Communication method, communication system, and connection apparatus

• US 20070160192A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Horio, Kenichi, Okuyama, Satoshi, Ohno, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,630,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A connection apparatus is employed which is connected to a repeating apparatus for providing the PoC for first communication apparatuses having a PoC function. Call connection is established between the connection apparatus and second communication apparatus not having the PoC function. In the connection apparatus, recorded is apparatus information for identifying each second communication apparatus. The connection apparatus has the function of acting as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information. This function consists of the function of performing half duplex communication with the repeating apparatus; the function of transmitting output data received from the second communication apparatus, to the repeating apparatus when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and the function of transmitting received output data to the second communication apparatus when the output data is received from the repeating apparatus.

Claims

1. A communication method employing a repeating apparatus which can relay communication among a plurality of first communication apparatuses capable of performing half duplex communication, and which performs multi-address calling of output data received from one communication apparatus having acquired transmission right, to the other communication apparatuses having been grouped with said one communication apparatus,

said communication method further employing at least one second communication apparatus capable of performing full duplex communication with an apparatus to which call connection has been established and a connection apparatus connected to said repeating apparatus, and

said communication method comprising the steps of by said connection apparatus, establishing call connection in full duplex communication to a second communication apparatus;

by said connection apparatus, performing communication with said repeating apparatus as a proxy of the second communication apparatus having been grouped by establishing the call connection;

by said connection apparatus, transmitting output data received from the second communication apparatus to said repeating apparatus, when the grouped second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and

by said connection apparatus, transmitting the received output data to the second communication apparatus, when said connection apparatus receives output data from said repeating apparatus.

2. A communication system comprising a repeating apparatus which can relay communication among a plurality of first communication apparatuses capable of performing half duplex communication, and which performs multi-address calling of output data received from one communication apparatus having acquired transmission right, to the other communication apparatuses having been grouped with said one communication apparatus, including:

at least one second communication apparatus capable of performing full duplex communication of output data with a communication apparatus to which call connection has been established; and

a connection apparatus connected to said repeating apparatus, wherein

said connection apparatus comprises;

apparatus information recording means for recording apparatus information for identifying a second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, as apparatus information of a grouped apparatus;

means for performing communication with said repeating apparatus as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information recorded in said apparatus information recording means;

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus output data received from the second communication apparatus, when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and

means for transmitting received output data to the second communication apparatus, when the output data is received from said repeating apparatus.

3. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said output data is voice data for outputting voice.

4. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first communication apparatus and said repeating apparatus transmit and receive the output data via an IP network.

5. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second communication apparatus establishes call connection to said connection apparatus via a line switching network.

6. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second communication apparatus establishes call connection to said connection apparatus via a virtual communication line being set up on a packet switching network.

7. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connection apparatus further comprises means for converting the format of the output data.

8. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said repeating apparatus comprises means for transmitting a participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus, when the participation request is received for requesting participation into the group with specifying one or a plurality of communication apparatuses including a second communication apparatus,

said connection apparatus further comprises:

means for executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request;

means for establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus, when a response to the call processing is received from the second communication apparatus;

means for recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said apparatus information recording means as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said repeating apparatus further comprises means for executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

9. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first communication apparatus comprises:

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying one or a plurality of communication apparatuses including at least one second communication apparatus; and

means for transmitting call identification information necessary for call for said connection apparatus, to the specified second communication apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises means for transmitting the received participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus,

the second communication apparatus having received the call identification information comprises means for executing call processing for said connection apparatus on the basis of the received call identification information,

said connection apparatus further comprises;

means for establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus in response to the call processing from the second communication apparatus specified by the participation request received from said repeating apparatus;

means for recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said apparatus information recording means as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said repeating apparatus further comprises means for executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

10. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said connection apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the received participation request to said repeating apparatus when the participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of communication apparatuses including a second communication apparatus is received not via said repeating apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises means for transmitting the received participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus,

said connection apparatus further comprises:

means for executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request;

means for establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus when a response to the call processing is received from the second communication apparatus;

means for recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said apparatus information recording means as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said repeating apparatus further comprises means for executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

11. The communication system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said connection apparatus receives the participation request via a web server computer.

12. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the second communication apparatus comprises:

means for transmitting a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of apparatuses including itself, to said connection apparatus to which call connection is not yet established; and

means for executing call processing for said connection apparatus, said connection apparatus further comprises;

means for establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus in response to the call processing from the second communication apparatus; and

means for transmitting the received participation request to said repeating apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises means for transmitting the participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request,

said connection apparatus further comprises;

means for recording the second communication apparatus which is specified by the received participation request and to which call connection has been establishes, into said apparatus information recording means as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and said repeating apparatus further comprises;

means for transmitting the participation request to the communication apparatuses specified by the received participation request; and

means for executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

13. The communication system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said second communication apparatus transmits the participation request to said connection apparatus via a web server computer.

14. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the second communication apparatus comprises means for transmitting a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of communication apparatuses including itself, to said repeating apparatus not via said connection apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises means for transmitting the participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request,

said connection apparatus further comprises:

means for executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request;

means for establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus, when a response to the call processing is received from the second communication apparatus;

means for recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said apparatus information recording means as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said repeating apparatus further comprises means for executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

15. The communication system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said second communication apparatus transmits the participation request to said repeating apparatus via a web server computer.

16. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connection apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the second communication apparatus, participation notice output data for causing said second communication apparatus to generate output indicating as having participated into the group.

17. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connection apparatus further comprises means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a transmission right request for requesting transmission right for said second communication apparatus, when output data at an output level exceeding a predetermined threshold or alternatively a predetermined command for requesting transmission right is received from the second communication apparatus.

18. The communication system as set forth in claim 17, wherein said connection apparatus further comprises means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a transmission right release request for releasing transmission right for the second communication apparatus, when output data at an output level below a predetermined threshold or alternatively a predetermined command for releasing the transmission right is received from the second communication apparatus having acquired transmission right.

19. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said connection apparatus further comprises:

means for detecting call disconnection of the grouped second communication apparatus;

means for deleting from said apparatus information recording means the apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call disconnection has been performed; and

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus a cancellation request for requesting grouping cancellation.

20. A connection apparatus connected to a repeating apparatus which can relay communication among a plurality of first communication apparatuses capable of performing half duplex communication, and which performs multi-address calling of output data received from one communication apparatus having acquired transmission right, to the other communication apparatuses having been grouped with said one communication apparatus, comprising:

means for establishing call connection to at least one second communication apparatus capable of performing full duplex communication;

apparatus information recording means for recording apparatus information for identifying a second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, as apparatus information of a grouped apparatus;

means for performing communication with said repeating apparatus as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information recorded in said apparatus information recording means;

means for transmitting to said repeating apparatus output data received from the second communication apparatus, when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and

means for transmitting received output data to the second communication apparatus, when the output data is received from said repeating apparatus.

21. A communication system comprising a repeating apparatus which can relay communication among a plurality of first communication apparatuses capable of performing half duplex communication, and which performs multi-address calling of output data received from one communication apparatus having acquired transmission right, to the other communication apparatuses having been grouped with said one communication apparatus, including:

at least one second communication apparatus capable of performing full duplex communication of output data with a communication apparatus to which call connection has been established; and

a connection apparatus connected to said repeating apparatus,

wherein said connection apparatus comprises;

a recording unit for recording apparatus information for identifying a second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, as apparatus information of a grouped apparatus;

a communication unit capable of performing communication with said repeating apparatus; and

a controller connected with said recording unit and said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operations of;

causing said communication unit to communicate with said repeating apparatus as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information recorded in said recording unit;

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus output data received from the second communication apparatus, when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and

causing said communication unit to transmit received output data to the second communication apparatus, when said communication unit receives the output data from said repeating apparatus.

22. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

said repeating apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit a participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus, when said communication unit receives the participation request for requesting participation into the group with specifying one or a plurality of communication apparatuses including a second communication apparatus,

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of

executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the participation request received by said communication unit;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus, when said communication unit receives a response to the call processing from the second communication apparatus;

recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said recording unit as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said controller of said repeating apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of executing grouping on the basis of the received participation approval.

23. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

the first communication apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said repeating apparatus and the second communication apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operations of:

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying one or a plurality of communication apparatuses including at least one second communication apparatus; and

causing said communication unit to transmit call identification information necessary for call for said connection apparatus, to the specified second communication apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit the received participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus,

the second communication apparatus having received the call identification information comprises a controller capable of performing the following operation of executing call processing for said connection apparatus on the basis of the received call identification information,

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus in response to the call processing from the second communication apparatus specified by the participation request received from said repeating apparatus;

recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said recording unit as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving

participation of the second communication apparatus into the

group, and

said controller of said repeating apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of executing grouping on the basis of the participation approval received from said repeating apparatus.

24. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit the received participation request to said repeating apparatus when the participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of communication apparatuses including a second communication apparatus is received not via said repeating apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit the received participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the specified second communication apparatus identified by the received participation request;

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of;

executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus when a response to the call processing is received from the second communication apparatus;

recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said recording unit as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said controller of said repeating apparatus further capable of performing following operation of executing grouping on the basis of the participation approval received from said connection apparatus.

25. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

the second communication apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operations of:

causing said communication unit to transmit a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of apparatuses including itself, to said connection apparatus to which call connection is not yet established; and

executing call processing for said connection apparatus,

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus in response to the call processing from the second communication apparatus; and

causing said communication unit to transmit the received participation request to said repeating apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit the participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request,

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of;

recording the second communication apparatus which is specified by the received participation request and to which call connection has been establishes, into said recording unit as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said controller of said repeating apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of;

causing said communication unit to transmit the participation request to the communication apparatuses specified by the received participation request; and

executing grouping on the basis of the participation approval received from said connection apparatus.

26. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

the second communication apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said repeating apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit a participation request for requesting participation into a group with specifying a plurality of communication apparatuses including itself, to said repeating apparatus not via said connection apparatus,

said repeating apparatus comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with said connection apparatus, and a controller connected with said communication unit, and capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit the participation request to said connection apparatus to be the proxy of the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request,

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of:

executing call processing for the second communication apparatus specified by the received participation request;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus, when a response to the call processing is received from the second communication apparatus;

recording apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, into said recording unit as a communication apparatus to be participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a participation approval for approving participation of the second communication apparatus into the group, and

said controller of said repeating apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of executing grouping on the basis of the participation approval received from said connection apparatus.

27. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of:

generating participation notice output data for causing said second communication apparatus to generate output indicating as having participated into the group; and

causing said communication unit to transmit the participation notice output data to the second communication apparatus.

28. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a transmission right request for requesting transmission right for said second communication apparatus, when output data at an output level exceeding a predetermined threshold or alternatively a predetermined command for requesting transmission right is received from the second communication apparatus.

29. The communication system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operation of causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a transmission right release request for releasing transmission right for the second communication apparatus, when output data at an output level below a predetermined threshold or alternatively a predetermined command for releasing the transmission right is received from the second communication apparatus having acquired transmission right.

30. The communication system as set forth in claim 21, wherein

said controller of said connection apparatus further capable of performing the following operations of:

detecting call disconnection of the grouped second communication apparatus;

deleting from said recording unit the apparatus information for identifying the second communication apparatus to which call disconnection has been performed; and

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus a cancellation request for requesting grouping cancellation.

31. A connection apparatus connected to a repeating apparatus which can relay communication among a plurality of first communication apparatuses capable of performing half duplex communication, and which performs multi-address calling of output data received from one communication apparatus having acquired transmission right, to the other communication apparatuses having been grouped with said one communication apparatus, comprising:

a communication unit capable of communicating with the second communication apparatus capable of performing full duplex communication;

a recording unit for recording apparatus information for identifying a second communication apparatus to which call connection has been established, as apparatus information of a grouped apparatus; and

a controller connected with said communication unit and said recording unit, and capable of performing the following operations of;

establishing call connection to the second communication apparatus;

causing said communication unit to communicate with said repeating apparatus as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information recorded in said recording unit;

causing said communication unit to transmit to said repeating apparatus output data received from the second communication apparatus, when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and

causing said communication unit to transmit received output data to the second communication apparatus, when the output data is received from said repeating apparatus.