JP5447207B2 - Web conference system, information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to communication bandwidth control in a web conference system.

  Currently, there is a web conferencing system that can implement a web conference via a web browser.

  The user can operate the client terminal equipped with the web camera and access the web conference system, so that the user can hold a web conference with other users accessing the web conference system while watching each other's moving images. . By using the web conferencing system, it is possible to easily have a meeting with a user at a remote place, and thus it is utilized in various business scenes such as regular meetings, working from home, and training.

  This web conferencing system is realized mainly by communicating voice and moving images. However, since it repeatedly transmits and receives voices and moving images, it is expected that it will impose a considerable load on the entire network when used in a company. The For this reason, in recent years, there is a method in which a communication band is allocated to a web conference system in advance in the network communication band, and when the number of rooms of the web conference to be used changes, the band is allocated evenly according to the number of rooms. Yes.

  The web conferencing system transmits and receives contents such as audio, video, and presentation materials, but the contents used in the meeting differ depending on the meeting. For example, there may be a case where only one audio conference is performed in one conference, and audio, video, and presentation materials are used in another conference. In such a case, if the bandwidth is allocated evenly, the network bandwidth may be excessive or insufficient for each conference.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in a conference system that conducts a plurality of video conferences (web conferences) on the same network, the communication band of an important conference is secured with priority over other conferences, A system for maintaining quality is disclosed.

JP 2006-295587 A

  However, if the network bandwidth is preferentially allocated to an important conference, there is a possibility that a web conference in which the network communication is temporarily delayed may occur as a result.

The present invention is set in association with room is a virtual meeting room for use in web conferencing, and information of the maximum bandwidth available in the transmission and reception of data performed web conference using the room, the room each, to fit to the maximum bandwidth, making it possible to adjust the communication band to be used.

The present invention relates to a web in which a server that stores a plurality of rooms, which are virtual conference rooms used in a web conference, and an information processing apparatus operated by a participant in the web conference using the room are connected via a network. In the conference system, the server includes a room used in the web conference, and information on a first maximum bandwidth that is a maximum communication bandwidth usable in data transmission / reception performed in the web conference using the room, according to the registration means to register in association, request to join the web conferences from previous SL information processing apparatus, and the screen information of the web conference, by the registration unit used in a web conference received the participation request among the registered first maximum bandwidth in association with the room, and a second maximum bandwidth information the information processing apparatus is the maximum bandwidth available, the information And transmitting means for transmitting sense device, wherein the information processing apparatus, according to the operation of the participants in the web conference, a participation request means for performing a join request to the web conference using the room, by the transmission means The receiving means for receiving the screen information of the web conference to be transmitted and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the web conference room requested to participate by the participation requesting means, and the participation requesting means requesting participation A determination unit configured to determine whether a communication band of the information processing device in a web conference room exceeds a range of the second maximum band; and the determination unit configured to determine the communication band of the information processing device in the room. When it is determined that the range of the maximum bandwidth of 2 is exceeded, the communication bandwidth of the information processing apparatus in the room falls within the range of the second maximum bandwidth And control means for performing control for adjusting,
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, a room that is a virtual conference room used in a web conference and a maximum bandwidth information that can be used in data transmission and reception performed in the web conference using the room are set in association with each other , The communication band to be used can be adjusted for each room so as to be within the maximum band .

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the web conference system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the information processing apparatus applicable to the web conference server 101 and the client terminal 103 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the component in the web conference system of this invention, and those relationship. It is a figure which shows the screen which registers the setting profile of the web conference system of this invention. It is a data table which shows the information memorize | stored with the profile set in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which registers the setting profile of the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen which registers the room of the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which registers the room of the web conference system of this invention. It is a data table which shows the structural example of the group information and user information which are managed by the web conference server 101 of this invention. It is a data table which shows the example of a structure of the group information and room managed by the web conference server 101 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a reservation screen of the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a reservation completion notification transmitted to the participant of a meeting with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which selects the meeting to participate, when a user participates in a meeting with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the web conference screen displayed on the display part of the client terminal 103 by the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the authentication process until it utilizes the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure shown about the structural example of the event timing which implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure displayed on the display part of the client terminal 103 by the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing method in which the client terminal 103 implements band control with the web conference system of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a web conference system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the web conference server 101 communicates with an authentication server 102 and a client terminal 103 (information processing apparatus) connected to a network 104 via a network (communication medium).

  The web conference server 101 is a server that realizes a web conference using a web browser. In order to provide an interface to the client terminal 103, the user can perform a web conference by operating the client terminal 103 and accessing the web conference server 101.

  The authentication server 102 is a server that centrally manages personal information such as employee name, affiliation, e-mail address, telephone number, user ID, and password.

  In this figure, the web conference server 101 and the authentication server 102 are described as having different configurations for convenience, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which both functions are realized by a single server. .

  The client terminal 103 is a personal computer operated by a user using the web conference system, and a web browser for accessing the web conference server 101 and a dedicated module are installed. Note that this dedicated module is an ActiveX component that is downloaded from the web conference server 101 via a web browser, for example. Note that a web camera (not shown) is connected when transmitting a moving image of itself in a web conference, and a microphone (not shown) is connected when transmitting audio. Also, a speaker (not shown) is connected to view the other party's voice.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the web conference server 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the web conference server 101. Note that the block diagram of FIG. 2 can also be applied to the authentication server 102 and the client terminal 103.

