JPWO2008129668A1 - Communication apparatus and codec method - Google Patents

Abstract

By setting the codec capability separately for the uplink and the downlink, it is possible to prevent an unnecessarily low codec capability from being set for both the uplink and the downlink, resulting in degradation of audio quality or video quality. Communication device that can prevent. In this apparatus, the condition selection unit (201) accepts selection of conditions for setting codec capability. The codec setting unit (202) individually sets the downlink codec capability and the uplink codec capability. The uplink codec processing unit (203) encodes the uplink packet data with the set uplink codec capability. The downlink codec processing unit (204) decodes the downlink packet data with the set downlink codec capability. The call control processing unit (205) performs call control.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and a codec method, for example, a communication apparatus and a codec method for setting codec capability by negotiating between communication terminal apparatuses.

Conventionally, the codec capability set by negotiation between terminal apparatuses is the same for uplink and downlink (for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the codec capability is a data compression method, a bit rate, a screen size, a frame rate, or the like.
Japanese Patent No. 3622701

  However, in Patent Document 1, in a network in which either one of the uplink and the downlink uses a low band, it is necessary to set a low codec capability so that communication is possible in the low band. Along with this, there is a problem that audio quality or video quality is deteriorated when audio data or video data is transmitted on either the uplink or the downlink.

  An object of the present invention is to set a codec capability individually for an uplink and a downlink, thereby preventing an unnecessarily low codec capability from being set for both the uplink and the downlink. And providing a codec method.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention encodes the codec setting means for individually setting the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability, and the uplink codec capability set for the uplink packet data to be transmitted. And a codec processing means for performing decoding with the codec capability of the downlink set for the received downlink packet data.

  In the codec method of the present invention, the first communication device and the second communication device individually set the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability to each other, and the first communication device and the second communication device include: Performing decoding with the downlink codec capability set for the received downlink packet data, and encoding with the uplink codec capability set for the transmitted uplink packet data. did.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unnecessarily low codec capability from being set on both the uplink and the downlink by individually setting the codec capability on the uplink and the downlink.

The figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Sequence diagram showing a codec capability setting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The communication device 1 is a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example, and negotiates with the communication device 2 via a call control server 4 arranged in the IP network 3. Further, the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including the IP address of the local station to the communication device 2 that is a communication partner via the call control server 4. Receive incoming data including IP address. Thereby, since the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 can know each other's IP address, the communication apparatus 1 directly transmits / receives media data such as audio or video to / from the communication apparatus 2.

  The communication device 2 is a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example, and negotiates with the communication device 1 via a call control server 4 arranged in the IP network 3. In addition, the communication device 2 transmits outgoing data including the IP address of the local station to the communication device 1 that is a communication partner via the call control server 4. Receive incoming data including IP address. As a result, the communication device 2 directly transmits / receives media data such as audio or video to / from the communication device 1.

  The call control server 4 is arranged in the IP network 3 and performs call control such as connection and disconnection between the communication device 1 and the communication device 2.

  Here, the uplink means the line # 20 used when transmitting a signal from the communication apparatus 1 to the call control server 4 or the communication apparatus 2 in the communication apparatus 1, and in the communication apparatus 2, the communication apparatus 2 2 means a line # 30 used when a signal is transmitted from 2 to the call control server 4 or the communication device 1. Further, the downlink means a line # 40 used when transmitting a signal from the communication device 2 or the call control server 4 to the communication device 1 in the communication device 1, and in the communication device 2, the communication device 1 Alternatively, it means the line # 50 used when a signal is transmitted from the call control server 4 to the communication device 2. The line # 20 and the line # 50 are lines used for transmitting transmission data from the communication apparatus 1 to the communication apparatus 2, and the line # 30 and the line # 40 are from the communication apparatus 2 to the communication apparatus 1. A line used for transmitting transmission data.

  Next, the configuration of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 200 having the same configuration as the communication device 1 and the communication device 2.

  The condition selection unit 201 receives an external input of a condition for setting the codec capability and outputs it to the codec setting unit 202. For example, the condition selection unit 201 can select a preset condition such as “image priority” or “motion priority” from the outside, and sets the codec capability of the selected “image priority” or “motion priority”. The condition for output is output to the codec setting unit 202.

