KR20010111981A - Apparatus having a function for automatically-responsing a video message with a communication network and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Automated image using computer communication network that maximizes user's convenience communication environment by automatically sending user's missed message and reply message to users when multiple users want to mutual video communication through computer communication network Disclosed are a video communication apparatus having a message response function and a method using the same. When the user accesses the web homepage of the video communication service site through the computer communication network, the user may request video communication with another user on the web page. The web server determines whether the other user who is requested for video communication by the user is logged on, and performs video communication between the user who requested the video communication setting and the other user based on the logon state of the other user. Or automatically provide a message indicating that the other user is not available to the user who requested the video communication setting. Therefore, unnecessary loss of time and expense for video communication can be minimized.

Description

A video communication device having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network and a method using the same

The present invention relates to video communication using a computer communication network, and more particularly, when a plurality of users want to mutually communicate with each other through a computer communication network, the user's missed message and a reply message are automatically transmitted between users. The present invention relates to a video communication device having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network capable of maximizing a communication environment for user convenience by transmitting to a network, and a method using the same.

Recently, as the peripheral technology for the Internet communication, that is, the computer system, software, communication line, etc. has been rapidly developed, the trend of data communication using the Internet communication network is gradually developing in the visual direction.

In particular, as the high-speed communication network using an optical cable is popularized, an acceptable capacity of a transmission line of an internet communication network is increased, and text-oriented data communication is being replaced with image data.

Representatively, unlike general users who use text-oriented data to exchange e-mails or chat with other users, video chatting or video conferencing through the Internet is becoming more common.

However, the email service or chat service currently provided through the Internet communication network does not feel that the benefits of the service provider are emphasized.

That is, when chatting with another user, if the user is not connected to the service provider's server or not connected to the Internet communication network, no information is provided except that the chat is impossible.

Conversely, if you are not connected to the network, there is no way for a user to notify you, even if someone wants to chat with you, unless you e-mail them in advance, such as what you are doing and when you can chat. . Also, even if you inform your partner in advance of your situation via e-mail, you don't know who you want to chat with when and you lose unnecessary time and money.

After all, the best thing you can do as a user is to set up an appointment with your chat partner in advance, wait for someone to connect, or make a call using a regular phone, even if you lose time and money. .

The present invention proposed to solve the above problems, when a plurality of users to communicate with each other through a computer communication network to automatically send the user's missed message and the response message, and the like between the user and the user's convenience An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network capable of maximizing a communication environment, and a method using the same.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a video communication apparatus having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in more detail the configuration of a storage device among video communication apparatuses having an automatic image message response function using the computer communication network shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a video communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention using the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the registration routine shown in FIG. 3; FIG. And

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the video communication request routine shown in FIG.

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

10, 12, 14, 22, 24, 26: user computer system

16: internet network

18: web server

20: storage device

An image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network according to the present invention for achieving the above object is connected to a web homepage of a video communication service site through a computer communication network, and is used to connect images between a plurality of users on the web. A video communication apparatus having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network for performing communication, comprising: a member database and personal information and message information of each of the plurality of users inputted through the computer communication network by a plurality of users, respectively; A storage device for storing as a message database and between the two users based on the logon status of the requested user to the web homepage when a video communication setting with the other users through the web homepage is required. Set up video communications for Or search the message database for a message stored by the requested user in the storage device based on the requested user's member information database, and the requested user is absent based on the retrieved message. And a web-server for providing a message informing the user that the video communication setting has been requested.

The video communication method using the video communication apparatus having an automatic video message response function using the computer communication network according to the present invention for achieving the above object is connected to the web homepage of the video communication service site through the computer communication network from a user computer Providing a web homepage of a video communication service in response to the access at a web server; requesting a video communication with another user on the web page in response to the user's input at a user computer; Determining, at the web server, whether the other user requested video communication by the user is in a logon state; and at the web server, requesting the video communication setting based on the logon state of the other user; Perform video communications between other users, or It includes the step of providing a user who needs to set up a message stating that the video communications missed.

In this case, the step of notifying that the user is absent may include searching for the logon state of the other user specified by the video communication setting of the user, and setting the video communication between the user and the other user if the other user is logged on. And if the other user is not logged on, searching the corresponding message database of the other user based on the member information of the other user, and determining whether there is an absent message stored by the other user. . If the other user's missed message is present in the message database, providing the missed message indicating that the other user is absent to the user who has requested the video communication setting, and the absence of the other user in the message database; If the message does not exist, providing the user with an out of office message indicating that the other user is out of office using an out of office message which is preset and stored in the message database.

In addition, when a reply message for transmitting from the user who received the missed message to another user is input, the received reply message is stored in a message database corresponding to the other user and automatically provided when the other user connects.

