Transmission terminal, non-transitory recording medium, transmission method, and transmission system

A transmission terminal includes at least one processor configured to transmit a terminal information request to request the number of transmission terminals under transmission to a transmission management apparatus connected via a network; and display image data received from one or more of the transmission terminals under transmission on a display device, and display the number of the transmission terminals under transmission received from the transmission management apparatus in response to the terminal information request on the display device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a transmission terminal, a non-transitory recording medium, a transmission method, and a transmission system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a video conference system, a transmission terminal acquires an image and a sound by taking an image and acquiring a statement of a participant of the video conference, and transmits the acquired image and sound to a destination transmission terminal. The destination transmission terminal displays the image using a display or a projector connected to the destination transmission terminal, and outputs the sound from a speaker. Thus, it is possible for respective remote participants to carry out a conference in a condition similar to an actual conference.

In such a remote conference system, the number of transmission terminals that participate in a conference is not limited to 2, and, it is possible to implement a video conference among many bases by using all the transmission terminals that participate in the conference.

Generally speaking, in a video conference carried out among many bases, a participant who will participate in the conference using a transmission terminal wishes to know who in a remote place has participated in the conference. Therefore, each transmission terminal divides an image area of a display of the transmission terminal into divisions corresponding to transmission terminals which have participated in the video conference, and displays participants in the respective division image areas transmitted from the corresponding transmission terminals.

A transmission terminal that has an image mode where information of transmission terminals that have participated in a video conference is displayed in addition to an image mode where images transmitted from the other transmission terminals are displayed is known (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2013-157995).

Also, there is a disclosure on 68-72 pages of a document “Voice Recognition”, written by Yasunaga Niimi, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd., 1979.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a transmission terminal includes at least one processor that is configured to transmit a terminal information request to request the number of transmission terminals under transmission to a transmission management apparatus connected via a network; and display image data received from one or more of the transmission terminals under transmission on a display device, and display the number of the transmission terminals under transmission received from the transmission management apparatus in response to the terminal information request on the display device.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In a transmission terminal disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2013-157995, switching is carried out between an image mode where images transmitted from the other transmission terminals are displayed and an image mode where information of transmission terminals that have participated in a video conference is displayed. Therefore, for example, in the image mode where images transmitted from the other transmission terminals are displayed, it is impossible to acquire the information of transmission terminals acquirable in the image mode where the information of transmission terminals that have participated in a video conference is displayed.

In consideration of the problem, an object is to provide a transmission terminal with which it is possible to know information of other bases even in an image mode where images from transmission terminals are displayed.

FIG. 1generally illustrates a transmission system1according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state where, in the transmission system1, image data, sound data, and various sorts of management information are transmitted and received.FIG. 3is a conceptual diagram illustrating image quality of image data.

The transmission system1may be a data providing system that unidirectionally transmits content data from one transmission terminal to a plurality of transmission terminals via a transmission management apparatus50, or a communication system that transmits information, feelings, and so forth, mutually between a plurality of transmission terminals via a transmission management apparatus50. The communication system may be a system that transmits information, feelings, and so forth, mutually between a plurality of communication terminals (corresponding to “transmission terminals”) via a communication management apparatus (corresponding to a “transmission management apparatus”), and thus, for example, may be a video conference system, a video phone system, or the like.

Concerning the present embodiment, the transmission system1, a transmission management apparatus50, and transmission terminals10will be described, assuming a video conference system as one example of a communication system, assuming a video conference management apparatus as one example of a communication management apparatus, and assuming video conference terminals as examples of communication terminals. That is, the transmission terminals and the transmission management apparatus50according to the present invention can be applied not only to a video conference system but also to a communication system, or a data transmission system.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the transmission system1includes a plurality of the transmission terminals10aa,10ab, and so forth, displays120aa,120ab, and so forth of the respective transmission terminals10aa,10ab, and so forth, a UI providing apparatus20, an information processing terminal40, relay apparatuses30a,30b,30c, and30d, the transmission management apparatus50, and a program providing apparatus90. The transmission terminals10aa,10ab, and so forth, transmit and receive, for example, image data and sound data, as content data.

Note that, hereinafter, any one of the transmission terminals10aa,10ab, and so forth, may be referred to as a “transmission terminal10”, and any one of the displays120aa,120ab, and so forth, may be referred to as a “display120”. A transmission terminal that requests to start a video conference may be referred to as a “requesting terminal”, and a transmission terminal which is thus requested may be referred to as a “destination terminal”. Also, any one of the relay apparatuses30athrough30dmay be referred to as a “relay apparatus30”.

Also, transmission terminals10that have participated in a video conference or places where the terminals10are located will be referred to as “bases”. The number of bases is the same as the number of transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference. However, there may be a plurality of terminals10in a space that can be regarded as a single place (for example, a single conference room).

The UI providing apparatus20transmits layout information (described later), mainly for displaying the number of bases, to transmission terminals10. For example, the transmission management apparatus50or a relay apparatus30may function as the UI providing apparatus20in addition to the original function of the transmission management apparatus50or the relay apparatus30itself.

Also, the information processing terminal40is an apparatus where the function of a transmission terminal10is implemented by software. Actually, the information processing terminal40is implemented in a configuration of, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet-type terminal, a smartphone, a cell phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an electronic book reading terminal, or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, in the transmission system1, a management information session3001for transmitting and receiving various sorts of management information is established between a requesting terminal and a destination terminal via the transmission management apparatus50.

Also, between a requesting terminal and a destination terminal between which a management information session3001is established, 4 respective sessions are established for transmitting and receiving, via a relay apparatus30, 4 types of data, i.e., high resolution image data310, medium resolution image data320, low resolution image data330, and sound data340. Note that in the present embodiment, the 4 sessions will be referred to as an “image and sound data session300D” as a whole.

Image data processed in the present embodiment is scalably encoded. For example, image data processed in the present embodiment includes low resolution image data330, medium resolution image data320, and high resolution image data310. As illustrated inFIG. 3, low resolution image data330has a resolution such as 320 pixels (horizontal direction) by 180 pixels (vertical direction), medium resolution image data320has a resolution such as 640 pixels (horizontal direction) by 360 pixels (vertical direction), and high resolution image data310has a resolution such as 1280 pixels (horizontal direction) by 720 pixels (vertical direction).

If a band to transmit image data is narrow, low resolution image data330as a base image is transmitted, and a transmission terminal10on the reception side can display an image of low image quality based on the transmitted low resolution image data330.

If a band to transmit image data is relatively wide, low resolution image data330as a base image and medium resolution image data320are transmitted, and a transmission terminal10on the reception side can display an image of medium image quality based on the transmitted low resolution image data330and the medium resolution image data320.

If a band to transmit image data is very wide, low resolution image data330as a base image, medium resolution image data320, and high resolution image data310are transmitted, and a transmission terminal10on the reception side can display an image of high image quality based on the transmitted low resolution image data330, the medium resolution image data320, and the high resolution image data310.

InFIG. 1, a relay apparatus30relays content data between a plurality of transmission terminals10. The transmission management apparatus50unitarily manages login authentication requested by transmission terminals10, transmission statuses of transmission terminals10, a destination list, a transmission situations in relay apparatuses30, and so forth. Note that an image expressed by image data may be a moving image or a static image, or both a moving image and a static image.

A plurality of routers70a,70b,70c,70d,70ab, and70cdselect optimum routes of image data and sound data. Note that hereinafter, any one of the routers70a,70b,70c,70d,70ab, and70cdmay be referred to as a “router70”.

The program providing apparatus90includes a hard disk (HD)204(FIG. 6), stores a transmission terminal control program1000a(FIG. 7) to implement various functions of transmission terminals10, and can transmit the transmission terminal control programs1000ato the transmission terminals10.

Also, in the HD204of the program providing apparatus90, a relay apparatus program to implement various functions of a relay apparatus30is stored, and the program providing apparatus90can transmit the relay apparatus programs to the relay apparatuses30.

Also, in the HD204of the program providing apparatus90, a transmission management program to implement various functions of the transmission management apparatus50is stored, and the program providing apparatus90can transmit the transmission management program to the transmission management apparatus50.

Also, in the HD204of the program providing apparatus90, a UI providing apparatus program to implement various functions of the UI providing apparatus20is stored, and the program providing apparatus90can transmit the UI providing apparatus program to the UI providing apparatus20.

Also, in the HD204of the program providing apparatus90, an information processing terminal program to implement various functions of the information processing terminal40is stored, and the program providing apparatus90can transmit the information processing terminal program to the information processing terminal40.

The transmission terminals10aa,10ab,10ac, and so forth, and the router70aare connected together via a local area network (LAN)2ain a manner to enable data transmission. The transmission terminal10ba,10bb,10bc, and so forth, and the router70bare connected together via a LAN2bin a manner to enable data transmission.

The LANs2aand2bare connected together via a private line2abthat includes the router lab, in a manner to enable data transmission, and are installed in a certain area A. For example, the area A is Japan, the LAN2ais installed in a Tokyo office, and the LAN2bis installed in an Osaka office.

The transmission terminal10ca,10cb,10cc, and so forth, and the router70care connected together via a LAN2cin a manner to enable data transmission. The transmission terminal10da,10db,10dc, and so forth, and the router70dare connected together via a LAN2din a manner to enable data transmission.

The LANs2cand2dare connected together via a private line2cdthat includes the router7cd, in a manner to enable data transmission, and are installed in a certain area B. For example, the area B is USA, the LAN2cis installed in a New York office, and the LAN2dis installed in a Washington office. The areas A and B are connected together via the Internet using the routers70aband70cd, respectively, in a manner to enable data transmission therebetween.

Also, the relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50, the UI providing apparatus20, the information processing terminal40, and the program providing apparatus90are connected to the respective transmission terminals10via the Internet2iin a manner to enable data transmission. The relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50, the UI providing apparatus20, the information processing terminal40, and the program providing apparatus90may be installed in the area A or the area B, or in an area other than the areas A and B.

