JP4292544B2 - Video conference management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a management system for performing a video conference by connecting various video conference terminals between a plurality of points via a communication network, and more specifically, a user directly makes a video conference reservation using a conference reservation function of groupware. The present invention relates to a video conference management system for performing reservation, setting, and management of video conferences that can be performed.

When a video conference is performed by connecting multiple bases, switching of communication lines and complicated settings are required. Generally, in order to efficiently connect and control a plurality of video conference terminals, an MCU (multipoint connection control) is required. Device). The MCU is used to implement video conferencing by connecting and connecting three or more locations simultaneously to collect and distribute video and audio through video / audio switching and mixing, etc. Usually, in order to realize these functions, the MCU It required a dedicated engineer and administrator to set up and maintain.
The MCU settings include resource settings for each conference, communication rate, audio rate, video rate, video session, number of screen divisions, video protocol, participant interface type, connection type, IP address, telephone number, Participant setting information consisting of signal port, number of line channels, audio volume, conference reservation start date and time, duration information, and so on.
In order to make these settings, it is necessary to be familiar with the MCU and the video conference terminal and the connection environment thereof. For example, in the connection of the video conference terminal and the communication speed setting, ISDN (Digital Integrated Services Network) For example, in the case of communication in the network, the setting for 64 kbps × N connection differs between the case where the number of connection bases is increased and the case where the number of conference connection bases is small and the detail accuracy is increased and the conference is to be performed. The necessary bandwidth needs to be calculated and set by the number, and so on.

In addition to connection setting, for example, the multimedia standard H.264 recommended by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) used on ISDN circuit-switched media. 320, H.264 is used as a video codec (compression coding / decoding method). 261, H.H. H.263 as a voice codec. 711, G.G. 722, G728, etc., and one of these needs to be selected. Also, H.264 is applied to real-time voice, data, and video communication via a packet-based IP (Internet Protocol) network. In H.323, H.323 is used as a video codec. 261, H.H. H.263 as a voice codec. 711, G.G. 722, G728, G.I. 723, G.G. 729 and the like, it is necessary to select and set in consideration of the type of communication line and its bandwidth.
In addition to connection settings such as communication lines, in addition to specifying the connection address and telephone number of the connection base as described above, the video of the speech point is distributed to all points as desired by the conference operator, or the chairperson There are settings such as setting the chair office as the station control and whether the chair office controls the video collectively, setting the number of screen divisions for dividing and displaying the video of the video conference terminal at multiple points, etc. It is not something that users can easily set up and use.

  MCUs are scalable and convenient even if the number of conference bases increases, so they are used by large companies with many conference bases that are frequently used. Some telecommunications carriers offer time lending services from the background. The video conference time lending service has a reservation and is assigned a telephone number. When the reservation time comes, the video and audio are distributed to each conference base by the MCU and a multipoint conference is performed. There are places. Disadvantages include not being able to make reservations during busy periods, not meeting the desired time or the desire to use it in a rush meeting, and being unable to accommodate extended time.

  Also, in video conferences, schedule management associated with the conference is indispensable, but usually the MCU itself does not have a schedule management function, so a reservation control device and a reservation operation terminal are separately required as optional software and a reservation management system. .

  On the other hand, as related to conference reservation management, groupware that supports cooperative work by a group of a plurality of people is known. In order to facilitate communication among the members in the group, the groupware has a destination display board with a message memo to clarify the location of the members in the group, an electronic bulletin board that publicizes the entire group, A scheduler that can share schedules, an electronic conference room where members discuss and discuss specific themes, ideas and know-how, document sharing to share various materials in a database, and documents that are circulated by multiple members, such as electronic documents Software that has various functions such as workflows to be distributed and distributed, reservations for conference rooms and equipment / equipment, and ToDo, etc. for grasping the daily work of individual members. It is common for notifications and access to the outside by mobile phone etc. It is popular.

As a video conference reservation system, Patent Literature 1 discloses a video conference reservation system and a video conference reservation method for reserving and automatically holding a video conference, and provides conference information necessary for connection operation. By transmitting to a conference terminal and a multipoint control device, it is possible to automatically perform a user operation when connecting to a video conference, for example, a dial operation to a predetermined number, and simplify the user operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video conference reservation system and a video conference reservation method that enable this. The content of the reservation is to transmit the conference information related to the connection time, connection destination information, and disconnection time required for holding the video conference from the reservation control device to the conference terminal and the multipoint control device, and perform the video conference connection processing. And the multi-point resource database process information related to reservations.
Patent Document 2 discloses a video conference system usage support apparatus that controls a plurality of video conference terminals by a multipoint control unit (MCU) as a means for easily performing complicated setting of a wide variety of information of MCUs. It is disclosed, and a video conference can be started, reserved, and confirmed by a simple operation.