In addition, the missed message stored in the message database and provided to the user by another user is a moving picture, and if the missed message does not exist, the web-server reads the missed message preset and stored in the message database to the requested user. Is provided to the user who requested the video communication setting.

According to such a device and method, one user can immediately receive an missed message input by another user who wants to perform a video chat on the web, and receive an missed message that informs his situation in case he is absent. You can leave it.

In addition, if a reply message is input in response to the other party's missed message, the counterpart may notify his / her intention when logging on to the video communication service site at any time, thereby minimizing unnecessary loss of time and expense.

Hereinafter, a video communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network and a video communication method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

1 is a view showing the configuration of an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network shown in FIG. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a storage device in more detail.

1 and 2, a plurality of users use a user computer system 10, 12, 14, 22, 24, 26 to access a web server 18 of a video communication service provider through an internet network 16. Connect.

The web server 18 provides the web homepage of the video communication service site to the plurality of users via the Internet network 16 and the user computer systems 10, 12, 14, 22, 24, 26.

The storage device 20 stores personal information of users registered as members of the video communication service site as the member database 20a, and stores various messages such as missed messages and reply messages inputted by a plurality of users. Save as).

In this case, the missed message and the reply message may be implemented as text data, but in the present invention, each user directly records by using a video camera and a microphone of the user computer system 10, 12, 14, 22, 24, and 26. Assume that it is a moving picture.

The web server 18 provides a web page for member registration so that a nonmember can access as a member when the non-member accesses among the plurality of users. When the user inputs the member information into the registration input window of the member registration web page, the web server 18 provides the registration information to the storage device 20 and stores it in the member database.

In addition, when the web server 18 receives an absence message indicating that the user is absent from the plurality of users or a reply message for the absence message from another user, the web server 18 provides the storage device 20 to the storage device 20 to provide the member. Save it as a message database.

When the video communication setting is requested by a specific user, the web server 18 checks whether another user designated as a target of video communication is logged on, and sets and performs the video communication between the two users according to the result.

If another user designated as the target of video communication is in a logoff state or in a state in which video communication is not possible, the corresponding message database of the designated user is searched to provide an out-of-office message indicating that the designated user is absent to the video communication setting user.

The video communication method using the video communication apparatus having the automatic video message response function described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 will now be described in more detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a video communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the member registration routine shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the video communication request routine shown in FIG.

First, when a user accesses a video communication service site using the user computer system, the web server 18 provides a home page of the video communication service site (step S100).

Next, a user who accesses the home page may register as a member of the video communication service site through the member menu provided on the home page. The membership registration routine is shown in FIG. 4.

If the user selects the member menu (step S310), the web server 18 checks the processing item of the member menu selected by the user (step S320). If the user's selection is an item for inquiring or updating his or her personal information, the web server 18 searches the member database 20a of the storage device 20 to authenticate that the user is an existing subscription user (step S360). ), The user performs a desired service such as inquiry and update of personal information.

On the other hand, if the selection in the member menu by the user is a member withdrawal, the web server 18 searches the member database 20a and deletes the user's personal information (step S370).

If the user's selection in step S310 is a subscription as a new member, the web server 18 provides a user registration information input window for inputting personal information to the user. When the user inputs personal information through the member registration information input window (step S330), the web server 18 generates new data and stores the personal information of the user in the member database 20a (step S340, 350).

When the member registration process is completed, the user may perform video communication with another user using the video communication service site.

On the other hand, when a user registered as a member of a video communication service site requests video communication setting with another user, the web server 18 performs a video communication request routine as shown in FIG. In the following description, the user requesting the video communication setting and the user receiving the request for the video communication setting are assumed to be the first user and the second user, respectively, for easier explanation.

First, the web server 18 determines whether the video communication setting with the second user is requested from the first user (step S400).

If the video communication setting is not requested from the first user, the web server 18 keeps displaying the home page (step S600). When a video communication setting with the second user is requested from the first user, the web server 18 searches for the second user (step S510).

Then, the web server 18 checks whether the second user designated as the video communication target by the first user is currently logged on to the video communication service site or in a state where video communication is possible (step S520).

If the second user is capable of video communication, the web server 18 sets up video communication between the first user and the second user to perform video communication between the two users (step S530).

If the second user is not in a video communication state, the web server 18 is absent from the second user in the message database 20b based on the personal information of the second user stored in the member database 20a. Search whether the message is stored (steps S540 and S550).

If the missed message entered and stored by the second user exists in the message database 20b, the web server 18 reads the missed message and provides the second user to the designated first user (step S560). ). At this time, the missed message stored by the second user may be a moving image and is not directly transmitted to the first user such as an e-mail but is displayed directly on the web.