Note that according to the present embodiment, the transmission network2includes the LANs2aand2b, the private line2ab, the Internet2i, the private line2cd, and the LANs2cand2d. The transmission network2may include not only zones where wired transmission is carried out, but also zones where wireless transmission is carried out through WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

Also, inFIG. 1, the 4 digit figures indicated below each of the transmission terminals10, the relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50, the routers70, the UI providing apparatus20, the information processing terminal40, and the program providing apparatus90simply express an IP address in a general IPv4. For example, the IP address of the transmission terminal10aais “1.2.1.3”. Instead of IPv4, IPv6 may be used. However, for the sake of simplification of description, description will be made using IPv4.

Note that the respective transmission terminals10may be used not only for a video conference among a plurality offices or among a plurality of rooms in the same office, but also for a video conference in the same room, or a video conference between an outdoor place and an indoor place, or between an outdoor place and another outdoor place. If the respective transmission terminals10are used outdoor, transmission is carried out wirelessly through a cell phone network or the like.

FIG. 4is an outline view of a transmission terminal10. Below, description will be made assuming the longitudinal direction of the transmission terminal10as an X-axis direction, a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane as a Y-axis direction, and a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as a Z-axis direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a transmission terminal10includes a housing1100, an arm1200, and a camera housing1300. A front wall1110of the housing1100has an air suction surface (not illustrated) that includes air suction holes, and a rear wall1120of the housing1100has an air ejection surface1121that includes air ejection holes. Thereby, as a result of a cooling fan included in the housing1100being driven, an external air can be suctioned through the suction surface from the front side of the transmission terminal10, and the suctioned air can be ejected to the rear side of the transmission terminal10through the air ejection surface1121. The right wall1130of the housing1100has a sound collection hole1131through which, by a built-in-type microphone114(FIG. 5) described later, voices, sounds, noises, and so forth can be collected.

At a side of the housing1100near the right wall1130, an operation panel1150is formed. The operation panel1150has a plurality of operation buttons108athrough108e, a power switch109, and an alarm lamp119, and also, has a sound output surface1151that includes sound output holes through which sounds that are output from a built-in-type speaker115(FIG. 5) pass. At a side of the housing1100near the left wall1140, an accommodation section1160as a recess to accommodate the arm1200and the camera housing1300is formed. The right wall1130of the housing1100has connection holes1132athrough1132cfor eclectically connecting cables to an external apparatus connection interface (I/F)118(FIG. 5). The left wall1140of the housing1100has a connection hole (not illustrated) for electrically connecting a cable120cfor the external apparatus connection I/F118for the display120.

Hereinafter, any one of the operation buttons108athrough108ewill be referred to as an “operation button108”, and any one of the connection holes1132athrough1132cwill be referred to as a “connection hole1132”.

The arm1200is installed on the housing1100via a torque hinge1210, so that the arm1200is vertically rotatable with respect to the housing1100, in a tilt angle range θ1of 135 degrees.FIG. 4indicates that a state of the arm1200where the tilt angle θ1is 90 degrees.

The camera housing1300has a built-in-type the camera112, and it is possible to take images of a user, a document, a room, and so forth through the camera112. Also, the camera housing1300has a torque hinge1310. The camera housing1300is installed on the arm1200through the torque hinge1310. The camera housing1300is rotatable vertically and horizontally with respect to the arm1200, in a panning range of θ2of ±180 degrees and a tilt angle range θ3of ±45 degrees from the state of the camera housing1300illustrated inFIG. 4.

Note that the UI providing apparatus20, the relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50, the program providing apparatus90, and a maintenance system100have outlines the same as a common server computer. Therefore, description of the outlines will be omitted. The information processing terminal40has an outline the same as a common PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, and therefore, description of the outline will be omitted.

FIG. 5illustrates one example of a hardware configuration of a transmission terminal10. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the transmission terminal10includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)101controlling the entirety of the transmission terminal10, a ROM (Read-Only Memory)102storing programs such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader) used to drive the CPU101, a RAM (Random Access Memory)103used as a work area of the CPU101, a flash memory104storing various sorts of data such as the transmission terminal control program1000a, and image data and sound data, a solid state drive (SSD)105controlling reading various sorts of data from the flash memory104and writing various sorts of data to the flash memory104under the control of the CPU101, a medium drive107controlling reading data from a recording medium106such as a flash memory and writing (storing) data to the recording medium106, the operation buttons108operated for selecting a destination of the transmission terminal10, for example, the power switch109for turning on and off the power in the transmission terminal10, and a network I/F111for data transmission via the transmission network2(FIG. 1).

Also, the transmission terminal10includes the built-in-type the camera112to acquire image data by taking an image of a subject under the control of the CPU101, an image sensor I/F113to control driving the camera112, the microphone114as a built-in-type sound collection device to input sounds, the built-in-type speaker115to output sounds, a sound input and output I/F116inputting and outputting sound signals between the microphone114and the speaker115under the control of the CPU101, a display I/F117transmitting image data to an externally installed display120under the control of the CPU101, the external apparatus connection I/F118to connect various external apparatuses, and a bus line110such as an address bus, a data bus, and so forth to electrically connect the above-mentioned respective elements.

A display120is a display device using a liquid crystal or an organic electroluminescence (EL) to display an image of a subject, operation icons, and so forth. The display120is connected to the display I/F117via the cable120c. The cable120cmay be an analog RGB (VGA) signal cable, a component video cable, a cable for HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), or a DVI (Digital Video Interactive) signal.

The camera112includes a lens and a solid-state image sensing device to acquire image data of an image of a subject by converting light into charge. As the solid-state image sensing device, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or the like is used.

It is possible to connect an external apparatus such as an externally installed camera, an externally installed microphone, an externally installed speaker, and so forth to the external apparatus connection I/F118through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or the like.

If an externally installed camera is connected to the external apparatus connection I/F118, the CPU101drives the externally installed camera in priority to the built-in-type the camera112. Also, if an externally installed microphone or an externally installed speaker is connected to the external apparatus connection I/F118, the CPU101drives the externally installed microphone or the externally installed speaker in priority to the built-in-type microphone114or the built-in-type speaker115.

Note that the recording medium106is detachable to the transmission terminal10. Also, the transmission terminal10may use, as a nonvolatile memory for reading data and writing data under the control of the CPU101, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), or the like, instead of the flash memory104.

The transmission terminal control program1000amay be a file of an installable or executable type, and may be circulated in a form of a computer readable medium such as the recording medium106. Also, the transmission terminal control program1000amay be stored in the ROM102instead of the flash memory104.

The information processing terminal40has a hardware configuration the same as or similar to the transmission terminal10, and therefore, description of the hardware configuration will be omitted. However, in the SSD105, the information processing terminal program to control the information processing terminal40is stored.

FIG. 6is a hardware configuration diagram of any one of the transmission management apparatus50, the UI providing apparatus20, a relay apparatus30, and the program providing apparatus90. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the transmission management apparatus50includes a CPU201to control the entirety of the transmission management apparatus50, a ROM202to store programs such as an IPL to drive the CPU201, a RAM203used as a work area of the CPU201, a HD204to store various sorts of data such as the transmission management program, a hard disk drive (HDD)205to control reading various sorts of data from and writing various sorts of data to the HD204under the control of the CPU201, a medium drive207to control reading data from and writing (storing) data to (in) a recording medium206such as a flash memory, a display208to display various sorts of information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character/letter, an image, and so forth, a network I/F209for data transmission through the transmission network2(FIG. 1), a keyboard211including a plurality of keys for inputting character/letters, numerical values, various instructions, and so forth, a mouse212for selecting or executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, and so forth, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) drive214to control reading various sorts of data from and writing various sorts of data to a CD-ROM213as an example of a detachable recording medium, and a bus line210such as an address bus and a data bus to electrically connect the respective elements.

Note that the transmission management program may be a file of an installable or executable type, and may be circulated in a form of a computer readable medium such as the recording medium206or the CD-ROM213. Also, the transmission management program may be stored in the ROM202instead of the HD204.

A relay apparatus30has a hardware configuration the same as or similar to the transmission management apparatus50, and therefore, description of the hardware configuration will be omitted. However, in the HD204, the relay apparatus program to control the relay apparatus30is stored.

Also in this case, the relay apparatus program may be a file of an installable or executable type, and may be circulated in a form of a computer readable medium such as the recording medium206or the CD-ROM213. Also, the relay apparatus program may be stored in the ROM202instead of the HD204.

Also, the program providing apparatus90has a hardware configuration the same as or similar to the transmission management apparatus50, and therefore, description of the hardware configuration will be omitted. However, in the HD204, the program providing apparatus program to control the program providing apparatus90is stored.

Also in this case, the program providing apparatus program may be a file of an installable or executable type, and may be circulated in a form of a computer readable medium such as the recording medium206or the CD-ROM213. Also, the program providing apparatus program may be stored in the ROM202instead of the HD204.

Also, the UI providing apparatus20has a hardware configuration the same as or similar to the transmission management apparatus50, and therefore, description of the hardware configuration will be omitted. However, in the HD204, the UI providing apparatus program to control the UI providing apparatus90and layout information described later is stored.

Also in this case, the UI providing apparatus program and the layout information may be files of an installable or executable type, and may be circulated in a form of a computer readable medium such as the recording medium206or the CD-ROM213. Also, the UI providing apparatus program and the layout information may be stored in the ROM202instead of the HD204.

Note that as the above-mentioned computer readable recording media, CD-R (Compact Discs Recordable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disks), Blu-ray disks, or the like may be used.

