KR20090021893A - Device of restricting video call and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A video call restricting apparatus and a system performing video call connection according to the selection of a user are provided to control the video call by the selection of a subscriber and reduce the exposure of privacy without the intension of the user. A subscriber database(530) comprises identification information and video call restricting information of the receiving side video terminal. A message analyzer(515) produces an update command or a search command corresponding to image call request message. A database updating unit(525) renews an image origination indicator and produces an update result. A database search part(520) extracts an image origination indicator related to the reception visual terminal from the subscriber database. A message generator(535) uses the renewal result or the image origination indicator. A response message for limiting the requested image call to the reception visual terminal is produced. A network interface(510) electrically sends and receives the image call barring require-message and image call barring response message through the connected network.

Description

Device of restricting video call and system about

The present invention relates to a video call, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for performing a video call according to a user's selection.

For quite a long time, communication services remained in voice calls and their underlying services, but in recent years, the wired communication field has developed into a high-speed data communication network such as the Internet and an evolution into an intelligent network. With the advent of allocable bandwidth, the company began offering video-based services. The representative of the third generation mobile communication service is a video call, which is already commercialized in a wired network, but it has not been commercialized since it requires considerably more bands than voice in mobile communication.

Regardless of the field of wired and wireless communication, video call enables users to face a different situation than when they were only able to make a voice call. You need to make a call while you are showing. In other words, personal privacy is more likely to be disclosed to others regardless of their intentions. Of course, the other party who has requested the current call may never want to make a video call, but the user may not want to talk for a while due to his special situation.

If a video call is requested from the other party, the user may reject the requested video call so that his or her video is not visible to the other party, or turn off the camera of the user video terminal once the video call is connected. It is possible to prevent the transmission of the image to the video terminal of the other party. In addition, even if a user does not want a video call, network resources are unnecessarily wasted because communication resources for video call are allocated.

The video call can be controlled according to the subscriber's choice for the connection of the video call even under the location and the conditions where the video call is possible. The control of the video call connection is to prevent the video of the receiving subscriber from being transmitted from the receiving video terminal to the calling video terminal.

An embodiment according to the present invention is a video call restriction apparatus for controlling video and audio calls to be selectively connected, and updates corresponding to a subscriber database and video call restriction request message including identification information and video call restriction information of a receiving video terminal. A message interpreter for generating any one of a command and a search command; a database updater for updating the video call restriction information according to the update command and generating an update result; and the received image from the subscriber database in response to the search command. A message for generating a video call restriction response message for limiting the video call requested to the receiving video terminal by using one of the database search unit for extracting video call restriction information associated with the terminal and the update result and the call restriction information; Generator and electrically connected network And a network interface for transmitting and receiving the video call restriction request message and the video call restriction response message through a network.

The video call restriction device may further include a scheduler that generates a search command to cause the database searcher to search the subscriber database to extract video call restriction information matching a preset condition.

The message generator may further generate a video call restriction information update message, and the video call restriction information update message may include the identification information and the video call restriction information. Meanwhile, the message generator may further generate a video call restriction information update message, and the video call restriction information update message may include a call restriction setting identifier indicating whether the identification information and the subscriber station have a video call restriction setting. have.

The message generating unit may further generate a video call restriction information update message, and the video call restriction information update message may include the identification information and a video call capable identifier indicating whether the subscriber station can receive a video call. .

Here, the video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith, and the video call restriction information includes one of a substitute video to be output to a terminal requesting a video call to the subscriber station and location information of the substitute video. It may further include.

Another embodiment according to the present invention is a video call subscriber management apparatus for controlling video calls and audio calls to be selectively connected. Video call restriction for determining connection of a video call requested to a subscriber terminal with reference to the first video call restriction information. A subscriber information manager and a video call restriction request for generating a receiving terminal information response message for converting the requested video call into a voice call with reference to a video call restriction response message received in response thereto; And receiving a message, determining a video call connection identifier with reference to the second video call restriction information, and generating a video call restriction response message including the determined video call connection identifier.

Here, the first video call restriction information includes a call restriction setting identifier indicating whether the subscriber station is configured for video call restriction, and the second video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. .

Another embodiment according to the present invention is a video call subscriber management apparatus for selectively connecting a video call and a voice call, and determines the connection of the video call requested to the subscriber station with reference to the first video call restriction information. A subscriber information manager for generating a receiving terminal information response message for converting a connected video call into an audio call and connecting the video call, and if the preset condition is satisfied, the video updating the first video call restriction information with reference to the second video call restriction information. It includes a call limiter.

Here, the first video call restriction information and the second video call restriction information may include a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. The first video call restriction information includes a video call availability identifier indicating whether the subscriber station is capable of receiving a video call, and the second video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated with the call restriction information. The video call restriction device may generate the video call enabled identifier associated with the second video call restriction information.

