Ip telecommunication system, method for controlling communication in ip network, client terminal and client server

Abstract

A network communication system when a call is issued from one of said input/output terminal and said communication terminal, said call control means provided on the side of said server establishes the call connection between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal; and when the call connection between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal is established based upon the call control means on the side of said server, a communication of any one, or both said audio and video information can be performed via said network between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal.

1 . A network communication system comprising:
 a server for managing data and a data forming program which forms the data;   an input/output terminal including an information input section for inputting information used to form said data based upon said data forming program of said server, and a remote control section for performing a remote control between the server and the remote control section, said input/output terminal transmitting said input information to said server through said remote control section, and receiving the data formed on the side of said server; and   a network for coupling said server to said input/output terminal; in which transmission/reception of said input information and said formed data are performed by the remote operation between said server and said input/output terminal; wherein:   an audio packet communication section for communicating any one, or both, of audio information and video information with respect to a communication terminal connected to said network, and a dialing section for inputting call control information which establishes a call connection with respect to said communication terminal are provided on the side of said input/output terminal;   call control means for controlling a call between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal in response to said call control information so as to set the call is provided on the side of said server;   when a call is issued from one of said input/output terminal and said communication terminal, said call control means provided on the side of said server establishes the call connection between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal; and   when the call connection between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal is established based upon the call control means on the side of said server, a communication of any one, or both said audio and video information can be performed via said network between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal.   
   
   
       2 . A network communication system comprising:
 a thin client server for managing data and a data forming program which forms the data;   a thin client terminal which is remotely operated with respect to said thin client server, which transmits input information for forming the data based upon said data forming program of said thin client server to said thin client server, and which receives said data formed on the side of said thin client server;   a network communication terminal capable of performing a network communication of audio, or video information; and   a network for coupling said thin client server, said thin client terminal, and said network communication terminal with each other; in which a telephone communication, or a video information communication can be carried out between said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal; wherein:   information communication means for communicating the audio information, or the video information via said network to said network communication terminal is provided on the side of said thin client terminal;   call control means for call-connecting between said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal is provided on the side of said thin client server;   in a case that a call is issued from said thin client terminal, or said network communication terminal, a call connection between said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal is established by said call control means of said thin client server and said network;   the audio information, or the video information of said thin client terminal is transmitted via said network to said network communication terminal by said thin client terminal, or said information communication means of said network communication terminal; and   the call connection between said client terminal and said network communication terminal, and the transmission of the audio, or video information are performed through different paths.   
   
   
       3 . A network communication system according to  claim 2  wherein:
 each of said thin client server and said thin client terminal is comprised of a remote control section which remotely controls said thin client server and said thin client terminal, and which transmits/receives data forming-purpose input information, call control information, telephone control information and data, call control information, and telephone control information;   said thin client server and said thin client terminal include telephone control sections which construct call control paths among said thin client terminal, said thin client server, and said IP communication terminal based upon the telephone control information transmitted/received from said thin client terminal and said communication terminal via said thin client server; said telephone control section of said thin client server includes a call control section of said call control means; said telephone control section of said thin client terminal includes a device control section and a packet communication section; said device control section controls a function of an appliance of either audio or video information which is inputted/outputted in/from said input/output interface section of the audio, or video information; and said packet communication section packets said audio, or video information and transmits the audio packet, or the video packet via said network to said network communication terminal; and wherein:   said network communication terminal is an IP telephone, or an IP television telephone.   
   
   
       4 . A network communication system according to  claim 2  wherein:
 said call control means includes either a telephony server or a TV telephone server, which constructs a call control path between said thin client server and said communication terminal based upon the call control of said call control section.   
   
   
       5 . A communication control method in which a communication system arranged by a server, an input/output terminal for remotely operating said server, and a network for coupling said server with said input/output terminal is capable of performing an audio communication, or a video communication between said input/output terminal and a communication terminal connected to said network, comprising:
 a step in which when said input/output terminal calls said communication terminal, said server transmits a network address of said input/output terminal to said communication terminal;   a step in which when said communication terminal responds to said call operation, said server transmits a network address of said communication terminal to said input/output terminal; and   a step for constructing a communication path capable of performing an audio communication, or a video communication between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal when said input/output terminal and said communication terminal acquire said network addresses thereof respectively; wherein:   a call connection between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal is established by executing said steps for transmitting the network addresses; and   the audio communication, or the video communication between said input/output terminal and said communication terminal can be performed by executing the step for constructing the audio communication path, or the video communication path.   
   