FIG. 7is a functional block diagram of any one of the terminals, apparatuses and the system included in the transmission system1. As illustrated inFIG. 7, a transmission terminal10, a relay apparatus30and the transmission management apparatus50are connected together via the transmission network2in such a manner as to enable data transmission. Note that because the relay apparatuses30and the program providing apparatus90illustrated inFIG. 1do not directly relate to data transmission concerning video conferences, the relay apparatus30and the program providing apparatus90are omitted inFIG. 7. Because the information processing terminal40has a function equivalent to a transmission terminal10, the transmission terminal10inFIG. 7may be the information processing terminal40.

A functional configuration of a transmission terminal10will be described. The transmission terminal10includes a transmission and reception unit11, an operation input reception unit12, a login request unit13, an imaging unit14, a sound input unit15a, a sound output unit15b, a display control unit17, and a storing and reading process unit19. These elements are functions implemented by the CPU101executing the transmission terminal control program1000awritten in the RAM103from the flash memory104. Also, the transmission terminal10has a storage unit1000implemented by the RAM103and the flash memory104.

The transmission and reception unit11is implemented by the CPU101and the network I/F111, and transmits various sorts of data and information to and receives various sorts of data and information from another transmission terminal10, a relay apparatus30, the transmission management apparatus50, and the program providing apparatus90via the transmission network2.

The transmission and reception unit11starts receiving respective items of status information that indicate statuses of the respective transmission terminals10as candidates for connecting destinations concerning a video conference, from the transmission management apparatus50, before starting the video conference with the desired destination terminals.

The status information indicates not only an operational status as to whether each transmission terminal10is in an online status or an offline status but also a detailed operational status as to whether each transmission terminal10is in an online and transmission possible status or in an online and under transmission status, or the like.

Also, the status information indicates not only the operational status of each transmission terminal10but also various statuses of each transmission terminal10as to whether the cable120cis removed from the transmission terminal10, the transmission terminal10outputs a sound but does not output an image, the transmission terminal10is in a state where the transmission terminal10is prevented from outputting a sound (MUTE), and so forth. However, hereinafter, for the sake of easily understanding the present invention, a case where status information indicates an operational status of each transmission terminal10will be described.

The operation input reception unit12is implemented by the CPU101, the operation buttons108, and the power switch109, and receives user's various inputs. For example, if a user turns on the power switch109, the operation input reception unit12receives the power-turning-on operation, to turn on the power in the transmission terminal10.

The login request unit13is implemented by the CPU101, and, in response to reception of a power-turning-on operation, the login request unit13transmits login request information that indicates a request to login and a current IP address of the transmission terminal10, to the transmission management apparatus50from the transmission and reception unit11via the transmission network2.

Also, if a user operates the power switch109, from the turned on state to the turned off state, the operation input reception unit12completely turns off the power in the transmission terminal10after the transmission and reception unit11transmits status information that indicates to turn off the power to the transmission management apparatus50. Therefore, the transmission management apparatus50can know that the transmission terminal10is switched from the power turned on state to the power turned off state.

The imaging unit14is implemented by the CPU101, the camera112, and the image sensor I/F113, takes an image of a subject, and outputs image data acquired from taking the image to the transmission and reception unit11.

The sound input unit15ais implemented by the CPU101and the sound input and output I/F116. A sound signal that represents a sound collected by the microphone114is input to the sound input unit15awhich converts the input sound signal into sound data.

The sound output unit15bis implemented by the CPU101and the sound input and output I/F116, convers sound data into a sound signal, outputs the converted sound signal to the speaker115which then outputs a corresponding sound.

The display control unit17is implemented by the CPU101and the display I/F117, combines respective pieces of image data received by the transmission and reception unit11having different resolutions, transmits the combined image data to the display120which then displays an image expressed by the image data.

Also, the display control unit17transmits destination list information that the transmission and reception unit11receives from the transmission management apparatus50to the display120which thus displays a corresponding destination list.

The display control unit17has an auxiliary area display unit18. If the transmission terminal10is in a full screen display mode that will be described later, the auxiliary area display unit18displays the number of bases participating a conference, and so forth, in an auxiliary area of a display screen page.

The storing and reading process unit19is implemented by the CPU101and the SSD105, and stores various sorts of data in the storage unit1000, and reads various sorts of data from the storage unit1000.

The storage unit1000stores an identifier for identifying the transmission terminal10(also referred to as identification information, and, hereinafter, referred as a “terminal ID”), a password, and so forth. Also, the storage unit1000is used as a reception buffer for storing image data and sound data that are received when the transmission terminal10carries out a video conference with a destination terminal.

Note that the terminal ID according to the present embodiment denotes information for uniquely identifying the transmission terminal10such as a language, characters/letters, a symbol, or any one of various signs. Also, the terminal ID may be information acquired from combining at least two of a language, characters/letters, a symbol, and any one of various signs.

A functional configuration of the transmission management apparatus50will now be described. The transmission management apparatus50includes a transmission and reception unit51, a terminal authentication unit52, a status management unit53, a terminal extraction unit54, a terminal status acquisition unit55, and a storing and reading process unit59. These units are functions implemented by the CPU201that executes the transmission management program written in the RAM203from the HD204. Also, the transmission management apparatus50has a storage unit5000implemented by the HD204.

In the storage unit5000, a terminal authentication management DB5002that has a terminal authentication management table5002T such as a table illustrated inFIG. 8is established. In the terminal authentication management table5002T, passwords are associated with respective terminal IDs of all the transmission terminals10managed by the transmission management apparatus50and are managed. For example, the terminal authentication management table5002T illustrated inFIG. 8indicates a password “aaaa” for a terminal ID “01aa” of a transmission terminal10aa.

Also, in the storage unit5000, a terminal management DB5003that has a terminal management table5003T such as a table illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9Bis established.FIG. 9Aillustrates the terminal management table5003T where the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” has logged in, andFIG. 9Billustrates the terminal management table5003T where the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” has transmitted start request information that will be described later.

In the terminal management table5003T, for the terminal ID of each transmission terminal10, an identifier of the transmission terminal10(hereinafter, referred to as a “terminal name”), the operational status of the transmission terminal10, the received date and time at which the transmission management apparatus50has received login request information for logging in to transmission system1, and the IP address of the transmission terminal10are associated with each other, and are managed.

For example, the terminal management table5003T illustrated inFIG. 9Aindicates that the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” has a terminal name “Japan Tokyo office AA terminal”, and the operational status “online (transmission possible)”, the date and time at which the transmission management apparatus50has received login request information is “13:40, Nov. 10, 2009”, and the transmission terminal10aahas the IP address “1.2.1.3”.

The terminal ID in the terminal management table5003T is uniquely assigned to each transmission terminal10when the transmission terminal10is registered with the transmission system1before login request information that is transmitted in step S22ofFIG. 11described later is transmitted, and the terminal name is registered or changed by an administrator of the transmission management apparatus50. Note that the terminal name may be registered or changed according to a request that is transmitted from the transmission terminal10to the transmission management apparatus50.

The operational status “online (transmission possible)” denotes a state where the transmission terminal10has logged in the transmission system1, and has not participated in a video conference. The operational status “online (under transmission)” denotes a state where the transmission terminal10has logged in the transmission system1, and has participated in a video conference. The operational status “offline” denotes a state where the transmission terminal10has not logged in the transmission system1. A transmission terminal10that has participated in a video conference is a transmission terminal10that has an operational status “online (under transmission)”.

Also, in the storage unit5000, a destination list management DB5004that has a destination list management table5004T such as a table illustrated inFIG. 10is established. Note that the destination list management DB5004corresponds to a destination list management table storage unit.

In the destination list management table5004T, all of the terminal IDs of destination terminals registered as candidates for destination terminals are associated with the terminal ID of a requesting terminal that requests to start a video conference, and are managed.

For example, the destination list management table5004T illustrated inFIG. 10indicates that candidates for destination terminals to which the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” requests to start a video conference are the transmission terminal10abof the terminal ID “01ab”, the transmission terminal10baof the terminal ID “01ba”, and the transmission terminal10dbof the terminal ID “01db”. Candidates for destination terminal are added or deleted according to a request that is transmitted from a transmission terminal10to the transmission management apparatus50.

In the destination list management table5004T, candidates for destination terminals to which a transmission terminal10requests to start a video conference are registered. The transmission terminals10that can participate in a video conference are not limited to the transmission terminals10registered in the destination list management table5004T.

Also, in the storage unit5000, the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)5005of the UI providing apparatus20is stored. The URI5005of the UI providing apparatus20is set by an administrator of the transmission management apparatus50or the UI providing apparatus20.

The transmission and reception unit51is implemented by the CPU201and the network I/F209, and transmits various sorts of data and information to and receives various sorts of data and information from a transmission terminal10, a relay apparatus30, and the program providing apparatus90via the transmission network2.

The terminal authentication unit52is implemented by the CPU101, and searches the terminal authentication management DB5002of the storage unit5000using the terminal ID and the password included in login request information received by the transmission and reception unit51as search keys, to carry out terminal authentication by determining whether the same terminal ID and password are managed in the terminal authentication management DB5002.

The status management unit53is implemented by the CPU101, and, in order to manage the operational status of a requesting terminal that has transmitted a login request, associates the operational status, the received date and time at which the transmission management apparatus50has received the login request information, and the IP address with the terminal ID of the requesting terminal, store the associated information in the terminal management DB5003(FIGS. 9A and 9B) to manage the stored information.

Also, the status management unit53changes the operational status of a transmission terminal10from “online” to “offline” in the terminal management DB5003(seeFIGS. 9A and 9B) based on the status information that indicates to turn off the power transmitted from the transmission terminal10as a result of the user switching the state of the power switch of the transmission terminal10from the turned on state to the turned off state

The terminal extraction unit54is implemented by the CPU101, and searches the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10) using the terminal ID of a requesting terminal that has transmitted a login request as a search key to extract the terminal IDs of candidates for destination terminals of the requesting terminal.

