JP2006115377A - Remote conference system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To omit a voice input/output function of a PC using an IP telephone, etc. as a microphone, a speaker of a remote conference and omit a multiplexing processing between voice data and other piece of media data by the PC. <P>SOLUTION: In this remote conference system, a data conference is performed among two points or many points of data conference terminals and users of each data conference terminal performs electronic conference communication while performing voice calls using IP telephones. When a connection request with a partner's base from a user at a calling base to the data conference terminal of the user using the IP telephone is performed, the data conference terminal or data conference terminals at other points connect the IP telephones at each point and connection for data conference is established among the data conference terminals at each point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone.

  Conventionally, a remote conference system capable of performing data conference communication between two or multi-point data conference terminals has been put into practical use.

  For example, there are those presented in Patent Documents 1 to 4. Further, a personal computer device equipped with Microsoft Windows can implement a remote conference system by using an application called NetMeeting.

  In addition to this, as a mechanism for realizing a remote conference system, ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 130, T.M. 132, T.W. 133. These are international standards for establishing all sessions of each media data in each terminal and executing an electronic conference controlling the voice channel and the data channel.

As an IETF draft, “draft-ietf-shipping-conferencing-framework-01” (http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-sipping-conferencing-framework-01.txt) It has been formulated.
JP-A-8-317068 JP-A-6-022310 JP-A-6-291860 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-234642

  In the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, the audio channel is first connected and then the video conference data channel is connected, but the audio data is switched so as to be multiplexed into the video conference data channel. That is, in order to execute a video conference, it is necessary to multiplex each piece of media data such as voice, moving image, and text, and a video conference application is required. This operation specification is ITU-T recommendation H.264. It is almost the same as 242.

  In addition, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 2, since a video conference is performed by using both a voice and data terminal and a moving image terminal, multiple processing of voice and data (such as text) is required. There was a need for an application.

  In addition, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 3, since an ISDN telephone is used for voice communication, the applicable line is fixed to ISDN, and cannot be applied to communication using an IP network.

  Also, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 4, when a videophone call is desired during voice communication between Internet telephones, a videophone connection request is transmitted to the terminal adapter using infrared rays. Although image communication is performed between terminal adapters, the operation in the case of multipoint connection with communication partners at a plurality of bases is not disclosed. Therefore, it was not possible to make a videophone call by multipoint connection within the disclosed operating range.

  Further, in the video conference application for personal computer devices, all sessions of each media data are established on the personal computer device. For example, using an established audio channel session, audio input from a microphone connected to the personal computer device is output from a speaker of a remote personal computer device, and using an established video channel session, Video input from a camera connected to a personal computer device is displayed on a monitor connected to a remote personal computer device, and input from the keyboard of the personal computer device using an established data channel session Sent the key code to the other party (text chat) and sent the display screen data to the other party (application sharing).

  In this case, there is a trouble that a microphone must be prepared as a voice input device and connected to a personal computer device. As a solution, for example, there is a method of replacing the microphone connection line with a wireless device by using a device configuration including a mobile phone equipped with Bluetooth and a personal computer device, and using a microphone and a speaker of the mobile phone. However, even in this embodiment, it is necessary to establish all the sessions of each media data in the personal computer device only by replacing the microphone connection line with the wireless connection.

  In recent years, mobile communication terminal devices (so-called “mobile phones”) equipped with a wireless LAN function have appeared (for example, Hitachi WIP-5000). When a mobile phone equipped with this wireless LAN function is used, there is an advantage that a voice call is not charged by sending voice data to the IP network in the office.

  However, when a wireless LAN mobile phone is used as a microphone or speaker of a personal computer device that performs a remote conference, it cannot be handled as a simple cable replacement like Bluetooth. If the personal computer device and the wireless LAN mobile phone are directly voice-communicated, the personal computer device needs to function as a bridge between Ethernet (wired LAN) and wireless LAN (a personal computer device having such a function). Is not yet commercially available).

  There is also a form in which an IP phone connected to the Ethernet is used as a remote conference microphone and speaker.

  The present invention has been made in view of the various circumstances described above, and uses an IP phone or a wireless LAN mobile phone as a remote conference microphone and speaker, and converts IP packetized voice data into a personal computer device. In this case, the personal computer device does not require a microphone or speaker by directly transmitting to the other party's IP phone (or wireless LAN mobile phone) without being multiplexed with other media data. The object is to eliminate the multiplexing process of data and other media data.