  The codec setting unit 202 individually sets the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability. Specifically, the codec setting unit 202 sets the codec capability for the call control processing unit 205 based on the condition for setting the codec capability selected by the condition selection unit 201. Further, the codec setting unit 202 sets the codec capability requested by the codec capability setting request input from the call control processing unit 205 and the codec requested by the codec capability update request input from the call control processing unit 205. Update to ability. For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets the downlink codec capability that allows a clearer image to be obtained when “image priority” is selected by the condition selection unit 201 than when “motion priority” is selected. Then, the codec setting unit 202 notifies the call control processing unit 205 of the set or updated codec capability. Here, the setting request is a request for setting the codec capability at the time of transmission. The update request is a request for updating the already set codec capability and setting a new codec capability during communication.

  The uplink codec processing unit 203 encodes media data such as audio or video with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 under the control of the call control processing unit 205 to generate uplink packet data, and the generated uplink packet data Output to the communication control unit 206.

  The downlink codec processing unit 204 decodes the downlink packet data input from the communication control unit 206 with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 under the control of the call control processing unit 205, and acquires media data such as audio or video. . The upstream codec processing unit 203 and the downstream codec processing unit 204 constitute a codec processing unit 250.

  The call control processing unit 205 performs outgoing or incoming call control with the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Also, the call control processing unit 205 makes a request for setting or updating the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 to the communication partner via the communication control unit 206 in response to the notification from the codec setting unit 202. The downlink codec processing unit 204 is controlled to perform decoding with the set codec capability. The call control processing unit 205 is requested to the codec setting unit 202 by a setting request or an update request when receiving a codec capability setting request or update request from the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Instructs you to set the codec capability. Then, the call control processing unit 205 controls the uplink codec processing unit 203 to perform encoding with the set codec capability based on the notification from the codec setting unit 202.

  The communication control unit 206 is a data communication control unit based on a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 up-converts a control signal such as a codec capability setting request and a call control signal input from the call control processing unit 205 from a baseband frequency to a radio frequency, thereby converting the call control server. 4 to send. Also, the communication control unit 206 down-converts the control signal such as the codec capability setting request and the call control signal received from the call control server 4 from the radio frequency to the baseband frequency, and outputs it to the call control processing unit 205 To do. Also, the communication control unit 206 up-converts media data such as audio or video input from the uplink codec processing unit 203 from a baseband frequency to a radio frequency and transmits the media data. Further, the communication control unit 206 down-converts received media data such as audio or video from a radio frequency to a baseband frequency and outputs the down-converted codec processing unit 204 to the downlink codec processing unit 204.

  Next, operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when the codec capability is set at the time of outgoing.

  First, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 1 accepts selection of conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability that satisfies the selected condition.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 makes a call to the communication device 2 and requests the setting of the downlink codec capability of the communication path (step ST301). For example, when the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “image priority” condition, the call control processing unit 205 requests the communication device 2 to set the codec capability of “image priority”. Make a call. At the time of outgoing call, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including its own IP address.

  Also, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 2 (step ST302). For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets a downlink codec capability of “image priority”.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 receives the call by making a call in step ST301 (step ST303).

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 that has received the call sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 in step ST301 as the uplink codec capability (step ST304). If the codec setting unit 202 of the communication apparatus 2 cannot accept the request, that is, cannot cope with the requested codec capability, the codec setting unit 202 can refuse the request by rejecting the incoming call. Here, the reason why the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability is that the downlink codec capability requested by the communication device 1 is the codec capability in the downlink # 40. This is because the codec capability that the communication apparatus 2 that has received the setting request sets according to the request is the codec capability of the uplink # 30.

  Next, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 2 accepts an external selection of the conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 is selected for the communication device 1. The downlink codec capability setting that satisfies the conditions is requested (step ST305). For example, when the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “motion priority” condition, the call control processing unit 205 requests the communication device 1 to set the codec capability of “motion priority”. . At the time of this request, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 transmits data including the IP address of the local station.

  Further, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested of the communication device 1 to the downlink codec processing unit 204 of the communication device 2 (step ST306). For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets the downlink codec capability of “motion priority”.

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 2 in step ST305 as the uplink codec capability (step ST307). Thereby, in the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, the same or different codec capabilities can be individually set for the uplink and the downlink of the communication path, and communication is established.

