JPH0888684A - Inter-multi-point communication system and inter-multi-point communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an inter-multi-point communication system in which a communication path in the inter-multi-point is set surely. CONSTITUTION: The system is provided with a distribution means 1, a storage means 2, a comparison means 3, an incoming call accepting means 4, an incoming call rejecting means 5, and a line interface 16, specific information is distributed in advance with respect to a communication membership to each terminal equipment of the communication membership and the distributed specific information is stored in the storage means 2 and the comparison means 3 compares the specific information stored in the storage means 2 with the information relating to a caller informed at the arrival of the incoming call. Then the arrival of the incoming call is received in response to the result of comparison to prevent defect of acceptance of an incoming call from other terminal not being an object of inter-multi-point communication when the communication path is set in the inter-multi-point communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint communication system and a multipoint communication method, and more particularly to a multipoint communication system for connecting a plurality of points with a communication line to perform multipoint communication. It is suitable for use in a multipoint communication system that accepts only incoming calls from terminals listed in the participant list.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, communication services based on ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) have been put into practical use.
AV (Audio) using a digital line such as ISDN
Visual) services are drawing attention, and multimedia communication devices such as various video telephone devices and video conference systems are becoming popular.

Usually, by connecting a plurality of multimedia communication devices to a communication device called MCU (multipoint communication control unit), it is possible to perform multimedia communication between multiple points. Recently, JP-A-4-326
No. 239, JP-A-5-22321, and JP-A-5-22321.
As shown in No. 22322, by connecting a plurality of multimedia communication devices in a chain or loop,
An MCU-less system has been proposed in which multipoint communication is performed without the multipoint communication control unit MCU.

In the above-mentioned conventional multipoint communication system, it is necessary to set a communication path with a multimedia communication device participating in multipoint communication. As a method of setting a communication path for multipoint communication, for example, in a multimedia communication device, the names of members who are going to participate in the multipoint communication, the telephone number of the multimedia communication device they own, etc. are registered in a group. A method of setting a communication path for a registered multimedia communication device is used.

In the above-mentioned conventional MCU-less multipoint communication system, it is necessary to set communication paths in a chain or loop. For example, when these systems are applied to the ISDN basic interface, the communication paths between the multimedia communication devices are sequentially set in a chain or loop using two B channels.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional MCU-less multipoint communication system, when receiving a call from another multimedia communication device which does not perform multipoint communication at the time of setting a communication path. I will end up.
For this reason, the B channel is used for communication other than multipoint communication, and there is a drawback that a chain or loop communication path cannot be set. In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multipoint communication system capable of reliably setting a communication path in multipoint communication.

[0007]

According to the multipoint communication system of the present invention, in the multipoint communication system in which a plurality of points are connected by a communication line to perform multipoint communication, unique information indicating a communication member is transmitted. Relationship between distribution means for distributing, storage means for storing the unique information distributed by the distribution means, unique information stored in the storage means, and information about a sender notified when an incoming call arrives Comparing means for comparing the incoming call and incoming call receiving means for receiving the incoming call of the caller according to the result of the comparison by the comparing means.

Further, the multipoint communication method of the present invention is a multipoint communication method in which a plurality of points are connected by a communication line to perform multipoint communication, and specific information indicating each communication member is stored in advance. It is characterized in that the stored unique information is compared with the information about the caller notified at the time of incoming call, and the incoming call of the caller is accepted according to the comparison result.

[0009]

Since the present invention comprises the above technical means, the unique information indicating the communication member is distributed before the multipoint communication is performed, and only the incoming call from the terminal related to the distributed unique information is accepted. Therefore, an incoming call from a terminal not notified by the unique information will be rejected, and an incoming call from another terminal not performing multipoint communication will not be accepted.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a multipoint communication system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a multipoint communication system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multipoint communication system of this embodiment comprises a distribution means, a storage means, a comparison means, an incoming call acceptance means, an incoming call rejection means, and a line interface 16. There is.

The distribution means is for distributing the participant list to the terminals of the participating members. It is assumed that the participant list describes the unique information of each terminal of the participating members and includes at least telephone number information in this embodiment.

The storage means is for storing the participant list distributed by the distribution means. As will be described later, the storage means creates an operation / display screen according to the control state of the entire apparatus and stores the application program. This is for storing a list of participants who perform execution and the like.

