JP4858479B2 - IP phone terminal, program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an IP telephone terminal and a program. Further, the present invention controls a call application operating on the network terminal, the communication with the interface device connected to a network terminal is relates to a computer program.

  The IP telephone system can be used by incorporating a call application, which is software for performing outgoing / incoming / voice calls, provided by an IP telephone provider into a network terminal such as a personal computer or a telephone terminal. Since a user ID, a display name, a profile, and the like are registered in the call application, it represents the identity of the user of the IP phone. Here, for example, an IP telephone system includes Skype (registered trademark).

  Patent Document 1 describes a system in which a personal computer, which is a network terminal capable of network communication, and a headset, which is an interface device, are connected by USB, and an IP phone can be made using a call application. The personal computer is provided with a switch for switching a signal for outputting a ring tone generation signal to a built-in speaker and outputting a conversation signal to a headset.

  Patent Document 2 describes a system in which a personal computer that is a network terminal capable of network communication and a handset that is an interface device are USB-connected. A form is disclosed in which a user using a handset makes an IP phone call with a user of a network destination device via a call application in a network terminal.

  The call application communicates with the interface device message information for controlling the interface device and sending / receiving mail and voice data for making a call. Here, when a plurality of interface devices are connected to the network terminal and any one of the plurality of interface devices is designated and used, message information and Both voice data needs to be communicated.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional configuration of an IP telephone system. The IP telephone system shown in FIG. 12 includes a network terminal 100 such as a personal computer, an interface device 102a such as a USB telephone / USB-FAX, and an IP telephone terminal 103.

  The network terminal 100 and the IP telephone terminal 103 are connected via a network 106 so that two-way communication is possible. The network terminal 100 and the interface device 102a have a USB port, and are connected via the USB port.

  The interface device 102a includes a speaker / microphone (not shown) and can input and output audio. The interface device 102a is also capable of data communication with the network terminal 100 via a USB port.

  In the network terminal 100, a call application 150 and a cooperation application 151 operate. Further, the device driver 152a and the audio driver 153a operate corresponding to the interface device 102a. The network terminal 100 is also provided with a speaker / microphone 154 and can input and output audio.

  The conventional IP telephone system enables conversation with the IP telephone terminal 103 with the following configuration. The call application 150 is application software for the network terminal 100 and the interface device 102a to perform mutual communication with the IP telephone terminal 103 via the network 106, and examples thereof include Skype software from Skype.

  The call application 150 can cause the user to select which of the speaker / microphone 154 provided in the network terminal 100 and the speaker / microphone provided in the interface device 102 a is used for a call with the IP telephone terminal 103. Then, the call application 150 communicates the audio data AD with the speaker / microphone selected by the user via the audio drivers 153a and 153b in the network terminal 100.

  Specifically, the call application 150 receives voice data AD indicating an incoming call from the IP telephone terminal 103 or voice data AD indicating a conversation voice transmitted from the IP telephone terminal 103 from among the voice drivers 153a and 153b. The audio is output to the audio driver corresponding to the selected speaker, and the audio drivers 153a and 153b reproduce the audio and transmit it to the speaker, so that the audio is reproduced on the speaker. Also, since the conversation voice input to the microphone selected by the user is converted into voice data AD by the voice drivers 153a and 153b corresponding to the microphone and input to the call application 150, the call application 150 Data AD is transmitted to IP telephone terminal 103.

  As described above, in the conventional IP telephone system, it is possible to output a voice related to a call with the IP telephone terminal 103 from a speaker selected and desired by the user, and from the microphone selected and selected by the user. You can input the voice of conversation.

  In addition, the call application 150 has a function of notifying an incoming call via a user interface such as a display or a keyboard of the network terminal 100 or obtaining an input from the user. Therefore, the user can operate the call application 150 by receiving notification from the call application 150 via the user interface of the network terminal 100 when talking using the microphone / speaker of the network terminal 100.

  As described above, the call application 150 is configured to have a conversation using the microphone / speaker of the network terminal 100, and the interface device 102a is handled only as a microphone / speaker.

  The cooperation application 151 is an application that handles the interface device 102a as a user interface and links the call application 150 and the interface device 102a. For this reason, the cooperation application 151 has a function of notifying the display of the interface device 102a of an incoming call of the call application 150 or transmitting a user input from a key of the interface device 102a to the call application 150. .

  The cooperation application 151 communicates various messages with the call application 150 using an API (Application Program Interface), and information data including various messages with the interface device 102a via the device driver 152a. DD communication is performed. As a result, various messages can be communicated between the call application 150 and the interface device 102a.

As described above, when the user talks using the microphone / speaker of the interface device 102a via the cooperation application 151, the user receives a notification from the call application 150 via the user interface of the interface device 102a. 150 can be operated.
JP 2003-169107 A JP-A-2005-175722

  However, the following problems occur in the configuration of the conventional IP telephone system. A user who normally has an IP telephone conversation using the speaker / microphone of the network terminal 100 is an interface device 102a (for example, a slave unit of a USB master phone and a slave unit remote from the network terminal 1). Assume that you are trying to have a conversation using. Since the user input from the interface device 102 a is transmitted to the call application 150, the call application 150 can start communication with the IP telephone terminal 103. However, the conversation voice from the IP telephone terminal 103 received by the call application 150 is reproduced from the speaker of the network terminal 100, and the user using the interface device 102a cannot perform the conversation. .

  That is, a problem occurs because a device (a network terminal 100 or an interface device 102a) having a speaker / microphone set for a call application does not necessarily match a device having a user interface used by a user for conversation. Will be.

