JPH08140077A - Conference terminal and multi-spot conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To smoothly perform line connection between conference terminals when a multi-spot conference is performed. CONSTITUTION: The discrimination number of each conference terminal stored in a storage means 1 is read and a signal for line connection is transmitted to the conference terminal of the one discrimination number of the discrimination numbers from a transmission means 2. When the signal for line connection is received by the conference terminal on a reception side, whether the automatic answering mode of the conference terminal is turned on or not is discriminated by a discrimination means 3 and the discrimination result is transmitted from the conference terminal on the reception side to the conference terminal on a transmission side. The conference terminal on the transmission side receiving the discrimination result successively connects multi-spot by automatically disconnecting a line when the automatic answering mode is turned on and transmitting the signal for line connection to the next conference terminal participating in the multi-spot conference.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conference terminal and a multipoint conference system, and is suitable for use in a conference terminal having a so-called answering machine when, for example, conducting a conference between multiple points via a communication line. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multipoint conference system has been used in which a plurality of conference terminals connected via a communication line are used.

Further, it is a so-called answering machine, which automatically responds to an incoming call when the user is absent and records a message from the other party on a recording means such as a magnetic tape. Communication equipment is becoming popular.

In a multipoint conference system configured by connecting a plurality of conference terminals having such an answering machine function in a loop, when a call is made to another conference terminal, the answering machine of the conference terminal to be connected is used. Mode may be on.

In such a case, in the conventional conference terminal, after each time the operator confirms that the answering machine of the conference terminal of the communication partner is turned on after the call is received, the operator disconnects the line by himself and then other I was trying to connect the line to the conference terminal.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in order to connect the multipoints sequentially, it is necessary for the operator to confirm whether or not the answering machine mode in the conference terminal of the communication partner is on, and the multipoint conference is performed. There was a drawback that the connection of the line at the time of performing could not be performed smoothly.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to enable smooth line connection between conference terminals when conducting a multipoint conference.

[0008]

A conference terminal according to the present invention has an answering mode, and a conference terminal for forming a multipoint conference by forming a loop between a plurality of conference terminals is used for performing the multipoint conference. Storage means for storing the identification number of each conference terminal forming the loop, transmission means for transmitting a signal for line connection to the conference terminal with the identification number stored in the storage means, and transmission by the transmission means It has identification means for identifying whether or not the answering machine mode of the conference terminal that has been held is on, and control means for switching the destination of the transmission means according to the identification result of the identification means.

Another feature of the present invention is that
First connection message transmitting means provided in the conference terminal on the transmitting side for transmitting a signal for line connection to the target conference terminal to form a loop between the plurality of conference terminals; Calling message sending means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for sending a calling message indicating that a call is being made based on the signal sent by the first connection message sending means, and the calling message A timer provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for measuring the elapsed time after the calling message is transmitted by the transmitting means, and the user on the receiving side when the preset time has elapsed as a result of the measurement by the timer. Is a means for determining that there is no answer, and the absence judgment means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side and the above-mentioned absence judgment hand. When the receiving side user is judged to be out of office, the absence information sending means provided in the receiving side conference terminal to send the information indicating the absence to the calling side conference terminal, and the above absence are shown. A second connection message transmitting means for performing a line disconnection procedure when information is sent from the receiving conference terminal and transmitting a signal for line connection to the next conference terminal is provided. .

Another feature of the present invention is that in a multipoint conference system in which a plurality of conference terminals are connected in a loop via an ISDN network and a conference is held between the plurality of conference terminals. The first connection message transmitting means provided in the conference terminal on the transmitting side for transmitting a signal for line connection to the conference terminal participating in the multipoint conference system, and the first connection message transmitting means. Calling message sending means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for sending a calling message indicating that a call is being made, and measuring the time elapsed since the message was sent by the calling message sending means In order to do so, the timer provided in the ISDN network and the result of the measurement by the timer, the preset fixed time has elapsed. When the user on the receiving side determines that the user on the receiving side is absent, when the user on the receiving side determines that the user on the receiving side is absent by the absence determining means provided in the ISDN network. In addition, the absence information transmitting means provided in the ISDN network for transmitting the information indicating the absence to the conference terminal on the transmitting side, and the information indicating the absence transmitted by the absence information transmitting means are the above-mentioned I.
It is provided with a second connection message transmitting means for transmitting a signal for line connection to the next conference terminal while performing the procedure of disconnecting the line when it is sent from the SDN network.

