JP6540469B2 - Communication terminal, communication system, communication control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal, a communication system, a communication control method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in accordance with a request for reducing the movement cost and time of a party, a communication system for making a call or a conference via a communication network such as the Internet or a dedicated line has become widespread. In such a communication system, when communication is started between communication terminals, content data such as image data and sound data is transmitted and received to realize communication between the parties. There is also known a technique for estimating in real time the available bandwidth of a communication network that can be used by a communication terminal.

  In Patent Document 1, the communication speed during communication is acquired, the acquired communication speed is compared with the communication speed threshold stored in the storage unit, and a display method representing the acquired communication speed state is determined. A communication terminal apparatus is disclosed that displays the state of the communication speed acquired by the determined display method.

  When a communication terminal receives content data in real time via a communication network, the number of receivable content data fluctuates as the network environment changes. However, even if the state of the communication speed is displayed on the communication terminal, there arises a problem that the user can not grasp the fluctuation of the number of receivable content data.

  The communication terminal of the invention according to claim 1 is a communication terminal for receiving content data transmitted using a session established with a communication destination via a communication network, and acquiring the available bandwidth of the communication network Calculating means for calculating the number of receivable content data based on the available band of the communication network acquired by the acquiring means, and calculating information indicating the available band of the communication network by the calculating means And display control means for performing control to be displayed in association with the number of receivable content data to be received.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to make it possible for the user to grasp the number of receivable content data that fluctuate with the change of the network environment.

1 is a schematic view of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of the management system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is each functional block diagram of the terminal concerning one embodiment, and a management system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows each management table which a terminal or a management system manages. It is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing which starts communication between terminals. It is a flow figure showing an example of processing which requires stop or start of relay of contents data. It is a flow figure showing an example of processing which starts or stops relay of contents data. It is a flow figure showing an example of processing which displays an available zone. It is an example of a display of a display. It is an example of a display of a display.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<< Outline of communication system >>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 is constructed by a communication terminal 10 and a management system 50. Hereinafter, the communication terminal 10 will be simply referred to as the terminal 10.

  The terminal 10 communicates with other terminals 10 and a management system by transmitting image data and sound data as an example of content data. The terminal 10 may be a general purpose terminal or a dedicated terminal. The terminal 10 may be, for example, a video conference terminal, an electronic blackboard, an electronic signboard, a telephone terminal, a tablet, a smartphone, a camera, a PC (personal computer), or the like.

  The management system 50 manages communication between the terminals 10. For example, the management system 50 performs call control for establishing communication between the terminals 10. Also, for example, the management system 50 relays content data between the terminals 10 by transmitting the content data sent from one of the terminals 10 to the other terminal 10.

  Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the management system 50 is a single device in order to simplify the description, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The management system 50 may be configured by a plurality of devices, for example, by assigning the function of call control and the function of relaying content data to different devices. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where two terminals 10 are provided in the communication system 1 in order to simplify the description, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Three or more terminals 10 may be provided in the communication system 1. Further, each terminal 10 may be of the same type as in the case of all video conference terminals, or may be of the same type as in the case of including a video conference terminal and a PC. Alternatively, the content data may be transmitted directly between the terminals 10 without the intervention of the management system 50. Furthermore, any terminal 10 may have a function of relaying content data.

<< Hardware Configuration >>
Next, the hardware configuration of each device constituting the communication system 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal 10 according to an embodiment. Note that the hardware configuration of the terminal 10 is not limited to the configuration of FIG. For example, even if the terminal 10 includes a configuration not described in FIG. 2, a part of the configuration described in FIG. 2 may not be included. Further, a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 may be an external device or the like that can be connected to the terminal 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 10 according to the present embodiment includes a program used to drive the CPU 101 such as a central processing unit (CPU) 101 that controls the entire operation of the terminal 10 and an initial program loader (IPL). A stored ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 used as a work area for the CPU 101, a program for various terminals of the terminal 10, a flash memory for storing various data such as image data and sound data. 104. Reading or writing data to a recording medium 106 such as a solid state drive (SSD) 105, a flash memory or an IC card (Integrated Circuit Card), which controls reading and writing of various data to the flash memory 104 under control of the CPU 101 Addressed to the media I / F 107, which controls , The power switch 109 for switching the power on / off of the terminal 10, and a network I / F (Interface) 111 for data transmission using the communication network 2. Is equipped.