  Here, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ring tone generation signal / conversation signal received from the network is output from the built-in speaker of the network terminal or from the speaker of the headset connected to the network terminal. Although a configuration is provided in which a switch is arbitrarily selected by the user, a configuration in which the headset is used as a user interface for performing notification from a call application or obtaining user input is illustrated. Not.

  That is, in the system of Patent Document 1, switching of audio data between a plurality of interface devices connected to a network terminal is not disclosed. Therefore, when a user wants to have a conversation using a certain interface device and the voice data is communicated to another interface device, the user has a conversation using the predetermined interface device. The above-mentioned problem that cannot be performed occurs.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to customize the network terminal as an IP telephone terminal by separately providing a switch dedicated to switching voice data in the network terminal. As a result, the system of Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to a general network terminal that does not include a switch for exclusive use of switching, and this is a problem because versatility is lowered.

Further, in the system of Patent Document 2, there is no disclosure about a technique for communicating message information and audio data with a selected interface device after selecting one of a plurality of interface devices. Then, the message information can be communicated between the selected interface device and the call application, but the voice data cannot be communicated. In this case, if there is an incoming call request from an external IP phone terminal connected to the network, an incoming call notification message can be sent to the interface device using message information, but a ring tone is sent to the interface device using voice data. It is a problem because it cannot be done. Further, even if the user responds to the incoming call request using the interface device, it is a problem because the voice of the call between the user and the user of the external IP telephone terminal cannot be transmitted to each other by the voice data. Conversely, even when the user requests a call to the user of the external IP phone terminal via the call application using the interface device, it is a problem because the call voice cannot be transmitted to each other by the voice data. .

  That is, in Patent Document 2, FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a PC and a parent / child phone are connected by a USB cable, and a user can make a call with an IP phone terminal located at the end of the network using the parent / child phone. However, there is no solution to the problem that the device provided with the speaker / microphone set in the call application does not necessarily match the device provided with the user interface used by the user for conversation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and includes a device (a network terminal or an interface device) including a speaker / microphone set in a call application, and a user interface used by a user for a conversation. When a user uses a microphone / speaker to make a conversation using a microphone / speaker, an IP phone communication can be performed by receiving a notification from the call application via the user interface of the device equipped with the microphone / speaker. An object is to provide an IP telephone terminal and a program .

To achieve this object, the IP telephone terminal according to claim 1 comprises communication means for performing IP telephone communication with other IP telephone terminals via the Internet, voice output means, and operation input means. receiving a plurality connectable connecting means interface device, a first selection means for selecting the operation input means, a second selection means for selecting the audio output unit, an operation input from the operation input means is A call request via the IP telephone communication in accordance with an operation input from the operation input means selected by the first selection means, a voice output control means for outputting voice from the voice output means, and an operation input means selected by the first selection means Is returned to the other IP telephone terminal that has transmitted the voice, and the voice transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal via the IP telephone communication is transmitted by the voice output control means. Serial second selection means by causing output from the audio output means selected, and a IP telephone function controlling unit controls execution of an IP telephone function of call with the other IP telephone terminal through the IP telephone communication be those provided, controlled to the third selecting means and said third of said operation input means interface device selected comprises the selecting means first selecting means for selecting the interface device is selected, the and a selection control unit for the audio output means comprising interface devices third selecting means selects the second selection means controls so as to select said third selection means, associated with said call request When the communication means receives the specific information for specifying the interface device transmitted from another IP telephone terminal in the above-described manner, Selecting an interface device identified by the serial identification information.

2. The IP telephone terminal according to claim 2 , further comprising a call request output control means for controlling the voice output means selected by the second selection means to output the call request by voice in the IP telephone terminal according to claim 1. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for performing IP telephone communication with another IP telephone terminal via the Internet, and a connection means capable of connecting a plurality of interface devices each having a voice output means and an operation input means. a first selecting means for selecting the operation input means, a second selection means for selecting the audio output unit, an operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from the operation input means, said voice output means The voice output control means for outputting the voice from the telephone and the operation input means selected by the first selection means in accordance with the operation input to the other IP telephone terminal that has transmitted the call request via the IP telephone communication reply authorization, the sound transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal through the IP telephone communication, by the audio output control unit, the second selecting means selects A computer that controls an IP telephone terminal, comprising: IP telephone function control means for controlling execution of an IP telephone function for making a call with the other IP telephone terminal via the IP telephone communication by being output from a voice output means a readable program to control so that the third selection means for selecting the interface device, the third of said operation input means for the interface device comprises selecting the selecting means first selecting means selects , the third selection means to the function the computer audio output means interface device comprises selecting as the selection control means for controlling so that said second selection means selects said third selecting means, the call The interface device transmitted from another IP telephone terminal in a manner associated with the request If the specific information for specifying the received the communication means, for selecting the interface device identified by the identification information.

According to IP telephone terminal according to claim 1, the operation input unit interface device the third selection means selects comprises controlled to the first selection means selects the interface device a third selecting means selects Control is performed so that the second selection means selects the audio output means included in the. Then, in accordance with the operation input from the operation input means selected by the first selection means, a call permission is returned to another IP telephone terminal that has transmitted a call request via the IP telephone communication, and the IP telephone communication The voice transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal via the voice is output from the voice output means selected by the second selection means.

Therefore, in accordance with the operation input from the operation input means of the interface device, a call permission is returned to the other IP phone terminal via the IP phone communication, and the voice transmitted from the other IP phone terminal is transmitted to the interface device. It is possible to output from the voice output means.
Further, when the communication means receives the specific information for specifying the interface device transmitted from another IP telephone terminal in a mode associated with the call request, the interface device specified by the specific information Therefore, there is an effect that an interface device corresponding to another IP telephone terminal can be selected.