Another embodiment according to the present invention is a video call restriction system, which receives a video call request from an originating video terminal to a receiving video terminal and performs communication between the originating video terminal and the receiving video terminal. Storing the call connection node controlling the originating node and the receiving node and the video call restriction information to form a call path corresponding to the video call restriction information set in the receiving video terminal, and receiving terminal information from the call connection node. And a video call subscriber management device for receiving a request message and generating a receiving terminal information response message including the video call restriction information in response thereto. Here, the call connection node may control to establish a voice call path between the originating node and the receiving node.

On the other hand, the originating node may establish a voice call path with the originating video terminal.

In addition, the call connection node may control the originating node and the receiving node to set up a video call path for transmitting only the image generated by the originating video terminal to the receiving video terminal.

Meanwhile, the call connection node transmits the video generated by the calling video terminal to the receiving video terminal, and sets the calling node and the receiving node to set a video call path to transmit an alternative video to the calling video terminal. Can be controlled. The substitute video may be provided by the receiving video terminal, or the substitute video providing apparatus may be provided to the calling video terminal through one of the calling node and the receiving node corresponding to the video call restriction information.

Since the video call can be controlled by the subscriber's choice even if the video call is available under the location and conditions, the subscriber does not have to reject the requested video call in order to avoid sending his / her own video. The likelihood of exposure can be significantly reduced. On the other hand, when a video call is converted to an audio call, unnecessary waste of resources can be prevented.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

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

1 is an exemplary view for schematically explaining an embodiment implemented by the present invention.

The video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130 may be implemented in various forms, and are also coupled to the various types of communication networks 150. The communication network 150 may be broadly classified into a wired communication network and a wireless communication network, and each communication network is further classified according to the type of communication protocol and the version of the communication protocol. Representative communication protocols supporting video telephony include H.323 and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocols. In addition, there are various protocols that support video calling.

The video terminal 100A implemented in the form of a mobile communication terminal performs a video call with the counterpart video terminal 100B or the video terminals 120 and 130 coupled to another communication network through a wireless communication network. A wireless communication network is classified into a mobile communication network supporting voice and data communication at the same time, such as GSM or CDMA, and a wireless data communication network supporting data communication represented by IEEE 802.11x or Wi-Fi. In order to make a video call with the counterpart video terminals 100B, 120 and 130 through a mobile communication network, a network interworking device for matching the wireless base station 110 and the wired communication network to communicate wirelessly with the video terminal 100A (for example, For example, an InterWorking Function (IWF), Packet Control Function (PCF) or Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), Gateway GPRS Serving Node (GGSN), etc. 115 are required. In the wireless data communication network, the base station 110 may be understood as a wireless access point (AP), and the network interworking device 115 may be understood as a bridge that matches the wireless AP with an external wired communication network. Indeed, wireless data networks can be treated the same as wired networks.

In order to make a video call, video terminals 100A and 100B coupled to a wireless communication network also operate based on a data communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and thus use most video communication protocols developed for wired communication networks. However, in the case of the 3G-324M protocol used in the mobile communication network, the number system is different from that of the other video communication terminals 120 and 130 coupled to the wired communication network, but video communication between each other is possible through number conversion or number matching. . In third generation mobile communication networks, video calls have begun to be provided as commercial services by applying high-speed data communication protocols (eg, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)).

The video terminal 120 implemented in the form of a personal computer is coupled to a wired data communication network such as the Internet through various types of paths (LAN, Ethernet, Cable, xDSL, etc.), and supports video communication protocols and images of subscribers of software and network. Perform a video call using the built-in or external camera to shoot the video. Representative software that supports video communication is MICROSOFT's MS MESSENGER and NETMEETING, and there are many other software that supports point-to-point or video conferencing.

The video terminal 130 implemented in the stand-alone form may be coupled to a wired data communication network, or may be coupled to a wired voice communication network such as a PSTN. The wired communication network may be classified into a wired data communication network and a wired voice communication network. However, in the case of the wired voice communication network, since a substantial part depends on the wired data communication network for transmission of voice information, the same will be treated in the present specification. Unlike the personal computer, the video terminal 130 coupled to the wired data communication network is a dedicated device that performs only a video call. Video call through PSTN has a relatively poor video quality than other types of video terminals using a wired data communication network, but those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement embodiments according to the present invention. There is a number.

The video call limiting device 140 according to the present invention is coupled to various types of communication networks 150 and interworked with the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120 and 130. The video call limiting device 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7.

2 is a block diagram functionally showing the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130 according to the present invention may include a camera unit 210, an image signal processor 215, a transceiver 220, an audio output unit 225, and an input unit ( 230, a sound input unit 235, a display unit 240, a storage unit 245, and a controller 255. The video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130 described below are terminals that support both a voice communication mode capable of a voice call only and a video call mode capable of video and voice communication.

The camera unit 210 converts a signal of an optical object incident through the lens into an electrical signal and outputs the signal to the image signal processor 215. Here, the camera unit 210 may include a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.