Also, the terminal extraction unit54searches the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10) using the terminal ID of a requesting terminal that has transmitted a login request as a search key to extract the terminal IDs of other requesting terminals that register the terminal ID of the requesting terminal as candidates for destination terminals.

The terminal status acquisition unit55is implemented by the CPU101, and searches the terminal management DB5003(FIGS. 9A and 9B) using the terminal IDs of candidates for destination terminals extracted by the terminal extraction unit54as search keys, to read the operational statuses for the thus detected terminal IDs.

Thereby, the terminal status acquisition unit55can acquire the operational statuses of candidates for destination terminals of a requesting terminal that has transmitted a login request. Also, the terminal status acquisition unit55searches the terminal management DB5003using a terminal ID extracted by the terminal extraction unit54as a search key, to acquire the operational status of a requesting terminal that has transmitted a login request.

The storing and reading process unit59is implemented by the CPU101and the HDD205, stores various sorts of data in the storage unit5000, and read various sorts of data from the storage unit5000.

A functional configuration the UI providing apparatus20will be described. The transmission and reception unit21is implemented by the CPU201and the network I/F209, and transmits various sorts of data and information to and receives various sorts of data and information from a transmission terminal10via the transmission network2.

The server unit22is implemented by the CPU101, acquires a layout information request signal from a transmission terminal10, to transmit layout information2000L that is read from the storage unit2000by the storing and reading process unit23to the transmission terminal10via the transmission and reception unit21.

The storing and reading process unit23is implemented by the CPU101, stores various sorts of data in the storage unit2000, and reads various sorts of information from the storage unit2000. The storage unit2000is implemented by the HDD205, and mainly stores the layout information2000L.

Next, operation of the transmission system1according to the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 11is a sequence diagram illustrating a preparation stage operation carried out until a transmission terminal10enters a prepared state where the transmission terminal10will participate in a video conference. Note thatFIG. 11illustrates an example where the transmission terminal10aacomes to enter the prepared state. In the preparation stage operation, various sorts of information is transmitted and received in the management information session3001(FIG. 2).

First, in step S21, when a user of the transmission terminal10aahas turned on the power switch109of the transmission terminal10aa, the operation input reception unit12receives the power-turning-on operation to turn on the power. Then, in step S22, in response to the reception of the power-turning-on operation, the login request unit13transmits login request information that indicates a login request to the transmission management apparatus50through the transmission and reception unit11of the transmission terminal10aavia the transmission network2.

The login request information includes the terminal ID and the password to identify the transmission terminal10aathat has transmitted the login request. The terminal ID and the password are read by the storing and reading process unit19from the storage unit1000.

Note that when the login request information transmitted from the transmission terminal10aahas been received by the transmission management apparatus50, the transmission management apparatus50can know the IP address of the transmission terminal10aaon the transmission side.

Next, in step S23, the terminal authentication unit52of the transmission management apparatus50carries out a terminal authentication operation by searching the terminal authentication management DB5002(FIG. 8) of the storage unit5000using the terminal ID and the password included in the login request information received through the transmission and reception unit51as search keys to determine whether the terminal authentication management DB5002has managed the same terminal ID and password as the search keys.

If the terminal authentication unit52has determined that the terminal authentication management DB5002has not managed the same terminal ID and password as the search keys, that is, if it is determined that the login request is not a login request from a transmission terminal10that has legitimate usage authority, the transmission and reception unit51transmits authentication result information that indicates the authentication result acquired by the terminal authentication unit52to the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login via the transmission network2, and thus, the operation in the preparation stage is ended.

On the other hand, if the terminal authentication unit52has determined that the terminal authentication management DB5002has managed the same terminal ID and password as the search keys, that is, it is determined that the login request is a login request from a transmission terminal10that has legitimate usage authority, the status management unit53associates the terminal ID and the operational status of the transmission terminal10aa, the received date and time at which the login request information has been received, and the IP address of the transmission terminal10aawith each other, and stores the associated items of information in the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9A) in step S24.

Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 9A, the terminal management table5003T associates the terminal ID “01aa”, the operational status “online (transmission possible)”, the received date and time “2009.11.10.13:40”, and the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the transmission terminal10aawith each other, and manages the associated items of information.

Next, in step S25, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits authentication result information that indicates the authentication result acquired by the terminal authentication unit52to the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login via the transmission network2. Also, the transmission management apparatus50transmits, together with the authentication result information, or before or after the transmission of the authentication result information, the URI5005of the UI providing apparatus20to the transmission terminal10aa. Thereby, the transmission terminal10aacomes to be able to access the UI providing apparatus20.

The URI5005of the UI providing apparatus20indicates the place where the layout information2000L is stored in the transmission network2. For example, the URI has a format such as “IP address (or a domain name)+folder name+file name”, and can have any format as long as it is possible to access the UI providing apparatus20.

As a result of the URI5005being not stored by each transmission terminal10, it is sufficient for the administrator of the transmission management apparatus50to change the URI stored by the transmission management apparatus50, even if the UI providing apparatus20is replaced, the URI is changed, or the like. That is, because it is not necessary to change the URL in all the transmission terminals10, it is possible to reduce the management load.

Next, in step S26, the terminal extraction unit54of the transmission management apparatus50searches the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login as a search key, to extract the terminal IDs of candidates for destinations of the transmission terminal10aa.

In this example, the respective terminal IDs “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” of the transmission terminals10ab,10ba, and10dbthat are destination terminals of the transmission terminal10aahaving the terminal ID “01aa” are extracted.

Next, in step S27, the terminal status acquisition unit55of the transmission management apparatus50acquires the respective operational statuses of the transmission terminals10ab,10ba, and10dbby searching the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9A) using the terminal ID “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” of the candidates for destination terminals extracted by the terminal extraction unit54as search keys, to read the operational statuses, i.e., “offline”, “online (transmission possible)”, or “online (under transmission)”, for the respective terminal IDs extracted by the terminal extraction unit54.

Next, in step S28, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits destination status information that includes the terminal IDs “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” used in step S27as the search keys, and the respective operational statuses, i.e., “offline”, “online (transmission possible)”, or “online (under transmission)”, of the corresponding transmission terminals10ab,10ba,10dbto the transmission terminal10aavia the transmission network2.

Thereby, the transmission terminal10aacan know the current respective operational statuses, i.e., “offline”, “online (transmission possible)”, or “online (under transmission)”, of the transmission terminal10ab,10ba, and10dbthat are candidates for destination terminals.

Also, in step S29, the terminal extraction unit54of the transmission management apparatus50searches the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login as a search key, to extract the terminal IDs of other transmission terminals10each of which registers the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aaas a candidate for a destination terminal. For example, in the destination list management table5004T illustrated inFIG. 10, the terminal IDs “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” are extracted.

Next, in step S30, the status management unit53of the transmission management apparatus50searches the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9A) using the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login as a search key, to acquire the operational status “online (transmission possible)” of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login.

Next, in steps S31-1and S31-2, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits destination status information that includes the terminal ID “01aa” and the operational status “online (transmission possible)” of the transmission terminal10aaacquired in step S30, to the transmission terminals10baand10dbwhich have the operational statuses “online” in the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9A) from among the respective transmission terminals10ab,10ba, and10dbrespectively identified by the terminals ID “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db” extracted in S29.

Note that, when the destination status information will be transmitted to the transmission terminals10baand10db, the transmission and reception unit51reads the IP addresses of the transmission terminals managed in the terminal management table5003T illustrated inFIG. 9Abased on the respective terminal IDs “01ba” and “01db”.

Thus, it is possible to report the terminal ID “01aa” and the operational status “online (transmission possible)” of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login to the transmission terminals10dband10baeach of which can transmit data to the transmission terminal10aathat has requested login as a destination.

Also, the display control unit17of the transmission terminal10aacan allow the user to know the transmission terminal10that has participated in or can participate in the video conference by, for example, highlighting the information item of the transmission terminal10dbthat has participated in or can participate in the video conference, that is, the information item of the transmission terminal10dbthat has the operational status “online (under transmission)” or “online (transmission possible)” on the display120from among information items of the destination list displayed on the display120, when step S28of the preparation operation has been completed.

FIG. 12is a sequence diagram illustrating a conference participating operation carried out until a transmission terminal10enters a participated state where the transmission terminal10has participated in the video conference. Note thatFIG. 12illustrates an example where the transmission terminal10aaenters a participated state. In the conference participating operation, various sorts of information is transmitted and received in the management information session3001(FIG. 2).

First, in step S41, as a result of the user pressing an operation button108(FIG. 4) to select to participate in the video conference, the operation input reception unit12receives a request to participate in the video conference with the transmission terminal10db. Note that if the transmission terminal10aais the information processing terminal40, the operation input reception unit12receives a request to participate in the video conference as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of the operation button108, being pressed.

In step S42, in response to the request, the transmission and reception unit11of the transmission terminal10aatransmits participation request information that includes the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aaand the terminal ID “01db” of the transmission terminal10db, and indicates to participate in the video conference to the transmission management apparatus50.

Thereby, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50can receive the participation request information and can know the IP address “1.2.1.3” of the transmission terminal10aathat has transmitted the information.

Next, in step S43, the status management unit53of the transmission management apparatus50searches the terminal management DB5003using the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aaincluded in the participation request information as a search key to set the operational status of the transmission terminal10aathat has requested to participate in the video conference to be “online (under transmission)”. Thus, the operational status in the terminal management table5003T is updated (FIG. 9B).

Next, in step S44, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits start request information that includes the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aato the transmission terminal10dbthrough the transmission network2. Thereby, the transmission terminal10dbcan know which transmission terminal10has requested to participate in the video conference.

Although detailed description will be omitted for the sake of easily understanding the embodiment, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits start request information that includes the terminal ID “01aa” of the transmission terminal10aaalso to the transmission terminal10cbthrough the transmission network2because also the operational status of the transmission terminal10cbis “online (under transmission)” in the terminal management DB5003illustrated inFIG. 9B.

