JPH04314249A - Multi-point television conference device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize an idle line effectively by searching a conference device able to be open in the order depending on a line speed based on the line speed of the conference device and an idle line. CONSTITUTION:A television conference terminal equipment 6 designates a line speed of 2B or HO to an ISDN network 4 and a television conference terminal equipment 7 is connected to the network 4 at a line speed of 2B. Plural television conference terminal equipments 6,7 each are connected to the network 4, an operation management equipment 8 is connected to a conference equipment 5 to control the start and end of a multi-point conference. Moreover, a terminal equipment transmission reception means has a function to decide the line speed to be 2B or HO in the connection to the network 4. The conference is started and each item of an operation table in the equipment 8 is entered by using an entry means and a display means to designate the terminal equipments 6,7 taking part in the multi-point conference. Then the operation management control means checks the designated line speed of the terminal equipment to decide the line speed for the conference to be 2B in the case of the terminal equipment 7 and HO or 2B in the case of other terminal equipments. Thus, the line is utilized effectively.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint television conference system that connects a plurality of television conference terminals to simultaneously hold a multipoint conference.

0002

[Prior Art] FIG. 12 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-265767.
1 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional multipoint video conference device disclosed in the above publication. In the figure, 1 is a plurality of video conference terminals that conduct a multipoint conference, and 2 is each of these video conference terminals 1.
It is a ring-type network with connected 3 is connected to this ring network, and each video conference terminal 1
This is a conference device that realizes multipoint conferences between

Next, the operation will be explained. This video conference is carried out using broadcast time division multiplexed communication channels and individual communication channels as the communication channels of the ring network 2. That is, in the video conference terminal 1, video and audio conference information is inputted through input means such as a television camera and a microphone, and is sent to the conference device by transmitting it onto the individual communication channel of the ring network 2 through the transmission means. Send to 3.

On the other hand, in the conference device 3, the reception means receives conference information from each teleconference terminal 1 through the individual communication channels of the ring network 2, and the conference information addition means superimposes the conference information. The conference information synthesized by this superposition is transmitted to all the video conference terminals 1 on the broadcast communication channel of the ring network 2 via the transmitting means.

[0005] Each teleconference terminal 1 receives conference information on a broadcast communication channel of the ring network 2 by its receiving means, and outputs it to an output means such as a television receiver or a speaker.

[0006] When using a switching device instead of the ring type network 2, the conference device 3 and the switching device are connected by a plurality of lines, and the switching device is connected between each video conference terminal 1 and the conference device 3. Multipoint conferences can similarly be implemented by making one-to-one connections through the devices.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional multipoint video conferencing device is configured as described above, its application is limited to cases where a ring type network 2 is used within a company or an office. It cannot be applied to multipoint conferences at remote points between Osaka, and the conventional multipoint video conference system via the integrated service digital network (hereinafter referred to as the ISDN network) cannot be applied to the conference equipment 3 and the ISDN network. The number of lines set for the conference is required to exceed the maximum number of terminals participating in the conference, and not only can the lines not be used effectively when holding a multipoint conference with a small number of video conference terminals 1, but the line speed of the conference will be lower than Ho or 2B. For example,
When Ho multipoint conference is assigned to all conference devices 3, 2
There was a problem in that the multipoint conference B could no longer be allocated, and if the conference device 3 for conducting the multipoint conference was allocated appropriately, the multipoint conference could no longer be allocated even if there was a margin in the number of lines.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multipoint television conference device that can effectively utilize the available lines of the conference device.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A multipoint video conference device according to the invention as set forth in claim 1 is provided in which the video conference terminals connected to each conference device and participating in the conference are connected to a communication network when a multipoint conference is held. The conference device that will host the conference is determined by searching for conference devices that can hold the conference in a predetermined order based on the line speed, based on the line speed that can be connected to the conference device, the line speed of each conference device, and the number of free lines. This system is equipped with an operation management device that controls the start and end of multipoint conferences.