  The terminal 10 also has a built-in camera 112 that captures an object and obtains image data according to the control of the CPU 101, an imaging element I / F 113 that controls driving of the camera 112, a built-in microphone 114 that inputs sound, and sound A built-in speaker 115 for outputting the sound, a sound input / output I / F 116 for processing input / output of sound signals between the microphone 114 and the speaker 115 under the control of the CPU 101, and image data on the external display 120 under the control of the CPU 101 As shown in FIG. 2, the display I / F 117 for transmission, the external device connection I / F 118 for connecting various external devices, the alarm lamp 119 notifying abnormality of various functions of the terminal 10, and the above respective components are shown. Bus lines 110 such as an address bus and a data bus for electrically connecting to

  The display 120 is a display unit configured by a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence (EL) that displays an image of a subject, an operation unit, and the like. The display 120 is also connected to the display I / F 117 by a cable 120c. The cable 120c may be a cable for analog RGB (VGA) signals or a cable for component video, or may be a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI (registered trademark)) or digital video (DVI) (Interactive) signal cable may be used.

  The camera 112 includes a lens and a solid-state imaging device that converts light into electric charge to digitize an image (image) of a subject, and as a solid-state imaging device, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge coupled device (CCD) Etc. are used.

  An external device such as an external camera, an external microphone, and an external speaker are electrically connected to the external device connection I / F 118 by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like inserted into the connection port 1132 of the housing 1100. It can be connected to When an external camera is connected, the external camera is driven prior to the built-in camera 112 according to the control of the CPU 101. Similarly, when an external microphone is connected or an external speaker is connected, the external microphone or the external speaker 115 is given priority over the built-in microphone 114 or the built-in speaker 115 according to the control of the CPU 101. External speakers drive.

  The recording medium 106 is configured to be removable from the terminal 10. Further, as long as the nonvolatile memory performs reading or writing of data according to the control of the CPU 101, not only the flash memory 104 but also EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or the like may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management system 50 according to an embodiment. The management system 50 includes a CPU 501 for controlling the overall operation of the management system 50, a ROM 502 storing programs used to drive the CPU 501 such as IPL, a RAM 503 used as a work area for the CPU 501, and various programs for the management system 50. HD 504 for storing data, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 505 for controlling reading and writing of various data to HD 504 according to control of CPU 501, and media for controlling reading and writing (storage) of data to recording media 506 such as flash memory. A drive 507, a display 508 for displaying various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image, a network I / F 509 for performing data communication using the communication network 2, characters A keyboard 511 having a plurality of keys for inputting numerical values and various instructions, a mouse 512 for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting an object to be processed, moving a cursor, etc. CD as an example of a removable recording medium -A CD-ROM drive 514 that controls reading and writing of various data to a ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 513, and an address for electrically connecting the above-described respective components as shown in FIG. A bus line 510 such as a bus or a data bus is provided.

<< Functional Configuration >>
Next, the functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the terminal 10 and the management system 50 that constitute the communication system 1 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4, the terminal 10 and the management system 50 are connected to be able to perform data communication via the communication network 2.

<Functional configuration of terminal>
Each functional unit of the terminal 10 is realized by one of the components shown in FIG. 2 operating according to an instruction from the CPU 101 according to a program expanded on the RAM 103 from the flash memory 104. Further, the terminal 10 has a storage unit 1000 constructed by the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the flash memory 104 shown in FIG.

(Priority management table)
FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram showing a priority management table. In the storage unit 1000, a priority management DB 1001 is constructed by a priority management table. In the priority management table, the priority indicating the priority when receiving the content data, the data ID of the content data, and the IP address of the terminal 10 as the transmission source of the content data are managed in association with each other. In the priority management table, the smaller the numerical value of the priority, the higher the priority. Data IDs “V001, V002, V003” indicate video data transmitted by the terminals (10a, 10b, 10c), respectively. The priority does not necessarily have to be expressed numerically, and may be expressed using symbols or characters.

(Each functional configuration of the terminal)
Next, each functional configuration of the terminal 10 will be described in detail using FIGS. 2 and 4. In the following, in describing each functional configuration of the terminal 10, among the respective components shown in FIG. 2, the relationship with the main components for realizing each functional configuration of the terminal 10 will also be described. .