  Another object is to use a mobile terminal such as a PDA as a data communication terminal for carrying out a remote conference by sharing text data, handwritten data, display screen data, etc. with a partner terminal while talking with the other party over the phone. To do.

  Further, a command transmission function is provided to the telephone so that the telephone functions as a remote control for the personal computer device, thereby improving usability.

  The present invention provides a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone. When a call base user uses an IP phone to make a connection request to the other party's data conference terminal, the data conference terminal or the data conference terminal at another point is connected And a data conference connection is established between the data conference terminals at each site.

  In a remote conference mode in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals and a user of each terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone, the IP phone has a call function. And a remote control function for transmitting various commands to the data conference terminal at the same location, and the IP phone establishes a voice data connection with the other party and performs a data conference with the data conference terminal. A data conference terminal that receives the command is transmitted, and the data conference terminal that has received the command establishes a connection for data conference with the data conference terminal at another point.

  In a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone, After or before establishing the voice data connection, one IP phone transmits a data conference terminal address collection request command to the other IP phone, and the IP phone that has received the command receives the IP network. IP phone which detected a terminal having a data conferencing service from other terminals connected to, returned the address information of one terminal selected from the terminals, and issued an address collection request for the data conferencing terminal The data conference connection establishment request command is sent to the data conference terminal at the same location with the collected address of the data conference terminal at the other location. And transmitted along with, in which as the data conference terminal having received the command to establish a connection for data conferencing terminals and data conferencing other point.

  In a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone, After or before establishing the voice data connection, one IP telephone transmits a data conference terminal address collection request command to the other IP telephone, and the IP telephone that has received the command receives the IP telephone A terminal having a data conferencing service existing in the vicinity of the IP phone is detected by short-range wireless communication different from the IP network used for communication between the data conferencing terminals and the data conferencing terminals, and one selected from the terminals is detected. The IP phone that returned the address information of the terminal and made the address collection request of the data conference terminal collected the data conference end of the other point collected Is sent together with a data conference connection establishment request command to the data conference terminal at the same location, so that the data conference terminal receiving the command establishes a connection for data conference with the data conference terminal at another point. Is.

  As the IP phone, a wireless LAN compatible mobile phone that transmits and receives audio data on the wireless LAN can be used.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, an IP phone or a wireless LAN mobile phone can be used as a remote conference microphone and speaker. Therefore, the microphone and speaker are not required in the personal computer device, and the convenience of the user is improved.

  In addition, since the multiplexing process between the audio data and other media data in the personal computer device can be omitted, the performance of the personal computer device can be improved as compared with the case where the audio data is multiplexed. obtain.

  In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to use a PDA or the like having a lower specification than a personal computer device as a data conference terminal.

  In particular, since a remote conference can be easily executed even in an environment without a dedicated conference server, there is an advantage that convenience is improved.

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

  First, a case where a remote conference is performed between two points will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system in this case.

  In the figure, the base RA includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHa, a wireless LAN access point device APa, and a personal computer device PCa equipped with data conference software, and the base RB includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHb and a wireless LAN access point device APb. There is a personal computer device PCb in which data conference software is installed.

  The user at the base RA connects the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, and connects the personal computer device PCa and the personal computer device PCb to perform a remote conference. The IP address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb is designated as the IP address of the personal computer device PCb as the data conference terminal of the other party, and a connection request operation is performed on the personal computer device PCa.

  Note that the IP address described in this embodiment is IPv6, and each address is the only address that exists in the world.

  By this operation, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa transmits the information as a command to the personal computer apparatus PCa using a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) instant message (see “RFC 3428”). This command data is transmitted by being included in MESSAGE (method).

  When receiving this, the personal computer apparatus PCa transmits a command (including the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb) for inquiring the personal computer apparatus PCb about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb in the MESSAGE. When the personal computer apparatus PCb confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb, the personal computer apparatus PCb calls the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  This connection method uses a SIP third party call control method. The SIP third party call control specification has been prepared in several ways as an Internet draft, and the simplest method described in this draft will be described. The call control flow is shown in FIG.

  The personal computer apparatus PCb transmits INVITE (method) to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa without including SDP (Session Description Protocol).

  When the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa receives INVITE, it rings a ringing tone, and when the user presses the handset button, it returns 200 OK (response) including offer1, which is an offer (SDP). The personal computer apparatus PCb transmits the received INVITE including the offer 1 to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb.