   
       6 . In a communication method in which a communication system is equipped with:
 an input/output terminal including a remote control section for transmitting/receiving communication control information;   a server including a remote control section for transmitting/receiving communication control information; and   a network for connecting said server to said input/output terminal; and,   an audio communication, or a video communication can be performed between said input/output terminal and a communication terminal of said network;   said communication control method comprises:   a step in which when either said input/output terminal or said network communication terminal calls either said communication terminal of said network or said input/output terminal, said server transmits either a network address of said input/output terminal or a network address of said network communication terminal to either said network communication terminal or said input/output terminal;   a step in which when either said network communication terminal or said input/output terminal responds to said call operation, said server transmits either the network address of said network communication terminal or said network address of said input/output terminal to either said input/output terminal or said network communication terminal; and   a step in which when said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal acquire said network addresses respectively, a communication path capable of performing either the audio communication or the video communication is constructed between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal; wherein:   a call connection between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal is established by executing said steps for transmitting the network addresses; and   the audio communication, or the video communication between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal can be performed by executing the step for constructing the audio communication path, or the video communication path.   
   
   
       7 . In a communication method in which a communication system is equipped with:
 a thin client terminal including a remote control section for transmitting/receiving communication control information;   a thin client server including a remote control section for transmitting/receiving communication control information;   a network communication terminal; and   a network for connecting said thin client server to said respective terminals; and,   an audio communication, or a video communication can be performed between said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal;   said communication control method comprises:   a step in which when either said thin client terminal or said network communication terminal calls either said network communication terminal or said thin client terminal, said thin client server transmits either a network address of said thin client terminal or a network address of said network communication terminal to either said network communication terminal or said thin client terminal;   a step in which when either said network communication terminal or said thin client terminal responds to said call operation, said thin client server transmits either the network address of said network communication or the network address of said thin client terminal to either said thin client terminal or said network communication terminal; and   a step in which when said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal acquire said network addresses respectively, a communication path capable of performing either the audio communication or the video communication is constructed between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal; wherein:   a call connection between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal is established by executing said steps for transmitting the network addresses; and   the audio communication, or the video communication between said thin client terminal and said network communication terminal can be performed by executing the step for constructing the audio communication path, or the video communication path.   
   
   
       8 . A communication control method capable of performing an audio communication, or a video communication between an IP communication terminal and a thin client terminal including a remote control section which transmits/receives communication control information between a thin client server and said thin client terminal, comprising:
 a step in which when said thin client terminal calls said IP communication terminal, said thin client server transmits an IP address of said thin client terminal to said IP communication terminal;   a step in which when said IP communication terminal responds to said call operation, said thin client server transmits an IP address of said IP communication terminal to said thin client terminal; and   a step in which when said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal acquire said IP addresses respectively, a communication path including said IP network capable of performing the audio communication, or the video communication is constructed between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal; wherein:   a call connection between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal is established by executing said steps for transmitting said IP addresses; and   either the audio communication or the video communication between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal can be performed by executing said step for constructing said communication path of either the audio communication or the video communication.   
   
   
       9 . A communication control method in which audio information, or video information can be transmitted/received between an input/output device and a connection target communication device by a device including call control means for connecting/disconnecting a telephone communication between said input/output device provided on a network and said connection target communication device; wherein:
 said device including said call control means is comprised of:   a step in which when input information of said input/output device is received, a second address of said input/device device is transmitted to said connection target communication device;   a step in which when said connection target communication device receives said second address and a telephone communication is allowable, a third address of said connection target communication device is transmitted to said input/output device; and   a step in which when said input/output device and said connection target communication device acquire said second address and said third address, a communication path capable of performing the telephone communication of the audio information, or the video information communication is constructed by said network between said input/output device and said connection target communication device; and wherein:   a call connection between said input/output device and said connection target communication device is established by transmitting said second address and said third address by the device including said call control means; and   said telephone communication of the audio information, or said video information communication between said input/output device and said connection target communication device can be performed by constructing either said audio information communication path or said video information communication path by said network.   
   
   
       10 . An input/output terminal for remotely
 operating a server, in which a call connection between the input/output terminal and either an audio communication terminal or a video communication terminal to be connected to a network is established by call control means arranged in said server; wherein:   said input/output terminal comprises:   a remote control section for remotely transmitting either key input information or mouse input information used to form data on the side of said server, and for remotely receiving the data formed on the side of said server;   a communication section for communicating either audio information or video information via said network to either said audio communication terminal or said video communication terminal; and   a call control input section for remotely transmitting call control information via said remote control section to said server, and for inputting thereinto control information which is capable of establishing a call connection between said audio communication terminal and said video communication terminal; and wherein:   when the call connection between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal is established by call control means of said server,   either the audio information or the video information of said input/output terminal is transmitted via said network to said communication terminal, so that a communication between said communication terminal and the input/output terminal can be performed.   
   
   
       11 . An input/output terminal according to  claim 10  wherein:
 said call control information input section is a dialing section.   
   
