WO2005107277A1

WO2005107277A1 - Voice communication method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2005107277A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun-Chul Kim; Dae-Young Kim; Jun-Won Lee
Original assignee: Nable Communications Inc.
Priority date: 2004-04-30
Filing date: 2004-04-30
Publication date: 2005-11-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a voice communication method and system, and more particularly, to a voice communication method and system which is connected with an online game or an online community service and which enables immediate voice communication among users. A voice communication method according to the present invention comprises the steps of receiving communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from a user; storing the communication information in a communication database in association with the user; deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to a predetermined criterion; searching the communication information related to the member from the communication database; generating session information including the communication information related to the member and then storing the generated session information in a session database; receiving voice signals from a member having the right to speak among the members and then copying the received voice signals; and transmitting the copied voice signals to members except a member having the right to speak based on the session information.

Description

VOICE COMMUNICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM

Technical Field The present invention relates to a voice communication method and system, and more particularly, to a voice communication method and system which is connected with an online game or an online community service and which enables immediate voice communication among users.

Background Art An online game means a game that users can play in real time by accessing to a game system through a network and then exchanging information with the above game system. In case of a team-play providing game among such online games, communication among users is considered important since tactics and strategy of a team unit is important and the conventional game system enables users to make communication by receiving and sending character-based instant messages. However, the character-based instant messaging method like above has a problem that a user's concentration on the game in progress declines since the user should input characters by operating a keyboard on his/her own and read a character message received from another user while playing an online game. In addition, even in community service including all kinds of club activities through the Internet, since real-time communication such as emergency contacts, simultaneous bulletins, etc among members is getting more important, it is necessary to support communication among users belonging to the same community. However, since the conventional community service only supports that users can communicate using character-based short messages, it has a weak point that it is hard to express one's emotions and ideas precisely and that the intimacy among users is low. In order to overcome the weak point, recently a method for integrating a voice/video chatting system with an online game system or a community system, thereby solving the problem is conceived or well-known as for an alternative besides the character-based instant messaging. However, there are following problems in a voice communication method using the conventional voice/video chatting system. First, since the conventional voice/video chatting system can make communication only if a receiving side clearly allows a voice chatting request or if a chatting room has been pre-made, a user on the sending side should take troublesome processes before it makes immediate communication with the receiving side. And especially, since it is difficult for the receiving side to respond immediately while operating of an online game or community activity, there is a problem that immediacy of communication required according to the characteristics of an online game or community service is remarkably low. Second, since group communication using the conventional voice/video chatting system uses the multilateral (N:M) communication method, in case several people speak at the same time, a voice mixing method for mixing each voice channel should be applied for a receiver to hear each voice signal generated from each voice channel of a plurality of speakers just like one sound. In this case, there is increase in loads of a voice chatting server for supporting a mixing and distribution function of the voice channel. There is required expenditure for improving computing ability of the voice chatting server in order to cope with the increased loads. Furthermore, in case a voice channel mixing is implemented in a user's device in order to decrease loads in the voice chatting server, also, this becomes a factor disturbing normal motions of an online game or community service in progress since it adds loads to the user's device. Furthermore, there is a problem that voice quality is deteriorated during the process of a voice channel mixing. Third, in case of using a voice/video chatting system, even when a user does not speak, there is continuous receipt/transmission of data in which background noise is encoded for implementing a voice chatting between a user's device and a voice chatting server. The voice/video chatting system shares finite network resources (e.g. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), bandwidth of modem link) with an online game or community service. Therefore, in case the data is transmitted/received continuously, there is a problem that delay in transmitting data necessary for playing a game causes the game to go unsmooth. Despite the fact that many technologies about the voice/video chatting system have been developed, there are rarely proper voice/video chatting systems that can be integrated with an online game or community service and be applicable thereby. Accordingly, it is a difficult situation to accept the expenditure and introduce the voice/video chatting system therewith.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a network connection of a voice communication system for implementing a voice communication method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a voice communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a network connection of a client device, a voice communication system and a game in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating one example of data which a game server transmits to a voice communication system as information associated with a user in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating one example of data stored in a communication database in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating one example stored in a session database in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a voice communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an internal block diagram of a general-purpose computer which can be comprised of a voice communication system according to the present invention.

