JP6269168B2 - Management apparatus, communication system, program, and communication management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system that manages the state of a transmission terminal that transmits content data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conference systems that conduct remote conferences with remote locations via a communication network such as the Internet are widespread. This type of conference system is a conference room where one of the parties, such as attendees, holding a remote conference is located, and using the terminal device of the remote conference system, images of the conference room, such as the parties of the conference, and voices such as speech are taken. The data is collected, converted into digital data, and transmitted to the terminal device of the other party. The display of the conference room of the other party displays the image of the conference room and the sound is output from the speaker, so that the conference between remote locations can be performed in a state close to the actual conference.

  In addition, by registering and managing a destination list for each terminal using a communication management system that manages a communication terminal that transmits and receives predetermined communication data, a technology that facilitates a meeting with a terminal registered in the destination list Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, there is known a method of realizing a conference through a conversion system that performs mutual conversion when corresponding call control or video encoding differs between a caller terminal and a callee terminal.

  However, when video conferencing is performed between terminals having different video encoding schemes, communication quality may deteriorate due to the influence of network quality when video encoding is converted. Therefore, when a video conference is performed between terminals having different video encoding schemes, it is preferable to select a conversion system that performs video encoding in consideration of communication quality after video encoding conversion.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve communication quality after converting video coding when communication is performed between terminals having different video coding.

The management apparatus of an embodiment of the disclosure is
A management device that manages a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data,
For each transmission terminal, a storage unit that stores a communication method to be used and a network quality tolerance that represents the susceptibility to influence of network quality,
Among the plurality of transmission terminals, when the communication data is transmitted and received between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal, the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal A determination unit for determining whether the communication method is different;
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different by the determination unit,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each relay apparatus and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A narrowing unit that selects a conversion device that performs mutual conversion between the communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal and the communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal.

  According to the embodiment of the disclosure, when communication is performed between terminals with different video encoding, it is possible to improve the communication quality after converting the video encoding.

1 is a schematic diagram of a call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the communication condition in the case of implement | achieving a call between the call terminals of the same communication system. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image quality of image data transmitted and received according to the SVC standard in FIGS. 2 and 4. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the communication condition in the case of implement | achieving a call between the call terminals of a different communication system. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image quality of image data transmitted and received according to the AVC standard in FIG. 4. It is an external view of the call terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of the telephone terminal which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a call management system, a relay device, a conversion system, a program providing system, or a maintenance system according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of a call terminal, a relay device, a call management system, and a conversion system that constitute a part of the call system of the embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a change quality management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a relay apparatus management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a terminal information management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a terminal state management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a destination list management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a session management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an address priority management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a transmission rate priority management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a quality management table. It is a functional block diagram of a primary narrowing-down part. It is a functional block diagram of the last narrowing-down part. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of the preparation stage which starts a telephone call between terminals. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process of narrowing down relay devices. It is a flowchart which shows judgment of a communication system. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process of narrowing down relay devices. It is the figure which showed the calculation state of the point of priority at the time of performing the narrowing-down process of a relay apparatus. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing in which a terminal selects a relay device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing in which a terminal selects a relay device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process of selecting a relay device. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing in which a terminal selects a relay device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process of selecting a relay device. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process which establishes a communication session before communicating between two dedicated terminals. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process which transmits / receives communication data between two dedicated terminals. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process which establishes a communication session before performing a telephone call between a dedicated terminal and a non-dedicated terminal. It is the sequence diagram which showed the process which transmits / receives call data between a dedicated terminal and a non-dedicated terminal. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image quality of the image data after converting with the conversion system.

Next, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings based on the following Examples. Examples described below are merely examples, and embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following examples.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for those having the same function, and repeated explanation is omitted.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<< Overall Configuration of Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the call system 1 includes a plurality of call terminals (10aa, 10ab,...), A display (120aa, 120ab,...) For each call terminal (10aa, 10ab,. The relay device (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d), the call management system 50, the conversion system (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d), the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 are constructed. By the communication of the image data and the sound data as an example of the call data by the call system 1, a video conference between remote locations can be realized. A plurality of routers (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70ab, 70cd) select an optimum route for call data.

  Further, the call terminals (10aa, 10ab, 10ac,...), The relay device 30a, the conversion system 80a, and the router 70a are communicably connected via the LAN 2a. The call terminals (10ba, 10bb, 10bc,...), The relay device 30b, the conversion system 80b, and the router 70b are communicably connected via the LAN 2b. The LAN 2a and the LAN 2b are communicably connected via a dedicated line 2ab including a router 70ab. Further, the LAN 2a, the LAN 2b, and the dedicated line 2ab are constructed in a predetermined area X. For example, the region X is Japan, the LAN 2a is constructed in the Tokyo office, and the LAN 2b is constructed in the Osaka office.

  On the other hand, the call terminals (10ca, 10cb, 10cc,...), The relay device 30c, the conversion system 80c, and the router 70c are communicably connected via a LAN 2c. The call terminals (10da, 10db, 10dc,...), The relay device 30d, the conversion system 80d, and the router 70d are communicably connected via a LAN 2d. The LAN 2c and the LAN 2d are communicably connected by a dedicated line 2cd including a router 70cd. Further, the LAN 2c, the LAN 2d, and the dedicated line 2cd are constructed in a predetermined area Y. For example, region Y is the United States of America, LAN 2c is built in a New York office, and LAN 2d is Washington D.C. C. Is built in the office. Area X and area Y are connected to each other via routers (70ab, 70cd) via the Internet 2i.

  In the following, “call terminal” is simply represented as “terminal”, and “call management system” is simply represented as “management system”. Further, an arbitrary terminal among the plurality of terminals (10aa, 10ab,...) Is represented as “terminal 10”, and an arbitrary display among the plurality of displays (120aa, 120ab,...) Is represented as “display 120”. An arbitrary relay device among the plurality of relay devices (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) is represented as “relay device 30”, and an arbitrary conversion system among the plurality of conversion systems (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d) is It is expressed as “Conversion system 80”. Further, a terminal as a request source that requests the start of a video conference is represented as a “request source terminal”, and a terminal as a request destination (relay destination) is represented as a “destination terminal”. An arbitrary router among the routers (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70ab, 70cd) is represented as “router 70”.

  The management system 50, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 are connected to the Internet 2i. In this embodiment, the conversion system 80 is provided so as to correspond to the relay device 30 on a one-to-one basis. The management system 50, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 may be installed as a management device, a conversion device, a program providing device, and a maintenance device in the region X or the region Y. You may install in areas other than these.

  In the present embodiment, the communication network 2 of the present embodiment is constructed by the LAN 2a, the LAN 2b, the dedicated line 2ab, the Internet 2i, the dedicated line 2cd, the LAN 2c, and the LAN 2d. The communication network 2 may have a place where wireless communication such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is performed in addition to wired communication.

  Also, in FIG. 1, four sets of numbers shown under each terminal 10, each relay device 30, management system 50, each router 70, each conversion system 80, program providing system 90, and maintenance system 100 are An IP address in general IPv4 is simply shown. For example, the IP address of the terminal 10aa is “1.2.1.3”. In addition, IPv6 may be used instead of IPv4. However, in order to simplify the explanation, explanation is made using IPv4.

  In addition, each terminal 10 is not only a call between a plurality of business establishments or a call between different rooms in the same business establishment, but a call within the same room or a call between the outdoors and indoors or outdoors and outdoors. May be used. When each terminal 10 is used outdoors, wireless communication such as a cellular phone communication network is performed.

  Each terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a communication terminal that realizes a user's call by transmitting / receiving call data, and is, for example, a video conference terminal. Further, the terminal 10 transmits and receives call data using a predetermined communication method (call control method for connecting or disconnecting a call destination and an encoding method for converting call data into an IP packet). Do.

  This call control method includes (1) SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), (2) H.323, (3) SIP extended protocol, (4) Instant Messenger protocol, (5) SIP MESSAGE method (6) Internet relay chat protocol (IRC (Internet Relay Chat)), (7) Protocol that extends the instant messenger protocol, and the like. Among these, (4) Instant Messenger protocol is, for example, (4-1) XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), or (4-2) ICQ (registered trademark), AIM (registered trademark), or Skype (registered) Trademark). Also, (7) Jingle is a protocol that is an extension of the instant messenger protocol, for example.

  Further, among the plurality of terminals 10, for example, a communication method in which the call control method is an instant messenger protocol (or a protocol obtained by extending the instant messenger protocol) and the encoding method is SVC (Scalable Video Coding) is used. The terminal 10 to be displayed is represented as “dedicated terminal A”. Further, among the plurality of terminals 10, the terminal 10 that uses a communication method in which at least one of the call control method and the coding method is different from the dedicated terminal A is represented as “non-dedicated terminal D”.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example of two terminals having different communication methods, “dedicated terminal A” is described as a terminal manufactured, sold, or managed by a specific company, and “non-dedicated terminal D” is A terminal that is manufactured, sold, or managed by a company other than the specific company will be described. In the present embodiment, terminals manufactured, sold, or managed by different companies in this way often have different communication methods, and thus will be described using the above example. In addition, as an example of two terminals with different communication methods, among terminals manufactured or sold by the same company, a terminal with a new manufacturing time or sales time is referred to as “dedicated terminal A”, and a terminal with an old manufacturing time or sales time is It may be a “non-dedicated terminal D”. In addition, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or the like provided by a company other than the specific company may be used for the call system. In this case, a specific company may provide an application.

  In addition to a conference terminal, a projection device such as a smartphone, a tablet-type terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic blackboard, a navigation terminal mounted on a vehicle, or a projector may be used as the terminal.

  Each relay device 30 is a computer system that relays call data among a plurality of terminals 10. The management system 50 is a computer system that centrally manages login authentication from the terminal 10, management of the call status of the terminal 10, management of the destination list, and the communication status of the relay device 30. The image of the image data may be a moving image or a still image, or both a moving image and a still image.

  Each conversion system 80 serves as a Signaling Gateway that converts call control signals and a Video / Audio Gateway that encodes call data. That is, each conversion system 80 is a gateway that mutually converts a communication method for call data transmitted from a request source terminal and a communication method (call control method, encoding method) for call data transmitted from a destination terminal. Then, at least one of the call control method and the coding method is converted.

  The program providing system 90 is a computer system that provides the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, and the maintenance system 100, respectively, with programs used by the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the conversion system 80, and the maintenance system 100.

  The maintenance system 100 is a computer system for performing maintenance, management, or maintenance of at least one of the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, and the program providing system 90. For example, when the maintenance system 100 is installed in the country, and the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, or the program providing system 90 is installed outside the country, the maintenance system 100 is connected via the communication network 2. Then, maintenance such as maintenance, management, and maintenance of at least one of the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, and the program providing system 90 is performed remotely. In addition, the maintenance system 100 does not go through the communication network 2 but includes a model number, a manufacturing number, and a sales destination in at least one of the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, and the program providing system 90. Maintenance such as maintenance inspection or failure history management.

  Next, a first communication pattern for realizing a call between the two dedicated terminals A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication state when a call is realized between call terminals of the same communication method.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the first communication pattern, the call system 1 communicates call data using the video coding standard of H.264 / SVC. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the call system 1, various types of information are transmitted between the request source terminal as the dedicated terminal A and the destination terminal as the dedicated terminal A via the management system 50. A management communication session sei for transmitting / receiving management information is established. Further, between the request source terminal and the destination terminal, four pieces of data of high resolution image data, medium resolution image data, low resolution image data, and sound data are transmitted and received via the relay device 30. The four communication sessions are established.

  In FIG. 2, four communication sessions established between the request source terminal and the relay device 30 are shown as a first communication session sed1 for call data. Also, the four communication sessions established between the relay device 30 and the destination terminal are shown as a second communication session sed2 for call data.

  Here, the resolution of the image data handled in the first communication pattern shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the image quality of image data transmitted and received according to the SVC standard in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the horizontal image is composed of 160 pixels and the vertical image is 120 pixels, and a low-resolution image serving as a base image and a horizontal image as illustrated in FIG. 3 (b). There are a medium resolution image consisting of 320 pixels and 240 pixels vertically, and a high resolution image consisting of 640 pixels horizontally and 480 pixels vertically as shown in FIG. Among these, in the case of passing through a narrow band route, low-quality image data consisting only of low-resolution image data serving as a base image is relayed by the relay device 30. When the band is relatively wide, the relay device 30 relays low-resolution image data serving as a base image and medium-quality image data including medium-resolution image data. When the bandwidth is very wide, high-resolution image data including low-resolution image data, medium-resolution image data, and high-resolution image data serving as a base image is relayed by the relay device 30.

  Next, a second communication pattern for realizing a call between the dedicated terminal A and the non-dedicated terminal D will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication situation when a call is realized between call terminals of different communication methods.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the second communication pattern, the call system 1 uses the H.264 / SVC video coding standard and the H.264 / AVC (Advanced Video Coding) video coding standard. Call data is communicated using standards. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the call system 1, between the request source terminal as the dedicated terminal A and the destination terminal as the non-dedicated terminal D, via the management system 50, A management communication session sei1 for transmitting / receiving various types of management information is established. Further, a management communication session sei2 for transmitting and receiving various types of management information is established between the management system 50 and the conversion system 80.

  In addition, between the request source terminal (an example of the first communication terminal) and the conversion system 80, high-resolution image data, medium-resolution image data, low-resolution data are transmitted by the H.264 / SVC via the relay device 30. Four communication sessions for transmitting and receiving each of the four pieces of image data of resolution and sound data are established. In FIG. 4, four communication sessions established between the request source terminal and the relay device 30 are shown as a first communication session sed11 for call data. Further, four communication sessions established between the relay device 30 and the conversion system 80 are shown as a second communication session sed12 for call data.