If the missed message stored by the second user does not exist in the message database 20b, the web server 18 provides the first user with a normal message indicating that the second user is absent (step S560).

Here, the normal message is stored in the message database 20b in advance in consideration of when the user who is absent from the video communication service site does not leave the absence message, and indicates the absence status of the user who has not left the absence message. This message contains content that is commonly used to inform.

On the other hand, the missed message by the second user may be stored only for a specific user. That is, when the second user distinguishes and stores the missed message provided only when video communication is requested from the first user and the missed message provided when video communication is requested from another user, the web server 18 Is to provide only the missed message corresponding to the user who requested the video communication to the second user.

Next, the first user who has received the absent message of the second user may leave a reply message to the second user or perform another operation. Accordingly, the web server 18 checks whether a reply message is received from the first user after providing the absent message of the second user to the first user (step S570).

If the reply message for the missed message of the second user is not received from the first user, the web server 18 proceeds to the next operation.

When a reply message for the missed message of the second user is received from the first user, the web server 18 stores the reply message as message data corresponding to the second user in the message database 20b ( Step S580).

The response message stored as described above is automatically read by the web server 18 and provided to the second user when the second user accesses the video communication service site.

This automatic reading and providing of the reply message is similarly performed even when the first user accesses the video communication service site, if another user leaves a reply message when the first user is absent.

According to the above-described apparatus and method, one user can immediately receive an absence message input by another user who wants to perform a video chat on the web, and inform the user of his / her situation in case of his / her absence. You can also leave a message.

In addition, if a reply message is input in response to the other party's missed message, the counterpart may notify his / her intention when logging on to the video communication service site at any time, thereby minimizing unnecessary loss of time and expense.

Although the above has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified and changed within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. I can understand that you can.

Claims (9)

A video communication apparatus having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network for accessing a web homepage of a video communication service site through a computer communication network and performing video communication between a plurality of users on a web, A storage device for storing the personal information and the message information of each of the plurality of users respectively input by the plurality of users through the computer communication network as a member database and a message database; And When a video communication setting with other users is requested from the plurality of users through the web homepage, the video communication between the two users is set based on the logon state of the requested user to the web homepage, or the The message database is searched if there is a message stored by the requested user in the storage device according to the member information database of the requested user, and the message indicating that the requested user is absent based on the retrieved message is displayed. And a web-server for providing a communication request to a user who has requested a communication setting. 2. The video communication apparatus having an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network according to claim 1, wherein the message stored by the requested user and notifying that the user is absent is a moving image message. The video communication setting according to claim 1, wherein when there is no missed message stored by the requested user, the web-server reads the missed message which is preset and stored in the message database to set the video communication setting that the requested user is missed. An image communication apparatus having an automatic image message answering function using a computer communication network, characterized by providing the requested user. The message of claim 1, wherein the web-server receives the response message for transmitting the received reply message to the requested user from the user receiving the message indicating that the user is absent. And an automatic video message response function using a computer communication network, which stores the information in a database and provides the same upon connection of the requested user. At a user computer, accessing a web homepage of a video communication service site through a computer communication network; At a web server, providing a web homepage of a video communication service in response to the access; Requesting, at a user computer, video communication with another user on the web page in response to the user's input; Determining, at the web server, whether the other user for whom video communication is requested by the user is logged on; And In the web server, the user requesting the video communication setting performs a video communication between the user who requested the video communication setting and the other user based on the logon state of the other user, or the message indicating that the other user is absent. A video communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network, comprising the steps of: The method of claim 5, wherein the step of notifying that the user is absent, Retrieving whether the other user is logged on by the user's video communication setting; Setting up and performing video communication between the user and the other user when the other user is logged on; If the other user is not logged on, searching the corresponding message database of the other user based on the member information of the other user and determining whether there is an absent message inputted and stored by the other user; If the other user's missed message is present in the message database, providing the missed message indicating that the other user is absent to the user requesting the video communication setting; And If the absence message of the other user does not exist in the message database, providing the user with an out of office message indicating that the other user is out of the office by using an out of office message previously set and stored in the message database. An image communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein when a reply message for transmitting the missed message is transmitted from the user who received the missed message to the other user, the received reply message is stored in a message database corresponding to the other user. A video communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using a computer communication network, further comprising the step of providing the connection. The computer communication network of claim 5, further comprising: providing a registration page when the non-member is connected to the web server and registering as a member in the member database in response to the registration information input in the provided registration page. An image communication method using an image communication apparatus having an automatic image message response function using the &quot; 9. An image having an automatic video message answering function using a computer communication network according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the missed message stored in the message database by the other user and provided to the user is a moving picture. Image communication method using a communication device.