 53, the terminal extraction unit 54, the terminal state acquisition unit 55, etc. are operating normally. It is determined whether or not the communication terminal 10 can be provided. If any one of the functions of the terminal authentication unit 52, the state management unit 53, the terminal extraction unit 54, and the terminal state acquisition unit 55 is not operating normally, an accurate destination list cannot be provided, so the terminal state is managed. It is determined that the function / service (destination list providing service) is not operating normally.

  In the sequence diagram of FIG. 12, in order to explain first the case where the function / service (destination list providing service) for managing the state of the terminal is operating normally, in S3, the service determination unit 57 Assume that it is determined that the state management function / service (destination list providing service) is operating normally.

  S4: When the state management unit 53 determines that the request is a login request from the remote communication terminal 10aa having a valid usage right, the terminal management DB 5003 (see FIG. 10) stores the terminal ID of the remote communication terminal 10aa and the operating state. The reception date and time when the login request information is received and the IP address of the remote communication terminal 10aa are stored in association with each other. Accordingly, in the terminal management table shown in FIG. 10, the remote communication terminal ID “01aa”, the operation state “ON line”, the reception date and time “2009.11.10.13:40”, and the terminal IP address “ "1.2.1.3" will be managed in association with each other.

  S5: The transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the authentication result information (for example, authentication OK) indicating the authentication result obtained by the terminal authentication unit 52 via the communication network 2 to the requesting remote communication terminal 10aa. Send to. In addition, flag information indicating that the function / service for managing the state of the terminal (destination list providing service) is normal is attached to the authentication result information.

  S6: Next, the remote communication terminal 10aa transmits a destination list screen information acquisition request to the UI providing apparatus 90. The remote communication terminal 10aa can receive the destination list providing service from the remote communication management device 50 by using flag information indicating that the function / service (destination list providing service) for managing the state of the terminal is normal. This is because the destination list screen information is acquired. Although details will be described later, when the flag information indicating that the information is not normal is received, the remote communication terminal 10aa acquires the screen information for abnormal time instead of the destination list screen information.

  S7: Upon receiving the destination list screen information acquisition request, the UI providing apparatus 90 acquires HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files as destination list screen information from its own UI providing unit 92, and transmits them to the remote communication terminal 10aa. Here, the destination list screen information is screen information for generating a destination list screen (see FIG. 1).

  S8: The remote communication terminal 10aa executes the received destination list screen information with the Web browser 59, for example. The destination list screen information includes a program for acquiring destination information from the remote communication management system. The destination information acquisition request is sent to the remote communication management device 50 asynchronously with the display of the destination list screen by the Web browser 59. Send.

  S9: The terminal extraction unit 54 of the remote communication management device 50 searches the destination list management DB 5004 (see FIG. 11) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the remote communication terminal 1010aa that requested the login as a search key, and the request source terminal 10aa Extraction is performed by reading out terminal IDs of candidates of the remote communication terminal 10 that can be remotely communicated. Here, the terminal IDs “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” of the destination remote communication terminals 10ab, 10ba, and 10db corresponding to the terminal ID “01aa” of the remote communication terminal 10aa are extracted.

  S10: Next, the terminal status acquisition unit 55 uses the terminal IDs (“01ab”, “01ba”, “01db”) of the remote communication terminal 10 extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54 as search keys, and the terminal management DB 5003. The remote communication terminals 10ab and 10ba are searched by searching (see FIG. 10) and reading the operating state (“OFF line”, “ON line”, “ON line”) for each terminal ID extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54. , 10 db each operation state is acquired.

  S11: The transmission / reception unit 51 uses the terminal ID (“01ab”, “01ba”, “01db”) as the search key used in S9 and the operating status (“OFF line”) of the corresponding remote communication terminals 10ab, 10ba, 10db. ”,“ ON line ”,“ ON line ”) is transmitted to the requesting remote communication terminal 10aa via the communication network 2. As a result, the remote communication terminal 10aa as the request source can operate the remote communication terminals 10ab, 10ba, and 10db that are candidates for the remote communication terminal 10 that can communicate with the remote communication terminal 10aa at the present time ( "OFF line", "ON line", "ON line").