  When the wireless LAN telephone device PHb receives INVITE, it rings a ringing tone, and when the user presses the handset button, it returns 200 OK including answer1 which is an answer (SDP) to offer1.

  Upon receiving this, the personal computer apparatus PCb transmits an ACK (method) to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb, and transmits an ACK including the received answer 1 to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa. Then, a voice data channel is formed between the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb so that voice data can be transmitted and received using RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol).

  Here, for example, UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) can be used as a method for the personal computer device PCb to confirm the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb. This UPnP is a standard that can detect a device on a network and know a service that the device can provide.

  Subsequently, the personal computer apparatus PCb establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCa, and executes a data conference such as application sharing. The protocol for executing this data conference is ITU-T recommendation T.264. Use 120 series.

  FIG. 3 shows a protocol configuration for the conference in the personal computer apparatus PCa and the personal computer apparatus PCb.

  The conference application 10 is a set of applications for executing an application sharing function, a whiteboard function, a file transfer function, and the like.

  An ASCE (Application Sharing Conference Entity) 11 is an entity for sharing an application among all terminals participating in the conference. An operation conforming to 128 is executed.

  A SICE (Still Image Conferencing Entity) 12 is an entity for transmitting and receiving bitmap data, handwritten drawing data, and the like. An operation conforming to 126 is executed. The SICE 12 is mainly used for the whiteboard function.

  A BFTE (Binary File Transfer Entity) 13 is an entity for performing file transfer, and executes an operation based on ITU-T recommendation T.127.

  A node controller 14 and a GCC (Generic Conference Control) 15 are conference control applications in which a terminal connected to a network executes a conference according to the control of the chairman and manages a list of terminal information such as capabilities and attributes of each terminal. ITU-T Recommendation T. The operation conforming to 124 is executed.

  An MCS (Multipoint Communication Service) 16 executes a session layer protocol between a plurality of terminals, and is an ITU-T recommendation T.264. An operation conforming to 125 is executed.

  As described above, the voice call and the data conference can be executed only by transmitting the data for requesting the conference connection from the wireless LAN telephone device PHa to the personal computer device PCa.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the personal computer apparatus PCa in this case.

  First, when a request command for telephone connection and data conference connection is received from the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa (the result of determination 101 is YES), the personal computer apparatus PCb is inquired about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb (process 102).

  Next, a data conference connection is established by activation from the personal computer apparatus PCb and a data conference is executed (process 103).

  FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the personal computer apparatus PCb in this case.

  First, when a command for inquiring about the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb is received from the personal computer device PCa (the result of the determination 201 is YES), it is checked whether or not the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb is confirmed (determination 202). When the result is YES, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb are called and connected to each other (process 203).

  Next, a data conference connection is established with the personal computer apparatus PCa and a data conference is executed (process 204).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a communication system when a remote conference is performed between three points. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The base RA includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHa, a wireless LAN access point device APa, and a personal computer device PCa equipped with data conference software. The base RB includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHb, a wireless LAN access point device APb, and data conference software. The base RC includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHc, a wireless LAN access point device APc, and a personal computer device PCc equipped with data conference software.

  In addition, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc can form voice data channels with a plurality of parties, and transmit voice data to other wireless LAN phones, respectively. It has a function to mix audio data received from.

  In order to perform a remote conference by connecting the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, the wireless LAN telephone device PHc, the personal computer device PCa, the personal computer device PCb, and the personal computer device PCc, the user of the base RA In the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, the IP addresses of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc are designated as telephone connection partners, and the IP addresses of the personal computer device PCb and the personal computer device PCc are designated as counterpart data conference terminals. A connection request operation is performed on the personal computer PCa.

  As a result, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa includes these pieces of information as commands in the MESSAGE (method) and transmits the information to the personal computer apparatus PCa.

  Upon receiving this, the personal computer apparatus PCa transmits a command (including the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb) for inquiring about the presence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb to the personal computer apparatus PCb by including it in the MESSAGE. A command for inquiring about the existence of PHc (including the IP address of wireless LAN telephone device PHc) is included in MESSAGE and transmitted to personal computer device PCc.

  Thus, when the personal computer device PCb confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, the personal computer device PCb notifies the personal computer device PCa of the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb in MESSAGE.

  The personal computer PCa makes a call to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  Similarly, when the personal computer apparatus PCc confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc, the personal computer apparatus PCc notifies the personal computer apparatus PCa of the address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc in MESSAGE.

