JPH05327912A - Video conference equipment between multi-spot - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the manufacturing cost and to miniaturize a device by reducing the wiring quantity in the device. CONSTITUTION:A conference control part 32 analyzes a conference control signal to be inputted from a video conference terminal via line interface parts 11 to 16 and allots the time slot on a time division multiple highway bus 33 to the line interface part and communication data processing parts 21 to 23 for the transfer of communication data. Each control signal of the time slot is superposed upon the communication data and is transferred on the time division multiple highway bus 33.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint video conference apparatus, and more particularly to a multipoint video conference in which a plurality of users simultaneously conduct video conferences by using a plurality of video conference terminals installed at remote multiple points. The present invention relates to a multipoint video conference device that constitutes a conference system, and further relates to a multipoint video conference device having a simplified internal configuration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a video conference system including a multi-point video conference apparatus of this type generally has a configuration shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional multipoint video conference system in which a plurality of video conference terminals installed at remote multiple points are connected to perform a video conference.

In the figure, a conventional multipoint video conference system connects a plurality of video conference terminals 51 to 56 installed at remote multipoints and video conference terminals 51 to 56, and forms a plurality of conference groups. By dividing and controlling the transfer of communication data between video conference terminals, it is possible for multiple users to conduct video conferences with each other at the same time using multiple video conference terminals installed at multiple remote points. Multi-point video conferencing device 1 made possible
It is composed of 0 and.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of the multipoint video conference apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-264552 as a specific example of the conventional multipoint video conference apparatus 10 shown in FIG. It is the block diagram shown.

In the figure, a conventional multipoint video conference apparatus 10 includes line interface units 11 to 16 for controlling interfaces corresponding to lines connected to video conference terminals 51 to 56 (not shown), and a video conference terminal 51. ~ 5
Communication data processing units 21 and 2 for processing communication data between 6 and 6
3, the conference control unit 24 for controlling the line interface units 11 to 16 and the communication data processing units 21 to 23, between the line interface units 11 to 16 and between the line interface units 11 to 16 and the communication data processing units 21 to 23. And a control bus 27 for transferring control signals between the conference control unit 24 and the line interface units 11 to 16 and between the conference control unit 24 and the communication data processing units 21 to 23. Has been done.

Next, the operation of the conventional multipoint video conference system configured as described above will be described. First,
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint video conference system in which a video conference is conducted between the video conference terminals 51 to 53 by the multipoint video conference apparatus 10 connecting the video conference terminals 51 to 53. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the multipoint video conference apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4, the transfer rate of communication data between the video conference terminals 51 to 53 and the multipoint video conference apparatus 10 is 64k.
bit / s (bps) and the transfer rate of the data bus 26 is 1.536 Mbit / s (bps), the communication data from the video conference terminals 51 to 53 is adapted to the transfer rate of the data bus 26. Convert speed to
7 is a timing chart of time slots transferred on the data bus 26 when used by time division multiplexing.

In the multipoint video conference system shown in FIG. 5, the communication data transmitted from the video conference terminals 51 to 53 to the multipoint video conference device 10 is transmitted to the line interface units 11 to 13 in the conference control signal and the video signal. ,
Separated into audio signals. The separated conference control signal is transferred to the conference control unit 24 via the control bus 27. The conference control unit 24 analyzes the conference control signal, assigns a time slot to be transmitted to the line interface units 11 to 13 and the communication data processing unit 21, and transmits the assigned time slot via the control bus 27 to the line interface. Notify the units 11 to 13 and the communication data processing unit 21.

That is, the line interface units 11 to 1
3 are assigned time slots 801 to 803, and the communication data processing unit 21 is assigned a time slot 804. At the same time, the control bus 27 is used to notify the line interface units 11 to 13 and the communication data processing unit 21 of the time slot in which the data to be received exists.

By the above operation, the communication data processing unit 21 processes the communication data, and the video conference terminals 51 to 53 through the line interface units 11 to 13.
You can hold a video conference between them.

[0010]