The image signal processing unit 215 converts an electrical signal input through the camera unit 210 into a digital signal according to a predetermined format (hereinafter, referred to as a "video signal") under the control of the controller 255. Transmit to display unit 240. In addition, when the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130 are operating in the video call mode, the image signal processing unit 215 may output an image signal photographing a subject at a predetermined time period under the control of the controller 255. It can be encoded according to a predetermined format and transmitted to the video terminal of the other party through the transceiver 220. In addition, the image signal processor 215 may decode the video signal received from the counterpart video terminal into a predetermined format under the control of the controller 255 and output the decoded image signal to the display unit 240.

The transceiver 220 is coupled to another device (for example, the video communication terminal of the other party) via a communication network via a communication system (a wired communication network or a wireless communication network) according to the form of the video communication terminal, and through a communication network. It performs a function of transmitting and receiving various data for communication such as video.

The sound output unit 225 outputs a voice input by the control of the controller 255. Also, the sound output unit 225 may include a sound source chip (for example, a Yamaha sound source chip), a speaker, or the like.

The sound input unit 235 is started by the control of the controller 255 and is a means for receiving an analog voice signal from a user. For example, the sound input unit 235 may be a microphone.

Input unit 230 is a control command for controlling the operation of the video terminal (100A, 100B, 120, 130) from the subscriber, a control command for executing any application, a control command for transmitting information selected by the executed application It is a means for receiving an input.

For example, the input unit 230 may include a plurality of key buttons (eg, character keys, numbers / letter keys, * or # symbol keys, one or more function keys (eg, shift keys, control keys, alt keys, Menu key, call key, confirmation key, application execution key, etc.) or a touch screen.

The display unit 240 may control data corresponding to a command input by the subscriber through the input unit 230 under the control of the controller 255 (for example, an application execution screen executed by a user, through the input unit 230). Input commands, selection commands, letters / numbers, and the like, and data (eg, image signals, images, letters / numbers, etc.) received through the transceiver 220 are displayed. For example, the display unit 240 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The storage unit 245 may include data (characters, numbers, images, videos, etc.) input through operation programs of the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120, and 130, external input devices (for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a camera, and the like). ) Is stored.

The controller 255 may be configured as internal components of the video terminals 100A, 100B, 120 and 130 (eg, the camera unit 210, the image signal processor 215, the transceiver 220, and the audio output unit 225). ), The input unit 230, the sound input unit 235, the display unit 240, and the storage unit 245.

3 is a diagram illustrating a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The subscriber information manager is a network device that manages all information about a communication service subscriber, which is a kind of database, and location information of video terminals is also managed by the subscriber information manager. An information request message regarding a video terminal received from other network equipment is processed to provide a response message including corresponding information. Through this process, the subscriber information manager controls the operation of other network equipment, and as a result, controls the execution of video call or voice call communication between the calling video terminal and the receiving video terminal. In the mobile communication network, the subscriber information manager is a home location register (HLR) or a visitor location register (VLR), and in a wired network, the subscriber information manager is information for providing a service control point (SCP) or a video call service of an intelligent network system. Corresponds to a subscriber management server such as a video call gatekeeper that performs provision and call control.

When the calling node receives a video call request from the calling video terminal to the receiving video terminal, the calling node establishes a video call or voice call channel with the calling video terminal and calls the video call or voice call with the receiving node via a call connection node. Set the furnace. The receiving node establishes a video call or voice call channel from the originating node through the call connection node, calls the receiving video terminal, and if the receiving video terminal answers, the receiving node receives the same channel as the calling channel formed with the calling node. Set with the terminal. In a mobile communication network, the originating node and the receiving node are radio stations (BTS or RTS) or control stations (BSC or RNC), and in a wired network, they correspond to an originating / receiving exchange or a video call gateway.

The call connection node determines a receiving node to which the receiving video terminal is connected to establish a call path between the calling node and the receiving node, obtains information on the receiving video terminal from the subscriber information manager, and provides a subscribed service. The call connection node may set a call path for an audio call instead of the video call requested by the calling video terminal by using the video call restriction information obtained from the subscriber information manager. In a mobile communication network and a wired communication network, a call connection node corresponds to an exchange or an intelligent network switch, and depending on the communication network, the originating / receiving node and the call connection node may be physically implemented as a single device. For the sake of brevity, logical explanations will be given.

The originating video terminal attempts to establish a video call call by transmitting a video call request message to the originating node (300). The video call request message includes identification information of the calling video terminal and identification information of the receiving video terminal. In addition, the originating node collects information on the connection state of the originating video terminal, that is, the transmission speed, the maximum allowable transmission rate, or the other currently allocated resources, and the like. Video call quality can be determined.

When receiving the video call request message, the originating node transmits the video call setup request message to the call connection node to establish a video call with the receiving node (305). The location of the receiving video terminal and the identification of the receiving node to which the receiving video terminal is combined are performed by the call connection node. For this purpose, the video call setup request message includes identification information of the calling video terminal and identification information of the receiving video terminal. The mobile station may further include information regarding bandwidth of a settable call path.

