JPH11112957A - Electronic conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an efficient electronic conference system, without consuming network traffic by instructing the transmission of stream based on the received request, and multicast-transmitting a video stream and also a sound stream. SOLUTION: A request reception part 101 starts up a request interpretation part 102, when it receives a request, the request interpretation part 102 starts up a transmission instruction part 103 and executes a result of interpretation of the request interpretation part 102. When the result of request interpretation is a transmission request of a video stream, a video multicast transmission part 104 is started up, the video stream inputted from a video input part 106 is transmitted in a multicast marrer and request waiting state is transferred to again. When the result of the request interpretation is a transmission request of a sound stream, the sound multicast transmission part 105 is started up, the sound stream inputted from a sound input part 107 is transmitted by the multicast and is transferred the request wait state once again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing the traffic of a network in an electronic conference using video and audio, thereby enabling an efficient electronic conference.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic conferencing devices using video and audio have become widespread as means of communication with remote locations, and wide applications such as video-on-demand services and telemedicine are expected in the future. ing. In a teleconference using a telephone line, it is assumed that conference participants are connected one-on-one due to the nature of the line. Therefore, in order to hold a conference with three or more parties, an MCU (Multipoint) is required.
A device for multiplexing video and audio called “tControlUnit” is required. On the other hand, in an electronic conference using the Internet, it is possible to broadcast video and audio to many conference participants without preparing a special device by using a group broadcasting function called multicast. Also, the participants of the conference can select and receive the data of their interest from the broadcast data. Multicast is used when there are many recipients, such as electronic conferences, video-on-demand services, etc.
This is a very effective technology.

[0003]

In an electronic conference using a multicast function, any one of the participants of the conference can receive video,
Audio can be multicast-transmitted, and any participant in the conference can receive the video and audio being multicast-transmitted. However, since the sender of the multicast data cannot obtain information on who is receiving the data being transmitted, there is a possibility that the data transmitted by no one is transmitted to the network. In particular, streams with a large amount of data, such as video and audio, require a large amount of network resources, and unnecessary streams that no one has received are transmitted by multicasting, causing network congestion. There is a problem. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an apparatus that realizes an efficient electronic conference using video and voice without significantly consuming network traffic. I do.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a request receiving unit for receiving a request,
A request interpreting unit that interprets the request received by the request receiving unit, a transmission instruction unit that instructs transmission of a stream based on the request interpreted by the request interpreting unit, and an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. And a video multicast transmitting unit that multicast-transmits a video stream, based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, an audio multicast transmitting unit that multicast-transmits an audio stream, and for transmitting from the video multicast transmitting unit, A video input unit for inputting a video stream; and an audio input unit for inputting an audio stream for transmission from the audio multicast transmission unit.

In order to solve the above problems, a second aspect of the present invention provides a request receiving section for receiving a request, a request interpreting section for interpreting the request received by the request receiving section, and a request interpreting section for interpreting the request received by the request receiving section. And a transmission instructing unit for instructing the transmission of the stream and the stop of the transmission or the transmission of the multicast address, based on the request contents and the instruction contents related to the stream transmission so far, and An instruction content storage unit that stores instruction content, a video unicast transmission unit that unicast-transmits a video stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, and a video based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. A video multicast transmission unit for multicast transmission of the stream,
Based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, an audio unicast transmission unit that unicast-transmits an audio stream, and an audio multicast transmission unit that multicast-transmits an audio stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. Based on an instruction from the transmission instructing unit, for a stream to be multicast-transmitted, an address transmitting unit for transmitting a multicast address indicating a transmission destination, and transmitting from the video unicast transmitting unit and the video multicast transmitting unit, A video input section for inputting a video stream,
An audio input unit for inputting an audio stream for transmission from the audio unicast transmission unit and the audio multicast transmission unit.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an electronic conference apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
01 is a request receiving unit that receives a request; 102 is a request interpreting unit that interprets the request received by the request receiving unit 101;
Reference numeral 3 denotes a transmission instruction unit for instructing transmission of a stream based on the request interpreted by the request interpretation unit 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a video multicast for multicast transmission of a video stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 103. Transmitting part,
Reference numeral 105 denotes an audio multicast transmission unit that multicast-transmits an audio stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 103. Reference numeral 106 denotes a video multicast transmission unit.
And a video input unit 107 for inputting a video stream for transmission from the audio multicast transmission unit 10.
5 is an audio input unit for inputting an audio stream to be transmitted from

