DE102007037489A1 - Method for assembling or executing audio or video conference between two receiving stations, involves maintaining administrative channel between stations over communication center - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves establishing a connection between two receiving stations (A,B) over an initialization signal initiated by one of the stations. The signal is transmitted to a communication center (K). Audio or video signals affiliated on the former station are transferred to the latter station and vice versa, particularly over a direct channel. An administrative channel is maintained between the receiving stations over the center, during the communication between the receiving stations. The data exchange is carried out by the Internet. An independent claim is included for a system for establishing a connection establishment between two receiving stations.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a system for establishing a connection An audio / video conference according to claim 1 or 12.

One Establishing a connection between two remote stations is one of the usual and frequent measures In the IT sector.

Next classic telephone connections in a telephone network have in the Today, especially the Internet and the connection between two counterparts big Importance.

audio and / or videoconferencing systems are basically known. For example, with them Conference calls between employees of two or more Company performed be located in different locations.

in the There are frames of such audio and / or video conferencing systems but also special cases. Possible would be a such use, for example, as a communication system between of care People on the one hand and caregivers on the other. Are located the caregivers, for example, medical assistants or trained doctors another place, so could Remember, here is a special audio-video conferencing system between user and patient on the one hand and a service center on the other for example in the form of doctors provide.

task The present invention is an improved audio and / or To create video conference system, in particular for the aforementioned applications comes into consideration and a particularly simple, but nevertheless has safe construction.

The Task is relative the method according to claim 1 and with respect to the system solved according to the features specified in claim 12. advantageous Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The inventive system is characterized by numerous advantages.

So For example, it can be used by carers (eg in their home or in their home) Flat patient) the system a simple trigger or Initialization box, for example, a conventional Internet connection (LAN-WLAN) in the form of a commercial equipment includes. In a central computer network is a system of one Server provided. This one is for the administration of the connection and / or for the maintenance or for the Termination of the connection responsible. For this Administration is running on the server a special supervised server software.

At the Caregiver, ie the other party to the caregiver, is a system, for example consisting of a commercial Multimedia PC and a corresponding conference client software, necessary.

Prefers should the multimedia PC at the supervisor remote station via a Broadband Internet access via a microphone and / or via a WebCam.

Prefers through a one-button release can by the patient (patient) preferably at a specially provided for this purpose Box (initialization box) a corresponding connection to be introduced to a caregiver (doctor).

The Connection is not directly to the supervised, but first to a linked server stored in a database (table) over the appropriate information has which supervisor as a remote site in question or which contact person is desired by the person being cared for.

After this from the connection server the connection to the caregiver system (remote station) produced and also the status was checked (whether the caregiver system is active and available), is then over the Connection server a direct connection between the supervised and the supervisor system.

For the connection evaluation is then a monitoring login to disposal. While A session remains an administrative channel through this server.

The Video and / or audio data is over a direct channel between transmitted to the two end users (supervisors and supervisors).

For the safe Data transmission over the Internet it is preferred to use hybrid encryption. Owns each of the three main components has a "public" - and a "private" - and a new one for each data channel generated "session" key.

In addition, it can be provided that the data transmission in particular for the audio files as well as the video files (or the associated data) can be compressed, for example, the video data for one of the known MPEG formats or image files according to the JPEG format or audio files, for example compressed to the mp3 format and then transferred. There are basically no restrictions on a specific compression method.

The The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. there show in detail:

1 a system sketch of the audio and / or video conferencing system;

2 Fig. 3 is an illustration for explaining the connection structure of an audio and / or video conference; and

3 : a diagram representation for the completion of a connection cancellation.

In 1 a system sketch of the overall system is shown. It can be seen that the conference system comprises a so-called remote station A, a remote station B and a communication center K acting between two remote stations.

Usually is the remote station A, the remote station B and the communication center K spatially removed, where distances are meaningless because the Communication over the internet expires.