  S12: The web browser 59 of the remote communication terminal 10aa displays the destination status information together with the destination list screen (destination list). The destination list screen (destination list) is a screen that can list destinations that can be conferenced after the terminal is activated. When the display is completed, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. In this example, the icons of the three remote communication terminals 10 are displayed, and two of them are displayed as “ON line”.

  In the remote communication terminal 10aa, when a connection operation is performed on the icon of the remote communication terminal 10 whose destination is “ON line” in the destination list screen (destination list), a SIP INVITE (command) is issued. The session management unit 56 of the remote communication management device 50 transfers this to the destination remote communication terminal 10, and forwards the SIP 200 OK from the destination remote communication terminal 10 to the request source remote communication terminal 10. Connect the call. After the call is established, image data and voice data are transmitted and received between the remote communication terminal 10aa and the destination remote communication terminal 10 while being relayed by the relay device 30, so that, for example, a display screen of the Web browser 59 is displayed between both terminals. You can start a video conference while watching

<Login request-Screen display for error: Abnormal>
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining an abnormal time login request to an abnormal time screen display process. In this example, since the function / service for providing the destination list of the remote communication management device 50 is not operating normally as compared with FIG. 12 (normal time), the step processing after the service determination in S3 is different. is there. This will be described below.

  S21: First, when the remote communication terminal 10aa is turned on and activated, the login request unit 13 of the remote communication terminal 10aa indicates a login request from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the remote communication management device 50 via the communication network 2. Automatically send login request information. This login request information includes a terminal ID and a password for identifying the remote communication terminal 10aa as the request source. When the login request information is transmitted from the remote communication terminal 10aa to the remote communication management device 50, the remote communication management device 50 that is the receiving side can grasp the IP address of the remote communication terminal 10aa that is the transmitting side.

  S22: Next, when receiving the login request information via the transmission / reception unit 51, the terminal authentication unit 52 of the remote communication management device 50 stores the terminal ID and password included in the received login request information as a search key. The terminal authentication is performed by searching the terminal authentication management DB 5002 (see FIG. 9) of the unit 5000 and determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in the terminal authentication management DB 5002.

  S23: The service determination unit 57 of the remote communication management device 50 determines (confirms) whether the function / service (destination list providing service) for managing the state of the terminal is operating normally. That is, the service determination unit 57 determines the operation of a plurality of functions such as the above-described terminal authentication unit 52, state management unit 53, terminal extraction unit 54, and terminal state acquisition unit 55 in order to determine whether or not the destination list can be provided. Thus, it is determined whether or not the destination list providing function / service that provides the destination list is operating normally.

  In addition, in the sequence diagram of FIG. 13, in order to explain a case where the function / service (destination list providing service) for managing the state of the terminal is not operating normally, in S23, the service determination unit 57 determines the state of the terminal Assume that it is determined that the function / service (destination list providing service) is not operating normally.

  S24: If the service determination unit 57 determines that the function / service (destination list providing service) for managing the state of the terminal is not operating normally, the service determination unit 57 searches the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 8) in the storage unit 5000. The information of the relay device that can be used, that is, the relay device whose “operation status” is ON line (at least the relay device ID and IP address) is acquired. In this case, information on the relay devices having the relay device IDs “111a”, “111b”, and “111d” is extracted.

  S25: The service determination unit 57 accesses any one of the usable relay devices (relay device IDs “111a”, “111b”, and “111d”) and makes an authentication ID acquisition request. Several authentication IDs are stored in advance in the authentication ID management DB 3001 (see FIG. 7), and the authentication ID issuing unit 34 of the relay device 30 temporarily responds to an authentication ID acquisition request from the remote communication management device 50. Lending an authentication ID to Since an authentication ID whose rentable flag is False is lent, for example, an authentication ID “R3000003” is lent here. Note that when there are a plurality of relay devices 30 as described above, the data in the authentication ID management DB 3001 is synchronized in a shared manner with all the relay devices 30, so that it is only necessary to obtain an authentication ID from any one of the relay devices.