JP 2002-314965 A JP 2002-135741 A

  However, it is not possible for any company to have a dedicated engineer or administrator to set up a lot of information required when using an MCU. In order to manage the reservation schedule for video conference reservations, too. Requires an administrator. Although the technology of Patent Document 1 or 2 is a method for solving these problems, it is a dedicated system or device, and still requires a certain level of proficiency. It was not easy for anyone to use.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the conference reservation function of the groupware that is usually used is used to make a video conference reservation, and the input operation that is usually used from a general user's terminal is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a video conference management system capable of holding a video conference. It is another object of the present invention to provide a video conference management system in which settings relating to a video conference can be performed on the Web from the user terminal side.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a video conference management system by a computer system for performing a video conference by connecting various fixed and / or mobile video conference terminals via a communication network. And
Arbitrary video conference terminals connected to a communication network, one or a plurality of MCUs (multi-point connection control devices) for controlling and managing the video conference terminals at the plurality of points, and at least electronic By a user terminal connected to a communication network for executing groupware having a conference reservation function capable of notifying a meeting holding by mail, and by an e-mail set by the user terminal and transmitted via the groupware A management server that receives a conference opening notification, controls the video conference terminal via the MCU, and manages various information associated with the video conference holding;
The management server specifies at least the start time, end time or holding time of the conference set by the user terminal and transmitted to the management server by the groupware, the conference location and / or the video conference terminal, and the conference participant A mail reception analysis means for receiving an e-mail including each meeting holding information to extract the information for holding the video conference from the e-mail;
A video conference management unit that performs control and management associated with holding a conference for the video conference terminal via the MCU based on the extracted conference holding information, and a control for the video conference terminal via the MCU by the video conference management unit Reference by schedule management means for managing various schedules for transmitting and receiving management information, meeting holding information extracted from the e-mail, information associated with the schedule management, control information for the MCU, and video conference management means A database for storing, updating, and referring to various information necessary for holding a video conference including a conversion table for converting the conference holding information in the e-mail into conference holding information for the MCU and the video conference terminal; It is characterized by providing.
The user terminal according to claim 2 functions as the video conference terminal for performing a video conference.

The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein the user terminal accesses the schedule management system to exchange information associated with the video conference, and can perform various settings for the MCU and the video conference terminal associated with the video conference. It has the web application program which performs.
The management server according to claim 4 has a function of acquiring video and audio information displayed on the video conference terminal via a communication network, and stores the acquired video and audio information of the video conference terminal in the database. It records as a video conference minutes which consist of digital data, and has a function which can acquire a desired video conference minutes from the said user terminal via the said Web application.
The management server according to claim 5 is an electronic device for notifying at least a video conference holding time or time change and / or notifying the user terminal of the video conference holding at a time immediately before the start of the video conference. A mail is generated and stored in the database, and the electronic mail is transmitted to the user terminal at a predetermined time set via the groupware.
The groupware executed by the user terminal according to claim 6, wherein the groupware realizes two-way communication with the management server and is managed by the management server and determined and held at least at a conference start time, It has an API (Application Program Interface) for exchanging various information reflecting the end time or holding time, change time, and meeting place with the management server.
The management server according to claim 7 has a function of sharing the database in the management server as a database of a plurality of groupware, and information associated with at least a video conference held between the plurality of groupware in the database. And information related to the video conference is shared between the plurality of groupwares.
9. The video conference management unit and the schedule management unit of the management server according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of groupware recorded in the database is shared in response to a video conference holding reservation from the plurality of groupware. The information is reflected in determining whether or not the corresponding video conference can be held by referring to at least the video conference start time, end time or holding time, the conference location and / or the video conference terminal.

  According to the video conference management system of the present invention, a video conference can be easily reserved by using an e-mail transmission function for notifying a conference opening in a conference reservation function of a groupware that is usually used by a user. In addition, the settings of the MCU and the video conference terminal connected to the MCU are stored in a database in advance so that it is not necessary to perform complicated settings for the MCU or the like necessary for controlling the video conference terminal each time. Thus, there is an effect that a general user can easily hold a video conference. In addition, by creating a configuration in which necessary settings are stored in advance as a database and automatically sending control information to the MCU or video conference terminal, the burden on the administrator who performs settings on the MCU or video conference terminal is reduced. There is. In addition, by automatically setting the MCU and video conference terminal, it is possible to easily set not only a plurality of video conference terminals but also a plurality of MCUs without requiring a dedicated engineer. In addition, a large number of video conference terminals over a plurality of points can be connected.

Next, a specific example of the embodiment of the remote access system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video conference management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a management server for managing a video conference management system, 2 is one or a plurality of MCUs (multi-point connection control devices) for controlling and managing video conference terminals at a plurality of locations, and 3 is a plurality of locations. H. It is an arbitrary video conference terminal such as a PC (personal computer) provided with a H.323 terminal or a camera, a movable PDA (personal digital assistant) or a mobile phone.

  5 is a user terminal composed of a general user who is a target of video conference participation or a general user who reserves a video conference having a groupware client function and a Web browser, and 4 is a plurality of users who are groupware clients. It is a groupware server that includes a function for performing schedule management for performing collaborative work within a user group by accessing from the terminal 5 and database management, and has at least a conference reservation function and is predetermined for a conference participant. It has a mail transmission / reception function for notifying that a meeting is held at the corresponding time.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a communication network that connects the management server 1, MCU 2, video conference terminal 3, groupware server 4, and user terminal 5 to each other through a necessary communication path using a communication network composed of one or a plurality of connections.

  The management server 1 includes a web server 11 that provides a web application for a person in charge of the video conference to access from a web browser of the user terminal 5 and make various settings related to the video conference. Receives an e-mail containing reservation information necessary for holding a video conference, transmitted via the server 4, and sends an e-mail to a conference participant who has registered the conference start information associated with the video conference holding on the user terminal. A mail server 12 for notifying by e-mail, mail receiving analysis means 13 for analyzing the contents of the received e-mail and extracting information necessary for holding the video conference, information regarding the video conference holding received by the e-mail, and a plurality of groupware Control information for the video conference terminal and MCU stored in advance in the database 17 for sharing information The video conference management means 15 for exchanging control information between the MCU 2 and the video conference terminal 3 based on the information obtained from the conversion table registered in advance in the database, particularly the MCU management means for handling the setting information unique to the MCU , Schedule management means 14 for managing the entire schedule associated with the video conference, database for recording video conference information by e-mail and various logs associated with the video conference, and recording / accumulating control information of MCU and video conference terminal The MCU 2 includes a video conference terminal control unit 21 that controls the video conference terminal to be connected.

