JP3344912B2 - Multipoint video conference network system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint videoconferencing network system for holding a videoconference using videoconference terminals arranged at a plurality of points, and in particular, to reduce the number of relay lines between exchanges and reduce cost performance. The present invention relates to a multipoint video conference network system in which is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional multipoint video conference network systems include a multipoint control unit (MCU) and an ISDN.
One using an exchange is known. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a conventional multipoint video conference network system, in which video conference terminals 1a, 1b,.
, 1z, ISDN exchanges 5a and 5b for establishing a one-to-one connection between digital lines, and a multipoint controller (MC) for synthesizing four images into one screen and mixing audio.
U) 3, an inter-switch relay line 4a, 4b,..., 4n, which is an ISDN network or a digital private line network, and digital lines 6u,.

In the multipoint video conference service or the video seminar service in this multipoint video conference network system, a digital line 6u,..., 6z and / or an ISDN exchange 5a is provided between each video conference terminal and the multipoint control device 3. , 5b and exchange line 4 between exchanges
A one-to-one connection via a, 4b,..., 4n is made.

[0004]

However, in the multipoint video conference service or the video training service in the conventional multipoint video conference network system, each video conference terminal and the multipoint control device are connected one-to-one. Necessary, multipoint control unit (MCU) 3
In the case where the video conference terminals 1a, 1b, to 1n accommodated in the ISDN exchange 5b not equipped with the terminal participate in the multipoint video conference service or the video training service, the number of relay lines between the exchanges is equal to the number of video conference terminals. There was a problem of need.

Further, there is a problem that the number of video conference terminals participating in the multipoint video conference service or the video training service is limited due to the restriction on the number of lines of the multipoint control unit (MCU).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and provides a multipoint TV conference service or a TV training service which is excellent in cost performance by reducing the number of relay lines between exchanges. An object of the present invention is to eliminate restrictions on the number of participating terminals of a conference service or a TV training service.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a video conference terminal accommodated in an exchange.
A two-way communication television terminal with a television camera and a reception-only television terminal are prepared. For the reception-only television terminal, a relay line between exchanges is connected in a one-to-N line connection. It is intended to realize a conference service.

[0008] In addition, the video conference terminal as a TV two-way communication lecturer TV terminal with a camera and a tape to be accommodated in the exchange
Prepare a speaker TV terminal for two-way communication with a Levi camera and a reception-only TV terminal that does not belong to the instructor or the speaker, and a relay line between exchanges for the reception-only TV terminal that does not belong to the lecturer or the speaker. This is to implement a TV seminar service by making a one-to-N line connection.

As described above, it is possible to provide a multipoint video conference service or a video training service excellent in cost performance by reducing the number of relay lines between exchanges and to provide a multipoint video conference service or a video training. The restriction on the number of participating terminals of the meeting service can be eliminated.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a multi-exchange system comprising a plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchanges, a multipoint control device, and a relay line between exchanges. In the point video conference network system, as the video conference terminal accommodated in the exchange,
A television terminal with a two-way communication with a television camera and a reception-only television terminal are prepared, and the reception-only television terminal is connected to the exchange-to-exchange relay line in a one-to-N connection. It is a multipoint videoconference network system that realizes point videoconference service,
This has the effect of reducing the number of relay lines used between exchanges and eliminating the restriction on the number of participating terminals in the multipoint video conference service.

[0011] The invention described in claim 2 of the present invention provides:
A plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchange, a multipoint control device, and a multipoint videoconference network system configured by a relay line between exchanges,
Tele as the television conference terminal accommodated in the exchange
Instructor for bidirectional communication with bi- camera TV terminal and TV camera
Providing a receive-only television terminal that does not belong to for with two-way communication for speaker TV terminal and Instructor and speaker, the exchange between the relay line to the receive-only television terminal which does not belong to the instructor for and speaker Is a multipoint video conferencing network system that realizes a TV seminar service by providing a one-to-N line connection. The number of relay lines between exchanges is reduced, and a TV seminar service is provided. This has the effect of eliminating the restriction on the number of participating terminals.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0013] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a multipoint video conference network system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast can be received
For communication-only TV terminals, one relay line between exchanges
By reducing the number of required lines,
It is intended to realize a multipoint video conference service without restriction on the number of terminals .