The remote station A includes, for example, a video and / or audio system. This video and / or audio system includes a corresponding video and / or output system 1 (eg a TV) and a video and / or recording system 2 ,

This video and / or audio system 2 includes a corresponding video and / or output system 1 (eg a TV) as well as a video and / or recording system 2 ,

This video and / or recording system 2 is for example to a communication device 3 connected, preferably a means for pulse detection, input keys 3a . 3b . 3c etc. (ie at least one input key 3a for establishing a connection setup with a remote station B). The aforementioned video and / or audio recording system, for example in the form of a WebCam and / or a preferably remotely controllable digital camera and / or a microphone, optionally a keyboard, mouse or other input devices is to the communication device 3 connected. Likewise, the mentioned video and / or output system is provided, preferably using a television, beamer, monitor or the like and using loudspeakers, a printer, etc., which also preferably to the communication device 3 connected. In addition, the video and / or audio system and / or the communication device is provided with appropriate software and with pulse recognition devices. Thus, by means of the keys mentioned, an initialization or production of a connection structure can be established for at least one or preferably several keys to optionally different remote stations (attendants). At least one other key is usually provided for the connection abort. It is also possible to use equivalent control inputs.

It is also a communication system 4 provided, which includes, for example, a DSL modem or a data radio system, which enables the remote station A to communicate with the communication center K or with the remote station B. This is the communication device 3 ultimately with the communication system 4 connected.

The mentioned communication server 5 (ie the communication center K) is equipped with appropriate management software. It serves for connection management.

The remote station B also has a communication system again 6 on, for example, again a DSL modem or a data radio system comparable to the communication system 4 ,

Furthermore, the remote station B is provided with a video and / or audio system, which in turn also a video and / or audio recording system 7 as well as a video and / or audio output system 9 includes, for example, again with a multimedia PC with appropriate speakers and a WebCam or a microphone for the recording function etc.

Also can also still a communication device or communication box 8th be provided, for example, with an acceptance button 8a or a reject button 8b is equipped if a desired connection setup is to be rejected by a remote station A. The audio and / or video recording facilities 7 For example, you can use this communication box 8th be connected, as well as the video and / or output devices 9 ,

The communication unit 8th can then, for example, to the communication system, for example consisting of a modus, router, z. As DSL modem or DSL router, or a radio data system to be connected, what the connection to the Internet and about the Kommuni cation server 5 can be produced.

following The basic structure and the function should be explained in more detail.

The corresponding video and / or audio data are intended in the context of the described System over the Internet are exchanged, and in principle between a remote station A and a remote station B by means of a Communication center K. In this case, the remote station A is partial also as a "supervised" or "supervised body" and the remote station B is referred to as a "supervisor" or "supervisor".

in the The framework of the system described is the connection establishment only possible from the remote station A. be, so can be initiated. In this case, a multi-level connection establishment is preferred only by a simple initialization pulse, so by an initialization signal triggered (one-touch-connect). Further parameterizations are not necessary.

Prefers the data is sent using a standard Encryption system over the Internet broadcast.

For a safe Data transmission over the Internet Preferably, a hybrid encryption is used. Owns each of the three main components has a "public" - and a "private" - and a new one for each data channel generated "session" key.

With Help the "public keys ", the" session keys "are encrypted and for each Transfer data channel. The "session keys" are used to encrypt the connection data and on the opposite Place you will for the decryption used.

at the tripartite structure the main components can therefore the remote station A a connection request initiate. As soon as the connection is established, the remote station picks up A the video and audio data on and sends it to the remote station B, where they receive the video and audio data received from the remote station B. at the remote station A issues.

The Communication center K, which manages the connections and the Routing takes over, for example, consists of one or more server programs, running on one or more servers.

The Remote station B must first after receiving a connection request signal from the remote station A, mediated over the communication center K, agree to this connection request. In this case, for an existing connection, the video and / or audio signals received from remote station A. are sent to the remote station A, so that the remote station B (the Caregiver for example in the form of a doctor etc.) so that the possibility is given to act on it and vice versa audio and / or video signals from the remote station B to the remote station A, where they at the Supervised turn out to be spent. As mentioned, the corresponding compound initiated only by the remote station A and not by the remote station B. become. The remote station B can only request a connection accept or reject or it will be through the communications server notified the remote station A after receiving a connection request, that the remote station B is not active or not to establish a connection to disposal stands.

