JP2020141208A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system that allows employees working at workplaces and employees working at home to communicate smoothly and allows the employees working at home to eliminate loneliness and improve work efficiency.SOLUTION: A communication system of the present invention includes a plurality of terminals placed at many points and a communication device that conducts a voice conference via a network by controlling communication between the terminals. The communication device includes a meeting room processing unit that constructs a shared meeting room usually used by the terminals and one or two or more individual meeting rooms used individually by a specific group of the terminals and provides a voice conference for each meeting room to which the terminals belong.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system and can be applied to, for example, an always-on voice conferencing system.

In recent years, there have been increasing opportunities to make calls and communicate with remote locations such as video conferencing and telework using remote communication systems such as video conferencing systems and telephone conferencing systems (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, various systems that support communication between users by exchanging messages using information and communication technology have also been proposed. For example, a chat system or the like is known to realize a conversation between users in a group.

By utilizing the above communication system, we can work widely for people with physical disabilities who cannot work outside due to injury or illness, housewives who are pregnant or raising children, people who live in remote areas, etc. who cannot work outside but are willing to work. Can provide an opportunity.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-050156

By the way, the above-mentioned conventional communication system is not always easy to use as a working tool especially for persons with disabilities.

For example, it is natural that teleworkers (persons with physical disabilities, etc.) feel more isolated than those who go to work at companies. In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to build a virtual office by constantly connecting both terminals (information processing terminals equipped with cameras, microphones, speakers, etc.) (real-time connection of video, audio, characters, etc.). ..

However, if the above-mentioned conventional communication system is adopted in order to construct a virtual office, the communication band will be squeezed due to the load of data communication on the video surface (real-time performance will be impaired).

In addition, when communicating video in both directions in real time, it has been empirically confirmed that the teleworkers feel the oppressive feeling of being constantly monitored, and on the contrary, communication between the two does not go well and work efficiency decreases. ing.

In view of the above problems, a highly real-time communication system that facilitates communication between those who go to work and those who work from home, eliminates the feeling of loneliness of those who work from home, and improves work efficiency is desired. ing.

The present invention is a communication system including a plurality of terminals arranged at multiple points and a communication device that controls communication between the terminals and executes a voice conference via a network. A shared conference room normally used by each terminal and one or more individual conference rooms for individual use by a specific group of the terminals are constructed, and a voice conference is performed for each conference room to which the terminals belong. It is characterized by having a conference room processing unit for providing the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly communicate between a person who goes to work and a teleworker, eliminate the feeling of loneliness of the teleworker, and improve work efficiency.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the communication server which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation (virtual office participation procedure) of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the virtual office main screen which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the attendance management system which concerns on other embodiment.

(A) Main Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the communication system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment (A-1-1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the communication system 1 has a user terminal 2, a web server 3, a communication server 4, and a relay server 5. Each device is connected by a network N. The web server 3, the communication server 4, and the relay server 5 may realize a part or all of the functions by a cloud server.

The communication system 1 is a system that provides a virtual office (mainly an always-on voice conference) to users (user terminals 2) at each base. For example, each user who receives the service of this system has a user terminal 2 such as a PC, and after logging in to the system, uses this user terminal 2 (a terminal having a voice input / output function such as a headset) in various ways. Do the work. When the user utters a communication matter related to the work or what he / she notices during the work, the utterance is recorded by a microphone or the like and transmitted as a voice message to the communication server 4 via the network N. Then, when the communication server 4 receives the voice message from the user terminal 2, it transmits the voice message to another user terminal 2 determined as the transmission destination in real time. The other user terminal 2 that has received the voice message automatically reproduces the received voice message and outputs it from the speaker or the like. As a result, the utterance of one user is heard by another user, and information is shared among the users through voice messages.

The user terminal 2 is an information processing terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and has at least a voice input / output function and a communication function, is installed near the user (user), and is installed near another user (user). It communicates with the terminal 2). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user terminal 2 accesses the website (web server 3) on the network N using a predetermined web browser and participates in the virtual office, but uses dedicated software. You may use it to join a virtual office. In the following, the main screen displayed when the user terminal 2 joins the virtual office is referred to as a "virtual office main screen".

The web server 3 is a server that provides an interface (web screen) for providing a virtual office function to each user (user terminal 2). The web server 3 transmits display screen information (authentication screen, virtual office main screen, etc.) from the user terminal 2 to the user terminal 2 via the network N.