According to IP telephone terminal according to claim 2, in addition to the effects of IP telephone terminal according to claim 1, since the sound output unit in which the second selecting means has selected is controlled to the audio output of the call request, The user can recognize the call request according to the voice output from the interface device selected by the third selection unit.

According to the program of the third aspect, when the program is executed by a computer that controls the IP telephone terminal, the same effects as the IP telephone terminal of the first aspect can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, a computer program and a network terminal 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on first to third embodiments embodied.

  1st Embodiment is described using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. In the first embodiment, the communication destination of the audio data AD of the Skype application 50 is set to the interface device designated by the user. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an IP telephone system according to the present invention. The IP telephone system shown in FIG. 1 includes a network terminal 1, interface devices 2a and 2b, and an IP telephone terminal 3. Here, as the network terminal 1, for example, a personal computer can be cited. The interface devices 2a and 2b are provided with a telephone capable of making an IP phone call. The network terminal 1 and the IP telephone terminal 3 are connected via a network 6 so that bidirectional communication is possible. The network terminal 1 and the interface devices 2a and 2b are connected via a USB port. In the network terminal 1, a Skype application 50 and a cooperative application 51 operate. Further, the device driver 52a and the audio driver 53a operate corresponding to the interface device 2a, and the device driver 52b and the audio driver 53b operate corresponding to the interface device 2b.

  The Skype application 50 is application software for performing mutual communication with the IP telephone terminal 3 via the network 6. The Skype application 50 directly communicates with the interface device 2a and the audio data AD via the audio driver 53a in the network terminal 1. Specifically, the audio data AD output from the Skype application 50 is input to the audio driver 53a, and the audio driver 53a reproduces the audio and transmits it to the interface device 2a, so that the audio is reproduced on the interface device 2a. Is done. Similarly, the Skype application 50 communicates with the interface device 2b and the audio data AD via the audio driver 53b.

  The cooperation application 51 is application software that causes the Skype application 50 and the interface devices 2a and 2b to cooperate with each other to perform mutual communication of various messages. Here, the various messages include, for example, a contact list request message for requesting data of a candidate list of communication destinations to the Skype application 50 from the interface devices 2a and 2b, a Skype call request message for requesting a call start, and the like.

  The cooperative application 51 communicates various messages with the Skype application 50 using a Skype API (Application Program Interface). Here, the Skype API provides a function (function) that can be commonly used by the cooperative application 51 and the Skype application 50. With the Skype API, the cooperative application 51 and the Skype application 50 can communicate with each other.

  The cooperative application 51 communicates information data DD including various messages with the interface device 2a via the device driver 52a. Thereby, communication of various messages is enabled between the Skype application 50 and the interface device 2a. Similarly, the cooperative application 51 communicates information data DD including various messages with the interface device 2b via the device driver 52b. That is, the cooperative application 51 can communicate various messages with both the interface devices 2a and 2b.

  The interface devices 2a and 2b include operation units such as a microphone, a speaker, keys, and buttons (not shown). The microphone corresponds to an example of an audio input unit, the speaker corresponds to an example of an audio output unit, and the operation unit corresponds to an example of an operation input unit. The device drivers 52a and 52b correspond to an example of an operation input receiving unit that receives operation inputs from the interface devices 2a and 2b. The audio drivers 53a and 53b correspond to an example of an audio input receiving unit that receives audio input from the interface devices 2a and 2b and an example of an audio output control unit that outputs audio from the audio output unit.

  Note that the number of IP telephone terminals connected to the network 6 is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of IP telephone terminals. The IP telephone system according to the present invention can make an IP telephone or the like with each of a plurality of IP telephone terminals. Needless to say. Needless to say, the IP telephone terminal is not limited to a terminal device such as a personal computer, and may be a fixed telephone or a mobile phone. In this case, a conversion device (such as a Skype-in device) for ensuring the compatibility of communication data and the like between them is connected between the fixed telephone or the mobile phone and the network terminal.

Next, the electrical configuration of the network terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The network terminal 1 is provided with a CPU 11 that controls the network terminal 1. This CP
Connected to U11 are a ROM 21 that stores programs such as BIOS executed by the CPU 11, a RAM 22 that temporarily stores various calculation results calculated by the CPU 11, and a hard disk 25 that is a data storage device. Is done. The RAM 22 is provided with various storage areas such as a work area 22A. In addition, the hard disk 25 is provided with a storage area 27 for storing a skype application 50, a cooperative application 51, a device related table 55, and the like executed in the network terminal 1.

  Further, on the bus 26, a USB I / F 29 for performing USB connection with the interface devices 2a and 2b, a communication I / F 30 for performing communication with the network 6, and a screen on the monitor 13 for displaying an operation screen to the user. A display control unit 31 that performs display and an input detection unit 32 that detects input of the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15 through which the user inputs operations are connected. The connection form of the keyboard 14 and the mouse is not limited, and may be connected by wireless communication using infrared rays or the like, or may be connected by a short LAN cable.

  The monitor 13 corresponds to an example of a display output unit. The keyboard 14 and the mouse 15 correspond to an example of operation input means on the terminal device side. The USB I / F 29 corresponds to an example of a connection unit that can connect a plurality of interface devices. The communication I / F 30 corresponds to an example of a communication unit that performs IP telephone communication with another IP telephone terminal via the network 6 (Internet). The display control unit 31 corresponds to an example of a display control unit.

