JP2874608B2 - Three-way calling between a videophone exchange and a videophone - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exchange and a telephone call method for a video telephone for connecting voice and image using separate lines, and more particularly to an exchange and a telephone call method for easily carrying out a three-way telephone call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of videophone communication method is initially created and operated on the premise of use between two parties. Generally, the connection method shown in FIG. 3 is employed. I was That is, FIG. 3 is a connection diagram for explaining connection of a two-party communication method in a conventional video telephone, in which reference numeral 31 denotes a video telephone a, reference numeral 32 denotes a video telephone b, and reference numeral 34 denotes a television. Telephone exchange, Da is the video line of the videophone a, Db is the video line of the videophone b, Va is the voice line of the videophone a,
Vb is the voice line of the videophone b, dab is the path of the switch connecting the video line of the videophone a and the video line of the videophone b, and va is the switch connecting the voice line of the videophone a and the voice line of the videophone b. Path.

[0003] Connection of a two-party communication method in the conventional video telephone shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The videophone a31 and the videophone b32 each have image lines Da and Db for transmitting and receiving image data and a voice line Va for transmitting and receiving audio,
Vb and is connected to the exchange 34. When the videophone a31 makes a call and issues a connection request to the videophone b32, the exchange 34 connects the audio line Va of the videophone a31 and the audio line Vb of the videophone b32 via the path Va-Vb (vab) of the exchange 34, At the same time, the image line Da of the videophone a31 and the image line Db of the videophone b32 are connected by the path Da-Db (dab) of the exchange 34. Thus, the image lines Da and Db and the audio line V
By connecting a and Vb to each other at the same time, it is possible to connect a two-party call in the videophone.

[0004] Initially, a videophone communication method created and operated on the premise of use between two parties was developed by a later improvement to a device and a communication method for simultaneously connecting three or more videophones. Was. However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-302159
Of "Multipoint Videoconferencing Method" disclosed in
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 of the "video telephone apparatus" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Is mixed and sent to the display device of each videophone, and a large-scale device corresponding to the number of videophones simultaneously connected to the subscriber terminal or the exchange is required. When a subscriber terminal has a mixing device, a subscriber who makes a three-way videophone connection has a line corresponding to the number of videophones to be connected at the same time, and has another videophone subscriber. Had to connect to. When the exchange has a mixing device, the exchange calls another videophone subscriber and connects to the mixing device of the exchange in response to a request from a subscriber who permits the three-way telephone connection service of the videophone. Needed.

[0005]

The first problem is that, in order to simultaneously view the images of the video telephones at multiple points, a device for mixing the television images at the desired points is required on the subscriber terminal side or the exchange side. Yes, the equipment is large and expensive.

A second problem is that in order to send an image, a large amount of data is required in addition to voice, and in order to view an image from a multipoint videophone at the same time, the number of images depends on the number of voices and images. A line with a capacity must be connected to the terminal itself, and the line connection fee becomes very high.

An object of the present invention is to provide a small, lightweight, and inexpensive videophone that does not require an image mixing device by using a videophone exchange to which a plurality of videophones having independent audio lines and image lines are connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-way communication method between a telephone exchange and a videophone.

[0008]

According to the video telephone exchange of the present invention, a plurality of video telephones having independent audio lines and image lines are connected, and the audio line and the image line of any two video telephones are connected. In a switchable videophone switch, the switchboard has a call trunk circuit to which voice lines of a plurality of videophones can be simultaneously connected, and when there is a request for a three-party call preparation from the first videophone during a call, The connection between the audio line and the image line with the second videophone of the other party is disconnected, the audio line of the second videophone is connected to the call trunk circuit, the image line is put into the hold state, Connection request
TV connects voice lines and an image line to the telephone set and the third videophone, disconnect the audio connection line between the third videophone at the request of the three-party telephone call from a first videophone, first The voice line of the first videophone and the third
The voice line of the video telephone is connected to the call trunk circuit, and an image switching request from the first video telephone causes
The image line currently connected to the first videophone is disconnected, the disconnected image line of the other party is held, and the image line of the other videophone already holding the video line of the first videophone is held. Means for connecting to