When receiving the video call connection request message, the call connection node extracts identification information of the received video terminal, and transmits the receiving terminal information request message including the same to the subscriber information manager (310). In addition, the receiving terminal information request message may further include identification information of the calling terminal. The call connection node obtains the location of the receiving video terminal, i.e., which receiving node is connected to or the IP address of the receiving video terminal, from the response of the receiving terminal information request message, and provides the service subscribed to in advance by the receiving video terminal. Control other network equipment.

Upon receiving the receiving terminal information request message, the subscriber information manager searches for the corresponding receiving terminal information using the identification information of the receiving video terminal included in the receiving terminal information request message, and receives the receiving terminal information response including the retrieved receiving terminal information. A message is generated and sent to the originating node (315). The receiving terminal information includes the location of the receiving video terminal and the video call restriction information preset by the subscriber of the receiving video terminal. In the present embodiment, the video call restriction information is stored and managed in the subscriber information manager. The video call restriction information stored in the subscriber information manager will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. The video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated with it. If the subscriber information manager has the authority to determine the video call restriction, the determination result may be included in the receiving terminal information response instead of the video call restriction information. The determination result may be represented by a call transfer identifier, and the type of a call path to be formed in each section of the originating video terminal-sending node-receiving node-receiving video terminal may be determined by the call switching identifier.

When the receiving terminal information response message is received, the call connection node extracts the video call restriction information and sends a video call disablement notification message to switch to the voice call when the requested video call satisfies the condition according to the video call restriction information. And transmits to the node (320). If the video call restriction information is a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith, the call connection node determines whether the condition is satisfied by comparing the information associated with the requested video call with the video call restriction information. If the video call restriction information is a call transfer identifier, a video call disablement notification message is generated by the identifier without a separate comparison procedure.

Upon receiving the video call unavailable notification message, the originating node renegotiates with the calling video terminal to convert the requested video call into a voice call (325). Voice call switching may be performed in any of the following manners depending on the type of communication network to which the calling video terminal is coupled.

(1) The calling video terminal terminates the current connection and tries to reconnect to the voice network

(2) The originating node forcibly transitions the originating video terminal to the voice communication network (hand off)

(3) Only the communication resources allocated to the call path setting for video transmission are recovered and the communication resources allocated to the call path setting for voice transmission are maintained.

If the switch to the voice call is successfully made, the originating node requests to establish a voice call with the receiving node through the call connecting node (330), and the call connecting node is connected to the calling node or the calling node and the calling video terminal as the receiving node. A voice call setup message including information relating to the message is transmitted (335), whereby the receiving node transmits the voice call reception call message to the receiving video terminal and the receiving video terminal responds (340) to the receiving video terminal and the receiving video terminal. An audio call path between video terminals is set (345).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. 3 and its setting value.

The subscriber information manager manages all information about the video terminal, and each video terminal is distinguished by unique identification information. For example, identification information of a video terminal executed in a mobile communication network includes MIN, MDN, eNUM, and the like, and a video terminal executed in a wired communication network includes a subscriber ID or a fixed IP address. The identification information field 410 is a field for recording unique identification information of the video terminal. In FIG. 4, the phone number of the mobile communication terminal is illustrated as an example.

The call restriction type field 420 includes a setting value (identifier) indicating the type of call restriction service subscribed to the video terminal identified by the unique identification information. Set a time band to limit call in a specific time zone that does not connect video calls in that time zone, set a Region to call limit in a specific area where video calls do not connect in that region, and one or more outgoing calls Call restriction for a particular calling terminal that does not connect to a video call from a corresponding calling video terminal by designating a video terminal is illustrated through an embodiment of the present invention, but this is merely an example, and is commonly used in the art. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily devise various types of video call restrictions in addition to those illustrated.

When the call restriction is set in a specific time zone, since the start time and the end time must be specified, at least two or more setting values 430 to 460 should be determined.

If call restriction is set in a specific area, the location information that can identify the area should be determined by the setting value, and in mobile communication network, unique identification number of network equipment distributed by region (for example, cell ID, etc.) Or coordinate information may be set values 430 to 460. Coordinate information may be stored after being converted to a corresponding cell ID or the like, or may be used whenever the video call is limited. In the case of a wired communication network, a setting value 430 to 460 may be an IP address or a unique ID of a gateway or a gatekeeper that processes a video call from a corresponding region.

When call restriction is set to a specific calling terminal, identification information such as a phone number or ID of the corresponding calling video terminal may be set values 430 to 460.

The video call restriction information stored in the subscriber information manager can be uploaded and updated by IP (Intelligent Peripheral) of the subscriber information manager. The video call restriction device which is the IP of the subscriber information manager according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for managing a video call subscriber according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with FIG. 4, since the video call limiting device is a peripheral device of the subscriber information manager, the video call subscriber managing device may be understood as a subscriber information manager including the video call limiting device. In the following description, the two devices are logically distinguished for convenience of description.