The multipoint video conference network system comprises video conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e,
To 1n, 1u, to 1z, image exchanges 2a and 2b for controlling connection of a video conference, and a multipoint control device (MC for synthesizing four images into one screen and audio mixing).
U) 3 and an inter-exchange trunk line 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e which is an ISDN network or a digital private line network. Video conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1c, 1
d includes a television camera, a microphone, and a television receiver,
Display a composite image of the video of four people including yourself and the sound of others
It is a well-known terminal for video conference that outputs voice. The other three
A receiving channel for receiving human images and your own image
Communication line having a transmission channel for transmitting data
Need. Video conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d
Are terminals that require two-way communication.
It is called a video conference terminal for two-way communication with a terminal. Video conference end
Terminals 1e, ..., 1n, 1u, ..., 1z are simply television receivers.
The imager is a receiver that receives a composite image of four images and audio.
Use only the telephone line. Video conference terminal 1e, ~ 1,
n, 1u, ~, 1z are for reception only that do not require two-way communication
TV terminal.
U.

Next, the operation of the configuration of the multipoint video conference network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Between the video conference terminal 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d for video camera-equipped two-way communication and the multipoint control unit 3, an image exchange 2a and inter-exchange relay lines 4a, 4b,
4c, 4d and one-to-one line connection via the image exchange 2b are respectively made.

An image exchange 2a, an inter-exchange relay line 4e and an image exchange are provided between the multipoint control unit 3 and the reception-only television conference terminals 1e,... A one-to-N line connection via 2b is made.

A one-to-N line connection via the image exchange 2a is provided between the multipoint control unit 3 and the reception-only television conference terminals 1u, 1 to 1z accommodated in the image exchange 2a. Is done.

In the above description, the bidirectional communication with a television camera in which the maximum number of inter-switch relay lines is five is used.
The operation in the case where all the trusted video conference terminals are accommodated in the image exchange 2b has been described .
The same can be applied to a case where a video conference terminal for two-way communication is accommodated in the image exchange 2a.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the reception-only video conference terminal and the multipoint control device are connected by using one inter-exchange exchange line. In addition, a multipoint video conference service can be realized by using a maximum of five relay lines between exchanges.

Also, by making a 1: N connection,
There is no need to limit the number of video conference terminals that can participate in the multipoint video conference service.

[0022] (Second Embodiment) FIG 2 shows a multipoint video conference network system configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast can be received
For communication-only TV terminals, one relay line between exchanges
By reducing the number of required lines,
It is intended to realize a TV training service with no limit on the number of terminals .

The multipoint video conference network system comprises video conference terminals 1a, 1b, 1c,.
u, .about.1z, image exchanges 2a and 2b for controlling connection of a video conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) 3 for synthesizing four images into one screen and mixing audio, and I
It is composed of inter-exchange trunk lines 4a, 4b and 4c which are SDN networks or digital private line networks. TV meeting
The conference terminals 1a and 1b are provided with a television camera, a microphone, and a television receiver.
Display the other party's video and output the other party's audio
This is a well-known terminal for a video conference. Video and sound of the other party
A receiving channel for receiving voice, and your own video and audio
Communication line having a transmission channel for transmitting data
Need. The video conference terminal 1a requires two-way communication.
It is an important terminal.
The video conference terminal. TV conference terminal 1b
Terminals that require two-way communication.
This is called the speaker-for-communication video conference terminal. Video conference terminal
1c, ~ 1n, 1u, ~, 1z are simply television receivers
And receive the instructor's video and the instructor's and speaker's audio.
Use only the receiving line. Video conference terminal 1c, ...
1n, 1u, ..., 1z are dedicated reception devices that do not require two-way communication.
TV terminal.
Say.

