JPH1117840A - Multimedia communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain speedup and effective utilization by making a multimedia communication equipment select a protocol appropriate to a band use state of a connection line. SOLUTION: A band use state of lines, each of which is connected to multimedia communication terminals 100 and 101 of an originating side and a called side, is managed. From the band use information on the basis of this management, one is selected among all the protocols usable between multimedia communication terminals 100 and 101 and a communication is performed. Also a multimedia exchange 120 selects a protocol appropriate to communication in a usable bond of the connection line with non-multimedia communication equipment and performs communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a multi-media communication system for performing multi-media communication using audio data, image data, or transmission data using an arbitrary protocol from a plurality of different protocols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-media communication system of this kind is used for performing a multi-media communication by selecting a protocol suitable for a communication partner device from a plurality of different protocols.

For example, a conventional example of this multi-media communication system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-29202, entitled "Method of Communication Between Multi-media Communication Devices". In this conventional example, after an operator of the apparatus selects a protocol desired to be used in advance, two communication apparatuses perform call connection. Then, mutual processing capability information is exchanged to recognize the processing capability of the partner terminal.

[0004] When one device recognizes that it has a desired protocol with the other device, it sends out a mote switching command designating a specific protocol. The other device that has received the mote switching command returns a mote switching command having the same content, and the same protocol is set in both devices. That is, a protocol suitable for an arbitrary communication partner device is selected from a plurality of different protocols, and the multi-media communication is performed.

[0005] ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) is known as a communication method between multi-media communication terminals. In this ATM communication, in addition to audio data, different media communications such as image data and transmission data set different logical paths on the same line and perform communication through the respective logical paths. For this reason, the communication band of the line changes depending on the setting status of another logical path. Therefore, when performing new communication, it is necessary to recognize the communicable band from the use state of the line and set a logical path of a band suitable for the communicable band.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the use state of the band of the line to which the multi-media communication device is connected is not managed, it is suitable for the use state of the band of the line to which the multi-media communication device is connected. Cannot select the protocol. In other words, there is a disadvantage that high-speed and effective use in multi-media communication cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and enables a protocol suitable for the bandwidth use state of a line connected to a multi-media communication device to be quickly and reliably selected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-media communication system capable of high speed and effective use in dual communication.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multimedia communication apparatus which performs communication between multimedia communication apparatuses using a protocol selected from a plurality of protocols provided in the multimedia communication apparatus. In the dual communication system, the multi-media communication devices on the calling side and the called side manage the bandwidth use state of the line connected to each, and use the bandwidth between the multimedia communication devices based on the bandwidth use information of the line based on this management. It is configured to include communication processing means for selecting one of all possible protocols and performing communication.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-media communication system, wherein the communication processing means includes a managing means for managing a band use state of the line, and a multi-media communication based on the band use information of the line based on the management by the managing means. And selecting means for selecting one of all protocols used between the devices.

A multi-media communication system according to claim 3, wherein said communication processing means includes a line band management means for managing a band use state of a connection line connected to the multi-media communication apparatus on the calling side and the called side, and a protocol. Protocol management means for storing information; attribute search means for searching for a protocol usable by the multi-media communication device on the other end of communication; and line bandwidth usage information and attribute search means from the line bandwidth management means. Protocol selecting means for selecting a protocol to be used from a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol managing means based on the protocol, and call setting means for setting a communication path through the protocol selected by the protocol selecting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-media communication system in which a multi-media communication device having a plurality of protocols and a non-multi-media communication device communicate with each other through a multi-media switch according to a protocol. An exchange communication processing means for selecting one protocol suitable for communication in the available band of the connection line with the multi-media communication device and performing communication is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-media communication system including, as the exchange communication processing means, a line band management means for managing a band use state for each connection line of the non-multi-media communication apparatus, and the non-multi-media communication apparatus. A configuration comprising: protocol management means for storing protocol information; and protocol selection means for selecting a protocol to be used from among a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol management means based on line bandwidth usage information from the line bandwidth management means. There is.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-media communication system, the protocol management means stores all the protocol information registered at the time of initial setting and band information for each of the protocol information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the multimedia communication system, the protocol information registered at the time of the initial setting is
It is a protocol for transmitting and receiving audio data, image data or transmission data.

The multi-media communication system according to claim 8 is configured to include a change setting means for changing and setting the protocol information registered at the time of the initial setting.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-media communication system, the multi-media communication device is configured by a personal computer having a plurality of protocol conversion functions and performing communication using an arbitrary protocol in the plurality of protocol conversion functions. is there.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-media communication system, wherein the multi-media communication device has a plurality of protocol conversion functions, and performs voice communication on a personal computer which performs communication using an arbitrary protocol in the plurality of protocol conversion functions. It is composed of a computer telephony terminal that has realized the function.

