JP4012113B2 - Inter-terminal call status sharing method, system apparatus, and inter-terminal call status sharing processing program - Google Patents

Description

【００９４】
但し、最大設定太さはポイント数（ｐｔ）で表され、色相及び明度を表現する数値は「０」から「２５５」までの２５６ビット表現による。
【００９５】
ここで特に、音声通話の音量の単位時間平均により定義される車両間線分９の色相は、リンク両端車両間における会話の「盛りあがり具合」を表現するものであり、上記算出式によれば、最大の盛りあがり具合を「赤色（色相数値：０）」で、これに次ぐ比較的大きな盛りあがり具合を「黄色（色相数値：４３）」で、普通の盛りあがり具合を「緑色（色相数値：８５）」で、これに次ぐ若干の盛りあがり具合を「空色（色相数値：１２８）」で、最低の盛りあがり具合を「青色（色相数値：１７０）」で表現されるようになる（これらの色相は離散的代表値ではなく、色相数値が「０」から「１７０」までの連続値をとる）。
【００９６】
また、各端末間の通話切断後の経過時間により定義される車両間線分９の明度は、上記算出式によれば、当該通話切断時点から時間が経過するに従って、「灰色（明度数値：１２８）」から「白色（明度数値：２５５）」に変化するようになり、これにより、いわゆるフェーズアウト効果が上記色相に応じて表現されるようになる（図７では、各車両間線分９の明度をドットの密度（各車両間線分９の濃淡）により表現している）。
【００９７】
以上に説明した車両間線分９の太さ及び色彩に関する詳細を、色相（Ｈ：Hue）、彩度（Ｓ：Saturation）及び明度（Ｂ：Brightness）によるＨＳＢ表記で示すと、以下のようになる。
【００９８】
図８は、図７に示した車両間線分９の太さ及び色彩により表現されるリンク両端車両の通話状況を説明するための図である。
【００９９】
同図に示すように、このリンク両端車両通話状況（説明図）１０によれば、「丙子」は、しばらく前まで「甲氏」と長時間に亙り「食事場所」の話題で盛りあがっていたが（「車両間線分太さ」を参照）、現在は誰とも通話をしていない（ＨＳＢ表現の「Ｂの値」を参照）という状況が理解される。この状況は、タッチパネル２４に対する車両間線分９の太さ及び色彩に反映され（図７参照）、これにより当該状況の直感的な把握が可能となる。
【０１００】
以上のように、タッチパネル２４の地図上に車両間線分９が重畳表示された状態で、例えば、自車両の端末ユーザが「甲氏」の他車両アイコン８ｂを押下操作すると、表示変換部２７は、その押下操作に係る該当する他車両への通話要求をデータ制御部２６に通知する。
【０１０１】
そして、データ制御部２６は、押下操作に係る「甲氏」の端末ＩＤ及び電話番号を、記憶していた初期グループ端末データ７ａ（図４参照）から割り出し、その割り出した電話番号に対する発呼を端末通信インタフェース２１を制御して行わせる。同時に、データ制御部２６は、その発呼に伴って「甲氏」の間の通話が開始されたことを端末管理センタ３に認識させるために、その該当他車両に付与されている他車両端末ＩＤを自車両位置登録データ６（図２参照）に設定し、これを、端末通信インタフェース２１を介してＩＰ網１上の端末管理センタ３に通知する。
【０１０２】
また、以上の発呼に伴い、端末通信インタフェース２１は、移動体通信網４の交換機５に対し、「甲氏」との間の通話回線を、現在通話中にある「乙ちゃん」と「丁坊」との間の多地点間通話回線（図７参照）に追加するよう要請し、これに対し、交換機５は、自車両と「乙ちゃん」と「丁坊」と「甲氏」との間の多地点間通話回線（４者間通話回線）を設定する。
【０１０３】
（プログラム例）
以上の装置例及び方法例の説明から明らかなように、本発明における複数の通話状況共有端末２及び端末管理センタ３は、共にコンピュータの基本機能を具備しているため、本発明で実現しようとする所要の機能は、ソフトウェアプログラムにより構成することができる。
【０１０４】
即ち、当該プログラムを構成するに際しては、基本的に、複数の通話状況共有端末２に、自端末の位置を定期的に測定させるステップと、測定された当該端末位置を含む地図を所定の地図データに基づいて表示させるステップと、各端末との間の音声通話に伴う発声状態を定期的に取得させるステップと、測定された端末位置に関するデータ及び取得された発声状態に関するデータをＩＰ網１上の端末管理センタ３に通知させるステップとを具備させ、当該端末管理センタ３に、通知された端末位置及び発声状態に関する各データを保持させると共に、当該各データをＩＰ網１上の複数の通話状況共有端末２に通知させるステップと、保持された端末位置及び発声状態に関する各データにより特徴付けられる車両間線分９を算出させると共に、当該車両間線分９に関するデータをＩＰ網１上の複数の通話状況共有端末２に通知させるステップとを具備させ、当該複数の通話状況共有端末２に、通知された端末位置及び発声状態に関する各データ並びに車両間線分９に関するデータに基づいて、自車両アイコン８ａ及び各他車両アイコン８ａ並びに当該アイコン間に亙る車両間線分９を地図上に重畳表示させるステップを具備させるとよい。
【０１０５】
【実施例】
続いて、本発明の実施例として、各端末との間の音声通話を端末管理センタ３のＶｏＩＰ機能（ＶｏＩＰ：Voice over ＩＰ）を利用して行うための第１変形例と、歩行者が屋外で利用するＰＤＡ（Personal Digital Assistance）或いは自宅やオフィスのＰＣ（パーソナルコンピュータ）を構成端末とした場合の第２変形例とを説明する。なお、これら各変形例に用いる図面には、既に示したものと機能構成が同一又は同等の構成要素につき、同一の符号を付すものとする。
【０１０６】
（第１変形例）
図９は、本発明の第１変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置の機能構成図である。
【０１０７】
同図に示すように、この第１変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置β１は、前述の装置例に示した移動体通信網４における交換機５の交換機能に代えて、端末管理センタ３の通話状況管理部３２に、音声パケットのマルチキャストルーティングを行うためのＶｏＩＰ機能を具備させたものである。
【０１０８】
このＶｏＩＰ機能に対応するため、複数の通話状況共有端末２の端末通信インタフェース２１には、各端末との間の音声通話を上記端末管理センタ３のＶｏＩＰ機能を利用して行うための対応する機能手段を具備させ、さらに、音声制御部２５には、上記音声パケットの生成に供するために、マイク２２ａから入力された音声通話に係る音声をデジタル値に変換する機能を具備させるとよい。
【０１０９】
（第２変形例）
【０１１０】
図１０は、本発明の第２変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置の機能構成図である。
【０１１１】
同図に示すように、この第２変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置β２は、上述の第１変形例におけるＶｏＩＰ機能を採用しながら、複数の通話状況共有端末２がＧＰＳ機能部２３をもたない場合に対処するために（前述した装置例の基本機能を採用して構成することも可能）、端末管理センタ３内に、新たに管理サイト３５及び地理データベース３６を具備させたものである。
【０１１２】
即ち、管理サイト３５は、例えば、屋外或いは自宅やオフィスなどの第１〜第３メンバ利用環境Ｕ１〜Ｕ３に位置するＰＤＡやＰＣからのアクセスに対し、グループ構成の事前登録なしに、リアルタイムにグループの生成やメンバの追加を行うためのインタフェースを提供し、当該アクセスが行われたときに、グループ管理データベース３４の内容を更新してリアルタイムにサービスを提供するよう機能する。
【０１１３】
また、地理データベース３６は、複数の通話状況共有端末２の端末位置に関するデータ（緯度及び経度に関する情報）を、当該各端末の住所情報（市区町村名など）から取得可能に構成され、線分算出部３３は、当該地理データベース３６から取得された当該端末位置に関するデータに基づいて、各利用環境間（各端末間）の通話状況に応じた所要の端末間線分を算出する機能手段を具備する。
【０１１４】
これに対し、複数の通話状況端末装置２の表示変換部２７は、ＩＰ網１上の端末管理センタ３から端末通信インタフェース３１を介して通知された端末位置及び車両間線分９に関する各データに基づいて、所要の自車両アイコン８ａ及び各他車両アイコン８ｂ並びに当該アイコン間に亙る車両間線分９を、前述の装置例に示したタッチパネル２４に代る図示のディスプレイ２４ａに表示された地図上に重畳表示する機能手段を具備する。なお、タッチパネル２４における通話先選択機能は、図示のマウス２４ｂにより代替される。
【０１１５】
なお、ＰＤＡは、場合により市販のＧＰＳ端末を利用することが可能であるため、この場合には、先の装置例で示した自車両位置登録データ６（図２参照）により、所要の端末位置を、端末通信インタフェース２１を介してＩＰ網１上の端末管理センタ３に通知するようにすればよい。
【０１１６】
以上、本発明の実施の形態につき、その装置例並びにこれに対応する方法例及びプログラム例、並びに第１及び第２変形例を挙げて説明したが、本発明は、必ずしも上述した手段、手法及び手順にのみ限定されるものではなく、本発明にいう目的を達成し、後述の効果を有する範囲内において、適宜、変更実施することが可能なものである。
【０１１７】
【発明の効果】
以上、詳細に説明したように、本発明によれば、つながり感に関する具体的な情報を多者間で共有することが可能になると共に、その共有した情報に基づいて多者間で通話を行うことが可能になり、その実施に際しては、車両内環境のみならず、屋外或いは自宅やオフィスなど他の利用環境にも適用可能である。
【０１１８】
以上に伴い、例えばグループ旅行などの際に、グループ全体のつながり間や一体感を醸成することが可能となり、また、通話状況が相手にニュアンスとして伝達されるため、盛りあがっている会話に途中で参加したり、或いは、最近通話をしていない人を会話に誘ったりすることも可能となる。加えて、僅かな情報量及びそれに伴う安価な通信コストにより、位置情報のみに限らない種々の情報をやり取りすることが可能となる
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の装置例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置の機能構成図である。
【図２】図１に示したデータ制御部で生成される自車両位置登録データの形式を示す図である。
【図３】図２に示した自車両位置登録データの一例を示す図である。
【図４】図１に示した通話状況管理部で生成される初期グループ端末データの形式を示す図である。
【図５】図１に示した通話状況管理部で生成される同報グループ端末データの形式を示す図である。
【図６】図１に示したタッチパネルに対するアイコンの表示例を示す図である。
【図７】図１に示したタッチパネルに対する車両間線分の表示例を示す図である。
【図８】図７に示した車両間線分の太さ及び色彩により表現されるリンク両端車両の通話状況を説明するための図である。
【図９】本発明の第１変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置の機能構成図である。
【図１０】本発明の第２変形例に係る端末間通話状況共有システム装置の機能構成図である。
【符号の説明】
α，β１，β２…端末間通話状況共有システム装置
Ｕ１〜Ｕ３…第１〜第３メンバ利用環境
Ｖ１〜Ｖ３…第１〜第３メンバ車両
１…ＩＰ網
２…通話状況共有端末
２１…端末通信インタフェース
２２ａ…マイク
２２ｂ…スピーカ
２３…ＧＰＳ機能部
２４…タッチパネル
２４ａ…ディスプレイ
２４ｂ…マウス
２５…音声制御部
２６…データ制御部
２７…表示変換部
２８…温度センサ
２９…オーディオ再生部
３…端末管理センタ
３１…センタ通信インタフェース
３２…通話状況管理部
３３…線分算出部
３４…グループ管理データベース
３５…管理サイト
３６…地理データベース
４…移動体通信網
５…交換機
６，６ａ…自車両位置登録データ
７ａ…初期グループ端末データ
７ｂ…同報グループ端末データ
８ａ…自車両アイコン
８ｂ…他車両アイコン
９…車両間線分