As shown in FIG. 2, the web conference server 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a read only memory (ROM) 202, an input controller 205, and a video controller 206 via a system bus 204. The memory controller 207, the communication I / F controller 208, and the like are connected.
The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 will be described later, which is necessary for realizing the functions executed by each server or each PC, such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and OS (Operating System) which are control programs of the CPU 201. Various programs are stored. Further, information necessary for carrying out the present invention is stored. The external memory may be a database.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 to the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

  The video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  The memory controller 207 is an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA (Personal Computer) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory connected to a memory card international association (Card) card slot via an adapter.

  The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via the network 104, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is possible.

  The CPU 201 can display on the display 210 by executing an outline font rasterization process on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when the above program is executed are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the components in the web conference system and their relationship. All users and rooms (conference rooms) belong to a group (301, 303).

  The system administrator 302 is an administrator of the entire web conference system, and registers, changes, and deletes groups and group administrators, and performs various settings related to the web conference system. For example, it has the profile registration authority for every conference room implemented on the profile registration screen of FIG. 7 of this invention.

  The group manager 304 is a manager in the web conference system, and registers, changes, and deletes general users and hearing users, rooms, and tags in the group.

  The general user 305 is a user who actually performs a conference within the group, and can reserve, change, and delete the conference room, and can participate in the reserved conference and participate in the free space. Note that the group manager can reserve a conference room and participate in a conference in the same manner as a general user.

In addition, there are “guest users” who can participate only in meetings invited by e-mail, and “listening users” who listen to meetings held in groups.
In order to hold a conference, it is necessary to register a room, and the room manager registers the room.

  The room is a room that participates by restricting participants on the date and time, a conference room 306 that needs to be reserved before the conference, and a room that can be freely joined regardless of the date and time and participants. There are two types of free space 307 in which a conference can be held at any time without making a conference reservation. The user uses “conference room” and “free space” depending on the content of the conference.

  Next, a process for accepting registration of a room setting profile by the system administrator 302 of the web conference system will be described using a screen example and a flowchart with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a profile registration screen for the administrator to register the setting profile of each room on the administrator screen.

  When “profile (402)” in the administrator menu 401 is clicked by the operation of the administrator, the profile setting screen is opened.

  The profile registration 403 accepts an input of an arbitrary character string and presses a registration button to register a new profile.

  In the file addition 404, the profile registered in 403 is selected from the pull-down menu, and a setting file created by another application is called and added.

  A profile name 405 indicates the profile name registered in 403.

  A file name 406 indicates the file name of the setting file added by the file addition 404.

  In this figure, for example, a profile indicated as “Camera-160 * 120” has a setting file “wvmvideochat2.config” added thereto. When downloading “wvmvideochat2.config” as a setting file, the setting file is downloaded by pressing the save button on the same line.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of profile items applied in the room of the web conference system of the present invention, which are registered by the operation of the system administrator 302 on the profile registration screen of FIG.

The profile is a numerical value of the maximum bandwidth of the network bandwidth applied by each client terminal 103 and the network bandwidth used by the camera, shared application, and voice (referred to as each media) used for the web conference for each media. Has quality settings.
In this figure, the upper limit of the network bandwidth used by each client is 5120 kbps, the quality level 1 of the camera is 1024 kbps, the level 2 is 512 kbps, and so on. This quality level is used when quality adjustment is performed in the web conference system of the present invention in FIG.

  Next, processing for receiving registration of a room setting profile by the system administrator 302 of the web conference system will be described using a flowchart with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S501, the profile registration screen 400 of FIG. 4 is sent to the web conference server 101 through a browser displayed on the display (display unit) 210 of the client terminal 103 in accordance with the operation of the system administrator 302 of the web conference system. After logging in, the profile button 402 is pressed and displayed from a top screen (not shown).

  In step S <b> 502, the client terminal 103 accepts profile registration by the system administrator 302 while the profile registration screen 400 is displayed.

  In step S503, a setting file (profile) to be registered in the web conference system is downloaded to the client terminal 103. In step S504, editing of the setting profile is accepted according to the operation of the system administrator 302.

  In step S505, the setting profile edited in step S504 is uploaded to the bandwidth control profile. When uploaded, the profile name of the setting profile uploaded this time is displayed in the profile name field 405, and the file name of the setting profile uploaded this time is displayed in the file name field 406.

  Next, a process for accepting room registration by the group manager 304 of the web conference system will be described using a screen example and a flowchart with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a room registration screen for the group manager 304 to register a room on the management screen.

  The room registration screen 600 is displayed on the web conference server 101 through a browser displayed on the display (display unit) 210 of the client terminal 103 in accordance with the operation of the group manager 304, and then room management is performed from the top screen (not shown). The button 601 is pressed and displayed.

  In the room name registration field 602, room names are registered in accordance with the operation of the group manager 304. For example, “regular meeting” and “monthly report meeting” are registered.