Next, in step S45, the transmission terminal10dbtransmits reception completion information that indicates that reception of the start request information has been completed, from the transmission and reception unit11to the transmission management apparatus50via the transmission network2.

Next, in step S46, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits relay start request information that indicates a request to start relaying to the relay apparatus30via the transmission network2. The relay start request information includes the respective IP addresses “1.2.1.3” and “1.3.2.4” of the transmission terminal10aaand the transmission terminal10db.

Thereby, in step S47, the relay apparatus30establishes a session for transmitting 3 types, i.e., low resolution, medium resolution, and high resolution, of image data, and sound data between the transmission terminals10aaand10db. Thus, the transmission terminal10aacomes to be able to participate in the video conference with the transmission terminal10db.

Also, in step S48, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50transmits terminal status change information that includes the terminal ID “01aa” and the operational status “online (under transmission) of the transmission terminal10aato the respective transmission terminals10registered in the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9B). Thereby, the respective transmission terminals10that have received the terminal status change information can, as appropriate, store and display the operational status of the transmission terminal10aaof the terminal ID “01aa”.

FIG. 13is a sequence diagram illustrating a data transmission operation between transmission terminals10. Note that in the data transmission operation illustrated inFIG. 13, image data and sound data are transmitted and received in an image and sound data session300D (FIG. 2).

After the session is established between the transmission terminals10aaand10dbas described above with reference toFIG. 12, the transmission terminal10aatransmits image data taken by the imaging unit14and sound data converted from a sound signal that is input to the sound input unit15ato the relay apparatus30through the transmission and reception unit11in step S60.

In steps S61-1and S61-2, the relay apparatus30that has received the image data and the sound data from the transmission terminal10aatransmits the received image data and sound data to the respective transmission terminals10aaand10dbthat have participated in the video conference.

In steps S62-1and S62-2, the respective transmission terminals10aaand10dbthat have received the image data and the sound data from the relay apparatus30display images expressed by the received image data on the displays120through the display control units17, and output sounds expressed by the received sound data from the speakers115through the sound output units15b.

Next, in step S63, the transmission terminal10dbtransmits image data taken by the imaging unit14and sound data converted from a sound signal that is input to the sound input unit15ato the relay apparatus30through the transmission and reception unit11.

In steps S64-1and S64-2, the relay apparatus30that has received the image data and the sound data from the transmission terminal10dbtransmits the received image data and sound data to the respective transmission terminals10aaand10dbthat have participated in the video conference.

In steps S65-1and S65-2, the respective transmission terminals10aaand10dbthat have received the image data and the sound data from the relay apparatus30display images expressed by the received image data on the displays120through the display control units17, and output sounds expressed by the received sound data from the speakers115through the sound output units15b.

Thus, the transmission terminals10aaand10dbcan carry out the video conference through the relay apparatus30. Note that inFIG. 13, for the sake of easily understanding the present embodiment, the transmission terminals10that participate in the video conference are the two transmission terminals10aaand10db. However, transmission terminals10that participate in a video conference can be three or more transmission terminals. Also in this case, image data and sound data are transmitted in the same way as the data transmission operation illustrated inFIG. 13.

Displaying an image in a transmission terminal10will be described. The display control unit17according to the present embodiment has two display modes, i.e., a full screen display mode and an information display mode.

First, with reference toFIG. 14, the full screen display mode will be described.FIG. 14illustrates one example of a screen page displayed on the display120(FIG. 4) in the full screen display mode. A screen page is displayed in the full screen display mode as a result of the session being established in step S47ofFIG. 12, and transmission and reception of image data and sound data being started. That is, from among the two display modes, the full screen display mode is a display mode mainly used during a video conference.

In the full screen display mode, the display control unit17of the transmission terminal10displays all the images transmitted from the respective transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference on the display120. If one image area becomes smaller as a result of all the images being displayed together, the number of the images corresponding to a predetermined upper limit are displayed.

To the display screen page illustrated inFIG. 14, one first image area500that is relatively wide and a plurality of second image areas510that are relatively narrow are assigned. For example, in the respective second image areas510, images expressed by image data transmitted from the respective transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference are displayed. In the first image area500, an image expressed by image data transmitted from a main transmission terminal10from among the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference is displayed.

For example, the display control unit17identifies, as the main transmission terminal10, a transmission terminal10that has transmitted sound data that expresses a voice from among respective received pieces of sound data received from the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference. Sound data that expresses a voice means sound data determined to have a voice period, as a result of the respective received pieces of sound data being processed to determine whether the respective received pieces of sound data include the voice period. Note that detection of the voice period can be implemented using known technology (for example, see the above-mentioned document “Voice Recognition”, written by Yasunaga Niimi, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd., 1979).

Note that the display screen page illustrated inFIG. 14is merely one example. In the full screen display mode, it is possible to display respective images in such a manner that all of a plurality of image areas have the same size, display an image of a main transmission terminal10throughout the whole area of the display120, or the like.

Next, the information display mode will be described. As a result of, for example, a user operating an operation button108(FIG. 4), it is possible to switch between the two display modes. Note that if the transmission terminal10is the information processing terminal40, it is possible to switch between the two display modes as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of an operation button108, being pressed or touched.

FIG. 15illustrates one example of a screen page displayed on the display120(FIG. 4) in the information display mode. As illustrated inFIG. 15, in the information display mode, the display control unit17of the transmission terminal10displays terminal information that includes at least the terminal names and the terminal IDs of the respective transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference on the display120.

To the display screen page illustrated inFIG. 15, an image display area520for displaying an image, and a terminal information display area530for displaying terminal information. For example, in the terminal information display area530, a list of items of terminal information of the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference is displayed.

Note that, in the list of items of terminal information, an item of terminal information that does not include a terminal name corresponds a transmission terminal10that has not been registered as a candidate for a destination terminal of the transmission terminal10that displays the display screen page in the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10).

For example, in the display screen page illustrated inFIG. 15, because the transmission terminal10dbis registered as a candidate for a destination terminal of the transmission terminal10aain the destination list management DB5004, the terminal name is displayed. In contrast thereto, because the transmission terminal10cbis not registered as a candidate for a destination terminal of the transmission terminal10aain the destination list management DB5004, the terminal name is not displayed.

In the image display area520, an image expressed by image data of the main transmission terminal10from among the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference is displayed. For example, the display control unit17identifies, as the main transmission terminal10, the transmission terminal10that has transmitted sound data that expresses a voice from among the received pieces of sound data from the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference. Also, the display control unit17may identify a selected transmission terminal10as the main transmission terminal if the operation input reception unit12receives a selection operation for one transmission terminal10from among the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference in response to the corresponding user's operation of a operation button108. Note that if the transmission terminal10is the information processing terminal40, the information processing terminal40identifies the selected transmission terminal10as the main transmission terminal10as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of an operation button108, being pressed.

FIG. 16is a sequence diagram illustrating a terminal information displaying operation of displaying terminal information in the terminal information display area530when the transmission terminal10has switched the display mode into the information display mode. Note that, in the terminal information displaying operation illustrated inFIG. 16, various sorts of information is transmitted and received in a management information session3001(FIG. 2).

First, in step S70, the transmission terminal10transmits a terminal information request signal that requests terminal information of the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference to the transmission management apparatus50.

In step S71, the terminal status acquisition unit55that has received the terminal information request signal of the transmission management apparatus50searches the terminal management DB5003(FIG. 9B) of the storage unit5000using the IP address of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal as a search key to acquire the terminal ID of the transmission terminal that has transmitted the terminal information request signal.

Next, in step S72, the terminal status acquisition unit55searches the terminal management DB5003to retrieve the terminal IDs and the terminal names for which the operational statuses are “online (under transmission)”. In the present embodiment, the terminal IDs retrieved by the terminal status acquisition unit55are “01aa”, “01cb”, and “01db”. Note that the operational status of the transmission terminal having the terminal ID “01aa” is set as “online (under transmission)” in step S43ofFIG. 12(FIG. 9B).

Next, in step S73, the terminal status acquisition unit55searches the destination list management DB5004(FIG. 10) of the storage unit5000using the terminal ID (in the present embodiment, “01aa”) detected in step S71as a search key to acquire the terminal IDs of candidates for destination terminals of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal.

For example, assuming that the terminal ID of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal is “01aa”, the terminal IDs retrieved by the terminal status acquisition unit55are “01ab”, “01ba”, and “01db”.

Next, in step S74, the terminal status acquisition unit55determines whether the respective terminal IDs retrieved in step S72are included in the terminal ID of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal and the terminal IDs retrieved in step S73. Concerning the terminal IDs from among the respective terminal IDs retrieved in step S72determined to be included in the terminal IDs of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal and the terminal IDs retrieved in step S73, the terminal status acquisition unit55causes the transmission and reception unit51to transmit the corresponding terminal IDs and terminal names to the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal. In contrast thereto, concerning the terminal IDs from among the respective terminal IDs retrieved in step S72determined to be not included in the terminal ID of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal and the terminal IDs retrieved in step S73, the terminal status acquisition unit55causes the transmission and reception unit51to transmit the corresponding terminal IDs to the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal.

For example, if the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal has the terminal ID “01aa”, the terminal IDs “01aa” and “01db” and the terminal names “Japan Tokyo office AA terminal” and “USA Washington office DB terminal” of the transmission terminal10aaand the transmission terminal10db, and the terminal ID “01cb” of the transmission terminal10cbare transmitted to the transmission terminal10aathat has transmitted the terminal information request signal.

In step S75, the display control unit17that has received the response of the transmission terminal10displays the corresponding contents in the terminal information display area530as illustrated in the display screen page illustrated inFIG. 15.