１０…リンク両端車両通話状況（説明図）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inter-terminal call status sharing method, a system apparatus, and an inter-terminal call status sharing processing program, and more specifically, a plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to an IP network, and the plurality of call status sharing terminals. Terminal-to-terminal call status sharing method applied to a system comprising a terminal management center for managing the location of each terminal and the call status between terminals via the IP network, and the terminal-to-terminal call directly used for the implementation thereof The present invention relates to a situation sharing system apparatus and a terminal-to-terminal call situation sharing processing program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, P2P (Peer-to-Peer) has become widespread in the Internet world, and moreover, information sharing between individuals and between / within groups has become active. Under these circumstances, for example, in a vehicle environment where the development of telematics technology is remarkable, there is an increasing demand for information sharing among many people.
[0003]
In particular, assuming an information sharing service for vehicles traveling at high speed, the user of the vehicle terminal is confined in a closed space for a relatively long time, so that the user at the time of linking is not only linked to a plurality of vehicle terminals. It is desirable to be able to share information about the “connection feeling” between each other.
[0004]
Here, as a technology related to a general information sharing service that is not assumed to be used in an in-vehicle environment, Non-Patent Document 1 (multi-point voice call service by the function of an exchange) and Non-Patent Document 2 (IP base) (IP: Internet Protocol (multipoint teleconference service)), Non-Patent Document 3 (IP-based multipoint videoconference service), and Nonpatent Document 4 (multipoint videoconference service using third-generation mobile phones) The one described in is known.
[0005]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
“Denwa Conference Service”, [online], NTT East, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/50list/summary/#denwkaig>.
[0006]
[Non-Patent Document 2]
“Clear Conference”, [online], NTT International Communications, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://clearinghouse.ntt.com/conf/>
[0007]
[Non-Patent Document 3]
“Meeting plaza network meeting room”, [online], NTT-IT, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.meetingplaza.com/index-j.html>
[0008]
[Non-Patent Document 4]
“M-stage Visual Net”, [online], NTT DoCoMo, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/p_s/mstage/visualnet/index.html>
[0009]
Further, as a technique related to an information sharing service that is assumed to be used in an in-vehicle environment, a technique described in Non-Patent Document 5 (vehicle position information exchange service between car navigation terminals) shown below is known.
[0010]
[Non-Patent Document 5]
“Friend Search”, [online], Toyota, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://g-book.com/pc/service_menu/communication/>
[0011]
However, in the techniques described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, information other than voice cannot be transmitted as an information transmission target, and in the techniques described in Non-Patent Documents 3 and 4, video communication is mutually performed. It is possible to recognize the situation of the other party (facial expression etc.), but it is impossible to recognize the connection (link state) at the same time while having a video call with another person in parallel. is there.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the technique described in Non-Patent Document 5, although it is possible to make calls or send e-mails by recognizing the mutual vehicle position, no consideration is given to sharing information related to a sense of connection. It has not been.
[0013]
In view of these circumstances, research for realizing sharing of information related to the connection feeling is now being conducted in various fields, and typical techniques include, for example, Non-Patent Documents 6 and 7 shown below. There are those listed.
[0014]
[Non-Patent Document 6]
“Communication”, [online], NTT, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news01/0107/010723.html>
[0015]
[Non-Patent Document 7]
"Akari no Hito", "FaintPop", [online], NTT Communication Science Laboratories, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.kecl.ntt.co.jp/csl/msrg/members/ohguro/aware-j.html>
[0016]
In other words, the technique described in Non-Patent Document 6 proposes a technique for casually transmitting a person's “presence” to other people by changing sound or light or moving an object. In addition, the technique described in Non-Patent Document 7 proposes a technique for sharing a connection state between people with a small amount of information.
[0017]
On the other hand, as a service that has already been realized regarding sharing of the connection feeling, for example, there is a technique described in Non-Patent Document 8 shown below.
[0018]
[Non-Patent Document 8]
“Mimamori Hot Line”, [online], ZOJIRUSHI MAHOBIN, [Search April 25, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.mimamori.net>
[0019]
In other words, the technique described in Non-Patent Document 8 is a service that tries to infer the health status of a user from a remote location based on the operation status of the electric pot, for example, on / off of a power switch or a hot water supply time zone. It is.
[0020]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technologies described in Non-Patent Documents 6 to 8 are intended only to share the existence of people and the connection between people. For example, the call is triggered by the information obtained. It does not provide a technique such as sharing specific information on connection feeling.
[0021]
Here, the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows.
[0022]
That is, the first object of the present invention is to provide an inter-terminal call status sharing method and system apparatus and an inter-terminal call status sharing processing program capable of sharing specific information related to a sense of connection among many people. To do.