Since the conventional multipoint video conference apparatus has the above-mentioned configuration, there is a problem that the circuit configuration inside the apparatus becomes complicated. That is, in the conventional multipoint video conference apparatus, in addition to the data bus for transferring data between the line interface units and between the line interface unit and the communication data processing unit, the conference control unit and the line interface unit, and the conference control unit. A control bus for transferring control signals between the communication unit and the communication data processing unit is configured. Since these two types of buses and wiring for connecting to these buses are required, the circuit configuration inside the device is complicated. Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased and the miniaturization of the device is hindered.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and reduces the manufacturing cost by reducing the amount of wiring in the apparatus, downsizes the apparatus, and facilitates maintenance between multiple points. The purpose is to obtain a video conferencing device.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a multipoint video conference apparatus according to the present invention conducts a video conference by using a plurality of video conference terminals installed at remote multipoints. A multi-point video conference device to be controlled, which is communication data between a plurality of line interface means provided corresponding to a line to which the video conference terminal is connected, and the video conference terminal transmitted and received through the line interface means. Data processing means for processing a video conference, a conference control means for controlling the line interface means and the communication data processing means to control a video conference between a plurality of video conference terminals, a line interface means, a communication data processing means, and a conference control. Time division multiplexing highway bus for connecting control means and transferring control data and communication data transmitted and received between the means The conference control means superimposes and transfers the communication data between the line interface means and the communication data processing means and the control data between the conference control means, the line interface means and the communication data processing means on the time division multiplex highway bus. It is characterized by

[0013]

Therefore, according to the multipoint video conference apparatus of the present invention, the conference control means provides the communication data between the line interface means and the communication data processing means on the time division multiplex highway bus, the conference control means and the line interface means. And the control data between the communication data processing means,
Since it is assigned to the time slot corresponding to the conference group and transferred in a superposed manner, it is possible to control multiple video conference terminals installed at multiple remote points to conduct a video conference, and to wire inside the device. Will be easier.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multipoint video conference apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication data processing units 21 to 23 shown in FIG. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those of the conventional multipoint video conference system are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, a multipoint video conference apparatus 31 of the present embodiment has a video conference terminal 51 to 56 (not shown).
The line interface units 11 to 16 respectively controlling the interfaces corresponding to the lines connected to each other, the communication data processing units 21 to 23 processing communication data between the video conference terminals 51 to 56, and the line interface units 11 to 16
And between the conference control unit 32 for controlling the communication data processing units 21 to 23 and the line interface units 11 to 16 and between the line interface units 11 to 16 and the communication data processing units 21 to 21.
Time-division multiplexed highway bus 3 for data transfer between 23
3 and 3.

Next, with respect to the operation of the multipoint video conference system using the multipoint video conference apparatus 31 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the video conference terminals 51 to 53 are the same as those described in the prior art. 5 shows a configuration of a multipoint videoconferencing system for performing a videoconference between the videoconferencing terminals 51 to 53 by the multipoint videoconferencing device 10 that connects the multiple points.
Will be explained. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 6, the transfer rate of communication data between the video conference terminals 51 to 53 and the multipoint video conference apparatus 10 is 64 kbit / s, as in the case of the conventional technique. The transfer rate of the time division multiplex highway bus 33 shown is 1.536.
In the case of Mbit / s, the video conference terminal 51
~ 53 communication data from time-division multiplexed highway bus 3
3 is a timing chart of time slots transferred on the time division multiplex highway bus 33 when the speed is converted to match the transfer speed of No. 3 and the time division multiplex is used.

First, in the multipoint video conference system shown in FIG. 5, the communication data transmitted from the video conference terminals 51 to 53 to the multipoint video conference apparatus 10 is controlled by the line interface units 11 to 13, respectively. It is separated into signals, video signals and audio signals. Of these, the conference control signal is the time slot 80 that is previously allocated for the conference control signal in the time slot shown in FIG.
The time slots 802 to 804 subsequent to 1 are multiplexed and transferred to the conference control unit 32 via the time division multiplex highway bus 33. Then, the conference control unit 32 analyzes and processes the conference control signal, allocates the time slot to be transmitted to the line interface units 11 to 13 and the communication data processing unit 21 by using the time slot 801, and notifies it. At the same time, the notification of the time slot to be received corresponding to each conference group is also notified to the line interface units 11 to 13 and the communication data processing unit 21 via the time division multiplexing highway bus 33. That is, the time slots 805 to 807 are assigned to the line interface sections 11 to 13, and the time slot 808 is assigned to the communication data processing section 21.

The above operation will be described in more detail. Figure 5
In the case of the multipoint videoconference system shown in FIG. 1, since the videoconferences are held at three points by the videoconference terminals 51 to 53, the conference control unit 32 causes the line interface unit 1 to operate.
1, the time slot 808 assigned to the communication data processing unit 21 and the line interface units 12 and 1
The time slots 806 and 807 assigned to No. 3 are notified. In addition, for the line interface unit 12, the time slot 8 assigned to the communication data processing unit 21.
08 and the time slots 805 and 807 assigned to the line interface units 11 and 13 are notified. Further, the line interface unit 13 is notified of the time slot 808 assigned to the communication data processing unit 21 and the time slots 805 and 806 assigned to the line interface units 11 and 12, respectively. At the same time, the communication data processing unit 21 includes line interface units 11 to 1
Time slots 805-80 assigned to 3
7 is notified using the time division multiplex highway bus 33.