  The groupware server 4 is connected to a user terminal 5 having a groupware client function of a plurality of user terminals 5, and is a database necessary for performing collaborative work in a user group using these user terminals. 47 and a database server 46 that manages the database 47. In this embodiment, at least by setting from the user terminal 5, a conference opening notice can be sent to the conference participants and the management server 1 by e-mail. A conference reservation function 44 and a schedule management means 43 for managing the schedule are provided. The Web server 41 provides Web-based groupware, and an API (Application Program Interface) 45 is incorporated in the groupware. Management server 1 and It is possible to notify the user terminal 5 in real time of the schedule management information of the management server 1 accompanying the video conference holding.

  The user terminal 5 has a groupware client function 52, and can collaborate in a user group with a user terminal 5 having another groupware client function via a groupware server. By using the conference reservation function provided in the groupware, it is possible to transmit a video conference notification email to the management server 1 via the groupware server 4 and make a video conference reservation. Further, the Web application of the management server 1 is started using the Web browser 51, and finer settings can be made along with the video conference. The mail receiving means 53 receives information necessary for a predetermined time, such as a notice immediately before the start of the video conference accompanying the video conference, from the management server 1 via the mail server 42 of the groupware server 4 by e-mail. belongs to.

The management server 1, groupware server 4, user terminal 5, Web servers 11 and 41, mail servers 12 and 42 in the management server 1 and groupware server 4 are commercially available workstations and personal computers ( Each device included in each device such as the management server 1, the MCU 2, the groupware server 4, the user terminal 5 and the like is hardware such as the workstation, the PC, and the network device. And a software process that uses these hardware resources. CPU (Central Control Unit) constituting each device such as a workstation or a personal computer, a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, an image or text, etc. Display device, keyboard and mouse Input device, input-output device in a communication line, and the description and its construction drawings are omitted about the specialized equipment and peripheral devices such as network-connected device.
The overall configuration has been described above. Next, the first and second embodiments will be described, and the overall operation will be described based on the processing flow.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processing flow (part 1) of the video conference management system according to the first embodiment. The video conference reservation transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the management server 1 according to the conference reservation setting of the groupware is illustrated. The management server 1 receives the e-mail, analyzes the e-mail received by the management server 1, extracts information necessary for the video conference, and performs settings for the MCU 2 and the video conference terminal 3 while checking the database. It is a flowchart of a process.

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet and intranets, as groupware, the client side Web browser is accessed to the Web server, the client server CGI (Common Gateway Interface) etc. is used to process client requests and use all functions. Products that can be used are becoming mainstream, but a standalone server used for each user terminal mainly for the purpose of schedule management, called a scheduler, is provided with a dedicated server outside and connected to the network. Something that functions as groupware has existed for some time.
As the groupware operating on the former Web, Cybozu's Garoon (product name) is known as a large-scale portal type groupware, and as a typical groupware having the latter configuration, Lotus Development Corporation's Notes (trade name), Microsoft Corporation's Microsoft Exchange (trade name), and the like. Example 1 and Example 2 described below are examples in which Microsoft Exchange (product name) and Microsoft OutLook (product name) are used as client software.

  Exchange Server (product name), which functions as the groupware server 4, includes IIS (Microsoft Internet Information Server), which is mainly used as a Web server, and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for sending e-mails included in IIS. ) And a full-fledged mail server function that supports POP (Post Office Protocol) / IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) for receiving e-mail, etc. Access is also possible.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user of the video conference can change from the Outlook (Product name) (hereinafter referred to as “client software”) (S21) having the groupware client function 52 installed in the user terminal 5 to the Exchange Server (S21). Product name) (hereinafter referred to as “groupware server”), and using the conference reservation function 44, an e-mail address previously registered or newly registered in the user terminal 5 or the database 47 in the groupware server The address book including the URL is referred to, and the conference attendee who is the destination of the conference notification is selected. The management server 1 is one of the prospective participants of the conference, and an e-mail is sent to the user scheduled to participate in the conference and the management server 1 via the groupware server 4 at a preset time (S22). The schedule in the groupware such as e-mail transmission is performed by the schedule management means 43 in the groupware server 4. The conference opening notice can be edited for each prospective participant of the conference by referring to a pre-registered template or fixed phrase such as a combination of frequently used conference places. The reservation mail information for the video conference held for the management server 1 can be set with the minimum necessary setting so that the user can make a video conference reservation with a simple operation. A plurality of addresses including a mobile user terminal 5 such as a mobile phone can be set as the destination of the conference participant's e-mail when the user is not in the office. In addition, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone having a video conference function can be designated.

FIG. 12A shows an example of an input screen for holding a conference on the user terminal 5, and FIG. 12B shows a screen for selecting attendees and resources. (Conference terminal) can be specified.
The groupware client software of the user terminal 5 is executed, and “New meeting attendance request” is selected from “Schedule”. Here, specify the "Start time", "End time", "Subject", and "Location" fields and use the "To" button to select "Required attendees" and "Optional attendees" from the "Address list". ”Is selected, a pre-registered video conference terminal is designated and inserted in the“ resource ”field, and the“ send ”button is pressed. With these settings, the video conference starts when the designated “start time” is reached, and the video conference terminal 3 is disconnected automatically when the “end time” is reached.
At this time, if the time that has already passed is designated as the “start time”, the video conference is started immediately, and the extension can be extended from the “schedule” when extending the video conference. An e-mail is transmitted to the person and the management server 1, and the designation information is transmitted to the video conference terminal 3 and processed by analyzing the e-mail received on the management server 1 side.