[0023]
The second object of the present invention is to provide an inter-terminal call status sharing method and system apparatus and an inter-terminal call status sharing processing program capable of making a call between multiple parties based on shared information. is there.
[0024]
A third object of the present invention is to provide an inter-terminal call status sharing method and system apparatus and an inter-terminal call status sharing processing program that can be applied not only to in-vehicle environments but also to other usage environments such as homes and offices. To do.
[0025]
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and particularly the description of each claim.
[0026]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
First, in the method of the present invention, in a plurality of call situation sharing terminals, the position of the terminal is periodically measured, a map including the terminal position is displayed based on predetermined map data, and between each terminal Regularly obtains the utterance status associated with a voice call, notifies the terminal management center on the IP network of data related to the terminal location and data related to the utterance status, and retains each data related to the terminal location and utterance status in the terminal management center In addition, each of the data is notified to a plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network, and a line segment between terminals characterized by each data related to the terminal position and utterance state is calculated. Notifying a plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network, and in each of the plurality of call status sharing terminals, each data relating to the terminal position and utterance status and the line between terminals Based on the data relating to, superimposing an icon and a line segment between terminals over between the icon on the map for each terminal including the own terminal, take the characteristic configuration method called.
[0027]
On the other hand, in the device of the present invention, a terminal communication interface capable of simultaneously performing data communication with a terminal management center via an IP network and voice communication with each terminal via a plurality of call status sharing terminals. A microphone and a speaker for voice calls; a position measuring means for periodically measuring the position of the terminal; a map display means for displaying a map including the terminal position based on predetermined map data; and a voice call Voice control means for periodically acquiring the utterance state and data control means for notifying the terminal management center of data relating to the terminal position and data relating to the utterance state, and the terminal management center includes a plurality of data via the IP network. A center communication interface capable of performing data communication with the call status sharing terminal, and holding each data regarding the terminal position and utterance state Call status management means for notifying each of the data to a plurality of call status sharing terminals, calculating an inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and utterance state, and a plurality of data relating to the inter-terminal line segment Line segment calculation means for notifying the call status sharing terminal, and a plurality of call status sharing terminals related to each terminal including its own terminal based on each data related to the terminal position and utterance status and data related to the inter-terminal line segment Characteristic configuration means is provided which includes a display conversion means for superimposing and displaying icons and inter-terminal line segments between the icons on a map.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the program of the present invention, a step of causing a plurality of call status sharing terminals to periodically measure the position of the terminal, a step of displaying a map including the terminal position based on predetermined map data, and each terminal A step of periodically acquiring a voice state associated with a voice call with the terminal, and a step of notifying the terminal management center on the IP network of data relating to the terminal position and data relating to the voice state, the terminal management center Holding each data related to the terminal position and utterance state, and notifying each of the data to a plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network, and a line segment between terminals characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and utterance state And a step of notifying data related to the line segment between terminals to a plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network. Based on the data related to the terminal position and utterance state and the data related to the line segment between the terminals, the terminals related to each terminal including the terminal and the inter-terminal line extending between the icons. A characteristic configuration procedure of providing a step of superimposing and displaying minutes on a map is taken.
[0029]
More specifically, in solving the problem, the present invention achieves the object by adopting a novel characteristic configuration method, means or procedure from the superordinate concept listed below to the subordinate concept of the present invention. It will be done.
[0030]
That is, the first feature of the method of the present invention is that a plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to an IP network, the positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals, and the call status between the terminals are transmitted through the IP network. An inter-terminal call status sharing method applied to a system configured to have a terminal management center for managing, wherein, in the plurality of call status sharing terminals, the position of the own terminal is periodically measured and measured The map including the terminal position is displayed based on predetermined map data, the utterance state accompanying the voice call with each terminal is periodically acquired, the data regarding the measured terminal position and the acquired The terminal management center on the IP network is notified of data related to the utterance state, and the terminal management center stores each data related to the notified terminal position and the utterance state, and Notifying each of the data to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network, calculating an inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the held terminal position and the utterance state, and the inter-terminal line segment To the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network, and in the plurality of call status sharing terminals, the notified data regarding the terminal position and the utterance state and the data regarding the inter-terminal line segment Based on the configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing method, in which icons relating to the respective terminals including the self-terminal and inter-terminal line segments extending between the icons are superimposed and displayed on the map.
[0031]
According to a second feature of the method of the present invention, the terminal management center in the first feature of the method of the present invention is configured to specify the telephone numbers of the plurality of call status sharing terminals in the corresponding group held in a group. Calling the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network together with each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance status, and the plurality of call status sharing terminals specified by the notified selection of the telephone number A configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing method, in which a telephone line with a destination terminal is set, is employed.
[0032]
A third feature of the method of the present invention is that the terminal management center according to the first or second feature of the method of the present invention can acquire the voice call as data relating to the utterance state when calculating the line segment between the terminals. The hue of the line between the terminals is set according to the volume of the terminal, and the thickness and brightness of the line between the terminals are set according to the call time between the terminals and the elapsed time after the call is disconnected. The configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing method is adopted.
[0033]
According to a fourth feature of the method of the present invention, when the plurality of call status sharing terminals in the first, second, or third feature of the method of the present invention displays the icons related to the terminals other than the terminal, The size of the icon is changed according to the volume of the voice call that can be acquired as data relating to the utterance state, and the temperature according to the temperature around the terminal that can be acquired as data relating to the surrounding environment during the voice call. The configuration of the terminal-to-terminal call status sharing method, in which the hue of the icon is changed, is employed.
[0034]
A fifth feature of the method of the present invention is that the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the first, second, third, or fourth features of the method of the present invention are the icons related to the respective terminals other than the own terminal. At the time of display, the utterance keywords that frequently appear during the voice call that can be acquired as data relating to the utterance state are displayed in the peripheral display area of the icon and / or the display area of the line between terminals, and at the time of the voice call The present invention employs a configuration of a terminal-to-terminal call status sharing method in which audio information related to a receiving broadcast station name and / or a medium recorded song name that can be acquired as data related to the surrounding environment is displayed in the peripheral display area of the icon.
[0035]
According to a sixth feature of the method of the present invention, the terminal management center according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth feature of the method of the present invention is configured as described above based on address information of the plurality of call status sharing terminals. Obtaining data relating to the terminal location, calculating the required line segment between the terminals based on the obtained data relating to the terminal location, and the plurality of call status sharing terminals obtaining and calculating the data relating to the terminal location obtained On the basis of the data regarding the line segment between the terminals, the configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing method in which the required icon and the line segment between the terminals are superimposed on the map is employed.
[0036]
On the other hand, the first feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that a plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to the IP network, the positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals, and the call status between the terminals are transmitted through the IP network. An inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus configured to have a terminal management center for managing data communication between the plurality of call status sharing terminals with the terminal management center via the IP network; A terminal communication interface capable of simultaneously carrying out a voice call with each terminal, a microphone and a speaker provided for the voice call by this terminal communication interface, and a position measuring means for periodically measuring the position of the terminal itself A map display means for displaying a map including the terminal position measured by the position acquisition means based on predetermined map data, and the voice call through the microphone. Voice control means for periodically acquiring a voice state; data relating to the terminal position measured by the position measuring means; and data relating to the utterance state obtained by the voice control means via the terminal communication interface A data control means for notifying the terminal management center on the IP network, and the terminal management center can perform data communication with the plurality of call status sharing terminals via the IP network. A center communication interface, and each piece of data related to the terminal position and the utterance state notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network via the center communication interface, and the data is stored in the center Call status management means for notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network via a communication interface; The inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance state held in the speech status management means is calculated, and the data relating to the inter-terminal line segment is transmitted to the IP network via the center communication interface. Line segment calculating means for notifying to the plurality of call status sharing terminals above, the plurality of call status sharing terminals being notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface Based on the data regarding the terminal position and the utterance state and the data regarding the line segment between the terminals, the icons regarding the terminals including the terminal itself and the line segments between the icons are displayed on the map display unit. To adopt a configuration of a terminal-to-terminal call status sharing system device that includes display conversion means for displaying the map superimposed on the displayed map. The
[0037]
According to a second feature of the device of the present invention, the terminal management center according to the first feature of the device of the present invention has a group management database for grouping and holding telephone numbers of the plurality of call status sharing terminals, The call status management means in the terminal management center converts the telephone number in the corresponding group held in the group management database together with the data related to the terminal location and the utterance state via the center communication interface. A function means for notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the network, wherein the plurality of call status sharing terminals are notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface; A call destination selection means for selecting a number, and the display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals Terminal-to-terminal call status sharing system apparatus comprising functional means for setting a telephone line with a destination terminal specified by the telephone number selected by a destination selection means through the terminal communication interface The configuration is adopted.