[0009] In the videophone three-way communication method of the present invention, a videophone having independent voice lines and image lines is connected to the respective voice lines and image lines via the above-mentioned videophone exchange. In a three-way telephone call method of a video telephone for making a telephone call, when a request for preparation for a three-party call is made from the first video telephone during a call due to the use of an exchange, a call is made to the second video telephone of the other party. Disconnecting the connection between the audio line and the image line, connecting the audio line of the second videophone to a call trunk circuit to which audio lines of a plurality of videophones can be simultaneously connected, putting the image line in a hold state, The voice line and the image line of the first video telephone and the third video telephone are connected by a connection request from the telephone, and a three-party telephone call request from the first video telephone is made. Te disconnected connecting voice lines between the third videophone, first and voice lines of the first videophone
The video line currently connected to the first video telephone is disconnected by the video switching request from the first video telephone, and the voice line of the third video telephone is connected to the call trunk circuit. Is held, and the image line of the first videophone is connected to the image line of another videophone already in hold.

Therefore, the sound and the image are separated, and the sound is
Since the connection is simultaneously made to the inter-party call trunk circuit and the image is connected only to the designated two parties, the image cannot be viewed by three parties at the same time. There is no need to have it, and a three-party videophone can be used with a small, lightweight, and inexpensive device.

When viewed from the subscriber terminal side, an image
Since only the connections for the lines are connected, there is no need to increase the line capacity even if the connection is made at three points, and the line connection fee can be reduced.

[0012]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a connection diagram for explaining the connection of the three-way calling method of the videophone according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the three-way calling method of the videophone of the present invention. It is a flowchart.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a video telephone a having a three-way telephone connection service, 2 a video telephone b, 3 a video telephone c, 4 a video telephone exchange, 5 a three-way telephone trunk circuit, X1, X2 and X3 are connection terminals of a three-way telephone trunk circuit, Da is an image line of the videophone a, Db is an image line of the videophone b, Dc is an image line of the videophone c, Va is an audio line of the videophone a, Vb is the voice line of the videophone b, Vc is the voice line of the videophone c, dab is the path of the exchange connecting the video line of the videophone a and the video line of the videophone b, and dac is the video line of the videophone a and the TV. This is the path of the exchange that connects the image line of the telephone c.

The connection of the videophone of FIG. 1 in the three-way communication method will be described. Each of the videophones a1, b2, and c3 has image lines Da, Db, and Dc for transmitting and receiving image data and voice lines Va, Vb, and Vc for transmitting and receiving voice, and is connected to the exchange 4. The videophone a1 has a three-way call connection service. Further, there is a conventional three-way call trunk circuit 5 for making a three-way call using only voice, and terminals X1, X2 and X3 are connected to the exchange 4.

The operation of the three-way communication method of the videophone will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the videophone a1 issues a two-party call request with the videophone b2 (S1), the videophone a1 issues a two-party call request to the exchange 4 (S1).
2) That is, when the videophone a1 dials and calls the videophone b2, and the videophone b2 answers,
The exchange 4 connects the paths Da-Db (dab) of the image lines Da and Db of the videophones a1 and b2 and the paths Va-Vb of the audio lines Va and Vb of the videophone a2.
1 and the videophone b2 enter a talking state (S3).

Here, when ending the two-party call between the videophones a1 and b2 (S4), the exchange 4
Is the image line Da of the videophone a1 and the videophone b2.
And Db path Da-Db (dab) and voice lines Va and V
The path Va-Vb of b is disconnected (S5).

When the videophone a1 issues a three-party call preparation request to the exchange 4 when the videophone a1 is in a call with the videophone b2 (S6), the exchange 4 sends the videophone a1.
Lines Da and Db connecting the videophone b2 to the
Path Da-Db (dab) and the paths Va-Vb of the voice lines Va and Vb are disconnected. Then, the image lines Da and Db of the videophone a1 and the videophone b2 are held, and the voice line Vb is connected to one terminal X of the trunk circuit 5 for three-way communication.
2 (S7, S8). And the videophone a1
Then, a transmission process is performed to report that transmission is possible (S9).