The comparison means is for comparing the telephone number on the participant list stored in the storage means with the caller number notified at the time of the incoming call. The incoming call acceptance means is for accepting an incoming call when, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, a telephone number that matches the caller number is detected from the telephone numbers on the participant list.

Further, the incoming call rejecting means rejects the incoming call if, as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, the telephone number matching the caller number is not detected from the telephone numbers on the participant list. It is for

In the multipoint-to-point communication system of this embodiment configured as described above, the unique information indicating each communication member is stored in advance, and the stored unique information and the information about the sender notified when the call arrives. The relations are compared, and the incoming call of the caller is accepted according to the comparison result.

Next, a concrete configuration example of the multimedia communication apparatus which is a constituent element of the multipoint communication system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Figure 2
In the figure, 1 is a handset which is one of the voice input / output means of the multimedia communication apparatus of this embodiment, 2 is a microphone which is one of the voice input means of the multimedia communication apparatus of this embodiment, and 3 is this embodiment. Speaker which is one of the audio output means of the multimedia communication device.

A voice interface unit 4 is for performing a switching process for switching the handset 1, the microphone 2 and the speaker 3 used as voice input / output means according to an instruction from a system control unit 14 described later.

The voice interface also produces an on / off hook detection process for detecting whether the handset 1 is in an on-hook state or an off-hook state, and an echo when the microphone 2 and the speaker 3 as voice input / output means are used. Echo cancellation processing to erase,
Dial tone, ringtone, busy tone, ringtone,
It also performs a tone generation process such as a hold tone.

Reference numeral 5 is a voice encoding / decoding unit, which is instructed by the system control unit 14 to be a 64 kbps PCM A-1.
aw, 64 kbps PCM μ-law, 64 kbps
/ 56kbps / 48kbps SB-ADPCM (7k
Hz audio), 32 kbps SB-ADPCM, 1
6 kbps (eg APC-AB), 8 kbps APC
It is for encoding a transmission voice signal or decoding a reception voice signal according to a voice signal encoding / decoding algorithm such as AB.

Reference numeral 6 denotes one of image input means, which is a camera for inputting a self-portrait or the like. Reference numeral 7 is also one of image input means, and a document camera for inputting pictures, drawings, etc., 8 is an input image from the camera 6 or the document camera 7, a received image from the other party, an operation screen, etc. Is a display unit for performing.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a video interface unit for switching processing of image input means, switching display of an input image, a received image, and an operation screen according to an instruction from the system control unit 14, and for displaying them on the display unit 8 in a divided manner. This is for performing the image signal combination processing of FIG. 10 is IT
UT Recommendation H.264. 261 is a video encoding / decoding unit that encodes a transmission image according to H.261 and decodes a reception image.

Reference numeral 11 is a data terminal for performing data communication, 12 is a data demultiplexing section 15 to be described later, which is sent from the data terminal 11 and the system control section 14, and at the same time receives the received data from the data terminal 11 or the system control section. This is a data interface unit for notifying the unit 14.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation unit, which is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. used for inputting control information for overall control of the multimedia communication apparatus of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 14 is a system control unit, which is a CPU, R
A storage unit that includes an OM, a RAM, an auxiliary storage device, and the like, and stores a participant list that monitors the state of each unit, creates an operation / display screen according to the control state of the entire device, and executes an application program. 14a and a comparison unit 14b for comparing telephone numbers.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a demultiplexing unit, which is recommended by ITU-T Recommendation H.264. 221, an audio signal from the audio encoding / decoding unit 5, an image signal from the video encoding / decoding unit 10, data from the data interface unit 12, data from the system control unit 14, and ITU-T Recommendation H.221. 22
1, H.I. Control information such as FAS and BAS of 242 is multiplexed in transmission frame units. In addition, the demultiplexing unit 15
It is also used to separate the received frame into each medium of the constituent unit and notify each part. A line interface unit 16 is for controlling the line in accordance with the ISDN user / network interface.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the multipoint communication system of the present embodiment, when multipoint communication is performed at four points of the multimedia communication devices 20a to 20d via ISDN, for example, between each point. It is necessary to set a loop communication path.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the first multimedia communication device 20a to the second multimedia communication device 20b, the third multimedia communication device 20c,
A fourth multimedia communication apparatus that performs multipoint communication from a fifth multimedia communication apparatus 20e that does not perform multipoint communication while the communication paths are sequentially set to the fourth multimedia communication apparatus 20d. Suppose there is an incoming call to 20d.