  The device association table 55 will be described with reference to FIG. The device association table 55 is stored in the storage area 27. In the device association table 55, the name “MFC-1000” of the interface device 2a, the name “MFC-1000 HID Driver” of the device driver 52a, and the name “MFC-1000 Audio Driver” of the audio driver 53a are associated with each other. It is registered. Similarly, the name “MFC-2000” of the interface device 2b, the name “MFC-2000 HID Driver” of the device driver 52b, and the name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver” of the audio driver 53b are registered in association with each other. Has been. Here, the device name is identification information for specifying each of the interface devices 2a and 2b. The device driver name is identification information for specifying each of the device drivers 52a and 52b. The audio driver name is identification information for specifying each of the audio drivers 53a and 53b.

  Note that the medium in which the device association table 55 is held is not limited to the hard disk 25 in the network terminal 1. For example, a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk connected to the network 6 may be used, or a volatile memory such as the RAM 22 may be used.

  The relay operation of the cooperative application 51 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, the skype application and the cooperative application stored in the storage area 27 are executed by the CPU 11 (FIG. 2). Then, as shown in FIG. 1, in the network terminal 1, the skype application 50 and the cooperation application 51 operate. Note that the following processing is executed by the CPU 11 of the network terminal 1.

  In step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) S11, the cooperative application 51 monitors whether or not a notification using the Skype API is sent from the Skype application 50 to the interface device 2a or 2b. And when it is judged that there is no notification (S12: NO), it progresses to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a notification (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S13.

In S13, the cooperation application 51 converts the notification input from the Skype application 50 into information data DD, and then outputs the information data DD to the interface device via the device driver. Here, the notification input from the Skype application 50 includes information for identifying which of the interface devices 2a and 2b is the notification destination. Therefore, the cooperative application 51 outputs the notification input from the Skype application 50 to the device driver 52a when the interface device 2a is the notification destination, and when the interface device 2b is the notification destination,
The notification is output to the device driver 52b. That is, the cooperative application 51 performs an operation of distributing various notifications from the Skype application 50 to the notification destination interface device in steps S11 to S13.

  In S14, the cooperative application 51 monitors whether or not the information data DD is input from the device driver 2a or 2b. When the information data DD is not input from the device drivers 2a and 2b (S15: NO), the process returns to S11, and the cooperative application 51 continues the monitoring operation. On the other hand, when the information data DD is input (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S16.

  In S16, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API corresponding to the request content of the message included in the input information data DD to the Skype application 50, and then returns to S11. Here, the information data DD and the Skype API include information for identifying which of the interface devices 2a and 2b is the message output source. Therefore, the Skype application 50 can recognize from which of the interface devices 2a and 2b the message is output. That is, the cooperation application 51 performs an operation of transferring the message input from the interface devices 2a and 2b to the Skype application 50 in steps S14 to S16. As described above, the cooperation application 51 can relay various messages between the Skype application 50 and the interface devices 2a and 2b.

Next, interface device switching processing executed in the Skype application 50 and the cooperative application 51 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the designated interface device is switched from the interface device 2a to 2b will be described. Here, the designated interface device is a device designated as a communication destination of the information data DD and the audio data AD from the interface devices 2a and 2b. The device driver associated with the designated interface device is designated as the designated device driver. The designated device driver relays the information data DD between the cooperative application 51 and the designated interface device. CPU11 that performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 corresponds to an example of the third selection means you select the interface device.

  When the interface device switching process is started and the process proceeds to S <b> 21, the cooperative application 51 reads the device association table 55 (FIG. 3) held in the hard disk 25. Then, the cooperative application 51 displays the device switching user interface 57 shown in FIG. 6 on the monitor 13 via the display control unit 31. That is, the display control unit 31 performs control so that the monitor 13 displays and outputs device names (an example of device information) indicating the plurality of interface devices 2a and 2b.

  On the device switching user interface 57, a device name “MFC-1000” that is identification information of the interface device 2a and a device name “MFC-2000” that is identification information of the interface device 2b are displayed in a selectable manner. The designated interface device is determined by the input operation of the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15 by the user. In the present embodiment, by selecting “MFC-2000”, the designated interface device is determined as the interface device 2b. That is, the interface device designated by the operation input from the keyboard 14 or the mouse 15 is selected as the designated interface device from among the plurality of interface devices 2b indicated by the displayed device names.

  Also, the device driver 52b associated with the interface device 2b is determined as the designated device driver.

  In S22, it is determined whether or not the designated interface device has been determined. If the designated interface device has not been determined (S22: NO), the process returns to S21, and the device switching user interface 57 is displayed on the monitor 13 again. On the other hand, if the designated interface device has been determined (S22: YES), the process proceeds to S23.

  In S <b> 23, the cooperative application 51 obtains the driver name “MFC-2000 HID Driver” of the device driver 52 b that is the designated device driver from the device association table 55 and then overwrites the work area 22 </ b> A of the RAM 22. As a result, the device driver 52b is registered as the designated device driver.

  As a result, the interface device 2b (see FIG. 1) can be selected as the designated interface device. The CPU 11 that executes the process of S23 corresponds to an example of a first selection unit that selects an operation input unit and an example of a selection control unit.

  In S <b> 24, the cooperative application 51 acquires the audio driver name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver” of the audio driver 53 b corresponding to the designated interface device 2 b from the device association table 55.

In S <b> 25, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API to the Skype application 50 to change the audio setting of the Skype application 50 to the audio driver 53 b specified by the acquired audio driver name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver”. To do. The Skype application 50 overwrites the work area 22A of the RAM 22 with the name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver” of the audio driver 53b in accordance with the issued Skype API, and sets the communication destination setting of the audio data AD to the audio driver 53b. Set. As a result, the interface device 2b as voice input means can be selected. CPU11 that performs the processing in S25 is equivalent to an example of an example, and the selection control means of the second selection means for selecting an audio output device. Thus, the interface device switching process ends.