  The management server 1 that has received the video conference reservation reservation e-mail sent from the user terminal 5 to the management server 1 via the groupware server 4 analyzes the received e-mail by the mail reception analysis means 13 and sends the e-mail. From the main text, when changing the start time, end time, and conference start time of the video conference, the change time, the selected conference room, the contact e-mail address of the prospective participant of the conference, and the multiples who belong to hold the video conference A list or the like of the video conference terminal 3 is obtained (S23). This information is composed of a simple header part and its specified information and delimiters, such as “Start time: XX hour XX minute;”, etc. Extract information.

  The management server 1 that analyzes the received e-mail and extracts the information necessary for holding the video conference, sets a time interval (for example, every 5 minutes) set in advance by a task schedule function (not shown) provided in the schedule management unit 14. Necessary tasks are started, the database is inquired, a comparison with the current time is made to determine which conference should be managed, and tasks such as conference start, conference end, and message distribution are executed.

  In addition to the schedule function described above, functions for controlling the video conference and for holding the video conference include conference start, conference end, message distribution to the video conference terminal 3, video conference participants, and video conference managers. There are e-mail transmissions, etc. Control and management necessary for these are performed by the video conference management means 15 in cooperation with the schedule management means 14 and the MCU management means 16.

  The necessary functions at the start of the video conference include setting of multipoint conference or one-on-one conference, determination of the video conference terminal 3 serving as the calling side video conference terminal 3 or MCU 2, and the video conference terminal 3 on the incoming side In the case of multipoint conference, there is confirmation of the broadcasting video conference terminal 3 with respect to the MCU 2 on the calling side, screen division, voice switching, etc., or refer to conference information stored in advance in the database, or The conference information is analyzed and set to be optimal as necessary, and these configurations necessary for the conference are determined. The information to be analyzed includes, for example, the protocol and codec implemented in the connected video conference terminal 3 or the type of communication line that can be connected, and the information connected in advance to the MCU 2 is referred to in the database. This is determined with reference to a table in which priorities are set from the number of video conference terminals 3 to be held and who the meeting organizer is.

  Although details of the control from the management server 1 to the MCU will be described later, the management server 1 generates a conference room for the MCU 2 to which the video conference terminal 3 necessary for holding the video conference is connected immediately before a predetermined conference start time (S25). ) Is transmitted (S24). Control information for MCU 2 is specific to MCU 2 or video conference terminal 3 such as bandwidth setting, screen division method, etc., in addition to conference start time, conference end time, designation of selected conference room, etc. notified by e-mail , A conference ID with a unique identification code assigned to each video conference, a password for holding the conference, a list of calling video conference terminals, and the like. The video conference management means 15 of the management server 1 refers to the database 17. Such control information is generated and transmitted to the MCU 2. Further, the MCU 2 transmits information specific to the video conference terminal 3 to the corresponding video conference terminal 3 via the video conference terminal control means 21.

  When the MCU 2 necessary for the video conference notifies the success / failure of generation of the conference room (S26), the management server 1 calls the video conference terminal 3 actually required for the video conference via the MCU 2 (S27). The terminal 3 waits for a notification (S28) of success or failure of connection setting generation. The notification from the MCU 2 and the video conference terminal 3 and the information associated with the conference are recorded in the database 17 as a log.

  The setting associated with the video conference is provided as a web application in addition to the reservation by e-mail. In addition to the video conference start time, conference end time, and conference room selection via the web server of the management server 1, defaults are also provided. It is possible to make finer settings such as time setting and change of settings for each video conference (S29). The Web application can be accessed using the Web browser 51 of the user terminal 5, and details thereof will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processing flow (part 2) of the video conference management system according to the first embodiment. In the setting related to the video conference holding, a change in the video conference holding time, a power failure of the video conference terminal, etc. 6 is a flowchart of processing for notifying error information and the like accompanying the video conference from the management server 1 via the groupware server 4 to a person in charge of video conference management or a prospective participant of the video conference using e-mail.

  The management server 1 receives the video conference reservation from the user terminal 5 (S31) via the groupware server 4 (S32) by e-mail, analyzes the received e-mail (S33), and obtains individual information necessary for the video conference. The process until extraction is as described in FIG.

  When the video conference management unit 15 of the management server 1 obtains the video conference reservation information via the e-mail reception analysis unit 13, the video conference management unit 15 searches the video conference information recorded in the database 17 to overlap the video conference room and the video conference holding time. It is investigated whether or not (S34). If the location or time of the video conference is duplicated, the free time is investigated with reference to the database 17 and the nearest free time or time shortening video conference start or conference end time change notification is registered in the user terminal 5 The e-mail is sent from the mail server 11 via the groupware server 4 to the e-mail address of the scheduled video conference participant or video conference manager (S35). The cancellation of the video conference can be transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the management server 1 as e-mail information. However, in order to avoid a complicated procedure for a general user, a web application or real-time bidirectional communication described later is used. It is realized by groupware that incorporates an API for.