Another feature of the present invention is that in a multipoint conference system in which a plurality of conference terminals are connected in a loop via an ISDN network and a conference is held between the plurality of conference terminals, A first connection message transmitting means provided in the conference terminal on the transmitting side for transmitting a signal for line connection including information for inquiring whether or not to leave the conference terminal, which participates in the multipoint conference system. ,
Means for transmitting response information to information for inquiring whether or not the user is out depending on the mode of the terminal when receiving the signal for connecting the line, and a response provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side. And a second means for transmitting a signal for line connection to the next conference terminal while performing the procedure for disconnecting the line when the information indicating absence is sent by the response means from the conference terminal on the receiving side. And a connection message sending means.

Another feature of the present invention is that when the response information is transmitted from the response means, the ISDN network transfers the response information as it is to a disk message, and the conference terminal on the transmission side. It is characterized by transferring to.

[0013]

Since the present invention comprises the above technical means, when a multipoint connection is made between a plurality of conference terminals, the identification numbers of the conference terminals stored in the storage means are read out and the identification numbers are read out. A signal for line connection is transmitted to the conference terminal by the transmitting means. Then, when the signal for line connection arrives at the conference terminal on the receiving side, whether or not the answering mode of the conference terminal is on is identified by the identifying means, and the identification result is obtained from the conference terminal on the receiving side. The call is sent to the conference terminal on the sending side. Upon receiving the identification result, the conference terminal on the transmitting side can smoothly perform multipoint connection by switching the conference terminal of the transmission destination of the transmission means by the control means according to the identification result.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment is an ISDN line,
The type of line such as PSTN line does not matter.

The first embodiment is an example of manual connection performed while confirming the multipoint loop connection of each conference terminal one by one. FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the conference terminal of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, is a storage means for storing the identification number of each conference terminal forming a loop for conducting a multipoint conference.

Is a transmission means for transmitting a signal for line connection to one conference terminal among the identification numbers of the conference terminals stored in the storage means. Is an identification means for identifying whether or not the answering machine of the conference terminal is turned on when the outgoing call made by the above-mentioned outgoing call means is received.

Reference numeral denotes a terminal device main body, on which various communication devices of the conference terminal of this embodiment are provided. Further, this terminal device main body is adapted to operate in various operation modes including an answering machine mode.

When the identifying means identifies that the answering machine mode of the terminal device main body is on, the line is automatically disconnected and a signal for connecting the line to the next multipoint conference participant is sent. It is a control means for transmitting.

Next, a configuration example of the conference terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the conference terminal according to the present invention. The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, 1 is a handset which is one of the voice input / output means of this device, 2 is a microphone which is one of the voice input means of this device, and 3 is one of the voice output means of this device. It is a speaker.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a voice interface section, which is instructed by a system control section 14 which will be described later, and which includes the handset 1, the microphone 2 and the speaker 3 as the above-mentioned voice input / output means.
This is for performing a switching process for switching.

The voice interface unit 4 also performs an on / off hook detection process for detecting whether the handset 1 is in an on-hook state or an off-hook state. Further, an echo canceling process for canceling an echo when the microphone 2 and the speaker 3 are used, a tone generating process such as a dial tone, a ringing tone, a busy tone, and a ringing tone are performed.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a voice encoding / decoding unit, which is instructed by the system control unit 14 and is a 64 kbps PCM A-.
Law, 64 kbps PCM μ-law, 64 kb
ps / 56kbps / 48kbps SB-ADPC
M, 32 kbps ADPCM, 16 kbps (eg L
D-CELP) and the like, and code the outgoing voice signal according to a decoding algorithm and a decoding algorithm,
It is for decoding the received voice signal.

Reference numeral 6 is one of the image input means, which is a camera for inputting a self-portrait and the like, and 7 is one of the image input means, which is a document camera for inputting pictures, drawings and the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display unit, which is an input image from the camera 6 or the document camera 7, a received image from the other party, an operation screen,
And for displaying a shared screen and the like.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a video interface section, which is instructed by the system control section 14 to switch the image input means, display switching processing of the input image, the received image, the operation screen, and the shared screen, and to divide them on the display section 8. This is for performing image signal combining processing for displaying.