  In this way, after the interface device switching process shown in FIG. 5 is executed, when the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed next, the input from the designated interface selected in the process of S23 is received. If the determination in S15 is affirmative (S15: Yes), the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API corresponding to the request content of the message included in the input information data DD to the Skype application 50.

  For example, when the content of the message is a Skype call request message requesting the start of a call, the Skype application 50 makes a call request to another IP phone terminal via IP phone communication in accordance with an operation input from the designated interface, for example. In addition to transmitting, the voice input from the designated interface device selected in the process of S25 is transmitted to another IP telephone terminal via IP telephone communication, so that a call is made with the other IP telephone terminal via IP telephone communication. The execution of the IP telephone function is controlled.

  That is, according to the operation input from the operation input unit of the designated interface device, a call request is transmitted to another IP phone terminal via IP phone communication, and the voice input from the audio input unit of the interface device is It can be transmitted to other IP telephone terminals via IP telephone communication.

  Further, when the content of the message is a call permission message for permitting a call, the Skype application 50 returns, for example, a call permission to another IP phone terminal via IP phone communication in accordance with an operation input from the designated interface. At the same time, the voice transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal 3 through the IP telephone communication is output to the designated interface device selected in the process of S25, thereby making a call with the other IP telephone terminal through the IP telephone communication. The execution of the IP telephone function is controlled.

  That is, according to the operation input from the operation input means of the designated interface device, a call permission is returned to the other IP telephone terminal via the IP telephone communication, and the voice transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal is transmitted to the interface. It can be output from the audio output means of the device.

  In this case, according to the Skype application 50, the CPU 11 that performs processing for transmitting a call request and input voice to another IP telephone terminal, and the CPU 11 that performs processing for outputting voice from the call permission reply and interface device, respectively, This corresponds to an example of telephone function control means.

  As described above, the cooperative application 51 according to the first embodiment reads the information identifying the output source and the output destination included in the information data DD and various messages, thereby outputting the information data DD and various message output sources. And the output destination. Therefore, even when the designated interface device is switched, the cooperative application 51 can communicate information data DD and messages with the designated interface device after switching, following the switching operation. Further, the cooperative application 51 can receive a message output from the Skype application 50 to the designated interface device and transfer the message to the designated interface device. Further, the cooperative application 51 can transfer only the information data DD output from the designated interface device to the Skype application 50, and can block the information data DD output from the non-designated interface device.

  On the other hand, the audio data AD does not include information for identifying the output source or the output destination of the audio data AD. This is because the voice data AD originally has a one-to-one communication property. Then, when the designated interface device is switched, it is difficult for the Skype application 50 to communicate the voice data AD with the designated interface device after switching following the switching operation.

  However, in the first embodiment, when the designated interface device is switched, the Skype API for switching the communication destination of the audio data AD from the cooperative application 51 to the Skype application 50 to the designated interface device after switching. Is issued. As a result, the Skype application 50 can follow the switching operation of the designated interface device by the user and communicate the audio data AD with the designated interface device after the switching. Therefore, the designated interface device can be used as a voice input / output device.

  In the first embodiment, the interface device corresponding to the device name designated by the user from among the device names displayed on the monitor 13 is selected as the designated interface device. Thereby, the interface device used for the IP telephone can be designated by the user.

  A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the communication destination of the voice data AD of the Skype application 50 is set to the interface device that is the source of the connection request message. Since the configuration of the network terminal 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

7 to CPU11 that performs the processing shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to an example of the third selection means you select the interface device.

  The operation of the cooperative application 51 in the case shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 9 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8. In S31, the cooperative application 51 monitors whether or not the information data DD is input from the device driver 52a or 52b. When the information data DD is not input (S32: NO), the process returns to S31, and the presence / absence of the input of the information data DD is monitored again.

  Here, a case where the connection request message output from the interface device 2a is input to the cooperative application 51 via the device driver 52a in S101 of FIG. 9 will be described. At this time, in S32 of FIG. 7, it is determined that the information data DD is input from the device driver 52a (S32: YES), and the process proceeds to S33.

  In S33, it is determined whether or not the designated interface device has been determined. When the designated interface device has been determined (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S40, and when it has not been determined (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S34. In this embodiment, since the designated interface device has not been determined at S101, the process proceeds to S34.

  In S34, it is determined whether or not the information data DD is a connection request message. In this embodiment, since the information data DD input from the device driver 52a in S101 is a connection request message, the process proceeds to S35.

  In S <b> 35, the cooperative application 51 determines the interface device 2 a that is the source of the connection request message as the designated interface device. The driver name “MFC-1000 HID Driver” of the device driver 52 a associated with the designated interface device 2 a is acquired from the device association table 55 and stored in the work area 22 A of the RAM 22. As a result, the device driver 52a is registered as the designated device driver. Then, the process proceeds to S37.

  Through the process of S35, the interface device 2a (see FIG. 1) can be selected as the designated interface device. The CPU 11 that executes the process of S35 corresponds to an example of a first selection unit that selects an operation input unit.

  In S <b> 37, the cooperative application 51 acquires the audio driver name “MFC-1000 Audio Driver” of the audio driver 53 a associated with the designated interface device 2 a from the device association table 55.

  In S <b> 38, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API for changing the audio setting of the Skype application 50 to the voice driver 53 a corresponding to the acquired voice driver name to the Skype application 50. In accordance with the issued Skype API, the Skype application 50 stores the name “MFC-1000 Audio Driver” of the voice driver 53a in the work area 22A of the RAM 22, and sets the communication destination setting of the voice data AD in the voice driver 53a. . Therefore, the Skype application 50 can communicate the audio data AD with the interface device 2a via the audio driver 53a.