FIG. 2 is a follow chart showing the flow of processing after the request is received by the electronic conference apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention. The request receiving unit 101 waits for a request (step 201). Upon receiving the request, the request receiving unit 101 activates the request interpreting unit 102 and proceeds to step 203 (step 202). The request interpreting unit 102 interprets the request received by the request receiving unit 101, and
Is started, and the process proceeds to step 204 (step 203).
If the result of the interpretation by the request interpretation unit 102 is a transmission request for a video stream, the transmission instruction unit 103 activates the video multicast transmission unit 104 and activates step 205.
If the result of the interpretation by the request interpretation unit 102 is not a video stream transmission request, the process proceeds to step 206 (step 204). The video multicast transmission unit 104
The video stream input from the video input unit 106 is transmitted by multicast, and the process proceeds to step 201.
The state shifts to the request waiting state again (step 205). If the result of the interpretation by the request interpretation unit 102 is a transmission request for an audio stream, the transmission instruction unit 103 activates the audio multicast transmission unit 105 and proceeds to step 207. If the request is not a stream transmission request, the process proceeds to step 201 and shifts to a request waiting state again (step 206). The audio multicast transmission unit 105 transmits the audio stream input from the audio input unit 107 by multicast, and
To the request waiting state again (step 20).
7).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic conference apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
Is a request receiving unit that receives the request; 302 is a request interpreting unit that interprets the request received by the request receiving unit 301;
Is a transmission instructing unit that instructs transmission of a stream and stop of transmission or transmission of a multicast address based on the request interpreted by the request interpreting unit 302 and the instruction content related to stream transmission so far, 304 An instruction content storage unit 305 for storing the instruction content related to stream transmission from the transmission instruction unit 303, a video unicast transmission unit unicast transmission of the video stream based on the instruction from the transmission instruction unit 303, and 306 307, a video multicast transmission unit that multicast-transmits a video stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 303.
Is a voice unicast transmission unit that unicast-transmits the voice stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 303;
Reference numeral 308 denotes an audio multicast transmission unit that performs multicast transmission of an audio stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 303. Reference numeral 309 denotes a transmission destination of a stream to be multicast-transmitted based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit 303. An address transmission unit 310 for transmitting a multicast address indicating the following is transmitted from the video unicast transmission unit 305 and the video multicast transmission unit 306.
A video input unit 311 for inputting a video stream includes:
An audio input unit for inputting an audio stream to be transmitted from the audio unicast transmission unit 307 and the audio multicast transmission unit 308.