  The personal computer apparatus PCa calls the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  Further, the personal computer apparatus PCa calls the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  Subsequently, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCb and the personal computer apparatus PCc, and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  In this way, a voice call between wireless LAN phones and a data conference between personal computer devices can be executed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of processing of the personal computer apparatus PCa in this case.

  First, when a request command for telephone connection and data conference connection is received from the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa (the result of the determination 301 is YES), the personal computer apparatus PCb is inquired about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb (processing 302).

  When the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb is acquired from the personal computer device PCb, a call is made to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, and the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb are connected (process 303). ).

  Next, a data conference connection is established with the personal computer device PCb and a data conference is executed (process 304).

  Further, the personal computer apparatus PCc is inquired about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc (process 305). When the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc is acquired from the personal computer device PCc, a call is made to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc, and the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc are connected (process 306). ).

  Next, a call is made to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc, and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc are connected (process 307).

  Then, a data conference connection is established with the personal computer device PCc, and the data conference connection with the personal computer device PCb is made to participate (processing 408).

  Even when an IP phone connected to Ethernet (wired LAN) is used instead of the wireless LAN telephone devices PHa, PHb, and PHc described above, the connection procedure and user operation are the same.

  In addition, when a WAN (Wide Area Network) is used as the IP network, an IPv4 global address can be used as the IP address.

  Next, another example of a remote conference between two points will be described. The system configuration applied in this case is the same as that shown in FIG.

  First, the user of the base RA designates the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb as the telephone connection partner and the IP address of the personal computer device PCb as the partner data conference terminal at the wireless LAN telephone device PHa. A connection request operation is performed on the PCa. Note that the IP address described in this embodiment is IPv6, and each address is the only address that exists in the world.

  By this operation, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa transmits these information as commands to the personal computer apparatus PCa using an SIP instant message.

  Upon receiving this, the personal computer apparatus PCa transmits a command (including the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb) for inquiring about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb to the personal computer apparatus PCb by an instant message.

  When the personal computer apparatus PCb confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb, the personal computer apparatus PCb calls the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb to connect the wireless LAN telephones. This connection method uses a SIP third party call control method.

  In this manner, the user of the wireless LAN telephone device PHa first starts a voice conversation with the user of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb.

  When the user performs an operation for starting a data conference with the personal computer device PCb on the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, the wireless LAN phone device PHa uses a data conference start command to the personal computer device PCa using an instant message. To send.

  Upon receiving this command, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCb, and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  Next, another example when a remote conference is performed between three points will be described. The system configuration applied in this case is the same as that shown in FIG.

  The user of the base RA designates the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc as telephone connection partners in the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, and requests connection to the personal computer device PCa. When the operation is performed, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa transmits the information as a command to the personal computer apparatus PCa using an instant message.

  Upon receiving this, the personal computer apparatus PCa transmits a command (including the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb) for inquiring about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb to the personal computer apparatus PCb by an instant message, and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc. A command (including the IP address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc) is transmitted to the personal computer device PCc by an instant message.

  Next, when the personal computer device PCb confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, it notifies the personal computer device PCa of the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb by an instant message.

  The personal computer PCa makes a call to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHb to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  When the personal computer device PCc confirms the presence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc, the personal computer device PCa notifies the personal computer device PCa of the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc by an instant message, and the personal computer device PCa communicates with the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN. A call is made to the telephone device PHc to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  Further, the personal computer apparatus PCa calls the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc to connect the wireless LAN telephones.

  In this way, the user of the wireless LAN telephone device PHa first starts a voice conversation with the user of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the user of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc.

  When the user performs an operation for starting a data conference with the personal computer device PCb and the personal computer device PCc on the wireless LAN phone device PHa, the wireless LAN phone device PHa sends a data conference start command to the personal computer device PCa. Send using instant messaging.

  Upon receiving this command, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCb and the personal computer apparatus PCc, and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  An example of the operation of the personal computer PCa in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, when a request command for telephone connection and data conference connection is received from PHa (process 401), a command for inquiring about the presence of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb is transmitted to the personal computer apparatus PCb (process 402).

  When the address of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb is notified from the personal computer apparatus PCb, a call is made to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb, and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb are connected ( Process 403).

  Next, a command for inquiring about the existence of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc is transmitted to the personal computer device PCc (process 404). When the address of the wireless LAN telephone device PHc is notified from the personal computer device PCc, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN A call is made to the telephone device PHc, and the wireless LAN telephone device PHa and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc are connected (process 406).