  S26: The transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the authentication result information (for example, authentication OK) indicating the authentication result obtained by the terminal authentication unit 52 via the communication network 2 to the requesting remote communication terminal 10aa. Send to. The authentication result information includes flag information indicating that the function / service for managing the state of the terminal (destination list providing service) is not normal, relay device information (at least relay device ID, IP address), authentication ID (1 A).

  S27: Next, the remote communication terminal 10aa transmits an abnormal time screen information A acquisition request to the UI providing apparatus 90. The remote communication terminal 10aa cannot receive the destination list provision service from the remote communication management device 50 by flag information indicating that the function / service (destination list provision service) for managing the state of the terminal is not normal. This is because the screen information for abnormality is obtained instead of the destination list screen information.

  S28: Upon receiving the abnormal screen information A acquisition request, the UI providing device 90 acquires a file (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) as the abnormal screen information A from its own UI providing unit 92, and performs remote communication. It transmits to terminal 10aa. The abnormal time screen information here is screen information for generating an abnormal time screen (see FIG. 14).

  S29: The web browser 59 of the remote communication terminal 10aa displays the relay device and authentication ID that can be used together with the abnormal screen A. At this time, since the destination list screen (destination list) and the status information of the destination are not displayed (cannot be), the remote communication terminal 10aa cannot select the remote communication terminal 10 as the destination for the video conference from the destination list screen (destination list). The video conference cannot be started on the system. Therefore, by using this abnormal time screen, a video conference with the destination remote communication terminal 10 can be started on the system in an evasive manner.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of an abnormal screen A. As shown in the drawing, “temporary authentication ID of this terminal” that is an authentication ID lent out from the relay device 30 and “usable relay device ID” that is an ID of an available relay device are displayed. Also, a “relay device ID” input field is provided. Here, the ID of one relay device used by the remote communication terminal 10aa among the IDs of the usable relay devices is input (then the “Connect” button is pressed).

<Connection request-Connection processing: Abnormal>
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining a connection request to a connection process at the time of abnormality. At this time, since the destination list screen (destination list) and the status information of the destination are not displayed (cannot be), the remote communication terminal 10aa cannot select the remote communication terminal 10 as the destination for the video conference from the destination list screen (destination list). The video conference cannot be started on the system. Therefore, by using the abnormal time screen A, it is possible to connect to the destination remote communication terminal 10 in an avoidable manner on the system and to start a video conference. This will be described below.

  S31: The remote communication terminal 10aa inputs connection information to connect to the relay device 30. Specifically, in the above-described abnormal time screen A (see FIG. 14), one of the relay device IDs that can be used in the “relay device ID” input field is used (connected) by the remote communication terminal 10aa. Enter the device ID. After that, when the “Connect” button is pressed, a connection request is made.

  S32: When the “Connect” button is pressed after inputting the ID of the relay device, a connection request is made. Here, it is assumed that “111a” is input from among the IDs of usable relay apparatuses, and then the “connect” button is pressed. The connection destination is the relay device 30 with the input relay device ID “111a”, but since the IP address of the relay device is known information (S26 in FIG. 13), the connection is made to this IP address. At this time, the connection request includes the authentication ID (R3000003) and the IP address (1.2.1.3) of the remote communication terminal 10aa which is the request source terminal.

  S33: The terminal authentication unit 32 of the relay device 30 with the relay device ID “111a” acquires the authentication ID “R3000003” from the remote communication terminal 10aa, and performs terminal authentication by collating with the authentication ID in the authentication ID management DB 3001. . That is, terminal authentication is performed based on whether or not the authentication ID is lent out from the authentication ID management DB 3001. Here, the authentication ID “R3000003” is successfully verified with the authentication ID “R3000003” in the authentication ID management DB 3001, so that the authentication is successful. Further, after the authentication is successful, the IP address (1.2.1.3) of the remote communication terminal 10aa which is the request source terminal is held.

  S34: The terminal authentication unit 32 transmits the authentication result to the remote communication terminal 10aa which is the request source terminal.

  S35: Next, the remote communication terminal 10aa transmits an abnormal time screen information acquisition request to the UI providing apparatus 90. The abnormal screen information here is referred to as abnormal screen information B in order to distinguish it from the abnormal screen information A in FIGS.