[0038]
According to a third feature of the device of the present invention, each of the call destination selection means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals of the second feature of the present invention device except for the terminal displayed on the map display means. The present invention employs a configuration of a terminal-to-terminal call status sharing system device that functions in accordance with a pressing operation on the display area of the icon related to the terminal.
[0039]
A fourth feature of the device according to the present invention is that the voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the first, second, or third features of the device according to the present invention provides the voice call as data relating to the utterance state. A function unit for periodically measuring the volume, wherein the line segment calculation unit in the terminal management center is measured by the voice control unit as data related to the utterance state, and the plurality of call status sharing on the IP network Functional means for setting the hue of the inter-terminal line segment to be displayed on the map display means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the unit time average value of the volume notified from the terminal via the center communication interface The configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus is provided.
[0040]
A fifth feature of the device of the present invention is that the call status management means in the terminal management center in the first, second, third or fourth features of the device of the present invention measures a call time between the terminals. Map display on the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the unit time average value of the call time measured by the call status management means. The present invention employs a configuration of a terminal-to-terminal call status sharing system apparatus comprising functional means for setting the thickness of the terminal-to-terminal line segment to be displayed on the means.
[0041]
A sixth feature of the device of the present invention is that the call status management means in the terminal management center in the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth feature of the device of the present invention is a call between the terminals. A function unit that measures an elapsed time after disconnection, and the line segment calculation unit in the terminal management center corresponds to the elapsed time measured by the call status management unit in the plurality of call status sharing terminals. The configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus includes functional means for setting the brightness of the inter-terminal line segment to be displayed on the map display means.
[0042]
A seventh feature of the device of the present invention is that the voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth feature of the device of the present invention is characterized in that: A function unit that periodically measures the volume of the voice call as data related to the utterance state, and the display conversion unit in the plurality of call state sharing terminals manages the terminal management on the IP network as the data related to the utterance state Comprising functional means for changing the size of the icon for each terminal excluding the own terminal to be displayed on the map display means according to the instantaneous value of the volume notified from the center via the terminal communication interface Thus, the configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus is employed.
[0043]
An eighth feature of the device of the present invention is that the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh features of the device of the present invention are the voice call. A temperature sensor that periodically measures the temperature around the terminal as the data related to the surrounding environment, and the display conversion unit in the plurality of call status sharing terminals includes data on the IP network as the data related to the surrounding environment. Function means for changing the hue of the icon relating to each terminal excluding the terminal to be displayed on the map display means in accordance with the instantaneous value of the temperature notified from the terminal management center via the terminal communication interface The configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus is provided.
[0044]
A ninth feature of the device of the present invention is that the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth feature of the device of the present invention described above. Voice control means comprises function means for regularly recognizing utterance keywords frequently appearing during the voice call as data relating to the utterance state, and the display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals relates to the utterance state Peripheral display area of the icon related to each terminal excluding the own terminal displayed on the map display means, the utterance keyword notified as data from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface And / or adopting a configuration of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus comprising functional means for displaying in the display area of the inter-terminal line segment.
[0045]
A tenth feature of the device of the present invention is the plurality of call status sharing in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth features of the device of the present invention. The terminal has audio playback means for playing back audio related to the received broadcast station and / or medium-recorded music, and the voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals uses the audio as data related to the surrounding environment during the voice call. A function unit that extracts audio information related to the name of the received broadcast station and / or the recorded song name from the reproduction unit, and the display conversion unit in the plurality of call status sharing terminals includes data on the IP network as data about the surrounding environment. The audio information notified from the terminal management center via the terminal communication interface is used to display the own terminal displayed on the map display means. Ku said formed by a function unit that displays on the peripheral display region of the icon for each terminal, in the configuration adopting the inter-terminal call status shared system devices.
[0046]
An eleventh feature of the device of the present invention is the plurality of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth features of the device of the present invention. The inter-terminal call status, wherein the terminal communication interface in the call status sharing terminal comprises corresponding functional means for performing the voice call between the terminals using a switching function of a mobile communication network The configuration of the shared system apparatus is adopted.
[0047]
A twelfth feature of the device according to the present invention is the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth or eleventh feature of the device according to the present invention. The terminal communication interface in the plurality of call status sharing terminals comprises a corresponding functional unit for performing the voice call with the terminals using a VoIP function of the terminal management center. The configuration of the inter-call situation sharing system device is adopted.
[0048]
The thirteenth feature of the device of the present invention is the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth of the device of the present invention. Wherein the terminal management center has a geographic database capable of acquiring data related to the terminal positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals from address information of the terminals, and the line segment in the terminal management center The calculation means comprises a function means for calculating the required line segment between the terminals based on the data on the terminal location acquired from the geographic database, and the display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals Based on the data about the terminal position and the line segment between the terminals notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface, the required icon and the terminal Between a line segment formed by a function unit that superimposed on the displayed the map on the map display means, in the configuration adopting the inter-terminal call status shared system devices.
[0049]
On the other hand, the first feature of the program of the present invention is that a plurality of call situation sharing terminals configured to be connectable to an IP network, both having basic computer functions, positions of the plurality of call situation sharing terminals, and each terminal An inter-terminal call status sharing processing program applied to a system configured to have a terminal management center for managing a call status between the terminals via the IP network, and A step of periodically measuring the position, a step of displaying a map including the measured terminal position based on predetermined map data, and a voice state associated with a voice call between the terminals is periodically acquired. And notifying the terminal management center on the IP network of the measured data on the terminal location and the acquired data on the utterance state. And causing the terminal management center to hold each data related to the notified terminal location and the utterance state, and notifying each of the data to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network. Calculating a line segment between terminals characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance state, and notifying data related to the line segment between the terminals to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network; And the icons related to the terminals including the terminal and the icons based on the data related to the terminal position and the utterance state and the data related to the line segment between the terminals. A terminal-to-terminal call status sharing process including a step of superimposing and displaying the terminal-to-terminal line segment between them on the map; In the configuration adoption of grams.
[0050]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in order with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example apparatus, and corresponding method examples and program examples.
[0051]
(Example of equipment)
First, FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to an apparatus example of the present invention. In the figure, the most general application form in which the device of the present invention is applied to the in-vehicle environment is taken as an example.
[0052]
As shown in the figure, the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus α according to the present apparatus example is mounted on a plurality of member vehicles, that is, a first member vehicle V1, a second member vehicle V2, and a third member vehicle V3. And a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 (each of the on-board terminals in the second and third member vehicles V2 and V3 not shown) configured to be connectable to the IP network 1, respectively. The terminal management center 3 manages the location of the shared terminal 2 and the call status between the terminals through the IP network 1. The plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 and terminal management center 3 both have the basic functions of a computer.
[0053]
Among these, the call status sharing terminal 2 performs data communication with the terminal management center 3 via the IP network 1 as its basic component, and at the same time, each of the first to third member vehicles V1 to V3. A terminal communication interface 21 having corresponding functional means for performing a voice call with a terminal by using the switching function of the exchange 5 in the mobile communication network 4, and the voice communication by the terminal communication interface 21 is used. And the GPS function unit 23 (GPS: Global Positioning System. “Position measurement means” in the present invention) that periodically measures the position of the terminal itself, and the GPS function unit 23. In addition, for a voice call through the touch panel 24 ("map display means" in the present invention) that displays a map including the terminal position based on predetermined map data and the microphone 22a. The voice control unit 25 that periodically acquires the utterance state related thereto, the data related to the terminal position measured by the GPS function unit 23 and the data related to the utterance state acquired by the voice control unit 25 are transmitted via the terminal communication interface 21 to the IP And a data control unit 26 that notifies the terminal management center 3 on the network 1.
