JP2016010118A - Portable communication terminal and teleconference server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate an estimated conference enabled remaining time before starting a teleconference.SOLUTION: A portable communication terminal includes: means for collecting entry information including a terminal type of the portable communication terminal, display luminosity, a remaining battery capacitance and a charging state from the inside of the portable communication terminal before starting a teleconference connection; means for transmitting the entry information to a teleconference server; and means for displaying the estimated conference enabled residual time in a predetermined estimated conference state received from the teleconference server on a display section. The teleconference server includes: means for determining the terminal type of the portable communication terminal on the basis of the entry information received from the portable communication terminal before starting the teleconference connection; means for calculating the estimated conference enabled residual time in the predetermined estimated conference state on the basis of a power consumption table which is provided in the teleconference server beforehand, for each portable communication terminal type indicating power consumed by a teleconference for each terminal class, and the entry information; and means for transmitting the estimated conference enabled residual time to the portable communication terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a video conference server that constitute a video conference system.

  With the widespread use of mobile communication terminals such as battery built-in PCs and smartphones, video conferences (including WEB conferences) that can be participated from the outdoors using mobile communication terminals have become widespread. While the convenience of performing videoconferences anytime and anywhere is expected, the power consumption of mobile communication terminals is large due to the nature of videoconferences that send and receive real-time images, sounds, and materials with multiple bases. For users who are not in the office, there was dissatisfaction and anxiety saying "The battery runs out during the meeting and is suddenly disconnected." And "I don't know how much the meeting can be done with the remaining battery power."

  The power consumption of mobile communication terminals varies depending on the terminal model (display type, CPU performance, etc.) and display brightness, as well as functions used during video conferences (transmission and reception of images, sounds, documents, etc.) and conference performance (resolution of transmitted and received images) The calculation capability required for the CPU of the mobile communication terminal and the power consumption are extremely different depending on the frame rate.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method of calculating and storing power consumption per unit time each time a function such as a call function, an e-mail transmission / reception function, or a game function is used, and displaying a usable time for each function. Yes.

JP 2010-278645 A

  In Patent Document 1, every time a function is used, the power consumption per unit time is calculated and stored, and the usable time of the function is displayed. However, unless the function is used, the power consumption per unit time and the usable time cannot be calculated. It is desirable for the user to be able to recognize the usable time in advance even when the function is used for the first time.

  Compared to the call function and e-mail transmission / reception function, the video conferencing application depends on the function usage status (transmission / reception of images, audio, data, etc.) during the video conference and the image quality of the conference (resolution / frame rate of transmitted / received images). The power consumption is greatly different. Since the usable time calculated from the power consumption per unit time of Patent Document 1 and the usable time of the actual video conference application are far from each other, the user performs a video conference based on the usable time of Patent Document 1. In addition, there is a possibility that the conference is interrupted due to the battery running out, and it is not possible to determine whether the user can conduct a video conference according to the scheduled conference duration before the conference starts.

  The disclosed video conference system includes a video conference server and a mobile communication terminal connected to the video conference server, and the mobile communication terminal operates on a battery.

  Before starting the video conference connection, the mobile communication terminal collects entry information including the terminal type, display brightness, remaining battery level and charge state of the mobile communication terminal from inside the mobile communication terminal, and the entry information to the video conference server. A means for transmitting, and a means for displaying on the display section an estimated remaining possible conference time in a predetermined assumed conference state received from the video conference server.

  The video conference server includes means for determining the terminal model of the mobile communication terminal based on the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal before the start of the video conference connection, and a TV for each terminal model previously provided in the video conference server. A power consumption table for each type of mobile communication terminal that indicates the amount of power consumed by the conference, a means for calculating an estimated conference remaining remaining time in a predetermined assumed conference state based on the power consumption table and entry information, and an estimated conference Means for transmitting the possible remaining time to the mobile communication terminal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate the estimated remaining conference time before the start of the video conference, and the user can determine whether the conference can be performed according to the conference use such as the scheduled conference time length before the start of the conference.

It is a block diagram of a video conference system. It is a structural example of a video conference server. It is an example of a video conference terminal information management table. It is an example of a meeting connection information management table. It is an example of a power consumption table. It is an example of a power consumption table. It is an example of a power consumption table. It is an example of a power consumption table. It is an example of a structure of a portable communication terminal. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of a video conference server and a portable communication terminal. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of a video conference server and a portable communication terminal. 3 is an operation flowchart of the video conference server according to the first embodiment. 3 is an operation flowchart of the mobile communication terminal according to the first embodiment. It is an example of a display of the estimation possible remaining time displayed on the portable communication terminal in Example 1 before a meeting start. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the video conference server of Example 2, and a portable communication terminal. It is a display example figure of the conference possible remaining time displayed after the meeting start on the portable communication terminal in Example 2. 6 is an example of a configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiments 3 and 4. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the video conference server of Example 3, and a portable communication terminal. 10 is an operation flowchart of the video conference server according to the third embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of the mobile communication terminal according to the third embodiment. It is a display example of the energy-saving conference mode switching proposal screen displayed on the mobile communication terminal in the third embodiment. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the video conference server of Example 4, and a portable communication terminal. 12 is an operation flowchart of the video conference server according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of the mobile communication terminal according to the fourth embodiment. It is a display example of the high-quality conference mode switching proposal screen displayed on the mobile communication terminal in the fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, and configurations common to the embodiments will be described first.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a video conference system. As shown in FIG. 1, the video conference terminals can be classified into two. On the other hand, a video conference terminal (mobile communication terminal) 200 such as a smart phone terminal or a notebook PC capable of operating a battery, a video conference terminal such as a desktop conference PC or a desktop PC such as a desktop PC (stationary type) that cannot be operated on a battery and requires constant power supply. Terminal) 300. The video conference terminal is connected to the video conference server 100 via the network 1000.

  Note that the stationary terminal 300 is constantly supplied with power during the video conference, so the user does not need to know the remaining conference time. Therefore, the video conference system according to the embodiment is based on the estimated remaining conference time in the assumed conference state determined in advance before the start of the video conference on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment and the actual conference connection state after the start of the video conference. And the mobile communication terminal 200 that recognizes the transmitted estimated remaining conference time and the remaining conference time.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration example of the video conference server 100. The video conference server 100 includes a LAN interface 109, a control unit 105, and a database 101. The LAN interface 109 transmits and receives login information, video / audio data, and the like of the video conference terminal (the mobile communication terminal 200 and the stationary terminal 300) to and from the video conference terminal. The image data aggregation / conversion / synthesis / relay unit 110 aggregates, converts (resolution / frame rate conversion of transmission / reception images), combines and relays audio / image data, document sharing screen data, and the like. The control unit 105 includes a communication control unit 106, a login control unit 107, and a call control unit 108. The database 101 stores and manages login information of the video conference terminal, conference connection information (information included in a conference connection information management table 103 shown in FIG. 4 described later), and power consumption of each mobile communication terminal.

  The database 101 includes a video conference terminal information management table 102, a conference connection information management table 103, and a portable communication terminal type power consumption table (hereinafter referred to as a power consumption table) 104. The video conference terminal information management table 102 manages, as login information, a login ID, a login password, and a terminal type necessary for the video conference terminal to start the video conference application. The conference connection information management table 103 manages the login status / conference participation status and conference connection information for each video conference terminal. The power consumption table 104 preliminarily evaluates and records necessary power consumption based on performance such as transmission / reception resolution, transmission / reception frame rate, and display brightness during the video conference of the mobile communication terminal 200.

  Since the video conference server 100 includes the power consumption table, the display type and CPU performance of the mobile communication terminal 200, the power consumption that differs depending on the function and form of the video conference to be used, and a predetermined assumed conference state It is possible to calculate the estimated remaining conference time and the remaining conference time based on the actual conference state.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the terminal information management table 102. The video conference terminal information management table 102 includes a login ID 102a, a login password 102b, and a terminal type 102c (identification of whether the mobile communication terminal 200 or the stationary terminal 300) of the video conference terminal (mobile communication terminal 200, stationary terminal 300). Is stored as a login account for each login ID.