  Further, between the conversion system 80 and the destination terminal (an example of the second communication terminal), two communications for transmitting and receiving each of the two data of medium resolution image data and sound data by H.264 / AVC. A session is established. In FIG. 4, two communication sessions established between the conversion system 80 and the destination terminal are shown as a third communication session sed13 for call data.

  Here, the image resolution of the image data handled in the second communication pattern shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the image quality of image data transmitted and received according to the AVC standard in FIG.

  As in the first communication session sed1 and the second communication session sed2 shown in FIG. 2, the first communication session sed11 and the second communication session sed12 shown in FIG. Image data having the three resolutions shown in a), (b), and (c) are transmitted and received. On the other hand, in the third communication session sed13 shown in FIG. 4, medium-resolution image data shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted and received.

<< Hardware Configuration of Embodiment >>
Next, the hardware configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an external view of the call terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 10 includes a housing 1100, an arm 1200, and a camera housing 1300. Among them, the front side wall surface 1110 of the housing 1100 is provided with an air intake surface (not shown) formed by a plurality of air intake holes, and the rear side wall surface 1120 of the housing 1100 is formed with a plurality of exhaust holes. An exhaust surface 1121 is provided. As a result, by driving a cooling fan built in the housing 1100, the outside air behind the terminal 10 can be taken in via an intake surface (not shown) and exhausted to the rear of the terminal 10 via an exhaust surface 1121. A sound collecting hole 1131 is formed in the right wall surface 1130 of the housing 1100, and sounds such as voice, sound, noise can be collected by a built-in microphone 114 described later.

  An operation panel 1150 is formed on the right wall surface 1130 side of the housing 1100. The operation panel 1150 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons (108a to 108e) to be described later, a power switch 109 to be described later, and an alarm lamp 119 to be described later, and outputs sound from a built-in speaker 115 to be described later. A sound output surface 1151 formed by a plurality of sound output holes for passing through is formed. Further, a housing 1160 as a recess for housing the arm 1200 and the camera housing 1300 is formed on the left wall surface 1140 side of the housing 1100. The right wall surface 1130 of the housing 1100 is provided with a plurality of connection ports (1132a to 1132c) for electrically connecting a cable to a display I / F 117 described later. On the other hand, the left wall surface 1140 of the housing 1100 is provided with a connection port (not shown) for electrically connecting the cable 120c for the display 120 to an external device connection I / F 118 described later.

  In the following description, “operation button 108” is used when an arbitrary operation button is indicated among the operation buttons (108a to 108e), and “an arbitrary connection port is indicated among the connection ports (1132a to 1132c)”. This will be described using the connection port 1132 ”.

  Next, the arm 1200 is attached to the housing 1100 via a torque hinge 1210, and the arm 1200 is configured to be able to rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the housing 1100 within a tilt angle θ1 of 135 degrees. ing. FIG. 6 shows a state where the tilt angle θ1 is 90 degrees. The camera housing 1300 is provided with a built-in camera 112 described later, and can capture images of users, documents, rooms, and the like. A torque hinge 1310 is formed in the camera housing 1300. The camera housing 1300 is attached to the arm 1200 via a torque hinge 1310. Then, with respect to the arm 1200, the camera housing 1300 is vertically, horizontally and horizontally within a range of a pan angle θ2 of ± 180 degrees and a tilt angle θ3 of ± 45 degrees with the state shown in FIG. It is configured to be rotatable in the direction.

  Note that the relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 have the same external appearance as a general server computer, and thus the description of the external appearance is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 10 of the present embodiment has programs used for driving the CPU 101 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 and an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that control the operation of the entire terminal 10. ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 used as a work area of the CPU 101, flash memory 104 for storing various data such as programs for the terminal 10, image data, and sound data, the CPU 101 The SSD (Solid State Drive) 105 that controls the reading or writing of various data with respect to the flash memory 104 according to the above control, the media drive 107 that controls the reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 106 such as the flash memory, the terminal 10 It is operated when selecting a destination. Operation button 108, a power switch 109 for switching on / off the power of the terminal 10, and a network I / F (Interface) 111 for data transmission using the communication network 2.

  The terminal 10 also includes a built-in camera 112 that captures an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 101 to obtain image data, an image sensor I / F 113 that controls driving of the camera 112, a built-in microphone 114 that inputs sound, a sound The built-in speaker 115 that outputs sound, the sound input / output I / F 116 that processes input / output of sound signals between the microphone 114 and the speaker 115 according to the control of the CPU 101, and the image data on the external display 120 according to the control of the CPU 101 FIG. 5 shows a display I / F 117 for transmission, an external device connection I / F 118 for connecting various external devices, an alarm lamp 119 for notifying abnormality of various functions of the terminal 10, and the above-described components. Are provided with a bus line 110 such as an address bus or a data bus for electrical connection to

  The display 120 is a display unit configured by a liquid crystal or an organic EL that displays an image of a subject, an operation icon, and the like. The display 120 is connected to the display I / F 117 by a cable 120c. The cable 120c may be an analog RGB (VGA) signal cable, a component video cable, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), or DVI (Digital Video). Interface) signal cable may be used.

  The camera 112 includes a lens and a solid-state image sensor that converts light into electric charges and digitizes a subject image (video). As the solid-state image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. Etc. are used.

  The external device connection I / F 118 includes an external camera, an external microphone, an external speaker, and the like by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like inserted into the connection port 1132 of the housing 1100 shown in FIG. Can be electrically connected to each other. When an external camera is connected, the external camera is driven in preference to the built-in camera 112 under the control of the CPU 101. Similarly, when an external microphone is connected or when an external speaker is connected, each of the external microphones and the built-in speaker 115 is given priority over the internal microphone 114 and the internal speaker 115 according to the control of the CPU 101. An external speaker is driven.

  The recording medium 106 is detachable from the terminal 10. Further, as long as it is a non-volatile memory that reads or writes data according to the control of the CPU 101, not only the flash memory 104 but also an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or the like may be used.

  FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management system according to this embodiment of the present invention. The management system 50 includes a CPU 201 that controls the overall operation of the management system 50, a ROM 202 that stores programs used to drive the CPU 201 such as an IPL, a RAM 203 that is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and various programs such as programs for the management system 50. HD 204 for storing data, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 205 for controlling reading or writing of various data to the HD 204 according to control of the CPU 201, media for controlling reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 206 such as a flash memory Drive 207, display 208 for displaying various information such as cursor, menu, window, character, or image, network I / F 209 for data communication using communication network 2, character A keyboard 211 having a plurality of keys for inputting numerical values and various instructions, a mouse 212 for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc., and a CD as an example of a removable recording medium A CD-ROM drive 214 for controlling reading or writing of various data to / from a ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 213, and an address for electrically connecting the above components as shown in FIG. A bus line 210 such as a bus or a data bus is provided.

  On the other hand, the relay device 30, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 have the same hardware configuration as that of the management system 50, and thus the description thereof is omitted. However, each HD 204 stores various data such as a program for controlling the relay device 30, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100.

  Note that each program for the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 is a computer-readable recording medium (recording) in a file that can be installed or executed. It may be recorded and distributed on the media 106 or the like. Other examples of the recording medium include CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and Blu-ray Disc.

<< Functional Configuration of Embodiment >>
Next, the functional configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, and the conversion system 80 that constitute a part of the call system 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the terminal 10, the relay device 30, the management system 50, and the conversion system 80 are connected so that data communication can be performed via the communication network 2.

<Functional configuration of terminal>
The terminal 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11, an operation input reception unit 12, a login request unit 13, an imaging unit 14, a sound input unit 15a, a sound output unit 15b, a display control unit 16, a delay detection unit 17, a measurement unit 18, and a storage / A read processing unit 19 is included. Each of these units is a function realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 7 being operated by a command from the CPU 101 according to the program for the terminal 10 expanded from the flash memory 104 onto the RAM 103. Or means. Further, the terminal 10 has a storage unit 1000 constructed by the RAM 103 shown in FIG. 7 and the flash memory 104 shown in FIG.

(Functional configuration of terminal)
Next, each functional configuration of the terminal 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9. In the following, in describing each functional configuration of the terminal 10, a relationship with main components for realizing each functional configuration of the terminal 10 among the respective components illustrated in FIG. 7 will also be described. .

  The transmission / reception unit 11 of the terminal 10 shown in FIG. 9 is realized by a command from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the network I / F 111 shown in FIG. Various data (or information) is transmitted / received to / from the terminal, device or system. The transmission / reception unit 11 starts receiving state information indicating the state of each terminal as a destination candidate from the management system 50 before starting a call with a desired destination terminal. This status information includes not only the operating status of each terminal 10 (online or offline status) but also whether it is possible to make a call even when online, whether it is in a call, whether it is away from the office, etc. Shows detailed status. The status information is not only for the operating status of each terminal 10 but also for the terminal 10 to have the cable 120c disconnected from the terminal 10, to output sound but not to output an image, or to output no sound. Various states such as (MUTE) are shown. Below, the case where status information shows an operation state is demonstrated as an example.

  The operation input accepting unit 12 is realized by a command from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the operation buttons 108 and the power switch 109 shown in FIG. 7, and accepts various inputs by the user. For example, when the user turns on the power switch 109 shown in FIG. 7, the operation input accepting unit 12 shown in FIG. 9 accepts power-on and turns on the power.

  The login request unit 13 is realized by a command from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7, and requests login from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 when receiving the power-on. And the current IP address of the request source terminal are automatically transmitted. When the user turns the power switch 109 from the ON state to the OFF state, the operation input receiving unit 12 completely turns off the power after the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the state information indicating that the power supply is turned off to the management system 50. To do. Thereby, the management system 50 side can grasp that the terminal 10 has been turned off from being turned on.

  The imaging unit 14 is realized by the instruction from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the camera 112 and the imaging device I / F 113 shown in FIG. Output data.

  The sound input unit 15a is realized by the instruction from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the sound input / output I / F 116 shown in FIG. 7, and the user's sound is converted into a sound signal by the microphone 114. Thereafter, sound data related to the sound signal is input. The sound output unit 15b is realized by a command from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the sound input / output I / F 116 shown in FIG. 7, and outputs a sound signal related to the sound data to the speaker 115. The sound is output from 115.

  The display control unit 16 is realized by the instruction from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the display I / F 117 shown in FIG. 7, and combines received image data with different resolutions as described later. Control for transmitting the combined image data to the display 120 is performed. In addition, the display control unit 16 can transmit information on the destination list received from the management system 50 to the display 120 and cause the display 120 to display the destination list.

  The delay detection unit 17 is realized by a command from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and detects a delay time (ms) of image data or sound data sent from another terminal 10 via the relay device 30. .

  The measurement unit 18 measures a second reception time (tr2) when second transmission information described later is received by the transmission / reception unit 11. In order to confirm that the conversion system 80 which is the transmission source of the advance transmission information and the non-dedicated terminal 10 (10ac, 10bc, 10cc, 10dc) are communicably connected to the second advance transmission information. Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is included. In addition, the second pre-transmission information is transmitted to the conversion system 80 instead of the image data and the audio data prior to the transmission of the image data and the audio data, so that the transmission from the conversion system 80 to the non-dedicated terminal is performed. This is information used to measure the time required for reception at the terminal.

  The storage / reading processing unit 19 is executed by the instruction from the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 7 and the instruction from the SSD 105 shown in FIG. 7 or realized by the instruction from the CPU 101, and stores various data in the storage unit 1000. Processing for reading various data stored in the unit 1000 is performed. The storage unit 1000 stores a terminal ID (Identification) for identifying the terminal 10, a password, and the like. Further, the storage unit 1000 overwrites and stores image data and sound data received when a call with the destination terminal is made. Among these, an image is displayed on the display 120 by the image data before being overwritten, and a sound is output from the speaker 115 by the sound data before being overwritten.

  Note that the terminal ID of the present embodiment and a relay device ID described later indicate identification information such as a language, characters, symbols, or various signs used to uniquely identify the terminal 10 and the relay device 30, respectively. Further, the terminal ID and the relay device ID may be identification information in which at least two of the language, characters, symbols, and various indicia are combined.

<Functional configuration of relay device>
The relay device 30 includes a transmission / reception unit 31, a state detection unit 32, a data quality confirmation unit 33, a change quality management unit 34, a data quality change unit 35, a measurement unit 36, and a storage / read processing unit 39. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8 being operated by a command from the CPU 201 according to the relay device program expanded from the HD 204 onto the RAM 203. It is. The relay device 30 includes a storage unit 3000 configured by the RAM 203 illustrated in FIG. 8 and / or the HD 204 illustrated in FIG.

(Change quality control table)
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the changed quality management table. In the storage unit 3000, a change quality management DB (Data Base) 3001 configured by a change quality management table as shown in FIG. In the change quality management table, the IP address of the terminal 10 as the relay destination (destination) of the image data and the image quality of the image data relayed by the relay device 30 are associated with the relay destination and managed.

(Each functional configuration of the relay device)
Next, each functional configuration of the relay device 30 will be described in detail. In the following description, in describing each functional configuration of the relay device 30, among the components illustrated in FIG. 8, the relationship with the main components for realizing each functional configuration of the relay device 30 is also described. explain.

  The transmission / reception unit 31 of the relay device 30 shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the network I / F 209 shown in FIG. Various data (or information) is transmitted / received to / from other terminals, devices or systems. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 31 initializes a communication session in the own device.

  Further, the transmission / reception unit 31 instructs the destination indicated by the IP address of the requesting terminal among the IP addresses received by the transmission / reception unit 31 to start a communication session (first communication session). Session start instruction information is transmitted. Also, the transmission / reception unit 31 instructs the destination indicated by the IP address of the conversion system 80 among the IP addresses received by the transmission / reception unit 31 to start a communication session (second communication session). Session start instruction information and the IP address of the destination terminal are transmitted.