Reference numeral 10 denotes ITU-TS recommendation H.264. A video encoding / decoding unit 11 which encodes an outgoing image and a received image signal according to H. 261 is a data terminal for performing data communication.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a data interface section, which is data sent from the data terminal 11 and the system control section 1
The transmission data such as the pointing cursor position data and the pointing cursor control data from 4 are notified to a demultiplexing unit 15 described later in a predetermined format, and the received data from the demultiplexing unit 15 is analyzed to analyze the data terminal 11 , Or to notify the system control unit 14.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation unit, which is composed of a keyboard used for inputting control information for overall control of the apparatus, a digitizer for operating a touch panel and a pointing cursor, a trackball, and the like.

Reference numeral 14 is a system control unit, which is a CPU, R
It is provided with an OM, a RAM, an auxiliary storage device, etc., and monitors the state of each part, controls the entire device, creates an operation / display screen according to the state, and executes an application program.

Reference numeral 15 is a demultiplexing unit, which converts a control command from the system control unit 14 into a BAS code, and IT
U-TS Recommendation H.264. 221, the BAS code, the audio signal from the audio encoding / decoding unit 5, the image signal from the video code decoding unit 10, and the data interface unit 1
The data signal from 2 is multiplexed in transmission frame units. Further, the received frame is separated into the above-mentioned constituent elements, and each of them is divided into a voice coding / decoding unit 5 and a video coding / decoding unit 1.
0, to the data interface unit 12 and the system control unit 14.

Reference numeral 16 is a multipoint control unit for controlling the configuration between a plurality of conference terminals. Reference numeral 17 is a line interface unit for controlling a line according to the ISDN user / network interface by exchanging commands with the system control unit 14.

The schematic internal structure of the system controller 14 in this embodiment is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 3, 19 is a CPU for executing the processing of the flowchart described later, 20 is a RAM used as a work area, and 21 is a ROM for storing a program according to the flowchart described later. Further, 22 is an auxiliary storage device for storing the identification number of each participating conference terminal, and 23 is a DTMF detection circuit for detecting a dial tone.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a so-called multipoint conference in which a conference is held by transferring video / audio / data with a plurality of parties via a communication network. In FIG. 4, 18 is a communication network such as ISDN, 901, 902, 90.
Reference numerals 3 and 904 are conference terminals installed at respective points. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates a case where a conference is held between four points A, B, C, and D.

In the present embodiment, the procedure of the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 is applied to the conference terminal which connects at multiple points. In FIG. 5, first, step S101.
At, the identification number stored in the auxiliary storage device 22 is read out and transmitted to a predetermined conference terminal which is one of the identification numbers.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether the conference terminal (reception terminal) for the purpose of connection has arrived. Then, if the incoming call is not received at the conference terminal for connection, step S102 is repeated. If it is confirmed that the conference terminal for connection has arrived, step S1
Go to 03.

In step S103, in order to check whether or not the answering machine is on, it is detected whether or not the conference terminal for the purpose of connection has transmitted a DTMF (dial tone) indicating that the answering machine is on. The dial tone is detected by the DTMF detection circuit 23 shown in FIG. The dial tone indicating that the answering machine is on is uniquely determined in advance between the own terminal and the conference terminal for connection.

If a dial tone is detected in step S103, that is, if the answering machine of the conference terminal on the receiving side is turned on, the process proceeds to step S104 to disconnect the communication line. Next, the process proceeds to step S105, the call is made to the identification number of the next conference terminal stored in the auxiliary storage device 22, and the process returns to step S102.

If the dial tone is not detected in step S103, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, it is detected whether the multipoint conference has ended. If the conference has not ended, the process returns to step S103 and is repeated. When the meeting is over, this flowchart ends.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The ISDN line is used in the second embodiment. It should be noted that the present embodiment is an example of manual connection performed while confirming the multipoint loop connection of each conference terminal one by one.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal structure of the system controller 14 in this embodiment. In the figure, 19 is a CPU for executing the below-mentioned flowchart, 20 is a RAM used as a work area,
Reference numeral 21 is a ROM for storing a program according to a flowchart described later, 22 is an auxiliary storage device for storing the identification number of each participant, and 24 is a timer.

In the present embodiment, the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 is applied to the conference terminal for multipoint connection. First,
A conference terminal (hereinafter referred to as a transmission end) on the calling side transfers a SETUP (set up) message to the ISDN network. Similarly, the SETUP message is transferred from the ISDN network to the conference terminal on the receiving side (hereinafter referred to as the receiving end). It is transferred from the user or ISDN network to display the call setup.