In the multipoint communication system of this embodiment, when setting a loop communication path, first, as shown in steps P301 to P303 of FIG. The participant list is distributed to all the multimedia communication devices that perform inter-communication, that is, the second to fourth multimedia communication devices 20b to 20d.

The participant list is made up of information including at least telephone number information of all multimedia communication devices for performing multipoint communication, that is, first to fourth multimedia communication devices 20a to 20d. Such distribution of the participant list is realized by, for example, ISDN D channel bucket transfer.

Second to fourth multimedia communication devices 20
In steps b to 20d, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed. That is, in step S1, the reception of the participant list is monitored. When the line interface unit 16 detects the reception of the participant list in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, and the system control unit 14 controls the first multimedia communication device 20a.
The participant list thus received is stored in the storage unit 14a.

Next, as shown in step P304 of FIG.
The first multimedia communication device 20a activates a call setting procedure for setting a communication path for the second multimedia communication device 20b.

In the second multimedia communication device 20b, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed again. That is, in step S3 of FIG. 5, an incoming call from another multimedia communication device is monitored.

When the line interface section 16 detects an incoming call in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the system control section 14 receives the first multimedia message from the incoming message from the first multimedia communication device 20a. The caller number indicating the telephone number of the communication device 20a is taken out.

Next, in step S5, the comparison unit 14
The telephone number of the participant list stored in the storage unit 14a by b is compared with the caller number. In this case, since the telephone number of the first multimedia communication device 20a is included in the participant list received from the first multimedia communication device 20a, in the next step S6,
The comparison unit 14b determines that there is a matching number, and the process proceeds to step S8, where the line interface unit 16 performs an incoming call acceptance process.

Then, as shown in procedure P305 of FIG. 4, the second multimedia communication device 20b activates the call setup procedure for setting the communication path to the third multimedia communication device 20c. To do. Similarly, in the third multimedia communication device 20c, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed again.

That is, first, in step S3,
Monitor incoming calls from other multimedia communication devices. Then, in step S3, the line interface unit 1
If the incoming call is detected by 6, the process proceeds to step S4,
The system control unit 14 extracts the caller number indicating the telephone number of the second multimedia communication device 20b from the incoming message from the second multimedia communication device 20b.

Next, in step S5, the comparison unit 14
The telephone number of the participant list stored in the storage unit 14a by b is compared with the caller number. In this case, the participant list received from the first multimedia communication device 20a includes the telephone number of the second multimedia communication device 20b. It is determined that there is a matching number, the process proceeds to step S8, and the line interface unit 16 performs an incoming call acceptance process.

Here, as shown in procedure P306 of FIG. 4, from the fifth multimedia communication apparatus 20e which does not perform multipoint communication to the fourth multimedia communication apparatus 20d which performs multipoint communication, Consider the case where the call setup procedure is activated.

In the fourth multimedia communication device 20d, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed again.
First, in step S3, an incoming call from another multimedia communication device is monitored. If an incoming call is detected by the line interface unit 16 in step S3,
In step S4, the system control unit 14 extracts the caller number indicating the telephone number of the fifth multimedia communication device 20e from the incoming message from the fifth multimedia communication device 20e.

Next, in step S5, the comparison unit 14
The telephone number of the participant list stored in the storage unit 14a by b is compared with the caller number. Since the telephone number of the fifth multimedia communication device 20e is not included in the participant list received from the first multimedia communication device 20a, there is no matching number by the comparison unit 14b in step S6. Is judged. When it is determined that there is no matching number in this way, the process proceeds to step S7, and the line interface unit 16 performs an incoming call rejection process.

Further, as shown in procedure P307 of FIG. 4, the third multimedia communication apparatus 20c activates a call setup procedure for setting a communication path for the fourth multimedia communication apparatus 20d. .