  The state detection unit 32 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 8, and detects the operating state of the relay device 30 having the state detection unit 32. The operating state includes “online”, “offline”, “busy”, or “temporarily interrupted”.

  The data quality confirmation unit 33 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, searches the change quality management table (see FIG. 10) using the IP address of the destination terminal as a search key, and relays correspondingly. The image quality of the relayed image data is confirmed by extracting the image quality of the image data. Note that the description in parentheses after the DB 3001 indicates a drawing showing a table constructed in the DB 3001. The same applies to the other DBs.

  The change quality management unit 34 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and is based on quality information to be described later and sent from the management system 50. The content of the change quality management table (see FIG. 10). To change. For example, a video conference is performed by transmitting and receiving high-quality image data between a request source terminal (terminal 10aa) whose terminal ID is “01aa” and a destination terminal (terminal 10ba) whose terminal ID is “01ba”. While the request is being made, the request source terminal (terminal 10bb) and the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) that conduct another video conference start the video conference via the communication network 2, etc., and the destination terminal (terminal 10ba). When a delay in receiving the image data occurs, the relay device 30 reduces the image quality of the image data that has been relayed from the high image quality to the medium image quality. In such a case, the content of the change quality management table (see FIG. 10) is changed so as to lower the image quality of the image data relayed by the relay device 30 from the high image quality to the medium image quality based on the quality information indicating the medium image quality. Is done.

  The data quality changing unit 35 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, and changes the image quality of the image data sent from the transmission source terminal to the changed quality management table (see FIG. 10). Change based on the contents of

  The measurement unit 36 has a first reception time (tr1) when first transmission information described later is received by the transmission / reception unit 31 and a first reception time (tr1) when second transmission information is received by the transmission / reception unit 31. 2 reception time (tr2) is measured. In the first and second pre-transmission information, a ping (Packet Internet Groper) for confirming that the terminal 10 that is the transmission source of the pre-transmission information and the relay device 30 are connected so as to be communicable. include. Further, the first pre-transmission information is transmitted to the relay device 30 instead of the image data and the audio data prior to the transmission of the image data and the audio data, so that the transmission from the request source terminal to the relay device 30 is performed. This is information used to measure the time required for reception at the terminal. Prior to transmission of image data and audio data, the second pre-transmission information is transmitted to the relay device 30 instead of these image data and audio data, so that transmission from the destination terminal to reception at the relay device 30 is performed. This information is used to measure the time required until.

  The storage / reading processing unit 39 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the HDD 205 shown in FIG. 8, and stores various data in the storage unit 3000 or stored in the storage unit 3000. A process of reading various data is performed.

<Functional configuration of management system>
The management system 50 includes a transmission / reception unit 51, a terminal authentication unit 52, a state management unit 53, a terminal extraction unit 54, a determination unit 55, a session management unit 56, a quality determination unit 57, a delay time management unit 58, and a storage / read processing unit 59. , A terminal state obtaining unit 60, a primary narrowing unit 61, and a final narrowing unit 62. Each of these units is a function realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8 being operated by an instruction from the CPU 201 according to the program for the management system 50 expanded from the HD 204 onto the RAM 203, or Means. Further, the management system 50 includes a storage unit 5000 constructed by the HD 204 shown in FIG.

(Relay device management table)
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a relay device management table. In the storage unit 5000, a relay device management DB 5001 configured by a relay device management table as shown in FIG. 11 is constructed. In this relay device management table, for each relay device ID of each relay device 30, the operating status of each relay device 30, the reception date and time when status information indicating the operating status is received by the management system 50, and the IP address of the relay device 30 , And the maximum data transmission rate (Mbps) in the relay device 30 is managed in association with each other. Furthermore, in this relay apparatus management table, for each conversion system ID of each conversion system 80 that is associated with each relay apparatus 30 by being associated with each relay apparatus 30 on a one-to-one basis. The operating state and the IP address of the conversion system 80 are managed in association with each other. For example, in the relay device management table shown in FIG. 11, the relay device 30a with the relay device ID “111a” is “online” in the operating state, and the date and time when the status information is received by the management system 50 is “2011”. "November 10, 13:00" indicates that the IP address of this relay device 30a is "1.2.1.2" and that the maximum data transmission rate in this relay device 30a is 100 Mbps. Yes. Furthermore, in the relay device management table shown in FIG. 11, the conversion system 80a with the conversion system ID “112a” associated with the relay device 30a with the relay device ID “111a” has an “online” operating state. The IP address of the conversion system 80a is “1.2.1.6”.

(Terminal information management table)
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a terminal information management table. In the storage unit 5000, a terminal information management DB 5002 configured by a terminal information management table as shown in FIG. 12 is constructed. In this terminal information management table, for each terminal ID of all the terminals 10 managed by the management system 50, the password for authentication, the model number of the terminal 10, the serial number of the terminal 10, the communication method of the terminal 10, the terminal 10 IP addresses and network quality tolerance of the terminal 10 are associated and managed. For example, in the terminal information management table shown in FIG. 12, the terminal ID of the terminal 10ac is “01ac”, the password is “dada”, the model number is “8001”, the serial number is “1001”, and the communication method is “ It is shown that the non-dedicated 1 is IP address is “1.2.1.5”, and the network quality tolerance is “5”. The IP address of the non-dedicated terminal D is managed as static data in the terminal information management table (see FIG. 12), whereas the IP address of the dedicated terminal A is expressed as dynamic data as follows: It is also managed in the terminal state management table shown (see FIG. 13). That is, by managing the terminal status management table (see FIG. 13), the dedicated terminal A can cope with the case where the IP address changes, and therefore, the usability can be improved compared to the non-dedicated terminal D. .

  Here, the communication method “dedicated” indicates a communication method used by the dedicated terminal A shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The communication method “non-dedicated 1” indicates a communication method used by the non-dedicated terminal D shown in FIG. Further, the communication method “non-dedicated 2” indicates a communication method other than the communication method used by the dedicated terminal A and the non-dedicated terminal D, respectively.

  Here, the network quality tolerance is an index representing the sensitivity to the influence of the network quality. A larger value of the network quality tolerance indicates that the video quality is higher even if the network quality is worse, and a smaller value indicates that the video quality becomes lower as the network quality becomes worse. Network quality tolerance is set in advance for each terminal by a user or an administrator. The network quality tolerance value is preferably a value set by an administrator or user in advance by investigating with an actual device, and it is set by parameterizing whether the terminal codec or error tolerance (such as FEC) is installed. Also good. When the network quality tolerance value is set in the terminal 10, the network quality tolerance value of the terminal itself may be transmitted to the transmission management system 50 at the time of login.

(Terminal status management table)
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a terminal state management table. In the storage unit 5000, a terminal state management DB 5003 configured by a terminal state management table as shown in FIG. 13 is constructed. In this terminal status management table, for each terminal ID of each terminal 10, the terminal name when each terminal 10 is the destination, the operating status of each terminal 10, and the reception date and time when the log-in request information described below was received by the management system 50 , And the IP address of the terminal 10 are managed in association with each other. For example, in the terminal status management table shown in FIG. 13, the terminal 10aa with the terminal ID “01aa” has the terminal name “Japan Tokyo Office AA terminal” and the operating status “online (call possible)”. The date and time when the login request information is received by the management system 50 is “11:40 on November 10, 2011”, and the IP address of this terminal 10aa is “1.2.1.3”. Has been.

  However, the terminal status management table is blank because the IP addresses of the terminals 10 other than the dedicated terminal A, that is, the non-dedicated terminals D are not managed because they are not managed.

(Destination list management table)
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a destination list management table. In the storage unit 5000, a destination list management DB 5004 configured by a destination list management table as shown in FIG. 14 is constructed. In this destination list management table, all terminal IDs of destination terminals registered as destination candidates of the request source terminal are managed in association with the terminal ID of the request source terminal that requests the start of a call. For example, in the destination list management table shown in FIG. 14, a destination candidate that can request the start of a call from a request source terminal (terminal 10aa) whose terminal ID is “01aa” has a terminal ID “01ab”. Terminal 10ab, terminal 10ba having a terminal ID “01ba”, terminal 10bb having a terminal ID “01bb”, and the like. This destination candidate is updated by being added or deleted by a request for addition or deletion from an arbitrary request source terminal to the management system 50. In the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13), the IP addresses of the terminals 10 other than the dedicated terminal A are not managed, but in the destination list management table (see FIG. 14), the terminals 10 other than the dedicated terminal A are used. Is the management target.

(Session management table)
FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a session management table. In the storage unit 5000, a session management DB 5005 configured by a session management table as shown in FIG. 15 is constructed. In this session management table, the session ID, the relay device ID of the relay device 30 used for relaying image data and sound data, the terminal ID of the request source terminal, the terminal ID of the destination terminal, and the image data are received at the destination terminal. The reception delay time (ms) and the delay time information indicating this delay time are sent from the destination terminal and received by the management system 50 in association with each other. For example, in the session management table shown in FIG. 15, the relay device 30a (relay device ID “111a”) has a request source terminal (terminal 10aa) with a terminal ID “01aa” and a terminal ID “01ca”. Image data and sound data are relayed to and from the destination terminal (terminal 10ca), and the delay time of the image data at “14:00 on November 10, 2011” at the destination terminal (terminal 10ca). It is shown that it is 200 (ms). When a call is made between the two terminals 10, the reception date and time of the delay time information may be managed based on the delay time information transmitted from the request source terminal instead of the destination terminal. However, when a call is made between three or more terminals 10, the reception date and time of delay time information is managed based on the delay time information transmitted from the terminal 10 on the image data and sound data receiving side. .

(Address priority management table)
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing an address priority management table. In the storage unit 5000, an address priority management DB 5006 configured by an address priority management table as shown in FIG. 16 is constructed. In this address priority management table, the dot priority of the dot address is set so that the point of the address priority becomes higher as the “same” of the four sets of dot addresses (Dot Address) of the general IPv4 IP addresses increases. The difference and the address priority are managed in association with each other. This “same” means that the dot address portions are the same, and “different” means that the dot address portions are different. For example, in the address priority management table shown in FIG. 16, when three values are the same IP address from the top to the bottom of the dot address, the address priority point is “5”. When the two values are the same IP address from the top to the bottom of the dot address, the address priority point is “3”. In this case, whether the value of the lowest dot address is the same or not is not related to the priority. In the case of IP addresses having the same highest value of dot addresses and different second values from the top, the address priority point is “1”. In this case, whether or not the values of the third and lowest dot addresses from the top are the same has no relation to the priority. In the case of IP addresses having different uppermost values of dot addresses, the address priority point is “0”. In this case, whether or not the values of the second, third, and lowest dot addresses from the top are the same has no relation to the priority.

(Transmission speed priority management table)
The address priority management DB 5006 constructed in the storage unit 5000 also includes a transmission speed priority management table as shown in FIG. In this transmission rate priority management table, the maximum data transmission rate and the transmission rate priority are set such that the higher the maximum data transmission rate (Mbps) value in the relay device 30, the higher the transmission rate priority point. Associated and managed. For example, in the transmission rate priority management table shown in FIG. 17, when the maximum data transmission rate in the relay apparatus 30 is 1000 Mbps or more, the transmission rate priority point is “5”. When the maximum data transmission rate in the relay device 30 is 100 Mbps or more and less than 1000 Mbps, the transmission rate priority point is “3”. When the maximum data transmission rate in the relay device 30 is 10 Mbps or more and less than 100 Mbps, the transmission rate priority point is “1”. When the maximum data transmission rate in the relay device 30 is less than 10 Mbps, the transmission rate priority point is “0”.

(Quality control table)
FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a quality management table. In the storage unit 5000, a quality management DB 5007 configured by a quality management table as shown in FIG. 18 is constructed. In this quality management table, the delay time information indicating the delay time of the image data so that the image quality of the image data relayed by the relay device 30 is lowered as the delay time (ms) of the image data at the request source terminal or the destination terminal is longer. And image quality information indicating the image quality (image quality) of the image data are managed in association with each other.

(Functional configuration of the management system)
Next, each functional configuration of the management system 50 will be described in detail. In the following, in describing each functional configuration of the management system 50, among the components shown in FIG. 8, the relationship with the main components for realizing each functional configuration of the management system 50 is also described. explain.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 is executed by the instruction from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the network I / F 209 shown in FIG. Or information).

  The terminal authentication unit 52 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, and manages terminal information using the terminal ID and password included in the login request information received via the transmission / reception unit 51 as search keys. A table (see FIG. 12) is searched, and terminal authentication is performed by determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in this terminal information management table.

  The state management unit 53 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and stores the request source in the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13) in order to manage the operating state of the request source terminal that has requested login. The terminal ID of the terminal, the operation state of the request source terminal, the reception date and time when the login request information is received by the management system 50, and the IP address of the request source terminal are stored and managed in association with each other. In addition, the state management unit 53 sets the terminal state based on the state information sent from the terminal 10 to turn off the power when the user turns the power switch 109 of the terminal 10 from ON to OFF. The operating state indicating online in the management table (see FIG. 13) is changed to offline.

  The terminal extraction unit 54 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, searches the destination list management DB 5004 (see FIG. 14) using the terminal ID of the request source terminal that requested the login as a key, and requests the request source terminal. The terminal ID is extracted by reading the terminal ID of the candidate destination terminal that can make a call. In addition, the terminal extraction unit 54 searches the destination list management DB 5004 (see FIG. 14) using the terminal ID of the request source terminal that has requested the login as a key, and registers the terminal ID of the request source terminal as a destination terminal candidate. The terminal IDs of other request source terminals are also extracted.

  The determination unit 55 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 8 and determines whether the communication method used in the terminal 10 is the communication method used in the dedicated terminal A.