Disclosure of the Invention Technical Question The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication method and system which can make real time one-to-one or unidirectional one-to-many voice communication to be used in a real-time online game or communication service. Therefore, the present invention omits call setting processes as many as possible unlike general voice/video chatting methods and provides a voice communication method and system which can make immediate voice communication although a receiving side does not clearly allow a voice chatting request. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication method and system which can make a one-to-one or unidirectional one- to-many method which is lower priced and provides better voice quality than the multilateral (N:M) method using a voice signal mixing method. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication method and system which can minimize an influence in transmitting data necessary for the connected online game or community system, wherein the present invention delivers only voice/video data of a speaker whereby amounts of data transmitted/received are reduced remarkably compared with general voice/video chatting systems.

Technical Solutions In order to accomplish the above objects and to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, the present invention comprises the steps of receiving communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from a user; storing the communication information in a communication database in association with the user; deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to a predetermined criterion; searching information related to the user from the communication database; generating session information including the communication information related to the member and then storing the generated session information in a session database; receiving voice signals from a member having the right to speak among the members and then copying the received voice signals; and transmitting the copied voice signal to other member except a member having the right to speak based on the session information. According to one aspect of the present invention, the session information further comprises predetermined floor logic, wherein the right to speak is a right given to a user who is permitted to transmit the voice signal, wherein only one person has the right to speak among the members and a voice communication method according to the present invention further comprises the step of deciding a member having the right to speak based on the floor logic. According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to the predetermined criterion comprises the steps of receiving a user selection from the user and of deciding the user and a user selected by the user as members corresponding to the session. According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to the predetermined criterion comprises the steps of receiving a user selection from a game server to which the user's device is connected and of deciding a user selected by the game server as a member corresponding to the session. Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer readable recording medium recording a program for implementing the aforementioned voice communication method. Furthermore, the present invention comprises a user interface unit for receiving communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from a user; a communication database for storing the communication information in association with the user; a session processor for deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to a predetermined criterion and generating a control command to set the session; a session information generating unit for searching the communication information related to the member from the communication database according to the control command and then generating the session information; a session database for storing the session information; and a voice relay unit for copying voice signals after receipt thereof from a member having the right to speak and then transmitting the copied voice signals to other member except the member having the right to speak based on the session information

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a network connection of a voice communication system for implementing a voice communication method according to the present invention. Drawing symbols 111, 112, 113 mean client devices and a drawing symbol 120 means a voice communication server 120. The voice communication server 120 relays a voice communication between client devices, wherein the voice communication server 120 and client devices 111, 112, 113 are connected through a communication network such as the Internet. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a voice communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The voice communication method according to the present embodiment can be implemented by a voice communication system 700 as illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the voice commumcation system 700 is a system installed on the side of the voice communication server 120. The voice commumcation system 700 receives communication information including location information (IP address, a data exchange port for control of call, etc) and a voice channel receiving port from a user's client device 111 and stores the communication information in a communication database 702 in association with the user in steps 201 and 202. The voice communication system 700 decides a member corresponding to one session in step 203. There can be used various kinds of methods in order to decide a member corresponding to one session. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the voice commumcation system 700 receives a user selection from the user and decides the user and the selected user as members corresponding to the session. For example, in case a user of a client device selects users of client devices 112, 113, users of client devices 111, 112, 113 become members corresponding to the session. Hereinafter, each user corresponding to client devices 111, 112, 113 is user A, user B and user C. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice communication system 700 receives a user selection from a game server connected by users A to C. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a network connection of client devices 111, 112, 113, the voice communication system 700 and the game server 130. The game server 130 is connected to the voice communication system 700 and client devices 111 , 112, 113 through a communication network such as the Internet. The voice communication system 700 decides a user input from the game server 130, e.g. users A to C, as members corresponding to the session. The game server 130 can select a member corresponding to the session among the connected users, based on at least one among a user's rank, role, power, a user's team in the virtual game world and region where the user is located in the above virtual game space. Accordingly, the voice communication method according to the present embodiment can provide the function that a game member shouts at other game member around in the game world, or the function that a user who joins the same team is automatically included in the session whereby the user co-uses strategy and implements a team play using a voice. Furthermore, in case user A connects to the game server 130, the game sever