  The change information of the video conference holding time is transferred to the schedule management means 14 and is also registered in the database 17. The schedule management unit 14 calls the video conference terminal 3 connected via the MCU 2 immediately before the start of the video conference in cooperation with the video conference management unit 15, and confirms the response from the video conference terminal (S36). The MCU 2 calls the corresponding video conference terminal (S37), and detects abnormal information such as that the video conference terminal is not turned on due to a timeout or the like (S38). An e-mail is sent to the person in charge of video conference who is registered at the manager or user terminal (S39), and this information is recorded in the database 17 as a log.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process flow (part 3) of the video conference management system according to the first embodiment. The process associated with the end of the video conference and the television from the management server 1 via the groupware server 4 immediately before the video conference ends. It is a flowchart of the process which notifies a meeting prospective participant using an email.

  The management server 1 receives the video conference reservation from the user terminal 5 (S41) via the groupware server 4 (S42) by e-mail, analyzes the received e-mail (S43), and obtains the individual information necessary for the video conference Processing until extraction is as shown in FIGS.

  The video conference management unit 15 of the management server 1 cooperates with the schedule management unit 14 to monitor the conference opening time by the task schedule function described above (S44), and corresponds via the MCU 2 immediately before the preset video conference end time. The video conference terminal 3 is notified immediately before the end of the video conference. The immediately preceding notification information is reflected on the screen of the actual video conference terminal, and the video conference participant recognizes that it is just before the end of the conference on the screen of the video conference terminal. The information immediately before the end of the conference is also notified to the prospective video conference participants via the groupware server 4 by e-mail (S49).

  When the video conference end time is reached (S45), the video conference management unit 15 notifies the video conference terminal 5 via the video conference terminal control unit 21 of the MCU 2 (S46), and determines whether or not disconnection is possible. If the response is normal, the MCU 2 actually sends control information for disconnection notification to the video conference terminal 5 (S48), and notifies the management server of the result. When there is a response indicating that disconnection is not possible or when an abnormality is detected, the video conference management means 15 refers to the status information registered in the database, makes a retransmission request or forcibly terminates (S47) as necessary, The result is recorded in the database as a log.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processing flow (part 1) of the video conference management system according to the second embodiment. In order to realize real-time bidirectional communication between the management server 1 and the user terminal 5, FIG. API (Application Program Interface) is incorporated in the groupware server 4 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the description of the same part (S41 to S49) as in FIG. 2 is omitted.

The API incorporated in the groupware in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is for realizing two-way communication and reflecting the video conference reservation result on the user terminal 5 in real time, and is incorporated in the groupware server 4 side. Thus, the user terminal 5 does not require special software installation or plug-in settings.
The API is an interface for programming provided by an OS (operating system) and middleware, and application developers can easily use these functions by determining interface specifications.

  An example of the API function shown in FIG. 5 is that the video conference reservation set from the user terminal 5 using the conference reservation function of the groupware is reflected in the groupware with the conference holding confirmation information actually determined by the management server 1. By making a request for reflecting the video conference holding time to the groupware server 4 (S50), the groupware clients of all user terminals 5 connected to the groupware server 4 are also requested. Video conference holding confirmation information is reflected. Although the flow incorporating the API corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 is omitted, the information notified from the management server 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by e-mail (S35, S39 in FIG. 3 and S49 in FIG. 4) is the API. Is reflected in the groupware client of the user terminal 5 through the groupware server 4 incorporating the.

  The above-mentioned API mainly reflects information associated with the video conference holding in the groupware conference holding function in real time, but reflects the contents of the database 17 in the management server 1 to each groupware server 4 composed of a plurality. In this case, in addition to the above-described two-way communication using the API, the database 17 in the management server 1 can be directly shared as the database of each groupware server 4. . In this case, it is necessary to individually manage the contents of the database, and access rights such as shared information and exclusive information are set as necessary.

Each groupware server 4 includes a groupware server 4 installed in a factory, a branch unit, a department, or a department in the same company. For example, when a video conference is held, the groupware server 4 is divided into a plurality of departments. Since members who straddle are often convened as conference participants, it is important to share information accompanying the video conference held in the database 17.
In this way, information in the database can be referred to from a plurality of groupware, and information regarding the video conference held in the management server 1 can be referred to from other groupware by setting an access right.

  In addition, the video conference management unit 15 of the management server 1 cooperates with the schedule management unit 14 to search the database 17 when the reservation information of the video conference held from the user terminal 5 is received, and the user terminal 5 Whether it is possible to hold a video conference by referring to not only the information from the groupware server 4 to which it belongs, but also the video conference start time, end time or holding time reserved by another groupware server, the conference location and the video conference terminal If the conferences overlap, this is notified to the video conference participants registered at the user terminal 5 or user terminal 5 of the corresponding groupware server 4 or this groupware client.

Next, an example of the operation of the MCU 2 will be mainly described.
As described above, at the start of the video conference, the MCU 2 is set as a multipoint conference or a one-to-one conference, the originating video conference terminal 3 or the confirmation of the video conference terminal 3 also serving as the MCU 2, and the incoming side Control information such as the determination of the video conference terminal 3 and the determination of the video conference terminal 3 to be transmitted to the MCU and the determination of the broadcast mode such as the screen division and the voice switching at the time of the multipoint conference. Confirm the configuration.