  The room detailed setting registration field 603 is a field for receiving detailed function settings for each room. In the detailed settings in this figure, the room type setting, the room capacity (maximum number of participants in the conference), the availability of the hearing function, the recording You can set whether to use the function.

  The room types set here include “conference room” and “free space”. A “conference room” is a room that requires reservation by designating the date and time, participants, etc. before the conference. After the reservation, a reservation confirmation e-mail described later with reference to FIG. 11 is transmitted to the user scheduled to participate. “Free space” is a room where people can participate freely regardless of the date and time and participants. In the embodiment of the present invention, the above two room types exist, but the room types are not limited to the examples.

  The selection of the profile name 604 is accepted. The profile name that can be selected here is a setting file registered in the web conference system by the operation of the system administrator 302 in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above.

  Next, processing for receiving room registration by the group manager 304 of the web conference system will be described using a flowchart with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S701, the room registration screen 600 of FIG. 6 is sent to the web conference server 101 through a browser displayed on the display (display unit) 210 of the client terminal 103 in accordance with the operation of the group manager 304 of the web conference system. After logging in, the press of the room management 601 is accepted from the top screen (not shown) and displayed.

  Next, in step S702, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 103 registers the detailed setting of the room. Specifically, enter the room name (and its reading) in the room name registration field, specify the room type, the room capacity (maximum number of participants in the meeting), availability of the hearing function, availability of the recording function. This is done in the detailed setting registration field 603.

  In step S703, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 103 accepts selection of a setting profile to be applied to the room. The profile name that can be selected here is a setting profile name registered in the web conference system by the operation of the system administrator 302 in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above.

  When the selection of the setting profile to be applied to the room is received, in step S704, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 103 performs room registration by receiving the pressing of the room registration button 605.

  Only after these setting processes are performed, a general user can use a room in the web conference system of the present invention.

  Next, examples of various tables managed by the web conference server 101 using an external storage device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a user management table for managing user information of the web conference system.

  The user ID 801 is a user ID in this user's web conference system.

  The group ID 802 is a group ID in the user's web conference system.

  The password 803 is a password in the user's web conference system.

  The user name 804 is a user name in the user's web conference system.

  The user type 805 indicates the type of user (system administrator, group administrator, general user, etc.) in the user's web conference system.

  The effective date (start) 806 indicates the effective date (start) in the web conference system of the user ID of this user, and the effective date (end) 807 indicates the effective date (end) in the web conference system. That is, the period of 806 and 807 is the effective period of the user ID 801 of this user.

  An e-mail address 808 is an e-mail address in this user's web conference system.

  A login possible time (start) 809 indicates a login possible time (start) in the user's web conference system, and a login possible time (end) 810 indicates a login possible time (end) in the user's web conference system. That is, the times 809 and 810 are log-in times for this user.

  The registration date 811 indicates the date when the user information 801 to 810 is registered in the user management table, and the update date 812 indicates the date when they are updated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between tables for managing various types of information of the web conference system.
The group management table 900 is a table for managing information on groups in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in units of groups.

  The group ID 901 is a group ID in the group web conference system.

  A group name 902 is a group name in the web conference system of this group.

  The registration date / time 903 indicates the date of registration in the group management table, and the update date / time 904 indicates the date of update.

  A profile name 905 is a profile name in the web conference system of this group. This profile name is the setting profile that has been selected in step S703 of FIG.

  The maximum number of users 906 indicates the maximum number of users in the web conference system of this group.

  The maximum number of rooms 907 indicates the maximum number of rooms in the web conference system of this group.

  The maximum room capacity 908 indicates the maximum number of room capacity in the web conference system of this group. This numerical value is a numerical value that has been set on the room registration screen by the operation of the group manager 304 in step S702 of FIG.

  Next, a processing method from reservation to use of a conference room will be described using screen examples with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for reserving a conference room according to the operation of the group manager 304 or the general user 305.

  The group manager 304 or the general user 305 logs in to the web conference server 101 through a browser displayed on the display (display unit) 210 of the client terminal 103, and then transitions from the top screen (not shown) to the web conference room menu. After that, the conference room reservation 1001 is selected to reserve the conference room.

When reserving a conference room, input / selection is performed for each item of the conference room name 1002, conference title 1003, usage date 1004, usage time 1005, participant 1006, guest participant 1007, and conference recording 1008. The conference room is reserved by pressing a “reserve” button 1009. Note that the selection field for the guest participant 1007 in this figure may or may not be provided.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation mail transmitted to a user who is requested to participate in the conference.

  In the body of the email, a conference room name 1101, a conference title 1102, a start time 1103, an end time 1104, a participant 1105, and a URL 1106 are described.

  The user who has received the mail can access the URL 1106 to directly change to the web conference screen shown in FIG. 6 and participate in the web conference. In addition to this, when participating from the login screen, the password used for participating from the login screen is input as the password 803.

The user who has received the mail can log in to the web conference system by entering the mail address and password from the login screen.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen for participating in the conference.

  The user logs in to the web conference server 101 from the client terminal 103 and then transitions from the top screen to the web conference room menu, and then selects the conference participation 1201 to participate in the conference. When joining a conference, the user joins the conference by pressing a “join” button 1202.