Thereby, the interface device 2a can be selected as an audio device. CPU11 that performs the processing in S38 is equivalent to an example of the second selection means for selecting an audio output device.

  In S39, the cooperative application 51 returns a connection success message to the interface device 2a that has transmitted the connection request message via the device driver 52a (S102 in FIG. 9). As a result, the interface device switching process ends, and the process returns to S31.

Next, in S103 of FIG. 9, the contact list request message output from the interface device 2a is sent via the device driver 52a.
The case where it is input to will be described. At this time, in S32 of FIG. 7, it is determined that the information data DD is input from the device driver 52a (S32: YES), and the process proceeds to S33. In S33, since the designated interface device is determined to be the interface device 2a (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S40. In S40, it is determined whether or not the information data DD is output from the designated interface device. In S103, the interface device 2a, which is the designated interface device, outputs the information data DD, which is a contact list request message (S40: YES), so the process proceeds to S42 (FIG. 8).

  In S42, it is determined whether or not the information data DD is a connection release message. In S103, since the information data DD is a contact list request message (S42: NO), the process proceeds to S45. In S45, the cooperation application 51 issues a Skype API corresponding to the contact list request message to the Skype application 50. The Skype application 50 outputs the contact list to the device driver 52a via the cooperation application 51 according to the issued Skype API (FIG. 9, S104).

  As described above, the cooperative application 51 performs an operation of transferring the message input from the designated interface device 2 a to the Skype application 50.

  Next, the case where the contact list request message output from the interface device 2b is input to the cooperative application 51 via the device driver 52b in S105 of FIG. 9 will be described. At this time, it is determined that information data DD is input in S32 of FIG. 7 (S32: YES), and the process proceeds to S33. In S33, since the designated interface device is determined to be 2a (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S40. In S40, it is determined whether or not the information data DD is output from the designated interface device. In S105, since the information data DD is output from the interface device 2b that is not the designated interface device (S40: NO), the process proceeds to S41. In S41, an error message rejecting the connection request is returned to the interface device 2b that has output the connection request message via the device driver 52b (FIG. 9, S106).

  As described above, in the period when the interface device 2a is determined as the designated interface device, the cooperative application 51 blocks the message input from the interface device 2b other than the designated interface device without transferring it to the Skype application 50. To perform the operation.

  Next, the case where the Skype call request message output from the interface device 2a is input to 51 via the device driver 52a in S107 of FIG. 9 will be described. At this time, as described above, the process proceeds to S45 (FIG. 8) via S32, S33, S40, and S42. In S <b> 45, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API corresponding to the Skype call request message to the Skype application 50. The Skype application 50 outputs status information to the device driver 52a via the cooperative application 51 in accordance with the issued Skype API (FIG. 9, S108). This initiates a Skype call.

Next, in S110 of FIG. 9, when the Skype call end message output from the interface device 2a is input to 51 via the device driver 52a, as described above, via S32, S33, S40, and S42, S45. Proceed to In S <b> 45, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API corresponding to the Skype call end message to the Skype application 50. The Skype application 50 ends the Skype call according to the issued Skype API. Then, the cooperative application 51 returns a success message to the interface device 2a that is the source of the Skype call end message (FIG. 9, S111).

  Next, the case where the connection release message output from the interface device 2a is input to the cooperative application 51 via the device driver 52a in S112 of FIG. 9 will be described. As described above, the process proceeds to S42 (FIG. 8) via S32, S33, and S40. In S42 (FIG. 8), since the information data DD is a connection release message (S42: YES), the process proceeds to S43. In S43, the driver name of the device driver 52a stored in the work area 22A of the RAM 22 is erased in response to the connection release message. As a result, the interface device 2a is released from the designated interface device. In S44, the cooperative application 51 returns a release success message via the device driver 52a to the interface device 2a that is the source of the connection release message (FIG. 9, S113).

  Further, a case will be described in which the connection request message output from the interface device 2b is input to the cooperative application 51 via the device driver 52b in S114 of FIG. At this time, unlike the case of S105, the designated interface device is not determined. Therefore, the connection request message input from the interface device 2b is not blocked by the cooperative application 51. Then, as described above, the process proceeds to S39 via S32, S33, S34, S35, S36, S37, and S38, whereby the interface device 2b is determined as the designated interface device, and the audio setting of the Skype application 50 is set to audio. Set in the driver 53b. In S39, the cooperative application 51 returns a connection success message to the interface device 2b that has transmitted the connection request message via the device driver 52b (FIG. 9, S115).

  As described above, the cooperative application 51 according to the second embodiment determines, as a designated interface device, an interface device that has output a connection request message during a period in which the designated interface device has not been decided. Then, in response to the determination of the designated interface device, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API to the Skype application 50 for setting the communication destination of the audio data AD to the determined designated interface device.

  Thereby, the cooperation application 51 can set the communication destination of the voice data AD of the Skype application 50 to the interface device operated by the user in order to make an IP phone call. Therefore, the user can reliably talk with another IP telephone terminal 3 using the interface device operated by the user.

  That is, for the user, the interface device used for inputting a call request with another IP telephone terminal can be used for voice input and output.

  In response to receiving the connection release message, the cooperative application 51 ends the selection of the designated interface device. As a result, when communication is not performed using an interface device, the voice driver can be opened to respond to a connection request message from any interface device, so that the voice driver can be connected. State. Therefore, in the standby state, it is possible to reliably perform a conversation with another IP telephone terminal using an arbitrary interface device or make a ringtone sound at an arbitrarily designated interface device.