In the multi-media communication system according to the present invention, the multi-media exchange is constituted by an ATM exchange in an asynchronous transfer mode.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-media communication system, when the protocol selecting means selects a protocol to be used from a plurality of protocols stored in a protocol managing means, the protocol selecting means selects a plurality of protocols; In this configuration, a plurality of selected protocols are selected based on a predetermined priority.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-media communication system, when the protocol selecting means selects a protocol to be used from a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol managing means, an effective state in which a line band is used. The configuration is such that a protocol corresponding to the communication band is selected based on a value obtained by comparing the rate and the threshold value.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-media communication system, the protocol management means includes a protocol management table storing a band indicating a transmission speed and a protocol system corresponding to each band.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the protocol having the highest priority is constituted by the protocol having the highest communication band.

The multi-media communication system having such a configuration is based on the band usage status of the lines connected to the multi-media communication devices on the transmitting side and the receiving side, respectively. One is selected, and communication corresponding to multi-media is performed. In addition, the multi-media exchange selects one protocol suitable for communication corresponding to multi-media in the usable band of the connection line with the non-multi-media communication device and performs communication.

As a result, it is possible to quickly and surely select a protocol suitable for the state of use of the bandwidth of the line connected to the multi-media communication device, and it is possible to increase the speed and effectively use the multi-media communication.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the multi-media communication system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the multi-media communication system of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing composition in an embodiment. Here, the description will be made with reference to audio media, but different media communications such as image data and transmission data can also be performed with the same configuration.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a multi-media communication terminal 10.
0, 110 and a multi-media exchange 120. Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
Are the voice protocol selection unit 101 (111), the line band management unit 102 (112), and the voice protocol management unit 1
03 (113), an attribute search unit 104 (114), and a call setting unit 105 (115). The multi-media communication terminal 100 (110) has a central processing unit (C
PU), a computer with storage devices, etc.
The function processing is realized.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The multi-media communication terminals 100 and 110 have a plurality of voice protocol conversion functions, and perform voice communication using an arbitrary voice protocol in the plurality of voice protocol conversion functions. For example, a personal computer (P
C) is realized by a computer telephony terminal (CT terminal) that realizes a voice communication function.

The multi-media exchange 120 is, for example,
Transfer of call processing messages between the ATM switch and the multi-media communication terminals 100 and 110 which perform communication,
Multi-media communication terminal 10 established by call setting
A communication path between 0 and 110 is set.

Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
The voice protocol management unit 103 (113) within the terminal transmits a request for voice communication from its own terminal (multi-media communication terminals 100 and 110) to the partner terminal (multi-media communication terminals 100 and 110). It generates a list of usable voice protocols of its own terminal from the band bandwidth use information from the line band management unit 102 (112) and all the voice protocol information from the voice protocol management unit 103 (113).

If there is at least one usable voice protocol by this generation, a protocol search request is sent to the partner terminal, and the terminal enters a standby state for a protocol search response from the partner terminal. Thereafter, the available voice protocol list information of the partner terminal received from the protocol search response and the available voice list information of the own terminal are compared, and one of the communicable voice protocols is selected from the list and the call setting unit 10 is selected.
5 (115).

The voice protocol management unit 103 (11
3), when receiving a voice communication request from the partner terminal, according to a protocol search request from the partner terminal, the line band use information and the voice protocol management unit from the line band management unit 102 (112) in the terminal. From all the voice protocol information from 103 (113), a list of available voice protocols of the own terminal is generated and notified to the partner terminal.

Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
The line bandwidth management unit 102 (112) monitors the bandwidth used by the line, and stores the relationship between a plurality of threshold information set in advance and the effective rate of the line as will be described later. Notification is made according to the request from (113).

Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
The voice protocol management unit 103 (113) classifies and holds all voice protocols processed by this terminal according to the communication band, and
Notify according to the request from 01 (111).

Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
The attribute search unit 104 (114) transmits a voice protocol search request to the partner terminal according to the instruction of the voice protocol selection unit 101 (111), and converts the voice protocol search response received from the partner terminal to the voice protocol selection unit. 101 (111).

Multimedia communication terminal 100 (110)
The call setting unit 105 (115) performs call processing for setting a communication path with the partner terminal according to the voice protocol specified by the voice protocol selection unit 101 (111).