  Note that by pressing a “join” button 1202, the setting file set for the conference to be joined is downloaded to the client terminal 103. This

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a web conference screen.
The user can hold the web conference while viewing the moving images of each participant and his / her own moving image (or the moving image of the group manager) via the web browser.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an overall flow until the web conference system is used.

  The user operates the client terminal 103 to access the web conference server 101 via the web browser. In step S1401, the client terminal 103 accesses the web conference server 101 in response to an instruction from the user.

  In (1) and (2), the user inputs the user ID and password from the login screen, and the client terminal 103 transmits the input user ID and password to the web conference server 101. In (3), the client terminal 103 directly accesses the URL. An example of the mail is as shown in FIG. 11, and parameters necessary for accessing the web conference server 101 are added to this URL.

  In step S1402, the web conference server 101 receives an access request from the client terminal 103 (access request reception). When recognizing the access form from the client terminal 103, the web conference server 101 performs an authentication process according to the request form. If it is determined that “login from login screen”, the process proceeds to step S1403 (authentication process 1), and if it is determined that “login from URL”, the process proceeds to step S1404 (authentication process 2).

  In steps S1403 and S1404, the CPU 201 of the web conference server 101 authenticates whether the user who accepted the access is a valid user. If it is determined that the user is a valid user, the process advances to step S1405.

  In step S1405, the web conference server 101 determines whether or not it is currently within the validity period of the authenticated user. If the authenticated user account is within the validity period, the process advances to step S1406. If the expiration date has passed, the process advances to step S1410.

  The expiration date is determined using the effective date (start) 806 and the effective date (end) 807 of the user management table shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the authenticated user.

  In step S1406, the web conference server 101 determines whether the currently authenticated user is able to log in. If it is login possible time, the process proceeds to step S1407, and if it is not login possible time, the process proceeds to step S1410. This login possible time is determined using the login possible time (start) 809 and the login possible time (end) 810 of the user management table shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the authenticated user.

  In step S <b> 1407, the web conference server 101 determines whether the currently authenticated user is a login enabled day of the week. If it is a login-enabled day, the process proceeds to step S1408. If it is not a login-enabled day, the process proceeds to step S1410. This login day of the week is determined using a login ID table (not shown) using a user ID corresponding to the authenticated user.

  In step S1408, the web conference server determines the validity of the password of the authenticated user. If it is determined that it is valid, the process proceeds to step S1409. If it is determined that it is not valid (invalid), the process proceeds to step S1410. The validity of the password is determined by using the password update date / time 815 of the user management table shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the authenticated user.

  In step S1409, the web conference server performs a login process. Specifically, the web conference server transmits data for displaying a top screen (not shown) after login to the client terminal 103. The client terminal 103 can participate in the web conference by receiving the screen data.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 1410, the web conference server 101 transmits a login error screen or data for displaying a login screen to the client terminal 103.

The flow until the user uses the web conference system has been described above. Next, an example of an event for performing bandwidth control in FIGS. 15 to 22 and processing of timing for performing bandwidth control in the web conference system will be described using a configuration diagram and a flowchart with reference to FIGS . 23 to 30 .

  FIGS. 15 to 22 are diagrams showing event timings when bandwidth control occurs in the web conference system of the present invention.

  FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram when a new user joins the conference room of the web conference system or when the number of participants changes due to the user leaving the room. In this figure, when the client terminal B logs into the conference room of the web conference system (or leaves the conference room) (1), those notifications are transmitted to the web conference server 101, and the web conference server 101 The notification is relayed and transmitted to each user (client terminals A and C) (2), indicating that quality adjustment is performed on the client terminal of each user (3).

  FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram when sharing of an application between users is started (stopped) in the conference room of the web conference system. In this figure, when the client terminal A transmits an application sharing start notification (1), the web conference server 101 relays this notification and is transmitted to each user (client terminals B and C), and each user's client It shows that quality adjustment is performed on the terminal. For example, when the client terminal A becomes a presenter and wants to call each user to share the presentation software, these processes are executed.

  FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram in the case where the user requests the chairman to speak in the conference room of the web conference system adopting the chairman mode. In the present embodiment, in the case of a conference in the chairman mode, a speech other than the chairperson user is not allowed. Participants other than the chairman can request to speak and only speak if the chairman has given permission. It is also possible to prohibit speaking by yourself or the chairman after speaking permission.

  In this figure, when a request for speech is transmitted from the client terminal A (general user who is not the chair of the conference) to the client terminal C (chair user who is the chair of the conference) (1), the web conference server 101 Relaying, the client terminal C receives (2) the speech request. When the client terminal C (chairperson user) gives permission to speak to the client terminal A (general user) (3) and (4), the web conference server 101 sends a user status change notification of “Mr. A can speak”. It is transmitted to the user (5), and quality adjustment is performed (6).

  FIG. 18 shows a configuration example when the chairperson changes in the conference room of the web conference system adopting the chairman mode. In this figure, when a chairperson change request is transmitted from the client terminal C, which is the chairperson user (1), the web conference server 101 relays this, and the user status change notification that “Mr. A is the chairman” is relayed. Is transmitted to each user (2), and quality adjustment is performed (3).