Based on 2 the connection establishment between the remote station A and the remote station B is explained in greater detail, being spoken for the remote station A by a supervised system B1 and for the remote station B from a caregiver system D1.

First, a communication request from the person being supervised B1, for example to establish a connection to a doctor D1, by pressing a key D1 (corresponding to, for example, a key 3a or 3b in 1 ) on the communication box KB, for example, also triggered again. On the screen, a display and a "select" output may appear. The mentioned communication request can be generated in the form of an initialization pulse or an initialization signal from all measurable events, such as mechanical, thermal or electrical variables. For example, a pulse in a particular application may be a keystroke or a signal from a smoke detector circuit, etc.

there is preferably a multi-level connection establishment only by a simple pulse or simple signal (initialization pulse or Initialization signal) (one-touch-connect). Further parameterizations are not necessary.

The corresponding initialization signal IS becomes the communication server 5 which has all the data concerning the specific supervisor (D1) desired by the caregiver and asks if the particular, selected supervisor (D1) is available.

If the requesting supervisor (D1) is not available, this will be done by the communication server 5 notified to the supervised system B1, for example, with the reference "technician" or "name of D1""notavailable".

The connection server 5 For example, it has a stored table with all the information which remote stations A and remote stations B are basically connected to the system. Furthermore, the entire administration takes place in the connection server.

Each of the selection keys 3a . 3b etc. is assigned to a specific remote station B. The information relating to the remote station B, including the user information about the caregivers and the caregivers, is also stored in the general data management on the communication server, so that when one of the selection buttons is pressed 3a . 3b etc. can be made exactly a connection with that, the relevant key associated remote station B. The data and settings stored on the communication server can be managed via an appropriate administration mode.

About one Status menu is it for example for a supervisor possible, enter a holiday status with a possible representation, so that when triggered the relevant key in the absence of the actually to be selected for this Supervisor according to one certain remote station B another remote station B is automatically selected.

is the desired remote site, for example, the supervisor system D1 available the request of B1 about the communication center K with the connection server to the caregiver system D1, who can now respond with "Reject" or "Accept".

Both information is sent via the communication server 5 to the supervised system B1 under acoustic and / or visual representation of a corresponding response returned (for example, "name (D1) does not accept the conversation" (rejection) or display and output of the accepting supervisor name D1 with the note "Name ( D1) accepts the conversation "etc.

simultaneously In doing so, an administrative channel is interposed via the server B1 the remote station A and the remote station B, that is, between the supervised system B1 and the supervisor system D1, maintained. The actual communication and the exchange the audio and / or video data between the two remote stations However, A and B preferably takes place bypassing the central communication unit K instead.

It So it can be stated that in the phase of connection establishment an encrypted one Connection from the remote station A via the Internet to the central communication unit K is being built. For encryption preferred is the mentioned hybrid encryption used. The communication center K has the information to which remote station B the connection request of the remote station A with the impulse I is directed. In the management of the connection K recognizes whether for the remote station A with the pulse I a corresponding remote station B is present and whether the status of the remote station B is a connection allows. The status is configurable in K, for example as an indication of whether remote station B is offline in status. On the other hand is encrypted by K Connection via the Internet is set up to the remote station B and the status of the remote station is B queried and the remote site is the Internet address of the remote station A transmitted. K sends the remote station A either one or more messages, why the connection request failed or on successful Connection request the Internet address of the remote station B. The remote station A builds over the internet an encrypted Connection to remote site B on. About these connections will be the video and audio data transmitted between the two remote stations A and B. The video and / or Audio data is transmitted in each remote station by one or more video recording systems and one or several audio recording systems recorded and sent to the other Sent to remote site. The video received from each other and / or audio data are from the respective remote site in one or multiple video output systems and one or more audio output systems. A connection termination can at any time from the remote station A as well as from the remote station B done. The connection abort causes that all connections via the internet will be closed. A remote station B has the option of a Management connection that establishes an encrypted connection over the Internet represents, to communicate to K the own status. For example can here for a longer one Period of a state, such. Offline, an equivalent Status are set.