Next, the operation of the multi-media communication in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the multi-media communication, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the operation of the multi-media communication terminal 100 on the transmitting side. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the operation of the receiving side multimedia communication terminal 110.

First, the originating multi-media communication terminal 1
00 starts communication with the receiving side multimedia communication terminal 110. Multimedia communication terminal 10 on the calling side
The voice protocol selection unit 101 in the line 0 collects the bandwidth usage information and the voice protocol information of the line from the line bandwidth management unit 102 and the voice protocol management unit 103 of the own terminal, respectively (steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 3).

If there is at least one communicable voice protocol based on a predetermined voice protocol selection criterion for the bandwidth usage information of the line (step S303: Yes), the voice protocol selecting unit 101 searches the attribute search unit. It instructs 104 to search for a voice protocol to the multimedia communication terminal 110 on the receiving side. The attribute search unit 104 transmits a voice protocol search request message to the called multimedia communication terminal 110 (step S304). If there is no communicable voice protocol (step S303: No), the transmission is stopped (step S310).

This request is received by the called multi-media communication terminal 110 through the multi-media exchange 120 (step S401 in FIG. 4: Yes). Through this reception, the voice protocol selecting unit 111 in the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal 110 collects line bandwidth use information and voice protocol information from the line bandwidth management unit 112 and the voice protocol management unit 113 of the terminal itself ( Steps S402 and S403).

If there is at least one communicable voice protocol based on the voice protocol selection criterion for the predetermined bandwidth use information of the line (step S404: Yes), the voice protocol (Step S40)
5) Notify the attribute search unit 114. Attribute search unit 114
Transmits the voice protocol list information as a search response message to the called multimedia communication terminal 110 (step S406a).

When there is no communicable voice protocol (step S404: No), the attribute search unit 11 is notified that there is no usable voice protocol, and the attribute search unit 11 sends information indicating that there is no voice protocol. It is transmitted to the originating multimedia communication terminal 100 as a search response message and returns to the initial state (steps S406b and S40).
1).

The search response message of this protocol is received by the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 via the multimedia exchange 120 (step S305:
Yes). With this reception, the voice protocol selection unit 101 in the calling multimedia communication terminal 100 transmits a list of voice protocols that can be communicated with the calling multimedia communication terminal 100 generated from the line bandwidth usage information and the voice protocol information. Then, the search-response message is compared with the communicable voice protocol list information of the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal 110.

As a result of the comparison, when there is the same voice protocol that can be used (step S306: Yes): One voice protocol is selected from the same (step S3).
07), and notifies the call setting unit 105. If there is no usable same voice protocol (step S306:
No), the transmission is stopped (step S310).

The call setting unit 105 of the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 transmits a call setting message for performing communication using the selected voice protocol to the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal 110 (step S308). When the call setting unit 115 of the multi-media communication terminal 110 receives the call setting message (step S407:
Yes), the determined voice protocol is notified to the voice protocol selection unit 111, and a response message is transmitted to the originating multimedia communication terminal 100 (step S408).

The call setting unit 105 of the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 that has received the response message sets a communication path using the determined voice protocol. after this,
Communication is started between the multi-media communication terminal 100 on the transmitting side and the multi-media communication terminal 110 on the receiving side (step S309: Yes, S311, S409).

In the first embodiment, the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 does not receive a voice protocol search response from the receiving-side multi-media communication terminal 110 (step S305: No), or receives the same response. If not (step S309: No), or if the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal 110 does not receive a call setting from the calling-side multimedia communication terminal 100 (step S407: No), the same processing steps are unlimitedly performed. Although the process is repeated, the process may be repeated only for the time T to return to the initial state. Further, a process may be performed in which the number n is repeated to return to the initial state at the (n + 1) th time.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bandwidth management table referred to when the calling side collects bandwidth usage information of a line. This band management table is for the voice protocol selection unit 101 in the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 to collect line band use information from the line band management unit 102 of the terminal itself.

The line band management unit 102 adds the used band information of the communication path when the communication path is established, and subtracts the used band information of the communication path when the communication path is opened. Calculate the effective rates of all communication paths communicating in the connection line. Also, preset threshold values (A: 1 Mbps, B: 1.6 Mbps, C: 1.8 Mbps)
(bps) information and communication band information of the maximum rate (2 Mbps) and the minimum rate (0 bps) of the connection line, and stores comparison information with the effective rate.