  Next, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc are called, and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb and the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHc are connected (process 407).

  When a data conference start command is received from the wireless LAN telephone device PHa (the result of determination 407 is YES), a data conference connection is established with the personal computer device PCb and a data conference is executed (process 408).

  Even when an IP phone connected to Ethernet is used instead of the wireless LAN phone described above, the connection procedure and user operation are the same.

  It is also possible to perform various operations during a data conference session, for example, operations such as document scrolling, as commands from the wireless LAN phone to the data conference terminal, and use the wireless LAN phone as a remote controller for the data conference terminal. is there.

  By the way, since the wireless LAN telephone device moves with the user, the user can perform a remote conference using the nearest personal computer device. In this case, a method will be described in which a remote wireless LAN telephone is notified of the address of a personal computer device capable of performing a data conference in the vicinity, and the remote conference is performed using the information.

  In this case, a case where a remote conference is performed between two points will be described next. The system configuration applied in this case is the same as that shown in FIG.

  First, the user at the base RA uses the wireless LAN telephone device PHa to call and connect to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb as a telephone connection partner, and starts a conversation with the user at the base RB. When the user at the base RA performs an operation to start a data conference on the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa transmits an address collection request command of the data conference terminal to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb by an instant message. .

  When the wireless LAN telephone device PHb receives this command, it attempts to detect a terminal having a data conference service from terminals connected to the network. As the terminal detection method, the above-described UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) can be used.

  For example, when the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb detects a terminal having a data conference service on the network by UPnP SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol), the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb obtains the device description of the terminal.

  This device description includes a model name (product name) of the terminal, a manufacturer name, a list of services and functions that can be provided by the terminal. The protocol used at this time is HTTP by UDP multicast for terminal detection (discovery), and HTTP (the lower protocol is TCP / IP) for obtaining a device description.

  The UDP multicast range for terminal detection is in the same segment as the wireless LAN telephone device PHb.

  When the wireless LAN telephone device PHb detects a terminal having a data conference service, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb is built in such a manner that the model name of the terminal is associated with the IP address of the terminal (obtained from the header of the received IP packet). The model name of these terminals is displayed on the display unit (liquid crystal screen) of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb. At this time, when the model name of the data conference terminal is displayed, the user selects one terminal to be used (only one model name is displayed and if it is used, it is designated).

  When designated by the user, the IP address stored in association with the designated model name is included in the response command of the address collection request and transmitted to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa by an instant message.

  On the other hand, if the terminal having the data conference service cannot be detected or if the user does not specify the detected terminal, the response command for the address collection request is sent to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa without including the IP address. Send.

  As a result, when the received response command includes an IP address, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa includes the IP address in the data conference connection establishment request command and transmits it to the personal computer device PCa by an instant message.

  Accordingly, when receiving this command, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCb, and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  On the other hand, if the IP address is not included in the response command received by the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, a message indicating that the data conference cannot be performed is displayed on the display unit.

  An example of the operation of the wireless LAN telephone device PHb in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, when an incoming call is detected from PHa (the result of determination 501 is YES), a voice channel is established with wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa, and voice data is transmitted / received (process 502).

  Next, when the address collection request command of the data conference terminal is received (the result of the determination 503 is YES), it is checked whether there is a terminal equipped with the data conference service using the UPnP SSDP (process 504).

  If it is determined that there is a terminal equipped with a data conference service (the result of determination 505 is YES), a device description is obtained and the model name is stored in association with the IP address (processing 506). ).

  Further, the model name is displayed (process 507), and it is checked whether or not it is designated by the user (decision 508). When the result of determination 508 is YES, the IP address stored in association with the specified model name is included in the response command and transmitted to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa (process 509).

  When the result of determination 508 is NO or when the result of determination 305 is NO, a response command that does not include an IP address is transmitted to wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa (process 510).

  If the user already knows the address of the personal computer device that conducts the data conference, that address is registered in the wireless LAN telephone device, and in response to an address collection request from another wireless LAN telephone device, The address may be notified.

  Next, a case where a remote conference is performed between three points in this case will be described. The system configuration applied in this case is the same as that shown in FIG.

  First, the user of the base RA uses the wireless LAN telephone device PHa to call and connect to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc as telephone connection partners, and talks with the users of the base RB and base RC. To start.

  Subsequently, the user at the base RB calls and connects to the wireless LAN telephone device PHc using the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, and enters a state where the three bases can talk to each other.