  The transmission / reception unit 11 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101 and the network I / F 111, and transmits / receives various data (or information) to / from the other party terminal, each device or system via the communication network 2.

  The operation input reception unit 12 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101, the operation button 108 and the power switch 109, and receives various inputs from the user and various selections from the user.

  The output control unit 13 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101 and the display I / F 117, and outputs to the display 120 control for outputting content data such as image data and video data sent from the other party during a call. Do. The output control unit 13 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101 and the sound input / output I / F 116, and performs control for outputting from the speaker 115 sound data sent from the other party during a call.

  The priority management unit 14 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101, and manages the priority of each content data received by the terminal 10.

  The bandwidth management unit 15 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101 and manages the available bandwidth of the communication network 2.

  The calculation unit 16 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101, and calculates various numerical values based on the available bandwidth and the like acquired by the bandwidth management unit 15.

  The storage / readout unit 19 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 101 and the SSD 105, or realized by an instruction from the CPU 101, stores various data in the storage unit 1000, extracts various data stored in the storage unit 1000, Do the process.

<Functional configuration of management system>
Each functional unit of the management system 50 operates according to an instruction from the CPU 501 according to a program for the management system 50 developed on the RAM 503 from the HD 504 by each of the components shown in FIG. 3. To be realized. The management system 50 also includes a storage unit 5000 constructed by the HD 504.

(Session management table)
FIG. 5B is a conceptual view showing a session management table. In the storage unit 5000, a session management DB 5001 is constructed by a session management table. In the session management table, a session ID of a session for transmitting content data between the terminals 10 and an IP address of a participating terminal participating in the session are managed in association with each other.

(Relay management table)
FIG. 5C is a conceptual diagram showing a relay management table. In the storage unit 5000, a relay management DB 5002 is constructed by the relay management table. In the relay management table, the session ID of the session for transmitting content data between the terminals 10, the data ID of the content data, and the IP address of the stop request source terminal requesting the stop of transmission of the content data to the own terminal are It is associated and managed.

(Each functional configuration of 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. 3, the relationship with the main components for realizing each functional configuration of the management system 50 is also included. explain.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 501 and the network I / F 509, and transmits / receives various data (or information) to / from each terminal, device or system via the communication network 2.

  The relay management unit 52 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 501, and manages relay of content data between the terminals 10.

  Storage / reading unit 59 is realized by an instruction from CPU 501 and HDD 505, or realized by an instruction from CPU 501, stores various data in storage unit 5000, and extracts various data stored in storage unit 5000. Do the process.

<< process or action >>
Subsequently, processing or operation of the terminal 10 configuring the communication system 1 and the management system 50 will be described. First, processing for starting communication between the terminals (10a, 10b, 10c) of the terminal 10 will be described using FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for starting communication between the terminals 10. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the IP address of the terminal 10a is "2.0.0.1", the IP address of the terminal 10b is "2.0.0.2", and the IP address of the terminal 10c is "2.0.0.3" It explains as a certain thing.

  The operation input receiving unit 12 of the terminal 10a receives an input of a session ID by the user (step S21). The input session ID is, for example, notified in advance to the user of each terminal 10 participating in the common session by an arbitrary method.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 of the terminal 10a transmits a communication start request including the input session ID and the IP address of the start request source terminal 10 to the management system 50 (step S22).

  The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 receives a request to start communication by the terminal 10a. The storage / readout unit 59 of the management system 50 associates the session ID included in the start request with the IP address of the start request source terminal 10a as a participating terminal in the session management table and records the session ID (step S23).

  The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 establishes a session between the terminal 10a and the management system 50, and transmits a notification to the effect that the process of participating in the session is normally completed to the start request source terminal 10a (step S24).