Here, when the videophone a1 stops preparing for a three-way call (S10), the exchange 4 transmits the voice line Vb of the videophone b2 and the path of X2 which is one terminal of the three-way call trunk circuit 5. Vb-X2 is cut (S11).

Next, when the videophone a1 dials and calls the videophone c3, and the videophone c3 answers (S12), the exchange 4 sets the path of the image lines Da and Dc connecting the videophone a1 and the videophone c3. Da
-Dc (dac) and the path Va-V between the voice lines Va and Vc
c, and the videophone a1 and the videophone c3 enter a talking state (S13).

Here, when the videophone a1 stops the three-party call and the two-party call between the videophone a1 and the videophone c3 ends (S14), the exchange 4 connects the videophone a1 and the videophone c3. Path D of image lines Da and Dc
a-Dc (dac) and the path Va-Vc between the voice lines Va and Vc, and the voice line Vb of the videophone b2 and the path Vb-X of X2 which is one terminal of the three-way trunk circuit 5.
2 is cut (S15).

Further, the videophone a1 is connected to the exchange 4 by 3
When a request for executing a two-way call is issued (S16), the exchange 4 disconnects the paths Va-Vc of the voice lines Va and Vc connecting the videophones a1 and c3, and makes a three-way call between Va and Vc. The connection is made to the terminals X1 and X3 of the trunk circuit 5 (S17). Then, the videophone a1, the videophone b2, and the videophone c3 enter a three-way communication state. However, the path D of the image lines Da and Dc connecting the videophones a1 and c3
a-Dc (dac) is connected, while the image line Db of the videophone b2 is held, and nothing is displayed on the screen of the videophone b2.

Here, when the three-way call between the videophones a1, b2 and c3 ends (S1
8), the exchange 4 is a videophone a1 and a videophone c3
Path Da-Dc (dac) of the image lines Da and Dc, and the videophone a1, the videophone b2, and the videophone c3
Then, the paths Va-X1, Vb-X2, and Vc-X3 between the voice lines Va, Vb, and Vc and the terminals X1, X2, and X3 of the three-way communication trunk circuit 5 are disconnected (S19).

Next, at the request of the videophone a1,
When the image switching request is sent to the exchange 4 (S20), the exchange 4 switches the paths Da-Dc (dac) of the image lines Da and Dc connecting the videophones a1 and c3.
Is disconnected, the image line Dc of the videophone c3 is held (S21), and the paths Da-Db (d of the image lines Da and Db connecting the videophone a1 and the videophone b2 are connected.
ab) is connected (S22). During this time, for the voice, the three-way telephone trunk circuit 5 causes the videophones a1, b2, and c3 to be in a three-way voice communication state, and an image between the videophones a1 and b2 is displayed. The image line Dc of the videophone c3 is held, and nothing is displayed on the screen of the videophone c3.

Here, when the three-way call between the videophones a1, b2 and c3 ends (S2
3) The exchange 4 is composed of a videophone a1 and a videophone b2.
Path Da-Db (dab) of the image lines Da and Db, and the videophone a1, the videophone b2, and the videophone c3
The paths Va-X1, Vb-X2, and Vc-X3 between the voice lines Va, Vb, and Vc and the terminals X1, X2, and X3 of the three-way trunk circuit 5 are disconnected (S24).

Next, at the request of the videophone a1,
When the image switching request is sent to the exchange 4 (S25), the exchange 4 passes the paths Da-Db (dab) of the image lines Da and Db connecting the videophones a1 and b2.
Is disconnected, the image line Db of the videophone b2 is held (S26), and the paths Da-Dc (d of the image lines Da and Dc connecting the videophone a1 and the videophone c3 are connected.
ac) is connected (S27). During this time, for the voice, the three-way telephone trunk circuit 5 causes the videophones a1, b2, and c3 to be in a three-way voice communication state, and an image between the videophones a1 and c3 is displayed. The image line Db of the videophone b2 is held, and nothing is displayed on the screen of the videophone b2.