Displaying the number of bases, and so forth, in the full screen display mode will be described. From the display screen page of the full screen display mode illustrated inFIG. 14, a participant of the video conference can easily know the other participants who have participated in the conference if the number of the transmission terminals10that have participated in the conference is small. However, if the number of the transmission terminals10that have participated in the conference becomes greater, it is not possible for a participant of the video conference to easily know the other participants who have participated in the conference. This point will now be described with reference to drawings.

FIG. 17Aillustrates one example of a display screen page in the full screen display mode when the number of bases is 4. The display screen page ofFIG. 17Ahas a wider first image area171, and 3 second image areas172narrower than the first image area171. In the same way asFIG. 14, in each second image area172, images expressed by image data transmitted from the respective transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference are displayed, while in the first image area171, an image expressed by image data transmitted from the main transmission terminal10from among the transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference is displayed.

If the number of bases is on the order of 4, it is not impossible for a user to identify a participant from one second image area172. However, if, as illustrated inFIG. 17B, the number of bases becomes greater, it is difficult for a participant to identify the other participants.FIG. 17Billustrates one example of a display screen page in the full screen display mode when the number of bases is 9.

Further, in consideration of usefulness, it is desired to set an upper limit (referred to as a “display upper limit”) for the number of bases that the display120displays simultaneously. However, the number of bases (referred to as a “base upper limit”) among which transmission terminals10can carry out a video conference may not be the same as the display upper limit. If the display upper limit is greater than or equal to the base upper limit, each transmission terminal10can display the images of all the bases on the display120. However, if the display upper limit is less than the base upper limit, it is not possible for some bases to be displayed on the transmission terminal10.

There is a case where the terminal names and the terminal IDs of the transmission terminals10of all the bases can be displayed, as a result of the user operating an operation button108(FIG. 4) to switch the display mode into the information display mode as illustrated inFIG. 16. However, in this case, the user is required to perform the operation to implement the switching.

Further, during the information display mode, because the image of one main base is displayed while the images of the other bases are not displayed, it is not possible to know the situations in the other bases.

Therefore, in the transmission terminal10according to the present embodiment, the number of bases that have participated in the video conference is displayed while the full screen display mode is kept. Therefore, a participant of a video conference can know the number of bases in a real-time manner while the full screen display mode is kept.

FIG. 18illustrates one example of a display screen page where the number of bases is displayed in the full screen display mode. In the auxiliary area display unit18(FIG. 7) displays the number of bases in an auxiliary area173in the full screen display mode. InFIG. 18, the auxiliary area173is a belt-like blank space at the top of the display screen page. However, the auxiliary area173may be a belt-like blank space at the right end, the left end, or the bottom end of the display screen page, or may be displayed in the image in a superimposing manner.

The auxiliary area173is segmented into a first area ar1through a sixth area ar6. In the first area ar1, the terminal ID of the transmission terminal10that displays the display screen page is displayed. A user who wishes to participate in the same video conference as the transmission terminal10that displays the display screen page can query the displayed terminal ID, and input the acquired terminal ID from the transmission terminal10that the user is operating or select the acquired terminal ID displayed on the transmission terminal10that the user is operating to participate in the video conference. In the second area ar2, the number of bases (the number of the participants) is displayed. In the third area ar3, the period of time elapsed from when the session was established is displayed. In the fourth area ar4, any information can be displayed. In the fifth area ar5, network band information (i.e., respective communications rates in the uplink and the downlink) is displayed. In the sixth area ar6, cursor buttons1736are displayed.

The cursor buttons1736include an upper triangle button1736uand a lower triangle button1736d. The upper triangle button1736uhas a black color while the lower triangle button1736dhas a white color. It is possible for the user to operate the upper triangle button1736ubut it is not possible for the user to operate the lower triangle button1736d.

Note that it is desirable that the auxiliary area173is displayed in a semitransparent manner so that even if image data transmitted and received among the bases overlaps the auxiliary area173, the visibility can be easily maintained.

Note that the number of bases may be displayed at any one of the first through sixth areas. If the auxiliary area173is not segmented, the number of bases may be displayed at any position in the auxiliary area173. However, as a result of the auxiliary area173being segmented, visibility of the user for the display screen page is improved.

The cursor buttons1736in the sixth area ar6are icons for the user to indicate that it is possible to switch into an auxiliary area173in a simple display manner by operating an operation button108(FIG. 2) of the transmission terminal10. Hereinafter, the auxiliary area173ofFIG. 18will be referred to as an “auxiliary area173in a standard manner” to distinguish the auxiliary areas173in the two display manners.

That is, according to an initial setting of the transmission terminal10, the various sorts of information of the first area art through the sixth area ar6ofFIG. 18is displayed in the auxiliary area173. However, the user can switch the auxiliary area173in the standard manner into the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner, and thereafter, the user can perform such a setting as to not display the auxiliary area173, by operating an operation button108(or operating a touch panel or the like) to press the upper triangle button1736u. Details will be described with reference toFIG. 24.

Note that if the transmission terminal10is the information processing terminal40, it is possible to not display the various sorts of information of the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6in the auxiliary area173as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of the operation button108, being pressed.

InFIG. 18, images of 4 bases are displayed on the display120. Therefore, the number of bases in the second area ar2is “4”. The user can know that the number of bases that have participated in the video conference at a glance.

FIG. 19illustrates another example of a display screen page where the number of bases is displayed in the full screen display mode. InFIG. 19, the same elements as the elements ofFIG. 18have the same or similar functions, and therefore, different points will be described.

InFIG. 19, the display screen page is divided into nine areas. Also, the number of second areas ar2is “9”. Therefore, even if the number of bases increases, the user can know the number of bases that have participated in the video conference at a glance.

For the sake of convenience of description, it is assumed that the display upper limit in the transmission terminal10is “9”. When the display upper limit in the transmission terminal10is “9”, 10 or more transmission terminals10may be participating in the video conference. In this case, the transmission terminal10keeps the number of images displayed in the full screen display mode as “9” as it is, while the transmission terminal10displays the number of transmission terminals10that have participated in the video conference in the second area ar2as the number of bases.

FIG. 20illustrates one example of a display screen page where the number of images displayed in the full screen display mode is different from the number of bases displayed in the second area ar2. InFIG. 20, while the number of images displayed in the full screen display mode is “9”, the number of bases displayed in the second area ar2is “15”. Thus, even when the number of bases that have participated in a video conference exceeds the display upper limit, the user can know the number of bases that have participated in the video conference at a glance.

The layout (i.e., the arrangement) in the auxiliary area173is prescribed in the layout information2000L (FIG. 7) stored in the storage unit2000of the UI providing apparatus20. The layout information2000L is described based on a language or a standard such as HTML, JavaScript (registered trademark), XML, CSS, or the like.

According to the layout information2000L, the position of the auxiliary area173, the manner that the auxiliary area173is segmented into the first area through the sixth area having respective fixed sizes, and respective items of information displayed in the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6are determined. Therefore, the transmission terminal10that has acquired the layout information2000L from the UI providing apparatus20can set various sorts of information in the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6, and display the information in the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17A and 17B, and so forth, the arrangement (layout) in which the transmission terminal10displays image data received from the destination terminals on the display120in the full screen display mode is previously determined depending on the number of bases, and so forth. In contrast thereto, the layout information2000L is defined separately from the layout of image data. Therefore, it is possible to determine information to be arranged in the auxiliary area173and the arrangement in the auxiliary area173without being influenced by the layout of image data. That is, the transmission terminal10can display the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6in the auxiliary area independently from image data, and therefore, even if the layout of image data is changed, the auxiliary area173is not influenced by the change.

FIG. 21illustrates one example of the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner. InFIG. 21, the number of bases is the same asFIG. 18. However, information concerning transmission statuses in the first through sixth areas ar1through ar6is displayed in a simplified manner.

In the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner, information concerning what is displayed in each area is not displayed, and, mainly, the first area ar1displays the contact ID, the second areas ar2displays the number of bases, the third area displays the clock time, and the fifth area ar5displays the band.

The cursor buttons1736in the sixth area ar6are changed in the form from the auxiliary area173in the standard manner. In the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner, each of both the upper triangular button1736uand the lower triangular button1736dhas a black color. The user can operate either one of the upper and lower triangular buttons. The lower triangular button is used to switch the form of the auxiliary area173into the standard manner. The upper triangular button is used to not display the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner (not display the auxiliary area173in the standard manner either).

The area occupied by the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner in the display120is reduced from the auxiliary area173in the standard manner, and therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of image data while displaying the information of transmission statuses in the auxiliary area173.

Note that it is desirable that also the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner is displayed in a semitransparent manner the same as the auxiliary area173in the standard manner.

FIG. 22is one example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure in which the transmission system1displays the number of bases when the transmission terminal10is in the full screen display mode. The procedure ofFIG. 22is carried out after the session is established in step S47ofFIG. 12even when the user does not operate the operation button108(FIG. 4) or the like. That is, in the transmission terminal10, an initial setting to display the auxiliary area173has been set.

The procedure ofFIG. 22may also be carried out as a result of, after the session is established in step S47, the user pressing an operation button108. Note that, in this regard, if the transmission terminal10is the information processing terminal40, the procedure ofFIG. 22is carried out as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of the operation button108, being pressed.

First, in step S80, the transmission terminal10designates the URI of the UI providing apparatus20acquired in step S25ofFIG. 11to transmit a layout information request signal (one example of an arrangement information request) for requesting the layout information2000L to the UI providing apparatus20. Note that, instead of acquiring the URI of the UI providing apparatus20in step S25ofFIG. 11, the URI of the UI providing apparatus20may be acquired, for example, by the transmission terminal10from the transmission management apparatus50immediately before step S80, or by the user pressing an operation button108. Note that if the transmission terminal10is the information processing terminal40, the URI of the UI providing apparatus20is acquired as a result of a hardware key or a software key displayed on a touch panel of the information processing terminal40, instead of the operation button108, being pressed.