  Next, operations of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 when updating the codec capability will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when setting the codec capability during communication between the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, that is, when updating the codec capability.

  First, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 1 accepts an external selection of a condition for updating the downlink codec capability, and the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec so as to satisfy the selected condition. The capability is updated (step ST401).

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 requests the communication device 2 to update the downlink codec capability of the communication path. For example, the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “image priority” condition, so that the call control processing unit 205 updates the communication device 2 to the codec capability of “image priority”. Request.

  Further, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 updates the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 2 (step ST402). For example, the codec setting unit 202 updates the downlink codec capability of “image priority”.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 receives a request for updating the downlink codec capability (step ST403).

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 updates the downlink codec capability requested to be updated by the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST404).

  Next, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 2 accepts an external selection of the conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 is selected for the communication device 1. Update of the downlink codec capability that satisfies the conditions is requested (step ST405). For example, the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “motion priority” condition, so that the call control processing unit 205 updates the codec capability of “motion priority” to the communication device 1. Request.

  Moreover, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 updates the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 1 (step ST406). For example, the codec setting unit 202 updates the downlink codec capability to “motion priority”.

  Next, the codec setting section 202 of the communication device 1 updates the downlink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 2 in step ST405 as the uplink codec capability (step ST407). As a result, the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 can be individually updated to the same or different codec capabilities in the uplink and downlink of the communication path,

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a codec capability setting method in the communication system 1 of FIG.

  The communication device 1 requests the call control server 4 to set the downlink codec capability (step ST501), and the call control server 4 forwards the received downlink codec capability setting request to the communication device 2. (Step ST502).

  Next, the communication device 2 requests the call control server 4 to set the downlink codec capability (step ST503), and the call control server 4 sets the received downlink codec capability to the communication device 1. The request is transferred (step ST504).

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, by setting the codec capability separately for the uplink and the downlink, an unnecessarily low codec capability is set for both the uplink and the downlink. Can be prevented, and deterioration of audio quality or video quality can be prevented. Further, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to receive downlink packet data coded with a desired codec capability by requesting the communication partner to set the downlink codec capability.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of communication apparatus 600 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The communication apparatus 600 according to the second embodiment adds a network information acquisition unit 601 and a network information analysis unit 602 to the communication apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. A codec setting unit 603 is provided instead of the setting unit 202. In FIG. 6, parts having the same configuration as in FIG.

  The network information acquisition unit 601 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path, and outputs the acquired network information to the network information analysis unit 602. For example, the network information acquisition unit 601 acquires network information from a device that monitors the line status of the communication path by wired or wireless. Here, the network information is, for example, usable bandwidth information. The network information acquisition unit 601 may acquire network information by monitoring the line status of the communication path.

  The network information analysis unit 602 analyzes the network information input from the network information acquisition unit 601 and outputs the analysis result to the codec setting unit 603. For example, the network information analysis unit 602 recognizes a usable bandwidth by analyzing the network information, and outputs the recognized usable bandwidth information to the codec setting unit 603 as an analysis result.

  The codec setting unit 603 individually sets the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability. Specifically, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability based on the analysis result input from the network information analysis unit 602. Also, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability requested by the codec capability setting request input from the call control processing unit 205, and the codec requested by the codec capability update request input from the call control processing unit 205. Update to ability. For example, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability that can be set within the usable band, which is the analysis result input from the network information analysis unit 602. Then, the codec setting unit 603 notifies the call control processing unit 205 of the set or updated codec capability.

  The uplink codec processing unit 203 encodes media data such as audio or video with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 under the control of the call control processing unit 205 to generate uplink packet data, and the generated uplink packet data Output to the communication control unit 206.

  The downlink codec processing unit 204 decodes the downlink packet data input from the communication control unit 206 with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 under the control of the call control processing unit 205, and acquires media data such as audio or video. .

  The call control processing unit 205 performs outgoing or incoming call control with the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Further, the call control processing unit 205 makes a request for setting or updating the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 to the communication partner via the communication control unit 206 in response to the notification from the codec setting unit 603. The downlink codec processing unit 204 is controlled to perform decoding with the set codec capability. The call control processing unit 205 sets the requested codec capability setting to the codec setting unit 603 when receiving a codec capability setting request or update request from the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Instruct to do. Then, the call control processing unit 205 controls the uplink codec processing unit 203 to perform encoding with the set codec capability based on the notification from the codec setting unit 603.