In the fourth multimedia communication device 20d, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed again.
First, in step S3, an incoming call from another multimedia communication device is monitored. If an incoming call is detected by the line interface unit 16 in step S3,
In step S4, the system control unit 14 extracts the caller number indicating the telephone number of the third multimedia communication device 20c from the incoming message from the third multimedia communication device 20c.

Next, in step S5, the comparison unit 14
The telephone number of the participant list stored in the storage unit 14a by b is compared with the caller number. Since the telephone number of the third multimedia communication device 20c is included in the participant list received from the first multimedia communication device 20a, in the next step S6, the comparison unit 14b.
It is determined that there is a matching number, and the process proceeds to step S8, where the line interface unit 16 performs an incoming call acceptance process.

Finally, as shown in procedure P308 of FIG. 4, the fourth multimedia communication device 20d activates the call setup procedure for setting the communication path to the first multimedia communication device 20a. To do.

In this way, the first multimedia communication device 20a accepts the incoming call from the fourth multimedia communication device 20d, so that the four points of the first to fourth multimedia communication devices 20a to 20d are connected. A loop-shaped communication path will be set up.

The line to which the multimedia communication device constituting the multipoint communication system of this embodiment is connected is
Not only ISDN but PSTN (analog telephone network) and CSP
It can be applied to various lines such as DN (circuit switching network) and LAN.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the communication path between the four points is configured in a loop is shown, but the multipoint communication system of this example is not limited in the number of points, The communication path may be configured in a chain.

In the above embodiment, ISDN D-channel packet transfer is used to distribute the participant list.
B channel packet transfer, user / user information transfer, etc.
Other means may be used.

When the additional service of the caller number notification of ISDN is used, the caller number is stored in the caller number information element of the call setup (SETUP) message corresponding to the incoming message of ISDN. PSTN or C
Even in the case of SPDN or LAN, by adding the function of notifying the caller number to the call setting procedure, the caller number can be verified.

In the above embodiment, the telephone number information is described as the unique information of the terminal. However, in addition to this, an identification number, an identification code, a member's name, or the like can be used as the unique information of the terminal. In this case, a table for associating the identification number, the identification code, or the member's name or the like with the telephone number of the terminal may be provided.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the unique information about the communication members is distributed in advance and only the incoming call from the terminal related to the distributed unique information is accepted. At the time of setting a communication path in multipoint communication, it is possible to prevent incoming calls from other terminals that do not perform multipoint communication. Thereby, there is an effect that a chain-shaped or loop-shaped communication path can be surely set.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing functions required to configure a multipoint communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a multimedia communication device which is a constituent element of the multipoint communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a multimedia communication device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for setting a communication path in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when an incoming call is received in the embodiment.

[Explanation of Codes] Distributing Means Storage Means Comparing Means Receiving Means Receiving Means 1 Handset 2 Microphone 3 Speaker 4 Voice Interface 5 Voice Encoding / Decoding 6 Camera 7 Document Camera 8 Display 9 Video Interface 10 Video Encoding Decoding unit 11 Data terminal 12 Data interface unit 13 Operation unit 14 System control unit 15 Demultiplexing unit 16 Line interface unit 20a First multimedia communication device 20b Second multimedia communication device 20c Third multimedia communication device 20d Fourth multimedia communication device 20e Fifth multimedia communication device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a multipoint communication system for connecting a plurality of points with a communication line to perform multipoint communication, a distribution means for distributing unique information indicating a communication member, and the distribution means for distributing the unique information. Storage means for storing the unique information, comparison means for comparing the relationship between the unique information stored in the storage means and the information about the caller notified when an incoming call arrives, and comparison by the comparison means A multipoint communication system comprising: an incoming call acceptance unit that accepts an incoming call from the caller according to the result. 2. The multipoint communication system according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is telephone number information of each terminal of a communication member. 3. The multipoint communication system according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is identification number information assigned to each terminal of a communication member. 4. The multipoint communication system according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is identification code information assigned to each terminal of a communication member. 5. The unique information is the name of a member who is planning to participate in multipoint communication.
The multipoint communication system according to. 6. A multipoint communication method for performing multipoint communication by connecting a plurality of points with a communication line, wherein unique information indicating each communication member is stored in advance, and the stored unique information and notification when a call arrives. A method for multipoint communication, characterized in that it compares the relation with information related to the caller and accepts the call from the caller according to the comparison result.