  When the user at the base RA performs an operation for starting a data conference on the wireless LAN telephone device PHa, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa sends an address collection request command of the data conference terminal to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN by an instant message. Transmit to the telephone device PHc.

  Upon receiving this command, the wireless LAN telephone device PHb and the wireless LAN telephone device PHc try to detect a terminal having a data conference service from among terminals connected to the network by the above-described method.

  When the data conference terminal is detected, the IP address of the data conference terminal selected by the user is included in the response command for the address collection request and transmitted to the wireless LAN telephone PHa by an instant message.

  Next, when the received response command includes an IP address, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa includes the IP address in the data conference connection establishment request command and transmits it to the personal computer device PCa by an instant message.

  When the personal computer apparatus PCa receives this command, it establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus of the designated IP address, and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  In addition, when the other response command received includes the IP address, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa includes the IP address in the data conference connection establishment request command and transmits it to the personal computer device PCa by an instant message. .

  When receiving the command, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus having the designated IP address, and joins the personal computer apparatus to the previously started data conference session.

  An example of the operation of the wireless LAN telephone device PHa in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, voice data is transmitted and received by connecting to the wireless LAN telephone devices PHb and PHc (process 601).

  When a data conference start operation is performed in this state (the result of determination 602 is YES), an address collection request command of the data conference terminal is transmitted to the wireless LAN telephone devices PHb and PHc (process 603).

  Next, it is checked whether or not an IP address exists in the response command received from one of the wireless LAN telephone devices PH (decision 604), and when the result of judgment 604 is YES, the received IP address is used as a data conference connection establishment request. The command is set and transmitted to the personal computer apparatus PCa (process 605). Note that when the result of determination 604 is NO, processing 605 is not executed.

  Next, it is checked whether or not an IP address exists in the response command received from the other wireless LAN telephone device PH (decision 606). When the result of judgment 606 is YES, the received IP address is used as a data conference connection establishment request command. Is transmitted to the personal computer PCa (process 607). If the result of determination 606 is NO, processing 607 is not executed.

  Even when an IP phone connected to Ethernet is used instead of the wireless LAN phone described above, the connection procedure and user operation are the same.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the wireless LAN telephone apparatus finds the data conference terminal connected to the network via the wireless LAN access point apparatus has been described. Next, a case where a data conference terminal is found by the Bluetooth method will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the figure, the base RA ′ includes a wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′, a wireless LAN access point device APa ′, a personal computer device PCa ′ equipped with data conference software and a Bluetooth communication function, and the base RB includes a wireless LAN telephone device. There are PHb, wireless LAN access point device APb, and personal computer device PCb on which data conference software is installed.

  The wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa 'also has a Bluetooth function, and performs, for example, IEEE802.11b wireless LAN communication with the wireless LAN access point apparatus APa, and performs Bluetooth communication with the personal computer apparatus PCa'.

  Here, since IEEE802.11b and Bluetooth use the same frequency band of 2.4 GHz and radio waves interfere with each other, Bluetooth uses an adaptive frequency hopping method.

  In this case, Bluetooth uses 79 frequency channels with a bandwidth of 1 MHz in the frequency band of 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz, and performs data transmission / reception by switching the channel up to 1600 times per second. In the adaptive frequency hopping method, The number of channels to be used is as few as about 20 to 30, and interference does not have to be given to the IEEE802.11b bandwidth that uses about 22 MHz in the frequency band of 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz.

  The hardware configuration of this wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa 'is shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ includes a CPU 21, a clock generation circuit 22, a main memory 23, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 24, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 34, a Bluetooth baseband circuit 35, a MAC. (MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL) processing circuit 31, DSSS / CCK (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum / Complementary Code Keying) modulation circuit 32, wireless transceiver 33, liquid crystal display 30, display control unit 29, operation unit 28, audio codec 25, microphone 26, speaker 27, battery 37, DC-DC converter 36, system bus 2 Consisting of, or the like.

  The CPU 21 executes and processes a control processing program, OS (Operating System) and various application programs stored in the flash ROM 24. The clock generation circuit 22 includes a crystal oscillator and a frequency dividing circuit, and generates a clock for controlling the operation timing of the CPU 21.

  The main memory 23 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and is used in the work area of the CPU 21 and the like. The flash ROM 24 is an electrically erasable and rewritable ROM, and can be erased / written in units of blocks, and a program for controlling the operation of the wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ is written in advance. .