  Next, operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when the codec capability is set at the time of transmission.

  First, the network information acquisition unit 601 of the communication device 1 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path (step ST701).

  Next, the network information analysis unit 602 of the communication device 1 analyzes the network information (step ST702), and the codec setting unit 603 of the communication device 1 sets the uplink codec capability based on the analysis result (step ST702). ST703), downlink codec capability is set (step ST704).

  Next, call control processing section 205 of communication device 1 transmits to communication device 2 and transmits a setting request for the set uplink codec capability and downlink codec capability (step ST705). At the time of outgoing call, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including its own IP address.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication apparatus 2 receives the outgoing call in step ST705 (step ST706), and receives a request for setting the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability.

  Next, the codec setting unit 603 of the communication device 2 that has received the call sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST707), and the uplink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 is set. The downlink codec capability is set (step ST708). If the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 2 cannot accept the request, that is, cannot cope with the requested codec capability, the codec setting unit 603 can reject the request by rejecting the incoming call.

  Then, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 notifies the communication device 1 that the codec capability setting has been completed. At the time of this notification, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 transmits data including the IP address of the local station.

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 completes the setting upon receiving a notification from the communication device 2 that the codec capability setting has been completed (step ST709). Thereby, in the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, the same or different codec capabilities can be individually set for the uplink and the downlink of the communication path, and communication is established.

  Next, the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when updating the codec capability setting will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 when updating the codec capability.

  First, the network information acquisition unit 601 of the communication device 1 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path (step ST801).

  Next, the network information analysis unit 602 of the communication apparatus 1 analyzes the network information (step ST802), and the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 1 needs to update the codec capability setting based on the analysis result. Whether or not (step ST803).

  When it is determined that the codec capability setting needs to be updated, the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 1 sets the uplink codec capability based on the analysis result (step ST804) and sets the downlink codec capability. Set (step ST805).

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 requests the communication device 2 to update the downlink codec capability or update the uplink codec capability (step ST806).

  Next, call control processing section 205 of communication apparatus 2 receives an update request (step ST807).

  Next, the codec setting section 603 of the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST808), and the uplink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 1 is set. The downlink codec capability is set (step ST809).

  Then, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 notifies the communication device 1 that the codec capability update has been completed.

  Next, the codec setting section 603 of the communication apparatus 1 completes the update upon receiving a notification from the communication apparatus 2 that the update of the codec capability has been completed (step ST810). As a result, the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 can be individually set to the same or different codec capabilities in the uplink and downlink of the communication path,

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by setting the codec capability separately for the uplink and the downlink, an unnecessarily low codec capability is set for both the uplink and the downlink. Can be prevented, and deterioration of audio quality or video quality can be prevented. Further, according to the second embodiment, by setting the codec capability based on the analysis result of the network information, it is not necessary to select the codec capability in both communication apparatuses, and the codec suitable for the network environment Capabilities can be set quickly.

  In the second embodiment, only the communication device 1 sets the uplink codec capability or the downlink codec capability based on the network information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 are connected to the network. The uplink codec capability or the downlink codec capability may be set based on the information.

  The communication apparatus and the codec method according to the present invention are suitable for setting the codec capability by negotiating, for example, between communication terminal apparatuses.

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and a codec method, for example, a communication apparatus and a codec method for setting codec capability by negotiating between communication terminal apparatuses.

Conventionally, the codec capability set by negotiation between terminal apparatuses is the same for uplink and downlink (for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the codec capability is a data compression method, a bit rate, a screen size, a frame rate, or the like.
Japanese Patent No. 3622701

  However, in Patent Document 1, in a network in which either one of the uplink and the downlink uses a low band, it is necessary to set a low codec capability so that communication is possible in the low band. Along with this, there is a problem that audio quality or video quality is deteriorated when audio data or video data is transmitted on either the uplink or the downlink.

  An object of the present invention is to set a codec capability individually for an uplink and a downlink, thereby preventing an unnecessarily low codec capability from being set for both the uplink and the downlink. And providing a codec method.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention separately performs reception means for receiving a codec capability setting request or update request from a communication partner, setting or updating uplink codec capability, and setting or updating downlink codec capability. Codec setting means for setting or updating the codec capability of the uplink requested by the received setting request or update request; and setting or updating of the codec capability of the downlink set or updated by the codec setting means Requesting means for requesting the communication partner, and encoding the uplink packet data with the codec capability of the uplink set or updated by the codec setting means, and the downlink set or updated by the codec setting means Decode of downstream packet data with codec capability A configuration that includes a codec processing unit for performing de, a.