  As shown in the processing flow (part 1) in FIG. 6, the video conference management means 15 of the management server 1 first accesses the MCU 2 and requests conference information of the video conference terminal 3 that is currently connected or can be connected ( S61). The MCU 2 returns the conference information related to the connected video conference terminal 3, and the video conference management means 15 refers to the database 17 and analyzes the conference information acquired from the MCU 2 (S63). On the other hand, the receiving video conference terminal 3 that has received the control information associated with the video conference from the MCU 2 enters the incoming call waiting state (S74). In this case, in the case of the video conference terminal 3 having the MCU function option, the optional function Is checked (S75), and if the MCU function is provided, the function is turned off (S76) and a standby state is set (S77).

  The video conference management means 15 analyzes the acquired conference information and calls the corresponding incoming video conference terminal 3 that can be connected (S65, S68), and subsequently sends the outgoing call control information to the outgoing terminal. However, the information sent to the MCU 2 (S66) differs depending on whether the connection is multipoint connection or peer-to-peer (S64). In the case of multipoint connection, the MCU 2 calls the video conference participation terminal connected to the MCU 2 (S67), and in the case of one-to-one, the calling side video conference terminal 3 is called (S69). The conference terminal is called (S70). In the case of one-to-one, it is not necessary to pass through the MCU 2, but in FIG. 6 all control information is sent through the MCU 2.

  The video conference terminal 3 called from the MCU 2 transits from the incoming call waiting state (S77) to the incoming call confirmation (S78), and responds and functions as the video conference terminal 3 (S79). If any abnormality is detected, a process predetermined as an exception process is followed (S80).

  Further, the video conference management means 15 confirms the existence of the designated MCU 2 (S71), and also needs the number of screen divisions displayed on the connected video conference terminal 3, the audio switching method, etc. for the MCU 2 (S72). A broadcast mode or the like is designated (S73).

The above processing is performed only once per conference, but when some video conference terminals 3 cannot be connected due to some trouble, the video conference management means 15 automatically retransmits the control information. Further, from a Web application to be described later, it is possible to determine whether or not connection is possible by using access from a shared address book, direct dial call, or the like.
If one of the sites responds from the MCU 2 or the video conference terminal 3 on the transmission side and the status of the video conference terminal 3 on the transmission side is busy, it is considered that the conference has been successfully held, and a log to that effect is stored in the management server 1 Recorded in the database 17.
If the originating video conference terminal 3 is not turned on or is not IP (Internet Protocol) rechargeable (IP address cannot be acquired) or other reasons, the conference cannot be held successfully. It is recorded as an error log in the database 17 in the management server 1 and an error mail transmission process is performed. Sent to.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a processing flow (part 2) for the MCU 2 at the end of the video conference.
The video conference management unit 15 accesses the conference information stored in the database 17 immediately before the video conference end time by the schedule management unit 14, acquires the conference ID (S81), identifies the video conference, The MCU 2 or the video conference terminal 3 is selected (S82), the corresponding MCU 2 (S83) or the calling video conference terminal 3 is called (S84), the video conference terminal 3 is accessed (S85), and the conference disconnection information is obtained. Is sent out (S86). The video conference management means 15 that has received the end processing completion notification from the connected video conference terminal 3 connected via the MCU 2 (S87), if the video conference is normally completed (S88), otherwise logs. Recorded in the database 17 as an error log (S89).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing flow (No. 3) for the MCU, and describes the message delivery function to the video conference terminal 3.
When the video conference management means 15 is called from the task schedule function (S92, S95) in the schedule management means 14, is it necessary to deliver a message from the schedule management means 14 five minutes before the start of the video conference (S94)? ) Receives an instruction of whether or not to deliver a message notifying that the conference will end after 5 minutes (S91). In response to an instruction from the schedule management unit 14, the video conference management unit 15 sets a message corresponding to the status of whether the conference is being held or the conference is being reserved (S96, S93), and searches and refers to the database for the video conference. The information is analyzed, and the video conference terminals 3 related to the video conference are listed (S98). When the corresponding time is reached (S99), the controller is activated (S101) and an attempt is made to connect the video conference terminal 3 (S102). When the connection with the video conference terminal 3 is successful (S103), the message to be distributed is distributed to the corresponding video conference terminal 3 (S104), and the connection with the video conference terminal 3 is disconnected as necessary (S105).

  When delivering a message to the video conference terminal 3, the status check for the corresponding video conference terminal 3 is also performed. For example, this status check is performed 5 minutes before the start of the video conference to turn on the corresponding video conference terminal 3. In this case, there is a high possibility that a connection cannot be established after 5 minutes. At this point, the TV conference terminal 3 having a problem is listed, and a TV conference manager or TV A warning e-mail can be sent to the prospective participants.

  In this way, if the connection is successful (S107), the processing is continued and the next video conference holding time is monitored. When the connection failure information as described above is obtained from the MCU 2, information for identifying the video conference terminal that failed to connect is stored in the database 17, and the video conference participation schedule registered in the user terminal 3 is stored in the error information. E-mail to the person in charge and the person in charge of the video conference