In response to this, the ISDN network sends CA to the transmitting end.
LL PROC (call setup acceptance
ding)) Forward the message. This indicates that the requested call setup has started. Next, the receiving end
I send a LERT (alerting) message
The data is transferred to the SDN network, and the ISDN network also transfers the ALERT message to the transmitting end. This is for displaying that the receiving user is calling.

The receiving end ISDs the ALERT message.
After transferring to the N network, the user on the receiving side keeps calling for a fixed time (t seconds in FIG. 7) by its own timer. Then, if t seconds have elapsed since the call was started, the receiving end determines that the user on the receiving side is absent.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the "absence flag" of the user-user information element in the DISC message is turned on and the DISC message is transferred to the ISDN network. The ISDN network transfers this to the transmitting end.

After that, the procedure for disconnecting the line is taken (REL
(Release), REL COMP (Release complete), and the transmitting end transmits to the next conference terminal. If the user on the receiving side receives the signal before t seconds have elapsed, it means that the multipoint connection between these terminals has succeeded, and this sequence ends.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this third embodiment, an ISDN line is used.
The third embodiment is also an example of manual connection performed while confirming the multipoint loop connection of each conference terminal one by one.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal structure of the system control unit 14 in the third embodiment.
In the figure, 19 is a CPU for executing the flowcharts described below, and 20 is an RA used as a work area.
M and 21 are ROMs for storing programs according to the flowcharts described later, and 22 is an auxiliary storage device for storing the identification number of each participant.

In the present embodiment, the sequence diagram of FIG. 10 is applied to the conference terminal for multipoint connection. First, the SETUP message is transferred from the transmitting end to the ISDN network. Similarly, SETUP from the ISDN network to the transmitting end
Forward the message. This is the user or ISD
Sent from the N network to display the call setup.

In response to this, the ISDN network sends CA to the transmitting end.
Forward the LL PROC message. This indicates that the requested call setup has started. Next, the receiving end transfers the ALERT message to the ISDN network, and
The SDN network transfers the ALERT message to the transmitting end. This is for displaying that the receiving user is calling.

After transferring the ALEART message to the transmitting end, the ISDN network keeps calling the receiving user for a certain time (t seconds in FIG. 10) by its own timer. Then, if t seconds have elapsed since the call was started, the ISDN network determines that the user on the receiving side is absent.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the "absence flag" of the user-user information element in the DISC message.
Is turned on to transfer the DISC message to the sending end.
After that, the procedure for disconnecting the line is taken (REL, REL C
OMP), the transmitting end transmits to the next conference terminal. Also in this case, if the user on the receiving side receives the signal before t seconds have elapsed, it means that the multipoint connection between these terminals has succeeded, and this sequence ends.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The fourth embodiment is an example of automatic connection in which a multipoint loop connection is made without making a ringing sound of each conference terminal.

In the present embodiment, the procedure shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 11 is applied to the conference terminal that connects at multiple points. As shown in FIG. 4, first, from the transmitting end, the ISD
Transfer the SETUP message to the N network. It is forwarded from the user or the ISDN network to display the call setup. At this time, the user / user information element is included in the SETUP message. An absence flag is provided in this user / user information element.

Similarly, a SET is sent from the ISDN network to the receiving end.
Forward the UP message. After that, the ISDN network transfers the CALL PROC message to the transmitting end. This indicates that the requested call setup has started.

Upon receiving the SETUP message, the receiving end sets the "absence flag" of the user / user information element to ON or OFF depending on the mode of the own terminal. If the conference terminal for connection is in the answering machine mode, the "answer flag" of the user / user information element in the REL COMP message shown in FIG. 8 is turned on, and the REL COMP message is sent to the ISDN network. Forward.

Upon receiving the REL COMP message, the ISDN network transfers the user-user information element as it is to a DISC message and transfers it to the transmitting end. After that, a procedure for disconnecting the line is performed between the transmitting end and the ISDN network (REL, RELCOMP), and the transmitting end transmits to the next conference terminal. If the conference terminal for the purpose of connection is not in the answering machine mode, it means that the multipoint connection between these terminals has succeeded and this sequence ends.