  The codec method of the present invention separately receives a setting request or update request for codec capability from a communication partner, and sets or updates the codec capability of the uplink and sets or updates the codec capability of the downlink, Setting or updating the uplink codec capacity requested by the received setting request or update request, and requesting the communication partner to set or update the downlink codec capacity that has been set or updated. And encoding the uplink packet data with the set or updated codec capability of the uplink, and decoding the downlink packet data with the set or updated codec capability of the downlink. did.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unnecessarily low codec capability from being set on both the uplink and the downlink by individually setting the codec capability on the uplink and the downlink.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The communication device 1 is a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example, and negotiates with the communication device 2 via a call control server 4 arranged in the IP network 3. Further, the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including the IP address of the local station to the communication device 2 that is a communication partner via the call control server 4, and from the communication device 2 to the communication device 2. Receive incoming data including IP address. Thereby, since the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 can know each other's IP address, the communication apparatus 1 directly transmits / receives media data such as audio or video to / from the communication apparatus 2.

  The communication device 2 is a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example, and negotiates with the communication device 1 via a call control server 4 arranged in the IP network 3. Further, the communication device 2 transmits outgoing data including the IP address of the local station to the communication device 1 that is a communication partner via the call control server 4, and from the communication device 1 to the communication device 1. Receive incoming data including IP address. As a result, the communication device 2 directly transmits / receives media data such as audio or video to / from the communication device 1.

  The call control server 4 is arranged in the IP network 3 and performs call control such as connection and disconnection between the communication device 1 and the communication device 2.

  Here, the uplink means the line # 20 used when transmitting a signal from the communication apparatus 1 to the call control server 4 or the communication apparatus 2 in the communication apparatus 1, and in the communication apparatus 2, the communication apparatus 2 2 means a line # 30 used when a signal is transmitted from 2 to the call control server 4 or the communication device 1. Further, the downlink means a line # 40 used when transmitting a signal from the communication device 2 or the call control server 4 to the communication device 1 in the communication device 1, and in the communication device 2, the communication device 1 Alternatively, it means the line # 50 used when a signal is transmitted from the call control server 4 to the communication device 2. The line # 20 and the line # 50 are lines used for transmitting transmission data from the communication apparatus 1 to the communication apparatus 2, and the line # 30 and the line # 40 are from the communication apparatus 2 to the communication apparatus 1. A line used for transmitting transmission data.

  Next, the configuration of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 200 having the same configuration as the communication device 1 and the communication device 2.

  The condition selection unit 201 receives an external input of a condition for setting the codec capability and outputs it to the codec setting unit 202. For example, the condition selection unit 201 can select a preset condition such as “image priority” or “motion priority” from the outside, and sets the codec capability of the selected “image priority” or “motion priority”. The condition for output is output to the codec setting unit 202.

  The codec setting unit 202 individually sets the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability. Specifically, the codec setting unit 202 sets the codec capability for the call control processing unit 205 based on the condition for setting the codec capability selected by the condition selection unit 201. Further, the codec setting unit 202 sets the codec capability requested by the codec capability setting request input from the call control processing unit 205 and the codec requested by the codec capability update request input from the call control processing unit 205. Update to ability. For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets the downlink codec capability that allows a clearer image to be obtained when “image priority” is selected by the condition selection unit 201 than when “motion priority” is selected. Then, the codec setting unit 202 notifies the call control processing unit 205 of the set or updated codec capability. Here, the setting request is a request for setting the codec capability at the time of transmission. The update request is a request for updating the already set codec capability and setting a new codec capability during communication.

  The uplink codec processing unit 203 encodes media data such as audio or video with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 under the control of the call control processing unit 205 to generate uplink packet data, and the generated uplink packet data Output to the communication control unit 206.

  The downlink codec processing unit 204 decodes the downlink packet data input from the communication control unit 206 with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 under the control of the call control processing unit 205, and acquires media data such as audio or video. . The upstream codec processing unit 203 and the downstream codec processing unit 204 constitute a codec processing unit 250.