The video call subscriber management device includes a subscriber information manager 545 and a video call restriction device 500. The video call restriction apparatus 500 stores the video call restriction information and updates the video call restriction information stored in the subscriber information manager 545 according to a preset condition. The video call limiting apparatus 500 is connected to the subscriber information manager 545 through the communication network 550, and the communication call network may be an SS7 communication network for easy message transfer. Referring to FIG. 5, the video call limiting apparatus 500 includes a network interface 510, a message interpreter 515, a database searcher 520, a database updater 525, a subscriber database 530, and a message generator. 535 and scheduler 540.

The network interface 510 receives a registration, change, and inquiry message of video call restriction information from a network device connected through the communication network 550, and receives the video call restriction information stored in the subscriber database through the network 550. 545). The registration message or change message is sent from a web server, an email server, an ARS server, or a message server. The subscriber can easily set the video call restriction, and it is desirable that the change and release can be made easily and accurately like the setting. To this end, various connection methods should be provided, and for the video terminal 120 of the personal computer type, the video terminal 100A provided with a web page for inputting video call restriction information on the Internet or implemented in the form of a mobile communication terminal In addition, the video terminal 130 implemented in a stand-alone form or an ARS server capable of inputting video call restriction information through a general telephone can be provided. In addition, e-mail, short messaging (SMS), long text messaging (LMS), and multimedia messaging (MMS) may be applied. The above-described information input means are already known techniques and do not correspond to the essential parts for implementing the embodiments of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. Although the detailed description is omitted, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can readily devise various types of information input methods.

The message interpreter 515 determines whether the message received through the network interface 510 is a registration, inquiry, or change message or a change message, and accordingly, the database search unit 520 or the database updater 525 Create a search command or an update command.

The database search unit 520 extracts video call restriction information associated with a subscriber who has sent an inquiry or change message from the subscriber database 530 in response to a search command. In addition, the database search unit 520 may extract the video call restriction information corresponding to the search command generated by the scheduler 540.

The database updater 525 updates the subscriber database 530 in response to the update command and generates an update result. The subscriber database 530 update is performed by an update command generated by a registration message or a change message.

The subscriber database 530 stores identification information and video call restriction information of the subscriber station.

The message generator 535 generates a video call restriction information update request message for limiting the video call requested to the subscriber's video terminal by using one of the update result and the call restriction information.

The scheduler 540 generates a search command for the database search unit 520 to search the database and extract call restriction information that matches a preset condition. The preset condition may be, for example, a predetermined time, an update occurrence of video call restriction information at the request of a registration or a subscriber, or a cumulative number of executions of a registration / update operation. In addition, the scheduler 540 may control the message generator 535 to generate a message for requesting information about a specific video terminal having the video call restriction set from the subscriber information manager 545. In one embodiment, when the subscriber has limited video call reception when he is in a certain area, the scheduler 540 may control the message generator 535 to generate a message requesting the location information of the subscriber. have.

6 is a diagram illustrating a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The call processing procedure of the video call restriction system shown in FIG. 6 is the call processing procedures 600 to 610 and 625 except for the configuration and processing procedure of the video call subscriber management apparatus. To 315). Therefore, duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

Upon receiving the receiving terminal information request message, the subscriber information manager searches for the corresponding receiving terminal information using the identification information of the receiving video terminal included in the receiving terminal information request message, and the video call restriction is set in the retrieved receiving terminal information. Determine if there is. The video call restriction setting information included in the receiving terminal information includes (1) an identifier indicating whether the video call is set to be restricted (call restriction setting identifier) or (2) an identifier indicating whether the video call is available or in a state (video call possible). Identifier). Since the processing operation of the video call subscriber management apparatus varies according to the type of the identifier, it is decided to set them separately. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the call restriction setting identifier is applied. The call restriction setting identifier stored in the subscriber information manager and its setting value are shown in FIG.

The call restriction setting identifier stored in the subscriber information manager indicates only whether the receiving video terminal is subscribed to the video call restriction service, and more specific information, that is, what kind of call restriction is set and what is the setting value? The acknowledgment is not stored in the subscriber information manager. Accordingly, when the subscriber information manager determines that the received video terminal is subscribed to the video call restriction service by the call restriction identifier, the subscriber information manager transmits a video call restriction request message to the video call restriction device (615). The video call restriction request message may include identification information of the receiving video terminal and may further include identification information of the calling video terminal. In addition, the video call restriction request message may further include location information of the receiving video terminal or the calling video terminal.