FIG. 4 is a follow chart showing the flow of processing after the electronic conference device according to claim 2 of the present invention receives a request. The request receiving unit 301 waits for a request (step 401). Upon receiving the request, the request receiving unit 301 activates the request interpreting unit 302 and proceeds to step 403 (step 402). The request interpreting unit 302 interprets the request received by the request receiving unit 301, and
And proceeds to step 404 (step 403).
If the interpretation result of the request interpretation unit 302 is a video stream transmission request, the transmission instructing unit 303 proceeds to step 405 if the interpretation result of the request interpretation unit 302 is not a video stream transmission request. Proceed to step 410 (step 404). The transmission instructing unit 303 refers to the instruction contents related to the stream transmission so far stored in the instruction content storage unit 304. Instruction content storage unit 3
If the video stream is already transmitted by multicast as a result of referring to the instruction stream 04, the address transmitting unit 309 is activated, and the process proceeds to step 412. If it is found that the data has not been transmitted, the process proceeds to step 406 (step 405). The transmission instruction unit 303 refers to the instruction content storage unit 304,
If it is found that the video stream has already been transmitted by unicast, the video unicast transmission unit 3
05, an instruction to stop the transmission of the video stream is sent to step 407. As a result of referring to the instruction content storage unit 304,
If it is determined that the video stream is not transmitted by unicast, the video unicast transmission unit 30
5 and then proceed to step 409 (step 40
6). The video unicast transmission unit 305 stops the video unicast transmission, and proceeds to Step 408 (Step 407). The transmission instruction unit 303 activates the video multicast transmission unit 306 and requests transmission of a video stream. The video multicast transmitting unit 306 transmits the video stream input from the video input unit 310 by multicast, activates the address transmitting unit 309, and proceeds to Step 416 (Step 408). The video unicast transmission unit 305 transmits the video stream input from the video input unit 310 by unicast, proceeds to step 401, and shifts to a request waiting state again (step 409). If the result of the interpretation by the request interpretation unit 302 is an audio stream transmission request, the transmission instruction unit 303 proceeds to step 411 if the result of the interpretation by the request interpretation unit 302 is not an audio stream transmission request.
The process proceeds to step 401 and shifts to the request waiting state again (step 410). The transmission instructing unit 303 refers to the instruction contents related to the stream transmission so far stored in the instruction content storage unit 304. Instruction content storage unit 304
If it is found that the audio stream has already been transmitted by multicast as a result of referring to, the address transmission unit 309 is activated, and the flow proceeds to step 412. If it is determined that the data has not been transmitted, the process proceeds to step 413 (step 411). The address transmission unit 309 transmits address information for receiving the multicast transmission to the source of the current request. (Step 412). The transmission instruction unit 303 includes an instruction content storage unit 304
As a result of referring to the above, if it is found that the audio stream has already been transmitted by unicast, the audio unicast transmission unit 307 is instructed to stop the transmission of the audio stream, and the process proceeds to step 414. As a result of referring to 304, if it is found that the audio stream is not transmitted by unicast, the audio unicast transmission unit 307 is activated, and the process proceeds to step 417 (step 4).
13). The voice unicast transmission unit 307 stops the voice unicast transmission, and proceeds to step 415 (step 414). The transmission instruction unit 303 activates the audio multicast transmission unit 308 and requests transmission of an audio stream. The voice multicast transmission unit 308 is used for the voice input unit 3
The audio stream input from the terminal 11 is transmitted by multicast, the address transmitting unit 309 is started, and
Proceed to 16 (step 415). Address transmission unit 309
Transmits the address information for receiving the multicast transmission to the destination receiving the unicast transmission and the source of the current request. (Step 41
6). The voice unicast transmission unit 307 includes the voice input unit 3
The audio stream input from 11 is transmitted by unicast, the process proceeds to step 401, and shifts to the request waiting state again (step 417).

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of an electronic conference using the electronic conference apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 501
Is an electronic conference device with the device name “A”, 502 is an electronic conference device with the device name “B”, and 503 is the Internet to which the electronic conference devices A and B are connected. FIG. 6 is an example of the IP addresses of the electronic conference devices A and B in FIG. 5 and a multicast IP address of the Internet used by the electronic conference devices A and B in a conference. Reference numeral 601 denotes the IP address of the electronic conference device A, 602 denotes the IP address of the electronic conference device B, and 603 denotes the Internet multicast IP address used by the electronic conference devices A and B for a conference. Here, the electronic conference devices A and B in FIG.
Will be described below. Electronic conference device B
Transmits a request for a voice stream by unicast to the electronic conference device A by specifying the IP address 901 of the electronic conference device A.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a request for transmission of a stream transmitted from the electronic conference apparatus B to the electronic conference apparatus A. 701
Indicates the type of request. Here, “SEND” indicates that the request is for transmitting a stream. Reference numeral 702 indicates the name of the device to which the request is transmitted. Reference numeral 703 indicates the type of the requested stream. Here, “audio” indicates that the stream is an audio stream. The electronic conference device A interprets the request of FIG. 7 received from the electronic conference device B and determines that the request is a voice transmission request. In response to a request from the electronic conference device B, the electronic conference device A multicasts an audio stream to the multicast IP address 603 of the Internet used by the electronic conference devices A and B for a conference.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of an electronic conference using the electronic conference apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 801
Is the electronic conference device A with the device name "A", 802 is the electronic conference device B with the device name "B", 803 is the electronic conference device C with the device name "C", and 804 is the electronic conference device A and B , C are connected Internet. FIG. 9 is an example of the IP addresses of the electronic conference devices A, B, and C in FIG. 8 and the multicast IP addresses of the Internet used by the electronic conference devices A, B, and C in a conference. Reference numeral 901 denotes the IP address of the electronic conference device A, and reference numeral 902 denotes the IP address of the electronic conference device B.
The P address 903 is the IP address of the electronic conference device C, and the reference numeral 904 is a multicast IP address of the Internet used by the electronic conference devices A, B, and C for a conference. Here, a specific operation of the electronic conference apparatuses A and B in FIG. 8 will be described below. The electronic conference device B sends the electronic conference device A an IP address 9
01 is specified, and the request for the audio stream is transmitted by unicast.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a request for transmitting a stream transmitted from the electronic conference apparatus B to the electronic conference apparatus A. The electronic conference device A interprets the request of FIG. 7 received from the electronic conference device B and determines that the request is a voice transmission request. In response to a request from the electronic conference device B, the electronic conference device A transmits a voice stream to the IP address 902 of the electronic conference device B by unicast. Further, the electronic conference apparatus C sends the IP address 9 of the electronic conference apparatus A to the electronic conference apparatus A.
01 is specified, and the request for the audio stream is transmitted by unicast. FIG. 7 is an example of a transmission request for a stream transmitted from the electronic conference device C to the electronic conference device A. The electronic conference device A interprets the request of FIG. 7 received from the electronic conference device C and determines that the request is a voice transmission request. In response to the request from the electronic conference device C, the electronic conference device A first stops unicast transmission of the audio stream to the electronic conference device B. Next, the electronic conference device A becomes the electronic conference device B
To specify the IP address 902 of the electronic conference device B,
The multicast IP address 904 is transmitted by unicast, and the change of the transmission destination of the audio stream is notified. Next, the electronic conference device A multicast-transmits the voice stream to the Internet multicast IP address 904 used by the electronic conference devices A, B, and C for the conference.