  The UART 34 is an interface that transmits and receives serial data between the CPU 21 and the baseband circuit 35, and includes a FIFO (First In, First Out), a shift register, and the like.

  The Bluetooth baseband circuit 35 performs operations of the physical layer, transmission / reception of various packets, and the like. This physical layer executes signal modulation by GFSK (Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying), spread spectrum communication by frequency hopping, and the like.

  The MAC processing circuit 31 performs access control by CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avidance). Here, CSMA is a method for controlling how channel usage rights are allocated when a plurality of terminals use one channel.

  The DSSS / CCK modulation circuit 32 performs direct spectrum spread and CCK modulation. The MAC processing circuit 31 and the DSSS / CCK modulation circuit 32 are used in the IEEE802.11b wireless LAN.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 33 transmits a D / A converted signal as a radio wave from the antenna, or performs A / D conversion of the radio wave signal received by the antenna. The display control unit 29 causes the liquid crystal display 30 to display display data such as an operation menu.

  The operation unit 28 includes a numeric keypad, a function selection key, and the like, and inputs a key code of the pressed key.

  The audio codec 25 A / D converts the audio signal input from the microphone 26, 711 audio data and the G.711 received from the IP network NT. 711 audio data is D / A converted and an audio signal is output to the speaker 27.

  The battery 37 is a lithium ion battery, and current is supplied to various parts of the wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ via the DC-DC converter 36.

  The personal computer device PCa ′ is a desktop personal computer device, for example, a Bluetooth PC card BT (PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Standard International Card Standard)) via a PCI adapter board connected to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. ), And transmits / receives commands to / from the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ using a serial port profile. The personal computer apparatus PCa 'also has an Ethernet I / F and is connected to the IP network NT. Note that a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like that are used in connection with the personal computer apparatus PCa 'are not shown.

  Next, a case where a user at the base RB conducts a data conference using a wireless LAN telephone and a personal computer device with a user at the base RA 'will be described.

  The user at the base RB uses the wireless LAN telephone device PHb to call and connect to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa 'as a telephone connection partner, and starts a conversation with the user at the base RA'. When the user at the base RB performs an operation to start a data conference on the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa transmits an address collection request command of the data conference terminal to the wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ by an instant message. To do.

  When the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa 'receives this command, it tries to detect a terminal having a data conference service using Bluetooth.

  This terminal detection method will be described. The wireless LAN telephone device PHa 'serves as a Bluetooth master terminal, first detects a slave terminal existing in the vicinity, and establishes a link layer connection with the slave terminal.

  Here, when the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ transmits the LMP_name_req PDU and receives the LMP_name_res PDU from the slave terminal, the terminal name (parameter is a name fragment) of the slave terminal included in the LMP_name_res PDU is obtained.

  Next, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa 'executes a service discovery sequence to check whether the slave terminal is a terminal having a data conference service.

  This is because an SDP_ServiceSearchRequest PDU including a Service Search Pattern parameter including a UUID (service unique identifier) indicating that the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ is a data conference service is transmitted, and an SDP_ServiceSearch Response PDU as a response is received from the slave terminal. Can be examined.

  The wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ displays the terminal name of the slave terminal having the data conference service on the liquid crystal display 30. The user selects one terminal to be used (only one terminal name is displayed and if it is used, it is designated).

  When designated by the user, an IP address inquiry request command is transmitted to the terminal having the designated terminal name using Bluetooth serial communication.

  For example, when the designated terminal is the personal computer apparatus PCa ′, when the personal computer apparatus PCa ′ receives the IP address inquiry request command, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ includes its own IP address in the response command. Send to.

  When the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ obtains the IP address of the personal computer apparatus PCa ′, the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa ′ includes the IP address in a response command to the address conference request command of the data conference terminal and transmits it to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa.

  On the other hand, if the terminal having the data conference service cannot be detected or if the user does not specify the detected terminal, the response command for the address collection request is sent to the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa without including the IP address. Send.

  If the received response command includes an IP address, the wireless LAN telephone device PHa includes the IP address in the data conference connection establishment request command and transmits it to the personal computer device PCa by an instant message.

  Upon receiving this command, the personal computer apparatus PCa establishes a data conference connection with the personal computer apparatus PCa 'and executes a data conference such as application sharing.

  An example of the operation of the wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa 'in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, when an incoming call is received from the wireless LAN telephone device PHb (the result of the determination 701 is YES), a voice channel is established with the wireless LAN telephone device PHb, and voice data is transmitted / received (process 702).