Upon receiving the video call restriction request message, the video call restriction apparatus retrieves the corresponding video call restriction information by using the identification information of the received video terminal, and generates a video call restriction response message including the retrieved video call restriction information. The data is transmitted to the information manager (620). If the video call restriction apparatus has the authority to determine the video call restriction, the determination result may be included in the video call restriction response message instead of the video call restriction information. The determination result may be represented by a call transfer identifier, and the type of a call path to be formed in each section of the originating video terminal-sending node-receiving node-receiving video terminal may be determined by the call switching identifier.

7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a video call limiting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The network interface 710 transmits and receives a video call restriction request message and the video call restriction response message to the subscriber information manager through a communication network. In addition, it is possible to receive the registration, change, inquiry message of the video call restriction information from other network equipment connected through the communication network, and transmit the video call restriction information stored in the subscriber database to the subscriber information manager through the communication network.

The message interpreter 715 generates one of an update command and a search command corresponding to the video call restriction request message received through the network interface 710. In addition, the message interpreter 715 determines whether a message received from another network device is a registration, inquiry, or change message or a change message, and accordingly a search for the database search unit 720 or the database update unit 725. You can create commands or update commands.

The database search unit 720 extracts video call restriction information associated with the received video terminal from the subscriber database 730 in response to the search command. In addition, the database search unit 720 may extract video call restriction information associated with the subscriber who has sent the inquiry or change message from the subscriber database 730 in response to the search command generated by the registration or inquiry message.

The database updater 725 updates the subscriber database 730 in response to the update command and generates an update result. The subscriber database 730 update is performed by an update command generated by a registration message or a change message.

The subscriber database 730 stores the identification information and the video call restriction information of the subscriber station, and the stored identification information and the video call restriction information are updated by the database updater 725.

The message generator 535 generates a video call restriction response request message requested to the receiving video terminal by using any one of the update result and the call restriction information.

8 is a diagram for exemplarily describing a field structure and setting values of a subscriber database according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Identification information field 810, call restriction type field 820), and setting value fields 830 to 860 according to call restriction setting include identification information field 410, call restriction type field 420, Same as the set value fields 430 to 460 according to the call restriction setting.

The subscriber database may further include a video receiving field 870 indicating whether the receiving video terminal receives the video transmitted from the calling video terminal. By the video receiving field 870, the subscriber of the receiving video terminal may receive the video of the other party without showing his or her video to the other party. Embodiments using the image reception field 870 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

In addition, the subscriber database may further include a substitute video field 880 indicating whether to transmit an image replacing the image generated by the receiving video terminal to the calling video terminal. The substitute video field 880 allows the receiving video subscriber to output his / her own video to the calling video terminal instead of sending his own video. An embodiment using the substitute image field 880 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. 6 and its setting value.

Referring to FIG. 9, the subscriber information manager includes a call restriction setting field 920 indicating whether a receiving video terminal is a terminal that has set a video call restriction. The call restriction setting field value may use an identifier indicating a setting and a non-setting. The subscriber information manager searches for the video terminal for which the video call is requested in the identifier field 910 of the receiving video terminal, and if the call restriction setting identifier is set, generates a video call restriction request message for requesting the video call restriction information. Transmit to video call control device. If the call restriction identifier is not set, the receiving video terminal determines whether it can receive the requested video call, and performs a corresponding procedure.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. Figure is shown. The call processing procedure of the video call restriction system shown in FIG. 10 is the call processing procedures 1000 to 1010 except for the configuration and processing procedure of the video call subscriber management apparatus, and the call processing procedures 300 to 310 shown in FIG. Same as). Therefore, duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

The video call restriction device transmits a video call restriction information update request message for updating information related to video call restriction stored in the subscriber information manager according to a preset condition to the subscriber information manager (1015 and 1025). The video call restriction apparatus extracts newly set or updated video call restriction information according to a preset condition, or retrieves video call restriction information of a video terminal that needs to update information stored in the subscriber information manager. The preset condition may be, for example, a predetermined time, an update occurrence of video call restriction information at the request of a registration or a subscriber, or a cumulative number of executions of a registration / update operation. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of generating a video call restriction information update request message on a periodic basis.

The video call availability field 1120 illustrated in FIG. 11 is a field managed by the subscriber information manager and stores a video call availability identifier indicating whether a video call is possible according to the type of the terminal or the current location. The video call capable identifier may indicate permanent disability such as a terminal capable of making a video call or an impossible terminal according to the type of terminal. In addition, even if a video call is possible, the video call capable identifier is located within base station coverage that does not currently support a video call, or the reception state where the received video terminal is combined due to poor connection state (for example, maximum speed or bandwidth of a line). Even if a video call path is set up to a node, it may indicate a temporary inability to make a video call. Depending on the type of communication network, permanent and temporary inability can be divided into individual fields or managed as a single field. In this embodiment, a case of managing by using one field will be described by way of example. However, even when a case of managing by dividing into separate fields, the same method as the method described herein may be applied.