FIG. 9 shows a screen transition on the user terminal 5 of the Web application that enables various settings associated with the holding of the video conference, and is provided mainly for the administrator who manages the video conference.
An arrow indicates a hierarchy in screen transition. When an administrator ID and a password are input from the login screen and the conditions are satisfied, a selection screen for conference reservation, schedule, conference record, administrator menu, logout, etc. is displayed.
The administrator menu has various menus such as group management, user management, terminal management, template management, system management, firmware management, ongoing conference, conference schedule, conference recording, etc. Can be used when the API is implemented in the groupware server 4 so that the database 47 in the groupware server can be accessed and the database 17 in the management server 1 can be matched. Use when needed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the processing flow (No. 1) of the Web application shown in FIG. 9, showing a part of the processing accompanying the video conference holding, and overlapping with the processing process of FIG. 8 described above. Therefore, processing is performed using the same means as described in FIG. 8 as necessary.
In FIG. 10, when the web server 11 in the management server 1 in which the web application is installed is activated by the task schedule function in the schedule management means 14 in response to the video conference, the intermittent process shown in FIG. 8 is started (S110). Then, it connects to the database 17 (S111), and acquires necessary conference reservation information while collating with the current time. It monitors whether or not there is a video conference that ends after 5 minutes (S112), and if it exists, sends an end message to the related video conference terminal 3 (S113), and displays the video conference terminal 3 on the screen. Display to the effect. Further, it is monitored whether or not there is a video conference to be held after 5 minutes (S114), and if it exists, the status of the terminal used in the video conference is acquired (S115), and the corresponding video conference terminal 3 is acquired. It is determined whether or not the power is turned on (S116). If the status does not return, etc., it is determined that the power is not turned on, and a warning mail to that effect is sent to the manager in charge via the mail server 12 (S117). To the person as a contact mail (S118).

  The task schedule function in the schedule management means 14 further monitors whether or not there is a video conference to be ended at the current time (S119), and if it exists, performs necessary processing for the end of the video conference (S120). . Further, it is monitored whether there is a video conference to be held at the current time (S121), and if there is, necessary processing for holding the video conference is performed (S122). When the video conference is held, the calling status of the video conference terminal 3 is confirmed via the MCU 2 (S123). If the video conference terminal 3 fails to be called (S124), a retry thread is generated and the threads are arranged in the order of the threads. Then, the calling process is executed again (S125). A message to the effect that a retry is attempted is transmitted to the participating video conference terminals 3 (S126), and a message is displayed on the screen, and the intermittent process of the task schedule function ends (S127). .

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the processing flow (part 2) of the Web application shown in FIG. 9 and shows a part of the processing accompanying the video conference holding, which overlaps the processing process of FIG. 6 described above. Therefore, processing is performed using the same means as described in FIG. 6 as necessary.
In FIG. 11, when the web server in the management server 1 in which the web application is installed receives a meeting holding instruction (S131), it accesses the database 17 to acquire various information necessary for holding the video conference (S132). When the number of participating video conference terminals is multipoint connection of three or more points (S134), the corresponding terminal to be an MCU is determined from a plurality of MCU2 terminals (S135), and the determined MCU terminal is accessed. When the video conference terminal function is also used, the mode is switched to the MCU mode (S136). When the two-point connection is established, the video conference terminal 3 on the transmission side is accessed, and the video conference terminal 3 to which the connection is made is called (S137). The connection status of the destination video conference terminal 3 is confirmed (S138). If the connection is successful (S139), the status information in the database is changed to indicate that the conference is in progress (S141). In the case of connection failure, a retry thread is generated, and, for example, 10 minutes is retried according to the order of the generated threads (S140).

Although not shown in the figure, the Web application must be implemented with a plug-in such as Tomcat that functions as an application server for processing Java (R) servlets and JSPs (Java (R) Server Pages) in Apache and IIS of the Web server. Realize with.
Further, by using WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), it is possible to share conference information by a Web application. As a result, the confirmation information and the change information associated with the TV conference can be reflected on the user terminal 5 in real time.
WebDAV is an extension protocol of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) /1.1 for file operations and version management on a Web server, and sharing of file servers such as file movement and exclusive control during access Operations similar to folders are possible.

  Although not described in the above-mentioned drawings, the video and audio of the video conference terminal 3 are monitored in the management server 1 via the communication network 6, and the video conference line is directly monitored via the MCU. The video and audio are acquired. The video and audio information of the acquired video conference can be recorded in the database 17 as a video conference minutes, and as digital data, compressed data such as MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) -2 or MPEG-4 as necessary. Save as. The stored digital data of video and audio can be acquired and edited at the user terminal 5 through a Web application by streaming distribution or the like. FIG. 13A shows a screen for acquiring / editing the video conference minutes on the user terminal 5, and FIG. 13B shows the processing flow in which a meeting request is received via the Web application (S151). The management server 1 automatically captures the video and audio of the video conference terminal 3 that is holding the conference via the communication network 6 and registers it in the database together with a predetermined keyword so that an index search can be performed (S152). When the video conference is completed, the completed video conference can be browsed. The web application waits for the processing until the request for viewing the video conference minutes is received (S153), displays the registered keyword when there is a request for viewing the video conference minutes, and can start browsing based on this keyword. (S154).

  The video conference terminal 3 described above is H.264. The H.323 standard is assumed. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is proposed as a control protocol for the application layer of the OSI reference model proposed by IETF (RFC2543) for the purpose of improving the disadvantages of H.323, and is expected to become mainstream in the future. SIP is H.264. Unlike H.323, since HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is mostly used in the header field, encoding rule, error code authentication mechanism, etc., the overhead is small, and VoIP used for IP telephones that are rapidly spreading recently. (Voice over IP) and similar multimedia session controls are compatible, enabling scalable call control and application platforms, and enabling full mesh interconnection on behalf of MCU and multicast Is.