  In this state, when the address collection request command of the data conference terminal is received (the result of the determination 703 is YES), it is checked whether or not there is a terminal equipped with the data conference service using the Bluetooth (determination 704).

  Here, if there is a terminal equipped with a data conference service and the result of determination 705 is YES, the terminal name is displayed (process 706), and it is checked whether or not the user specifies (determination 707).

  When the result of determination 707 is YES, an IP address is acquired from the designated terminal (process 708), and the acquired IP address is included in the response command and transmitted to the wireless LAN telephone device PHb (process 709).

  On the other hand, when the result of determination 707 is NO or when the result of determination 705 is NO, a response command that does not include the IP address is transmitted to wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb (process 710).

  If the wireless LAN telephone device PHa ′ and the wireless LAN access point device APa ′ perform IEEE802.11a wireless LAN communication using a frequency band of 5 GHz, Bluetooth needs to use an adaptive frequency hopping method. Absent.

  About each said Example, you may multiplex the moving image data input from a camera with the data transmitted and received by a data conference. This operation description is omitted.

The block diagram which showed an example of the communication system in the case of performing a remote conference between two points. The time chart which showed an example of the flow of call control. The block diagram which showed the protocol configuration example for a meeting. The flowchart which showed an example of operation | movement of personal computer apparatus PCa. The flowchart which showed an example of operation | movement of personal computer apparatus PCb. The block diagram which showed an example of the communication system in the case of performing a teleconference between three points. The flowchart which showed the other example of operation | movement of personal computer apparatus PCa. The flowchart which showed the further another example of operation | movement of personal computer apparatus PCa. The flowchart which showed the operation example of wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHb. The flowchart which showed the operation example of wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa. The block diagram which showed an example of the communication system concerning the other Example of this invention. The block diagram which showed the hardware structural example of wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa '. The flowchart which showed the operation example of wireless LAN telephone apparatus PHa '.

Explanation of symbols

PHa, PHa ′, PHb, PHc Wireless LAN telephone device APa, APa ′, APb, APc Wireless LAN access point device PCa, PCa ′, PCb, PCc Personal computer device

Claims (5)

In a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals, and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone,
When a user at the calling site uses the IP phone to make a request for connection to the other party's data conference terminal, the data conference terminal or the data conference terminal at another location will receive the IP phone at each location. A teleconferencing system that connects each other and establishes a data conferencing connection between data conferencing terminals at each site. In a remote conference mode in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals, and a user of each terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone,
An IP phone simultaneously executes a telephone call function and a remote control function for sending various commands to a data conference terminal at the same location. The IP phone establishes a voice data connection with the other party, and A remote conference, characterized in that a command for requesting establishment of a connection for data conference is transmitted, and the data conference terminal receiving the command establishes a connection for data conference with a data conference terminal at another point system. In a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals, and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone,
After establishing or before establishing a voice data connection between IP phones, one IP phone sends a data conference terminal address collection request command to the other IP phone, and the IP phone that has received the command Detects a terminal having a data conference service from other terminals connected to the IP network, returns the address information of one terminal selected from the terminals, and issues an address collection request for the data conference terminal. The IP conference terminal transmits the collected address of the data conference terminal at the other point to the data conference terminal at the same location together with the data conference connection establishment request command, and the data conference terminal receiving the command receives the data conference terminal at the other point. A teleconferencing system characterized by establishing a connection for data conferencing. In a remote conference system in which a data conference is performed between two or multi-point data conference terminals, and a user of each data conference terminal performs an electronic conference communication while performing a voice call using an IP phone,
After establishing or before establishing a voice data connection between IP phones, one IP phone sends a data conference terminal address collection request command to the other IP phone, and the IP phone that has received the command A terminal having a data conference service existing in the vicinity of the IP phone is detected by short-range wireless communication different from the IP network used for communication between the IP phones and the data conference terminals, and selected from among the terminals. The IP phone that sent back the address information of the other terminal and issued the address collection request for the data conference terminal requests the data conference terminal at the same location to establish the data conference connection with the data conference terminal address collected at the other point. The data conference terminal that has transmitted the command and received the command is connected to the data conference terminal at another point for data conference. Teleconference system, characterized in that to establish the Nekushon.   5. The remote conference system according to claim 1, wherein the IP telephone is a wireless LAN-compatible mobile phone that transmits and receives voice data over a wireless LAN.

Images