The video call restriction apparatus extracts video call restriction information of a video terminal that meets a preset condition, and generates a video call restriction information update request message requesting to change whether or not the video call of the video terminal that meets the condition is disabled. . The video call information restriction information update message includes identification information of the video terminal and a video call capable identifier indicating whether or not it is possible. In another embodiment, the video call information restriction update message may include only identification information of a video terminal that needs to update a video call enabled field value.

Upon receiving the video call restriction information update request message, the subscriber information manager changes the setting value of the video call enabled field by using the video call enabled identifier by using the identification information of the corresponding video terminal and then sends the video call restriction information update response message. To the video call restriction device (1020. 1030).

The subscriber information manager searches for the corresponding receiving terminal information using the identification information of the receiving video terminal included in the receiving terminal information request message, generates a receiving terminal information response message including the retrieved receiving terminal information, and transmits it to the call connection node. (1035). The receiving terminal information includes a location of the receiving video terminal and video call restriction information preset by the subscriber of the receiving video terminal, and includes a call switching identifier or an identifier indicating that the video call connection is impossible.

12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a voice call path in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the receiving terminal information response message is received, the call connection node extracts the video call restriction information and sends a video call disablement notification message to switch to the voice call when the requested video call satisfies the condition according to the video call restriction information. Send to the node (1210). If the video call restriction information is a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith, the call connection node determines whether the condition is satisfied by comparing the information associated with the requested video call with the video call restriction information. If the video call restriction information is a call transfer identifier, a video call disablement notification message is generated by the identifier without a separate comparison procedure.

Upon receiving the video call failure notification message, the originating node maintains the video call path already established with the calling video terminal, or requests the video call path 1230 with the calling video terminal as requested, without a renegotiation process for switching to the voice call. Set it. The video call path is a call path for transmitting and receiving voice and video. On the other hand, the originating node transmits a voice call setup request message to the receiving video terminal simultaneously or sequentially to the call connection node (1215).

Upon receiving the voice call setup request message, the call connecting node sends a voice call setup message including information about the calling node or the calling node and the calling video terminal to the receiving node (1220), and the receiving node calls the voice call receiving call. By transmitting a message, the receiving video terminal is notified that a voice call is requested (1225). Here, the call connection node may re-search information about the video terminal.

If a successful call setup is established between the calling node and the receiving video terminal, the calling node receives only the video signal received from the calling video terminal and the audio signal via the receiving node via the voice call path 1235. The receiving node transmits the voice signal received from the receiving video terminal to the calling video terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of setting up a one-way video call path in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the receiving terminal information response message is received, the call connection node extracts the video call restriction information and sends a video call disablement notification message to switch to the voice call when the requested video call satisfies the condition according to the video call restriction information. The video call reception notification message for controlling the receiving node is transmitted to the receiving node so that the video call is called but the video of the receiving video terminal is not transmitted (1310 and 1315). Upon receiving the video call disabling notification message, the originating node maintains a video call path already established with the calling video terminal or sets up a video call path with the calling video terminal as requested, without a renegotiation process for switching to the voice call. Simultaneously or sequentially, the originating node establishes a video call path with the receiving node via the call connection node.

When the video call reception notification message is received, the receiving node transmits the video call reception call message to the receiving video terminal, and when the receiving video terminal responds, sets the video call path with the receiving video terminal (1320).

When the video call path 1330 is set, the video signal and the audio signal generated from the calling video terminal are transmitted to the receiving video terminal via the video call path. However, the video signal generated from the receiving video terminal is blocked by the receiving node, the call connection node or the calling node, and only the audio signal generated from the receiving video terminal is transmitted to the calling video node (1325a, 1325b, 1325c). The video signal blocking is performed by any one of a receiving node, a call connection node, and an originating node.

14 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a video call path for transmitting a substitute video in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The call path setting procedures 1410 to 1420 of FIG. 14 are the same as the call path setting procedures 1310 to 1320 of FIG. 13. Therefore, duplicate descriptions are omitted.

If the video call restriction information is configured to transmit the alternative video, the subscriber information manager calls the alternative video providing apparatus that stores the alternative video to be transmitted and controls to transmit the alternative video to any one of a source node, a call connection node, and a reception node. . The node to transmit the substitute video matches the video call path 1435b with the alternative video transmitting apparatus to the video call path 1430 which has already been set so that the substitute video is transmitted to the calling video terminal. In this case, the video signal transmitted from the receiving video terminal is blocked by any one of the originating node, the call connection node, and the receiving node (1425a, 1425b, 1425c).

Meanwhile, the substitute image stored in the reception video terminal may be transmitted (1435a). In order to transmit the replacement video stored in the reception video terminal, access information on the replacement video should be included in the video call restriction information set by the subscriber of the reception video terminal. The access information includes a file name of the substitute video and may further include information about a storage location in the reception video terminal. In addition, the receiving video terminal should give the receiving node control authority necessary for accessing and playing the replacement video.