The communication server 4 is a server that provides virtual office functions such as voice conference and chat functions. For example, the communication server 4 performs call control in order to establish a call between each user terminal 2 according to SIP (session initiation protocol), and performs voice storage, synthesis, and the like.

The relay server 5 is a device that relays the voice packet (UDP) of each user terminal 2, and provides a NAT (Network Address Translation) exceeding function. For example, the relay server 5 is a STUN (Session Travelatives for NAT) / TURN (Transversal Using Relay around NAT) server.

The network N is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) network represented by the Internet or the like, a wide area network such as a wide area LAN (registered trademark), or the like. Further, the communication network may be a wired line (optical fiber or the like) or a wireless line (mobile communication line or the like).

(A-1-2) Detailed Configuration of Communication Server 4 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the communication server according to the embodiment.

The communication server 4 has a main control unit 40, a communication unit 41, a call control unit 42, a media control unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

The main control unit 40 controls the processing of the entire communication server 4 based on the control program stored in the storage unit 44. The main control unit 40 realizes a virtual office function together with the call control unit 42 and the media control unit 43, which will be described later.

The main control unit 40 includes a shared / individual conference room processing unit 401, a presence processing unit 402, a microphone on / off unit 403, a microphone test unit 404, a temporary exit processing unit 405, and a message processing unit 406.

The shared / individual conference room processing unit 401 uses the call control unit 42 and the media control unit 43, which will be described later, to generate a shared conference room and a plurality of individual conference rooms (rooms) to provide a voice conference service. It is a functional part. The shared conference room (shared room) is a room to which the user who logs in to the system belongs by default, and is a room that imitates the image of all users working side by side in an actual office. On the other hand, the individual conference room is, for example, a room that imitates the image of gathering only specific users related to a certain project and having a meeting. In the shared conference room and individual conference room, two-way communication with members belonging to the room is possible by voice and text. In this system (virtual office), the user must belong to a shared conference room or any individual conference room.

The presence processing unit 402 is a functional unit that clearly indicates in which room the user exists in the virtual office. For example, the presence processing unit 402 creates a list of each user's ID, name, room to which they belong, and status (normal or temporary leaving), and provides user information to each user terminal 2 (displayed on the main screen). As a result, a certain user can confirm in which room the user who wants to consult exists. For example, when there is a user who wants to consult in the shared conference room, the voice conveys that he / she wants to consult in the individual conference room. it can.

The microphone on / off unit 403 is a functional unit that turns the microphone on or off at the request of the user. Unlike the actual office, working from home is a work at home, so there is a possibility that the state of daily life may leak to the conference room. That is, privacy issues may occur. Therefore, we decided to provide a function that can turn on and off the microphone input with a single button operation. Since the microphone may be forgotten to be turned off, the microphone on / off unit 403 may automatically turn off the microphone after a certain period of time and below a certain volume level.

The microphone test unit 404 is a functional unit for confirming the input / output of the voice of the user terminal 2. For example, the voice collected by the microphone provided in the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the communication server 4, the voice is returned from the communication server 4 to the user terminal 2, and is output from the speaker for confirmation.

The temporary exit processing unit 405 is a functional unit that temporarily leaves the room to which the user belongs. For example, it is a function that imitates the image of temporarily leaving a certain conference room during a short break, lunch break, etc. For example, the temporary leave processing unit 405 inputs the voice of the user terminal 2 according to an instruction from the user. Perform processing such as cutting the output.

The message processing unit 406 is a functional unit that provides a function of performing a short message (text chat) with each user. For example, the user can send a message individually or all at once among the users whose presence is displayed.

The communication unit 41 exchanges information (call control information, voice information, text information, etc.) with the network N. The communication unit 41 gives the received information to the main control unit 40 and the like.

The call control unit 42 is a functional unit that performs call control. In this embodiment, the call control unit 42 controls the call of the user terminal 2 according to the SIP. Thereby, it is possible to manage the connection and disconnection of the call between the user terminals 2.

The media control unit 43 is a functional unit that controls audio data. For example, the media control unit 43 synthesizes the voice data of the user terminal 2 other than the transmission source, and transmits the synthesized voice data to the other user terminals 2 participating in the conference. This enables voice conferencing (calls with multiple people). Note that voice data is exchanged via the relay server 5 in order to achieve NAT traversal, but when each user terminal sends and receives data using the global IP address, the relay server 5 is not necessarily used. There is no need to use. Further, the media control unit 43 may perform audio signal processing such as noise suppression and echo cancellation on the audio data.

The storage unit 44 is a functional unit that stores a program for realizing the virtual office function, data of each user, and the like.