In step S81, the transmission and reception unit21of the UI providing apparatus20receives the layout information request signal, and, as a result, the server unit22reads the storage unit2000based on the designated URI to acquire the layout information2000L.

Next, in step S82, the server unit22transmits the layout information2000L that has been read through the transmission and reception unit21to the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the layout information request signal. The layout information includes respective items of layout information of the auxiliary area173in both the standard manner and the simple display manner.

In step S83, the transmission and reception unit11of the transmission terminal10stores the layout information2000L in a volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, the RAM103. That is, by storing the layout information2000L that has been acquired once in the transmission terminal10, it is not necessary to again acquire the layout information2000L from the UI providing apparatus20during the power being supplied. Therefore, even if the transmission terminal10again displays the auxiliary area173after having removed the auxiliary area173once, the transmission terminal10can read the layout information2000L from the volatile memory of the transmission terminal10. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a processing time to acquire the layout information2000L, and as a result, a time for displaying the auxiliary area173can be reduced. Also, as a result of the layout information2000L being stored in a volatile memory, the layout information2000L is deleted as a result of the power being turned off in the transmission terminal10. Thus, it is possible to prevent the layout information2000L from being leaked from the transmission terminal10.

Next, in step S84, the auxiliary area display unit18of the transmission terminal10(FIG. 7) transmits a terminal information request signal to the transmission management apparatus50. The terminal information request signal is a signal to request the number of the transmission terminals10which have participated in the video conference.

In step S85, the transmission and reception unit51of the transmission management apparatus50receives the terminal information request signal, and as a result, the terminal status acquisition unit55searches the terminal management DB5003to calculate the number of terminal IDs for which the operational statuses are “online (under transmission)”. That is, the terminal status acquisition unit55identifies the terminal management table5003T (FIG. 9B) that registers the IP address of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal, and identifies all of the terminal IDs for which the operational statuses are “online (under transmission)” from the identified terminal management table5003T to acquire the number of the terminal IDs. According to the present embodiment, the terminal status acquisition unit55detects the terminal IDs, i.e., “01aa”, “01cb”, and “01db”. Thus, the number of the terminal IDs is “3”. Note that the operational status of the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” is set to be “online (under transmission)” in step S43ofFIG. 12.

Note that it is possible to acquire the number of the transmission terminals10of “online (transmission possible)” in addition to the number of transmission terminals10of “online (under transmission)”. As a result, each transmission terminal10can display the number of the transmission terminals10that have logged in on the display120. It is also possible to separately acquire the number of the transmission terminals10of “online (under transmission)”, and the number of the transmission terminals10of “online (transmission possible)”, and each transmission terminal10can display these numbers separately on the display120. As a result, it is possible to know that there are users who have not participated in the conference if these numbers are not the same as one another, for example. Next, in step S86, the terminal status acquisition unit55transmits, through the transmission and reception unit51, the acquired number of the terminal ID of “online (under transmission)” to the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal.

Note that the terminal status acquisition unit55may transmit the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)” also to other transmission terminals10than the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal. For example, after the number of the terminal IDs of online is transmitted to the transmission terminal10aathat has the terminal ID “01aa” in step S86, the number of the terminal IDs of online may be transmitted also to the transmission terminals10cband10dbthat have the terminal IDs “01cb” and “01db”. Thereby, each of the transmission terminals10cband10dbhaving the terminal IDs “01cb” and “01db” can display the number of the bases in the auxiliary area173, as a result of receiving the layout information2000L.

In step S87, the transmission and reception unit11of the transmission terminal10receives the number of the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)”, and the auxiliary area display unit18displays the number on the display120. That is, the auxiliary area display unit18interprets the layout information2000L to determines a position of the auxiliary area173and a layout of the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6, sets the respective items of information in the first area ar1through the sixth area ar6, and displays the information on the display120.

The terminal ID of the transmission terminal10itself in the first area ar1has been stored in the storage unit1000. The number of bases in the second area ar2is transmitted from the transmission management apparatus50. The period of time elapsed from when the session has been established in the third area ar3is measured by the transmission terminal10after the session has been established. Information in the fourth area ar4is, for example, information that the transmission terminal10or the transmission management apparatus50has. Information concerning a network band in the fifth area ar5is displayed in such a manner that the transmission terminal10measures the communications rate between the transmission terminal10and the relay apparatus30periodically or in a real-time manner, and displays the measured rate. The cursor buttons1736in the sixth area ar6are image data such as previously determined icons.

Note that the displayed auxiliary area173can be removed as a result of the user operating an operation button108. Also, the displayed auxiliary area173can be again displayed as a result of the user operating an operation button108.

Thus, the transmission terminal10can display the number of bases which have participated in the video conference without entering an information display mode. Therefore, the user need not operate an operation button108, or the like. Because the transmission terminal10is kept in the full screen display mode, the user can know the number of bases while seeing images of the respective bases. Even if the number of bases that have participated in the video conference exceeds the display upper limit, the user can accurately know the number of bases.

The user is allowed to set either one of a manner to “display in response to being operated” the auxiliary area173or a manner to “remove after elapse of certain period of time” the once displayed auxiliary area173to the transmission terminal10.

FIG. 23illustrates one example of a screen page from which the user performs a setting to display the auxiliary area173. The screen page ofFIG. 23is displayed on the display120in response to the user operating, for example, an operation button108. The screen page ofFIG. 23includes two radio buttons221and222, a message223“display in response to being operated” associated with the radio button221, and a message224“remove after elapse of certain period of time” associated with the radio button222. The user can select either one of the two radio buttons221and222.

If the radio button221is selected, the transmission terminal10continuously displays the auxiliary area173. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the transmission terminal10displays the auxiliary area173in the standard manner and the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner alternately, or displays none of the auxiliary area173in the standard manner and the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner, according to an operation of the user.

If the radio button222is selected, the transmission terminal10removes the auxiliary area173after displaying the auxiliary area173for a certain period of time, and again displays the auxiliary area173in response to a detection of a trigger to again display the auxiliary area173. Also in this case, the user may display or remove the auxiliary area173by performing an operation as one example of the trigger.

If the radio button222is selected, a message “set certain period”225becomes visible, and also, the user is allowed to set a numeral in a time period setting field226. The user can set a period of time for which the auxiliary area173will be displayed and will be removed thereafter in the time period setting field226. Before the user sets the period of time, a certain initial value has been set. The user of the transmission terminal10can set any period of time in the time period setting field226. An upper limit and a lower limit may be prescribed to limit a period of time that can be set in the time period setting field226.

FIG. 24is one example of a flowchart illustrating a switching operation between the auxiliary area173in the standard manner and the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner carried out by the transmission terminal10when the above-mentioned manner “display in response to being operated” is selected.

In step S187-1, the process ofFIG. 24is started when the auxiliary display unit18starts displaying the auxiliary area173in the standard manner in step S87ofFIG. 22.

In step S187-2, the auxiliary display unit18determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed, after displaying the auxiliary area173in the standard manner. The certain period of time may be previously determined, or the certain period of time that is set inFIG. 23when the manner “remove after elapsed of certain period of time” is selected may be used. Also, the certain period of time may be set by the user separately from the certain period of time that is set inFIG. 23.

After the certain period of time has elapsed (Yes in step S187-2), the auxiliary display unit18switches the auxiliary area173in the standard manner into the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner in step S187-3. The cursor buttons1736in the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner are such that both the upper and lower triangular buttons1736uand1736dhave black colors, and therefore, it is possible to allow the user to understand that the screen page will be changed by pressing either one of the triangular buttons is pressed.

The auxiliary display unit18determines whether the lower triangular button1736dhas been operated, in S187-4.

If the lower triangular button1736dhas been operated (Yes in step S187-4), the auxiliary display unit18switches the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner into the auxiliary area173in the standard manner in step S187-7. In the auxiliary area173in the standard manner, the lower triangular button1736dhas a white color, and therefore, it can be suggested that nothing occurs if the lower triangular button1736dis pressed. The upper triangular button1736uhas a black color, and therefore, it can be suggested that the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner will be displayed again if the upper triangular button1736uis pressed. Also, because the auxiliary area173in the standard manner is displayed in a semitransparent manner, it is possible to continue the conference without degrading the visibility of image data as much as possible.

If the lower triangular button1736dhas not been operated (No in step S187-4), the auxiliary display unit18determines whether the upper triangular button1736uhas been operated in step S187-5. Note that the determination as to whether the lower triangular button1736dhas been operated and the determination as to whether the upper triangular button1736uhas been operated may be carried out in any order.

If the upper triangular button1736uhas been operated (Yes in step S187-5), the auxiliary display unit18does not display the auxiliary area173in step S187-6. That is, the auxiliary display unit18displays none of the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner and the auxiliary area173in the standard manner. Thereafter, the auxiliary display unit18may display the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner (i.e., the process may return to step S187-3) in response to the lower triangular button1736dbeing operated. Note that such a design can be made that nothing occurs even if the upper triangular button1736uis operated, or the auxiliary area173in the standard manner is displayed in response to the operation. It is also possible to be able to carry out such control that the auxiliary display unit18displays none of the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner and the auxiliary area173in the standard manner, but displays the cursor buttons1736, and returns to step S187-3.

If, in step S187-7, the auxiliary area173in the standard manner is displayed, the auxiliary display unit18determines whether the upper triangular button1736uhas been operated, in step S187-8.

If the upper triangular button1736uhas been operated (Yes in step S187-8), the auxiliary display unit18switches the auxiliary area173in the standard manner into the auxiliary area173in the simple display manner in step S187-3.

Thus, the user can switch the display mode of the auxiliary area by operating the cursor buttons1736.

Next, operations of the transmission management apparatus50and the transmission terminal10after the transmission terminal10displays the auxiliary area173in step S87ofFIG. 22will now be described.