  The call control processing unit 205 performs outgoing or incoming call control with the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Also, the call control processing unit 205 makes a request for setting or updating the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 202 to the communication partner via the communication control unit 206 in response to the notification from the codec setting unit 202. The downlink codec processing unit 204 is controlled to perform decoding with the set codec capability. The call control processing unit 205 is requested to the codec setting unit 202 by a setting request or an update request when receiving a codec capability setting request or update request from the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Instructs you to set the codec capability. Then, the call control processing unit 205 controls the uplink codec processing unit 203 to perform encoding with the set codec capability based on the notification from the codec setting unit 202.

  The communication control unit 206 is a data communication control unit based on a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 up-converts a control signal such as a codec capability setting request and a call control signal input from the call control processing unit 205 from a baseband frequency to a radio frequency, thereby converting the call control server. 4 to send. Also, the communication control unit 206 down-converts the control signal such as the codec capability setting request and the call control signal received from the call control server 4 from the radio frequency to the baseband frequency, and outputs it to the call control processing unit 205 To do. Also, the communication control unit 206 up-converts media data such as audio or video input from the uplink codec processing unit 203 from a baseband frequency to a radio frequency and transmits the media data. Further, the communication control unit 206 down-converts received media data such as audio or video from a radio frequency to a baseband frequency and outputs the down-converted codec processing unit 204 to the downlink codec processing unit 204.

  Next, operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when the codec capability is set at the time of outgoing.

  First, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 1 accepts selection of conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability that satisfies the selected condition.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 makes a call to the communication device 2 and requests the setting of the downlink codec capability of the communication path (step ST301). For example, when the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “image priority” condition, the call control processing unit 205 requests the communication device 2 to set the codec capability of “image priority”. Make a call. At the time of outgoing call, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including its own IP address.

  Also, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 2 (step ST302). For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets a downlink codec capability of “image priority”.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 receives the call by making a call in step ST301 (step ST303).

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 that has received the call sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 in step ST301 as the uplink codec capability (step ST304). If the codec setting unit 202 of the communication apparatus 2 cannot accept the request, that is, cannot cope with the requested codec capability, the codec setting unit 202 can refuse the request by rejecting the incoming call. Here, the reason why the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability is that the downlink codec capability requested by the communication device 1 is the codec capability in the downlink # 40. This is because the codec capability that the communication apparatus 2 that has received the setting request sets according to the request is the codec capability of the uplink # 30.

  Next, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 2 accepts an external selection of the conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 is selected for the communication device 1. The downlink codec capability setting that satisfies the conditions is requested (step ST305). For example, when the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “motion priority” condition, the call control processing unit 205 requests the communication device 1 to set the codec capability of “motion priority”. . At the time of this request, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 transmits data including the IP address of the local station.

  Further, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested of the communication device 1 to the downlink codec processing unit 204 of the communication device 2 (step ST306). For example, the codec setting unit 202 sets the downlink codec capability of “motion priority”.

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 2 in step ST305 as the uplink codec capability (step ST307). Thereby, in the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, the same or different codec capabilities can be individually set for the uplink and the downlink of the communication path, and communication is established.

  Next, operations of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 when updating the codec capability will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when setting the codec capability during communication between the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, that is, when updating the codec capability.

  First, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 1 accepts an external selection of a condition for updating the downlink codec capability, and the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 sets the downlink codec so as to satisfy the selected condition. The capability is updated (step ST401).

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 requests the communication device 2 to update the downlink codec capability of the communication path. For example, the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “image priority” condition, so that the call control processing unit 205 updates the communication device 2 to the codec capability of “image priority”. Request.

  Further, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 updates the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 2 (step ST402). For example, the codec setting unit 202 updates the downlink codec capability of “image priority”.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 receives a request for updating the downlink codec capability (step ST403).

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 updates the downlink codec capability requested to be updated by the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST404).

  Next, the condition selection unit 201 of the communication device 2 accepts an external selection of the conditions for setting the downlink codec capability, and the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 is selected for the communication device 1. Update of the downlink codec capability that satisfies the conditions is requested (step ST405). For example, the condition selection unit 201 accepts an external selection of the “motion priority” condition, so that the call control processing unit 205 updates the codec capability of “motion priority” to the communication device 1. Request.