  S36: Upon receiving the abnormal screen information B acquisition request, the UI providing apparatus 90 acquires a file (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) as the abnormal screen information B from its own UI providing unit 92, and the remote communication terminal To 10aa.

  S37: The web browser 59 of the remote communication terminal 10aa displays the abnormal screen B. FIG. 16 shows an example of an abnormal screen B. As shown in the figure, a “destination temporary authentication ID” field and a “communication start” button are displayed. The remote communication terminal 10aa inputs an authentication ID issued (rented) to the other party who wants to hold a video conference in the “Destination temporary authentication ID” field in order to identify the other party who wants to hold the video conference. This point will be described below.

  In the first place, the remote communication terminal 10aa cannot select the remote communication terminal 10 that is the destination of the video conference from the destination list screen (destination list), and cannot start the video conference on the system. Now, it is assumed that the other party who wants to hold a video conference is the remote communication terminal 10db. In a normal case (normally), the remote communication terminal 10db also needs to log in to the remote communication management device 50 when performing a video conference. As a result of the login, the “operating state” becomes the ON line, and as a result, the remote communication terminal 10aa side On the destination list screen (destination list), the remote communication terminal 10db can be displayed and connected to the ON line (FIG. 12). However, since the destination list screen (destination list) is disabled at this time, it is necessary for the remote communication terminal 10aa to specify the other party, i.e., the remote communication terminal 10db, for which a video conference is desired.

  Therefore, the other remote communication terminal 10db needs to acquire the authentication ID. That is, when the remote communication terminal 10aa performs a video conference with the remote communication terminal 10db, the user A of the remote communication terminal 10aa logs in to the remote communication management device 50, but the abnormal screen A (FIG. 14) is displayed. At this stage, it is recognized that the destination for the video conference cannot be selected from the destination list screen (destination list). At this time, the user A communicates with the user B of the remote communication terminal 10db, for example, by telephone or e-mail, while referring to the abnormal screen A (FIG. 14) and the relay device ID to be used and the remote communication terminal 10aa. The authentication ID that has been issued is transmitted. Specifically, for example, the relay device ID “111a” and the authentication ID “R3000003” are notified.

  Next, the user B of the remote communication terminal 10db logs in to the remote communication management device 50. Similarly to the result through the sequence of FIG. 13, the abnormal screen A (FIG. 14) is displayed. The relay device ID “111a” is included in the usable relay device ID, and the relay device ID “111a” transmitted from the user A is input to the “relay device ID” input field, "Button.

  Then, similarly, the abnormal time screen B is displayed on the web browser 59 of the remote communication terminal 10db (FIG. 16). That is, at this time, the remote communication terminal 10aa and the remote communication terminal 10db are mutually abnormal. B is displayed. This also means that they are connected to the relay device with the relay device ID “111a”.

  Then, the user B enters the authentication ID “R3000003” transmitted from the user A in the “Destination Temporary Authentication ID” field of the abnormal time screen B in the remote communication terminal 10db, and presses the “communication start” button. On the other hand, when user A is also informed of user B's authentication ID from user B, user A is informed by user B to the “Destination Temporary Authentication ID” field on screen B for abnormal conditions in remote communication terminal 10aa. For example, the authentication ID “R3000004” may be input and the “communication start” button may be pressed. In other words, either one may input the authentication ID of the other party. Alternatively, both may input the authentication ID of the other party. By inputting the authentication ID of the other party, the relay device 30 can connect to the remote communication terminal 10aa and the remote communication terminal 10db and recognize that they are connected and relayed.

  Thereafter, the remote communication terminal 10aa and the remote communication terminal 10db can perform an actual video conference while relaying image (video) data and audio data with the relay device 30. Since the relay device 30 knows the IPs of the remote communication terminal 10aa and the remote communication terminal 10db (FIG. 15, S32), the remote communication terminal 10aa and the remote communication terminal 10db receive their own streaming data (image data and audio data). This is because the relay device 30 can relay the streaming data if it is transmitted to the relay device 30.