(A-2) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the communication system 1 of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

(A-2-1) Virtual Office Participation Procedure First, the procedure until the user terminal 2 participates in the virtual office will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (virtual office participation procedure) of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment.

The user terminal 2 starts a predetermined web browser and connects to the web server 3 via the network N (S101).

The web server 3 returns the information of the virtual office main screen S (FIG. 4 described later) to the user terminal 2 (S102).

The user terminal 2 displays the virtual office main screen S received from the web server 3 on the web browser (S103).

The user terminal 2 displays the virtual office main screen S and performs a call connection process via the communication server in order to enter the shared conference room (S104). Since this call control sequence is the same as the general flow of SIP (sequence using REGISTER and INVITE), detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After the process of step S104, the user terminal 2 is in a state of constant voice connection with another user (other user terminal 2) in the shared conference room (S105). That is, the voice data of the user belonging to the shared conference room can be transmitted / received via the relay server 5 and the communication server 4.

(A-2-2) Each function of the virtual office Next, each function of the virtual office in the communication system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the virtual office main screen S according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 4, the virtual office main screen S has a presence display unit 61, a shared button 62, an individual conference room button 63, a microphone on / off button 64, a microphone test button 65, a temporary leave button 66, a text display unit 67, and a user information display unit. It includes 68 and an end button 69.

The presence display unit 61 is a field for displaying the presence information of each user. In this example, for each user, "ID", "Status" (when temporarily absent, "-" is displayed, and normally "○" is displayed), "Name", "Room". , And the data according to the item of "priority" is shown. The priority item is not set in this example, but if, for example, the logged-in user A has set user F as priority, the data of user F will be displayed with priority at the top at startup. .. When each item is selected, the data is sorted in ascending or descending order.

The shared button 62 is a button for moving to a shared room. At startup, all users belong to (belong to) the shared room once, but for example, when returning to the shared room again after moving to an individual meeting, this button is used (pressed).

The individual conference room button 63 is a button for participating in the individual conference. The number of buttons (the number of individual conference rooms) is not limited, but in this example, nine buttons are prepared. Each user who desires an individual conference selects a vacant conference room and holds an individual conference. For example, FIG. 4 shows an example in which users A to F are holding an individual meeting in "meeting room 1". Participation in each individual conference is realized by connecting calls using SIP as in the process of step S104 described above. Each user can change (switch) the room to which he / she belongs by pressing the individual conference room button 63 or the above-mentioned shared button 62.

The microphone on / off button 64 is a button for switching the microphone on / off. For example, when the microphone off is notified from the user terminal 2 to the communication server 4, the communication server 4 controls such that the voice of the notified user terminal 2 is not distributed to other users (voice is not synthesized). I do.

The microphone test button 65 is a button that requests to check the audio input / output of its own user terminal 2.

The temporary leave button 66 is a button for requesting temporary exit from the room to which the person belongs. By pressing this button, all audio input / output is disabled. After the temporary leaving, the player returns to the original position by pressing a return button (a button displayed in place of the temporary leaving button 66) (not shown).

The text display unit 67 is a functional unit that displays characters input by the keyboard or the like of each user's user terminal. For example, the text display unit 67 displays the contents (characters) broadcasted simultaneously for each room, such as all members in the individual conference room or all members in the shared conference room (notification by designating individual users). The same applies when doing).

The user information display unit 68 is an item for displaying user information logged in to the virtual office. In FIG. 4, the user ID and the user name are displayed, but the items to be displayed are not particularly limited.

The end button 69 is a button for terminating the virtual office function. When the end button is pressed, the call connection process ends (a BYE message is sent to the communication server 4).

(A-3) Effect of Embodiment As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

Users at each location can use a general-purpose device such as a PC to make a voice connection to the virtual office at all times, so that they can hear the voices of other members and feel as if they are in the actual office. You can work. For example, it is usually possible to hold individual meetings for each project by waiting in a shared room, talking with each other as necessary, and moving to the conference room. In addition to this, the conference room can be used for various other purposes such as effective OJT when seniors teach work to juniors. Further, the communication system 1 (virtual office) of the present embodiment has a function of transmitting and receiving character information between each member, a volume control function (microphone on / off, temporary leaving) considering privacy, and a member (user) status can be known at a glance. It has a presence function. As a result, each member can work efficiently during business hours while maintaining the privacy of his / her home.