  The session management unit 56 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and is stored in the session management table (see FIG. 15) of the storage unit 5000 in the relay device ID of the relay device 30 used for relaying call data. The terminal ID of the request source terminal, the terminal ID of the destination terminal, the reception delay time (ms) when the image data is received at the destination terminal, and the delay time information indicating this delay time are sent from the destination terminal. The received date and time received by the management system 50 is stored and managed in association with each other. The session management unit 56 creates a session ID used for establishing a communication session.

  The quality determination unit 57 determines the image quality of the image data to be relayed by the relay device 30 based on the image quality information of the image data extracted by the storage / read processing unit 59 described later.

  The delay time management unit 58 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, and in the session management table of the session management DB 5005 (see FIG. 15), the terminal ID extracted by the storage / read processing unit 59 described later. The delay time indicated in the delay time information is stored and managed in the field of the delay time in the record including the.

  The storage / read processing unit 59 is executed by the instruction from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the HDD 205 shown in FIG. 8, and stores various data in the storage unit 5000 or stored in the storage unit 5000. To read various data. For example, each management DB constructed in the storage unit 5000 is searched using various search keys, and data (information) corresponding to the search key is read as a search result.

  The terminal state acquisition unit 60 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, and the terminal state management DB 5003 (FIG. 13) is used with the terminal ID of the destination terminal candidate extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54 as a search key. Reference) is retrieved, and the operating state is read for each terminal ID extracted by the terminal extracting unit 54. Thereby, the terminal state acquisition unit 60 can acquire the operation state of the candidate destination terminal that can make a call with the request source terminal that has requested the login. In addition, the terminal state acquisition unit 60 searches the terminal management DB 5003 using the terminal ID extracted by the terminal extraction unit 54 as a search key, and also acquires the operating state of the request source terminal that requested the login.

  The primary narrowing-down unit 61 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8, and this final narrowing process is performed in order to support a final narrowing process that finally narrows down from a plurality of relay apparatuses 30 to one relay apparatus 30. Perform the previous primary narrowing process. The conversion system is also narrowed down by this primary narrowing process.

  FIG. 19 is a functional configuration diagram of the primary narrowing unit 61. The primary narrowing-down part 61 implement | achieves the session ID production | generation part 61a for selection, the terminal IP address extraction part 61b, the primary selection part 61c, and the priority determination part 61d by the command from CPU201 shown by FIG.

  Among these, the selection session ID generation unit 61 a generates a selection session ID used for executing a session for selecting the relay device 30. Based on the terminal ID of the request source terminal and the terminal ID of the destination terminal included in the start request information sent from the request source terminal, the terminal IP address extraction unit 61b is based on the terminal state management DB 5003 (see FIG. 13). Is retrieved, the IP address of each corresponding terminal 10 is extracted. The primary selection unit 61c selects the relay device ID of the relay device 30 whose operation state is “online” from among the relay devices 30 managed by the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11), thereby relaying. The device 30 is selected. Further, the terminal IP address extraction unit 61b, based on the terminal ID of the request source terminal and the terminal ID of the destination terminal included in the start request information sent from the request source terminal, the terminal state management DB 5003 (FIG. 13). If the IP address of each corresponding terminal 10 can be extracted by searching (refer to), it is determined that the terminal is a dedicated terminal, and if it cannot be extracted, it is determined that the terminal is a non-dedicated terminal.

  The primary selection unit 61c searches the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11) based on the IP address of the request source terminal and the IP address of the destination terminal extracted by the terminal IP address extraction unit 61b. Thus, for each dot address of the IP address of the selected relay device 30, it is investigated whether it is the same as or different from each dot address in each IP address of the request source terminal and the destination terminal. Further, for each relay device, the primary selection unit 61c has two higher relay devices having higher points among the integrated points obtained by integrating the higher points with respect to the terminal 10 at the address priority points and the transmission speed priority points. By selecting 30, the relay device 30 is further selected. Further, the primary selection unit 61c notifies the IP address of the non-dedicated terminal to the conversion system 80 corresponding to the selected relay device 30. In the present embodiment, the top two relay devices 30 with high points are selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If one relay device 30 can be narrowed down as many as possible, the top points with high points are selected. Three or more relay devices 30 may be selected.

  The priority determination unit 61d refers to the address priority management DB 5006 (see FIG. 16), and determines an address priority point for each relay device 30 investigated by the primary selection unit 61c. Further, the priority determination unit 61d searches the priority management DB 5006 (see FIG. 17) based on the maximum data transmission rate of each relay device 30 managed by the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11). The point of transmission speed priority is determined for each relay device 30 narrowed down by the first narrowing-down process by the primary selection unit 61c.

  Here, the session management unit 56 stores the selection session ID generated by the selection session ID generation unit 56a, the terminal ID of the requesting terminal, and the destination terminal in the session management DB 5005 (see FIG. 15) of the storage unit 5000. Store and manage terminal IDs in association with each other. In addition, the session management unit 57, for the session management DB 5005 (see FIG. 15), for each selection session ID, the relay device of the relay device 30 that is finally selected by the final selection unit 61b of the terminal 10 Store and manage IDs.

  In order to finally narrow down the plurality of relay devices 30 to one relay device 30, the final narrowing-down unit 62 uses a calculation unit 62a as shown in FIG. 20 according to a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. The final selection unit 62b is realized.

  For each IP address of an arbitrary relay device 30 in an arbitrary session ID, the calculation unit 62a includes a first reception date (tr1) indicated by the first reception date information and a first transmission date information indicated by the first transmission date information. The first required time (t1) from transmission to reception of each first pre-transmission information is calculated based on the time difference from the transmission date and time (tt1). Similarly, for each IP address of the relay device 30 in the same session ID as described above, the calculation unit 62a performs the second reception date (tr2) indicated by the second reception date information and the second transmission date information indicated by the second transmission date information. The second required time (t2) from the transmission to the reception of each second pre-transmission information is calculated based on the time difference from the transmission date and time (tt2) of 2.

  The calculation unit 62a also adds up the calculated first required time (t1) and second calculated required time (t2) for each IP address of an arbitrary relay device 30 in an arbitrary session ID. Calculate (T).

  The final selection unit 62b determines whether the total required time (T) calculated by the calculation unit 62a corresponds to the number of relay devices 30 scheduled to be relayed in the execution of the session with the session ID. If not all have been calculated, the final selection unit 62b determines whether a predetermined time (in this case, 1 minute) has elapsed since the start of calculation of the total required time (T). On the other hand, when the final selection unit 62b calculates the total required time (T) of all the numbers, or when a predetermined time (here 1 minute) has elapsed, the final selection unit 62b has been One relay device 30 related to the shortest total required time (T) is selected from the calculated total required time (T). That is, the final selection unit 61b obtains the first and second prior transmission information that has the shortest total required time (T) among the plurality of total required times (T) calculated by the calculation unit 61a so far. One received relay device 30 is selected.

  Further, the calculation unit 62a is indicated by the first reception date and time (tr1) indicated by the first reception date and time information and the first transmission date and time information for each IP address of the arbitrary relay device 30 in the arbitrary session ID. Based on the time difference from the first transmission date and time (tt1), a first required time (t1) from transmission to reception of each first pre-transmission information is calculated. Similarly, for each IP address of the conversion system 80 in the same session ID as described above, the calculation unit 62a performs the second reception date (tr2) indicated by the second reception date information and the second transmission date information indicated by the second transmission date information. The second required time (t2) from the transmission to the reception of each second pre-transmission information is calculated based on the time difference from the transmission date and time (tt2) of 2.

  The calculation unit 62a also adds up the calculated first required time (t1) and second calculated required time (t2) for each IP address of an arbitrary relay device 30 in an arbitrary session ID. Calculate (T).

  The final selection unit 62b determines whether the total required time (T) calculated by the calculation unit 62a corresponds to the number of relay devices 30 scheduled to be relayed in the execution of the session with the session ID. If not all have been calculated, the final selection unit 62b determines whether a predetermined time (in this case, 1 minute) has elapsed since the start of calculation of the total required time (T). On the other hand, when the final selection unit 62b calculates the total required time (T) of all the numbers, or when a predetermined time (here 1 minute) has elapsed, the final selection unit 62b determines the communication method of the request source terminal. When the communication method of the destination terminal is different and the NW quality tolerance of the request source terminal is the same as the NW quality tolerance of the destination terminal, the total required time (T) calculated so far by the calculation unit 62a One relay device 30 related to the shortest total required time (T) is selected. That is, the final selection unit 61b obtains the first and second prior transmission information that has the shortest total required time (T) among the plurality of total required times (T) calculated by the calculation unit 61a so far. One received relay device 30 is selected.

  Further, the final selection unit 62b determines that the request source terminal communication method and the destination terminal communication method are different, and if the request source terminal NW quality tolerance and the destination terminal NW quality tolerance are different, One relay device with the shortest required time from the relay device 30 related to the first required time (t1) or the second required time (t2) with the lower NW quality tolerance value with the destination terminal select. That is, when the NW quality tolerance of the request source terminal is lower than the NW quality tolerance of the destination terminal, one relay device 30 having the shortest first required time (t1) is selected, and the NW quality tolerance of the request source terminal is selected. If the NW quality tolerance of the destination terminal is lower, one relay device 30 having the shortest second required time (t2) is selected.

<Functional configuration of conversion system>
The conversion system 80 includes a transmission / reception unit 81, a communication method conversion unit 82, a measurement unit 83, and a storage / read processing unit 89. Each of these units is a function realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8 being operated by a command from the CPU 201 according to the program for the conversion system 80 expanded from the HD 204 onto the RAM 203, or Means. Further, the conversion system 80 has a storage unit 8000 constructed by the RAM 203 shown in FIG. 8 and / or the HD 204 shown in FIG. The storage unit 8000 stores conversion rule data used for converting communication data.

(Each functional configuration of the conversion system)
Next, each functional configuration of the conversion system 80 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the following, in describing each functional configuration of the conversion system 80, among the components illustrated in FIG. 8, the relationship with the main components for realizing each functional configuration of the conversion system 80 is also described. explain.

  The transmission / reception unit 81 of the conversion system 80 shown in FIG. 9 is realized by a command from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the network I / F 209 shown in FIG. Various data (or information) is transmitted / received to / from other terminals, devices or systems. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 81 transmits session start instruction information for instructing the start of a communication session (third communication session) to the destination indicated by the position information transmitted by the relay device 30. The location information is an IP address, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), or the like.

  The communication method conversion unit 82 converts the communication method of the call data transmitted from the request source terminal and the communication method of the call data transmitted from the destination terminal according to the communication method conversion rule data stored in the storage unit 8000. Convert.

  The measurement unit 83 measures the second reception time (tr2) when the second pre-transmission information is received by the transmission / reception unit 81. This second pre-transmission information includes a ping for confirming that the terminal 10 (non-dedicated terminal) that is the transmission source of the pre-transmission information and the conversion system 80 are communicably connected. Yes. Further, the second pre-transmission information is transmitted from the terminal 10 (non-dedicated terminal) instead of the image data and audio data prior to transmission of the image data and audio data, so that the terminal 10 (non-dedicated terminal) is transmitted. ) Is used to measure the time required from transmission to reception at the conversion system 80.

  The storage / read processing unit 89 is executed by the instruction from the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 8 and the HDD 205 shown in FIG. 8, and stores various data in the storage unit 8000 or stored in the storage unit 8000. To read various data.

<< Processing or Operation of Embodiment >>
Next, a first communication pattern for making a call between two dedicated terminals A will be described with reference to FIGS. Specifically, a case where a call is made between the terminal 10aa as the dedicated terminal A and the terminal 10ca as the dedicated terminal A will be described. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing processing in a preparation stage for starting a call between terminals. In FIG. 21, various management information is transmitted and received through the management communication session sei shown in FIG.

  First, when the user turns on the power switch 109 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation input receiving unit 12 shown in FIG. 9 receives the power-on, and is shown in FIG. 21. Thus, the power is turned on (step S21). The login request unit 13 automatically transmits login request information indicating a login request from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 when the power-on is received (step S22).

  This login request information includes a terminal ID and a password for identifying the own terminal as the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). These terminal ID and password are data read from the storage unit 1000 via the storage / read processing unit 19 and sent to the transmission / reception unit 11. When the login request information is transmitted from the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) to the management system 50, the management system 50 that is the reception side grasps the IP address of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that is the transmission side. be able to.

  Next, the terminal authentication unit 52 of the management system 50 searches the terminal information management table (see FIG. 12) using the terminal ID and password included in the login request information received via the transmission / reception unit 51 as search keys. Then, terminal authentication is performed by determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in the terminal information management DB 5002 (step S23). Since the same terminal ID and password are managed by the terminal authentication unit 52, when it is determined that the login request is from the terminal 10 having a valid use authority, the state management unit 53 In the management table (see FIG. 13), the terminal ID of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the operating state, the reception date and time when the login request information is received, and the IP address of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) are stored in association with each other. (Step S24). As a result, the terminal status management table (see FIG. 13) includes the terminal ID “01aa”, the operation status “online”, the reception date and time “2011.11.10.13:40”, and the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). The IP address “1.2.1.3” is associated and managed.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 sends the authentication result information indicating the authentication result obtained by the terminal authentication unit 52 via the communication network 2 to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that made the login request. (Step S25). In the present embodiment, the case where the terminal authentication unit 52 determines that the terminal 10 has a valid usage right will be described below.

  The storage / read processing unit 59 of the management system 50 searches the destination list management table (see FIG. 14) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that requested the login as a search key, and requests the request source terminal ( Terminal IDs of candidate destination terminals that can communicate with the terminal 10aa) are extracted (step S26). Here, the terminal IDs (“01ab”, “01ba”,...) Of the destination terminals (terminals 10ab, 10ba,...) Corresponding to the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) are set. Will be extracted.