  In response to the login operation of the video conference terminal by the user, the video conference server 100 checks the login data (login ID, login password, and terminal type) received from the video conference terminal with the login account of the video conference terminal information management table 102. If they match, the login authentication is successful.

  The video conference server 100 transmits login result data (login success data or login failure data) to the video conference terminal (the mobile communication terminal 200, the stationary terminal 300) after the login authentication. The video conference terminal activates the video conference application using the login success data received from the video conference server 100 as a trigger.

  The video conference terminal that has started the video conference application displays the conference room selection screen on its own display screen. The conference room selection screen is a screen showing a login ID (103a) and a connection state (103b) registered in a conference connection information management table 103 described later. The display method is not limited. For example, a list of login IDs (103a) is displayed in a list format, and connection states (103b) such as Offline, Online, and a meeting are displayed next to each login ID (103a). There may be an icon indicating.

  In the conference connection information management table 103 of the video conference server 100, a name that is easy to understand for the user who makes a pair with the connection source login ID (103a) such as 1001 or 1002 may be given. For example, the login ID (103a) 1001 may be a head office in Tokyo, 1002 is a Chinese branch office, and so on, and may be given a name for each connection base of the video conference system, 1001 is Suzuki, 1002 is Tanaka, and so on. The name of the user who is using the terminal 200 or the stationary terminal 300 may be attached corresponding to the login ID (103a).

  The login ID (103a) displayed on the conference room selection screen or the name set by the user corresponding to the login ID (103a) is called a conference room. In other words, the user starts a video conference by selecting a conference room on the conference room selection screen.

  The video conference terminal information management table 102 is updated by an operation such as addition / deletion of a login ID or change of a login password by an administrator or the like.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the conference connection information management table 103. Using the conference connection information management table 103, the video conference server 100 manages terminal connection information corresponding to the login ID 103a of the video conference terminal that has succeeded in login authentication. The terminal connection information includes the connection state 103b, the connection start date and time 103c, the conference start date and time 103d, the resolution / frame rate of the image to be transmitted / received, the number of screen divisions, the transmission / reception line transfer speed, the CPU usage rate, and the like.

  The terminal connection information further includes a connection source terminal model 103w, a connection source terminal battery remaining amount 103x, a connection source terminal charging state 103y, and a connection source display brightness 103z.

  For the video conference server 100, the estimated conference remaining time in the conference state assumed in advance by the mobile communication terminal 200 before the start of the video conference and the remaining conference possible time based on the actual conference state after the start of the video conference are calculated. This is an example of information required to perform the process, and the collection of information shown in 103w to 103z and the calculation of the remaining conference time will be described later.

  5 to 7 are examples of the power consumption table 104 classified by performance. FIG. 5 shows, as the power consumption table 104A, the power consumption required for image transmission by the mobile communication terminal 200 whose model name is A-0001. For example, the power consumption when the resolution of the transmission image is CIF (104b) and the transmission frame rate 104a is 1 fps is 1.68 mA / min, and the power consumption when the resolution is HD (104d) and the transmission frame rate 104a is 5 fps is 5. .76 mA / min.

  6A shows that the mobile communication terminal 200 having the model name A-0001 as the power consumption table 104B displays one screen (select one of a plurality of images captured by cameras of a plurality of video conference terminals). This indicates the power consumption required for image reception when (display) is set. For example, the power consumption when the resolution of the received image is CIF (104f) and the reception frame rate 104e is 1 fps is 0.68 mA / min, and the power consumption when the resolution is HD (104h) and the reception frame rate 104e is 5 fps. Is 3.76 mA / min.

  FIG. 6B is another example of the power consumption table 104B, in which the mobile communication terminal 200 selectively displays two screens (two of a plurality of images captured by cameras of a plurality of video conference terminals). , Displayed on a divided screen), the power consumption required for image reception per divided screen is shown. For example, the power consumption when the reception frame rate 104i is 1 fps and the reception resolution is CIF (104j) is 0.48 mA / min, and the power consumption when the reception frame rate 104i is 5 fps and the resolution is HD (104l) is 3.56 mA / min. The power consumption when these two screens are received simultaneously is 4.04 mA / min (0.48 mA / min + 3.56 mA / min).

  As in the power consumption table 104B of FIG. 6B, a power consumption table indicating the power consumption amount for each screen division display up to the upper limit value of the number of screen divisions for each model is prepared in advance. Similarly, with regard to the transmission frame rate and the reception frame rate (104a, 104e, 104i) in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, a power consumption table indicating the power consumption over the variable range of the frame rate for each model is previously set. Be prepared.

  FIG. 7 shows the power consumption amount 104n corresponding to the terminal display brightness 104m in the portable communication terminal 200 whose model name is A-0001 as the power consumption table 104C. For example, when the terminal display brightness 104m is 100%, the power consumption 104n required for screen display is 4.41 mA / min.

  FIGS. 5 to 7 are examples of the power consumption table 104, but there are other factors related to performance (sending / receiving voice / material sharing, battery deterioration, etc.) that can be parameters of power consumption during use of the video conference application. A corresponding power consumption table 104 is prepared for each mobile communication terminal model.

  In the following embodiments, description will be made centering on the mobile communication terminal 200 in which the user needs to recognize the remaining battery level.

  FIG. 8 is an example of the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 200 of the present embodiment.

  The mobile communication terminal 200 is a computer having the following units: a transmission / reception unit 201; a control unit 202 that controls the mobile communication terminal 200; a display unit 203 that displays a moving image / still image viewed by the user; an operation unit 204; A battery 205, a battery monitoring unit 206 that monitors the remaining battery level of the battery 205, and a video conference application 207 are provided. The video conference application 207 includes a conference function control unit 208, an entry information collection / transmission unit 209, a conference remaining time display unit 210, and a benchmark test execution / result transmission unit 211. Although not shown, the mobile communication terminal 200 also includes an audio output unit such as a speaker and an audio input unit such as a microphone.

  9A and 9B are operation sequence diagrams of the video conference server 100 and the mobile communication terminal 200. FIG.

  9A, the control unit 202 of the mobile communication terminal 200 uses the login operation by the user (S1) as a trigger to log in data (login ID, login password, terminal type) to the video conference server 100 via the transmission / reception unit 201. Is transmitted (S2). The login control unit 107 of the video conference server 100 executes login authentication determination in which login data received via the LAN interface 109 is checked against the content of the video conference terminal information management table 102 (S3). Details of the login authentication determination by the login control unit 107 of the video conference server 100 are as described with reference to FIG.

  When login is successful in the login authentication determination, the video conference server 100 transmits login success data to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S4). The control unit 202 of the mobile communication terminal 200 activates the video conference application 207, triggered by reception of login success data via the transmission / reception unit 201 (S5).

  The control unit 202 of the mobile communication terminal 200 controls the entry information collection / transmission unit 209 of the video conference application 207 to enter entry information (model information 103w, display brightness 103z, remaining battery level 103x, and charging status) of the mobile communication terminal 200. 103y) is collected from inside the terminal (S6), and the collected entry information is transmitted to the video conference server 100 via the transmission / reception unit 201 (S7). Note that the charging status 103y indicates that the battery cannot be charged because it is not connected to a charging power source, for example, “non-charging”, and the charging status that is connected to the charging power source is “charging”.

  The control unit 105 of the video conference server 100 determines whether the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a charging environment (a state in which charging is possible) or a non-charging environment from the received entry information of the connection source login ID 103a corresponding to the terminal type 102c included in the login data 102. A charging environment determination is performed as to whether the battery is in a lower state (a state where charging is not possible, such as being not connected to a charging power source) (S8). In the non-charging environment (S9), the presence / absence of the power consumption table 104 corresponding to the model information 103w included in the entry information is further determined (S10), and the power consumption table 104 corresponding to the model of the mobile communication terminal 200 exists. In this case (S11), the estimated remaining available time in the assumed conference state is calculated from the power consumption table 104 and the remaining battery capacity 103x included in the entry information (S12), and the estimated estimated remaining available time is calculated. Is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S13). The calculation of the estimated remaining conference time will be described later. The mobile communication terminal 200 displays the received estimated conference remaining time on the display (S14).