Although the above has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a receiving video terminal subscriber can use a voice call, which is a basic communication service, or a video call, which is an evolved communication service, without transmitting his own video. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

1 is an exemplary diagram for schematically illustrating an embodiment implemented by the present invention;

2 is a block diagram functionally showing a video terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. 3 and its setting value;

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for managing a video call subscriber according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a diagram illustrating a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a video call restriction device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a diagram for exemplarily describing a field structure and setting values of a subscriber database according to another embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a view showing a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. 6 and its setting value;

10 is a diagram showing a call processing procedure of a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a video call restriction information field stored in the subscriber information manager shown in FIG. 10 and its setting value; FIG.

12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a voice call path in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for setting up a one-way video call path in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. And

14 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a video call path for transmitting a substitute video in a video call restriction system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

100A, 100B, 120, 130: video terminal

510, 710: network interface

515, 715: Message interpreter

520, 720: database search unit

525, 725: database update unit

530, 730: subscriber database

535, 735: message generating unit

540: scheduler

Claims (20)

An apparatus for controlling video and audio calls to be selectively connected, A subscriber database including identification information of the receiving video terminal and video call restriction information; A message interpreter for generating any one of an update command and a search command corresponding to the video call restriction request message; A database updater for updating the video call restriction information corresponding to the update command and generating an update result A database searcher for extracting video call restriction information associated with the received video terminal from the subscriber database in response to the search command; A message generator for generating a video call restriction response message for restricting a video call requested to the receiving video terminal by using one of the update result and the video call restriction information; And And a network interface for transmitting and receiving the video call restriction request message and the video call restriction response message through an electrically connected network. According to claim 1, And a scheduler for generating a search command to cause the database searcher to search the subscriber database and extract video call restriction information matching a preset condition. According to claim 1, The message generator further generates a video call restriction information update message, and the video call restriction information update message includes the identification information and the video call restriction information. According to claim 1, The message generator further generates a video call restriction information update message, wherein the video call restriction information update message includes a video call restriction information including a call restriction setting identifier indicating whether the identification information and the subscriber station are configured for video call restriction. Device. According to claim 1, The message generating unit further generates a video call restriction information update message, wherein the video call restriction information update message includes the identification information and a video call capable identifier indicating whether the subscriber station can receive a video call. According to claim 1, The video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. The method of claim 6, The video call restriction information further includes any one of a substitute video to be output to a terminal requesting a video call to the subscriber station and location information of the substitute video. An apparatus for controlling video and audio calls to be selectively connected, Generate a video call restriction request message for determining the connection of the requested video call to the subscriber station with reference to the first video call restriction information, and with reference to the video call restriction response message received in response thereto, A subscriber information manager for generating a receiving terminal information response message for converting to a voice call and making a connection; And Receiving a video call restriction request message, determining a video call connection identifier with reference to second video call restriction information, and generating a video call restriction response message including the determined video call connection identifier; Video call subscriber management device comprising. The method of claim 8, And the first video call restriction information includes a call restriction setting identifier indicating whether the subscriber station has the video call restriction setting. The method of claim 8, And the second video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. An apparatus for controlling video and audio calls to be selectively connected, A subscriber information manager which determines a connection of a requested video call to a subscriber station with reference to first video call restriction information, and generates a receiving terminal information response message for converting the requested video call into a voice call; And And a video call restriction device for updating the first video call restriction information by referring to the second video call restriction information when a preset condition is satisfied. The method of claim 11, wherein And the first video call restriction information and the second video call restriction information include a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. The method of claim 11, wherein The first video call restriction information includes a video call capable identifier indicating whether the subscriber station can receive a video call. The second video call restriction information includes a call restriction type and a setting value associated therewith. And the video call restriction device generates the video call enabled identifier associated with the second video call restriction information. An originating node and a receiving node for receiving a video call request from an originating video terminal to a receiving video terminal and performing communication between the originating video terminal and the receiving video terminal; A call connection node controlling the originating node and the receiving node to form a call path corresponding to the video call restriction information set in the receiving video terminal; And And a video call subscriber management device for storing the video call restriction information, receiving a receiving terminal information request message from the call connection node, and generating a receiving terminal information response message including the video call restriction information in response thereto. Video call restriction system. The method of claim 14, And the call connection node controls to establish a voice call path between the originating node and the receiving node. The method of claim 15, And the calling node establishes a voice call path with the calling video terminal. The method of claim 14, And the call connection node controls the originating node and the receiving node to set a video call path for transmitting only the image generated by the originating video terminal to the receiving video terminal. The method of claim 14, The call connection node controls the originating node and the receiving node to set a video call path for transmitting a video generated by the originating video terminal to the receiving video terminal and transmitting an alternate video to the calling video terminal. Video call restriction system. The method of claim 18, The substitute video is a video call restriction system provided by the receiving video terminal. The method of claim 18, And a substitute video providing device for providing the substitute video to the calling video terminal through any one of the calling node and the receiving node according to the video call restriction information.

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