  Moreover, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 2 updates the downlink codec capability requested to the communication device 1 (step ST406). For example, the codec setting unit 202 updates the downlink codec capability to “motion priority”.

  Next, the codec setting section 202 of the communication device 1 updates the downlink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 2 in step ST405 as the uplink codec capability (step ST407). As a result, the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 can be individually updated to the same or different codec capabilities in the uplink and downlink of the communication path,

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a codec capability setting method in the communication system 1 of FIG.

  The communication device 1 requests the call control server 4 to set the downlink codec capability (step ST501), and the call control server 4 forwards the received downlink codec capability setting request to the communication device 2. (Step ST502).

  Next, the communication device 2 requests the call control server 4 to set the downlink codec capability (step ST503), and the call control server 4 sets the received downlink codec capability to the communication device 1. The request is transferred (step ST504).

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, by setting the codec capability separately for the uplink and the downlink, an unnecessarily low codec capability is set for both the uplink and the downlink. Can be prevented, and deterioration of audio quality or video quality can be prevented. Further, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to receive downlink packet data coded with a desired codec capability by requesting the communication partner to set the downlink codec capability.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of communication apparatus 600 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The communication apparatus 600 according to the second embodiment adds a network information acquisition unit 601 and a network information analysis unit 602 to the communication apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. A codec setting unit 603 is provided instead of the setting unit 202. In FIG. 6, parts having the same configuration as in FIG.

  The network information acquisition unit 601 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path, and outputs the acquired network information to the network information analysis unit 602. For example, the network information acquisition unit 601 acquires network information from a device that monitors the line status of the communication path by wired or wireless. Here, the network information is, for example, usable bandwidth information. The network information acquisition unit 601 may acquire network information by monitoring the line status of the communication path.

  The network information analysis unit 602 analyzes the network information input from the network information acquisition unit 601 and outputs the analysis result to the codec setting unit 603. For example, the network information analysis unit 602 recognizes a usable bandwidth by analyzing the network information, and outputs the recognized usable bandwidth information to the codec setting unit 603 as an analysis result.

  The codec setting unit 603 individually sets the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability. Specifically, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability based on the analysis result input from the network information analysis unit 602. Also, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability requested by the codec capability setting request input from the call control processing unit 205, and the codec requested by the codec capability update request input from the call control processing unit 205. Update to ability. For example, the codec setting unit 603 sets the codec capability that can be set within the usable band, which is the analysis result input from the network information analysis unit 602. Then, the codec setting unit 603 notifies the call control processing unit 205 of the set or updated codec capability.

  The uplink codec processing unit 203 encodes media data such as audio or video with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 under the control of the call control processing unit 205 to generate uplink packet data, and the generated uplink packet data Output to the communication control unit 206.

  The downlink codec processing unit 204 decodes the downlink packet data input from the communication control unit 206 with the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 under the control of the call control processing unit 205, and acquires media data such as audio or video. .

  The call control processing unit 205 performs outgoing or incoming call control with the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Further, the call control processing unit 205 makes a request for setting or updating the codec capability set by the codec setting unit 603 to the communication partner via the communication control unit 206 in response to the notification from the codec setting unit 603. The downlink codec processing unit 204 is controlled to perform decoding with the set codec capability. The call control processing unit 205 sets the requested codec capability setting to the codec setting unit 603 when receiving a codec capability setting request or update request from the communication partner via the communication control unit 206. Instruct to do. Then, the call control processing unit 205 controls the uplink codec processing unit 203 to perform encoding with the set codec capability based on the notification from the codec setting unit 603.

  Next, operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when the codec capability is set at the time of transmission.

  First, the network information acquisition unit 601 of the communication device 1 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path (step ST701).

  Next, the network information analysis unit 602 of the communication device 1 analyzes the network information (step ST702), and the codec setting unit 603 of the communication device 1 sets the uplink codec capability based on the analysis result (step ST702). ST703), downlink codec capability is set (step ST704).

  Next, call control processing section 205 of communication device 1 transmits to communication device 2 and transmits a setting request for the set uplink codec capability and downlink codec capability (step ST705). At the time of outgoing call, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 transmits outgoing data including its own IP address.

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication apparatus 2 receives the outgoing call in step ST705 (step ST706), and receives a request for setting the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability.

