KR101026033B1 - System and method for providing video service interworking multipoint conference unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a video service providing method and system interworking with an MCB, and a video service server providing a video service in a communication system including a video service server and at least one multi-point conference apparatus according to the present invention, Receiving the video conference attendee information from the host terminal requesting the video conference service; Requesting, by the video service server, to open a video conference room to a specific multi-point conference device, and receiving a response to establish a video conference room according to the video service server; Establishing, by the video service server, a primary session with the video conference room; Establishing, by the video service server, a secondary session with the host terminal and the attendee terminal, respectively; And interconnecting, by the video service server, the primary session and the secondary session.

The present invention provides the convenience of storing the videoconferencing service scenario in the server controlling the MCU, and can easily change the videoconferencing service scenario only through the access of the server. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of distributing the load of the MCU by transferring the video conferencing scenario development which was in charge of the conventional MCU to the server.

Video Conferencing Service, MCU, Load, Video Service Server

Description

Method and system for providing video service linked with MCC {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VIDEO SERVICE INTERWORKING MULTIPOINT CONFERENCE UNIT}

The present invention relates to a video service providing technology, and more particularly, to a method and a system for providing a video service to a subscriber in conjunction with a multipoint conference unit (MCU).

Today, due to the development of communication technology, users are provided with a wide variety of services, and among them, there is a video conference service. The video conferencing service is a service that connects a plurality of terminals to a communication line and transmits video data and audio data of video conferencing participants through the connected communication line to proceed with the video conference.

For this video conferencing service, a multipoint conference unit (MCU), a device specialized for video conferencing services, is constructed in a communication network, and users are provided with a high quality video conferencing service through the MCU.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional video conferencing service providing method through an MCU.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal A, which is a video conferencing terminal, requests a video conferencing service to the MCU by attempting to connect to a video conferencing service special number (eg, 060-201-3355) (S101). Then, after opening the video conference room according to the stored video conferencing service scenario, the MCU requests the participant information to the mobile terminal A and receives the participant information including the identification information of the mobile terminal B, the mobile terminal C, and the mobile terminal D. (S103, S105, S107).

Subsequently, the MCU sequentially calls the mobile terminal B, the mobile terminal C, and the mobile terminal D, and establishes a session with the called mobile terminals B, C, and D (S109, S111, and S113). The MCU generates a video segmented video conference screen and displays video data of each mobile terminal for each divided screen (S115). Next, the MCU transmits the video screen and the audio data of the mobile terminal to the mobile terminals A, B, C, and D participating in the video conference, and proceeds to the multi-party video conference (S117).

As such, the MCU stores a videoconferencing service scenario and provides a videoconferencing service to users according to the scenario. However, if you want to change the video conferencing service scenario, there is a problem that the firmware or software of the MCU itself must be changed. Of course, when only one MCU is built in the communication system, the scenario change of the MCU is easy, but when a plurality of MCUs are built in the communication system, it is cumbersome to change the firmware or the program of all the MCUs.

Referring to FIG. 1 by way of example, when the MCU receives a video conference service request from the mobile terminal A, which is the host terminal, proceeds with a video conference service scenario for requesting participant information after opening a video conference room. However, if you do not want to open a meeting room as soon as a video conferencing service request is received, and you want to change to a video conferencing service scenario where you open a meeting room after receiving participant information, the firmware or software of all MCUs in the network It should be modified according to the video conferencing service scenario.

In addition, since the MCU must proceed with the video conferencing service according to the service scenario, there is also a problem that a lot of load is generated during the video conferencing service. That is, when the MCU receives the second video conference establishment request from the mobile terminal while the first video conference is in progress, the MCU should proceed with the process of FIG. 1 according to the service scenario. Accordingly, the MCU is charged with a double load according to video conferencing data transmission and reception of video conferencing service scenarios.