   
       12 . An input/output terminal which is call-connected to a network communication terminal by employing call control means and a network, said call control means being provided in a server for managing data and a data forming program for forming the data; wherein:
 said input/output terminal comprises:   an information input section for inputting thereinto information used to form said data base upon said data forming program of said server;   an information output section for receiving output information made of the data formed in said server and for outputting the received output information on a display section;   an audio packet communication section for communicating either audio information or video information;   a dialing section for inputting call control information; and   a remote control section for performing a remote control between a remote control section of the server and the remote control section; and wherein:   said remote control section transmits said input information and said call control information via said network to said server, and receives the data formed by said server; and   when a call connection between said input/output terminal and said network communication terminal is established by the call control means of said server,   said input/output terminal transmits either the audio information or the video information thereof to said communication terminal via said network without a path through said server.   
   
   
       13 . A thin client terminal in which a call connection is established with a network communication terminal via a network and a thin client server which manages data and a data forming program for forming said data; wherein:
 said thin client terminal is comprised of:   a remote control section for remotely controlling said thin client server, for transmitting input information to said server, which is used to form data based upon said data forming program of said server, and for transmitting/receiving call control information with respect to said network communication terminal between said server and the remote control section;   an audio, or video input section; and   data communication means for processing either the audio information or the video information of said audio, or video input section, and for transmitting the processed data via said network to said network communication terminal; and wherein:   when the call connection is established by the call control means of said thin client server, either audio data or video data of said thin client terminal is transmitted to said network communication terminal, so that a communication can be performed between said network communication terminal and said thin client terminal.   
   
   
       14 . A thin client terminal according to  claim 13  wherein:
 said input information is either key input information or mouse input information; and wherein:   said thin client terminal comprises:   an interface section to which a handset is connected;   a device control section for controlling a function of the handset to be connected to said interface section; and   a packet communication section for packeting audio information entered from said handset so as to transmit the audio packet via said network to the network communication terminal.   
   
   
       15 . A thin client terminal according to  claim 13  wherein:
 said thin client terminal comprises:   an interface section to which a keyboard is connected;   a device control section for controlling a function of the keyboard which is connected to said interface section;   another interface section to which a microphone and a speaker are connected;   a packet communication section for packeting an audio inputted from said microphone and for transmitting the audio packet via said network to said network communication terminal; and further,   an A/D converting section for A/D-converting data between said packet communication section and said interface units.   
   
   
       16 . A thin client terminal which is call-set with an IP communication terminal via an IP network, comprising:
 a remote control section for remotely controlling a thin client server which manages data formed based upon either key input information or mouse input information entered from said thin client terminal, and also manages a data forming program of said data, and for transmitting either said key input information or said mouse input information, and call control information to said server;   call control means for controlling a call between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal via a telephony server to be connected to said IP network; and   data communication means for processing either audio information or video signal from an audio, or video input section, and for transmitting the processed data via said IP network to said IP communication terminal; wherein:   when a call connection is established by said call control means and said telephony server, either the audio data or the video data of said thin client terminal is transmitted via said IP network to said IP communication terminal, so that a telephone communication can be performed between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal.   
   
   
       17 . An input/output device which remotely controls a device including call control means for performing a call control between the input/output device and a connection target communication device on a network via said network, comprising:
 an input section for inputting input information to said input/output device;   an input section for inputting either audio information or video information;   a remote control section for transmitting the input information of said input section to said device including said call control means via the network, and for receiving information transmitted from the device including said call control means; and   a communication section including a transmission/reception section for transmitting either audio information or video information of said input section via said network to said connection target communication device, and for receiving either the audio information or the video information from said connection target communication device; wherein:   when the device including said call control means is remotely controlled by said input/output device, and said device call-connects said input/output device to said connection target communication device,   the communication section of said input/output terminal transmits either the audio information or the video information to said connection target communication device via said network without a path through said device including the call control means.   
   
   
       18 . An input/output device according to  claim 17  wherein:
 the input information of said input section is input via either a key or a mouse;   said audio, or video information input section is either a microphone or a handset; and   the information control section of said control means is an audio, or video packet communication section.   
   
   
       19 . A thin client server which is connected to an IP network in combination with a thin client terminal and an IP communication terminal, and manages both data and a data forming program for forming the data; comprising:
 call connection means for performing a call connection between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal; and   remote control means for transmitting an IP address of said IP telephone terminal to said thin client terminal when a call connection between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal is established by said call control means in response to a call issued from either said thin client terminal or said IP communication terminal; wherein:   a transmission path constructed of said IP network between said thin client terminal and said IP communication terminal is established by transmitting/receiving said IP address; and   a communication between said client terminal and said communication terminal can be performed via said communication path constructed of said network which connects said client terminal to said communication terminal.