The following is based on 3 explains how a connection break can take place. It would be possible, for example, that the server K detects a connection error, for example, the connection to a subscriber due to timeout (timeout), or due to protocol violation. If the remote station A and the remote station B are not reachable from the server K, this information is forwarded to the relevant remote station, for example with the message "Connection abort". At the same time, the session is closed and the system is switched back to the ready output state.

It is also possible that the communication center, so the communication server 5 detects a connection termination only from the supervised system A (remote station A). Then the administrative channel is closed to A1 and a connection termination is forwarded from A1 to B1. As a result, the connection channel is closed to B1 and B1 receives the information "connection abort through A1". The data channel between A1 and B1 is closed and the system is switched back to the ready state.

Conversely, the communication server 5 also detect a connection abort of B1. In this case also the administrative channel is closed to B1 and a connection abort is sent by B1 to A1. The connection channel to A1 is also closed.

A1 receives on the output unit visually and / or acoustically the indication "disconnection by B1 "too here the data channel between A1 and B1 is closed and the System switched back to the "ready" state. Of the Abandonment can occur on the supervisor side, for example Hang up or cancel the connection. No further data more will be sent.

The entire system thus offers the possibility that, for example, from the supervised side at any time alone by pressing a single preset or preprogrammed key made to a specific doctor associated with this key becomes. about a next one For example, a button can connect to a user as desired other doctor or another caregiver become. In the same way, connections to, for example, distant family members are possible.

The carried out transfer audio and / or video data (including, if applicable, not moving image data) is preferably compressed. For this, the usual Compression can be used, for example, the MPEG compression method for video data, the JPEG compression method for the compression of image data or for audio data, the well-known mp3 method. By means of the known Programs can reproduced this compressed data directly on the opposite side become. But you can do the same the corresponding data and files are also transmitted as "raw data" become.

One such system can be used, for example, that a patient may contact a remote doctor immediately if necessary at least through the patient's camera Being able to analyze his condition, to inspect certain parts of the body in more detail can if the patient has the camera on the appropriate body parts directed by using the permanent commnication of the microphones and speakers a vote between patient and Doctor possible is.

The mentioned System is not limited to this.

Under Using smoke detectors, for example, can do this automatically triggered by the smoke detector or by a key, for example a connection to the fire department, the police, etc. are made. So could but also a connection between a patient and his relatives or Relatives are set up to do so only when needed by pressing a single key to establish a connection and manufacture.

The System is therefore limited to non-specific applications.

Claims (26)