In this case, since the transmitting-side multimedia communication terminal 100 has an effective rate between the minimum rate (Obps) and the threshold value A (1 Mbps), “minimum (rate) <effective (rate) < The bandwidth usage information of the line with the threshold value “A” is collected.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a voice protocol management table referred to when collecting voice protocol information. The voice protocol management table is stored in the voice protocol management unit 103 of the own terminal.
This is referred to when collecting the voice protocol information from.

The voice protocol management unit 103 accumulates all voice protocol information registered at the time of initial setting of the terminal according to the band information. Further, when the band information is changed during the operation of the terminal, the content is updated each time. In this case, the receiving side multi-media communication terminal 110 is 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 36 kbps, 6 kbps.
The ITU-T standard “G.711 PCM / G.722 SB-ADPCM” corresponding to a communication band of 4 kbps.
/ G. 726 ADPCM / G. 728 LD-SE
LP / G. 729 CS-ASELP ".

The voice protocol selection unit 101 has a voice protocol selection criterion corresponding to predetermined band use information of a line, and selects a communicable voice protocol. For example, all voice protocols can be used when the effective rate of the line is “minimum <effective <threshold A”, and if the effective rate is “threshold C <effective <maximum”, communication of 8 kbps is performed. Band audio protocol G. 729 C
Use only S-ASELP.

When a plurality of voice protocols can be selected at the time of communication, priorities are set in advance for each voice protocol, and the protocols are selected in order of the highest priority. For example, when a voice protocol of a different communication band can be selected, the voice protocol is sequentially selected from a higher communication band.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a band management table referred to by the called side to collect line band use information.
The band management table is referred to by the voice protocol selection unit 111 in the called-side multimedia communication terminal 110 to collect line band use information from the line band management unit 112 of the terminal itself.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a voice protocol management table which is referred to when the receiving side collects voice protocol information. This voice protocol management table is such that the voice protocol selection unit 1111 stores the voice protocol management unit 1 of its own terminal.
13 to collect voice protocol information.

The band use information and the voice protocol information of the line are also collected in the same manner as the line band management unit 102 and the voice protocol management unit 103 described above. That is, in FIG. 7, the threshold A is 0.8 Mbps, and the threshold B is 1.3 Mbps. In this case, the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal 110 corresponds to the bandwidth usage information of the line whose effective rate is “threshold value A <effective <threshold value B” and the communication bands of 16 kbps, 32 kbps, and 64 kbps. ITU-T standard G. 711PC
M / G. 722 SB-ADPCM / G. 726 A
DPCM / G. 728 Processes four types of voice protocols, LD-SELP.

In the same manner as the voice protocol selection unit 101, if the effective rate of the line is "minimum <effective <threshold value A", all voice protocols can be used. If the effective rate is “threshold value A <effective <threshold value B”, 16 k
G. bps or 32 kbps communication protocol voice protocol. 726 ADPCM / G. 728 LD-SELP
The voice protocol is selected on the basis of a selection criterion that enables the communication.

The processing of the sequence of FIG. 2 using this condition will be described. Since the voice protocol selecting unit 101 of the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 has a voice protocol that allows communication with the effective rate of the line being “minimum <effective <threshold value A”, the multi-media communication of the called side is performed. A voice protocol search request is transmitted to the terminal 110. Upon receiving the search request, the voice protocol selection unit 111 in the called-side multimedia communication terminal 110 determines that the effective rate is “Threshold A <Effective <Threshold B” and “G.
726 ADPCM / G. 728 LD-SELP "is returned.

The voice protocol selection unit 101 of the originating multi-media communication terminal 100 determines that the effective rate of the line is “minimum <effective <threshold A” and “G.71”.
1 PCM / G. 722 SB-ADPCM / G. 7
26 ADPCM / G. 728LD-SELP / G. 7
29 CS-ASELP "is possible, and
“G.7” from the receiving side multimedia communication terminal 110.
26 ADPCM / G. 728 LD-SELP ”and a search response that allows communication with“ G.726 AD ”.
PCM / G. 728 LD-SELP ”is recognized that communication is possible.

Then, the voice protocol selecting unit 101 selects “G.726 ADPCM” having a higher priority than “G.728 LD-SELP” according to the communication band, and notifies the call setting unit 105. The call setting unit 105 sets “G.7
26 ADPCM ”, receives a response from the called multimedia communication terminal 110, and starts communication.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. FIG.
The multi-media communication system of the example shown in FIG. 1 is a multi-media communication terminal 900, a multi-media exchange 910,
It has a telephone exchange 920 and telephone terminals 930 and 940.

The multi-media communication terminal 900 has a voice protocol selection unit 901, a line band management unit 902, a voice protocol management unit 903, an attribute search unit 904, and a call setting unit 905.