  The terminals (10b, 10c) also participate in the session by the same processing as steps S21 to S24. In this case, the terminal (10b, 10c) transmits to the management system 50 the same session ID that the terminal 10a transmitted to the management system 50 in step S22, so that the terminals (10a, 10b, 10c) share a common session. Can participate in When it is necessary to identify the session between the management system 50 and the terminal (10a, 10b or 10c), respectively, the management system 50 includes the management system 50 and the terminal (10a, 10b or 10c). Different corresponding session IDs may be assigned to each combination.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 of the terminal 10a manages the video data of the video taken by the camera 112 of the own terminal and the content data such as the sound data of the sound collected by the microphone 114 of the own terminal according to the established session. Send to The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 receives the video data and the sound data transmitted by the terminal 10a. The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 transmits the received content data to each terminal (10a, 10b, 10c) participating in the established session with reference to the session management table. Similarly, the management system 50 transmits the video data and sound data sent from the terminals (10b, 10c) to the respective terminals (10a, 10b, 10c) participating in the established session.

  Next, processing for requesting stop or start of relaying of content data between the terminals (10a, 10b, 10c) will be described using FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for requesting stop or start of relaying of content data. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the terminal 10b requests stop or start of relaying of content data will be described.

  While the terminal 10b participates in the session, the priority management unit 14 of the terminal 10b manages the priority management table (FIG. 5A) (step S41). For example, when the operation input reception unit 12 receives a request for changing the priority of video data to be received from the user, the priority management unit 14 changes the priority management table according to the request.

  In addition, the priority management unit 14 of the terminal 10b manages the number of video data to be output (step S42). For example, when the change request of the layout mode from the user is accepted by the operation input acceptance unit 12, the priority management unit 14 determines the number of video data to be output according to the layout mode.

  The band management unit 15 periodically acquires the available band of the communication network 2 in the terminal 10b (step S43). Although the acquisition method of an available band is not specifically limited, For example, the data amount of the data transmitted between the management system 50 and an own terminal, and the method of measuring and calculating delay time are mentioned.

  The calculation unit 16 subtracts the band necessary for receiving the control signal and the sound data from the obtained available band, and calculates the available band used for receiving the video data. In the storage unit 1000, a band necessary for receiving a control signal or sound data may be recorded in advance. Thus, the calculation unit 16 can calculate the available bandwidth used for receiving the video data based on the information recorded in the storage unit 1000. In addition, in the storage unit 1000, a band used for receiving one video data is recorded. The calculating unit 16 divides the available bandwidth used for receiving video data by the bandwidth used for receiving one video data managed in the storage unit 1000. Thus, the calculation unit 16 calculates the number of receivable video data (step S44).

  The priority management unit 14 determines whether to receive each video data based on the calculated number of receivable data, the number of video data to be output, and the priority managed in the priority management table ((1) Step S45). For example, when the number of receivable data calculated in step S44 is "2.5", priority "1" identified by data ID "V003, V002" among data managed in the priority management table , 2 "video data is determined to be received, and it is determined that other video data is not received. Alternatively, when the number of video data to be output is “1”, video data of priority “1” identified by data ID “V003” among data managed in the priority management table is received, It is decided not to receive video data.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 generates a relay start request or a relay stop request based on the determination in step S45 (step S46). For example, when it is determined that video data is to be received for video data that is not currently received, the transmitting and receiving unit 11 generates a relay start request for the video data. Alternatively, when it is determined that the video data is not received for the video data being received, the transmission / reception unit 11 generates a relay stop request of the video data. At this time, the transmission / reception unit 11 includes the data ID of the data for starting or stopping the relay in the relay start request or the relay stop request.

The processes in steps S41 to S46 are repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing until the terminal 10b leaves the session (step S47).
Although the case where the terminal 10b requests start or stop of relay has been described above, the terminals (10a, 10c) can also request start or stop of relay in the same manner as the process described above.

  Subsequently, processing for starting or stopping relay of content data between the terminals (10a, 10b, 10c) will be described using FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of processing to start or stop the relay of content data.

  First, a process of stopping relay of video data from the terminal 10a to the terminal 10b will be described. The description will be continued assuming that the data ID of the video data transmitted by the terminal 10a is "V001".

  In step S46, when the relay stop request including the data ID "V001" of the data for stopping the relay is generated in the terminal 10b, the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the generated relay stop request to the management system 50 (see FIG. Step S61). The relay stop request includes the IP address "2.0.0.2" of the request source terminal 10b.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 receives the relay stop request. The relay management unit 52 of the management system 50 records the data ID “V001” and the IP address “2.0.0.2” included in the relay stop request in association with the relay management table (step S62). The relay management unit 52 stops relaying the video data sent from the terminal 10a to the terminal 10b based on the information updated in the relay management table (step S63). Thereby, the video data transmitted by the terminal 10a is not relayed to the terminal 10b.