[0054]
On the other hand, the terminal management center 3 has, as its basic components, a center communication interface 31 capable of performing data communication with a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 via the IP network 1, and the IP network 1. While holding each data regarding the terminal position and the utterance state notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 via the center communication interface 31, the data on the IP network 1 is stored via the center communication interface 31. The call status management unit 32 for notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 and the inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance state held in the call status management unit 32, and the terminal A line segment calculation unit for notifying data related to line segments to a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 via the center communication interface 31 3 and configured to have a.
[0055]
Furthermore, the call status sharing terminal 2 determines its own terminal based on the data on the terminal position and utterance state and the data on the line segment between terminals notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21. A display conversion unit 27 that superimposes icons (details will be described in an example of the method) relating to each terminal including the terminal line segments (details will be described in an example of the method) between the icons on a map displayed on the touch panel 24. It is comprised.
[0056]
Here, the terminal management center 3 has a group management database 34 that holds user names (such as nicknames) and telephone numbers of a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 in a group while being associated with corresponding terminal IDs (ID: Identifier). The call status management unit 32 in the terminal management center 3 stores the telephone number in the corresponding group held in the group management database 34 through the center communication interface 31 together with each data related to the terminal position and utterance state. Functional means for notifying a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1.
[0057]
In addition, the call status sharing terminal 2 has call destination selection means for selecting a telephone number notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 on the touch panel 24, and the call status sharing terminal The display conversion unit 27 in the terminal 2 is a telephone call to a call destination terminal specified by a telephone number selected in accordance with a pressing operation on an icon display area related to each terminal other than the terminal displayed on the touch panel 24. Functional means for setting the line through the terminal communication interface 21, the mobile communication network 4 and the exchange 5 is provided.
[0058]
On the other hand, the voice control unit 25 in the call status sharing terminal 2 includes a functional unit that periodically measures the volume of a voice call as data related to the utterance state, and the line segment calculation unit 33 in the terminal management center 3 relates to the utterance state. According to the unit time average value of the volume measured by the voice control unit 25 and notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 via the center communication interface 31 as data, the call status sharing terminal 2 is provided with functional means for setting the hue of the line segment between terminals to be displayed on the touch panel 24 in FIG.
[0059]
The call status management unit 32 in the terminal management center 3 includes a function unit that measures the call time between the terminals. The line segment calculation unit 33 in the terminal management center 3 measures the call status management unit 32. In accordance with the unit time average value of the call time, a function unit is provided for setting the thickness of a line segment between terminals to be displayed on the touch panel 24 in the call status sharing terminal 2.
[0060]
Furthermore, the call status management unit 32 in the terminal management center 3 includes a functional unit that measures an elapsed time after the call disconnection between the terminals, and the line segment calculation unit 33 in the terminal management center 3 includes the call status management unit 33. According to the elapsed time measured by the unit 32, a function unit is provided for setting the brightness of the line segment between terminals to be displayed on the touch panel 24 in the call status sharing terminal 2.
[0061]
On the other hand, the voice control unit 25 in the call status sharing terminal 2 includes a function unit that periodically measures the volume of the voice call as data related to the utterance state, and the display conversion unit 27 in the call status sharing terminal 2 In accordance with the instantaneous value of the volume notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 as data relating to the size of the icon relating to each terminal other than the own terminal to be displayed on the touch panel 24 Functional means for changing are provided.
[0062]
The call status sharing terminal 2 has a temperature sensor 28 that periodically measures the temperature around the terminal as data related to the surrounding environment during a voice call. The touch panel 24 in the call status sharing terminal includes data related to the surrounding environment. The function of changing the hue of the icons related to each terminal excluding the terminal to be displayed on the touch panel 24 according to the instantaneous value of the temperature notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21. Means.
[0063]
Furthermore, the voice control unit 25 in the call status sharing terminal 2 includes a function unit that regularly recognizes an utterance keyword that frequently appears during a voice call as data related to the utterance state, and the touch panel 24 in the call status sharing terminal 2 includes: The utterance keyword notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 as data related to the utterance state is displayed in the peripheral display area of icons related to each terminal except for the own terminal displayed on the touch panel 24 and / or Alternatively, functional means for displaying in the display area of the line segment between terminals is provided.
[0064]
In addition, the call status sharing terminal 2 includes an audio playback unit 29 that plays back audio related to a medium-recorded music recorded on a receiving broadcast station and / or a CD (Compact Disc) through a speaker 22b. 2 includes a function unit that extracts audio information related to the name of the received broadcast station and / or the music recorded on the medium from the audio playback unit 29 as data related to the surrounding environment during a voice call, and shares the call status. The touch panel 24 in the terminal 2 relates to each terminal excluding the self terminal displayed on the touch panel 24 with the audio information notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 through the terminal communication interface 21 as data related to the surrounding environment. Functional means for displaying in the peripheral display area of the icon is provided.
[0065]
(Example method)
Subsequently, a specific example of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus α implemented by the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus α configured as described above will be described in accordance with the operation mode of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus α. explain.
[0066]
First, in the inter-terminal call status sharing system device α, the terminal communication interface 21 automatically sets a link related to data communication with the terminal management center 3 when the power (not shown) of the call status sharing terminal 2 is turned on. Or, it is set based on the user's operation, and at the same time, (1) the GPS function unit 23 periodically measures information on the current latitude and longitude of the terminal as data on the terminal position, and (2) the voice control unit 25 periodically measures and recognizes the volume and the utterance keyword through the microphone 22a as data related to the utterance state of the user voice call, and receives the name of the receiving broadcast station through the audio playback unit 29 as data related to the surrounding environment during the voice call. Audio information related to the music title recorded on the medium is periodically extracted, and (3) the temperature sensor 28 is connected to the surrounding environment. Periodically measuring the temperature around the host terminal as data about.
[0067]
Next, the data control unit 26 of the call status sharing terminal 2 periodically acquires each piece of data regarding the terminal position, utterance state, and surrounding environment obtained as described above from the corresponding component, Then, the following own vehicle position registration data is generated.
[0068]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of the host vehicle position registration data generated by the data control unit 26 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the host vehicle position registration data shown in FIG. is there.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 2, the own vehicle position registration data 6 relates to the “own vehicle terminal ID” given to the call status sharing terminal 2 of the own vehicle (for example, the first member vehicle V1), the terminal position, and the surrounding environment. “Terminal position”, “Volume”, “Temperature”, “Voice keyword” and “Audio information” as data, “Number of call partners” indicating the number of current call partners, and other vehicles except the own vehicle ( First to nth, for example, “first to nth other vehicle terminal IDs” assigned to the call status sharing terminal 2 of the second and third member vehicles V2 and V3).
[0070]
The data control unit 26 periodically notifies the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 of the own vehicle location registration data 6 configured as described above. However, at the initial stage of power-on, since the number of other parties is “0” and the first to nth other vehicle terminal IDs are unknown, the terminal management data 6a as shown in FIG. (However, the volume and utterance keywords in the figure are reference examples).
[0071]
On the other hand, the terminal management center 3 temporarily holds the own vehicle location registration data 6 notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 via the center communication interface 31 in the call status management unit 32. In order to permit group participation of the call status sharing terminal 2 that has notified the vehicle location registration data 6, the following initial group terminal data is generated.
[0072]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of initial group terminal data generated by the call status management unit 32 shown in FIG.
[0073]
As shown in the figure, the initial group terminal data 7a is given to the “group vehicle number” indicating the total number of member vehicles constituting the group and the call status sharing terminal 2 of each member vehicle (first to nth). And “terminal ID”, “user name (nickname)”, and “phone number”.
[0074]
The call status management unit 32 generates the initial group terminal data 7a having the above configuration with reference to the group management database 34, and first generates the own vehicle position registration data 6 through the center communication interface 31. The call status sharing terminal 2 on the notified IP network 1 is notified.
[0075]
On the other hand, the call status sharing terminal 2 stores the initial group terminal data 7a (telephone number) notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 in the data control unit 26. As a result, a function of setting the telephone line with the called terminal specified by the telephone number selected on the touch panel 24 through the terminal communication interface 21 is realized.
[0076]
Next, the call status management unit 32 of the terminal management center 3 every time new vehicle location registration data 6 is notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 via the center communication interface 31. The broadcast group terminal data shown below is generated.