[0010] The multipoint video conference device according to the invention described in claim 2 also has a reservation file that is connected to each conference device and can store conference reservation information including the start time and end time of the multipoint conference; Equipped with a clock function that can read the time, when reserving a multipoint conference, the line speed that allows the video conference terminals participating in the conference to connect to the communication network, and the reservation of each conference device during the start and end period of the multipoint conference. Based on the current line speed and the number of free lines, conference devices that can reserve a multipoint conference are searched in a predetermined order based on the line speed, and the conference device to reserve the multipoint conference is determined. It is equipped with an operation management device that controls reservations for starting and ending meetings.

[0011]

[Operation] The operation management device according to the invention described in claim 1 is capable of controlling a conference device that holds a conference when a multipoint conference is held, a line speed that allows video conference terminals participating in the conference to connect to a communication network, and a line speed that allows each conference device to connect to a communication network. Based on the line speed and the number of free lines, the conference device that can hold the conference is determined by searching in a predetermined order according to the line speed, and the start and end of the multipoint conference is controlled. To realize a multipoint video conference device that can effectively utilize the available lines of the device.

[0012] Furthermore, the operation management device according to the invention according to claim 2, when reserving a multi-point conference, connects the conference device that reserves the multi-point conference to the communication network at a line speed that allows the video conference terminals participating in the conference to connect to the communication network. Based on the line speed and number of free lines of the reservation status of each conference device during the start and end period of the multipoint conference, the conference devices that can be reserved for the multipoint conference are arranged in a predetermined order according to the line speed. To realize a multipoint teleconference device that can effectively utilize free lines of the conference device by making a decision by searching and controlling reservations for starting and ending a multipoint conference.

[0013]

【Example】

Example 1. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1. In the figure, 4 is an ISDN network that has a D channel, a B channel, and a Ho channel, and has a line speed of 2B or Ho, and 5 is connected to this ISDN network 4 through a plurality of lines, and has a line speed of 2B or Ho. These are multiple conference devices that can hold multipoint conferences at any of the following.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a television conference terminal that can be connected to the ISDN network 4 at a line speed of 2B or Ho, and 7 is a television conference terminal that can connect to the ISDN network 4 at a line speed of 2B. Each of these video conference terminals 6, 7
A plurality of each are connected to the ISDN network 4. Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation management device that is connected to each conference device 5 and controls the start and end of a multipoint conference.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the conference device 5. As shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 11 designates either line speed 2B or Ho, receives input conference information in the form of digital signals from the ISDN network 4 and temporarily stores it, and output conference information in the form of the temporarily stored digital signals is transferred to the ISDN network 4. It is a transmitting/receiving means that has the function of transmitting to

Reference numeral 12 denotes a digital-to-analog conversion means (hereinafter referred to as DA conversion means) for converting conference information in the form of a digital signal inputted from the transmitting/receiving means 11 into an analog signal, and 13 denotes a conversion means for converting the conference information in the form of an analog signal into a digital signal. This is analog-to-digital conversion means (hereinafter referred to as AD conversion means) which converts the signal into a digital signal and outputs it to the transmitting/receiving means 11.

Here, these transmitting/receiving means 11, DA converting means 12, and AD converting means 13 are installed corresponding to each line connected to the ISDN network 4.

Reference numeral 14 denotes conference information adding means for adding and synthesizing the received data received from the DA converting means 12 with reference to the contents of the conference table, which will be described later, and outputting the result to the AD converting means 13 as transmission data. . Reference numeral 15 denotes the conference table in which information about a multipoint conference executed by the conference device 5 is stored, and its configuration is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, 20 indicates this conference table 1.
7, 21 is the line speed of the multipoint conference held by the conference device 5, and 2B is the line speed of the multipoint conference held by the conference device 5.
In the case of Ho, pattern "1" is stored, and in the case of Ho, pattern "2" is stored.

22 is a conference status in which “1” is stored if the conference is being held, and “0” is stored if the conference has ended or there is no conference; 23 is a parent terminal in which the terminal number of the conference organizer is stored; 24 25 is the number of child terminals where the number of terminals participating in the conference excluding the host is stored, and 26 is the terminal number participating in the conference. The conference terminal information 20 is composed of these child terminals.

FIG. 4 also shows the video conference terminal 6 or 7.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example. In the figure, 31 is a conference information input means such as a microphone and a television camera that can input both audio information and image information;
Reference numeral 2 denotes conference information output means such as a speaker and a television receiver, which can output audio information and image information.