[0057]

As described above, the present invention reads the identification number of each conference terminal stored in the storage means and connects the line to the conference terminal having one of the identification numbers. When a signal for the above-mentioned line connection is received by the conference terminal on the receiving side, it is identified whether the answering machine of the conference terminal is on or not, and the line connection is made according to the identification result. Since the conference terminal that is the destination of the signal for sending is switched, it is not necessary for the operator to confirm whether or not the receiving user is absent when connecting between multiple points. You will be able to connect the line smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining main functions of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a conference terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a system control circuit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of a multipoint conference system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a system control circuit in a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining a procedure in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user / user information element.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of system control in third and fourth embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a procedure in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] Storage Means Sending Means Identifying Means Terminal Device Main Body Control Means 1 Handset 2 Microphone 3 Speaker 4 Voice Interface 5 Voice Encoding / Decoding 6 Camera 7 Document Camera 8 Display 9 Video Interface 10 Video Encoding Decoding unit 11 Data terminal 12 Data interface unit 13 Operation unit 14 System control unit 15 Demultiplexing unit 16 Multipoint control unit 17 Line interface unit 18 ISDN line 19 CPU 20 RAM 21 ROM 22 Auxiliary storage device 23 DTMF detection circuit 24 Timer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A conference terminal that has an answering machine and performs a multipoint conference by forming a loop between a plurality of conference terminals, wherein an identification number of each conference terminal that forms a loop for performing the multipoint conference is provided. The storing means for storing, the transmitting means for transmitting a signal for line connection to the conference terminal of the identification number stored in the storing means, and the answering mode of the conference terminal which is transmitted by the transmitting means are ON. A conference terminal, comprising: identification means for identifying whether or not there is any, and control means for switching a transmission destination of the transmission means according to an identification result of the identification means. 2. A first connection message provided to a conference terminal on the calling side in order to transmit a signal for line connection to a target conference terminal to form a loop between a plurality of conference terminals. A calling means, and a calling message sending means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for sending a calling message indicating that the calling is performed based on the signal sent by the first connection message sending means. , A timer provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for measuring the elapsed time after the calling message is sent by the calling message sending means, and the preset constant time has passed as a result of the measurement by the timer. And a means for determining that the receiving side user is not in the absence, and an absence determining means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side, When it is determined that the receiving side user is absent by the absence determination means, an absence information transmitting means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for transmitting information indicating absence to the conference terminal on the transmitting side, When the information indicating the absence is sent from the conference terminal on the receiving side, a procedure for disconnecting the line is performed, and a second connection message transmitting means for transmitting a signal for line connection to the next conference terminal is provided. A multipoint conference system characterized by being provided. 3. A multipoint conference system in which a plurality of conference terminals are connected in a loop via an ISDN network to hold a conference between the plurality of conference terminals, wherein the conference terminals participating in the multipoint conference system are: And a call message indicating that a call is being made by the first connection message sending means, the first connection message sending means being provided in the conference terminal on the sending side for sending a signal for line connection to A calling message sending means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side for sending a message, and the ISD for measuring the elapsed time after the message is sent by the calling message sending means.
A timer provided in the N network, and a means for determining that the receiving user is out of the house when a preset time has elapsed as a result of the measurement by the timer, and is provided in the ISDN network. Absence determination means, and an absence provided in the ISDN network to send information indicating absence to the conference terminal of the sending side when the receiving user determines that the user on the receiving side is absent. When the information sending means and the information indicating the absence sent by the answering information sending means are sent from the ISDN network, the procedure for disconnecting the line is performed, and the signal for connecting the line is sent to the next conference terminal. A multipoint conference system, comprising: a second connection message transmitting means for transmitting. 4. A multipoint conference system in which a plurality of conference terminals are connected to a loop via an ISDN network to hold a conference between the plurality of conference terminals, wherein the conference terminals participating in the multipoint conference system are: Towards,
First connection message transmitting means provided in the conference terminal on the transmitting side for transmitting a signal for line connection including information for inquiring about absence, and when the signal for line connection is received, A means for transmitting response information to the information for inquiring whether or not the user is out depending on the mode of the terminal, the response means provided in the conference terminal on the receiving side, and the information indicating absence by the response means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a second connection message transmitting means for performing a line disconnection procedure when sent from the conference terminal on the receiving side and transmitting a signal for line connection to the next conference terminal. Multipoint conference system. 5. When the response information is transmitted from the response means, the ISDN network transfers the response information as it is to a disk message and transfers it to the conference terminal on the transmitting side. The multipoint conference system described in.