  Next, the storage / reading processing unit 59 uses the terminal IDs (“01ab”, “01ba”,...) Of the destination terminal candidates extracted in step S26 as search keys, and the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13). ) And the operating states (“offline”, “online”,...) Are read for each terminal ID, thereby acquiring each operating state of the terminal (10ab, 10ba,...) (Step S27). .

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 51 uses the terminal IDs (“01ab”, “01ba”,...) As search keys used in step S27 and the corresponding destination terminals (terminals 10ab, 10ba,...). .) Is sent to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) via the communication network 2 (step S28). . As a result, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) has the current operating state of terminals (10ab, 10ba,...) That are candidates for destination terminals that can communicate with the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) ( "Offline", "Online", etc.) can be grasped.

  Further, the storage / reading processing unit 59 searches the destination list management table (see FIG. 14) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that requested the login as a search key, and the request source terminal ( The terminal IDs of other requesting terminals that register the terminal ID “01aa” of the terminal 10aa) as candidates for the destination terminal are extracted (step S29). In the destination list management table shown in FIG. 14, the terminal IDs of the other request source terminals to be extracted are “01ba”, “01ca”, “01da”, and the like. In the following description, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the terminal IDs of the other request source terminals to be extracted are “01ba”, “01ca”, and “01da”.

  Next, the storage / reading processing unit 59 searches the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that has requested the login as a search key, and logs in. The operating state of the requesting terminal (terminal 10aa) that has requested is acquired (step S30). Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 includes the terminal state management table (10ba, 10ca, 10da) among the terminals (10ba, 10ca, 10da) associated with the terminal IDs (“01ba”, “01ca”, and “01da”) extracted in step S29. The terminal ID “01aa” and the operation state “online” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) acquired in step S30 are added to the terminals (10ba, 10ca) whose operation state is “online” in FIG. The destination state information included is transmitted (steps S31-1, 31-2). When the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the destination state information to the terminals (10ba, 10ca), it is managed in the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13) based on each terminal ID (“01ba”, “01ca”). Refers to the IP address of the current terminal. Thus, the terminal ID “of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that requested the login is sent to each of the other destination terminals (terminals 10ba and 10ca) that can communicate with the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that requested the login. 01aa "and the operation state" online "can be transmitted.

  Note that the terminal 10dc as the non-dedicated terminal D is not managed in the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13), so the terminal ID of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that requested the login is sent to the terminal 10dc. “01aa” and the operation status “online” cannot be transmitted. That is, the non-dedicated terminal D cannot receive a service for obtaining the operating state of the dedicated terminal A.

  On the other hand, in the other terminals 10 as well, when the user turns on the power switch 109 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation input reception unit 12 shown in FIG. Since ON is accepted and processing similar to the processing in steps S22 to S31-1, S31-2 is performed, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, processing for narrowing down the relay devices 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 22 shows a process in which various types of management information are transmitted and received through the management information session sei. In the present embodiment, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) is at least one of the terminals (10ba, 10db) whose operation status is online based on the received terminal status information among the terminals 10 as destination candidates. You can make a call. Therefore, hereinafter, a case where the user of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) has selected to start a call with the destination terminal (terminal 10db) will be described.

  First, when the user presses the operation button 108 shown in FIG. 6 to select the terminal 10db, the operation input reception unit 12 shown in FIG. 7 issues a request to start a call with the destination terminal 10db. Accept (step S41). Then, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) includes the terminal ID “01aa” of the terminal 10aa and the terminal ID “01db” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db), and indicates a start request indicating that a call is to be started. Information is transmitted to the management system 50 (step S42). Accordingly, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 can receive the start request information and grasp the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that is the transmission source. .

  Then, based on the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the terminal ID “01db” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) included in the start request information, the state management unit 53 determines the terminal management DB 5003 (see FIG. 13). ) In the terminal management table, both of the field portions of the operation state of the records each including the terminal ID “01aa” and the terminal ID “01db” are changed to “busy” (step S43). In this state, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) have not started a call, but are in a call state and the other terminal 10 is a request source terminal (terminal 10aa) or a destination terminal. When a call is made to (terminal 10db), a sound or display indicating a so-called busy state is output.

  Next, a process for executing a session for selecting the relay device 30 in steps S44 to S49 and steps S61-1 to S66 will be described. First, the selection session ID generation unit 56a generates a selection session ID used to execute a session for selecting the relay device 30 (step S44). Then, the session management unit 57 stores the selection session ID “se1” generated in step S44 and the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) in the session management DB 5005 (see FIG. 15) of the storage unit 5000. And the terminal ID “01db” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) are stored and managed in association with each other (step S45). Then, the management system 50 determines what communication method is used by the destination terminal (terminal 10db) (step S46).

  Here, the process in step S46 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing determination of the communication method.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the storage / reading processing unit 59 is based on the terminal ID “01db” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) received by the transmission / reception unit 51 (see FIG. 12). By searching for the corresponding communication method information (step S46-1).

  Next, the determination unit 55 determines whether or not the communication method indicated by the extracted communication method information is a communication method used in the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) as the dedicated terminal A (Step S55). S46-2). Specifically, the determination unit 55 determines whether or not the communication method indicated by the communication method information extracted by the storage / read processing unit 59 is the same as the communication method used by the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). Judging. When the communication method is the same, both the call control method and the coding method are the same. When the communication method is not the same (different), at least one of the call control method and the coding method. Is different.

  If the determination unit 55 determines in step S46-2 that the communication method is the same (YES), the process proceeds to step S61-1 shown in FIG. Here, since the destination terminal (terminal 10db) is the same dedicated terminal A as the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the process proceeds to step S61-1.

  Returning to FIG. 22, the description will be continued.

  Next, the primary screening unit 61 of the management system 50 performs a call between the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) based on the relay device management DB 5001, the terminal management DB 5003, and the priority management DB 5006. Is first narrowed down (step S47).

  Here, the process in step S47 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. First, the terminal IP address extracting unit 61b includes the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) included in the start communication information transmitted from the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), and the destination terminal (terminal 10db). ) Of the terminal management DB 5003 (see FIG. 13) on the basis of the terminal ID “01db” of the terminal ID “01db”, the IP addresses (“1.2.1.3”, “ 1.3.2.4 ") is extracted (step S47-1).

  Next, the terminal IP address extraction unit 61b determines whether or not the destination terminal (terminal 10db) that is the request destination terminal is a non-dedicated terminal (step S47-2). Here, since the IP address of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) can be extracted, it is determined to be a dedicated terminal.

  When it is not determined that the destination terminal is a non-dedicated terminal, the primary selection unit 61c relays “online” among the operating states of the relay device 30 managed in the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11). Each relay device ID (111a, 111b, 111d) of the device (30a, 30b, 30d) is selected (step S47-3).

  When it is determined that the destination terminal is a non-dedicated terminal, the primary selection unit 61c is “online” among the operating states of the relay device 30 managed by the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11). Among the relay devices (30a, 30b, 30d), select each relay device ID (111a, 111b, 111d) whose operation state of the conversion system 80 associated with each relay device is also "online" (step S47-). 4).

  After the process of step S47-3 or step S47-4, the primary selection unit 61c extracts the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) extracted in step S47-1. And by selecting the step S47-3 or step S47-4 by searching the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11) based on the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db). IP addresses ("1.2.1.2.", "1.2.2.2.", "1.3.1.2", "1.3") of the relay devices (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) For each dot address of 1.3.2.2 "), each IP address (" 1.2.1.3 "," 1.3.3 ") of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and destination terminal (terminal 10db). 2.4 ") each dot address Different or a to investigate whether it is the same (step S47-5).

  Next, the priority determination unit 61d refers to the priority management DB 5006 (see FIG. 16), and determines the point of address priority for each relay device (30a, 30b, 30d) investigated in step S47-5. Is determined (step S47-6). When the result of this determination process is shown in a table, the state shown in FIG. 25 is obtained. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a calculation state of priority points when the relay device 30 performs the narrowing-down process. In FIG. 25, an address priority point, a transmission speed priority point, and an integration point are shown for each relay device ID. The address priority points further indicate points for the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and points for the destination terminal (terminal 10db) of each relay device 30. The integration point is the sum of the higher one of the two address priority points and the transmission speed priority point.

  In the present embodiment, the IP address “1.2.1.2” of the relay device 30a is shown in FIG. 16 relative to the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). As shown in FIG. 25, the address priority point is “5” because “Same. Same. Same. Different”. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the IP address “1.2.1.2” of the relay device 30a is different from the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db). As shown in FIG. 16, since “same. Different. Different. Different”, the point of the address priority is “1” as shown in FIG. Further, the IP address “1.2.2.2” of the relay device 30b is as shown in FIG. 16 with respect to the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). , “Same. Same. Different. Different”, the point of address priority is “3”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the IP address “1.2.2.2” of the relay device 30b is different from the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) as shown in FIG. Since “same. Different. Same. Different”, the address priority point is “1”. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the IP address “1.3.2.2” of the relay device 30d is different from the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa). , “Same.Different.Different.Different”, the point of address priority is “1”. Further, the IP address “1.3.2.2” of the relay device 30d is “same. Same. Same. Different” with respect to the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db). Therefore, the address priority point is “5”.

  Next, returning to FIG. 24, the priority determination unit 61d determines the priority management DB 5006 (FIG. 17) based on the maximum data transmission rate of each relay device 30 managed by the relay device management DB 5001 (see FIG. 11). By searching for (reference), a transmission speed priority point is determined for each relay device (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) narrowed down by the first narrowing-down process in step S47-3 or step S47-4. (Step S47-7). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the maximum data transmission rate of the relay device 30a is 100 (Mbps). Therefore, referring to the transmission rate priority shown in FIG. The degree is 3 points. Similarly, if the maximum data transmission rate of the relay device 30b is calculated to be 1000 (Mbps), the transmission rate priority is 5 points. Similarly, if the maximum data transmission rate of the relay device 30d is calculated to be 10 (Mbps), the transmission rate priority is 1 point.

  Next, for each relay apparatus (30a, 30b, 30d), the primary selection unit 61c integrates the higher point of the terminals (10aa, 10db) and the transmission speed priority point at the address priority point. Among the integrated points, the top two relay devices 30 with the highest points are selected (step S47-8). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the relay device IDs (111a, 111b, 111d) have the integration points “8”, “8”, and “6”, respectively. The relay device 30a related to “111a” and the relay device 30b related to the relay device ID “111b” are selected.

  Returning to FIG. 22, the description will be continued.

  When the narrowing-down process in step S47 is completed, the transmission / reception unit 51 illustrated in FIG. 9 transmits the number of relay devices 30 thus narrowed down to the destination terminal (terminal 10db) via the communication network 2. Relay device narrowing information is transmitted (step S48). The relay device narrowing information includes the number “2” of relay devices 30 narrowed down in step S47, the terminal ID “01aa” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), and the selection session ID “se1”. It is. Thereby, the terminal 10db can grasp how many relay devices 30 are in the execution of the session with the selection session ID “se1” and which terminal 10 has requested to start a call. At the same time, the IP address “1.1.1.2” of the management system 50 that is the transmission source of the relay device narrowing information can be grasped.

  Then, the terminal 10db transmits reception completion information indicating that the reception of the relay device narrowing information is completed from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 (step S49). This reception completion information includes the session ID “se1”. As a result, the management system 50 completes the transmission of the number of relay apparatuses being executed with the session ID “se1”, and the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) that is the transmission source. Can be grasped.

  Next, a process in which the management system 50 selects the relay device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 26 shows a case where both the request source terminal and the destination terminal are dedicated terminals.

  First, before starting a video conference call, in order to cause each of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) to transmit the pre-transmission information including ping, the management system 50 includes a transmission / reception unit. The pre-transmission request information is transmitted from 51 to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) via the communication network 2 (steps S61-1, 61-2). The pre-transmission request information includes the session ID “se1” and the IP addresses (“1.2.1.2”, “1.2.2” of the relay devices (30a, 30b) narrowed down in step S47. .2 "). Thereby, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) relay the pre-transmission information in the selection process of the relay device 30 executed with the session ID “se1” (30a, 30b). Can be grasped. At this time, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10db) can also grasp the IP address “1.1.1.2” of the management system that is the transmission source of the advance transmission request information. .

  Next, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) transmits the first pre-transmission information from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S62-1).

  Further, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) associates the transmission date and time when the first pre-transmission information is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 11 with the IP address of the relay device 30a to which the first pre-transmission information is transmitted. 9 is stored in the storage unit 1000 shown in FIG. 9 (step S63-1).

  On the other hand, the first pre-transmission information includes the session ID “se1” and ping. As a result, the relay device 30a can grasp that the first pre-transmission information has been sent in the execution of the session with the selection session ID “se1”, and at the transmission source of the first pre-transmission information. The IP address “1.2.1.3” of a certain request source terminal (terminal 10aa) can be grasped.

  Moreover, in the relay device 30a, the measurement unit 36 measures the first reception date and time when the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the first pre-transmission information (step S64-1). And the transmission / reception part 31 was sent by the said step S62-1 with respect to IP address "1.2.1.3" of the request origin terminal (terminal 10aa) received by transmission of the said step S62-1. First reception result information indicating that the first pre-transmission information has been received is transmitted (step S65-1). The first reception result information includes the session ID “se1” and the first reception date / time information indicating the first reception date / time measured in step S64-1. Thereby, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) can grasp that the first reception result information has been sent in the execution of the session with the session ID “se1”, and transmit the first reception result information. The IP address “1.2.1.2” of the original relay device 30a can be grasped.

  Next, in the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the storage / read processing unit 19 stores the first reception date and time information included in the first reception result information in the storage unit 1000 (step S66-1). In order to specify the stored first reception date / time information later, the session ID “se1” and the IP address of the relay device 30a are stored in association with the first reception date / time information.

  Also, the same processing as Steps S62-1 to S66-1 is performed between the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the relay device 30b (Steps S67-1 to S71-1 in FIG. 24).