33 is a function of determining the line speed to 2B or Ho when connecting to the ISDN network 4, and a function of receiving and temporarily storing input conference information in the form of digital signals from the ISDN network 4 according to the determined line speed. , and terminal transmitting/receiving means having a function of transmitting output conference information in the form of temporarily stored digital signals to the ISDN network 4.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a terminal AD conversion means for converting analog signal conference/information inputted from the conference information input means 31 into a digital signal and sending it to the terminal transmitting/receiving means 33;
Reference numeral 35 denotes a terminal DA converting means for converting the digital conference information inputted from the terminal transmitting/receiving means 33 into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal to the conference information outputting means 32.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation management device 8, and the operation management device 5 is configured by, for example, a personal computer. In the figure, 41 is an input means such as a keyboard for inputting operation management information;
Reference numeral 2 denotes display means such as a CRT display for outputting operation management information.

43 is a conference device selector that specifies one of the conference devices 5 connected to the operation management device 8 to transmit and receive data, and 44 has a function of controlling the holding/termination of a conference. It is an operation management control means. Reference numeral 45 denotes an operation table that stores conference information for controlling the holding/termination of a conference, and its configuration is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, 51 is an operating line speed corresponding to the line speed 21 of the conference table 17, 53 is an operating parent terminal corresponding to the parent terminal 23, 54 is an operating representative terminal corresponding to the representative terminal 24, 55 is the number of active child terminals corresponding to the number of child terminals 25, and 56 is an active child terminal corresponding to the child terminal 26.

Next, the operation will be explained. The operation management device 8 controls the start and end of a conference by changing the contents of the conference table 15 of each conference device 5 by referring to the contents of its own operation table 45.

First, at the start of a conference, each item of the operating parent terminal 53, the operating representative terminal 54, the number of operating slave terminals 55, and the operating slave terminal 56 in the operation table 45 in the operation management device 8 is input to the input means 41. By inputting this using the display means 42, the video conference terminals 6 and 7 to participate in the multipoint conference are specified.

Next, the operation management control means 44 checks the line speed of each of the operating parent terminal 53 and the m operating slave terminals 56 specified by the number of operating slave terminals 55, and checks the line speed of each of the operating master terminal 53 and the m operating slave terminals 56 specified by the number of operating slave terminals 55, and performs a 2B only video conference even if one 2B if terminal 7 is present, otherwise H
o or 2B and decide the conference line speed.

Once the line speed of the multipoint conference is determined, a priority speed predetermined according to the line speed, for example, if the line speed is 2B, No. 1, No. 2,...,No.
M in ascending order, and if the line speed is Ho, No. M...
, No. 2, No. 1 and in descending order, each conference device 5 is checked to see if it is possible to hold a conference. As a result, the conference device 5 that became “OK” for the first time, and the line speed
If all of the results are "NG", the line speed is changed to 2B and rechecked, and the conference device 5 that is "OK" for the first time is selected as the conference device 5 to be used for holding the conference.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for checking whether or not the conference can be held. First, the conference device 5 to be checked is specified using the conference device selector 43, and the process of step ST1 is executed with reference to the contents of the conference table 15 of the conference device 5.

[0032] In step ST1, the conference terminal information 2 in which the conference status 22 stores the pattern "1" indicating that the conference is being held
From the content "m" of the number of child terminals 24 in 0, we know that the number of video conference terminals 6 and 7 participating in the conference is m+1, and by repeating this and finding the sum on the conference table 15. The number of lines in use of the conference device 5 to be checked is known.

Next, in step ST2, the number of lines in use obtained in step ST1 is checked, and it is determined that "
If it is not 0, the process moves to step ST3, and if it is 0, the process moves to step ST6. In step ST3, the operating line speed 51 in the operation table 45 and the conference line speed 21 in the conference table 17 are compared, and if they are the same. If so, the process moves to step ST4, and if different, the process moves to step ST7.

[0034] In step ST4, the number of lines for the multipoint conference is calculated. In this calculation, by referring to the operation table 45 of the operation management device 8, it is learned that the number of conference lines is "x+1" from the content "x" of the number of active child terminals 55.