  Subsequently, a process of resuming relay of video data from the terminal 10a to the terminal 10b by the management system 50 will be described.

  In step S46, when the relay start request including the data ID "V001" of the data to start relaying is generated in the terminal 10b, the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the generated relay start request to the management system 50 (see FIG. Step S71). The relay start request includes the IP address "2.0.0.2" of the request source terminal 10b.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 of the management system 50 receives the relay start request. Among the IP addresses associated with the data ID “V001” in the relay management table, the relay management unit 52 of the management system 50 determines the IP address “2.0.0. 2 ”is deleted (step S72). The relay management unit 52 starts relaying the video data sent from the terminal 10a to the terminal 10b based on the information updated in the relay management table (step S73). Thereby, the relay to the terminal 10b of the video data transmitted by the terminal 10a is restarted.

  Subsequently, processing in which the terminal 10b displays the available bandwidth will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing for displaying available bandwidth.

  The output control unit 13 outputs each video data received by the transmission / reception unit 11 to the display 120 (step S81). FIGS. 10A to 10C are display examples of the display. On the conference screen 1203 of the display 120, the video data output by the output control unit 13 is displayed. The number of video data to be output changes as needed according to the number of video data received by the terminal 10b.

  Note that the conference screen 1203 in FIGS. 10A to 10C is an example of an output method of video data, and is not limited thereto. As an output method, for example, display areas of the same size as the number of receivable data at each time are generated, the method of outputting received video data to each display area, and the number of display areas should be changed. Alternatively, there is a method of displaying a video while receiving video data, and switching to display of a still image when reception of video data is stopped.

  The output control unit 13 outputs the thumbnails of each video data to the priority list display area 1201 of the display 120 in the order of the reception priority of the video data managed in the priority management table (step S82). The thumbnails are still images generated at arbitrary timing from the video data received from each terminal 10. Note that the name set for each transmission source terminal 10 may be displayed as text instead of the thumbnail. Furthermore, the thumbnails do not necessarily have to be still images generated from video data, and may be still images managed in association with the respective terminals 10 in advance. Such a case can be realized by receiving a still image from the management system 50 or each terminal 10.

  According to one embodiment, in the priority list display area 1201, video data displayed at the upper side has high priority, and video data displayed at the lower side has low priority. The order in the priority list is dynamically switched according to the process of step S41. In addition, the priority may be automatically changed in accordance with the utterance situation of each participant.

  The output control unit 13 outputs, to the graph display area 1202 of the display 120, a graph representing the available bandwidth that can be used to receive video data in association with the number of receivable video data (step S83). The available bandwidth available for receiving video data and the number of receivable video data are calculated as needed in step S44.

  The upper end in the graph display area 1202 indicates that the number of receivable video data is zero, that is, the available bandwidth is zero. As this graph extends downward, the value of the available band increases and becomes wider. Further, the output control unit 13 outputs a graph adjacent to each thumbnail of the priority list display area 1201. At this time, the output control unit 13 outputs a graph so that the height of each thumbnail corresponds to a band necessary to receive one video data. For example, when the available bandwidth acquired is 420 kbps and the bandwidth required to receive one video data is 100 kbps, the calculation unit 16 calculates 4.2 as the number of receivable video data in step S44. Do. Then, the output control unit 13 outputs a graph extending from the upper end of the graph display area 1202 to the position of 20% from the top of the fifth thumbnail.

  By viewing the graph of the priority list in association with the thumbnails, the user can see which video data can be seen by improvement of the network environment or which video data can not be seen by deterioration of the network environment. , Intuitively understandable. Further, from the display example of FIG. 10A, the user can grasp that the video data can be output even if another terminal 10 participates in the session because the available band has a margin. In the display example of FIG. 10B, the user may not receive the third video data from the graph of the available bandwidth due to the deterioration of the network environment. It is possible to determine to switch the video data of the own terminal (terminal 10b) to the video data of the terminal 10a. FIG. 10C is a display example of the display 120 when the priority is switched.