  When the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a charging environment as a result of the charging environment determination by the video conference server 100, the video conference is not interrupted due to the battery running out of the mobile communication terminal 200, and the user remains in an estimated conference It is assumed that there is no need to consider time, and the video conference server 100 does not calculate the estimated remaining conference time. Thereafter, when the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a non-charge environment before the start of the video conference based on the entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at a predetermined interval, Is calculated and transmitted.

  FIG. 9B illustrates a case where there is no result of the presence / absence determination (S10) of the power consumption table 104 corresponding to the model information included in the entry information by the video conference server 100 in S10 of FIG. 9A. Each step of S1 to S10 in FIG. 9B is the same as that in FIG.

  In FIG. 9B, when there is no power consumption table 104 corresponding to the model information 103 w included in the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal 200 by the video conference server 100 (S 15), the video conference server 100 A benchmark test execution inquiry is transmitted (S16), and the mobile communication terminal 200 displays a benchmark test execution inquiry screen (S17). Using the acceptance operation by the user as a trigger for the displayed benchmark test availability inquiry screen (S18), the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits a benchmark test acceptance signal to the video conference server 100 (S19). A benchmark execution instruction is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S20, S21), and the mobile communication terminal 200 performs a benchmark test (S22).

  The benchmark test is a test for determining how much power is consumed by an operation during a video conference. The content of the benchmark test complements the power consumption table 104 provided in the video conference server 100 in advance. Test content is desirable.

  For example, as an example of the contents of the benchmark test, the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits to the video conference server 100 sample image data having a plurality of combinations of resolutions and frame rates and power consumption required for transmitting each image. Then, the video conference server 100 creates the power consumption table 104A shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the model of the mobile communication terminal 200 based on the received sample image data of a plurality of resolution and frame rate combinations and the power consumption. To do.

  In addition, the video conference server 100 transmits sample image data having a plurality of combinations of resolutions and frame rates to the mobile communication terminal 200 from one screen display to the maximum number of divided screens that can be displayed by the mobile communication terminal 200, and receives the image. 6 transmits the power consumption amount required by the mobile communication terminal 200 from the mobile communication terminal 200, and the video conference server 100 creates the power consumption table 104B shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B corresponding to the model of the mobile communication terminal 200. To do.

  In addition, the video conference server 100 displays an image sample on the mobile communication terminal 200, and changes the display brightness between 100% and 0% in increments of 1% or the like at a predetermined time interval determined in advance. Are recorded and transmitted to the video conference server 100, so that the video conference server 100 creates the power consumption table 104 </ b> C shown in FIG. 7 corresponding to the model of the mobile communication terminal 200.

  As described above, after performing the benchmark test, the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits the benchmark test result to the video conference server 100 (S23), and the video conference server 100 uses the benchmark test result received from the mobile communication terminal 200 as the power consumption. Addition / update to the table 104 (S24), calculate the estimated remaining conference time in the assumed conference state determined in advance from the updated power consumption table 104 and the remaining battery level of the mobile communication terminal 200 (S25), and the mobile communication terminal 200 (S26), the portable communication terminal 200 displays the estimated remaining possible conference time in the assumed conference state determined in advance before the start of the video conference (S27). The calculation of the estimated remaining conference time will be described later.

  In the charging environment determination (S8) by the video conference server 100 in S8, when it is determined that the mobile communication terminal 200 is in the charging environment, as long as the mobile communication terminal 200 is in the charging environment, the power consumption by the video conference Benchmark tests are not performed because it is impossible to measure the quantity. Thereafter, when the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a non-charge environment before the start of the video conference based on the entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at regular intervals, the same as described above. Then, the benchmark test execution process and the estimated conference remaining time calculation process are executed to display the estimated conference possible remaining time on the mobile communication terminal 200.

  Here, a method of calculating the estimated remaining conference time in the assumed conference state determined in advance in S12 of FIG. 9A or S25 of FIG. 9B will be described using an example.

  Assuming the pre-determined conference state is a PtoP (peer-to-peer) conference, that is, a video conference between two sites (own site and opposite site), and the image transmission / reception resolution of each of the own site and the opposite site is SD The transmission / reception frame rate is 5 fps, and the video conference screen to be displayed on the display during the video conference is 1 (the opposite site image is displayed and the own site image is not displayed).

  Moreover, the video conference server 100 uses the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal 200, the model name of the mobile communication terminal 200 that displays the estimated remaining time of the conference is A-0001, and the remaining battery level is 750 mAh (50%). It is assumed that the display brightness is 100%.

  The video conference server 100 refers to the power consumption table 104 of the model corresponding to the model name A-0001, and from the power consumption table shown in FIG. 5, the power consumption by image transmission is 3.76 mA / min, and the power consumption shown in FIG. 6A. Since the power consumption by image reception is 1.76 mA / min from the power table, and the power consumption by the display is 4.41 mA / min from the power consumption table shown in FIG. 7, 1 of the mobile communication terminal 200 in the assumed conference state. Since the power consumption per minute is 9.93 mA (3.76 mA + 1.76 mA + 4.41 mA), and the remaining battery level of the mobile communication terminal 200 acquired from the entry information is 750 mA, the estimated remaining conference time is 750 mA ÷ 9.93 mA. = 75.528 minutes, that is, 75 minutes 31 seconds. Also in S25, the estimated remaining conference time is calculated from the power consumption table 104 reflecting the benchmark test result in the same manner as described above.

  Further, the estimated remaining conference time displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200 is updated by counting down every second after display using a timer in the video conference application 207 or a clock in the mobile communication terminal 200 itself.

  FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the video conference server of this embodiment. The video conference server 100 receives the login data from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S28), and performs login authentication as described above for the login data received from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S29).

  In login authentication, when the login data received from the mobile communication terminal 200 does not match the contents of the video conference terminal information management table 102 and login fails, the video conference server 100 transmits login failure data to the mobile communication terminal 200. (S30), and waits until the login data is received from the mobile communication terminal 200.

  If the login authentication is successful, the video conference server 100 transmits login success data to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S31), receives entry information from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S32), and receives from the mobile communication terminal 200. Based on the entry information, a charging environment determination is performed as to whether or not the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a charging environment (S33).

  In the charging environment determination by the video conference server 100, when the charging environment is being used, the video conference server 100 transmits a non-display signal of the estimated remaining conference time to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S34), and login authentication to the mobile communication terminal 200 The transmission process of the remaining time of the judgment / estimated conference is completed. Thereafter, although not shown in this example, when the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a non-charge environment before the start of the video conference based on the entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at predetermined intervals, The same processing as that performed when it is determined in the charging environment determination in S33 that the battery is in a non-charging environment is performed.

  In the charging environment determination by the video conference server 100 in S33, if it is determined that it is in a non-charging environment, the presence / absence of the power consumption table 104 corresponding to the model information included in the received entry information is determined (S35, S36). ).

  As a result of determining whether or not there is a model-compatible power consumption table 104 by the video conference server 100, if there is, the video conference server 100 assumes in advance the power consumption table 104 and the remaining battery level in the terminal model of the mobile communication terminal 200. Estimated remaining conference time is calculated in the conference state (S43), the estimated remaining conference time is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S44), and the login authentication determination / estimated conference remaining time transmission process for the mobile communication terminal 200 is transmitted. Exit. Note that the calculation of the estimated remaining conference time in S43 has been described above, and will be omitted.

  If the determination result of the presence / absence of the power consumption table 104 by the video conference server 100 is NO, the video conference server 100 transmits to the portable communication terminal 200 a notification that it is not a corresponding model and an inquiry about whether or not a benchmark test is performed (S37).