Next, in step ST55, the sum of the number of lines in use obtained in step ST1 and the number of lines for the conference obtained in step ST4 is compared with the maximum number of lines of the conference device 5, and if If there is, step ST
If the number is equal to or less than step ST7, the process moves to step ST6.

In step ST6, it is determined that the conference is "OK", and in step ST7, it is determined that the conference is "NG". If it is determined that it is OK to hold a conference, the conference device 5 is instructed to hold a multipoint conference based on the contents of the operation table 45.

FIG. 8 shows the basic call control sequence at that time. The conference device 5 uses the D channel of the ISDN network 4 to set up a call with the video conference terminal 6 or 7 participating in the multipoint conference. The conference device 5 sends a call setup message 10
1 stores the called party number of the video conference terminal 6 (7) and user information indicating whether the line speed is 2B or Ho, and makes a call.

When the ISDN network 4 receives the call setup message 101, it sends the call setup acceptance message 101 to the conference device 5.
At the same time, the call setting message 103 is sent to the other party's video conference terminal 6 or 7.

The video conference terminal 6 or 7 knows whether the line speed is 2B or Ho from the user-to-user information in the call setup message 103, and uses ISDN at that line speed.
When it is possible to connect to network 4, the response message 104 is sent to ISDN.
Send to network 4.

[0040] Note that when a call setup message 103 in which the line speed Ho is specified in the user information of the video conference terminal 7 having only a line speed of 2B is received, it is not possible to connect to the ISDN network 4 at that speed. A disconnection message 121 is sent to the ISDN network 4.

When the ISDN network 4 receives the response message 104, it transmits a response message 105 to the conference device 5, and the conference device 5 and the video conference terminal 6 or 7 are in communication 110.
becomes.

Note that the disconnection sequence is performed by the TV conference terminal 6.
(7) Or send a disconnection message from either the conference device 5. Now, assume that a disconnection message 121 is sent to the ISDN network 4 from the video conference terminal 6 (7), for example. The ISDN network 4 receiving this disconnection message 121 transmits a release message 121 to the TV conference terminal 6 (7) and a disconnection message 123 to the conference device 5.

[0043] Upon receiving the release message 122, the video conference terminal 6 (7) transmits the release completion message 123 to the I/O.
It is transmitted to the SDN network 4 and the disconnection is completed. On the other hand, the conference device 5
When receiving the disconnection message 123 from the ISDN network 4, it sends a release message 125 to the ISDN network 4, and
Upon receiving the release completion message 126 from the SDN network 4, the disconnection is completed.

[0044] When the conference device 5 and the video conference terminals 6 and 7 participating in the multipoint conference enter the busy state 110,
Each of the video conference terminals 6 and 7 inputs audio and video signals of conference participants as analog signals of audio information and image information from a conference information input means 31 comprising, for example, a microphone, a television camera, and the like.

[0045] The conference information is sent to the terminal AD conversion means 34.
is sent to convert the analog signal into a digital signal. The conference information converted into a digital signal is sent to the ISDN network 4 by the terminal transmitting/receiving means 33 and then sent to the conference device 5.

In the conference device 5, the corresponding transmitting/receiving means 11 receives conference information transmitted from each of the video conference terminals 6, 7 participating in the conference. Each received conference information is sent to the DA conversion means 12, and each audio information and video information is converted into an analog signal and sent to the conference information addition means 14.

The conference information adding means 14 adds the conference table 1
5, the conference information is added to the input analog signals, and the obtained audio information and video information are sent to each AD conversion means 13. The AD converting means 13 converts them into digital signals, and sends them to the respective transmitting/receiving means 11.
is transmitted to the corresponding video conference terminals 6 and 7 via the ISDN network 4.

[0048] Here, the conference information addition means 14 includes addition means in a number corresponding to the number of conferences that can be held simultaneously.
Addition processing of conference information using analog signals is executed as follows.

That is, regarding the audio information, for each of the video conference terminals whose terminal numbers are stored in the parent terminal 23 and child terminal 26 of the conference table 15, the analog signals of the video conference terminals other than the self are mixed. and send it.