  A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the third embodiment, the communication destination of the voice data AD of the Skype application 50 is set to an interface device corresponding to another IP telephone terminal 3 that has requested communication. Since the configuration of the network terminal 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The distribution table 56 will be described with reference to FIG. The device association table 55 is stored in the storage area 27. In the distribution table 56, a skype name for identifying another IP telephone terminal 3 outside the network and a device name of the interface device are registered in association with each other. As an example, in the distribution table 56 of FIG. 10, the device name “MFC-1000” is associated with the skype name “AAAAAAA”, the device name “MFC-2000” is associated with the skype name “BBBBBBB”, and the skype name “CCCCCC” is associated with it. The device name “MFC-1000” is associated and registered. In addition, “MFC-1000” is associated with the Skype name that is not registered in the distribution table 56 and registered as an initial connection destination.

  The skype name corresponds to an example of identification information and specific information. The distribution table 56 corresponds to an example of a storage unit that stores identification information defined for other IP phones and correspondence information between the identification information and the interface device.

The operation of the cooperative application 51 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Incidentally, the CPU11 that performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 corresponds to an example of an example, and the selection control means of the third selection means you select the interface device.

  As an example, a case will be described in which an incoming Skype call is received from the IP telephone terminal 3 having the Skype name “BBBBBBB”. In S <b> 51, the cooperation application 51 monitors whether or not a notification using the Skype API is issued from the Skype application 50. And when it is judged that there is no notification (S52: NO), it returns to S51 and continues monitoring. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a notification (S52: YES), the process proceeds to S53.

  In S53, it is determined whether or not the notification content is a Skype incoming message from the IP telephone terminal 3. If the notification is not a Skype incoming message (S53: NO), the process proceeds to S62, and the cooperative application 51 converts the notification from the Skype application 50 into information data DD and then outputs it to the device driver 52a or 52b. On the other hand, if the notification is a Skype incoming message (S53: YES), the process proceeds to S54.

  In S <b> 54, the cooperation application 51 acquires the call partner's Skype name from the Skype application 50. In the example of this embodiment, the skype name “BBBBBBB” is acquired.

  In S55, the cooperative application 51 reads the distribution table 56 (FIG. 10) held in the hard disk 25, and compares whether or not the acquired skype name exists in the distribution table. If it is determined that it exists (S55: YES), the process proceeds to S56, and the device name of the interface device associated with the skype name is acquired from the distribution table 56. On the other hand, if it is determined that it does not exist (S55: NO), the process proceeds to S57, and the device name of the interface device registered as the initial connection destination is acquired from the distribution table 56. In the present embodiment, since the device name “MFC-2000” is associated with the acquired skype name “BBBBBB” in the distribution table 56 of FIG. 10, the device name “MFC-2000” is acquired.

  In S58, the cooperative application 51 acquires a device driver name and a voice driver name associated with the acquired device name from the device association table 55 (FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the device driver name “MFC-2000 HID Driver” and the audio driver name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver” are acquired.

  In S <b> 59, the cooperative application 51 stores the acquired device name “MFC-2000” in the work area 22 </ b> A of the RAM 22, thereby determining the interface device 2 b as the designated interface device. The CPU 11 that executes the process of S59 corresponds to an example of a first selection unit that selects an operation input unit.

In S <b> 60, the cooperative application 51 issues a Skype API for changing the audio setting of the Skype application 50 to the audio driver 53 a having the acquired audio driver name “MFC-2000 Audio Driver” to the Skype application 50. . CPU11 that performs the processing in S60 is equivalent to an example of the second selection means for selecting an audio output device.

  In S61, the cooperative application 51 outputs various notifications from the Skype application 50 to the designated interface device 2b.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 11, when the skype name determined for another IP telephone terminal transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal that has transmitted the call request is stored in the distribution table 56, the distribution table 56. The interface device corresponding to the skype name defined for the other IP telephone terminal transmitted from the other IP telephone terminal that has transmitted the call request can be selected based on the correspondence information stored in the above. Therefore, an interface device corresponding to another IP telephone terminal 3 can be selected.

  In addition, the Skype application 50 inputs the sound data AD of the ringtone to the sound driver 53b during the period when the communication incoming request from the IP telephone terminal 3 is received. The voice driver 53b reproduces the ring tone and transmits it to the designated interface device 2b, whereby the ring tone is reproduced on the interface device 2b.

  Therefore, the user can recognize a communication incoming request (an example of a call request) from another IP telephone terminal 3 in accordance with the audio output from the selected interface device. Note that the CPU 11 that executes the process of inputting the ring tone audio data AD to the audio driver 53b corresponds to an example of a call request output control means.

  Also, the Skype application 50 receives the call data from the IP telephone terminal 3 and inputs the voice data AD of the call voice to the voice driver 53b while the user is on a call. The voice driver 53b reproduces the voice and transmits it to the designated interface device 2b, so that the user can make a call using the interface device 2b.

  As described above, the cooperative application 51 according to the third embodiment corresponds to the IP telephone terminal 3 in response to receiving a communication incoming request from another IP telephone terminal 3 connected to the network 6. Set the interface device as the designated interface device. In response to the determination of the designated interface device, the cooperation application 51 issues a Skype API to the Skype application 50 to set the communication destination of the audio data AD to the determined designated interface device.

  Thereby, the cooperation application 51 can switch the communication destination of the voice data AD of the Skype application 50 to an interface device corresponding to the IP telephone terminal 3 that is the call request source. Therefore, the user can have a conversation with the IP telephone terminal 3 using an interface device designated in advance for each of the IP telephone terminals 3.