The processes in steps S81 to S84 are repeatedly executed until the terminal 10b leaves the session (step S84).
Further, although the method in which the terminal 10b outputs the graph of the available band has been described above, the terminal (10a, 10c) can also output the available band by the same processing as steps S81 to S84.

<< Modification of Embodiment >>
Subsequently, differences of the embodiment from the above embodiment will be described.
The display method of the available band in the terminal 10b is not limited to the method shown in FIG. 10 (A) to FIG. 10 (C). FIG. 11A is a display example of the display when the terminal 10 outputs the available band in one modification. In FIGS. 10A to 10C, the graph is displayed in the vertical direction in the graph display area 1202, but the graph may be displayed in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11A, the left end of the graph display area 1202 indicates that the available band is 0, and as the graph extends to the right, the value of the available band increases and indicates that the band is wide. Further, the output control unit 13 outputs a graph adjacent to each thumbnail of the priority list display area 1201. At this time, the output control unit 13 outputs a graph such that the width of each thumbnail corresponds to the bandwidth required to receive one video data. In this modification, the display control method by the output control unit 13 is the same as that of the above embodiment except that the directions of the graphs are different.

  FIG. 11B is a display example of the display when the terminal 10 outputs the graph of the available band in another modification. The output control unit 13 indicates the number of receivable video data calculated by the calculation unit 16 in step S44 by an arrow on a numerical scale. In the case where the thumbnails are not displayed due to layout reasons or the like, such a modification may be employed.

  FIG. 11C is a display example of the display when the terminal 10 outputs the graph of the available band in another modification. The calculation unit 16 sequentially stores the number of receivable video data calculated in step S44 in the storage unit 1000. The calculation unit 16 refers to the number of video data stored in the storage unit 1000, from the calculated number of latest video data to the number of video data calculated a predetermined number of times, to obtain the maximum number of video data. Identify the value and the minimum value. The output control unit 13 outputs the range from the specified minimum value to the maximum value as the variation range to the variation range display region 1204 at the same scale as the graph of the graph display region 1202. The method of specifying the fluctuation range is not limited to the method of obtaining the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the number of video data. For example, the output control unit 13 may obtain the average value and the variance from the group of the number of video data stored in the storage unit 1000, and may output it. By confirming the fluctuation range, the user can grasp which participant in which order is stably displayed.

<< Main effects of this embodiment >>
Subsequently, main effects of the above embodiment will be described. According to the communication control method of the above embodiment, the terminal 10 receives video data as content data transmitted via the communication network 2. The band management unit 15 (an example of an acquisition unit) of the terminal 10 acquires an available band of the communication network 2 (an example of an acquisition process). The calculation unit 16 (an example of calculation means) of the terminal 10 calculates the number of receivable content data based on the available bandwidth of the communication network 2 acquired by the bandwidth management unit 15 (an example of calculation process). The output control unit 13 (an example of display control means) of the terminal 10 associates the graph (an example of information) indicating the available bandwidth of the communication network 2 with the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation unit 16. Control to display is performed (an example of display control processing). As a result, the terminal 10 can notify the user of the change in the number of receivable content data.

  The priority management DB 1001 (an example of a management unit) of the terminal 10 manages priority information indicating the priority for each content data. The priority management unit 14 (an example of the reception control unit) of the terminal 10 is based on the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation unit 16 and priority information for each content data managed in the priority management DB 1001. Control the start or stop of reception of each content data. Thereby, it becomes possible to control whether or not each content data is received according to the available bandwidth of the communication network 2.

  The output control unit 13 controls to display each content data as a list so that the priority indicated by the priority information managed in the priority management DB 1001 can be specified. The user can understand content data that can be received by improvement of the network environment or content data that can not be received due to deterioration of the network environment by comparing the list and the graph of available bandwidth.

  The operation input receiving unit 12 (an example of the input receiving unit) of the terminal 10 receives an input of setting of priority for each content data to be received. The priority management DB 1001 of the terminal 10 manages priority information based on the setting of the priority received by the operation input reception unit 12. This makes it possible to manage the priority based on the setting by the user.