  FIG. 19 is a configuration example in the case where a user who participates as a listener in the conference room requests speech. In this figure, when a request for speech is transmitted from the client terminal X as a listener (1), a relay request is relayed from the audience server that controls data communication to the listener (2), and a request for speech is received from the web conference server 101. It reaches the client terminal C of the chairperson user (3).

  When the client terminal C permits the client terminal X to speak (4), a message permission notice is relayed to the client terminal X via the web conference server 101 and the audience server (5) (6) (7). Now, since the client terminal X can temporarily participate in the web conference system, the web conference server 101 sends a notification of change of the user status “Mr. X will participate in the conference” to each user. (9) Quality adjustment is performed (10).

  FIG. 20 is a configuration example when the video layout and window size of the user participating in the conference are changed. In this figure, when the UI video layout displayed on the client terminal B is changed or the video window size is changed, the information is notified to the web conference server 101 (1), and the web conference server 101 This notification is relayed, and a notification to the effect that “B's video layout and window size have been changed” is sent to each user (2). Thereafter, quality adjustment is performed (3).

  FIG. 21 is a configuration example of a conference room to which a speech profile is applied. The speech profile is a conference in which the user can control whether or not to speak. In this figure, when a message notification is transmitted from the client terminal B (1), the web conference server 101 transmits a notification that “Mr. B can speak” to each user (2), and quality adjustment is executed. (3)

  Quality adjustment, that is, network bandwidth control is executed at the timing of the web conference shown in FIGS. As a feature of the bandwidth control performed for the occurrence of these events, the web conference server 101 notifies the chair user and general users of notifications of events (participation in a conference, request for speech, etc.) that occur at a client terminal used by each user. It is only responsible for relaying and transmitting.

  When bandwidth control is performed by the web conference server 101, it is necessary for the web conference server 101 to grasp the status of each client terminal 103 and to appropriately issue a command to the client terminal, resulting in a load on the web conference server 101. May become heavy.

  In order to prevent this, a major object of the present invention is to “execute network bandwidth control at the client terminal 103 used by each user”.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing bandwidth control processing in the present web conference system.
First, in step S2301, the client terminal 103 confirms the user type of the logged-in user. If the logged-in user is a web conference group manager or general user (web conference chair user and participant) or a listener, the process advances to step S2302. Otherwise, the bandwidth control need not be performed, and the processing in this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S2302, the client terminal 103 confirms the conference use of the conference that has entered. There are two types of conference applications: “video conference” and “data conference”. In the “video conference”, the conference is performed using the video (video), audio, and sharing application of the web conference. In the “data conference”, a conference is performed using the shared application of this web conference, and video (video) and audio are conferenced using another system such as a TV conference system or an audio conference system.

  If the web conference is a video conference, in step S2303, the client terminal 103 calculates the number of participants who use video and audio in the web conference. A specific calculation method will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the number of users of video / audio is calculated, in step S2304, the client terminal 103 determines whether or not the number of users of video / audio calculated in step S2303 is increased or decreased from the timing when the bandwidth control was performed last time. judge.

If the number of people has been changed from the previous bandwidth control timing, in step S2305, the client terminal 103 performs bandwidth calculation processing. A specific calculation method will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. When there is no increase / decrease in the number of users, it is not necessary to perform the bandwidth control according to the present invention, so the processing is terminated.
In step S2306, the client terminal 103 performs quality change processing.

In step S2307, the client terminal 103 confirms whether the setting dialog is displayed on the display unit. If the dialog is being displayed, the client terminal 103 checks the camera quality and microphone quality of the setting dialog in step S2308. Then, the display of the application quality is updated, and the bandwidth control process is terminated.
FIG. 22 is a screen example of the target setting dialog updated in step 2308.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a detailed process for calculating the number of users who use video / audio among the participants of the web conference in step 2303 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 2401, the client terminal 103 calculates the number of users who use video / audio on client terminals other than themselves among web conference users. This process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S2402, the client terminal 103 calculates the number of users of video / audio including its own. This process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S2403, the client terminal 103 calculates the number of users who are actually displaying video in the web conference. This process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S2404, the client terminal 103 adjusts the number of videos / audios. This process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 25 explains the detailed processing of step S2401 described above, and is a flowchart showing the calculation processing of the number of users who use video / audio other than themselves among the client terminals of the web conference.

  In step S2501, the client terminal 103 determines whether other participants other than itself are in the room. This process is determined by receiving another user's login notification from the web conference server 101. If the entry of another participant is not confirmed, this process is unnecessary, and the flowchart is terminated. If entry of another participant is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S2502.

  Next, in step S2502, the client terminal 103 determines whether the participant who entered the room in step S2501 uses the video conference.

As a method of determining whether to use a camera (video), there is a method of referring to information notified to each user via the web conference server 101 whether or not he / she uses a camera when he / she participates in a conference. If the user uses a camera (video), the process proceeds to step S2503. If the user does not use the camera (video), the process proceeds to step S2504.