  When the benchmark execution availability inquiry result (S38) received from the mobile communication terminal 200 by the video conference server 100 is approval (S39), the video conference server 100 instructs the mobile communication terminal 200 to execute a benchmark test (S40). The benchmark test result from the communication terminal 200 is received (S41), and the video conference server 100 adds / updates the power consumption table 104 in accordance with the benchmark test result received from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S42). The estimated remaining conference time is calculated from the updated power consumption table 104 and the remaining battery level of the mobile communication terminal 200 (S43), and the calculated estimated remaining conference time is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S44). The login authentication determination / estimated conference remaining time transmission process for 200 is terminated.

  If the result of the benchmark test execution possibility inquiry is rejected, the video conference server 100 does not transmit the estimated remaining conference time to the mobile communication terminal 200, and ends the login authentication determination / estimated remaining conference time transmission process.

  When the benchmark test is rejected, the video conference server 100 can calculate an estimated value of the approximate remaining conference time from the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal 200 and the power consumption table in advance. Also good.

  FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the mobile communication terminal of this embodiment. Triggered by the user performing a login operation on the mobile communication terminal 200 (S45), the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits login data to the video conference server 100 (S46), and then the mobile communication terminal 200 logs in from the video conference server 100. The result data is received (S47).

  If the login result data content received from the video conference server 100 in S48 is login failure data, the mobile communication terminal 200 displays a login failure screen (S49), ends the process, and waits until the user performs a login operation again. .

  When the login result data content received from the video conference server 100 in S48 is login success data, the mobile communication terminal 200 activates the video conference application 207 (S50), and collects entry information provided in the video conference application 207. The transmission unit 209 collects entry information (model information, display brightness, remaining battery level, and charging status) of the mobile communication terminal 200 from the inside of the terminal (S51), and transmits the entry information to the video conference server 100 (S52).

  When the mobile communication terminal 200 receives a non-display signal of the estimated conference remaining time from the video conference server 100 in S53, it is assumed that the mobile communication terminal 200 is in a charging environment and display of the estimated conference possible remaining time is not necessary. End the process.

  In step S53, the mobile communication terminal 200 does not receive a non-display signal of the estimated remaining conference time from the video conference server 100, and further receives an inquiry about the absence of the corresponding model / benchmark test from the video conference server 100 in step S54. If not, that is, if there is a corresponding model in the power consumption table, the mobile communication terminal 200 receives from the video conference server 100 the estimated remaining available time in the assumed conference state (S63). The estimated remaining conference time is displayed on the display (S64), the process ends, and the mobile communication terminal 200 shifts to the conference room selection screen after displaying the estimated remaining conference time.

  When the mobile phone terminal 200 receives an inquiry about the absence of the corresponding model and the execution of the benchmark test from the video conference server 100 in S54, the mobile communication terminal 200 displays a benchmark test execution availability inquiry screen (S55), and the user is displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200. When a response operation to the benchmark test execution inquiry that is currently performed is a trigger (S56) and the inquiry response result by the user is rejected in S57, the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits a benchmark test rejection signal to the video conference server 100 ( S58), the process is terminated, and the mobile communication terminal 200 shifts to the conference room selection screen without displaying the estimated remaining conference time.

  If the result of the inquiry by the user in S57 is approval, the mobile communication terminal 200 transmits a benchmark approval signal to the video conference server 100 (S59), and then receives a benchmark test execution instruction from the video conference server 100 (S60). After executing the test (S61), the benchmark test result is transmitted to the video conference server 100 (S62). The mobile communication terminal 200 receives the estimated remaining conference time from the video conference server 100 (S63), displays the estimated remaining conference time (S64), terminates the process, displays the estimated remaining conference time, and then conferences. Move to the room selection screen.

  Note that FIG. 12 shows a display example of the estimated remaining conference time that is displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200 in step S14 in FIG. 9A, step S27 in FIG. 9B, and step S64 in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example of a display of the estimated remaining possible conference time in the predetermined assumed conference state displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the present embodiment before the start of the conference. The display format shown in FIG. The present invention is not limited to this, and other formats may be used that indicate to the user an indicator of the estimated remaining conference time before the start of the conference. For example, FIG. 12 shows a PtoP (peer-to-peer) conference, that is, a conference form at two sites, and the remaining conference time when the image resolution of the local site and the other site is assumed to be SD. It is also possible to display a plurality of examples of the estimated remaining possible conference time in a possible conference format.

  According to the present embodiment, based on the power consumption table 104 in the video conference server 100 and the entry information by the entry information collection / transmission unit 209 in the video conference application 207 in the mobile communication terminal 200, the remaining conference available in the mobile communication terminal 200 is obtained. When the time display unit 210 displays the estimated remaining conference time, the user of the video conference system starts the estimated conference remaining time in the assumed conference state with respect to the model performance of the mobile communication terminal 200 and the remaining battery level. I can grasp before.

  Furthermore, the video conference server 100 stores the power consumption for each model every time it receives a benchmark test result from the mobile communication terminal 200 that is a model for which the power consumption table 104 does not exist. After receiving the login / entry information, the remaining conference time can be transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 without performing the benchmark test. That is, even when a new terminal model is released, the power consumption table 104 is updated (the power consumption table 104 corresponding to the new model is created) by executing a benchmark test on the new model once, and the vendor or user Each time a new model is deployed on the video conference server 100, the administrator needs to update and follow the power consumption table 104 to the latest.

  In the first embodiment, it has been described that the estimated remaining conference time is provided to the user before the start of the video conference. In this embodiment, it will be described that the conference remaining time corresponding to the actual conference connection state after the start of the video conference is provided to the user.

  The configuration of the mobile communication terminal having the video conference application of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an operation sequence diagram of the video conference server 100 and the mobile communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment.

  A video test is performed by executing a benchmark test even if the login authentication described above as a description of FIG. 3 and the embodiment 1 is completed successfully and the power consumption table is present or the power consumption table is not present. In the mobile communication terminal 200 in a non-charging environment assuming that the remaining conference time is displayed before the start, the user performs a video conference start operation on the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S65), The mobile communication terminal 200 transmits a conference start instruction to the video conference server 100 (S66). Upon receiving the video conference start instruction from the mobile communication terminal 200, the video conference server 100 starts the video conference (S67), and the conference connection information (S67) indicates the conference state of the target conference room to which the mobile communication terminal 200 has transmitted the conference start instruction. The transmission / reception resolution / frame rate, the number of screen divisions, the transmission / reception line transfer speed, and the CPU usage rate) are ascertained from the conference connection information management table 103 included in the database 101 of the video conference server 100 shown in FIG. Based on the entry information already received from 200 and the above-mentioned conference connection information, the power consumption table 104 is referred to, and the remaining conference time when the mobile communication terminal 200 actually conferences in the target conference room is calculated (S69). ). The video conference server 100 transmits the calculated remaining conference time and the video conference screen data to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S70), and the mobile communication terminal 200 displays the received video conference screen and the remaining conference time (S71).

  Here, the method for calculating the remaining conference time in S69 will be described using an example. Assume that the mobile communication terminal (login ID: 1002) shown in FIG. 4 gives an instruction to enter and start a conference into the conference room with the login ID: 1001. The video conference server 100 that has received the conference start instruction in the conference room with the login ID: 1001 from the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) before transmitting the conference screen data to the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002). Furthermore, conference connection information when the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) actually performs a conference in the conference room with the login ID: 1001 (CPU usage rate, line transfer speed, resolution / frame of transmitted / received image shown in FIG. 4). Measure the rates (103g to 103t) and collect the information (103g to 103t and 103w to 103z shown in FIG. 4) necessary for calculating the remaining conference time together with the entry information (103w to 103z shown in FIG. 4) To do.

  According to the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal 200 with the login ID: 1002, the video conference server 100 has a terminal model of the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) of A-0001 and a remaining battery level of 495 mAh (30%). It is determined that the display brightness is 100% under the charging environment. Further, from the conference connection information management table 103, when the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) has a meeting in the conference room with the login ID: 1001, the image resolution to be transmitted is SD, the image frame rate is 5 fps, and the screen Since the number of divisions is 2 and the number of participants in the conference is 2 (login IDs: 1001 and 1002), the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) has a partner image, that is, the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002). 1001) and an image received from the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1001) that is already in a meeting in the conference room with the login ID: 1001 are resolution: HD, frame. Rate: 5 fps, mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) that has given a conference start instruction The image received as own base image resolution: SD, Frame rate: determined as 5fps.