Regarding video information, the analog signal of the video conference terminal whose terminal number is stored in the representative terminal 24 is transmitted to the video conference terminal whose terminal number is stored in the parent terminal 23 of the conference table 15, and the analog signal of the video conference terminal whose terminal number is stored in the representative terminal 24. The analog signals of the video conference terminals whose terminal numbers are stored are sent to the parent terminal 23, respectively, to the video conference terminals whose terminal numbers are stored, thereby adding the analog signals. This process is performed for the number of conferences that are being held simultaneously based on the conference terminal information 20 of the conference table 15.

The conference information thus added, converted into digital signals, and transmitted to the ISDN network 4 is transmitted to each video conference terminal 6, which is participating in the multipoint conference.
Received at 7. That is, each video conference terminal 6, 7 is
The terminal transmitting/receiving means 33 receives the information, and the terminal DA converting means 35 converts the audio information and video information from digital signals to analog signals, and outputs the conference information by, for example, a speaker, a television receiver, etc. 32 to output as audio and video.

Furthermore, at the end of the conference, the information specified in the operation table 45 in the operation management device 8 is compared with the conference terminal information 20 in the conference table 15 in each conference device 5, and if there is a match, the information specified in the operation table 45 in the operation management device 8 is compared. For example, an instruction to end the conference is given by setting the conference status 22 to the pattern "0" indicating no conference.

Example 2. Next, an embodiment of the invention set forth in claim 2 will be described. In this case as well, the overall configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but the configuration of the operation management device 5 is different. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the operation management device 5, and the same parts as in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

In the figure, 46 is a reservation file in which conference reservation information such as the start time, end time, conference number, conference name, participating department, person in charge, telephone number, and number of participants of the multipoint conference to be reserved is stored. 47 is a clock function that can read the current time.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the reservation file 46. In the figure, 70 is reserved conference information, and this reservation file 46 contains a plurality of pieces of the reserved conference information 7.
It consists of 0. Further, each reserved conference information 70 is composed of each part described below.

Reference numeral 71 indicates a reservation validity/invalidity classification; for example, "1" is stored if there is a conference reservation, and "2" is stored if there is no conference reservation. 72 is a reservation conference device, 73 is a reservation line speed, and 74s and 74e are a reservation start time and end time, respectively. Further, 75 is a conference number using, for example, a four-digit number, and 76 is a conference name using, for example, a 20-character Kanji code.

[0057] Reference numeral 77 is a terminal of the organizer of the conference who has made a reservation using the reservation parent terminal, and 78 is a reservation parent participation section using, for example, six digit alphanumeric characters. Further, 79 is, for example, a 10-character kanji code for the reservation manager, 80 is, for example, a 20-digit alphanumeric phone number, and 81 is a 2-digit number, for example, for the reservation manager and participants.

Reference numeral 82 denotes a reservation representative terminal, which is either the reservation master terminal 77 or the reservation child terminal 84 described later. Reference numeral 83 indicates the number of reserved terminals, which indicates the number of reserved child terminals.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a terminal that participates in a conference reserved as a reserved child terminal. Further, 85 is a reservation child participation department, for example, a 6-digit alphanumeric code, and 86 is a reservation child responsible person, for example, a 10-character Kanji code. 87 is, for example, a 20-digit alphanumeric reservation child phone number, and 88 is, for example, a 2-digit number for the reservation child participant number.

Next, the operation will be explained. In this case, it is assumed that the conference device 5, the TV conference terminals 6, 7, the ISDN network 4, and the operation management device 8 operate in the same manner as the invention described in claim 1, and the different parts will be explained below.

[0061] At the start of the conference, the operation management device 8 learns the current time using its clock function 47 and saves the reservation file 46.
The reservation start time 74s within 2 seconds is compared with the current time. As a result, if there is reserved conference information 70 that matches both, the reserved line speed 73 is set to the conference line speed 21 of the conference table 15 in the conference device 5 specified by the reserved conference device 72.
Set the contents of

Next, the reserved meeting information 7 of the reserved file 46
The contents of the reservation parent terminal 77 of 0 are sent to the parent terminal 23 of the conference terminal information 20 of the conference table 15, the contents of the reservation representative terminal 82 are sent to the representative terminal 24, and the contents of the number of reserved child terminals 83 are sent to the number of child terminals 2.
5, the content of the reservation child terminal 84 is copied to the child terminal 26, and a pattern "1" indicating that the conference is being held is set in the conference status 22 of the conference table 15, thereby instructing the start of the conference.