  The output control unit 13 of the terminal 10 performs control to display the fluctuation range of the available bandwidth calculated based on the available bandwidth of the communication network 2 acquired in a predetermined period in association with the number of receivable content data. Do. Thus, the user can grasp the content data that can be received or the content data that can not be received, by comparing the fluctuation range with the number of receivable content data.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 (an example of transmission means) of the terminal 10 can transmit content data to a relay start request or relay stop request (an example of information) indicating start or stop of transmission of content data. Send to The management system 50 starts or stops transmission of content data to the terminal 10 based on the relay start request or the relay stop request. Thereby, the terminal 10 can control the content data to be received.

<< Supplement of embodiment >>
Each program for the terminal 10 and the management system 50 may be recorded and distributed in a computer readable recording medium (such as the recording medium 106) by a file of an installable format or an executable format. Good. Further, as another example of the above recording medium, a CD (Compact Disc Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray Disc, etc. may be mentioned.

  Also, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which each program of the above embodiment is stored, and an HD 504 in which these programs are stored can be provided domestically or abroad as a program product (Program Product).

  In addition, the terminal 10 and the management system 50 in the above embodiment may be constructed by a single computer, or may be constructed by a plurality of computers divided into parts (functions or means) and arbitrarily assigned. It is also good. Also, the management system 50 may be constructed by a single computer.

  In the priority management table, session management table, and relay management table in the above embodiment, management is performed using the IP address of the terminal as information for identifying the terminal, but the IP address does not have to be used to identify the communication destination. The communication ID may be The communication ID may be terminal identification information for identifying a terminal or identification information for identifying a user. When the management system 50 or the terminal 10 controls communication based on a communication ID other than an IP address, in addition to transmitting the IP address of the terminal 10 to the management system 50 from the terminal 10, the communication ID is also transmitted. The system 50 can manage the communication ID corresponding to the terminal 10.

1 communication system 2 communication network 10 terminal 11 transmission / reception unit 12 operation input reception unit 13 output control unit 14 priority management unit 15 bandwidth management unit 16 calculation unit 19 storage / readout unit 50 management system 51 transmission / reception unit 52 relay management unit 59 storage Reading unit 1000 Storage unit 1001 Priority management DB
5000 storage unit 5001 session management DB
5002 Relay Management DB

JP, 2013-153414, A

Claims (10)

A communication terminal for receiving content data transmitted using a session established with a communication destination via a communication network, comprising:
Acquisition means for acquiring the available bandwidth of the communication network;
Calculation means for calculating the number of receivable content data based on the available bandwidth of the communication network acquired by the acquisition means;
A display control unit that performs control to display information indicating an available bandwidth of the communication network in association with the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation unit;
The communication terminal characterized by having. Management means for managing priority information indicating priority for each content data;
A reception control unit that controls start or stop of reception of each content data based on the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation unit and priority information for each content data managed by the management unit; ,
The communication terminal according to claim 1, comprising:   The communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the display control means performs control to display each content data so as to be able to specify the priority indicated by the priority information managed by the management means. There is an input receiving unit for receiving an input of setting of priority for each content data to be received,
The communication terminal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the management means manages the priority information based on the setting of the priority received by the input reception means.   The display control means performs control to display the fluctuation range of the available bandwidth calculated based on the available bandwidth of the communication network acquired in a predetermined period in association with the number of receivable content data. The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising transmission means for transmitting information indicating start or stop of transmission of the content data to the communication device capable of transmitting the content data. . A communication system comprising: the communication terminal according to claim 6; and the communication device.   The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the communication device starts or stops transmission of the content data based on the information sent from the communication terminal. A communication terminal that receives content data transmitted using a session established with a communication destination via a communication network,
Acquisition processing for acquiring the available bandwidth of the communication network;
Calculation processing for calculating the number of receivable content data based on the available bandwidth of the communication network acquired by the acquisition processing;
A display control process for performing control of displaying information indicating an available bandwidth of the communication network in association with the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation process;
A communication control method characterized in that: A communication terminal for receiving content data transmitted using a session established with a communication destination via a communication network,
Acquisition processing for acquiring the available bandwidth of the communication network;
Calculation processing for calculating the number of receivable content data based on the available bandwidth of the communication network acquired by the acquisition processing;
A display control process for performing control of displaying information indicating an available bandwidth of the communication network in association with the number of receivable content data calculated by the calculation process;
A program characterized by causing

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