  Based on the above information, the video conference server 100 refers to whether there is a model corresponding to the model name: A-0001 in the power consumption table 104, and the power consumption by image transmission is 3.76 mA from the power consumption table shown in FIG. From the power consumption table shown in FIG. 6B, the amount of power consumed by image reception is 5.12 mA / min, HD · 5 fps (login ID: 1001 image) → 3.56 mA / min + SD · 5 fps (login ID: 1002 (Image) → 1.56 mA / min, it is determined from the power consumption table shown in FIG. 7 that the power consumption by the display is 4.41 mA / min, and the mobile communication terminal 200 (login) in the conference room with login ID: 1001 The power consumption per minute when ID: 1002) actually held a video conference was 13.29 mA (3.76 mA) 5.12 mA + 4.41 mA), and the remaining battery level of the mobile communication terminal 200 (login ID: 1002) acquired from the entry information is 495 mA. Therefore, the remaining conference time is 495 mA / 13.29 mA = 37.246 minutes (this In the example, the decimal point is rounded down to the fourth decimal place), that is, 37 minutes and 14 seconds (in this example, rounded down to 0.1 seconds or less).

  It should be noted that the remaining conference time displayed in S71 is in the video conference application 207 of the mobile communication terminal 200, and it is displayed after the display by interlocking with a timer (not shown) or a clock provided in the mobile communication terminal 200 itself. It is updated by counting down every second.

  Note that FIG. 13 shows an operation example in which the remaining conference time is displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment, but the video conference server 100 charges the mobile communication terminal 200 in the charging environment. As long as the user is in the environment, it is assumed that the user does not need to consider the remaining conference time, and the remaining conference time is not calculated or transmitted.

  However, the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 that was in a charging environment during a video conference has become a non-charging environment during the video conference based on entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at a predetermined interval. In this case, the video conference server 100 calculates the remaining conference time from the entry information and conference connection information at that time by the above-described calculation method and the like, and transmits it to the mobile communication terminal 200. Start displaying possible remaining time.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the remaining conference time displayed by the mobile communication terminal 200 in step S71 of FIG. Unlike the display example of the estimated conference remaining time calculated from the presumed conference state determined in advance in the first embodiment, in the display example on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the present embodiment shown in FIG. The remaining available conference time corresponding to the conference connection mode when the mobile communication terminal 200 actually starts the conference is displayed.

  Note that the remaining conference time displayed in the present embodiment is calculated based on the conference connection information when the mobile communication terminal 200 enters the conference room and starts the conference. With the change in the conference connection information such as the change in the number of people, the resolution / frame rate of the transmitted / received image, and the start of the document sharing function, the video conference server 100 calculates the remaining available conference time according to the change, and the mobile communication terminal 200 and updated as needed.

  In addition, when the remaining available conference time displayed after the actual conference starts is equal to or less than a predetermined time (such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes) determined in advance, the video conference application 207 in the mobile communication terminal 200 alerts the user. It may have functions such as a pop-up prompt and a warning sound.

  According to the present embodiment, the user can confirm in real time the change in the remaining conference time of the mobile communication terminal 200 due to the function used during the video conference and the change in the number of participants in the conference. The anxiety of doing so is resolved.

  The effect of having the power consumption table 104 in the video conference server 100 is not limited to determining the remaining conference time before the video conference and during the video conference, but depends on the function used and operated during the video conference for each model. More precisely grasping how much power consumption is applied, that is, power saving due to performance limitations such as turning off the transmitted image, reducing the resolution and frame rate of the received image, reducing the brightness of the display illumination, etc. To calculate how much battery life can be extended, and how long the remaining meeting time can be extended for the user, and presents the user with the energy saving meeting mode and the remaining meeting time due to the power saving effect It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, there is a user who has a desire to change the viewpoint and to hold a video conference with high-quality images without temporarily saving power consumption, such as a sudden important meeting or situational communication from the site in the event of a natural disaster. Although a detailed description will be given later, the video conference server 100 uses a normal preset temporarily set based on the terminal model of the mobile communication terminal 200 using the video conference application 207 and the operating status such as CPU usage rate and communication transfer speed. Determining whether it is possible to switch to a high-quality conference mode that can improve the resolution of the transmitted and received images and the frame rate from the video conference performance, and presenting it to the user along with the remaining conference time at that time and selecting it Is possible.

  Using the power consumption table 104, the mode conversion to a conference form that enables a long-time meeting from the performance setting up to that time is referred to as an energy saving conference mode (Example 3), and the power consumption table is also used with reference to FIGS. The mode conversion to a conference mode that enables a conference with higher image quality than the previous performance setting using 104 will be described as a high image quality conference mode (Example 4) with reference to FIGS. 15 and 20 to 23.

  FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 200 having the video conference application of Example 3 (switching to the energy saving conference mode). As shown in FIG. 15, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 8 showing the first embodiment, the video conference application 207 includes a mode switching signal transmission / reception / control unit 212.

  A configuration example of the video conference server 100 according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. Although the details will be described later, the video conference server 100 that has received the mode switching signal for the energy saving conference from the mobile communication terminal 200 executes the mode switching control, that is, the conference screen data with limited resolution and frame rate is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200. To send. This control is executed by the image data aggregation / conversion / combination / relay unit 110 in the configuration example of the video conference server 100 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the video conference server 100 and the mobile communication terminal 200 according to the third embodiment.

  Even if the login authentication described above in Example 1 is successful and the model has the power consumption table 104, or the model does not have the power consumption table 104, a benchmark test is performed and the conference remaining before the video conference is started. In the mobile communication terminal 200 in a non-charging environment assuming that time is displayed, the user performs a video conference start operation on the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S72). A conference start instruction is sent to the conference server 100 (S73). Upon receiving the video conference start instruction from the mobile communication terminal 200, the video conference server 100 starts the video conference (S74), and the conference connection information (transmission / reception resolution / frame) of the target conference room for which the mobile communication terminal 200 has issued the conference start instruction. The rate, the number of screen divisions, the transmission / reception line transfer speed and the CPU usage rate) are grasped from the conference connection information management table 103 included in the database 101 of the video conference server 100 shown in FIG. 2 (S75) and already received from the portable communication terminal 200 Based on the completed entry information, the above-described conference connection information, and the power consumption table 104, the portable communication terminal 200 can be switched to the energy saving conference mode, the power saving item is determined, and the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode is calculated. (S76).

  Further, in S76, the remaining time for the conference in the video conference shown in the second embodiment is calculated simultaneously with the determination of whether or not the energy saving conference mode can be performed and the power saving item and the calculation of the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode.

  It should be noted that the power saving items used as criteria for determining whether or not the video conference server 100 can switch to the energy saving conference mode in S76 may be determined in advance for the video conference server 100 by a user / administrator or the like.

  For example, in the energy-saving conference mode, the video conference server 100 uniformly sets the display brightness to 50%, the image transmission to OFF, and the reception resolution / frame rate to the CIF. If the user / administrator determines in advance a power-saving item such as transmitting screen data that is unified to 5 fps, the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 determines the mobile communication terminal 200 according to those conditions from the conference connection information. Then, by controlling to switch to the energy-saving conference mode, it is calculated and determined whether the remaining conference time can be extended as compared with the performance setting up to that point (the preset normal performance setting).

  That is, normally, the power saving items determined in advance by the user / administrator are the same as the power saving items in the energy saving conference mode. However, when the user / administrator determines that the display brightness is 50% as one of the power-saving items as described above, if the mobile communication terminal 200 has a display brightness of 30% from the beginning of the video conference, The conference server 100 calculates the remaining conference time when 30% of the display brightness remains as it is and image data is turned off, and screen data in which the reception resolution and frame rate are unified to CIF and 5 fps is transmitted.