[0077]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of broadcast group terminal data generated by the call status management unit 32 shown in FIG.
[0078]
As shown in the figure, the broadcast group terminal data 7b is given to the “group vehicle number” indicating the total number of member vehicles constituting the group and the call status sharing terminal 2 of each member vehicle (first to nth). "Terminal ID", "Terminal position", "Volume", "Temperature", "Voice keyword" and "Audio information" as data related to the terminal position and surrounding environment of the own vehicle, and other items other than the own vehicle “Terminal ID” given to the call status sharing terminal 2 of the vehicle (first to nth), “inter-terminal line segment” calculated for the other vehicle, and “ "Speaking keyword".
[0079]
When the above-mentioned broadcast group terminal data 7b is generated, the call status management unit 32 refers to the own vehicle position registration data 6 that is once held, and the line management unit 33 of the terminal management center 3 An inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data related to the terminal position and utterance state in the own vehicle position registration data 6 is calculated. As a result, the line segment calculation unit 33 incorporates the data related to the inter-terminal line segment related to the calculation into the broadcast group terminal data 7b through the call status management unit 32, and transmits the data via the center communication interface 31. Broadcast notification is sent to all call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1.
[0080]
On the other hand, the call status sharing terminal 2 recognizes the broadcast group terminal data 7b notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21 in the data control unit 26, and the broadcast “Terminal ID”, “Terminal position”, “Volume”, “Temperature”, “Voice keyword”, and “Audio information” for each other vehicle other than the own vehicle in the group terminal data 7 b are displayed in the display conversion unit 27. Forward. Instead of the terminal ID, the corresponding “user name (nickname)” already notified by the initial group terminal data 7a may be transferred.
[0081]
Next, the display conversion unit 27 displays icons related to each other vehicle (each terminal) including the host vehicle (own terminal) on the map displayed on the touch panel 24 based on various data transferred from the data control unit 26. Is superimposed on the screen. Hereinafter, an example of superimposed display of the icon will be described.
[0082]
FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example of icons on the touch panel 24 shown in FIG.
[0083]
As shown in the figure, the display conversion unit 27 displays a host vehicle icon 8a (a dotted circle and a triangle in the figure) indicating that the host vehicle is in the center of the map currently displayed on the touch panel 24. The other vehicle icon 8b indicating that it is another vehicle based on the data relating to the terminal position transferred from the data control unit 26 is displayed for the other vehicle existing in the display area of the map while being fixedly superimposed and displayed. Is superimposed on the corresponding part, and other vehicles existing outside the display area are superimposed on the periphery of the display area.
[0084]
Moreover, the display conversion part 27 is acquired as data regarding an utterance state together with a corresponding terminal ID or user name (nickname) in the peripheral display area of each other vehicle icon 8b currently displayed on the touch panel 24, as necessary. The voice information that frequently appears during a voice call and the audio information related to the name of the receiving broadcast station and / or the song name recorded on the medium acquired as data related to the surrounding environment during the voice call are superimposed and displayed as text.
[0085]
Furthermore, the display conversion unit 27 variably displays the size of each other vehicle icon 8b currently displayed on the touch panel 24 according to the instantaneous value of the volume of the voice call acquired as the data related to the utterance state ( In addition, the hue of each other vehicle icon 8b is variably displayed according to the instantaneous value of the temperature around the terminal acquired as data related to the surrounding environment at the time of a voice call. For example, it is displayed in a dark hue as the temperature rises).
[0086]
As described above, when the terminal user performs a pressing operation on the other vehicle icon 8b in a state where the other vehicle icon 8b is superimposed on the map of the touch panel 24, the display conversion unit 27 displays the other corresponding to the pressing operation. The data control unit 26 is notified of a call request to the vehicle.
[0087]
Then, the data control unit 26 calculates the terminal ID and the telephone number for the corresponding other vehicle related to the pressing operation from the stored initial group terminal data 7a (see FIG. 4), and makes a call to the calculated telephone number. The terminal communication interface 21 is controlled to be performed. At the same time, the data control unit 26, in order to make the terminal management center 3 recognize that the call with the corresponding other vehicle has started with the call, the other vehicle terminal assigned to the corresponding other vehicle. The ID is set in the own vehicle location registration data 6 (see FIG. 2), and this is notified to the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21.
[0088]
By the way, the line segment calculation unit 33 of the terminal management center 3 is based on the own vehicle position registration data 6 notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 via the center communication interface 31. Inter-terminal line segments (hereinafter referred to as “inter-vehicle line segments” in this sense) according to the call status (between each terminal) are periodically calculated, and display conversion of a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 is performed accordingly. The unit 27 uses the broadcast group terminal data 7b (see FIG. 5) to superimpose and display the inter-vehicle line segment over the host vehicle icon 8a and each other vehicle icon 8b on the map displayed on the touch panel 24. Below, the superimposed display example of the said line segment between vehicles is demonstrated.
[0089]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of line segments between the vehicles on the touch panel 24 shown in FIG.
[0090]
As shown in the figure, the display conversion unit 27 is placed between the required icons of the own vehicle icon 8a and each other vehicle icon 8b currently displayed on the touch panel 24, and the inter-vehicle line corresponding to the call status between the vehicles. Minute 9 is superimposed on the map displayed on the touch panel 24.
[0091]
In addition, the display conversion unit 27 is in a display area (on the line segment) of each inter-vehicle line segment 9 currently displayed on the touch panel 24, and what kind of conversation is performed in the vehicles at both ends of the link of the inter-vehicle line segment 9. The speech keywords that appear frequently during a voice call acquired as data relating to the speech state are superimposed and displayed as text so that the user can understand whether the speech is present. As the utterance keyword, the keyword having the highest appearance frequency among the individual occurrence keywords recognized by the vehicles at both ends of the link is adopted.
[0092]
Here, the line segment calculation unit 33 of the terminal management center 3 calculates the required inter-vehicle line segment 9 according to the unit time average of the volume of the voice call acquired as the data related to the utterance state. 9 is set, and the thickness and brightness of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 are set according to the unit time average value of the call time between the terminals and the elapsed time after the call disconnection. As the calculation formula at that time, for example, the following formula can be adopted.
[0093]
[Expression 1]

[0094]
However, the maximum set thickness is represented by the number of points (pt), and the numerical values expressing the hue and lightness are expressed by 256 bits from “0” to “255”.
[0095]
Here, in particular, the hue of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 defined by the unit time average of the volume of the voice call expresses the “excitement” of the conversation between the vehicles at both ends of the link, and according to the above calculation formula, The maximum appearance is “red (hue value: 0)”, the next relatively large appearance is “yellow (hue value: 43)”, and the normal appearance is “green (hue value: 85)”. Then, the next slight climax is expressed by “sky blue (hue value: 128)” and the lowest climax is expressed by “blue (hue value: 170)” (these hues are discrete representatives). Instead of a value, the hue value is a continuous value from “0” to “170”).
[0096]
Further, according to the above calculation formula, the lightness of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 defined by the elapsed time after the call disconnection between the terminals is “gray (lightness value: 128) as time elapses from the call disconnection point. ) "To" white (lightness value: 255) ", so that a so-called phase-out effect is expressed according to the hue (in FIG. The lightness is expressed by the density of dots (the shade of each vehicle line segment 9).
[0097]
Details regarding the thickness and color of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 described above are shown in HSB notation by hue (H: Hue), saturation (S: Saturation), and brightness (B: Brightness) as follows: Become.
[0098]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a call situation of vehicles at both ends of the link expressed by the thickness and color of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 shown in FIG.
[0099]
As shown in the figure, according to this link both-ends car call situation (description figure) 10, “Reiko” was talked about with “Mr. Ko” for a long time until “Meal place” was on the rise for a while. (See “Vehicle Line Thickness”), it is understood that no one is currently talking (see “value of B” in HSB representation). This situation is reflected in the thickness and color of the inter-vehicle line segment 9 with respect to the touch panel 24 (see FIG. 7), thereby enabling an intuitive grasp of the situation.
[0100]
As described above, for example, when the terminal user of the host vehicle presses down the vehicle icon 8b of “Mr. Kou” in a state where the inter-vehicle line segment 9 is superimposed on the map of the touch panel 24, the display conversion unit 27 Notifies the data control unit 26 of a call request to the corresponding other vehicle related to the pressing operation.