The present invention has been proposed to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a video service providing method and system for easily changing a video conferencing service scenario and extending an MCU.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a video service providing method and system for distributing the load of the MCU.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method for providing a video service in a communication system comprising a video service server and one or more multi-point conference device, (a) the video service server, video conferencing Receiving video conference attendee information from the host device requesting the service; (b) requesting, by the video service server, to open a video conference room to a specific multi-point conference apparatus, and receiving a response to open a video conference room according to the video service server; (c) establishing, by the video service server, a primary session with the video conference room; (d) establishing, by the video service server, a secondary session with the host terminal and the attendee terminal, respectively; And (e) interconnecting the primary session and the secondary session by the video service server.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a system for providing a video service in a communication network comprises: at least one videoconferencing room and transmitting videoconferencing data to a plurality of terminals connected to the opened room. Multi-point conference device; And requesting to open a video conference room with a specific multi-point conference device as the video conference organizer terminal accesses, and establishes a primary session with the video conference room opened accordingly, and sets a secondary session with the host terminal and the attending terminal. And a video service server interconnecting the primary session and the secondary session.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a device for providing a video service in association with one or more multi-point conference devices in a communication system includes an accessor capacity and current accessor information of each multi-point conference device. A storage unit for storing the loaded load information; A selection unit for selecting one of the multi-point conference apparatuses based on the load information when a video service request is made by a video conference organizer terminal; And acquiring multi-point conference device information from the selection unit, requesting to establish a video conference room with the obtained multi-point conference device, setting up a primary session with a video conference room established accordingly, and managing the terminal and the attending terminal. And a session establishment unit configured to establish secondary sessions, respectively, to interconnect the primary session and the secondary session.

The present invention provides the convenience of storing the videoconferencing service scenario in the server controlling the MCU, and can easily change the videoconferencing service scenario only through the access of the server. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of distributing the load of the MCU by transferring the video conferencing scenario development which was in charge of the conventional MCU to the server.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage of increasing the speed of providing a video conferencing service by providing a video conferencing service by selecting a low load MCU among a plurality of MCU in the communication network.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a video service in conjunction with an MCU according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video service providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a video service server 130 and a multipoint conference unit (MCU), and the video service server 130 and a plurality of video service servers 130. The mobile terminals 110 communicate with each other via the network 200. The network 200 includes a mobile communication network and a wired / wireless internet network, and since the known technology is well known in the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The MCU 150 establishes a video conference room and provides a video conference service to a plurality of mobile terminals 110 connected to the room. In particular, the MCU 150 according to the present invention establishes a session with a plurality of mobile terminals 110 through the control of the video service server 130 without storing service scenario information and through the sessions a plurality of mobile terminals ( 110) transmit the video conference data.

The video service server 130 stores a video conferencing service scenario and plays a role of deploying a video conferencing service to the mobile terminal 110 according to the scenario. In addition, the video service server 130 controls the MCU 150 and connects a plurality of mobile terminals 110 requesting to attend the video conference room opened through the MCU 150.

Next, a method of providing a video conference service in a video service providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a video service in conjunction with an MCU in a video service providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, 110-1 of FIG. 2 is referred to as mobile terminal A and 110-2 as mobile terminal B and 110-3 as mobile terminal C. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the video service server 130 receives a connection request from the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is a video conferencing terminal (S301). Then, the video service server 130 transmits the video service menu including the detailed menu such as 'open, reservation, cancellation, etc.' to the mobile terminal A 110-1 according to the video conference service scenario (S303).

Next, the video service server 130 is requested to open a video conference room from the mobile terminal A (110-1) receiving the video service menu (S305). Then, the video service server 130 requests the meeting participant information to the mobile terminal A (110-1) to identify the mobile terminal B (110-2) and the mobile terminal C (110-3) participating in the video conference room. Information is received (S307. S309).

The video service server 130 receiving the video conference participant information requests the MCU 150 to open a video conference room (S311). Then, the MCU 150 opens a video conference room and transmits identification information (eg, video conference room number) of the opened video conference room to the video service server 130 (S313 and S315). Subsequently, the video service server 130 calls the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is the video conferencing terminal, to connect to the opened video conferencing room (S317 and S319). Specifically, the video service server 130 sets up a session with the mobile terminal A 110-1 by calling the mobile terminal A 110-1 and established by the MCU 150 based on the identification information of the video conference room. The mobile terminal A 110-1 is connected to the video conference room opened by the MCU 150 by establishing a video conference room and an additional session to interconnect the two sessions.

Next, the video service server 130 sets up a session with the mobile terminal B 110-2 by calling the mobile terminal B 110-2, which is a terminal of the video conference attendee, and the session and the MCU 150. The sessions of the established video conference room are interconnected to connect the mobile terminal B 110-2 to the video conference room (S321 and S323). Subsequently, the video service server 130 calls the mobile terminal C 110-3 to establish a session with the mobile terminal C 110-3, and establishes a session with the session of the video conference room established by the MCU 150. It is connected to each other (S325, S327).