  The power saving items performed on the video conference server 100 by a user / administrator or the like are stored and stored in the server in the form of an appendix of the conference connection information management table 103 or the mobile communication terminal type power consumption table 104. The video conference server 100 is referred to when the mobile communication terminal 200 determines whether to switch to the energy saving conference mode and calculates the remaining conference time.

  In addition, about the calculation method of the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode, because it is the same as the calculation of the estimated remaining conference time in the first embodiment in that the remaining conference time in the assumed conference state determined in advance is calculated, Description is omitted.

  When the video conference server 100 determines in S77 that the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the energy saving conference mode, the video conference server 100 sends the conventional video conference screen data and the remaining conference time to the mobile communication terminal 200, and The power saving item in the energy saving conference mode and the remaining time available for the meeting in the energy saving conference mode are transmitted (S78). The mobile communication terminal 200 that has received them displays the conventional video conference screen and also displays the energy saving conference mode switching proposal screen (S79).

  After that, during the video conference, the mobile communication terminal 200 instructs to switch to the energy saving conference mode by using the user to perform switching selection to the energy saving conference mode on the energy saving conference mode switching proposal screen of the mobile communication terminal 200 (S80). Is transmitted to the video conference server 100 (S81), and the video conference server 100 that has received the command executes control for switching to the energy saving conference mode (S82), and the conference screen in the energy saving conference mode for the mobile communication terminal 200 is transmitted. Data and the remaining conference time are transmitted (S83). The mobile communication terminal 200 displays the energy saving conference screen and the remaining available meeting time in the energy saving conference mode (S84).

  FIG. 16 shows an example of an operation for displaying the power-saving items and the remaining conference time in the energy-saving conference mode on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment. However, the video conference server 100 is in a charging environment. As long as the communication terminal 200 is in a charging environment, it is not necessary for the user to switch to the energy saving conference mode that extends the remaining conference time. Do not calculate / send the remaining conference time at.

  However, based on the entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at a predetermined interval, the video conference server 100 determines that the mobile communication terminal 200 that was in a charging environment during a video conference is in a non-charging environment during the video conference. In this case, the video conference server 100 calculates the determination of whether or not the energy saving mode can be performed, the power saving items, and the remaining time for the conference by using the above-described calculation method and the like from the entry information and the conference connection information at that time, and transmits them to the mobile communication terminal 200 As a result, the mobile communication terminal 200 starts displaying a screen for suggesting switching to the energy saving conference mode.

  FIG. 17 is a process flowchart of the video conference server 100 according to the third embodiment. Participate in the video conference when the video conference server 100 is operating normally on the network connectable from the mobile communication terminal 200 and at least one mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment has succeeded in the above-mentioned login authentication. If the video conference server 100 recognizes that it is not online, the video conference server 100 receives a conference start instruction from the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S85). The conference is started (S86), and the conference connection information (transmission / reception resolution / frame rate, number of screen divisions, transmission / reception line transfer speed and CPU usage rate) of the target conference room to which the mobile communication terminal 200 has instructed the conference start is displayed. Entry information grasped from the management table 103 (S87) and already received from the mobile communication terminal 200 Then, from the above-described conference connection information and the power consumption table 104, it is determined whether or not the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the energy saving conference mode, the determination of the power saving item, and the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode are calculated (S88). .

  The criteria for determining whether or not the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the energy saving conference mode by the video conference server 100 in S88 and the means for calculating the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode are described in the description of FIG.

  If the result of determining whether or not the video conference server 100 can switch to the energy saving conference mode is determined to be impossible in S89, the conventional video conference screen data and the remaining conference time are transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S90). The process is terminated. The method for calculating the remaining conference time that is transmitted by the video conference server 100 when it is determined that switching to the energy saving conference mode is not possible is the same as in the second embodiment.

  If the result of the determination as to whether or not the video conference server 100 can switch to the energy saving conference mode is possible in S89, the conventional video conference screen data and the remaining conference time for the mobile communication terminal 200, in addition to the energy saving, are added. The power saving item in the conference mode and the remaining available time in the energy saving conference mode are transmitted (S91).

  After that, when the instruction to switch to the energy saving conference mode from the mobile communication terminal 200 in S92 is not during participation in the video conference, the processing by the video conference server 100 ends.

  When there is an instruction to switch to the energy saving conference mode from the mobile communication terminal 200 in S92, the video conference server 100 executes energy saving conference mode switching control for the mobile communication terminal 200 (S93). The conference screen data in the energy saving conference mode and the remaining time that can be held in the energy saving conference mode are transmitted (S94), and the process ends.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the mobile communication terminal according to the third embodiment. The mobile communication terminal 200 in a non-charging environment is on a network that can be connected to the video conference server 100, and the video conference application 207 is installed in the mobile communication terminal 200, login authentication succeeds, and the video conference application 207 operates normally. If the user enters the online state that is in the state and is not participating in the video conference, the mobile communication terminal 200 is triggered by the user performing a video conference start operation on the video conference terminal 200 (S95). A conference start instruction is transmitted to the server 100 (S96).

  After that, when the power saving item and the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode are not received from the video conference server 100 in S97, the conventional video conference screen data and the remaining conference time are received from the video conference server 100 ( S98), the video conference screen of the performance setting up to that time and the remaining conference time are displayed (S99), and the process is terminated.

  In S97, when the mobile communication terminal 200 receives the video conference screen data and the remaining conference time from the video conference server 100, in addition to the power saving item and the remaining conference time in the energy saving conference mode, the mobile communication terminal 200 displays the energy saving conference mode. A switch proposal screen is displayed (S100).

  If there is no switching selection operation from the user to the energy saving conference mode for the mobile communication terminal 200 during the video conference in S101, it is assumed that the video conference of the performance setting so far is continued and the processing is terminated. .

  If the user selects to switch to the energy saving conference mode for the mobile communication terminal 200 during the video conference in S101, the mobile communication terminal 200 switches the video conference server 100 to the energy saving conference mode. An instruction is transmitted (S102), the conference screen data in the energy saving conference mode and the remaining conference time are received from the video conference server 100 (S103), and the energy saving conference screen and the remaining conference time received from the video conference server 100 are displayed. (S104).

  FIG. 19 shows a display example of the screen for suggesting switching to the energy saving conference mode displayed by the mobile communication terminal 200 in the steps of S79 of FIG. 16 and S100 of FIG. Further, the remaining conference time displayed after switching to the energy saving conference mode may be the same as the display example of the remaining conference time in the second embodiment of FIG.

  For users who have to hold a video conference for a long time using a mobile communication terminal that is not in a charging environment, it is convenient for the user to be able to hold a video conference for as long as possible. Some users who use video conferencing systems can save power consumption of mobile communication terminals by spontaneous actions such as turning off the transmission of self-portraits or sending and receiving only audio based on their experience, and thus video conferencing. Although the time was extended, the power saving / meeting time extension was assumed based on the experience of each user, and the user could not measure the effect quantitatively. However, according to the present embodiment, the user can use the energy saving conference mode proposal screen displayed on the mobile communication terminal after the start of the video conference to set the effect of power saving (function limitation) by switching to the energy saving conference mode as the remaining conference time. It becomes possible to confirm quantitatively.

  The configuration of the mobile communication terminal 200 having the video conference application of the fourth embodiment (switching to the high image quality conference mode) is similar to that of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, in addition to the configuration of FIG. The video conference application 207 includes the mode switching signal transmission / reception / control unit 212.

  The configuration example of the video conference server 100 in this embodiment is the same as that in FIG. Although the details will be described later, the video conference server 100 that has received the mode switching signal for the high-quality conference from the mobile communication terminal 200 executes the mode switching control, that is, the conference screen data with improved resolution and frame rate is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200. Send to. This control is executed by the image data aggregation / conversion / combination / relay unit 110 as an example of the configuration of the video conference server 100 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the video conference server 100 and the mobile communication terminal 200 according to the fourth embodiment. Even if the login authentication described above in Example 1 is successful and the model has the power consumption table 104, or the model does not have the power consumption table 104, a benchmark test is performed and the conference remaining before the video conference is started. In the mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment assuming that the time is displayed, the user performs a video conference start operation on the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S105). A conference start instruction is sent to the conference server 100 (S106). Upon receiving the video conference start instruction from the mobile communication terminal 200, the video conference server 100 starts the video conference (S107), and the conference connection information (transmission / reception resolution / frame) of the target conference room for which the mobile communication terminal 200 has issued the conference start instruction. The rate, the number of screen divisions, the transmission / reception line transfer speed, and the CPU usage rate) are grasped from the conference connection information management table 103 included in the database 101 of the video conference server 100 shown in FIG. 2 (S108) and already received from the mobile communication terminal 200 From the completed entry information, the above-mentioned conference connection information, and the power consumption table 104, whether or not the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the high image quality conference mode is determined. Calculate (S109).