The multi-media communication terminal 900 has a plurality of voice protocol conversion functions and performs voice communication according to an arbitrary voice protocol. For example, the voice communication function is provided on a personal computer (PC). It is realized by the realized computer telephony terminal (CT terminal).

The multimedia exchange 910 has a voice protocol selection unit 911, a line band management unit 912, and a voice protocol management unit 913.

The multimedia exchange 910 determines a communication path established by transferring a call processing message and setting up a call with the multimedia communication terminal 900 which performs communication. For example, this multi-media exchange 910 has A
It is a TM exchange.

The telephone exchange 920 is connected to the multi-media exchange 910 via a plurality of lines C and D, and performs communication by selecting an arbitrary audio protocol from among a plurality of audio protocols provided for each line. The telephone terminal 930 is connected to the multimedia exchange 910 by a line E,
In addition, communication is performed by a single voice protocol. The telephone terminal 940 is connected to a telephone exchange 920 by a line.
And performs communication by a single voice protocol.

The above described multi-media communication terminal 900
It has the same configuration and the same operation as the first embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, the above-mentioned multi-media exchange 9
Reference numeral 10 denotes a case where the internal voice protocol selecting unit 911 detects that the telephone exchange 92
In accordance with the voice protocol search request for 0, bandwidth utilization information of the lines C to E connecting the telephone exchange 920 and the telephone terminals 930 and 940 is collected from the line bandwidth management unit 912 in the multimedia communication terminal 900. Further, information on a list of usable voice protocols of the telephone exchange 920 and the telephone terminals 930 and 940 is collected from the voice protocol management unit 913. Then, communicable voice protocol list information is generated and notified to the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the transmitting side.

The line band management unit 912 is a telephone exchange 92
0 or the respective lines C to connect to the telephone terminal 930
The bandwidth used by E is monitored, and the relationship between a plurality of pieces of threshold information preset for each of the lines C to E and the effective rate of each of the lines C to E is notified according to a request from the voice protocol selection unit 911.

The voice protocol management unit 913 classifies and holds all voice protocols that can be processed by the lines C to E connected to the telephone exchange 920 and the telephone terminal 930 according to the communication band. Protocol selection unit 911
Notify as requested. Note that the functional processing is realized by a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, and the like of the multi-media exchange 910.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 shows the multi-media communication terminal 9 shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram when 00 is the calling side and the telephone terminal 940 is the called side terminal. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the operation of the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the calling side. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the operation of the multimedia exchange 910, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the operation of the telephone exchange 920. Further, FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the operation of the telephone terminals 930 and 940.

In FIG. 10 to FIG. 14, when the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the transmitting side starts communication with the telephone terminal 940 on the receiving side, the voice protocol selecting section 901 in the multi-media communication terminal 900 sets the line bandwidth of its own terminal. The bandwidth usage information and the voice protocol information of each line are collected from the management unit 902 and the voice protocol management unit 903 (steps S1101, S1102).

If there is at least one communicable voice protocol based on a predetermined voice protocol selection criterion for the bandwidth usage information of the line (step S1102: YES), the voice protocol selecting unit 901 searches for the attribute. 904 is instructed to search for a voice protocol to the telephone terminal 940 on the receiving side. The attribute search unit 904 transmits the voice protocol search request message to the telephone terminal 9 on the receiving side.
40 (step S1104). If there is no communicable voice protocol (step S1103:
(Yes) stops transmission (step S1110).

When a request is received (step S120)
1: Yes), the multimedia exchange 910 transfers the request to the voice protocol selection unit 911. Here, the voice protocol selecting unit 911 sends the telephone terminal 94 on the receiving side from the line band management unit 912 and the voice protocol management unit 913.
The bandwidth usage information of the lines C and D connected to the telephone exchange 920 accommodating 0 and the voice protocol information with which the telephone exchange 920 accommodating the telephone terminal 940 can communicate are collected (steps S1202 and S1203).

The voice protocol selecting section 911 determines that there is at least one voice protocol that can be communicated based on a predetermined voice protocol selection criterion for the bandwidth usage information for each of the lines C to E (step S1204: Ye).
s), all communicable voice protocol information is selected (step S1205), and this voice protocol list information is transmitted to the transmitting multimedia communication terminal 900 as a search response message (step S1206a).