Then, the MCU 150 divides the video conference screen into three parts based on the number of the mobile terminals 110 present, and displays the video data of the video conference participants on the divided screens. -1, 110-2, 110-3). In addition, the MCU 150 receives the voice data of the video conference participants and transmits them to the mobile terminals A, B, and C (110-1, 110-2, 110-3) in real time.

As in the above-described embodiment, the video service server 130 develops a video service scenario and acquires information necessary for a video conference service from the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is a video conference organizer terminal. In addition, the MCU 150 establishes a video conference room under the control of the video service server 130 and establishes a session with the mobile terminals 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3.

Meanwhile, a plurality of MCUs 150 may be built in a communication system, and in this case, the video service server 130 should select one of the plurality of MCUs 150 to provide a video conference service. In addition, the MCU 150 is limited in the number of users that can be accommodated at the same time depending on the model, and also the number of users who can attend the same video conference room. Accordingly, when a plurality of MCUs 150 are built, the video service server 130 may consider one of the MCUs 150 among the plurality of MCUs 150 in consideration of the total capacity of the users and the number of users who can participate in a single video conference room. ) Should be available.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a video service in connection with a plurality of MCUs according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a video service providing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Includes an image service server 170 and a plurality of MCUs 150.

In the following description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, portions overlapping with the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 will be summarized and described based on differences. In addition, 110-1 of FIG. 4 is referred to as mobile terminal A and 110-2 as mobile terminal B and 110-3 as mobile terminal C. FIG.

The video service server 170 controls the plurality of MCUs 150, and load information such as the total number of users that can be accommodated in each MCU 150, the number of people who can participate in the same video conference room, the number of currently connected users, and the like. 6) to save and manage. In particular, when the video conferencing service is requested from the mobile terminal 110, the video service server 170 selects any one of the plurality of MCUs 150 and performs the video conferencing service based on the load information. do.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a video service in connection with a plurality of MCUs according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating load information of each MCU stored in a video service server according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6, the video service server 170 receives a connection request from the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is the video conferencing terminal, and moves the video service menu according to the video conference service scenario. 110-1) (S501, S503).

Next, when the video service server 130 receives a request for opening a video conference room from the mobile terminal A 110-1, the video service server 130 requests the number of people attending the video conference to the mobile terminal A 110-1 (S505, S507). . In other words, unlike the video conferencing service scenario of FIG. 3, the video service server 130 first requests the number of participants to the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is a video conferencing terminal, when a video conference room is requested to be opened.

Subsequently, the video service server 170 receives the video conference attendance number from the mobile terminal A 110-1 (S509). Then, the video service server 170 selects any one MCU 150 as a video conference service providing means based on the stored load information (see FIG. 6) of each MCU 150 (S511). That is, the video service server 170 based on load information such as the total number of users 610 that can be accommodated by each MCU 150, the maximum number of people 630 that can participate in the same video conference room, and the number of current users 650. In step S509, the MCU 150 capable of accommodating the attendees of the video conference is selected. Preferably, the video service server 170 selects the MCU 150 having the least load and capable of accommodating the video conference attendance based on the load information.

For example, assume that load information of each MCU 150 stored in the video service server 170 is as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the video service server 170 recognizes that the total number of attendees received in step S509 includes three persons including the organizer, and based on the load information of FIG. 6, the MCU 150 may access three or more attendees to the same conference room. ) Are MCU # 1 (150-1), MCU # 2 (150-2) and MCU # 3 (150-3). Subsequently, the video service server 170 selects the MCU # 2 150-2 having the smallest load rate among the three MCUs 150-1, 150-2, and 150-3 as the video conferencing service MCU. In this case, the video service server 170 may calculate the load ratio of each MCU 150 through a formula of 'current number of users 650 ÷ total connection capacity 610'. That is, the video service server 170 loads the load ratio of the MCU # 1 (150-1) = 0.7, the load ratio of the MCU # 2 (150-2) = 0.25, and the MCU # 3 (150-3) using the above formula. = 0.67 is calculated, and among these, MCU # 2 150-2 having the smallest load factor is selected as the service MCU 150.