  Further, in S109, the performance setting up to that point shown in the second embodiment (normally set in advance) is performed at the same time as the determination of whether or not the high-quality conference mode can be performed / function improvement items and the calculation of the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode. The remaining available time for a video conference is calculated.

  Note that the criteria for determining whether to switch to the high-quality conference mode by the video conference server 100 in S109, that is, the function improvement items, may be determined in advance for the video conference server 100 by a user / administrator or the like.

  For example, in the high-definition conference mode, the video conference server 100 uniformly sets the display to 100% and sets the resolution / frame rate of transmitted / received images to the CPU usage rate and the line for the video conference mobile communication terminal 200 regardless of the terminal model. If the user / administrator predetermines a function improvement item such as the maximum within the allowable transfer rate, the video conference server 100 determines the image quality from the conference connection information to the mobile communication terminal 200 according to those conditions. By controlling the switching to the conference mode, it is determined how much the function can be improved over the video conference of the performance setting so far, and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode is calculated.

  The function improvement items performed by the user / administrator on the video conference server 100 are stored and stored in the server in the form of a conference connection information management table 103 or an appendix of the power consumption table 104 for each mobile communication terminal. The video conference server 100 is referred to when the mobile communication terminal 200 determines whether to switch to the high image quality conference mode and calculates the remaining conference time.

  The method for calculating the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode is the same as the method for calculating the estimated remaining conference time in the first embodiment in that the remaining conference time is calculated in a predetermined assumed conference state. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  When the video conference server 100 determines in S110 that the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the high-quality conference mode, the video conference server 100 sends the video conference screen data and conference of the performance settings so far to the mobile communication terminal 200. In addition to the possible remaining time, the function improvement item in the high-quality conference mode and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode are transmitted (S111). The mobile communication terminal 200 that has received them displays a conventional video conference screen and also displays a screen for suggesting switching to the high-quality conference mode (S112).

  After that, during the video conference, the mobile communication terminal 200 triggers the selection of switching to the high image quality conference mode on the high image quality conference mode switching proposal screen of the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S113). A mode switching instruction is transmitted to the video conference server 100 (S114), and the video conference server 100 that has received the instruction executes control for switching to the high quality conference mode (S115), and the mobile communication terminal 200 receives the high quality conference. The conference screen data in the mode and the remaining conference time are transmitted (S116). The mobile communication terminal 200 displays the high-quality conference screen and the remaining available conference time in the high-quality conference mode (S117).

  FIG. 20 shows an example of an operation for displaying the function improvement items and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment. For a certain mobile communication terminal 200, only whether or not the high-quality conference mode can be implemented and the function improvement items are determined, and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode is not transmitted. The remaining conference time is not displayed on the screen for suggesting switching to the high-quality conference mode displayed on the screen 200.

  Also, the entry information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 at regular intervals indicates that the video conference server 100 indicates that the mobile communication terminal 200 that was in the charging environment at the start of the video conference was in the non-charging environment during the video conference. In the determination, the video conference server 100 re-determines whether or not the high-quality conference mode can be performed / function improvement items and calculates the remaining conference time based on the above-described calculation method from the entry information and the conference connection information at that time. By transmitting to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 displays a screen for suggesting switching to the high-quality conference mode.

  FIG. 21 is a process flowchart of the video conference server 100 according to the fourth embodiment. Participate in the video conference when the video conference server 100 is operating normally on the network connectable from the mobile communication terminal 200 and at least one mobile communication terminal 200 in the non-charging environment has succeeded in the above-mentioned login authentication. When the video conference server 100 recognizes that it is not online, it is defined as start, and the video conference server 100 receives a conference start instruction from the mobile communication terminal 200 as a trigger (S118). A video conference is started (S119), and the conference connection information (transmission / reception resolution / frame rate, number of screen divisions, transmission / reception line transfer speed and CPU usage rate) of the target conference room for which the mobile communication terminal 200 has instructed the conference start is conferencing. It is grasped from the information management table 103 (S120) and the error already received from the mobile communication terminal 200 is received. The determination of whether or not the mobile communication terminal 200 can be switched to the high image quality conference mode / function improvement item and the remaining available conference time in the high image quality conference mode are calculated from the above-described information, the conference connection information, and the power consumption table 104. (S121).

  The example of determining whether or not the video communication server 100 can switch to the high-quality conference mode and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode by the video conference server 100 in S121 has been described with reference to FIG.

  If the result of determining whether or not the video conference server 100 can switch to the high-quality conference mode is determined to be impossible in S122, the video communication screen data of the performance setting up to that point and the remaining conference time are stored in the mobile communication terminal 200. Transmit (S123), and the process ends. Note that the method for calculating the remaining conference time that is transmitted by the video conference server 100 when it is determined that switching to the high-quality conference mode is not possible is the same as in the second embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  If the result of determining whether or not the video conference server 100 can switch to the high image quality conference mode is determined to be possible in S122, the video communication screen data of the performance setting up to that time and the remaining conference available are set for the mobile communication terminal 200. In addition to the time, the function improvement item in the high image quality conference mode and the remaining conference available time in the high image quality conference mode are transmitted (S124).

  Thereafter, when the instruction to switch to the high-quality conference mode from the mobile communication terminal 200 in S125 is not during the video conference participation, the processing by the video conference server 100 ends.

  When there is a switching instruction to the high-quality conference mode from the mobile communication terminal 200 during the video conference in S125, the video conference server 100 executes high-quality conference mode switching control for the mobile communication terminal 200 (S126). ) The conference screen data in the high-quality conference mode and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode are transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 200 (S127), and the process ends.

  FIG. 22 is a process flowchart illustrating an operation example of the mobile communication terminal 200 according to the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication terminal 200 in a non-charging environment is on a network that can be connected to the video conference server 100, and the video conference application 207 is installed in the mobile communication terminal 200, login authentication succeeds, and the video conference application 207 operates normally. If the online state that is in the state and does not participate in the video conference is started, the mobile communication terminal 200 is triggered by the user performing a video conference start operation on the video conference terminal 200 (S128). A conference start instruction is transmitted to the server 100 (S129).

  Thereafter, in S130, when the function improvement item in the high-definition conference mode and the remaining conference time are not received from the video conference server 100, the video conference screen data of the performance setting up to that point can be conferenced from the video conference server 100. The remaining time is received (S131), the performance setting video conference screen and the remaining conference time are displayed (S132), and the process is terminated.

  When the mobile communication terminal 200 receives from the video conference server 100 the video conference screen data of the performance setting up to that point and the remaining conference time in S130, in addition to the function improvement items and the remaining conference time in the high-quality conference mode, in S130, The mobile communication terminal 200 displays a screen for suggesting switching to the high-quality conference mode (S133).

  After that, if there is no switching selection operation from the user to the high-quality conference mode for the mobile communication terminal 200 during the video conference in S134, it is assumed that the video conference with the performance setting up to that time is continued. Exit.

  If the user selects to switch to the high-quality conference mode for the mobile communication terminal 200 during the video conference in S134, the mobile communication terminal 200 switches to the high-quality conference mode for the video conference server 100. (S135), the conference screen data in the high-definition conference mode and the remaining conference time are received from the video conference server 100 (S136), and the high-definition conference screen received from the video conference server 100 and the remaining conference available The time is displayed (S137).