Similarly, at the end of the meeting, the operation management device 8
knows the current time using its clock function 47, and if there is reserved conference information 70 whose current time matches the reservation end time 74e in the reservation file 46, the conference device 5 specified by the reserved conference device 72 Among the conference terminal information 20 of the conference table 15, the reservation parent terminal 77 and the parent terminal 23, the reservation representative terminal 82 and the representative terminal 24,
The conference is ended by setting the no-conference pattern “0” to the conference status 22 in the conference terminal information 20 where the number of reserved child terminals 83 and the number of child terminals 25 match, and the number of reserved child terminals 84 and child terminals 26 match, respectively. give instructions.

Next, a method for newly registering, modifying, and deleting the reservation file 46 will be explained. When making a new registration, first store the pattern "0" indicating no scheduled conference in the reservation valid/invalid category 71 of the reserved conference information 70, and then set the reservation start time 7.
The display means 42 displays each item from 3 to the number of reserved child participants 88.
and input using the input means 41.

Next, the reserved conference device 72 and the reserved line speed 7
Make decision 3. This is done by checking the line speed of the reserved master terminal 77 and each reserved child terminal 84 specified by the number of reserved child terminals 83, and if there is even one video conference terminal 7 that is only 2B, the line speed is 2B.
, otherwise determine Ho or 2B and the line speed of the conference.

[0066] Once the line speed for the conference is determined, a predetermined priority speed than the line speed, for example, the line speed is 2B.
Then No. 1, No. 2,...,No. M and ascending order, and if Ho, No. M...No. 2, No. 1 and in descending order, it is checked whether the conference device 5 is capable of making a conference reservation. As a result, if the conference device 5 is "OK" for the first time, and if the line speed is Ho and all are "NG", the line speed is set to 2B.
The conference device 5 that has been changed to "OK" for the first time is set as the conference device 1 for which the conference reservation is to be made.

When the conference device 5 to reserve a conference is determined, its number is stored in the reserved conference device 72 of the reserved conference information 70 in the reservation file 46, and then a pattern “1” indicating that there is a reserved conference is placed in the reservation valid/invalid category 71. Store. This completes the new registration in the reservation file 46.

Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for checking whether or not a conference reservation is possible. First, the reservation status of the conference device 5 to be checked is checked in step ST11 by referring to the reserved conference information 70 in the reservation file 46.
Execute the process.

In step ST11, reservation valid/invalid classification 7
The pattern “1” with a scheduled meeting is stored in 1.
According to the content m of the number of reserved child terminals 83 in the reserved conference information 70 whose content of the reserved conference device 72 matches the conference device 5 to be checked, the number of video conference terminals 6 and 7 participating in the conference is m+1. By repeating this and calculating the sum in the reservation file 46, the number of reserved lines of the conference device 5 to be checked and the reserved line speed 73 are known.

Next, in step ST12, the number of reserved lines obtained in step ST11 is checked, and if it is not "0", the process moves to step ST13, and if it is "0", the process moves to step ST16. In step ST13, the line speed to be checked and step ST1
Compare the reserved line speed 73 obtained in step 1, and if the same, proceed to step ST14; if different, proceed to step ST1.
7, respectively.

[0071] In step ST14, the number of lines for the reserved conference is calculated. In this calculation, it is known that the number of conference lines is "x+1" from the content "x" of the number of reserved child terminals 83 in the newly registered reserved conference information 70.

Next, in step ST15, step S
The sum of the number of reserved lines obtained in T11 and the number of reserved conference lines obtained in step ST14 is compared with the maximum number of lines of the conference device 5, and if it exceeds the maximum number of lines, the process proceeds to step ST17. If there is less, step ST16
Shift processing to .

In step ST16, it is determined that the conference reservation is "OK", and in step ST17, it is determined that the conference reservation is "NG". Through the above steps, it is possible to check whether or not a conference reservation is possible.

[0074] Furthermore, when modifying the reservation file 46,
First, the valid/invalid category 71 in the target reserved conference information 70
After storing the pattern "0" indicating that there is no scheduled conference in , each item from the reservation start time 73 to the number of reserved child participants 88 of the reserved conference information 70 to be modified is corrected using the display means 42 and the input means 41. Thereafter, the reserved conference device 72 and the reserved line speed 73 are determined in the same manner as for new registration, and the modification process is performed by storing the pattern "1" indicating a reserved conference in the valid/invalid section 71.