If there is no communicable voice protocol (step S1204: NO), information indicating that there is a voice protocol is transmitted to the multimedia communication terminal 900 as a voice protocol search response message (step S1).
206b), returning to the initial state. When this multi-media communication terminal 900 receives this protocol search response message (step S1105: Yes), the multi-media communication terminal 900 generates a multi-media communication terminal 900 that generates the multi-media communication terminal 900 from the line bandwidth usage information and the audio protocol information. The voice protocol list information with which the communication terminal 900 can communicate is compared with the voice protocol list information with which the receiving-side telephone terminal 940 from the search request response message can communicate.

As a result of the comparison, when there is the same voice protocol that can be used (step S1106: Yes), one voice protocol is selected from the same (step S1106).
1107), it notifies the call setting unit 905. If there is no usable same voice protocol (step S110)
6: Yes), cancel the call (step S111)
0).

The call setting section 905 of the originating multi-media communication terminal 900 transmits a call setting message for performing communication using the selected voice protocol to the receiving side telephone terminal 940 (step S1108). The call setup message is transmitted to the multi-media exchange 910 and the telephone exchange 920.
(Step S12)
07, S1301). When the telephone terminal 940 receives the call setup message (steps S1301, S140
1) Transmit a response message corresponding to the multimedia communication terminal 900 (steps S1302, S140)
3).

The response message is transferred to the originating multimedia communication terminal 900 via the multimedia exchange 910 and the telephone exchange 920 (step S130).
2, S1208). When the response message is received (step S1109), the call setting unit 905 of the multi-media communication terminal 900 sets a communication path using the determined voice protocol, thereby setting the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the calling side to the communication terminal 900 on the called side. Communication with the telephone terminal 940 is started (steps S1111, S1209,
S1301, S1403).

In the second embodiment, when the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the transmitting side does not receive the search response of the voice protocol (step S1105: No) or when it does not receive the response (step S1109: No),
Although the same processing steps are repeated indefinitely, the processing may be repeated only for the time T to return to the initial state. Further, a process may be performed in which the number n is repeated to return to the initial state at the (n + 1) th time.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in more detail. Here, the description will be made with reference to FIG. 5 again.
That is, in FIG. 5, the voice protocol selection unit 901 in the originating multi-media communication terminal 900 refers again to the bandwidth management table referred to in order to collect the bandwidth usage information of the line from the bandwidth management unit 902 of the terminal itself. I will explain using it.

When the communication path is established, the line band management unit 902 adds the used band information of this communication path, and when the communication path is opened, subtracts the used band information of the communication path to connect. Calculate the effective rates of all communication paths used in the line. Further, comparison information with the effective rate is accumulated using preset threshold information and maximum and minimum communication band information of the connection line. In this case, since the effective rate is between the minimum rate and the threshold value A, the multi-media communication terminal 900 collects the bandwidth usage information of the line of “minimum (rate) <effective (rate) <threshold value A”. I do.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 7 again.
That is, the receiving side shown in FIG. 7 will be described again using the bandwidth management table referred to for collecting the bandwidth usage information of the line.

The voice protocol management unit 903 stores all voice protocol information registered at the time of initial setting together with the band information. If the voice protocol information is changed during the operation, the content is changed each time. In this case, the originating multi-media communication terminal 9
00 is 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 32 kbps, 6
The ITU-T standard “G.711 PCM / G.722 SB-ADPCM” corresponding to a communication band of 4 kbps.
/ G. 726 ADPCM / G. 728 LD-SE
LP / G. 729 CS-ASELP ".

The voice protocol selection unit 901 has a voice protocol selection criterion corresponding to predetermined band use information of a line, and selects a communicable voice protocol. For example, if the effective rate of the line is “minimum <effective <threshold A”, voice protocols in all communication bands from 8 kbps to 64 kbps can be used. If "threshold value A <effective <threshold value B", 3 from 8 kbps
A voice protocol with a communication bandwidth of 2 kbps can be used, and if “threshold B <effective <threshold C”, 8 kb
An audio protocol with a communication band of ps to 16 kbps can be used. Also, if “threshold C <effective <maximum”, only the audio protocol of the communication band of 8 kbps can be used, and if “effective = maximum”, there is no audio protocol to be used.

When a plurality of voice protocols can be selected at the time of communication, priorities are predetermined for the voice protocols in advance, and the protocols are selected in descending order of the priority. For example, when voice protocols with different communication bands can be selected, the voice protocol with the higher communication band is selected in order.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a band management table referred to for collecting line band use information. The bandwidth management table indicates that the voice protocol selection unit 911 in the multimedia exchange 910 has the line C connected to the telephone exchange 920 accommodating the receiving-side telephone terminal 940 from the line bandwidth administration unit 912 of the own multimedia exchange 910.
This is referred to in order to collect the band use information of D.