  Next, in step S2503, the client terminal 103 increments “1” to the numerical value of the number of users of the camera and the numerical value of the maximum number of users of the camera.

  Next, in step S2504, the client terminal 103 determines whether or not the user who has entered the room in step S2501 uses audio in the conference.

  As a method of determining whether or not to use a microphone (voice), there is a method of notifying each user via the web conference server 101 whether or not he / she uses a microphone when joining a conference. If the participant uses the microphone, the process proceeds to step S2505. If the participant does not use the microphone, the process proceeds to step S2508.

  Next, in step S2505, the client terminal 103 determines whether or not a participant who uses audio is permitted to speak. As a method for determining whether or not the speech is permitted, there is a method of referring to the user status change notified from the web conference server 101 in accordance with the speech permission or prohibition by the chairperson.

  If the user is permitted to speak, the process proceeds to step S2506, and the client terminal 103 increments “1” to the current value of the number of microphones used. If the user is not permitted to speak, the process proceeds to step S2507.

  In step S2507, the client terminal 103 increments “1” to the numerical value of the maximum number of microphone users.

  In step S2508, the client terminal 103 determines whether there is another new participant, and returns to step S2501 when processing of the next participant is performed. When the calculation of the number of users of the video microphones of all new participants is completed, the processing of this figure is ended, and the processing is moved to the next FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the process of calculating the number of participants (self) who use video / audio in step S2402.

  In step S2601, the client terminal 103 determines whether the user uses video. As a method for determining whether to use a camera (video), there is a method of specifying whether to use a camera in device settings (not shown) when joining a meeting. If the camera itself is used, the process proceeds to step S2602, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2603.

  In step S2602, the client terminal 103 increments the camera user number parameter by “1”.

  In step S2603, the client terminal 103 determines whether the user is permitted to speak. As a method for determining whether or not the speech is permitted, there is a method of referring to the user status change notified from the web conference server 101 in accordance with the speech permission or prohibition by the chairperson.

  If the user is permitted to speak, the process advances to step S2604, and the client terminal 103 increments “1” to the current value of the number of microphones used. If the user is not permitted to speak, the process of this figure is terminated as it is.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for calculating the number of participants who display video in the web conference system in step S2403 described above.

  In step S2701, the client terminal 103 confirms the video window size of the client terminal of the new participant.

  Specifically, it is determined whether or not the window size is “width (horizontal)> 0 and height (vertical)> 0”. That is, it means that the window is displayed. It is determined whether or not the video window is being displayed. If the video window is displayed on the client terminal of the new participant of the new participant, the process proceeds to step S2702, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2703, and the next new participant is Check if it is. If there is no next unprocessed participant, the processing in this figure is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S2404.

In step S2702, the client terminal 103 increments “1” to the current value of the number of display people who display the video in the web conference.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining video / audio number adjustment in step S2404 described above.

  In step S2801, the client terminal 103 determines whether or not “the maximum number of users of the camera> 0 and the number of users of the camera> the maximum number of users of the camera”. That is, it is determined whether or not the “number of camera users” exceeds the “maximum number of users of camera” registered in advance in each conference room. If the “camera user count” is over, in step S2802, the client terminal 103 rewrites the “camera maximum user count” value to the current “camera user count” value.

  In step S2803, the client terminal 103 determines whether or not “the maximum number of microphone users> 0 and the number of microphone users> maximum number of microphones” is satisfied. That is, it is determined whether or not “the number of microphones used” exceeds the “maximum number of microphones used” registered in each conference room. If “the number of microphones used” is exceeded, the client terminal 103 rewrites the value of “the maximum number of microphones used” to the current value of “the number of microphones used” in step S2804.

  In step S2805, the client terminal 103 compares the “number of camera users” with the “display number” of the video window. If the number of “camera users” is large, in step S 2806, the client terminal 103 rewrites the “display number” to the value of “current camera users”.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of bandwidth control calculation in step S2305 of FIG.

  Next, in steps S2901 to S2903, the client terminal 103 performs quality adjustment of the microphone, the shared application, and the camera. These processes will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing detailed processing for executing quality adjustment of each of the microphone, shared application, and camera in steps S2901 to S2903 in FIG. The functions of the microphone, shared application, and camera are called media.

  In step S3001, the client terminal 103 determines whether media is used in the web conference system. If the medium is being used, in step S3002, the client terminal 103 determines whether the quality can be further reduced from the quality currently in use. Specifically, the current quality number is confirmed among the quality numbers of the corresponding media in the profile set in FIG. If the quality number is young (1, 2, etc.), the process proceeds to step S3003. If the quality cannot be further lowered (that is, the minimum media quality), the process proceeds to step S3006. Here, the minimum media quality of the camera is that the camera is not forcibly used.

  If the quality can be reduced from the current media quality, in steps S3003 and S3004, the client terminal 103 calculates the network bandwidth to be used by subtracting the one rank quality from the current media quality. The process proceeds to S3005.

  In step S3005, if the calculated network bandwidth is within the range of the maximum bandwidth of the profile set in FIG. 4-2, the process proceeds to S3006. If the range is exceeded, the process returns to step S3002 to further reduce the quality.