130 can decide a user whom user A registers (registered) as a member of a session corresponding to user A among the connected users. In order to implement the voice communication method according to the present embodiment, a voice communication program installed on the side of a client device may be included in a game program for playing a game that is provided by the game server 130 or may be an independent program that is executed by connecting with the game program. In case of the independent program, while playing a game, the game program is activated and a voice program is inactivated. At this time, if pressing a hot key, there is provided a support to obtain the right to speak while the voice program maintains the state of inactivation. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to support so that a user can play a game and obtain the right to speak while leaving the voice program in the inactivated state, and it is possible that a user requests the right to speak and make voice communication even in the state that the game program is activated. For obtaining and requesting the right to speak, there can be used a well-known computer input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a joystick, etc, or, a preset button of an external input device that is specialized in a voice communication for a game. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the communication information is transmitted to the game server 130 from the client devices 111, 112, 113, wherein the game server 130 can transmit information for generating session information as described later to the voice communication system 700 with the communication information. FIG. 4 illustrates one example of data which the game server 130 transmits to the voice communication system 700 as information associated with user A. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the game server 130 distinguishes a game character associated with a member corresponding to the session from one associated with other user and then indicates the game character. For example, it is possible to make a game character associated with a member belonging to the same session have a different color or a special item. Therefore, a user playing a game can easily recognize other user's character with whom the user is making voice communication. Furthermore, although this embodiment explained only the event of connection with a game server providing an online game, the voice communication method according to the present invention can be implemented by connecting with an independent service other than a game service such as a community service. However, the voice communication system 700 should decide whether users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication before deciding the users A to C as members corresponding to the session. Therefore, the voice communication system 700 according to the present invention receives information about the state of voice communication from client devices 111, 112, 113 in order to decide whether the users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication. For example, in case client device 111 connects to the voice communication system 700, the client device 111 not only inputs the communication information, but also transmits information that the client device 111 is in the possible state of making voice communication. Furthermore, the client device 111 transmits information that the state of voice commumcation has changed into the impossible state to the voice communication system 700 before disconnecting therewith. In addition, information about the state of voice communication can be 'reject' for not making voice communication, although the client device 111 is connecting to the voice communication system 700. The voice communication system 700 further stores information about the aforementioned sate of voice communication of the client device 111 in the communication database 702 in association with user A. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating one example of data stored in the communication database 702. Accordingly, the voice communication system 700 can find whether users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication with reference to data stored in the communication database 702. Since users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication, the voice communication system 700 decides users A to C as members corresponding to the session. In case there is a user in the impossible state of making voice communication (in case of not connecting, rejecting, etc) at the result of decision, users except that user are decided as members corresponding to the session. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in order to decide whether users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication, the present invention transmits a testing message to client devices 111, 112, 113 using commumcation information stored in the communication database and then receives predetermined responding messages from client devices 111, 112, 113. The above responding messages include information about whether or not client devices 111, 112, 113 are in the possible state of making voice communication. Therefore, the voice communication system 700 finds whether or not users A to C are in the possible state of making voice communication based on the information and then decides the user only in the possible state of making voice commumcation as a member corresponding to the session. The voice commumcation method according to the present embodiment can use the aforementioned various methods in order to decide a member corresponding to a predetermined session. If a member corresponding to the session is decided, the voice communication system 700 searches communication information related to members (users A to C) from the session database 702, and generates session information including the communication information and then stores the generated information in the session database 705 (steps 204, 205). FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating one example of data stored in the session database 705. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the session information comprise information about a session identifier for discriminating a session, communication information (location information and a voice channel receiving port) related to each member, a member having started the session (user A in the present embodiment), floor logic, a member having the right to speak, time-out, etc. The right to speak is a right to transmit voice signals. Therefore, the voice communication system 700 receives voice signals coming only from a user having the right to speak, wherein only one person has this right to speak among the members. The voice communication system 700 decides a member having the right to speak based on floor logic stored in the session database 705 in step 206. There can be used various floor logic according to embodiments. There is used floor logic for giving the right to speak to a member who has applied the right to speak earlier in FIG. 6. This means that the voice communication system 700 is remembering orders of members who have applied the right to speak and gives the right to speak in order. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice communication system 700 receives ranks or roles related to users A to C of the game world from the game server 130 and can use floor logic for determining the right to speak according to the received ranks and roles. For example, in case of a team play game, there may be used floor logic enabling a team leader to have the right to speak first. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the game server 130 sells the item 'speak' and the voice communication system 700 can use floor logic for giving the right to speak to only one member holding the item 'speak'. At this time, there is included information about whether a user holds an item 'speak' in 'ability' of data as illustrated in FIG. 4. The voice communication system 700 can receive the data from the game server 130 and give the right to speak based on the received data. Users holding the item 'speak' can raise game winning rates or points since it is possible to discuss strategies effectively compared with other users capable for only receiving voice signals. Therefore, online game providers can create new added values through sales of the item 'speak'. In case a member having the right to speak is user A, the voice communication system 700 receives voice signals from user A in step 207, copies the voice signals in step 210 and transmits the copied signals to user B and user C in step 211. User A inputs voice signals through a microphone in the state of having the right to speak by pressing a hot key of a key board or a hot button of a mouse while holding the right to speak (i.e. while the input continues) and the client device 111 transmits the voice signals to the voice communication system 700. At this time, user A can concentrate on an online game and input voice signals easily at the same time since it is easy to input voice signals in the state of pressing the hot key. Furthermore, in order to implement the present embodiment, in case that the voice communication program installed in the client device 111 is executed with the game program independently, it is preferable to enable a voice signal to be input easily by pressing the hot key even when the voice communication program is inactivated. Furthermore, if the state of voice communication becomes possible by deciding a member corresponding to the session and completing establishment of session information, the voice communication system 700 informs client devices 111, 112, 113 that establishment of the session has been completed whereby client devices 111, 112, 113 inform users A to C that it is possible to make voice communication through an 'sound effect' sound or a brief message. Furthermore, whenever the right to speak is moved newly, a client device of a user having the right to speak newly informs the user of the fact that the right to speak has been given through an 'sound effect' or a brief message. In case a user inputs voice in the state of pressing a hot key, it is possible that the client device informs the user of the fact that the right to speak is not given through a unique 'sound effect' or a brief message. According to the aforementioned configuration, since voice signals that the voice communication system 700 receives and then transmits are those transmitted from one member having the right to speak (i.e. voice signals transmitted from one channel), it is unnecessary a process for mixing voice signals as in the prior art. Accordingly, the voice communication method according to the present invention can implement voice communication having good voice quality with low cost. It is because there is no problem such as increase of loads, increase of cost in order to purchase equipments necessary for solving the loads, and deterioration of voice quality during the mixing process. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice commumcation system 700 decides whether there is any request for change of voice signals from user A in step 208 before implementing steps 210 and 211. In case there is the request for change of voice signals at the result of decision, the system 700 implements step 209 of changing the received voice signals in step 207. At this time, the voice commumcation system 700 comprises various changing algorithm (e.g., algorithm for changing voice signals into voice of a female, a male, a child, an aged person, etc.) and changes voice signals of user A according to the algorithm selected by user A. For example, it is possible for a member playing an online game to select a method of changing one's voice into a preferring voice signal in order to express characteristics of a virtual character that is selected by him/her in the game or to achieve guarantee for privacy of one's voice in the game. In case a male gamer, i.e. user A, selects a female character as a virtual character in the game, it is possible for user A to make a request for changing his voice into a female voice through change of voice signals. Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, change of voice signals can be implemented in the client device 111 of user A, not the voice communication system 700 on the side of the voice communication server 120. At this time, the client device 111 changes voice signals of user A using voice changing algorithm that is stored in the client device 111 and then transmits the changed voice signals to the voice communication system 700. The voice communication system 700 having received the changed voice signals does not need to implement change of voice signals. Therefore, the voice communication system 700 transmits the changed voice signals to user B and user C after copy thereof. According to the present embodiment, since the voice communication system 700 does not need to implement change of voice signals, there is an advantage that there is decrease in loads of the voice communication system 700. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the voice commumcation system 700 more receives predetermined audio signals from a user and stores the audio signals in the communication database 702 in association with the user. In case user A inputs audio signals to be stored, user A inputs the request for synthesis of the audio signals and voice signals. In case of receiving the request for synthesis with the audio signals, the voice communication system 700 searches audio signals related to user A from the communication database 702, synthesizes voice signals and the audio signals input from user A, and then transmits the synthesized voice signals to user B and user C after copy thereof. The audio signals may be background music or sound effect. Accordingly, since it is possible to make more various expressions using audio signals, members can make more diverse voice communication. Meanwhile, the voice communication system 700 can store various audio signals in a predetermined database and then make the user select a voice signal and an audio signal to be synthesized. Furthermore, in case a user inputs a plurality of audio signals and stores the same, the voice communication system 700 receives an additional input for selecting one audio signal among a plurality of audio signals stored in association with the user, except the request for synthesis of the voice signals. Meanwhile, it is possible for the client device 111 to implement synthesis of voice signals and audio signals. In this case, there is an advantage that the voice communication system 700 does not need to have large volume of storage for storing the audio signals. It is because the audio signals are stored only in the client device 111 whereby user A does not have to transmit the audio signals to the voice communication system 700. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the audio signals may be pre-recorded voice or famous words of a film, not background music or sound effect. In this case, user A requests the voice communication system 700 to transmit audio signals and the system 700 transmits only audio signals to user B and user C without mixing audio signals with voice signals. At this time, there is an advantage that there is decrease in amounts of data which the voice communication system 700 transmits/receives. It is because the system 700 receives only the request for transmission of audio signals without receiving voice signals from user A. Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the audio signals may be stored in the client device 111, not on the side of the voice communication server 120. At this time, user A demands the audio signals to be transmitted to the voice communication system 700 instead of inputting voice signals whereby user A enables the audio signals to be transmitted to user B and user C. The client devices 112, 113 having received the voice signals (or changed voice signals, voice signals synthesized with predetermined audio signals, predetermined audio signals) outputs the voice signals through a speaker and then provides the same to user B and user C in step 213. Furthermore, the voice communication system 700 decides whether or not predetermined time-out (e.g., one minute) has passed from the time when user A had the right to speak. In case time-out has passed at the result of decision, the system 700 collects the right to speak and then gives the same to the next member having the right to speak according to floor logic stored in the session database 705. Since the voice communication method according to the present embodiment enables only one member having the right to speak to transmit voice signals, there is a possibility to disturb smooth voice communication. Therefore, the method stores the set time-out in the session database 705, counts the time from the point of time when the right to speak was given and, if the time-out passes, enables other member to have the right to speak. If there is an event ending a session such that all the members disconnect or transmit commands of 'rejecting' voice communication, the voice communication system 700 deletes the relevant session information from the session database 705 and then ends the session. Therefore, the system 700 prevents consumption of the session database 705 from increasing, which is caused when unnecessary session information is remaining. Users A to C can make real-time voice communication at any time by transmitting voice signals in the state of pressing a hotkey (in case of having the right to speak) or receiving voice signals from the voice communication system 700 (in case of not having the right to speak). If a voice communication program installed in a client device is connected to the voice communication system 700, the program receives information about the communication state of a buddy, who is registered by a user, from the voice communication system 700 and then displays the buddy list and the communication state corresponding to the buddy on an indicating device of the client device. Accordingly, the user can know the communication state of the buddy. In addition, if there is any change in the communication state of the buddy, the voice commumcation system 700 reports the event to the client device. The client device changes the communication state corresponding to the buddy and then displays the changed communication state. Furthermore, the present invention provides computer readable media recording a program for implementing the voice communication method according to each embodiment of the present invention. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD- ROM disks; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The media may also be a transmission medium such as optical or metallic lines, wave guides, etc. including a carrier wave transmitting signals specifying the program instructions, data structures, etc. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. Hereinafter, the voice communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be in detail described. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the voice communication system 700 according to the present embodiment, wherein the voice communication system 700 comprises the user interface unit 701, the communication database unit 702, the session processor 703, the session information generating unit 704, the session database 705 and the voice relay unit 706. The user interface unit 701 receives communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from client devices 111, 112, 113 and the communication database 702 stores the communication information in association with the user. The session processor 703 decides a member corresponding to a predetermined session according to various methods as aforementioned in the embodiments and generates a control command to set the session. In case the game server 130 decides a member corresponding to the session, the voice communication system 700 more comprises the game server 130 and the interface for transmitting/receiving data as illustrated in FIG. 4. The session information generating unit 704 receives the control command, searches communication information related to the member from the communication database 702 according to the control command and generates session information as illustrated in FIG. 6 and then stores the session information in the session database 705. The voice relay unit 706 decides a member having the right to speak according to floor logic included in the session information, copies voice signals after receipt thereof from a member having the right to speak and then transmits the copied voice signals to other member except the member having the right to speak based on the session information (communication information included therein). According to the present embodiment like above, call setting can be made in a simple and fast manner since it is a simple process from deciding member corresponding to a session to generating the session information about the session. Accordingly, members corresponding to the session can make one-to-one or one-to- many communication in real time. Data structure stored in the communication database 702 has been described with reference to FIG. 5 and the session information has been described with reference to FIG. 6. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted. Meanwhile, FIG. 8 is an internal block diagram of a general-purpose computer which can be more adopted in configuring the voice communication system according to the present invention. The computer system 800 includes any number of processors 801 (also referred to as central processing units, or CPUs) that are coupled to storage devices including primary storage (typically a random access memory, or "RAM 802"), primary storage (typically a read only memory, or "ROM 803"). As is well known in the art, ROM 803 acts to transfer data and instructions uni-directionally to the CPU and RAM 802 is used typically to transfer data and instructions in a bi-directional manner. Both of these primary storage devices may include any suitable type of the computer-readable media described above. A mass storage device 804 is also coupled bi-directionally to CPU and provides additional data storage capacity and may include any of the computer-readable media described above. The mass storage device 804 may be used to store programs, data and the like and is typically a secondary storage medium such as a hard disk that is slower than primary storage. A specific mass storage device such as a CD-ROM 806 may also pass data uni-directionally to the CPU. Processor 801 is also coupled to an interface 805 that includes one or more input/output devices such as such as video monitors, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styluses, voice or handwriting recognizers, or other well-known input devices such as, of course, other computers. Finally, processor 801 optionally may be coupled to a computer or telecommunications network using a network connection as shown generally at a network interface 807. With such a network connection, it is contemplated that the CPU might receive information from the network, or might output information to the network in the course of performing the above-described method steps. The above-described devices and materials will be familiar to those of skill in the computer hardware and software arts. The hardware elements above may be configured to act as one or more software modules for implementing the operations of this invention.