  Next, the codec setting unit 603 of the communication device 2 that has received the call sets the downlink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST707), and the uplink codec capability requested from the communication device 1 is set. The downlink codec capability is set (step ST708). If the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 2 cannot accept the request, that is, cannot cope with the requested codec capability, the codec setting unit 603 can reject the request by rejecting the incoming call.

  Then, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 notifies the communication device 1 that the codec capability setting has been completed. At the time of this notification, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 transmits data including the IP address of the local station.

  Next, the codec setting unit 202 of the communication device 1 completes the setting upon receiving a notification from the communication device 2 that the codec capability setting has been completed (step ST709). Thereby, in the communication device 1 and the communication device 2, the same or different codec capabilities can be individually set for the uplink and the downlink of the communication path, and communication is established.

  Next, the operations of the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 when updating the codec capability setting will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication apparatus 2 when updating the codec capability.

  First, the network information acquisition unit 601 of the communication device 1 acquires network information for grasping the line status of the communication path (step ST801).

  Next, the network information analysis unit 602 of the communication apparatus 1 analyzes the network information (step ST802), and the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 1 needs to update the codec capability setting based on the analysis result. Whether or not (step ST803).

  When it is determined that the codec capability setting needs to be updated, the codec setting unit 603 of the communication apparatus 1 sets the uplink codec capability based on the analysis result (step ST804) and sets the downlink codec capability. Set (step ST805).

  Next, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 1 requests the communication device 2 to update the downlink codec capability or update the uplink codec capability (step ST806).

  Next, call control processing section 205 of communication apparatus 2 receives an update request (step ST807).

  Next, the codec setting section 603 of the communication device 2 sets the downlink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 1 as the uplink codec capability (step ST808), and the uplink codec capability requested to be updated from the communication device 1 is set. The downlink codec capability is set (step ST809).

  Then, the call control processing unit 205 of the communication device 2 notifies the communication device 1 that the codec capability update has been completed.

  Next, the codec setting section 603 of the communication apparatus 1 completes the update upon receiving a notification from the communication apparatus 2 that the update of the codec capability has been completed (step ST810). As a result, the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 can be individually set to the same or different codec capabilities in the uplink and downlink of the communication path,

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by setting the codec capability separately for the uplink and the downlink, an unnecessarily low codec capability is set for both the uplink and the downlink. Can be prevented, and deterioration of audio quality or video quality can be prevented. Further, according to the second embodiment, by setting the codec capability based on the analysis result of the network information, it is not necessary to select the codec capability in both communication apparatuses, and the codec suitable for the network environment Capabilities can be set quickly.

  In the second embodiment, only the communication device 1 sets the uplink codec capability or the downlink codec capability based on the network information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both the communication device 1 and the communication device 2 are connected to the network. The uplink codec capability or the downlink codec capability may be set based on the information.

  The communication apparatus and the codec method according to the present invention are suitable for setting the codec capability by negotiating, for example, between communication terminal apparatuses.

The figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Sequence diagram showing a codec capability setting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Claims (6)

Codec setting means for individually setting the codec capability of the uplink and the codec capability of the downlink,
A codec processing means for performing encoding with the codec capability of the uplink set for the uplink packet data to be transmitted, and decoding with the codec capability of the downlink set for the received downlink packet data;
A communication apparatus comprising: A receiving means for receiving a codec capability setting request or an update request from a communication partner;
Requesting means for requesting the communication partner to set or update the codec capability of the downlink set or updated by the codec setting means,
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the codec setting means sets the codec capability requested by the received setting request or update request as the uplink codec capability. Comprising a condition selection means for accepting selection of conditions for setting the codec capability of the downlink;
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the codec setting means sets the downlink codec capability that satisfies a condition selected by the condition selection means. Network information acquisition means for acquiring network information which is network information;
Network information analysis means for analyzing the acquired network information,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the codec setting unit sets the codec capability of the downlink or the codec capability of the uplink based on an analysis result in the network information analysis unit.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the codec setting means is capable of setting the codec capability of the downlink different from the codec capability of the uplink. The first communication device and the second communication device individually setting the uplink codec capability and the downlink codec capability to each other;
The first communication device and the second communication device perform decoding with the downlink codec capability set for the received downlink packet data, and the uplink codec capability set for the uplink packet data to be transmitted Encoding with
A codec method comprising:

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