  In step S3006, the client terminal 103 compares the current quality with the new quality and proceeds to step S3007 only when a change has occurred.

  In step S3007, the network quality is controlled by changing the quality of the corresponding media.

As described above, in the web conferencing system of the present invention, when network bandwidth control is executed, quality adjustment is performed in the order of using voice , using an application, and using a video (camera) .

  In the network bandwidth control of the web conference system implemented in the present invention, the network bandwidth is controlled so that “maximum bandwidth ≧ video bandwidth + audio bandwidth + application shared bandwidth” is satisfied.

  Note that the timing for performing network bandwidth control in the web conference system of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 21 is a part of the embodiment, and does not limit the execution timing.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, according to this invention, if the event which generate | occur | produces for every room of a web conference system is detected, band control will be implement | achieved within the range of the communication band allocated to the web conference system. It is possible to provide a mechanism to do this.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing method of FIGS. 23 to 30, and the storage medium according to the present invention stores a program that allows the computer to execute the processing method of FIGS. . Note that the program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus shown in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

101 Web conference server 102 Authentication server 103 Client terminal 104 Network

Claims (15)

A web conference system in which a server that stores a plurality of rooms, which are virtual conference rooms used in a web conference, and an information processing apparatus operated by a participant in the web conference using the room are connected via a network. And
The server
A registration means for registering the room used in the web conference and the information of the first maximum bandwidth, which is the maximum communication bandwidth that can be used in data transmission and reception performed in the web conference using the room, in association with each other;
In accordance with the web conference participation request from the information processing apparatus, the first maximum registered by the web conference screen information and the registration unit in association with the room used in the web conference that has received the participation request. Transmission means for transmitting, to the information processing apparatus, information on a second maximum band that is the maximum band that can be used by the information processing apparatus among the bands;
With
The information processing apparatus includes:
Participation request means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference;
Receiving means for receiving the screen information of the web conference transmitted by the transmitting means and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate by the participation request means;
A determination unit that determines whether a communication band of the information processing device in a web conference room requested to participate by the participation request unit exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the determination unit determines that the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum bandwidth, the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room is set to the second maximum bandwidth. Control means for performing control to adjust to be within the range of the band;
A web conferencing system comprising: The registration means is used for transmitting and receiving data of the second maximum bandwidth in the room and data of audio, application, and video, which are media used in the room, in the second maximum bandwidth. A setting profile including information on a possible communication band and registered in association with the room;
The determination means determines, for each medium, whether a communication band to use exceeds the second maximum band corresponding to the room,
The control unit, when the determination unit determines that the communication band used for the media exceeds the second maximum band coming and going to the room, the communication band used for each of audio, application, and video 2. The web conference system according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to adjust the total to fall within the range of the second maximum bandwidth.   When the determination unit determines that the communication band used for the media exceeds the second maximum band coming and going to the room, the control unit is used in the order of voice, application, and video. By adjusting the communication band so that it falls within the range of the second maximum band, control is performed so that the total communication band used for the media falls within the range of the second maximum band. The web conference system according to claim 2.   The control unit stops use of any of audio, application, and video when the determination unit determines that the communication band used for the media exceeds the second maximum band coming and going to the room. 4. The web conference system according to claim 2, wherein control is performed so that a total of communication bands used for the media falls within the range of the second maximum band. 5. The server
Detecting means for detecting an event for each room of the web conference;
In response to the detection of the event by the detection means, a notification means for notifying the event to the information processing apparatus participating in the web conference of the room where the event is detected,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Event acquisition means for acquiring the event notified by the notification means;
The determination unit determines whether a communication band used by the information processing device exceeds a range of the second maximum band in a room where the event is detected based on the event acquired by the event acquisition unit;
When the communication band used by the information processing apparatus exceeds the range of the second maximum band in the room in which the event is detected by the event acquired by the event acquisition unit by the determination unit. The control of adjusting the communication band of the information processing apparatus in the room so as to fall within the range of the second maximum band when the determination is made. The web conference system described in 1.   6. The web conference system according to claim 5, wherein the event detected by the detection unit is an event that the number of participants in the web conference has increased or decreased.   6. The event detected by the detecting means is an event that application sharing has started or ended between information processing devices operated by participants participating in the web conference. 6. The web conference system according to 6.   8. The web according to claim 5, wherein the event detected by the detecting means is an event indicating that a listener who is listening to the web conference participates in the web conference. 9. Conference system.   9. The event detected by the detecting means is an event indicating that a window size displayed on an information processing apparatus operated by a participant participating in the web conference is changed. The web conference system according to any one of the above. In a web conference where the speech of a given participant is restricted,
10. The event detected by the detecting means is an event indicating that a participant who is restricted in a speech participating in the web conference can speak. The web conference system according to item 1. Control in a web conference system in which a server that stores a plurality of rooms, which are virtual conference rooms used in a web conference, and an information processing device operated by a participant in the web conference using the room are connected via a network A method,
Of the server
The registration unit registers the room used in the web conference and the information of the first maximum bandwidth, which is the maximum communication bandwidth that can be used in data transmission / reception performed in the web conference using the room, in association with each other. Registration step;
In accordance with the request for participation in the web conference from the information processing apparatus, the transmission means is registered in association with the screen information of the web conference and the room used in the web conference that has received the participation request by the registration step. A transmission step of transmitting, to the information processing device, information on a second maximum bandwidth that is a maximum bandwidth usable by the information processing device among the first maximum bandwidth;