Here, when the three-way call between the videophones a1, b2, and c3 ends (S2
8), the exchange 4 is a videophone a1 and a videophone c3
Path Da-Dc (dac) of the image lines Da and Dc, and the videophone a1, the videophone b2, and the videophone c3
Then, the paths Va-X1, Vb-X2, and Vc-X3 between the voice lines Va, Vb, and Vc and the terminals X1, X2, and X3 of the three-way communication trunk circuit 5 are disconnected (S29).

Next, at the request of the videophone a1,
When the image switching request is sent to the exchange 4 (S30),
Returning to step 21, the same procedure is repeated.

[0028]

As described above, the present invention eliminates the necessity of a device for synthesizing a plurality of image lines and eliminates the need for installing a special device on the subscriber terminal side or the exchange side. There is an effect that a call connection service can be received. The reason is that the three-way call connection service controller can switch the video line of the videophone by the video line switching signal.

Further, there is an effect that it is not necessary to increase the number of connection lines (capacity) of the video telephone for performing the three-party call connection service. The reason is that a plurality of image lines are not connected to the videophone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a connection diagram for explaining connection of a three-way calling method of a videophone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the three-way calling method of the videophone of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram for explaining connection of a conventional two-way video telephone communication method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31 videophone a 2, 32 videophone b3 videophone c 4, 34 videophone exchange 5 three-way telephone trunk circuit Da videophone a image line Db videophone b image line Dc videophone c image Line Va Audio line of videophone a Vb Audio line of videophone b Vc Audio line of videophone c X1, X2, X3 Connection terminal of three-way telephone trunk circuit dab Image line of videophone a and videophone b
The path of the exchange connecting the image line of the terminal dac The image line of the videophone a and the videophone c
The path of the exchange connecting the image line of the telephone vab The audio line of the videophone a and the videophone b
Switch path to connect the voice line

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04M 3/56 H04N 7/15

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video telephone exchange to which a plurality of video telephones having independent audio lines and image lines are connected and to which audio lines and image lines of any two video telephones can be connected, The telephone line of the video telephone is connected to the second video telephone of the other party when the first video telephone during a call requests a three-party call preparation. Disconnecting the connection between the line and the image line, connecting the audio line of the second videophone to the call trunk circuit, and putting the image line in a hold state, and responding to the connection request from the first videophone to the first videophone. A voice line and an image line between the video telephone and the third video telephone are connected, and a third video telephone is requested by the request from the first video telephone to execute a three-party call. Disconnects the audio line connection with the telephone, and connects the audio line of the first videophone with the third telephone line.
A voice line of a Levi telephone is connected to the call trunk circuit, and an image switching request from the first video telephone sets
The video line currently connected to the first video telephone is disconnected, the video line of the disconnected party is held, and the video line of the first video telephone is already held. A videophone exchange having means for connecting to an image line. 2. A video telephone having a separate voice line and an image line, and a video telephone having a voice connection by connecting the respective audio line and the image line via the video telephone exchange according to claim 1. In the interpersonal communication method, when a three-party communication preparation request is made from the first videophone during a call by using the exchange, the voice line and the image line between the second videophone of the other party are called. Disconnecting the connection, connecting the audio line of the second video telephone to a call trunk circuit to which audio lines of a plurality of the video telephones can be simultaneously connected, putting the image line in a hold state, and connecting from the first video telephone. A voice line and an image line between the first video telephone and the third video telephone are connected according to a request, and a third party telephone call is requested from the first video telephone. Disconnect the audio line connection to the third videophone, and disconnect the audio line of the first videophone from the third telephone.
A video line connected to the first videophone is disconnected by a video switching request from the first videophone, and a voice call of the videophone is connected to the voice trunk circuit. A three-way telephone call method for a video telephone, wherein the video line of the other party is placed in a hold state, and the video line of the first video telephone is connected to the video line of another video telephone which is already being held.