  The Skype application 50 according to the third embodiment causes the designated interface device to output a ring tone when receiving a communication incoming request from the IP telephone terminal 3, and designates the designated interface device and the IP telephone terminal when executing communication with the IP telephone terminal 3. The audio data is communicated with 3. As a result, it is possible to reliably perform the ringing tone to the designated interface device and the conversation with the IP telephone terminal 3 using the designated interface device.

The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the first to third embodiments, a case has been described in which the cooperative application 51 can communicate various messages with both the two interface devices 2a and 2b. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. The cooperation application 51 may be configured to be able to communicate various messages only with the interface device 2a. Even in this case, the cooperation application 51 specifies that the interface device 2a is designated by the user, a connection request message is transmitted from the interface device 2a, or the interface device 2a to another IP telephone terminal 3 that has requested communication. Is selected as the designated interface device. Then, the cooperative application 51 sets the communication destination setting of the voice data AD of the Skype application 50 in the interface device 2a. Therefore, even when another interface device that cannot communicate various messages with the cooperative application 51 is connected to the network terminal 1, the interface device 2a can be designated and used as a voice input / output device. . Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where three or more interface devices can communicate various messages with respect to the cooperative application 51.

  In the above embodiment, the Skype application 50 for performing mutual communication with the IP telephone terminal 3 via the network and the cooperation application 51 that cooperates with the Skype application 50 have been described as separate programs. Instead, a program that incorporates a module that executes the same processing as the cooperative application 51 described in the first to third embodiments is created in a communication application that controls IP telephone communication, and the program is installed. The effect of the present invention may be achieved by the IP telephone terminal.

  In the third embodiment, when communication is not performed using an interface device, the voice driver is opened to enter a standby state in which a response to a connection request message from any interface device can be made. Although described, it is not limited to this form. In response to receiving a connection release message issued from the Skype application 50 or the designated interface device upon completion of communication, the cooperative application 51 sends the communication destination of the audio data AD from the designated interface device to the speaker of the network terminal 1. It is good also as a form changed to built-in devices, such as a microphone. Thus, when communication is not performed using the interface device, the communication destination of the audio data AD can always be set to the built-in device of the network terminal 1. Therefore, the user can use the built-in device of the network terminal as an initial setting.

  Skype application 50 is an example of a call application, device name, device driver name, voice driver name is an example of first identification information, work area 22A is an example of a storage unit, and device-related table 55 is an example of a first information table. The sorting table 56 is an example of a second information table, and the skype name is an example of second identification information.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an IP telephone system according to the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a network terminal 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the device related table. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the cooperation application which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the interface device switching process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the device switching user interface 57. FIG. It is a flowchart (the 1) explaining operation | movement of the cooperation application 51 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) explaining operation | movement of the cooperation application 51 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the distribution table 56. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the cooperation application 51 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the conventional IP telephone system.

1 Network terminal (example of IP phone terminal)
3 IP phone terminals (an example of other IP phone terminals)
2a, 2b Interface device 50 Skype application 51 Cooperation application (example of program)
52a, 52b Device drivers 53a, 53b Audio driver 55 Device related table 56 Distribution table 57 Device switching user interface DD Information data AD Audio data

Claims (3)

Communication means for performing IP phone communication with the other IP phone terminals via the Internet;
A connection means capable of connecting a plurality of interface devices each having an audio output means and an operation input means;
First selection means for selecting the operation input means;
Second selection means for selecting the audio output means;
Operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from the operation input means;
Voice output control means for outputting voice from the voice output means;
In accordance with the operation input from the operation input means selected by the first selection means, a call permission is returned to another IP telephone terminal that has transmitted a call request via the IP telephone communication, and the IP telephone communication is performed. The voice output from the other IP telephone terminal is output from the voice output means selected by the second selection means by the voice output control means, so that the other IP telephone communication is performed. IP telephone function control means for controlling execution of an IP telephone function for calling with a telephone terminal;
An IP phone terminal comprising:
Third selection means for selecting the interface device;
Said third selecting means and is controlled so that said first selecting means an operation input means for interface device selected is provided to select, the third selection means select the second audio output means interface device comprises a Selection control means for controlling the selection means to select ,
When the communication means receives the specific information for specifying the interface device transmitted from another IP telephone terminal in a manner associated with the call request, the third selection means receives the specific information. 2. An IP telephone terminal characterized by selecting an interface device specified by 2. The IP telephone terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising a call request output control means for controlling the voice output means selected by the second selection means to output the call request as a voice. Communication means for performing IP phone communication with the other IP phone terminals via the Internet;
Connection means capable of connecting a plurality of interface devices each having an audio output means and an operation input means;
First selection means for selecting the operation input means;
Second selection means for selecting the audio output means;
Operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from the operation input means;
Voice output control means for outputting voice from the voice output means;
In accordance with the operation input from the operation input means selected by the first selection means, a call permission is returned to another IP telephone terminal that has transmitted a call request via the IP telephone communication, and the IP telephone communication is performed. The voice output from the other IP telephone terminal is output from the voice output means selected by the second selection means by the voice output control means, so that the other IP telephone communication is performed. IP telephone function control means for controlling execution of an IP telephone function for calling with a telephone terminal;
A computer-readable program for controlling an IP telephone terminal comprising:
Third selection means for selecting the interface device;
Said third selecting means and is controlled so that said first selecting means an operation input means for interface device selected is provided to select, the third selection means select the second audio output means interface device comprises a Causing the computer to function as selection control means for controlling the selection means to select ,
When the communication means receives the specific information for specifying the interface device transmitted from another IP telephone terminal in a manner associated with the call request, the third selection means receives the specific information. A program characterized by selecting an interface device specified in (1) .

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