[0014]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is a data transmission request, data is multicast-transmitted for the first time, thereby transmitting unnecessary data to the network, which is not received by anyone. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in network traffic, to realize an efficient electronic conference, and its practical effect is great.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch from unicast transmission to multicast transmission in accordance with the number of data receivers, and an efficient electronic conference using both unicast and multicast. Can be realized, and the practical effect is great.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic conference device according to claim 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a follow chart showing a processing flow after the electronic conference device according to claim 1 of the present invention receives a request;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an electronic conference device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a follow chart showing a processing flow after the electronic conference device according to the second embodiment of the present invention receives a request;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic conference using an electronic conference device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an IP address of a participating electronic conference device and a multicast IP address of the Internet used in the conference in the electronic conference using the electronic conference device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a stream transmission request transmitted when the electronic conference device requests stream transmission in an electronic conference using the electronic conference device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic conference using an electronic conference device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an IP address of a participating electronic conference device and a multicast IP address of the Internet used in the conference in the electronic conference using the electronic conference device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Request receiving unit 102 Request interpreting unit 103 Transmission instructing unit 104 Video multicast transmitting unit 105 Audio multicast transmitting unit 106 Video input unit 107 Audio input unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] A request receiving unit for receiving a request, a request interpreting unit for interpreting the request received by the request receiving unit, and instructing transmission of a stream based on the request interpreted by the request interpreting unit. A transmission instruction unit, a video multicast transmission unit that multicast-transmits a video stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, and an audio multicast transmission that multicast-transmits an audio stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit A video input unit for inputting a video stream for transmitting from the video multicast transmitting unit, and an audio input unit for inputting an audio stream for transmitting from the audio multicast transmitting unit. Characteristic electronic conference device. 2. A request receiving unit for receiving a request, a request interpreting unit for interpreting the request received by the request receiving unit, a request interpreted by the request interpreting unit, and an instruction content regarding stream transmission so far. Based on the transmission of the stream and
A transmission instructing unit for instructing transmission stop or multicast address transmission, an instruction content storing unit for storing instruction content related to stream transmission from the transmission instruction unit, and an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. A video unicast transmission unit for unicast transmission of a video stream, a video multicast transmission unit for multicast transmission of a video stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, and an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. An audio unicast transmission unit that unicast-transmits an audio stream, an audio multicast transmission unit that multicast-transmits an audio stream based on an instruction from the transmission instruction unit, and an instruction from the transmission instruction unit. Transmits the multicast address indicating the destination of the stream to be transmitted. An address transmission unit, a video input unit for inputting a video stream for transmission from the video unicast transmission unit and the video multicast transmission unit, and audio for transmission from the audio unicast transmission unit and the audio multicast transmission unit. An electronic conference device, comprising: a voice input unit for inputting a stream.