In FIG. 15, the line band management unit 912 monitors the used time slots and the available time slots in the total number of time slots of the lines C and D, for example, the STM line connected to the existing telephone exchange 920, and An effective rate (1.2 Mbps) of the connection line is calculated by comparison.
Also, comparison information between the communication band information of the maximum rate (1.5 Mbps) and the minimum rate (0 Mbps) of the connection line and the effective rate (1.2 Mbps) is stored. In this case, the connection line C collects the bandwidth use information of “minimum <effective <maximum”, and the connection line D collects the bandwidth use information of “effective = maximum”.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a voice protocol management table referred to for collecting voice protocol information. The voice protocol management table is referred to by the voice protocol selection unit 911 for collecting voice protocol information of the telephone exchange 920 accommodating the receiving-side telephone terminal 940 from the audio protocol management unit 913 of the own multimedia exchange 910. belongs to.

In FIG. 16, the voice protocol management unit 9
13 is an existing telephone exchange 92 registered at the time of initial setting.
0 and all the voice protocol information of the lines C to E connected to the telephone terminal 930 are stored. When the information is changed, the content is updated each time. in this case,
Line C is an ITU-T standard "G.728 ADPC
M ”and the line D is ITU
Process the audio protocol of "G.711 PCM", which is the T standard. The voice protocol selection unit 911 determines in advance the communication bandwidth of the communicable voice protocol in accordance with the bandwidth usage information of the line, and selects the communicable voice protocol based on this.

For example, if the effective rate of the line C is "minimum <effective <maximum", a voice protocol of a communication band of 32 kbps can be used, and if "effective = maximum", no voice protocol is used. is there. Further, if the effective rate of the line D is “minimum <effective <maximum”, 64 kbp
s communication protocol is available,
If “effective = maximum”, there is no audio protocol to be used. In addition, when a plurality of voice protocols can be selected at the time of communication, a priority is previously set for each voice protocol,
Select in order of the protocol with the highest priority. For example, when voice protocols of different communication bands can be selected, the selection is performed sequentially from the voice protocol of the higher communication band.

Next, the communication operation between the multi-media communication terminal 900 on the transmitting side and the telephone terminal 940 on the receiving side based on this condition will be described. Here, the description will be given using the communication sequence of FIG. 10 again.

[0092] The voice protocol selection unit 901 of the multi-media communication terminal 900 has an effective line rate of 1 Mbps,
Communication with all voice protocols is possible by “minimum <effective <threshold A”, and a voice protocol search request is transmitted to the telephone terminal 940. Voice protocol selection unit 9 in multimedia exchange 910 receiving the search request
11 is an existing telephone exchange 9 accommodating the telephone terminal 940.
The effective rate of the line C to which the line 20 is connected is 1.2 Mbps,
Since “minimum <effective <threshold A”, the effective rate of the line D is 1.5 Mbps, and “effective = maximum”, a search response is made that only “G.726DPCM” can be communicated.

Further, the voice protocol selecting unit 901 of the multimedia communication terminal 900 determines that the effective rate of the line is “G.711 PCM” according to “minimum <effective <threshold A”.
/ G. 722 SB-ADPCM / G. 726 AD
PCM / G. 728 LD-SELP / G. 729 C
The telephone exchange 920 accommodating the telephone terminal 940 received from the multi-media exchange 910 can perform communication with "S-ASELP", and compares the search response with the search response indicating that only "G.726 ADPCM" can be communicated.

By this comparison, it is recognized that the voice protocol of "G.726 ADPCM" can communicate. Then, the audio protocol selection unit 901 selects “G.726 AD
"PCM" and notifies the call setting unit 905. The call setting unit 905 performs call processing for setting a communication path of “G.726 ADPCM”, and starts communication by receiving a response from the telephone terminal 940.

[0095]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the multimedia communication system of the present invention, the multimedia communication is performed based on the band use state of the line connected to each of the multimedia communication devices on the calling side and the called side. Select one of all protocols that can be used between the dual communication devices to perform multi-media communication, and if the multi-media switch is in the available bandwidth of the connection line with the non-multi-media communication device, The communication is performed by selecting one protocol suitable for communication corresponding to.