  The video conference terminal of this system is H.264. It is not limited to that according to the H.323 standard, nor does it necessarily require an MCU for its control. Of course, it is possible to use a video conference terminal using SIP, such as a PC (personal computer) equipped with a camera, a movable PDA (personal digital assistant), a mobile phone with a camera, a car navigation system equipped with a communication function, etc. Various types of conference terminals can be used. Also, the configuration has been described as a device independent of the management server, MCU, video conference terminal, groupware server, and user terminal. For example, a PC or mobile phone that functions as a user terminal or a video conference terminal, an MCU function These can be combined freely, such as a video conference terminal equipped with an MCU, a management server incorporating an MCU, etc. The communication path is not limited to the Internet, but is also arbitrary such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a dedicated line, a public line, etc. It is possible to take a form, and it is not a setting of a video conference between video conference terminals installed in the video conference room. If necessary, a mobile phone owned by an individual is selected as a mobile video conference terminal. It can also take the form of participating in a conference.

  In addition, it seems that groupware will be used to share schedules and communicate with each other, not as an organizational unit in the office, but as a means of communication between general friends, especially ASP (Application Service Provider) using the Web ) Method groupware does not require installation of a program as long as it is a terminal equipped with a Web browser, so it can be easily used by housewives, acquaintances, friends, circle friends, and the like. In the future, as mobile phones with images or videophone functions become more widespread, the possibility of using this system as a means of communication increases.

It is a schematic block diagram of the video conference management system in one embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 1) of the video conference management system in Example 1. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 2) of the video conference management system in Example 1. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 3) of the video conference management system in Example 1. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 1) of the video conference management system in Example 2. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 1) with the management server and MCU shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 2) with respect to MCU in the management server shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 3) with respect to MCU in the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing screen transition of the Web application shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 1) of the Web application shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the processing flow (the 2) of the Web application shown in FIG. It is an example of the input screen in the user terminal shown in FIG. 1, (a) is an input screen of meeting holding time, (b) is an attendant and resource selection screen at the time of meeting holding. It is the schematic (b) which shows the acquisition / edit screen (a) of the video conference minutes in the system shown in FIG. 1, and its processing flow.

Explanation of symbols

1 Management server 2 MCU
3 Video conference terminal 4 Groupware server 5 User terminal 6 Communication network 11, 41 Web server 12, 42 Mail server 13 Mail reception analysis means 14, 43 Schedule management means 15 Video conference management means 16 MCU management means 17 Database 21 Video conference Terminal control means 44 Conference reservation function 45 API
46 Database server 51 Web browser 52 Groupware client 53 Mail receiving means

Claims (8)

A video conference management system by a computer system for connecting various fixed and / or mobile video conference terminals via a communication network to perform a video conference,
Arbitrary video conferencing terminals connected to a communication network,
One or a plurality of MCUs (multi-point connection control devices) for controlling and managing the video conference terminals at the plurality of points;
A user terminal connected to a communication network for executing groupware having a conference reservation function capable of notifying at least a user of a conference by e-mail;
A management server configured to receive a conference opening notification by an e-mail that is set in the user terminal and transmitted via the groupware, and controls the video conference terminal via the MCU and manages various information associated with the video conference holding And consists of
The management server
Each meeting for specifying at least the meeting start time, meeting time and / or meeting time, meeting place and / or video conference terminal, meeting participant set at the user terminal and transmitted to the management server by the groupware A mail reception analysis means for receiving an e-mail including holding information and extracting the information for holding the video conference from the e-mail;
Video conference management means for performing control and management associated with holding a conference for the video conference terminal via the MCU based on the extracted conference holding information;
Schedule management means for managing various schedules for transmitting and receiving control / management information for the video conference terminal via the MCU by the video conference management means;
The conference information for the MCU and the video conference terminal is the conference information extracted from the email, information associated with the schedule management, control information for the MCU, and conference information in the email referenced by the video conference management means. A database for storing, updating, and referring to various information necessary for holding a video conference, including a conversion table for converting into holding information;
A video conference management system comprising:   The video conference management system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal functions as the video conference terminal for performing a video conference.   The user terminal has a web application program that accesses the schedule management system to exchange information associated with the video conference, and enables various settings for the MCU and the video conference terminal associated with the video conference. The video conference management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The management server has a function of acquiring video and audio information displayed on the video conference terminal via a communication network, and the acquired video and audio information of the video conference terminal is stored in the database as digital television data. 4. The video conference management system according to claim 3, wherein the video conference management system has a function of recording as a conference minutes and acquiring a desired video conference minutes from the user terminal via the Web application.   The management server generates an e-mail to notify at least the video conference opening time or time and / or to notify the user terminal of the video conference opening at the time immediately before the start of the video conference. 3. The video conference management according to claim 1, further comprising a function of storing the data in a database and transmitting the electronic mail to the user terminal at a predetermined time set in advance through the groupware. system.   The groupware executed on the user terminal realizes two-way communication with the management server and is managed by the management server to be confirmed and at least a meeting start time, a meeting end time or a meeting time, 3. The video conference management system according to claim 1, further comprising an API (Application Program Interface) for exchanging various information reflecting the change time and conference location with the management server.   The management server has a function of sharing the database in the management server as a plurality of groupware databases, and shares at least information associated with holding a video conference across the plurality of groupwares in the database. 3. The video conference management system according to claim 1, wherein information associated with holding a conference can be referred to between the plurality of groupwares.   The video conference management means and the schedule management means of the management server respond to a video conference holding reservation from the plurality of groupware, and at least the video conference from the shared information of the plurality of groupware recorded in the database. 8. The video conference management system according to claim 7, wherein the start time, the end time or the held time, the corresponding conference place and / or the video conference terminal is referred to and reflected in the determination of whether or not the corresponding video conference can be held.

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