Next, the line interface units 11 to 11 described above.
Reference numeral 13 separates the communication data transmitted from the video conference terminals 51 to 53, and the video signal and the audio signal except the conference control signal are separated from the separated data by 1.536 Mbit which is the transfer rate of the time division multiplex highway bus 33. / S, the speed is converted to / s, the time slots 805 to 807 assigned by the conference control unit 32 are superimposed, and the result is transmitted to the communication data processing unit 21. Further, the line interface units 11 to 13, which have received the data notified by the conference control unit 32 that the time slot should be received, adapt the received data to the transfer rate of the line corresponding to the video conference terminals 51 to 53. Convert speed and send to the line.

Similarly, the communication data processing unit 21 receives the data notified by the conference control unit 32 that the time slot should be received from the line interface units 11 to 13 and is necessary for conducting a video conference. Data processing is performed and the data is transmitted to the time slot 808 allocated by the conference control unit 32.

Here, a data transmission / reception method in the communication data processing units 21 to 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 showing the configuration of the communication data processing units 21 to 23. In FIG. 2, the communication data processing unit 21 includes a highway interface unit 41 that communicates with the time division multiplex highway bus 33.
And a data processing unit 42 that processes data received from the highway by the highway interface unit 41.

The highway interface section 41 sends the control signal of the time slot 801 previously assigned for the conference control section 32 to the time division multiplex highway bus 3.
3 and transmits to the data processing unit 42. From the control signal, the data processing unit 42 determines the time slot assigned for transmission of communication data and the time slot of communication data to be received, and notifies the highway interface unit 41 of it. Highway interface section 4
1 receives communication data specified by a time slot to be received from the time division multiplex highway bus 33 based on the information given from the data processing unit 42, and
The data processed by the data processing unit 42 is superimposed on the time slot assigned for communication data transmission, and is transmitted to the line corresponding to the video conference terminal to be transmitted. The line interface units 11 to 13 transmit and receive data between the video conference terminals by the above method. Also,
The conference control unit 32 monitors the status of the video conference by receiving and processing the data of all the time slots, and at the same time, assigns the time slot 801 assigned in advance.
Control signal to.

By the above-mentioned operation, the communication data processing unit 21 processes the communication data, and the video conference terminals 51 to 53 through the line interface units 11 to 13.
You can hold a video conference between them.

Note that the time slot allocation method performed by the multipoint video conference apparatus of the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this and other allocation methods may be used. Further, it is not necessary to preset the time slots assigned to the control signals transmitted and received by the conference control unit 32. For example, the line interface unit 11
13 to 13 or the communication data processing unit 21 may select by itself by some means. Furthermore, in the multipoint video conference apparatus of the above embodiment, the time division multiplex highway bus having a transfer rate of 1.536 Mbps has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example,
It may be a time division multiplex highway bus having a transfer rate of 2.048 Mbps.

[0025]

As described above, according to the multipoint video conference apparatus of the present invention, the conference control means causes the communication data between the line interface means and the communication data processing means on the time division multiplex highway bus, and the conference. Since the control means, the line interface means, and the control data between the communication data processing means are assigned to the time slot corresponding to the conference group and transferred in a superimposed manner, the amount of wiring in the device can be reduced. Therefore, not only the manufacturing cost can be reduced, but also the device can be downsized and the maintenance can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint video conference apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of communication data processing units 21 to 23 shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional multipoint video conference apparatus.

5 is a conceptual diagram of a multipoint video conference system in which a video conference is held among the video conference terminals 51 to 53 under the control of the video conference device 10. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of time slots transferred on a data bus or a time division multiplex highway bus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11-16 Line interface unit 21-23 Communication data processing unit 24, 32 Conference control unit 26 Data bus 27 Control bus 10, 31 Multipoint video conference device 33 Time division multiplex highway bus 41 Highway interface unit 42 Data processing unit 51- 56 video conferencing terminals 801 to 824 time slots

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multipoint videoconferencing apparatus for controlling a videoconference by connecting a plurality of videoconferencing terminals installed at remote multipoints, which is provided corresponding to a line to which the videoconference terminals are connected. Communication means for processing communication data with the video conference terminal transmitted and received through the line interface means, and a plurality of video conference terminals by controlling the line interface means and the communication data processing means. A time-division multiplex highway bus that connects a conference control unit for controlling a video conference between the units, a line interface unit, a communication data processing unit, and a conference control unit, and transfers control data and communication data transmitted and received between the units. The line control is provided on the time division multiplex highway bus under the control of the conference control means. Face means the communication data between the communication data processing means, and the conference control unit and the line interface means and multipoint video conference apparatus and control data between the communication data processing means, characterized in that it is transferred are superimposed.