[0075] When deleting, the target reserved conference information 7
The valid/invalid section 71 within 0 has the pattern “0” with no scheduled conference.
” is stored to perform the deletion process.

Example 3. In each of the above embodiments, the operation management device 8 is provided with an input means 41 and a display means 42, but the operation management device 8 is provided with a modem and connected to a public telephone line, so that it can be used as an input device such as a personal computer. A device having a modem and a display means is connected to a telephone public line, and the operation management device 8 is connected to the computer input means and display means.
The functions of the input means 41 and the display means 42 may be replaced, and the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Example 4. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an ISDN network is taken as an example of a communication network, and the line speed is 2B, H
We have explained two cases of o, but when the line speed is H1
It may be a private line or a dedicated line, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0078]

As described above, according to the invention set forth in claim 1, when a multi-point conference is held, the line speed at which the conference device that holds the conference can be connected to the communication network by the video conference terminals that participate in the conference. , the line speed of each conference device, and the number of free lines, and the conference device capable of holding a conference is determined by searching in a predetermined order according to the line speed. This has the effect of providing a multipoint video conferencing device that can effectively utilize available space.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the invention, when reserving a multipoint conference, the line speed at which the conference device for reserving the multipoint conference can be connected to the communication network by the video conference terminals participating in the conference; Searching for conference devices that can be reserved for a multipoint conference in a predetermined order according to the line speed, based on the line speed and number of free lines in the reservation status of each conference device during the start and end periods of the multipoint conference. Since the configuration is configured such that the decision is made by , it is possible to obtain a multipoint video conference device that can effectively utilize the available lines of the conference device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a multipoint video conference device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conference device used in the multipoint video conference device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conference table used in the conference device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video conference terminal used in the multipoint video conference device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation management device used in the multipoint video conference device according to the invention as set forth in claim 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation table used in the operation management device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for checking whether a conference can be held by the operation management device.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing a basic call control sequence in the multipoint video conference device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation management device used in the multipoint video conference device according to the invention as set forth in claim 2;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reservation file used in the operation management device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for checking whether or not a conference reservation is possible by the operation management device.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional multipoint video conference device.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Communication network (ISDN network) 5 Conference equipment 6,7 Video conference terminal 8 Operation management device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of video conference terminals that can be connected to a communication network by selecting one of a plurality of line speeds, and a plurality of video conference terminals that can be connected to the communication network at one of the fixed line speeds. and connected to the communication network through multiple lines,
A multipoint conference using a plurality of video conference terminals where the total number of terminals participating in the conference is up to the number of lines is 1 of the line speed.
a plurality of conference devices that can select and hold one conference, a line speed at which each of the conference devices is connected and a video conference terminal participating in the conference can connect to the communication network when the multipoint conference is held; Based on the line speed of the device and the number of free lines, the conference device capable of holding the conference is searched in a predetermined order based on the line speed to determine the conference device to hold the conference, and the multipoint conference is started. - A multipoint video conference device equipped with an operation management device that controls termination. 2. A plurality of video conference terminals that can be connected to a communication network by selecting one of a plurality of line speeds, and a plurality of video conference terminals that can be connected to the communication network at one of the fixed line speeds. and connected to the communication network through multiple lines,
A multipoint conference using a plurality of video conference terminals where the total number of terminals participating in the conference is up to the number of lines is 1 of the line speed.
Multiple conference devices can be selected to hold a conference, and each of the conference devices is connected to a reservation file that can store conference reservation information including the start time and end time of the multipoint conference, and the current time can be read. When reserving the multi-point conference, it is equipped with a clock function that determines the line speed at which video conference terminals participating in the conference can connect to the communication network, and the reservation status of each conference device during the start and end periods of the multi-point conference. Based on the line speed and the number of free lines, the conference apparatus capable of reserving the multipoint conference is searched for in a predetermined order based on the line speed, and the conference apparatus to be reserved for the multipoint conference is determined; Starting a multipoint conference
A multipoint video conference device comprising an operation management device that controls termination reservations.