  FIG. 23 shows a display example of the switching proposal screen to the high-quality conference mode displayed on the mobile communication terminal 200 in the steps S112 of FIG. 20 and S133 of FIG. Further, the remaining available conference time displayed after switching to the high-quality conference mode may be the same as the display example of the remaining available conference time in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  For users who want to hold video conferences with high-resolution images even temporarily, such as suddenly important meetings and situational communication from the site in the event of natural disasters, even a little clean (high resolution) and smooth (high frame It is convenient for the user to be able to conduct rate video conferencing. According to the fourth embodiment, it becomes possible for the video conference server 100 to make a proposal to the user to switch to the high-quality conference mode, and a user who does not save an increase in power consumption due to temporary improvement of the conference function. For this reason, it is possible to cope with an unexpected high-quality video conference by a simple operation that only requires a switching instruction on the proposal screen.

  According to the embodiment described above, a conference during an actual video conference in which power consumption varies depending on performance such as function usage status (transmission / reception of images, audio, and materials) and conference image quality (resolution and frame rate of transmission / reception images). By calculating and transmitting the possible remaining time, the video conference server side can display the possible remaining time that cannot be calculated for a mobile communication terminal that does not have a table indicating the power consumption of the video conference. Anxiety and dissatisfaction, such as a conference interruption due to running out of batteries, is reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. A part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Moreover, you may add the structure of another Example to the structure of a certain Example. In addition, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, another configuration may be added, deleted, or replaced.

  100: Video conference server, 101: Database, 102: Video conference terminal information management table, 103: Conference connection information management table, 104: Power consumption table for each mobile communication terminal, 105: Control unit, 106: Communication control unit, 107 : Login control unit, 108: call control unit, 109: LAN interface, 110: image data aggregation / conversion / combination / relay unit, 200: mobile communication terminal, 201: transmission / reception unit, 202: control unit, 203: display unit, 204: Operation unit, 205: Battery, 206: Battery monitoring unit, 207: Video conference application, 208: Conference function control unit, 209: Entry information collection / transmission unit, 210: Conference remaining time display unit, 211: Benchmark test Execution / result transmission unit, 212: mode switching signal transmission / reception / control unit, 300: TV conference Terminal (stationary terminal), 1000: network.

Claims (10)

A mobile communication terminal for video conferencing, connected to a video conferencing server and operating on batteries,
Before starting the video conference connection,
Means for collecting entry information including the terminal type, display brightness, remaining battery level and charge state of the mobile communication terminal;
Means for transmitting the entry information to the video conference server;
A portable communication terminal, comprising: means for displaying, on a display unit, an estimated remaining conference time in an assumed conference state determined in advance based on the entry information received from the video conference server. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1,
Means for receiving a benchmark test execution inquiry transmitted from the video conference server when a power consumption table corresponding to the entry information transmitted by the mobile communication terminal does not exist in the video conference server;
In response to receiving the benchmark test implementation availability inquiry, means for displaying a benchmark test implementation availability inquiry screen on the display unit;
Means for transmitting a benchmark test acceptance signal to the video conference server in response to acceptance of a benchmark test by a user of the mobile communication terminal;
A portable communication terminal comprising: a benchmark test execution / result transmission unit that executes a benchmark test with contents supplementing the power consumption table existing in the video conference server and transmits the result to the video conference server . The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
After starting the video conference connection,
Means for receiving from the video conference server a first available conference time in a video conference connection state;
A portable communication terminal, comprising: means for displaying the first available conference remaining time received from the video conference server on the display unit. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
After starting the video conference connection,
Means for receiving a power-saving item in the energy-saving conference mode that saves power consumption from a preset normal video-conference from the video-conference server and a second remaining conferencing time;
Means for displaying, on the display unit, a first switching proposal screen to an energy saving conference mode based on the power saving item received from the video conference server and the second remaining conference time;
Means for transmitting an energy saving conference mode switching instruction to the video conference server in response to selection of switching to the energy saving conference mode on the first switching proposal screen;
Means for receiving the conference screen data in the energy saving conference mode and the second available conference time from the video conference server;
A mobile communication terminal, comprising: means for displaying the conference screen data and the second remaining conference available time in the energy saving conference mode received from the video conference server on the display unit. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
After starting the video conference connection,
Means for receiving a performance improvement item and a third remaining conference time in a high image quality conference mode for realizing a conference with an image having a higher resolution and a higher frame rate than a normal video conference whose performance is set in advance from the video conference server. When,
Means for displaying, on the display unit, a second switching proposal screen for high-quality conference mode based on the performance improvement item received from the video conference server and the remaining remaining conference time;
Means for transmitting a high-quality conference mode switching instruction to the video conference server in response to the selection of switching to the high-quality conference mode on the second switching proposal screen;
Means for receiving, from the video conference server, conference screen data in the high-quality conference mode and the third available conference time;
A portable communication terminal, comprising: means for displaying on the display unit the conference screen data received in the high-definition conference mode and the third conference remaining time received from the video conference server. A video conference server connected to a mobile communication terminal that operates on a battery,
Before starting the video conference connection,
Means for determining the terminal model of the mobile communication terminal based on the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal, including the terminal type of the mobile communication terminal, display brightness, remaining battery level and charge state;
A power consumption table for each mobile communication terminal showing the power consumption by video conference,
Based on the power consumption table and the entry information,
Means for calculating the estimated remaining time of the estimated meeting in the presumed meeting state determined in advance;
A video conference server comprising means for transmitting the estimated remaining conference time to a mobile communication terminal. The video conference server according to claim 6,
Means for transmitting a benchmark test availability inquiry to the mobile communication terminal when the power consumption table corresponding to the entry information received from the mobile communication terminal does not exist;
Means for receiving the benchmark test result received from the mobile communication terminal;
A video conference server, comprising: means for updating the power consumption table based on the benchmark test result. The video conference server according to claim 6 or 7,
After the mobile communication terminal starts a video conference connection,
When the mobile communication terminal instructed to start the video conference connection has a conference connection information including a transmission / reception resolution, a frame rate, a line transfer speed, a CPU usage rate during the conference, and a screen division number when the conference is performed in the designated conference room. Means to obtain,
Means for calculating a first available conference time in a video conference connection state based on the entry information, the conference connection information, and the power consumption table;
A video conference server, characterized by comprising means for transmitting the calculated first available conference time to the mobile communication terminal. The video conference server according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
Based on the entry information, the conference connection information, and the power consumption table of the mobile communication terminal instructed to start a video conference connection after the mobile communication terminal starts a video conference connection,
Means for determining whether or not to switch to the energy saving conference mode of the mobile communication terminal;
Means for determining a power-saving item in the energy-saving conference mode when switching to the energy-saving conference mode;
Means for calculating a second available conference time in the energy saving conference mode;
Means for transmitting the power saving item in the energy saving conference mode and the second available conference time to the portable communication terminal;
Means for receiving the energy-saving conference mode switching instruction received from the mobile communication terminal;
In response to the energy-saving conference mode switching instruction received from the mobile communication terminal, the switching control to the energy-saving conference mode is executed, and the conference screen data in the energy-saving conference mode that saves power consumption during the video conference; A video conference server comprising means for transmitting the second remaining conference time to the portable communication terminal. It is a video conference server of any one of Claims 6-9,
After the mobile communication terminal starts a video conference connection,
Means for determining whether or not to switch to the high-quality conference mode of the mobile communication terminal based on the entry information of the mobile communication terminal instructed to start a video conference connection, the conference connection information, and the power consumption table;
Means for determining a function improvement item in the high-quality conference mode when switching to the high-quality conference mode;
Means for calculating a third available conference time in the high-quality conference mode;
Means for transmitting the function improvement item in the high image quality conference mode and the third remaining conference time to the portable communication terminal;
Means for receiving the high-quality conference mode switching instruction received from the mobile communication terminal;
In response to the high-quality conference mode switching instruction received from the mobile communication terminal, the switching control to the high-quality conference mode is executed, and the conference screen data in the high-quality conference mode and the third conference available remaining A video conference server comprising means for transmitting time to the portable communication terminal.

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