The video service server 170 selecting the MCU 150 to proceed with the video conference service requests the MCU 150 to open a video conference room (S513). Then, the MCU 150, which has been requested to open the room, opens a video conference room and transmits identification information of the opened video conference room to the video service server 170 (S515 and S517). Next, the video service server 170 requests the meeting participant information to the mobile terminal A (110-1) to participate in the video conference room of the mobile terminal B (110-2) and the mobile terminal C (110-3) Receive an identification number (S519, S521).

Subsequently, the video service server 170 establishes a session with the mobile terminal A 110-1 by calling the mobile terminal A 110-1, which is the video conference host, and based on the identification information of the video conference room, the MCU ( The mobile terminal A 110-1 is connected to the video conference room by setting up an additional session with the video conference room established by 150 and interconnecting the two sessions (S523 and S525). Next, the video service server 170 sequentially calls the mobile terminal B 110-2 and the mobile terminal C 110-3 to establish a session with the mobile terminals 110-2 and 110-3, respectively. And the mobile terminal B 110-2 and the mobile terminal C 110-3 are connected to the video conference room by interconnecting the session with the session of the video conference room established by the MCU 150 (S527, S529). , S531, S533).

The video service server 170 providing the video conferencing service updates the load information of the MCU 150 as the current number of users of the MCU 150 selected in step S511 increases. For example, if the video service server 170 selects the MCU # 2 150-2 as the video conferencing service MCU 150 in step S511, and before the step S511, the number of accessors of the MCU # 2 150-2 is 50, As the connection of the mobile terminal A (110-1), the mobile terminal B (110-2) and the mobile terminal C (110-3) is added to the MCU # 2 (150-2), the MCU # 2 (150-1) Update the current number of connections 650 to 53.

On the other hand, the video service server 170 may determine the total number of participants in the meeting by receiving the meeting participant information in step S521 without requesting the number of people attending the video conference to the mobile terminal A (110-1). That is, the video service server 170 requests and receives the meeting participant information from the mobile terminal A 110-1 in the same manner as in FIG. 3, and identifies the number of participants attending the video conference based on the received participant information. The MCU 150 may be selected as the service MCU 150.

As described above, when a plurality of MCUs 150 are built, the video service server 170 according to the present invention selects the MCU 150 having a low load among the MCUs 150 to provide a video conferencing service to a mobile terminal ( 110). Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of distributing the load of the MCU 170 by transferring the video conferencing scenario deployment, which was in charge of the conventional MCU 150, to the video service server 170.

In addition, the present invention is more convenient than the prior art to change the video conferencing service scenario. In detail, although the firmware or software of all the MCUs 150 need to be changed even if the video conferencing service scenario is slightly changed in the related art, the present invention provides a video conferencing service scenario as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Stored in the server (130, 170), and provides an interface that can easily change the video conferencing service scenarios only through the access of the video service server (130, 170). In particular, since the present invention controls a plurality of MCU (150) in the video service server 170, it is easy to expand the video conferencing system according to the increase of the video conferencing service usage.

7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the video service server 130 or 170 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a storage unit 710, a scenario deployment unit 730, an MCU selector 750, and a session setup unit 770. It includes.

The storage unit 710 stores load information of the plurality of MCUs 150. That is, the storage unit 710 stores load information such as the total number of users 610 that can be accommodated by each MCU 150, the maximum number of people 630 who can participate in the same video conference room, and the number of current users 650.

The scenario deployment unit 730 stores the video service scenario information according to the setting of the administrator, and develops a process for the video conferencing service to the mobile terminal 110 based on the video service scenario information. In addition, the scenario development unit 730 may request and receive the participant information for opening the video conference room to the video conference organizer terminal 110-1.

The MCU selector 750 selects the MCU 150 having a small load among the plurality of MCUs 150 as the service MCU 150 based on the load information of the storage unit 710. That is, the MCU selector 750 may select the MCU 150 having the smallest load rate as the service MCU 150 among the MCUs 150 that can accommodate the number of conference participants received by the scenario development unit 730. In addition, the MCU selector 750 updates the load information of the MCU 150 in the storage 710 when the mobile terminal 110 connects to or disconnects from the video conference room.

When the session setting unit 770 receives the attendee information for opening the video conference room from the scenario development unit 730, the session setting unit 770 requests the opening of the video conference room to the specific MCU 150 to receive the video conference room identification information from the MCU 150. Receives included meeting room open response information. At this time, the session setup unit 770 requests the MCU selection unit 750 to select the service MCU 150, and receives the MCU 150 with less load, thereby receiving a video conference room with the MCU 150. You can ask to open it.