[Summary]
As described above, the remote communication management system 1 according to the present embodiment normally allows the remote communication terminal to start a video conference by selecting a destination via the destination list, and the destination list providing function / service operates normally. If the destination list providing function / service is not operating normally, the destination list cannot be provided. Therefore, a mechanism is provided in which the remote communication terminal can communicate with the remote communication terminal of the specific partner on the system via an abnormal screen instead of the destination list. As a result, the remote communication terminal can be connected to the remote communication terminal of the other party, and after the connection, the video conference can be performed in the same video conference system environment as usual.

  That is, according to the present invention described above, when the communication terminal cannot communicate with the communication terminal of the other party by operating the destination list screen, the destination terminal screen is switched to an alternative means (substitute screen) and the communication terminal is substituted. By operating the means (alternative screen), it is possible to provide a remote communication management system or the like that avoids communication with the communication terminal of the other party on the system in an avoidable manner. Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote communication management system 2 Communication network 10 Remote communication terminal 11 Transmission / reception part 12 Operation input reception part 13 Login request part 14a Image pick-up part 14b Image display control part 15 Voice input / output part 16 Memory | storage / reading process part 1000 Memory | storage part 30 Relay apparatus 31 Transmission / reception unit 32 Terminal authentication unit 33 Storage / read processing unit 34 Authentication ID issuing unit 3000 Storage unit 3001 Authentication ID management DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Remote communication management apparatus 51 Transmission / reception part 52 Terminal authentication part 53 State management part 54 Terminal extraction part 55 Terminal state acquisition part 56 Session management part 57 Service determination part 58 Storage / reading process part 59 Web browser 5001 Relay apparatus management DB
5002 Terminal authentication management DB
5003 Terminal management DB
5004 Destination list management DB
70 router 90 UI providing device 91 transmission / reception unit 92 UI providing unit

JP 2008-227577 A US2007 / 0263075

Claims (3)

A remote communication management system comprising a plurality of remote communication terminals, a relay device, and a remote communication management device, wherein data communication remotely communicated between a plurality of remote communication terminals via a communication network is communicated while being relayed by the relay device. There,
The remote communication management device
First storage means for storing and managing at least the IP address of the relay device;
Address list providing means for providing address list information including the terminal status of the communication destination remote communication terminal to the remote communication terminal;
A determination is made as to whether or not the destination list information can be provided by the destination list providing means, and an authentication ID acquisition request is made to the relay device stored in the first storage means when it is determined that the destination list information is not provided. A determination means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the IP address of the relay device stored in the first storage means and the authentication ID acquired from the relay device to a remote communication terminal that is to provide the destination list information;
Have
The relay device
Second storage means for storing and managing a plurality of authentication IDs;
An authentication ID issuing means for issuing an authentication ID stored in the second storage means in response to the authentication ID acquisition request from the remote communication management device;
When receiving a first connection request including an authentication ID from a remote communication terminal, terminal authentication means for performing terminal authentication by checking whether the authentication ID is an authentication ID issued from the second storage means;
When a second connection request including an authentication ID of the second remote communication terminal is received from the first remote communication terminal after the first remote communication terminal and the second remote communication terminal are authenticated, the authentication ID and the first Two connection authentication means for performing connection authentication between the first remote communication terminal and the second remote communication terminal by checking whether the authentication ID is issued from the storage means;
Relay means for relaying data communication between the first remote communication terminal and the second remote communication terminal after the connection authentication;
A telecommunications management system comprising: The telecommunications management system is configured to include a plurality of relay devices and UI providing devices,
The UI providing device
Screen providing means for providing a first screen for making the first connection request to the first remote communication terminal;
The first telecommunications terminal is
When receiving the first screen from the UI providing device and the IP addresses of the plurality of relay devices and the authentication IDs acquired from the relay devices from the remote communication management device, the plurality of screens displayed in the first screen When one relay device among the relay devices is input, a first connection request including the authentication ID is made to the relay device whose destination is the IP address of the one relay device;
The telecommunications management system according to claim 1. The UI providing device
Screen providing means for providing a second screen for making the second connection request to the first telecommunications terminal;
The first telecommunications terminal is
When receiving the second screen from the UI providing device and entering the authentication ID of the second telecommunications terminal in the second screen, the relay device having the IP address of the first relay device as the destination Making a second connection request including an authentication ID of the second telecommunications terminal;
The telecommunications management system according to claim 2.

Images