For example, even if a communication tool such as Skype (registered trademark) is used to construct a always-on conference system, the video is always distributed, so that the communication band is compressed. In addition, the psychological burden of constantly delivering the video increases, and the work efficiency is rather lowered.

The communication system 1 of the present embodiment realizes a user interface (an interface as shown in FIG. 4 above) that is particularly easy for people with disabilities to use, and eliminates video and specializes only in audio, so that there is no stress. It is possible to provide a virtual office space with clear sound quality, low delay, and superior communication cost.

Further, since the communication system 1 of the present embodiment can provide an opportunity to easily report, contact, consult, and chat at any time, it is possible to eliminate the feeling of loneliness of the teleworker and foster a sense of unity with all the members. The communication system 1 of the present embodiment does not have an image and can control the input / output of the microphone and the speaker with the touch of a button, so that the communication system 1 can concentrate on its own work without worrying about privacy (that is,). Work efficiency can be improved).

(B) Other Embodiments In the description of the above-described embodiment, various modified embodiments have been referred to, but modified embodiments as illustrated below can also be mentioned.

(B-1) As a modification, the communication system 1 described in the above embodiment may be linked with an attendance management system or the like in addition to the virtual office function. For example, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attendance management system according to another embodiment. In FIG. 5, the attendance management table 70 is composed of items of “name”, “work status”, “work”, and “contact information”. The name item is an item for describing the user's name. Further, the item of the working state is an item indicating the working state of the user today, and for example, "on work" or "out of work" is input. Further, the work item is an item indicating the user's condition (physical condition), and is shown in three stages of A to AAA, for example, AAA is good, AAA is normal, A is bad, and so on. Is entered in. The method of displaying the state is not limited, and the state may be indicated by an illustration or the like in addition to the character string. The item of communication matters is an item indicating matters that each user wants to contact other users. For example, when "Yes" is selected, the communication matter notification screen 80 is displayed. The user's working hours, vacation schedule, etc. are described on the communication matter notification screen 80.

For example, if a button for transitioning from the virtual office main screen S described above to the attendance management table 70 is provided, pressing the button moves to the attendance management table 70 and the situation of the user whose presence is not displayed (working today). Whether it is a plan or not) can be grasped. This makes it possible to set up an efficient meeting while checking the schedule of project members, for example.

Further, the contents of the items of "work status", "work", and "contact matter" may be displayed on the presence display unit 61 together with the user ID and the like.

(B-2) As a modification of the above embodiment, the communication server 4 may have a function of converting character information into voice information. For example, when the users in the shared conference room are broadcasted all at once, the visually impaired user is given a synthetic voice according to the notified text content, and this synthetic voice is transmitted instead of the text. You may.

(B-3) As a modification of the above embodiment, the communication server 4 may have a function of converting voice information into character information. For example, when there is a remark by a user in a shared conference room, the hearing-impaired user is voice-recognized by the user's remark, and character information of the recognized content is created, and the created character information is used. It may be transmitted instead of voice.

1 ... Communication system, 2 ... User terminal, 3 ... Web server, 4 ... Communication server, 5 ... Relay server, 40 ... Main control unit, 41 ... Communication unit, 42 ... Call control unit, 43 ... Media control unit, 44 ... Storage unit, 61 ... Presence display unit, 62 ... Shared button, 63 ... Individual conference room button, 64 ... Microphone on / off button, 65 ... Microphone test button, 66 ... Temporary leave button, 67 ... Text display unit, 68 ... User information display Department, 69 ... End button, 70 ... Attendance management table, 80 ... Communication information screen, 401 ... Shared / individual conference room processing department, 402 ... Presence processing department, 403 ... Microphone on / off department, 404 ... Microphone test department, 405 ... Temporary exit processing unit, 406 ... Message processing unit, N ... Network, S ... Virtual office main screen.

Claims (5)

In a communication system including a plurality of terminals arranged at multiple points and a communication device that controls communication between the terminals via a network and executes a voice conference.
The communication device is
A shared conference room normally used by each terminal and one or more individual conference rooms for individual use by a specific group of the terminals are constructed, and voice is provided for each conference room to which the terminals belong. A communication system characterized by having a conference room processing unit that provides conferences. The communication device further controls the individual transmission / reception of character information to any of the terminals, or the simultaneous transmission / reception of character information to each terminal of the shared conference room or all users belonging to the individual conference room. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an information control unit. The communication device further comprises a presence providing unit that holds the presence of each user of each terminal and provides the presence to each terminal via the network. Communication system described in. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the presence includes at least information on the conference room to which each user belongs. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication device is a cloud server.

Images