  Next, the storage / read processing unit 19 of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), from the storage unit 1000, for each IP address of the relay device based on the session ID “se1”, the first corresponding to this session ID. The transmission date / time information and the first reception date / time information are read (step S72-1). And the transmission / reception part 11 transmits 1st transmission / reception result information for every session ID and the IP address of a relay apparatus to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 (step S73-1). The first transmission / reception result information includes the session ID “se1”, the IP address of the relay device 30a (“1.2.1.2”, “1.2.2.1”), and the above step (S63). -1 and S68-2) and the first transmission date and time information stored in the steps (S66-1 and S71-1) are included. As a result, the management system 50 receives the first transmission / reception result information, and at the same time, receives the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that is the transmission source of the first transmission / reception result information. Can be grasped.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the destination terminal (terminal 10db) transmits the second pre-transmission information from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S62-2).

  Further, the destination terminal (terminal 10db) associates the transmission date and time when the second pre-transmission information is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 11 with the IP address of the relay device 30a to which the second pre-transmission information is transmitted, as shown in FIG. (Step S63-2).

  On the other hand, the second pre-transmission information includes the session ID “se1” and ping. Thereby, the relay device 30a can grasp that the second pre-transmission information has been sent in the execution of the session with the selection session ID “se1”, and at the transmission source of the second pre-transmission information. The IP address “1.3.2.4” of a certain destination terminal (terminal 10db) can be grasped.

  Further, in the relay device 30a, the measuring unit 36 measures the second reception date and time when the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the second pre-transmission information (step S64-2). Then, the transmission / reception unit 31 sends the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) received by the transmission at step S62-2 to the first address sent at step S62-2. 2nd reception result information which shows that 2 prior transmission information was received is transmitted (step S65-2). The second reception result information includes the session ID “se1” and the second reception date / time information indicating the second reception date / time measured in step S64-2. Thereby, the destination terminal (terminal 10db) can grasp that the second reception result information has been sent in the execution of the session with the session ID “se1”, and the transmission source of the second reception result information It is possible to grasp the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the relay device 30a.

  Next, in the destination terminal (terminal 10db), the storage / read processing unit 19 stores the second reception date and time information included in the second reception result information in the storage unit 1000 (step S66-2). In order to specify the stored second reception date / time information later, the session ID “se1” and the IP address of the relay device 30a are stored in association with the second reception date / time information.

  In addition, processing similar to that in steps S62-2 to S66-2 is performed between the destination terminal (terminal 10db) and the relay device 30b (steps S67-2 to S71-2 in FIG. 25).

  Next, the storage / read processing unit 19 of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) performs second transmission corresponding to this session ID for each IP address of the relay device based on the session ID “se1” from the storage unit 1000. The date information and the second reception date information are read out (step S72-2). And the transmission / reception part 11 transmits 2nd transmission / reception result information for every session ID and the IP address of a relay apparatus to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 (step S73-2). The second transmission / reception result information is stored by the session ID “se1”, the IP address “1.2.2.2” of the relay device 30b, and the above steps (S63-2, S68-2), respectively. The second transmission date / time information and the second reception date / time information stored in the steps (S66-2, S71-2) are included. As a result, the management system 50 receives the second transmission / reception result information, and at the same time the IP address “1.3.2.4” of the destination terminal (terminal 10db) that is the transmission source of the second transmission / reception result information. Can be grasped.

  Next, the final narrowing unit 62 of the management system 50 finally narrows down to one relay device 30 that relays image data and audio data in a video conference call based on the first and second transmission / reception result information. (Step S74).

  Here, the processing in step S74 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. First, the calculation unit 62a of the final narrowing unit 62 illustrated in FIG. 9 performs the first reception date / time information indicated by the first reception date / time information for each IP address of the relay device (30a, 30b) in the session ID “se1”. Based on the time difference between the first transmission date and time (tr1) and the first transmission date and time (tt1) indicated by the first transmission date and time information. t1) is calculated (step S74-1). Similarly, the calculation unit 62a, for each IP address of the relay device (30a, 30b) in the session ID “se1”, the second reception date and time (tr2) indicated by the second reception date and time information and the second transmission date and time information. Based on the time difference from the second transmission date and time (tt2) indicated by (2), a second required time (t2) from transmission to reception of each second pre-transmission information is calculated (step S74-1).

  Next, the calculation unit 62a calculates the first required time (t1) and the second required time calculated in step S74-1 for each IP address of the relay device (30a, 30b) in the session ID “se1”. A total required time (T) obtained by adding (t2) is calculated (step S74-2).

  Next, the final selection unit 62b determines that the total required time (T) calculated in step S74-2 is that of the relay device (30a, 30b) scheduled to relay in the execution of the session with the session ID “se1”. It is determined whether it corresponds to the number (here, “2”) (step S74-3). And when all are not calculated (NO), the last selection part 61b has passed the predetermined time (here 1 minute) after starting calculation of the total required time (T) by said step S73-2. Is determined (step S74-4). Further, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S74-1. On the other hand, when the total required time (T) of all the numbers is calculated in the above step S74-3 (YES), or when the predetermined time has elapsed in the above step S74-4 (YES), the final selection unit 62b Selects one relay device 30 related to the shortest total required time (T) from the total required time (T) calculated so far by the calculation unit 62a (step S74-5). That is, the final selection unit 62b has received the first and second pre-transmission information that has the shortest total required time (T) out of the total required time (T) calculated so far by the calculation unit 62a. One relay device 30 is selected. In the present embodiment, the total required time (T) based on the set of the first and second pre-transmission information received by the relay device 30a is the set of the first and second pre-transmission information received by the relay device 30b. In this example, the relay device 30a is selected as being shorter than the total required time (T).

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 27, the session management unit 57 of the management system 50 includes, in the session management table of the session management DB 5005 (see FIG. 15), the field portion of the relay device ID of the record including the session ID “se1”. The relay device ID “111a” of the finally selected relay device 30a is stored and managed (step S75). Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 transmits relay start request information indicating a request to start relaying to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S76). In this relay start request information, each IP address (“1.2.1.3”, “1.3.2.4”) of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and destination terminal (terminal 10db) to be relayed is included. It is included. Thereby, since the relay device 30a can grasp that the relay device 30a as its own device has been selected, three image data of low resolution, medium resolution, and high resolution between the terminals (10aa, 10db), In addition, a session for calling the voice data is established (step S77). Therefore, the terminals (10aa, 10db) can start a video conference call.

  FIG. 29 shows a case where the request source terminal is a dedicated terminal but the destination terminal is a non-dedicated terminal.

  In order to cause the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) to transmit the pre-transmission information including ping, the management system 50 transmits the pre-transmission request information from the transmission / reception unit 51 to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) via the communication network 2. Is transmitted (step S61-1). The pre-transmission request information includes the session ID “se1” and the IP addresses (“1.2.1.2”, “1.2.2” of the relay devices (30a, 30b) narrowed down in step S47. .2 "). Accordingly, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) grasps the IP address of the relay device (30a, 30b) that relays the pre-transmission information in the selection process of the relay device 30 that is executed with the session ID “se1”. Can do. At this time, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) can also grasp the IP address “1.1.1.2” of the management system that is the transmission source of the pre-transmission request information.

  The processing relating to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) that has received the advance transmission request information can apply step S62-1-step S73-1 in FIG.

  Since the non-dedicated terminal does not have a function of communicating with the management system 50, the conversion system 80 executes the measurement of the transmission date / time and the reception date / time. The management system 50 transmits the advance transmission request information from the transmission / reception unit 51 to the conversion systems 80a and 80b via the communication network 2 (steps S81-1 and S81-2). The pre-transmission request information includes the session ID “se1”, the IP address (“1.3.2.5”) of the non-dedicated terminal (10dc), and the IP address (“1.1.1.2” of the management system 50). ")It is included. Thereby, the conversion system (80a, 80b) can grasp the IP address of the non-dedicated terminal 10dc to respond to the pre-transmission information in the selection process of the conversion system 80 executed with the session ID “se1”. it can. At this time, the destination terminal (non-dedicated terminal 10 dc) also sends the IP address (“1.2.1.6”) of the conversion system 80 a that is the transmission source of the advance transmission request information, and the IP address ( "1.2.2.6") can also be grasped.

  Next, the conversion system 80a transmits the second pre-transmission information from the transmission / reception unit 81 to the non-dedicated terminal 10dc via the communication network 2 (step S82-1).

  Further, the conversion system 80a associates the transmission date and time when the second pre-transmission information is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 81 with the IP address of the non-dedicated terminal 10dc to which the second pre-transmission information is transmitted, as shown in FIG. Stored in the stored storage unit 8000 (step S83-1).

  On the other hand, the second pre-transmission information includes the session ID “se1” and ping. Accordingly, the non-dedicated terminal 10dc can grasp that the second pre-transmission information has been sent in the execution of the session with the selection session ID “se1”, and the transmission source of the second pre-transmission information It is possible to grasp the IP address “1.2.1.6” of the conversion system 80a.

  In the non-dedicated terminal 10dc, the measurement unit 18 measures the second reception date and time when the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the second pre-transmission information (step S84-1). The transmission / reception unit 11 sends the second address sent in step S82-1 to the IP address “1.2.1.6” of the conversion system (80a) received by the transmission in step S82-1. The second reception result information indicating that the previous transmission information has been received is transmitted (step S85-1). The second reception result information includes the session ID “se1” and the second reception date / time information indicating the second reception date / time measured in step S84-1. Thereby, the conversion system (80a) can grasp that the second reception result information has been sent in the execution of the session with the session ID “se1”, and at the transmission source of the second reception result information. The IP address “1.3.2.5” of a certain non-dedicated terminal 10dc can be grasped.

  Next, in the conversion system (80a), the storage / reading processing unit 89 stores the second reception date information included in the second reception result information in the storage unit 8000 (step S86-1). In order to specify the stored second reception date / time information later, the second reception date / time information is stored in association with the session ID “se1” and the IP address of the non-dedicated terminal 10dc.

  Next, in the conversion system (80a), the storage / reading processing unit 89 stores the second reception date information included in the second reception result information in the storage unit 8000 (step S86-1). In order to specify the stored second reception date / time information later, the second reception date / time information is stored in association with the session ID “se1” and the IP address of the non-dedicated terminal 10dc.

  Next, the storage / read processing unit 89 of the conversion system (80a) receives the second transmission date / time information and the second reception date / time information corresponding to the session ID from the storage unit 8000 based on the session ID “se1”. The transmission / reception unit 81 transmits the second transmission / reception result information to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 (step S87-1). The second transmission / reception result information includes the session ID “se1”, the IP address “1.3.2.5” of the non-dedicated terminal 10dc, and the second transmission stored in the above step (S83-1). The date / time information and the second reception date / time information stored in the step (S86-1) are included. As a result, the management system 50 receives the second transmission / reception result information and sets the IP address “1.2.1.6” of the conversion system (80a) that is the transmission source of the second transmission / reception result information. I can grasp it.

  Also, the same processing as Steps S82-1 to S87-1 is performed between the conversion system (80b) and the non-dedicated terminal 10dc (Steps S82-2 to S87-2 in FIG. 29).

  Next, the final narrowing unit 62 of the management system 50 finally narrows down to one relay device 30 that relays image data and audio data in a video conference call based on the first and second transmission / reception result information. (Step S88).

  Here, the process in step S88 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. First, the calculation unit 62a of the final narrowing unit 62 illustrated in FIG. 9 performs the first reception date / time information indicated by the first reception date / time information for each IP address of the relay device (30a, 30b) in the session ID “se1”. Based on the time difference between the first transmission date and time (tr1) and the first transmission date and time (tt1) indicated by the first transmission date and time information. t1) is calculated (step S88-1). Similarly, the calculation unit 62a, for each IP address of the conversion system (80a, 80b) in the session ID “se1”, the second reception date / time (tr2) and the second transmission date / time information indicated by the second reception date / time information. Based on the time difference from the second transmission date and time (tt2) indicated by (2), the second required time (t2) from the transmission to the reception of each second pre-transmission information is calculated (step S88-1).

  Next, for each IP address of the relay device (80a, 80b) in the session ID “se1”, the calculation unit 62a calculates the first required time (t1) and the second required time calculated in step S80-1. A total required time (T) obtained by adding (t2) is calculated (step S88-2).

  Next, the final selection unit 62b determines that the total required time (T) calculated in step S88-2 is that of the relay devices (80a, 80b) scheduled to relay in the execution of the session with the session ID “se1”. It is determined whether it corresponds to the number (here, “2”) (step S88-3). And when all are not calculated (NO), the last selection part 61b has passed the predetermined time (here 1 minute) after starting calculation of the total required time (T) by said step S88-2. Is determined (step S88-4). Further, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S88-1. On the other hand, when the total required time (T) of all the numbers is calculated in step S88-3 (YES), or when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S88-4 (YES), the final selection unit 62b. Searches the terminal information management table (see FIG. 12) using the IP address of the requesting terminal and the IP address of the destination terminal as search keys, and acquires the corresponding communication method and NW quality tolerance (step S88-5). .

  Next, the final selection unit 62b determines whether the communication method of the destination terminal is non-dedicated, and the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal is different from the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal (step S88). -6).

  If the communication method of the destination terminal is non-dedicated and the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal is different from the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal (YES), the final selection unit 62b Is compared with the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal to determine whether the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal is lower (step S88-7).

  When the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal is lower (YES), the final selection unit 62b selects one conversion system 80 having the minimum first required time (step S88-8). When the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal is lower (NO), the final selection unit 62b selects one conversion system 80 having the minimum second required time (step S88-9). That is, by selecting a conversion system 80 that is close to a terminal having a low NW quality tolerance value, the influence of the network can be reduced when video encoding is converted, so that the communication quality can be improved.