Industrial Applicability According to the present invention, there is provided a voice communication method and system which can make real time one-to-one or unidirectional one-to-many voice communication while using an online game or communication service. Furthermore, according to the present invention, members can make real-time one-to-one or one-to-many voice communication and a call setting process (process from the time when call setting is completed to the time when it becomes possible to make voice communication) is simple compared with a NoIP telephone system or a general conferencing voice /video chatting system. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to make immediate voice communication. Furthermore, according to the present invention, if a user is decided as a member corresponding to the session, there is no need to wait for clear acceptance from a receiver (a member not having the right to speak). Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to make one-to-one or one-to-many voice communication without hindrance on the connected online game or community activity. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since an one-to-many (1:N) method is adopted in group communication contrary to general conferencing voice/video chatting servers, a process of mixing voice signals like a multilateral (N;M) method is not necessary. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to make efficient voice communication with low cost and to make good quality of voice communication by preventing voice quality from deteriorating which may occur during a voice mixing process. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is significant decrease in amounts of transmitted/received data compared with general voice/video chatting systems. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to minimize influence on transmission of data necessary for the connected online game or community system. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a voice communication program installed in a client device does not have to be manufactured in integration with other service program such as an online game program or a community program. Accordingly, the voice communication program can be executed as an independent program separately from the online game or the community program and can be less affected by other programs. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent quality of voice signals from deteriorating during the process of transmission/receipt of voice signals. On the contrary, according to the present invention, the voice communication program installed in the client device can be embodied in integration with other service program such as the online program or the community program. At this time, a service server of a game server and configuration elements of a voice communication server do not have to exist repeatedly. In addition, an interface with the game server is unnecessary. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce expenditure of development and operation. Although the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A voice communication method comprising the steps of: receiving communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from a user; storing the communication information in a communication database in association with the user deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to predetermined criteria; searching communication information related to the member from the communication database; generating session information including the communication information related to the member and then storing the generated session information in a session database; receiving voice signals from a member having the right to speak among the members and then copying the received voice signals; and transmitting the copied voice signals to other members except a member having the right to speak based on the session information.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the session information further comprises predetermined floor logic, the right to speak is a right given to a user permitted to transmit the voice signals and only one member has the right to speak among the members, and the method further comprises the step of deciding a member having the right to speak based on the floor logic.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the floor logic is used for giving the right to speak according to order in which a request for the right to speak is input from the member.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the request for the right to speak is applied by selecting a predetermined input means of a predetermined input device related to the member, and a program for processing the request for the right to speak is executed in an inactivated state.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of deciding a member having the right to speak based on the floor logic comprises the step of: collecting the right to speak if predetermined time-out passes, and then giving the collected right to speak to other member decided based on the floor logic.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to predetermined criteria comprises the steps of: receiving a user selection from the user; and deciding the user and a user selected by the user as members corresponding to the session.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to predetermined criteria comprises the steps of: receiving a user selection from a game server to which the device of the user is connected; and deciding a user selected by the game server as a member corresponding to the session.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the above user selected by the game server is a user participating in a game provided by the game server, and the user is a user selected based on at least one among whether a user is registered by the above user, and the above user's rank, role and ability, the above user's team and region in the virtual game world.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the game server implements the step of distinguishing a game character associated with a member corresponding to the session from the game character associated with other member and then indicating the game character.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the session information further comprises: floor logic which is enabled to give the right to speak according to the user's rank or role in the virtual game world; wherein the right to speak is a right to be given to a user who has been permitted to transmit the audio signals and only one member among the members has the right to speak, and the step of deciding a member having the right to speak based on the floor logic is further comprised.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving information about communication state from the user; and storing the information about the communication state in the communication database in association with the user; and the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to the predetermined criteria comprise the steps of: searching a possible user of making voice commumcation among users based on the information about the communication state; and deciding a member corresponding to the session among the searched users.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to the predetermined criteria comprises the steps of: transmitting a testing message to a predetermined user's device using communication information stored in the communication database; receiving a replying message to the testing message from the device; wherein the replying message includes information about whether or not the device is in a possible state of making voice communication; and deciding the user as a member corresponding to the session based on the received replying message.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of copying voice signals after receipt thereof from a member having the right to speak among the members further comprises the steps of: receiving a request for change of voice signals from the member having the right to speak; changing the received voice signals; and copying the changed voice signals.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving predetermined audio signals from the user; and storing the audio signals in the communication database in association with the user; and the step of copying voice signals after receipt thereof from the member having the right to speak among the members further comprises the steps of: receiving a request for synthesis with audio signals from the user; searching audio signals related to the user from the communication database; synthesizing voice signals received from the user and the audio signals; and copying voice signals synthesized with the audio signals.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving predetermined audio signals from the user; . storing the audio signals in the communication database in association with the user; copying the audio signals, in case there is a request for transmitting the audio signals from the user; and transmitting the copied audio signals to other members except the member having the right to speak based on the session information.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of deleting session information related to the session from the session database, in case the session is ended.