Next, the operation of the configuration of the multipoint video conference network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Instructor for two-way communication with a television camera A one-to-one line between the video conference terminal 1a and the multipoint control unit 3 via the image exchange 2a, the inter-exchange relay line 4a, and the image exchange 2b. A connection is made.

The one-to-one communication between the video conference terminal 1b for a two-way communication with a television camera and the multipoint control device 3 through the image exchange 2a, the inter-exchange relay line 4b, and the image exchange 2b. A line connection is made.

The image exchange 2a, the inter-exchange relay circuit 4c and the image exchange are accommodated between the video conference terminals 1c,..., 1n, which are accommodated in the image exchange 2b and are not for lecturers and speakers, and the multipoint control unit 3. A one-to-N line connection is made via the exchange 2b.

A one-to-N line connection between the video conference terminals 1 u,..., 1 z, which are accommodated in the image exchange 2 a, except for the lecturer and speaker, and the multipoint controller 3 via the image exchange 2 a. Is performed.

In the above description, an example of the operation in the case where all of the video conference terminals for the lecturer and the speaker who use the maximum number of three inter-exchange relay lines are accommodated in the image exchange 2b will be described. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to a case where a video conference terminal for a lecturer or a speaker is accommodated in the image exchange 2a.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, one line between the exchanges is used between the video conference terminal except for the lecturer and the speaker and the multipoint control device. Connection, it is possible to realize a TV seminar service using a maximum of three inter-exchange relay lines.

Also, by making a 1: N connection,
There is no need to limit the number of video conference terminals that can participate in the TV seminar service.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention relates to a multipoint video conference network comprising a plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchanges, a multipoint control device, and a relay line between the exchanges. In the system, both with a TV camera as a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchange
Providing a receive-only TV terminal and toward communication for television terminal, receiving
One-to-N relay line between exchanges for communication-only TV terminals
The multi-point video conference service is realized by making the line connection.

In a multipoint video conference network system comprising a plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchanges, a multipoint control device, and a relay line between exchanges, a video conference accommodated in the exchanges is provided. Prepare a TV terminal for the instructor, a TV terminal for the speaker, and a TV terminal that does not belong to the instructor or the speaker as a terminal, and a relay line between exchanges for the TV terminals that do not belong to the instructor or the speaker. This is to implement a TV seminar service by making a one-to-N line connection.

As described above, it is possible to provide a multipoint video conference service or a video training service excellent in cost performance by reducing the number of relay lines between exchanges, and to provide a multipoint video conference service or a video training. An excellent effect is obtained that the restriction on the number of participating terminals of the conference service can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint video conference network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint video conference network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional multipoint video conference network system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1n, 1u, 1z Video conference terminal 2a, 2b Image switch 3 Multipoint control device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4n Inter-switch trunk 5a, 5b ISDN switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-189003 (JP, A) JP-A-64-12752 (JP, A) JP-A-62-43251 (JP, A) JP-A-4-1992 127761 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/42-3/58 H04M 11/00-11/10 H04N 7/10 H04N ^7/ 14-7/173 H04N 7/20-7/22

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-point video conference network system comprising a plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchanges, a multipoint control device, and an inter-exchange relay line. TV conference TV two-way communication for television terminal with a camera as a terminal and receiving
Providing a signal dedicated television terminal, the multipoint video conference network to the said receive-only television terminal which is adapted to realize a multipoint video conference service as a line connecting a pair of N a trunk line between the exchange system. 2. In a multipoint video conference network system comprising a plurality of exchanges, a video conference terminal accommodated in the exchanges, a multipoint control device, and a trunk line between exchanges, the multipoint videoconference network accommodates the exchanges. providing a receive-only television terminal which does not belong to the television conference terminal as TV camera two-way communication lecturer with a TV terminal and a TV camera two-way communication for speaker TV terminal and for instructor and speaker, for instructor and speaker A multi-point video conference network system for realizing a TV seminar service by making the inter-exchange relay line a one-to-N line connection for the reception-only TV terminals that do not belong to the above-mentioned.