[0101]
Then, the data control unit 26 calculates the terminal ID and telephone number of “Mr. Ko” related to the pressing operation from the stored initial group terminal data 7a (see FIG. 4), and makes a call to the calculated telephone number. The terminal communication interface 21 is controlled to be performed. At the same time, the data control unit 26, in order to make the terminal management center 3 recognize that the call between “Mr. The ID is set in the own vehicle location registration data 6 (see FIG. 2), and this is notified to the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21.
[0102]
Also, in response to the above call, the terminal communication interface 21 makes a call line with “Mr. Ko” to the switch 5 of the mobile communication network 4 with “Oto-chan” and “ Requested to be added to the multi-point call line (see Fig. 7) with "Bo". In response to this, the exchange 5 exchanges between the own vehicle, "Oto-chan", "Dingbo" and "Mr. Ko". Set up a multipoint call line (four-way call line).
[0103]
(Example program)
As is clear from the description of the above apparatus examples and method examples, the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 and the terminal management center 3 according to the present invention both have the basic functions of a computer, and therefore are to be realized by the present invention. The required functions can be configured by a software program.
[0104]
That is, when configuring the program, basically, a step of causing the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 to periodically measure the position of the terminal itself, and a map including the measured terminal position to a predetermined map data On the IP network 1, a step of regularly displaying a speech state associated with a voice call with each terminal, data on the measured terminal position, and data on the acquired speech state on the IP network 1 A step of notifying the terminal management center 3, causing the terminal management center 3 to hold each piece of data related to the notified terminal position and utterance state, and sharing each piece of data on a plurality of call situations on the IP network 1 While making the terminal 2 notify, and calculating the inter-vehicle line segment 9 characterized by each data regarding the held terminal position and utterance state And a step of notifying a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 on the IP network 1 of data relating to the inter-vehicle line segment 9, and each of the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 relating to the notified terminal positions and utterance statuses. Based on the data and the data related to the inter-vehicle line segment 9, a step of superimposing and displaying the own vehicle icon 8 a and each other vehicle icon 8 a and the inter-vehicle line segment 9 extending between the icons may be provided.
[0105]
【Example】
Subsequently, as an embodiment of the present invention, a first modification for performing a voice call with each terminal using the VoIP function (VoIP: Voice over IP) of the terminal management center 3, and a pedestrian outdoor A second modification in the case where a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or a PC (personal computer) at home or office is used as a constituent terminal will be described. In the drawings used for these modifications, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same or equivalent functional configurations as those already described.
[0106]
(First modification)
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to the first modification of the present invention.
[0107]
As shown in the figure, the inter-terminal call status sharing system device β1 according to the first modification is replaced with a terminal management center 3 in place of the exchange function of the exchange 5 in the mobile communication network 4 shown in the above device example. The call status management unit 32 is provided with a VoIP function for multicast routing of voice packets.
[0108]
In order to support this VoIP function, the terminal communication interface 21 of the plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 has a corresponding function for making a voice call with each terminal using the VoIP function of the terminal management center 3. In addition, the voice control unit 25 may be provided with a function of converting the voice related to the voice call input from the microphone 22a into a digital value in order to provide the voice packet.
[0109]
(Second modification)
[0110]
FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to the second modification of the present invention.
[0111]
As shown in the figure, the inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus β2 according to the second modified example employs the VoIP function in the first modified example described above, while a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 are connected to the GPS function unit 23. In order to cope with the case where the terminal management center 3 is not provided (the basic function of the device example described above can also be adopted), the terminal management center 3 is newly provided with a management site 35 and a geographic database 36. It is.
[0112]
That is, for example, the management site 35 can perform grouping in real time without prior registration of the group configuration for access from PDAs and PCs located in the first to third member usage environments U1 to U3 such as outdoors or at home or office. An interface for generating a member and adding a member is provided. When the access is performed, the contents of the group management database 34 are updated to provide a service in real time.
[0113]
In addition, the geographic database 36 is configured to be able to acquire data (terminal and latitude information) related to the terminal positions of a plurality of call status sharing terminals 2 from address information (such as city names) of the terminals. The calculation unit 33 includes functional means for calculating a required line segment between terminals based on the data regarding the terminal position acquired from the geographic database 36 according to the call status between each use environment (between terminals). To do.
[0114]
On the other hand, the display conversion unit 27 of the plurality of call status terminal devices 2 displays each data regarding the terminal position and the inter-vehicle line segment 9 notified from the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 31. On the map, the required own vehicle icon 8a and each other vehicle icon 8b and the inter-vehicle line segment 9 between the icons are displayed on the display 24a shown in the figure instead of the touch panel 24 shown in the above-described device example. Are provided with functional means for superimposing and displaying. Note that the call destination selection function on the touch panel 24 is replaced by the illustrated mouse 24b.
[0115]
In addition, since a PDA can use a commercially available GPS terminal in some cases, in this case, the required terminal position is determined by the own vehicle position registration data 6 (see FIG. 2) shown in the previous device example. May be notified to the terminal management center 3 on the IP network 1 via the terminal communication interface 21.
[0116]
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the example of the apparatus, the example of the method and the program corresponding to the example, and the first and second modified examples. The present invention is not limited only to the procedure, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention and having the effects described below.
[0117]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to share specific information related to a sense of connection among multiple persons, and to make a call between multiple persons based on the shared information. In the implementation, it can be applied not only to the in-vehicle environment but also to other use environments such as outdoors or at home or office.
[0118]
As a result, for example, during group trips, it is possible to cultivate a sense of unity and unity between the entire group, and because the call status is communicated to the other party as nuances, you can participate in a lively conversation. It is also possible to invite a person who has not been talking recently to the conversation. In addition, it is possible to exchange various types of information, not limited to location information, due to a small amount of information and the accompanying low communication cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to an apparatus example of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of own vehicle position registration data generated by a data control unit shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing an example of own vehicle position registration data shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a format of initial group terminal data generated by a call status management unit shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of broadcast group terminal data generated by the call status management unit shown in FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram showing a display example of icons on the touch panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a display example of line segments between vehicles on the touch panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is a diagram for explaining a call state of vehicles at both ends of a link expressed by the thickness and color of a line segment between vehicles shown in FIG. 7; FIG.
FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of an inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to a first modification of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of an inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to a second modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
α, β1, β2 ... Terminal-to-terminal call status sharing system device
U1-U3 ... First to third member usage environment
V1 to V3 ... 1st to 3rd member vehicle
1 ... IP network
2. Call status sharing terminal
21 ... Terminal communication interface
22a ... Microphone
22b ... Speaker
23 ... GPS function part
24 ... Touch panel
24a ... Display
24b ... Mouse
25. Voice control unit
26: Data control unit
27: Display conversion unit
28 ... Temperature sensor
29 ... Audio playback unit
3. Terminal management center
31 ... Center communication interface
32 ... Call status management department
33 ... Line segment calculation unit
34 ... Group management database
35 ... Management site
36 ... Geographic database
4 ... Mobile communication network
5 ... Switch
6, 6a ... Own vehicle position registration data
7a ... Initial group terminal data
7b: Broadcast group terminal data
8a ... Own vehicle icon
8b ... Other vehicle icon
9 ... Vehicle line segment
10 ... Link call situation at both ends of the link

Claims (20)

A plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to the IP network, and a terminal management center that manages the positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals and the call status between the terminals through the IP network. A method for sharing call status between terminals that is applied to a system comprising:
In the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Measure the location of your device regularly,
Display a map containing the measured terminal location based on the given map data,
Regularly obtain the utterance status associated with voice calls with each device,
Notifying the terminal management center on the IP network of the measured data on the terminal location and the acquired data on the utterance state;
In the terminal management center,
While holding each data regarding the notified terminal location and the utterance state, and notifies each of the data to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network,
While calculating the inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data related to the terminal position and the utterance state held, the data about the inter-terminal line segment is notified to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network,
In the multiple call status sharing terminals,
Based on the notified data on the terminal position and the utterance state and the data on the line segment between the terminals, the icons regarding the terminals including the terminal and the line segments between the icons are displayed on the map. Superimposed on
A method for sharing a call status between terminals. The terminal management center
Notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network together with the data on the terminal location and the utterance status, the telephone numbers of the plurality of call status sharing terminals in the corresponding group held in a group,
The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
Setting up a telephone line with the called terminal specified in accordance with the selection of the notified telephone number;
The inter-terminal call status sharing method according to claim 1. The terminal management center
When calculating the line segment between terminals,
The hue of the line between the terminals is set according to the volume of the voice call that can be acquired as the data related to the utterance state, and the line between the terminals according to the call time between the terminals and the elapsed time after the call is disconnected Set the thickness and brightness of the minute,
The inter-terminal call status sharing method according to claim 1 or 2. The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
When displaying the icon for each terminal except the terminal itself,
The size of the icon is changed according to the volume of the voice call that can be acquired as data related to the utterance state, and the icon is changed according to the temperature around the terminal that can be acquired as data about the surrounding environment during the voice call. Change the hue,
The inter-terminal call status sharing method according to claim 1, 2, or 3. The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
When displaying the icon for each terminal except the terminal itself,
The utterance keywords that appear frequently during the voice call that can be acquired as data relating to the utterance state are displayed in the peripheral display area of the icon and / or the display area of the line between terminals, and the peripheral environment during the voice call Display audio information related to the name of the receiving broadcasting station and / or the name of the music recorded on the medium that can be acquired as data in the peripheral display area of the icon
The inter-terminal call status sharing method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4. The terminal management center
While obtaining data relating to the terminal location from the address information of the plurality of call status sharing terminals, calculating the required line segment between the terminals based on the obtained data relating to the terminal location,
The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
Based on the acquired data on the terminal position and the calculated data on the inter-terminal line segment, the required icon and the inter-terminal line segment are superimposed on the map,
The inter-terminal call status sharing method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. A plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to the IP network, and a terminal management center that manages the positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals and the call status between the terminals through the IP network. An inter-terminal call status sharing system device,
The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
A terminal communication interface capable of simultaneously performing data communication with the terminal management center via the IP network and voice communication with each terminal;
A microphone and a speaker provided for the voice call by the terminal communication interface;
A position measuring means for periodically measuring the position of the terminal;
Map display means for displaying a map including the terminal position measured by the position acquisition means based on predetermined map data;
Voice control means for periodically obtaining a speech state relating to the voice call through the microphone;
Data control for notifying the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface of the data related to the terminal position measured by the position measuring means and the data related to the utterance state acquired by the voice control means Means,
The terminal management center
A center communication interface capable of performing data communication with the plurality of call status sharing terminals via the IP network;
Each of the data related to the terminal location and the utterance state notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network via the center communication interface is held, and each data is stored via the center communication interface. Call status management means for notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network;
The inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance state held in the call status management means is calculated, and the data relating to the inter-terminal line segment is transmitted to the IP via the center communication interface. Line segment calculating means for notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the network,
The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
Each terminal including the own terminal based on each data related to the terminal position and the utterance state and data related to the line segment between terminals notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface Display conversion means for superimposing and displaying on the map displayed on the map display means the terminal line between the icons and the terminal line between the icons,
An inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus characterized by the above. The terminal management center
Having a group management database for grouping and holding telephone numbers of the plurality of call status sharing terminals;
The call status management means in the terminal management center includes:
The telephone numbers in the corresponding group held in the group management database are transmitted to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network via the center communication interface together with the data on the terminal location and the utterance state. With functional means to notify,
The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
A destination selection means for selecting the telephone number notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Comprising functional means for performing setting of a telephone line with a destination terminal designated by the telephone number selected by the destination selection means through the terminal communication interface;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7. The destination selection means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals is:
Functions in response to a pressing operation on the display area of the icon related to each terminal except the terminal displayed on the map display means;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 8. The voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Comprising functional means for periodically measuring the volume of the voice call as data relating to the utterance state;
The line segment calculation means in the terminal management center is:
According to the unit time average value of the volume measured by the voice control unit as the data related to the utterance state and notified from the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network via the center communication interface Functional means for setting the hue of the line segment between the terminals to be displayed on the map display means in the call status sharing terminal of
The inter-terminal call status sharing system device according to 7, 8 or 9, wherein The call status management means in the terminal management center includes:
Comprising functional means for measuring the call time between the terminals;
The line segment calculating means in the terminal management center is
Function means for setting the thickness of the line segment between the terminals to be displayed on the map display means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals according to the unit time average value of the call time measured by the call status management means. Have
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, or 10. The call status management means in the terminal management center includes:
Comprising functional means for measuring an elapsed time after disconnection of the call between the terminals;
The line segment calculating means in the terminal management center is
According to the elapsed time measured by the call status management means, comprising functional means for setting the brightness of the line segment between the terminals to be displayed on the map display means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
12. The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11. The voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Comprising functional means for periodically measuring the volume of the voice call as data relating to the utterance state;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
According to the instantaneous value of the volume notified from the terminal management center on the IP network through the terminal communication interface as the data related to the utterance state, each of the terminals excluding the terminal to be displayed on the map display means Comprising functional means for changing the size of the icon relating to the terminal;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
A temperature sensor that periodically measures the temperature around the terminal as data related to the surrounding environment during the voice call;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
According to the instantaneous value of the temperature notified from the terminal management center on the IP network as the data related to the surrounding environment via the terminal communication interface, each of the terminals except for the own terminal to be displayed on the map display means Comprising functional means for changing the hue of the icon relating to the terminal;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13. The voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Comprising functional means for regularly recognizing utterance keywords that frequently appear during the voice call as data relating to the utterance state;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
The icon related to each terminal excluding the own terminal displayed on the map display means, the utterance keyword notified from the terminal management center on the IP network as data relating to the utterance state via the terminal communication interface. Functional means for displaying in the peripheral display area and / or the display area of the inter-terminal line segment,
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14. The plurality of call status sharing terminals are:
An audio playback means for playing back audio related to the receiving broadcast station and / or medium-recorded music;
The voice control means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
A function unit that extracts audio information related to the name of a received broadcast station and / or a song recorded on a medium from the audio playback unit as data related to the surrounding environment during the voice call;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
The audio information notified from the terminal management center on the IP network as data related to the surrounding environment via the terminal communication interface, and the icons related to the terminals except for the own terminal displayed on the map display means Functional means for displaying in the peripheral display area of
16. The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. The terminal communication interface in the plurality of call status sharing terminals is:
Corresponding functional means for performing the voice call between the terminals using a switching function of a mobile communication network;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16. The terminal communication interface in the plurality of call status sharing terminals is:
Corresponding function means for performing the voice call between the terminals using a VoIP function of the terminal management center;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. The terminal management center
Having a geographic database capable of acquiring data on the terminal positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals from the address information of the terminals;
The line segment calculating means in the terminal management center is
Comprising functional means for calculating the required inter-terminal line segment based on the data on the terminal position acquired from the geographic database;
The display conversion means in the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
Based on the data on the terminal position and the line segment between the terminals notified from the terminal management center on the IP network via the terminal communication interface, the required icon and the line segment between the terminals are displayed on the map. Comprising functional means for displaying superimposed on the map displayed on the means;
The inter-terminal call status sharing system apparatus according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18. A plurality of call status sharing terminals configured to be connectable to an IP network, each having a basic function of a computer, and a terminal for managing the positions of the plurality of call status sharing terminals and the call status between the terminals via the IP network An inter-terminal call status sharing processing program applied to a system configured with a management center,
To the plurality of call status sharing terminals,
A step of periodically measuring the position of the terminal;
Displaying a map including the measured terminal location based on predetermined map data;
Periodically obtaining the utterance state associated with a voice call with each terminal;
Notifying the terminal management center on the IP network of the measured data on the terminal location and the acquired data on the utterance state,
In the terminal management center,
Holding each data related to the notified terminal location and the utterance state, and notifying the data to the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network;
Calculating an inter-terminal line segment characterized by each data relating to the terminal position and the utterance state held, and notifying the plurality of call status sharing terminals on the IP network of the data related to the inter-terminal line segment And having
To the multiple call status sharing terminals,
Based on the notified data on the terminal position and the utterance state and the data on the line segment between the terminals, the icons regarding the terminals including the terminal and the line segments between the icons are displayed on the map. Having a step of superimposing on
A terminal-to-terminal call status sharing processing program.

Images