In addition, the session setting unit 770 sets up a video conference room and session corresponding to the video conference room identification information, and the video conference organizer terminal 110-1 and the video conference attendee based on the attendee information acquired by the scenario development unit 730. After establishing a session with the terminals 110-2 and 110-3, the session of the video conference room and the sessions of the mobile terminals 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3 are interconnected to each other. 1, 110-2, 110-3 are connected to the video conference room.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiments, the target of receiving the video conferencing service has been described as the mobile terminal 110. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in addition to the mobile terminal 110, an electronic device supporting a video conferencing service such as a wired telephone and a general purpose computer may be used. It is obvious that the present invention can be easily applied. Accordingly, the present invention is to be understood that the present invention is applied to an electronic device supporting a videoconferencing service such as a wired telephone and a general purpose computer, and also includes a method and a system for providing a videoconferencing service to the electronic device.

While this specification contains many features, such features should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or the claims. Also, the features described in the individual embodiments herein can be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in a single embodiment herein can be implemented individually in various embodiments or in combination as appropriate.

Although the operations are described in a particular order in the drawings, they should not be understood as being performed in a particular order as shown, or in a sequence of successive orders, or all described actions being performed to obtain a desired result. . In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, it should be understood that the division of various system components in the above-described embodiments does not require such division in all embodiments.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional video conferencing service providing method through an MCU.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a video service in conjunction with an MCU according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a video service in conjunction with an MCU in a video service providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a video service in connection with a plurality of MCUs according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a video service in connection with a plurality of MCUs according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating load information of each MCU stored in a video service server according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

130, 170: video service server 150: MCU

710: storage unit 730: scenario development unit

750: MCU selection unit 770: session setting unit

Claims (11)

A communication system comprising a video service server for deploying a video conference scenario and at least one multi-point conference device, the method comprising: (a) receiving, by the video service server, video conference attendee information from an organizer terminal requesting a video conference service; (b) the video service server analyzes the load information based on the accessor capacity and the current visitor information of each multi-point conference device, selects one of the multi-point conference devices based on the analyzed load information, and selects the selected multi-point. Requesting to establish a video conference room with the conference device; (c) establishing, by the video service server, a primary session with the video conference room; (d) establishing, by the video service server, a secondary session with the host terminal and the attendee terminal, respectively; And (e) the video service server interconnecting the primary session and the secondary session. delete The method of claim 1, After step (e), And updating, by the video service server, current visitor information of the multi-party conference apparatus that has opened the video conference room. The method according to claim 1 or 3, In step (b), the video service server receives a response to open a video conference room including video conference room identification information. And (c) the video service server establishes a primary session with a video conference room corresponding to the identification information. A system for providing a video service in a communication network, At least one multi-point conference device for establishing a video conference room and transmitting video conference data to a plurality of terminals connected to the opened room; And When the video conference organizer terminal accesses, the video conference scenario is developed to request a video conference room to be opened by a specific multi-point conference device, and thus, a primary session is established with the video conference room opened. A video service server configured to establish a secondary session and interconnect the primary session and the secondary session; The video service server analyzes load information based on accessor capacity and current visitor information of each multi-point conference device, and selects one of the multi-point conference devices based on the analyzed load information to request to open a video conference room. Video service providing system, characterized in that. delete The method of claim 5, The video service server, And updating the current visitor information of the multi-party conference apparatus that has opened the video conference room. The method according to claim 5 or 7, The video service server, And receiving a video conference room identification information from the multi-party conference apparatus that has requested to open the room, and establishes a primary session with the video conference room corresponding to the identification information. An apparatus for providing a video service in connection with one or more multi-point conference apparatus in a communication system, A storage unit for storing load information including accessor capacity and current accessor information of each multi-point conference device; A selection unit for selecting one of the multi-point conference apparatuses based on the load information when a video service request is made by a video conference organizer terminal; And Obtaining information of a multi-point conference device from the selection unit, requesting the establishment of a video conference room to the obtained multi-point conference device, setting up a primary session with a video conference room established accordingly, And a session establishment unit configured to establish secondary sessions to interconnect the primary session and the secondary session, respectively. The method of claim 9, The selection unit, And update the current visitor information of the multi-party conference apparatus that has opened the video conference room. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The session setting unit, And receiving the video conference room identification information from the multi-point conference device selected by the selection unit, and establishing a primary session with the video conference room corresponding to the identification information.

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