With
Of the information processing apparatus,
Participation requesting means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference,
A receiving step for receiving the screen information of the web conference and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate in the participation request step, which is transmitted by the transmitting step;
A determining step for determining whether a communication band of the information processing apparatus in a web conference room requested to participate in the participation request step exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the control unit determines that the communication band of the information processing apparatus in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum band in the determination step, the communication band of the information processing apparatus in the room is A control step for performing control to adjust to fall within the range of the second maximum bandwidth;
The control method characterized by including. Executed in a web conference system in which a server that stores a plurality of rooms that are virtual conference rooms used in a web conference and an information processing apparatus operated by a participant in the web conference using the room are connected via a network A possible program,
The server,
A registration means for registering the room used in the web conference and the information of the first maximum bandwidth, which is the maximum communication bandwidth that can be used in data transmission and reception performed in the web conference using the room, in association with each other;
In accordance with the web conference participation request from the information processing apparatus, the first maximum registered by the web conference screen information and the registration unit in association with the room used in the web conference that has received the participation request. Among the bands, the information of the second maximum band, which is the maximum band that can be used by the information processing apparatus, functions as a transmission unit that transmits to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus;
Participation request means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference;
Receiving means for receiving the screen information of the web conference transmitted by the transmitting means and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate by the participation request means;
A determination unit that determines whether a communication band of the information processing device in a web conference room requested to participate by the participation request unit exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the determination unit determines that the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum bandwidth, the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room is set to the second maximum bandwidth. A program that functions as a control unit that performs control to adjust to be within a band range. C corresponding and room is a virtual meeting room for use in the E Bed conference, and a first maximum bandwidth information which is the maximum communication band available in the transmission and reception of data performed web conference using the room registration means for registering with, according to request to join the web conferences from information processing apparatus, and the screen information of the web conference, by the registration means, in association with the room to be used in a web conference received the participation request A web conference, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing device, information on a second maximum bandwidth that is the maximum bandwidth usable by the information processing device among the registered first maximum bandwidths. An information processing apparatus operable by a participant of a web conference using the room that can communicate with a server that performs processing to be held,
Participation request means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference;
Receiving means for receiving the screen information of the web conference transmitted by the transmitting means and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate by the participation request means;
A determination unit that determines whether a communication band of the information processing device in a web conference room requested to participate by the participation request unit exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the determination unit determines that the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum bandwidth, the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room is set to the second maximum bandwidth. Control means for performing control to adjust to be within the range of the band;
An information processing apparatus comprising: C corresponding and room is a virtual meeting room for use in the E Bed conference, and a first maximum bandwidth information which is the maximum communication band available in the transmission and reception of data performed web conference using the room registration means for registering with, according to request to join the web conferences from information processing apparatus, and the screen information of the web conference, by the registration means, in association with the room to be used in a web conference received the participation request A web conference, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing device, information on a second maximum bandwidth that is the maximum bandwidth usable by the information processing device among the registered first maximum bandwidths. A control method in an information processing apparatus operable by a participant in a web conference using the room that can communicate with a server that performs processing to be held,
Participation requesting means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference,
A receiving step for receiving screen information of the web conference and information on the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate in the participation requesting step, which is transmitted by the transmitting unit;
A determining step for determining whether a communication band of the information processing apparatus in a web conference room requested to participate in the participation request step exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the control unit determines that the communication band of the information processing apparatus in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum band in the determination step, the communication band of the information processing apparatus in the room is A control step for performing control to adjust to fall within the range of the second maximum bandwidth;
The control method characterized by including. C corresponding and room is a virtual meeting room for use in the E Bed conference, and a first maximum bandwidth information which is the maximum communication band available in the transmission and reception of data performed web conference using the room registration means for registering with, according to request to join the web conferences from information processing apparatus, and the screen information of the web conference, by the registration means, in association with the room to be used in a web conference received the participation request A web conference, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing device, information on a second maximum bandwidth that is the maximum bandwidth usable by the information processing device among the registered first maximum bandwidths. A program executable in an information processing apparatus operated by a participant of a web conference using the room that can communicate with a server that performs processing to be held,
Participation request means for requesting participation in the web conference using the room according to the operation of the participant of the web conference;
Receiving means for receiving the screen information of the web conference transmitted by the transmitting means and the information of the second maximum bandwidth in the room of the web conference requested to participate by the participation request means;
A determination unit that determines whether a communication band of the information processing device in a web conference room requested to participate by the participation request unit exceeds a range of the second maximum band;
When the determination unit determines that the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room exceeds the range of the second maximum bandwidth, the communication bandwidth of the information processing device in the room is set to the second maximum bandwidth. A program that causes the information processing apparatus to function as a control unit that performs control for adjustment so as to fall within a band range.