Method for establishing and / or carrying out an audio and / or video conference between two remote stations (A, B) having the following features: - a connection between at least two remote stations (A, B) is only initiated by an initialization signal (IS) one of the two remote stations (A) initiated, - the initialization signal (IS) is transmitted to a communication center (K) establishing a connection between the remote station (A) and the central communication (K), - the communication center (K) checks on the basis obtained Initialization signal (IS) with which remote station (B) the initializing remote station (A) is to be connected, - the central communication unit (K) checks whether the remote station can be reached, - if the remote station (B) is reachable, a direct data Communication between the remote station (A) and the remote station (B), preferably bypassing the communication center (K) produced, wherein on the remote station (A ) recorded audio and / or video signals from the remote station (A) to the remote station (B) and vice versa on the opposite side (B) recorded audio and / or video signals from the remote station (B) to the remote station (A), preferably via a direct channel during communication between the remote station (A) and the remote station (B), an administrative channel between the remote station (A) and the remote station (B) is maintained via the communications center (K), and - The data exchange takes place via the Internet. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the remote site (A) for the preparation of different compounds to different remote stations (B) different initialization signals (IS) can generate. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the establishment of a connection between the remote station (A) and a remote station (B) by an initialization signal (IS) and / or by Actuate a key is triggered becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that over the communication center (K) queried remote station (B) a Reject connection with the initializing remote station (A) or can accept. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that for the data transmission on the internet a hybrid encryption is used. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that that both for the remote stations (A, B) as well as for the communication center (K) uses a "public", a "private" and a "session" key using the "public" key to encrypt the "session" key and transmitted for each data channel become. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that by means of the "session" key the connection data encoded and on the opposite Remote station (A, B) for the decryption be used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a communication system is used which for establishing a connection from the remote station (A) to different remote sites (B) for each different connection a different initialization device, preferably in the form of a button ( 3a . 3b ), is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a communication system is used which on the remote station (A) and / or on the opposite side (B) termination of the connection by operating only an input device, preferably in the form of a button ( 3c ). Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the audio and / or video data is transmitted in compressed form. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized that only from a remote site iniziier- and / or inizialisierbare Compound is initiated or iniziallized only by an impulse. System for establishing a connection establishment between at least two remote stations (A, B) with the following features: - each of the at least two remote stations (A, B) has a video and / or audio input system and a video and / or audio Output system, preferably in the form of a microphone and a loudspeaker and / or a camera and a display unit, - it is an initialisation device ( 2a . 2 B ), preferably in the form of a key, provided at the remote station (A), - a connection establishment between at least two remote sites (A, B) can be initialized only by a remote station (A), - it is also a communication server ( 5 ), an initialization signal for establishing a connection with a specific remote station (B) is available to the communications server ( 5 ), - in the communication server ( 5 ) the data regarding the remote station (A) desired remote station (B) are stored, - via the communication server ( 5 ), a connection to the remote station (B) can be set up, - after establishing a connection between the communication server ( 5 ) and the remote station (B), a direct connection between the remote station (A) and the selected remote station (B), preferably bypassing the communication server ( 5 ), exchanging audio and / or display data, and - during the communication between the remote station (A) and the selected remote station (B), there is an administrative channel via the communication server ( 5 ). System according to claim 12, characterized in that that each of the two remote stations (A, B) via a microphone and a Camera, in particular a WebCam, has. System according to claim 12 or 13, characterized that each of the two remote stations (A, B) via a speaker and a display device (image output device) has. System according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the remote station (A) at least via an initialization key (A) 2a . 2 B ), preferably has a plurality of initialization keys, each of which a specific remote station (B) is assigned. System according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that in the at least one communication server ( 5 ) Connection data with respect to different remote sites (B) are stored, with which the remote station (A) is connectable. System according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that each of the remote stations (A, B) via a triggering device ( 3c ), preferably in the form of a release button for interrupting the connection. System according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the remote station (A) via a communication box ( 3 ) with corresponding buttons ( 3a . 3b . 3c ) for establishing a connection structure and for a connection termination. System according to claim 18, characterized in that at the communication box ( 3 ) the video and / or audio recording system ( 2 ) connected. System according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that at the communication box ( 3 ) the video and / or output system ( 1 ) connected. System according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the opposite side via a communication box ( 8th ) for accepting and / or rejecting a connection signal. System according to claim 21, characterized in that at the remote station (B) a video and / or audio recording system ( 7 ) on the communication box ( 8th ) connected. System according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the video and / or audio output system ( 9 ) on the communication box ( 8th ) connected. System according to one of claims 12 to 23, characterized that the remote station (A) as the remote station (B) via a Communication system has, about what a connection to the Internet can be produced, preferably in the form a DSL modem or DSL router or a data radio system. System according to one of claims 12 to 24, characterized that a compression device at least on one and preferably on two remote stations (A, B) is provided, about what the audio and / or video data to be transmitted transmitted in compressed form can be. System according to one of claims 12 to 25, characterized a connection from one remote station (A) to the other remote station (B) only by a pulse from the remote station (A) can be produced.