17. A voice communication method comprising the steps of: inputting location information and a voice channel receiving port in a predetermined voice communication server; receiving information about communication state related to a buddy from the voice communication server, wherein the buddy is a user registered by the user; displaying the buddy and communication state corresponding to the buddy; transmitting voice signals to other member corresponding to the session through the voice communication server; corresponding to the session during the period not having the right to speak and receiving voice signals from other member who has the right to speak; and outputting the received voice signals through a predetermined speaker.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting voice signals to other member corresponding to the session comprises the step of transmitting voice signals input through a microphone during the specified input from the input device.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting voice signals input through a microphone during the specified input from the input device further comprises the steps of: changing the input voice signals; and transmitting the changed voice signals.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting the voice signals input through a microphone during the specified input from the input device further comprises the steps of: maintaining predetermined audio signals; synthesizing the audio signals and the voice signals; and transmitting voice signals synthesized with the audio signals.

21. A computer readable recording medium recording a program for implementing any one of claim 1 to 20.

22. A voice communication system comprising: a user interface unit for receiving communication information including location information and a voice channel receiving port from a user; a communication database for storing the communication information in association with the user; a session processor for deciding a member corresponding to one session among users according to predetermined criteria and generating a control command to install the session; a session information generating unit for searching the communication information related to the member from the communication database according to the control command and then generating session information; a session database for storing the session information; and a voice relay unit for copying voice signals after receipt thereof from a member having the right to speak among the members and then transmitting the copied voice signals to other member except the member having the right to speak based on the session information.