  In step S88-6, the communication method of the destination terminal is non-dedicated, but if the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal and the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal are the same, the communication method of the destination terminal is exclusive. If the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal and the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal are different, or the communication method of the destination terminal is dedicated and the NW quality tolerance value of the request source terminal and the NW quality tolerance value of the destination terminal When the values are the same (NO), the final selection unit 62b selects the relay device 30 that is related to the shortest total required time (T) among the total required times (T) calculated by the calculation unit 62a so far. One is selected (step S88-10). That is, the final selection unit 62b has received the first and second pre-transmission information that has the shortest total required time (T) out of the total required time (T) calculated so far by the calculation unit 62a. One relay device 30 and one conversion system 80 are selected.

  For the subsequent processing, the processing of steps S75 to S77 in FIG. 27 can be applied.

  FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing a process of establishing a communication session before making a call between two dedicated terminals A. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a relay device 30a connected to the same LAN 2a as the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) is selected from the plurality of relay devices 30.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the management system 50 transmits session initialization request information indicating that the communication session established by the relay device 30a is to be initialized from the transmission / reception unit 51 to the relay device 30a. (Step S71). The session initialization request information includes the session ID created in step S44, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) managed by the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13). ) Each IP address is included. The management system 50 also transmits the IP address of the management system 50 when transmitting the session initialization request information to the relay device 30a. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 31 of the relay device 30a receives the session initialization request information and the IP address of the management system 50.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 31 of the relay device 30a initializes the communication session (step S72). Then, the transmission / reception unit 31 transmits session start instruction information indicating that the start of the communication session is instructed to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) (step S73). This session start instruction information includes the session ID sent from the management system 50. Further, when the relay device 30a transmits the session start instruction information to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the relay device 30a also transmits the IP address of the relay device 30a. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) receives the session start instruction information and the IP address of the relay device 30a.

  Similarly, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 transmits session start instruction information indicating that a start of a communication session is instructed to the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) (step S74). This session start instruction information includes the session ID sent from the management system 50. Further, when the relay device 30a transmits the session start instruction information to the destination terminal (terminal 10ca), the relay device 30a also transmits the IP address of the relay device 30a. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) receives the session start instruction information and the IP address of the relay device 30a.

  As described above, a communication session (the first communication session sed1 shown in FIG. 2) for transmitting and receiving call data is established between the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the relay device 30a based on step S73. (Step S75-1). Further, based on step S74, a communication session (second communication session sed2 shown in FIG. 2) for transmitting and receiving call data is established between the relay device 30a and the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) ( Step S75-2).

  Next, a process for transmitting / receiving call data in order to make a video conference call or the like between the request source terminal and the destination terminal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a sequence diagram showing processing for transmitting and receiving call data between two dedicated terminals A. In addition, transmission / reception of call data, detection of a delay time described later, and the like are performed by one-way processing for transmitting call data from the terminal 10aa to the terminal 10ca and reverse processing for transmitting call data from the terminal 10ca to the terminal 10aa. Since the processing is the same, the one-way communication will be described, and the reverse communication will be omitted.

  First, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) receives the image data of the subject imaged by the imaging unit 14 and the sound data of the sound input by the sound input unit 15a from the transmission / reception unit 11 using the communication session sed1. The data is transmitted to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S81). In the present embodiment, the high-quality image data including the low resolution, the medium resolution, and the high resolution shown in FIG. 3 and the sound data are transmitted. Thereby, in the relay device 30a, the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the image data and the sound data of the three resolutions. Then, the data quality confirmation unit 33 searches the change quality management table (see FIG. 10) using the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) as a search key, and the corresponding relay image By extracting the image quality of the data, the image quality of the image data to be relayed is confirmed (step S82). In the present embodiment, since the image quality of the confirmed image data is “high image quality” and is the same as the image quality of the image data received by the transmission / reception unit 31, the relay device 30a uses the communication session sed2 as it is. Are transferred to the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) with the image data of the image quality and the sound data of the sound quality as it is (step S83). As a result, the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) receives the high-quality image data and the sound data including the low resolution, the medium resolution, and the high resolution at the transmission / reception unit 11. Then, the display control unit 16 can combine the three image quality image data to display an image on the display 120, and the sound output unit 15b can output a sound based on the sound data.

  Next, the delay detection unit 17 of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) detects the delay time of reception of the image data received by the transmission / reception unit 11 at regular time intervals (for example, every second) (step S84). In the present embodiment, the following description is continued for a case where the delay time is 200 (ms).

  The transmission / reception unit 11 of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) transmits a delay time “200 (ms)” to the management system 50 via the communication network 2 by the management communication session sei shown in FIG. Information is transmitted (step S85). As a result, the management system 50 can grasp the delay time and the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the terminal 10ca that is the transmission source of the delay time information.

  Next, the delay time management unit 58 of the management system 50 searches the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13) using the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) as a search key. Then, the corresponding terminal ID “01ca” is extracted, and in the session management table (see FIG. 15), the delay time field in the record of the terminal ID “01ca” is indicated by the delay time information. The delay time “200 (ms)” is stored and managed (step S86).

  Next, the quality determination unit 57 searches the quality management table (see FIG. 17) using the delay time “200 (ms)” as a search key, and extracts the image quality “medium image quality” of the corresponding image data. The image quality is determined as “medium image quality” (step S87).

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 51 searches the relay device management table (see FIG. 11) using the relay device ID “111a” associated with the terminal ID “01ca” in the session management table (see FIG. 15) as a search key. Then, the IP address “1.2.1.2” of the corresponding relay device 30a is extracted (step S88). Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the quality information indicating the image quality “medium image quality” of the image data determined in step S87 to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 by the management communication session sei (step S87). S89). This quality information includes the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) used as the search key in step S86. As a result, in the relay device 30a, the change quality management unit 34 adds the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the destination terminal 10 (here, the terminal 10ca) to the change quality management table (see FIG. 10). , And the image quality “medium image quality” of the relayed image data is stored and managed in association with each other (step S90).

  Next, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) continues to the relay device 30a through the first communication session sed1 in the same manner as in the above step S81, and the high-quality image composed of three of low resolution, medium resolution, and high resolution. Data and sound data are transmitted (step S91). Thereby, in the relay device 30a, as in step S82, the data quality confirmation unit 33 uses the IP address “1.3.1.3” of the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) as a search key to change the quality management table ( 10) and the image quality “medium image quality” of the corresponding image data to be relayed is extracted to check the image quality of the image data to be relayed (step S92). In this embodiment, since the image quality of the confirmed image data is “medium image quality” and lower than the image quality “high image quality” of the image data received by the transmission / reception unit 31, the data quality changing unit 35 The image quality of the image data is changed by suppressing the image quality from “high image quality” to “medium image quality” (step S93).

  The transmission / reception unit 31 transmits the image data in which the image quality of the image data is changed to “medium image quality” and the sound quality of the sound to the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) via the communication network 2 by the second communication session sed2. The sound data that has not been changed is transmitted (step S94). As a result, the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) receives the image data and the sound data of medium quality composed of the low resolution and the medium resolution at the transmission / reception unit 11. Then, the display control unit 16 can combine the two resolution image data to display the image on the display 120ca, and the sound output unit 15b can output the sound based on the sound data.

  As described above, when a reception delay occurs at the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) that receives the image data, the relay device 30a changes the image quality, and the user is participating in a call such as a video conference. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable. In other words, between the two dedicated terminals A, it is possible to receive a service for dealing with a delay in receiving image data.

  Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35, a second communication pattern for performing a call between the dedicated terminal A (an example of the first communication terminal) and the non-dedicated terminal D (an example of the second communication terminal). explain. Specifically, a call is performed between the terminal 10aa as the dedicated terminal A and the terminal 10dc as the non-dedicated terminal D. In this embodiment, the communication method used in the terminal 10aa is that the call control method is an instant messenger protocol (or a protocol obtained by extending the instant messenger protocol), the encoding method is SVC, and the terminal 10dc As a communication method to be used, a case where the call control method is SIP and the encoding method is AVC will be described.

  In FIG. 22, in the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern, the destination selection in step S41 is changed from the destination terminal (terminal 10ca) to the destination terminal (terminal 10dc). Since only the terminal ID of the destination terminal used for transmission / reception and search is different, description thereof is omitted. Then, description will be made from the case where the determination unit 55 determines that the communication method is not the same (different) (NO) and the relay device 30a is selected in step S46-2 illustrated in FIG. By selecting the relay device 30a, the conversion system 80a is selected.

  In the case of this second communication pattern, the storage / read processing unit 59 uses the IP address “1.2” of the conversion system 80 a based on the terminal ID “01dc” of the destination terminal (terminal 10 dc) received by the transmission / reception unit 51. .1.6 ”and the IP address“ 1.3.2.5 ”of the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) are extracted (step S46-3). Then, the process proceeds to step S101 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram showing processing for establishing a communication session before a call is made between the dedicated terminal A and the non-dedicated terminal D. As shown in FIG. 33, the management system 50 transmits session initialization request information indicating that the communication session established by the relay device 30a is to be initialized from the transmission / reception unit 51 to the relay device 30a. (Step S101). The session initialization request information includes the session ID and the IP addresses of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), conversion system 80a, and destination terminal (terminal 10dc). Among these, the session ID is the ID created in step S44. Further, the IP address of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) is managed in the terminal state management table (see FIG. 13). Further, the IP addresses of the conversion system 80 and the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) are the IP addresses extracted in step S46-3.

  The management system 50 also transmits the IP address of the management system 50 when transmitting the session initialization request information to the relay device 30a. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 31 of the relay device 30a receives the session initialization request information and the IP address of the management system 50.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 31 of the relay device 30a initializes the communication session (step S102). Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 transmits session start instruction information indicating that the start of the communication session is instructed to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) (step S103). This session start instruction information includes the session ID sent from the management system 50. Further, when the relay device 30a transmits the session start instruction information to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the relay device 30a also transmits the IP address of the relay device 30a. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) receives the session start instruction information and the IP address of the relay device 30a.

  Similarly, the transmission / reception unit 31 transmits session start instruction information indicating that a start of a communication session is instructed to the conversion system 80a (step S104). The session start instruction information includes the session ID sent from the management system 50 and the destination terminal (terminal 10 dc) IP address. That is, the transmission / reception unit 31 transmits the session start instruction information and the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) IP address. Further, when the relay device 30a transmits the session start instruction information to the conversion system 80a, the relay device 30a also transmits the IP address of the relay device 30a. As a result, the transmission / reception unit 81 of the conversion system 80a receives the session start instruction information and the IP address of the relay device 30a.

  Furthermore, in the second communication pattern, the transmission / reception unit 81 of the conversion system 80a transmits session start instruction information indicating that the start of the communication session is instructed to the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) (step S105). This session start instruction information includes the session ID sent from the management system 50. Further, when the conversion system 80a transmits the session start instruction information to the destination terminal (terminal 10dc), the conversion system 80a also transmits the IP address of the conversion system 80a. As a result, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) receives the session start instruction information and the IP address of the conversion system 80a.

  As described above, a communication session (the first communication session sed11 shown in FIG. 4) for transmitting and receiving call data is established between the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) and the relay device 30a based on step S103. (Step S106-1). Also, based on the above step S104, a communication session (second communication session sed12 shown in FIG. 4) for transmitting and receiving call data is established between the relay device 30a and the conversion system 80a (step S106-). 2). Furthermore, a communication session (third communication session sed13 shown in FIG. 4) for transmitting and receiving call data is established between the conversion system 80a and the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) based on step S105. (Step S106-3).

  Next, a process of transmitting / receiving call data for performing a call such as a video conference between the request source terminal and the destination terminal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram showing processing for transmitting and receiving call data between the dedicated terminal A and the non-dedicated terminal D.

  First, the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) receives the image data of the subject imaged by the imaging unit 14 and the sound data of the sound input by the sound input unit 15a from the transmission / reception unit 11 using the communication session sed11. The data is transmitted to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S121). Note that, in the second communication pattern, as in the first communication pattern, the high-quality image data including the low resolution, medium resolution, and high resolution shown in FIG. Sending. Thereby, in the relay device 30a, the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the image data and the sound data of the three resolutions.

  Next, using the communication session sed12, the relay device 30a transmits the three high-quality image data and sound data from the transmission / reception unit 31 to the conversion system 80a via the communication network 2 (step S122). ). Thereby, in the conversion system 80a, the transmission / reception unit 81 receives the image data and the sound data of the three resolutions.

  Next, the communication system conversion unit 82 of the conversion system 80a uses the image data of the three resolutions at the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) based on the conversion rule data stored in the storage unit 8000 in advance. The communication method used is converted to the communication method used by the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) (step S123). Here, the image data of the three resolutions (high resolution, medium resolution, and low resolution) shown in FIG. 3 is converted into one resolution (medium resolution) shown in FIG. Converted to image data.

  Next, the conversion system 80 uses the communication session sed13 to transmit sound data and medium resolution image data from the transmission / reception unit 81 to the terminal 10da via the communication network 2 (step S124). Thereby, in the destination terminal (terminal 10dc), the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the sound data and the medium resolution image data.

  On the other hand, when transmitting image data and sound data from the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), as shown in FIG. 34, the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) receives the communication session sed13. Is used to transmit sound data and medium-resolution image data from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the conversion system 80a via the communication network 2 (step S125). Thus, in the conversion system 80a, the transmission / reception unit 81 receives sound data and medium resolution image data.

  Next, the communication system conversion unit 82 of the conversion system 80a uses the sound data and the medium resolution image data at the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) based on the conversion rule data stored in the storage unit 8000 in advance. The communication method used is converted to the communication method used by the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) (step S126).

  FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram showing the image quality of the image data after being converted by the conversion system 80a. In step S126, the image data of one resolution (medium resolution) shown in FIG. 5 is converted into the image data of medium resolution shown in FIG. The image data is converted into the low resolution image data shown in c) and the low intermediate resolution image data which is an intermediate resolution between the medium resolution and the low resolution as shown in FIG. That is, even if medium-resolution image data is sent from the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) which is the non-dedicated terminal D, the conversion system 80a converts it to high-resolution image data as sent in step S122. The medium resolution image data sent from the destination terminal (terminal 10dc) is the maximum resolution, and the medium resolution, the intermediate resolution between the medium resolution and the low resolution, and the three images of the low resolution Converted to data.

  Next, using the communication session sed12, the conversion system 80a transmits sound data and image data of three resolutions from the transmission / reception unit 81 to the relay device 30a via the communication network 2 (step S127). Thus, in the relay device 30a, the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the sound data and the image data of the three resolutions. Then, using the communication session sed11, the relay device 30a transmits sound data and image data of three resolutions from the transmission / reception unit 31 to the request source terminal (terminal 10aa) via the communication network 2 (step S128). Thereby, in the request source terminal (terminal 10aa), the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the sound data and the image data of the three resolutions.

<< Main effects of this embodiment >>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the environment of the LAN 2 such as the IP addresses of the relay device 30 and the conversion system 80 in the communication network 2 can be grasped, the entire environment of the Internet 2i is grasped. Since it is difficult to do so, first of all, from the information of the environment that can be grasped, a plurality of relay devices 30 that relay image data and audio data, a correspondence with the relay device 30 and a call control signal conversion, and Narrow down to two or more of a plurality of conversion systems 80 that encode call data.

  Next, before actually transmitting and receiving image data and audio data among a plurality of terminals 10, a terminal that transmits and receives prior transmission information by transmitting and receiving prior transmission information instead of image data and audio data When one of the terminals is a non-dedicated terminal, there is an effect that it can be narrowed down to one relay device 30 and the conversion system 80 based on the NW quality tolerance of each terminal.

  That is, by selecting the relay device 30 to which the upper two or more IP addresses close to any one of the IP addresses of the terminal 10 are selected, the relay device 30 and the relay system 80 candidates to be finally used are selected. Two or more can be left. Then, the measurement unit 36 of the relay device 30 measures the first reception time when the first pre-transmission information is received, and the measurement unit 18 of the non-dedicated terminal 10 receives the second pre-transmission information. The second reception time when measured is measured.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 31 transmits the first reception time information indicating the measured first reception time to the first transmission terminal, and the transmission / reception unit 11 of the non-dedicated terminal 10 measures the second measured time. The second reception time information indicating the reception time is transmitted to the conversion system. Thereby, the first transmission terminal transmits the received first reception time and the first transmission time when the first transmission terminal transmits the first pre-transmission information to the management system 50. On the other hand, the conversion system 80 transmits the received second reception time and the second transmission time when the second pre-transmission information is transmitted by the non-dedicated terminal to the management system 50. Therefore, the management system 50 calculates the first required time based on the difference between the first reception time and the first transmission time, and based on the difference between the second reception time and the second transmission time. The second required time is calculated, and the total required time is calculated by adding the first and second required times. In this way, the management system 50 calculates the total time required for the relay device for each relay device, and selects a relay device from the plurality of relay devices based on the NW tolerance. This selection produces an effect that it is possible to select a relay device that relays high-quality content data to the maximum in an actual communication network environment.

  In the present embodiment, when narrowing down the relay devices 30, not only the relay device 30 having an IP address close to the IP address of the terminal 10 that conducts the video conference is preferentially selected, but the maximum data transmission in each relay device 30 is also performed. In consideration of speed, two or more relay devices 30 are selected. Thereby, the effect that the candidate of the relay apparatus 30 according to the environment of the actual communication network 2 can be narrowed down is produced.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the relay devices 30 are narrowed down, the relay devices 30 whose operation state is online are narrowed down, and therefore, the candidates for the relay devices 30 that are more suitable for the actual network 2 environment can be narrowed down. .

[Supplement of Embodiment]
The relay device 30, the management system 50, the conversion system 80, the program providing system 90, and the maintenance system 100 in the above embodiment may be constructed by a single computer, or may be arbitrarily divided by dividing each unit (function or means) It may be constructed by a plurality of computers assigned to. In addition, when the program providing system 90 is constructed by a single computer, the program transmitted by the program providing system 90 may be transmitted by dividing it into a plurality of modules. It may be transmitted. Further, when the program providing system 90 is constructed by a plurality of computers, a plurality of modules may be divided and transmitted from each computer.

  In addition, the management system has a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of relay devices 30 that relay image data and audio data, and the relay devices 30 by the platform interacting with the application via the API, and a call control signal The process of narrowing down to two or more of the plurality of conversion systems 80 that perform the conversion and the encoding of the call data may be performed. Furthermore, the management system exchanges image data and audio data in advance before actually transmitting and receiving image data and audio data between the plurality of terminals 10 by the platform interacting with the application via the API. By transmitting / receiving transmission information, when one of the terminals that transmits / receives the pre-transmission information is a non-dedicated terminal, it is narrowed down to one relay device 30 and conversion system 80 based on the NW quality tolerance of each terminal. Processing may be performed.

  In addition, the terminal program, the relay device program, the conversion system program, and the transmission management program in each of the above embodiments, the recording medium storing the transmission management program, the HD 204 storing these programs, and the program including the HD 204 The providing system 90 is used when the terminal program, the relay device program, and the transmission management program are provided to a user or the like as a program product in Japan or abroad.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the image quality of the image data relayed by the relay device 30 using the changed quality management table shown in FIG. 10 and the quality management table shown in FIG. Although it was managed by focusing on the resolution of the image of the data, the present invention is not limited to this. Other examples of the quality include the depth of image quality of the image data, the sampling frequency of the audio data, and the bit length of the audio data. You may manage it paying attention to. Further, the audio data may be transmitted and received by being divided into data of three types of resolution (high resolution, medium resolution, and low resolution).

  11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 manage the reception date and time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the reception time of the reception date and time may be managed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the relay device and the IP address of the conversion system are managed in FIG. 11 and the IP address of the terminal in FIG. 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the relay device 30 on the communication network 2 is used. , And relay device specifying information for specifying the conversion system 80 and conversion system specifying information, or terminal specifying information for specifying the terminal 10 on the communication network 2 and conversion system specifying information, the respective FQDNs. (Fully Qualified Domain Name) may be managed. In this case, an IP address corresponding to the FQDN is acquired by a known DNS (Domain Name System) server. Not only “relay device specifying information for specifying the relay device 30 and the conversion system 80 in the communication network 2” but also “connection destination to the relay device 30 and the conversion system 80 on the communication network 2 are shown. It may be expressed as “relay device and conversion system connection destination information” or “relay device and conversion system destination information indicating destinations to relay device 30 and conversion system 80 on communication network 2”. Similarly, not only “terminal specifying information for specifying the terminal 10 in the communication network 2” but also “terminal connection destination information indicating a connection destination to the terminal 10 on the communication network 2” or “on the communication network 2 It may be expressed as “terminal destination information indicating a destination to the terminal 10”.

  In the above embodiment, a video conference system has been described as an example of the transmission system 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a telephone system such as an IP (Internet Protocol) telephone or an Internet telephone may be used. . Further, the transmission system 1 may be a car navigation system. In this case, for example, one of the terminals 30 corresponds to a car navigation device mounted on a car, and the other of the terminals 30 is mounted on a management terminal or management server of a management center that manages car navigation, or another car. This corresponds to a car navigation device. The transmission system 1 may be a mobile phone communication system. In this case, for example, the terminal 10 corresponds to a mobile phone.

  In the above embodiment, image data and audio data have been described as an example of content data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and touch data may be used. In this case, the feeling that the user touched on one terminal side is transmitted to the other terminal side. Further, the content data may be smell data. In this case, the odor (odor) on one terminal side is transmitted to the other terminal side. The content data may be at least one of image data, audio data, tactile data, and olfactory data.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where a video conference is performed by the transmission system 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a general conversation such as a meeting, a family or a friend, or information in one direction is performed. It may be used for presentation.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and modifications, each embodiment and modification is merely an example, and those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. Will understand. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1. Call system (an example of a communication system)
10 Call terminal (an example of a communication terminal)
11 Transmission / Reception Unit 18 Measurement Unit 30 Relay Device 50 Call Management System (Example of Communication Management System)
51 Transmission / reception unit (an example of transmission means, an example of reception means)
55 Judgment Unit (an example of judging means)
59 Storage / reading processing unit (an example of reading means)
80 Conversion system 81 Transmission / reception unit 82 Communication system conversion unit (an example of conversion means)
83 Measurement unit 90 Program providing system 100 Maintenance system 1000 Storage unit 3000 Storage unit 3001 Change quality management DB
5000 storage unit (an example of storage means)
5001 Relay device management DB
5002 Terminal information management DB (an example of terminal information management means)
5003 Terminal state management DB (an example of terminal state management means)
5004 Destination list management DB (an example of destination list management means)
5005 Session management DB (an example of session management means)
5006 Address priority management DB
5007 Quality Management DB
8000 storage unit

JP 2012-217122 A

Claims (8)

A management device that manages a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data,
For each transmission terminal, a storage unit that stores a communication method to be used and a network quality tolerance that represents the susceptibility to influence of network quality,
Among the plurality of transmission terminals, when the communication data is transmitted and received between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal, the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal A determination unit for determining whether the communication method is different;
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different by the determination unit,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each relay apparatus and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A narrowing unit that selects a conversion device that performs mutual conversion between the communication method of communication data transmitted from the transmission terminal and the communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. When the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal is lower than the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, the narrowing unit has the shortest first required time among the plurality of conversion devices. Select the conversion device,
When the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal is lower than the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal, a conversion device having the shortest second required time is selected from the plurality of conversion devices. The management device according to claim 1.   The narrowing-down unit has the shortest total time of the first required time and the second required time when the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal is equal to the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device is selected. A management device that manages a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data,
Each transmission terminal has a storage unit for storing the communication method to be used and the network quality tolerance indicating the sensitivity to the influence of the network quality,
When receiving a request to transmit / receive the communication data from the application installed in the first transmission terminal and the application installed in the second transmission terminal among the plurality of transmission terminals,
The management device
In response to a request from an application installed in the management device,
Determining whether the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different;
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each relay apparatus and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A management apparatus comprising: a platform for selecting a conversion device that performs mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from a transmission terminal of the second communication terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. A communication system having a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data and a management device that manages the plurality of transmission terminals,
The management device
For each transmission terminal, a storage unit that stores a communication method to be used and a network quality tolerance that represents the susceptibility to influence of network quality,
Among the plurality of transmission terminals, when the communication data is transmitted and received between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal, the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal A determination unit for determining whether the communication method is different;
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different by the determination unit,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each relay apparatus and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A narrowing unit for selecting a conversion device that performs mutual conversion between the communication method of communication data transmitted from the transmission terminal and the communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal;
The first transmission terminal is
A transmission / reception unit that transmits the first information to one of the plurality of relay devices and receives a response to the first information from one of the relay devices;
A first measuring unit that measures a time at which the response is received by the transceiver unit;
The transmission / reception unit transmits the time at which the response measured by the first measurement unit is received to the management device together with the time at which the first information is transmitted from one of the plurality of relay devices,
The second transmission terminal is
A transmission / reception unit that receives the second information from one of the conversion devices and transmits a response to the second information to one of the conversion devices;
A second measurement unit that measures a time at which the second information is received by the transmission / reception unit;
The said transmission / reception part is a communication system which transmits the response with respect to said 2nd information to one of the said converters with the time when the said 2nd information measured by the said 2nd measurement part was received. A communication management method executed by a management device that manages a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data,
The management device
Each transmission terminal has a storage unit for storing the communication method to be used and the network quality tolerance indicating the sensitivity to the influence of the network quality,
The management device
Among the plurality of transmission terminals, when the communication data is transmitted and received between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal, the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal Determine whether the communication method is different,
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to each relay apparatus and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A communication method for selecting a conversion device that performs mutual conversion between a communication method for communication data transmitted from a transmission terminal and a communication method for communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal. A communication management method executed by a plurality of transmission terminals that transmit and receive communication data and a management device that manages the plurality of transmission terminals,
The management device
Each transmission terminal has a storage unit for storing the communication method to be used and the network quality tolerance indicating the sensitivity to the influence of the network quality,
The management device
Among the plurality of transmission terminals, when the communication data is transmitted and received between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal, the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal Determine whether the communication method is different,
When the communication method of the first transmission terminal and the communication method of the second transmission terminal are different,
The first transmission terminal transmits first information to one of a plurality of relay devices that relay the communication data between the plurality of transmission terminals, and a response to the first information is the first transmission. Calculating the first required time until it is received by the terminal for each relay device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to the relay device and perform mutual conversion between a communication method of communication data transmitted from the first transmission terminal and a communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal; The second required time from when the second information is transmitted to the second transmission terminal by one of the converters until the response to the second information is received by one of the converters Calculated for each
Based on the comparison result between the network quality tolerance of the first transmission terminal and the network quality tolerance of the second transmission terminal, based on the first required time and the second required time, the first A conversion device that performs mutual conversion between the communication method of communication data transmitted from the transmission terminal and the communication method of communication data transmitted from the second transmission terminal;
The first transmission terminal is
Transmitting the first information to one of the plurality of relay devices;
Receiving a response to the first information from one of the relay devices;
Measure the time when the response is received,
Along with the transmission time of one of the plurality of relay devices, the time when the measured response is received is transmitted to the management device,
The second transmission terminal is
Receiving the second information from one of the conversion devices;
Measuring the time at which the second information is received;
A communication management method for transmitting a response to the second information to one of the conversion devices together with a time at which the second information is received.   A program for causing a computer to execute the communication management method according to claim 6 or 7.

Images