As a result, it is possible to quickly and surely select a protocol suitable for the band usage state of the line to which the multi-media communication device is connected, so that the speed and effective use of the multi-media communication can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-media communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of multi-media communication in the multi-media communication terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation of the transmitting-side multimedia communication terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation of the receiving-side multimedia communication terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bandwidth management table referred to when an originating side collects bandwidth usage information of a line in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voice protocol management table that is referred to when the transmitting side collects voice protocol information in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a bandwidth management table referred to by the called party to collect bandwidth usage information of a line in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a voice protocol management table referred to when the receiving side collects voice protocol information in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a communication sequence diagram between a multi-media communication terminal and a telephone terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation of the multi-media communication terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation of the multi-media exchange in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation of the telephone exchange in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation of the telephone terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a bandwidth management table referred to for collecting bandwidth usage information of a line in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a voice protocol management table referred to for collecting voice protocol information in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 110, 900 Multimedia communication terminals 101, 111, 901, 911 Voice protocol selection units 102, 112, 902, 912 Line band management units 103, 113, 903, 913 Voice protocol management units 104, 114, 904 Attribute search units 105, 115, 905 Call setting unit 120, 910 Multimedia exchange 920 Telephone exchange 930, 940 Telephone terminal

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A multi-media communication system for performing communication between multi-media communication devices according to a protocol selected from a plurality of protocols provided in the multi-media communication device, wherein the multi-media communication devices on the transmitting side and the receiving side respectively include: A communication processing means for managing a band use state of a connected line and selecting one of all protocols usable between the multimedia communication devices from the band use information of the line based on the management to perform communication. A multi-media communication system, characterized in that: 2. A communication processing unit, comprising: a management unit that manages a band use state of a line; and a band use information of the line based on the management by the management unit. The multi-media communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting means for selecting one. 3. The communication processing unit includes: a line band management unit that manages a band use state of a connection line connected to a multi-media communication device on a calling side and a reception side; a protocol management unit that stores protocol information; Attribute search means for searching for a protocol that can be used by the communication side of the multi-media communication device; and the protocol management means based on the bandwidth use information of the line from the line bandwidth management means and the search by the attribute search means. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a protocol selecting unit that selects a protocol to be used from a plurality of stored protocols; and a call setting unit that sets a communication path through the protocol selected by the protocol selecting unit. Multimedia communication system. 4. A multi-media communication system in which a multi-media communication device having a plurality of protocols and a non-multi-media communication device communicate with each other by using a protocol through a multi-media switch, wherein the multi-media switch includes the non-multi-media communication device. A multi-media communication system comprising: an exchange communication processing means for selecting one protocol suitable for communication in an available band of a connection line with the switch and performing communication. 5. An exchange communication processing unit, comprising: a line band management unit for managing a band use state of each connection line of the non-multi-media communication device; and a protocol management unit for storing protocol information of the non-multi-media communication device. And protocol selection means for selecting a protocol to be used from among a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol management means based on bandwidth usage information of the line from the line bandwidth management means. Item 5. The multi-media communication system according to Item 4. 6. The multi-media communication system according to claim 3, wherein said protocol management means stores all protocol information registered at the time of initial setting and bandwidth information for each protocol information. 7. The multimedia communication system according to claim 6, wherein the protocol information registered at the time of the initial setting is a protocol for transmitting and receiving audio data, image data, or transmission data. 8. The multimedia communication system according to claim 6, further comprising change setting means for changing and setting the protocol information registered at the time of the initial setting. 9. The multi-media communication device is a personal computer having a plurality of protocol conversion functions and performing communication using an arbitrary protocol in the plurality of protocol conversion functions.
Or the multi-media communication system according to 4. 10. The multi-media communication device is a computer telephony terminal having a plurality of protocol conversion functions, and realizing a voice communication function on a personal computer that performs communication according to an arbitrary protocol in the plurality of protocol conversion functions. The multi-media communication system according to claim 1 or 4, wherein: 11. The multimedia communication system according to claim 4, wherein said multimedia exchange is an ATM exchange in an asynchronous transfer mode. 12. When selecting a protocol to be used from among a plurality of protocols stored in a protocol management means, the protocol selection means selects a plurality of protocols and defines the selected plurality of protocols in advance. The multi-media communication system according to claim 3, wherein the selection is made based on the priority. 13. A method in which the protocol selection means selects a protocol to be used from among a plurality of protocols stored in a protocol management means, and compares a value obtained by comparing an effective rate indicating a line band use state with a threshold value. 6. The multi-media communication system according to claim 3, wherein a protocol corresponding to a communication band is selected based on the communication protocol. 14. The multi-media communication system according to claim 3, wherein said protocol management means includes a protocol management table storing a band indicating a transmission speed and a protocol scheme corresponding to each band. 15. The multimedia communication system according to claim 12, wherein the protocol having the highest priority is a protocol having the highest communication band.