FIG. 25is one example of a flowchart illustrating operations of the transmission management apparatus50. A process ofFIG. 25is, for example, carried out repetitiously after the transmission management apparatus50calculates the number of the online terminal IDs in step S85of FIG.22.

In step S85-1, the terminal status acquisition unit55(FIG. 7) monitors the terminal management table5003T in which the IP address (or the terminal ID) of the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal is registered.

In step S85-2, the terminal status acquisition unit55determines whether the number of the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)” transmitted in step S85ofFIG. 22has increased or decreased.

If the determination result in step S85-2is NO, the process ofFIG. 25is once ended, and the process is then repetitiously carried out from step S85-1.

If the determination result in step S85-2is YES, this means that the number of bases has changed. Therefore, in step S85-3, the terminal status acquisition unit55transmits the number of terminal IDs each of which currently has the operational status “online (under transmission)” to the transmission terminal10. Therefore, the transmission terminal10that has once acquired the number of the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)” can acquire the correct number of bases at any time.

Also inFIG. 25, the terminal status acquisition unit55may transmit the number of the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)” also to the transmission terminals10of “online (under transmission)” other than the transmission terminal10that has transmitted the terminal information request signal. Thereby, all the transmission terminals10of online can have the correct number of bases at any time.

FIG. 26is one example of a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the transmission terminal10. The process ofFIG. 26is, for example, repetitiously carried out after the transmission terminal10displays the auxiliary area173in step S87ofFIG. 22.FIG. 26now will be described assuming a case where a setting is made to select the manner “remove after elapse of certain period of time” the once displayed auxiliary area173.

First, in step S87-1, the auxiliary area display unit18(FIG. 7) determines whether the auxiliary area display unit18is currently displaying the auxiliary area173.

If the determination result of step S87-2is YES, the auxiliary area display unit18removes the auxiliary area173in step S87-3. Therefore, the participant can participate in the video conference while paying attention mainly to the images of the respective bases.

If the determination result of step S87-2is NO, the auxiliary area display unit18keeps displaying the auxiliary area173.

First, in step S87-4, the auxiliary area display unit18determines whether the auxiliary area display unit18has received the number of the terminal IDs of “online (under transmission)” from the transmission management apparatus50.

If the determination result of step S87-4is YES, the auxiliary area display unit18again displays the auxiliary area173based on the layout information2000L stored in the RAM103, in step S87-5. Thereby, if the number of bases has changed, the transmission terminal10can immediately reflect the changed number of bases in the auxiliary area173.

If the determination result of step S87-6is YES, the auxiliary area display unit18displays the auxiliary area173based on the layout information2000L stored in the RAM103in step S87-5. Thereby, the user can display the auxiliary area173at any timing.

If each of both the determination results of step S87-4and step S87-6is NO, the auxiliary area display unit18keeps not displaying the auxiliary area173.

Thus, the auxiliary area173is displayed when the number of bases has changed. Therefore, the user can easily know that the number of bases has changed. Because the auxiliary area173is removed after the elapse of the certain period of time, the user can participate in the video conference while paying attention mainly to the images of the respective bases.

If the user wishes to know details of bases which have participated in the video conference as a result of knowing a change in the number of bases or knowing the number of bases, the user can switch the display mode into the information display mode. Because the user can switch the display mode into the information display mode when the number of bases has changed, the user need not switch the display mode into the information display mode to know the number of bases or the bases which have participated in the video conference.

The transmission terminals, the transmission management apparatuses, the programs, the transmission methods, and the transmission systems have been described in the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50and the program providing apparatus90can be established by a single computer instead of being provided separately. Also, the respective elements and the storage units1000,2000,3000, and5000of the relay apparatuses30, the transmission management apparatus50and the program providing apparatus90can be freely assigned to a plurality of computers. In this case, the UI providing apparatus20can be included as a function of any one of the computers.

Also, as an example of quality of an image relayed by a relay apparatus30, resolution of an image of image data is managed in the above-mentioned embodiments. However, what is managed is not limited to this example. As others example of quality to be managed, a depth of image quality of image data, a sampling frequency used when a sound is sampled to acquire sound data, a bit length in a sound of sound data, or the like, can be managed. Also, it is possible that sound data is transmitted and received in a manner that the sound data is separated into respective pieces that have 3 types of resolution (high resolution, medium resolution, and low resolution).

Also, inFIGS. 9A and 9B, the IP addresses of the transmission terminals10are managed. However, what is managed is not limited to IP addresses, and any other information for identifying the transmission terminals10in the transmission network2may be used. For example, FQDNs (Fully Qualified Domain Names) of the transmission terminals10may be managed. In this case, through a known DNS (Domain Name System) server, the IP addresses corresponding to the FQDNs are acquired.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a video conference system has been described as one example of the transmission system1. However, the transmission system1is not limited to the video conference system. For example, the transmission system1may be a telephone system of IP (Internet Protocol) phones, internet phones or the like, or an interactive white board system.

Also, the transmission system1can be a system that includes car navigation apparatuses mounted in moving bodies, respectively.FIG. 27illustrates one example of a system configuration in a case where transmission terminals10are applied as car navigation apparatuses200-2and200-3mounted in respective moving bodies (automobiles601and602), respectively.

In this case, one transmission terminal10corresponds to the car navigation apparatus200-2mounted in the automobile601. Another transmission terminals10corresponds to a management terminal200-1used by a communicator in a management center604, or the car navigation apparatus200-3mounted in the automobile602. The management terminal200-1and the car navigation apparatuses200-2and200-3are connected together via a network2. Also, the management terminal200-1and the car navigation apparatuses200-2and200-3establish a session using a transmission management apparatus50.

FIG. 28illustrates one example of a configuration diagram of any one of the in-vehicle car navigation apparatuses200-2and200-3. The car navigation apparatus200-2has a configuration such that, to a transmission terminal10described above, a GPS receiver612, a vehicle speed sensor613, a gyro sensor614, and a road map data615are connected. Also, the transmission terminal10includes a display120integrally. Note that the display120may be connected to the transmission terminal10in a wired manner or wirelessly, or may be detachable to and from the transmission terminal10.

The transmission terminal10provides the function as any one of the car navigation apparatus200-2and200-3by executing a program. The GPS receiver612captures GPS satellite signals to output the coordinates of the current position. The vehicle speed sensor613detects the vehicle speed (i.e., the rotational speed of the wheels) of the vehicle601or602. The gyro sensor614detects the angular velocity, and, as a result of integrating the angular velocity, it is possible to detect the direction in which the vehicle601or602travels.

The road map data615is data that expresses roads by combinations of nodes and links, and can be downloaded from the outside or can be previously held by the vehicle601or602. The road map data is displayed on the display120.

Note that a PC may be connected to the transmission terminal10for sharing screen pages. Also, the car navigation apparatus200-2or200-3may have, in addition to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 28, a tuner function to a receive radio or TV broadcasts, an audio function to reproduce music, a function to link with an in-vehicle camera such as a rearview camera, a browser function to display Web sites, and so forth.

The transmission terminal10estimates the position of the vehicle by applying autonomous navigation that accumulates travel distances detected by the vehicle speed sensor613in the travel direction detected by the gyro sensor614using the position information that is detected by the GPS receiver612as a starting point. The position of the vehicle is displayed in the road map in a form of a vehicle mark. Also, the transmission terminal10searches for a route for a destination and guides the vehicle driver with the searched route. Thus, the transmission terminal10implements the car navigation function.

The car navigation apparatuses200-2and200-3are connected to the network20through functions of the transmission terminals10. For example, each transmission terminal10is connected to the network2using a cellphone via a cellphone network that may use wireless communications that mainly cover a wide area such as an outdoor area or the like using antenna power from a base station.

The transmission terminal10as the car navigation apparatus200-2or200-3displays a screen page of a destination list on the display120such as the destination list ofFIG. 29. The destination list is a display screen page where, in a destination list frame1100-1, terminal IDs1100-2, terminal names1100-3, and icons1100-4athrough1100-4crepresenting status information of destination terminal candidates are included. The occupant selects a destination terminal from the list of destination terminals displayed on the display120.

After a session is established with the destination terminal, the transmission terminal10(the car navigation apparatus200-2or200-3) can transmit image data from a camera, voice data, and so forth to, and receive image data, voice data, and so forth from the selected destination terminal.

Also, as a result of the user (the occupant) performing an operation on the transmission terminal10(the car navigation apparatus200-2or200-3), the transmission terminal10can acquire display data such as a road map, a TV picture, or the like. In this case, the car navigation apparatus200-2or200-3can transmit display data to the other car navigation apparatus that is the destination terminal connected via the network2.

Also, if the user selects the management terminal200-1used by the communicator of the management center604from the list of the destination terminals, image data of the communicator is displayed on the display120, and a voice of the communicator is output from the speaker. Thus, the user can perform a conversation with the communicator as a TV phone.

Thus, merely the mounting place becomes the moving body (the automobile, or the like), image data, voice data, and display data can be transmitted and received in a manner the same as or similar to a transmission terminal10in an office.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiments, as an example of content data, image data and sound data are processed. However, content data is not limited to image data and sound data, and content data may be touch data. In this case, a feeling generated when a user touches one transmission terminal10is transmitted to another transmission terminal10.

Also, content data may be smell data. In this case, a smell on the side of one transmission terminal is transmitted to another transmission terminal. Also, content data may be at least one of image data, sound data, touch data, and smell data.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where the transmission system1is used to carry out a video conference. However, actual applications of the transmission system1are not limited to this case. The transmission system1may be used for a meeting, a general conversation among family members, friends, or the like, or submitting information unidirectionally.

Thus, it is possible to provide a transmission terminal with which it is possible to know information of other bases even in an image mode where images from transmission terminals are displayed.

Thus, the transmission terminals, the transmission management apparatuses, the non-transitory recording media, the transmission methods, and the transmission systems have been described in the embodiments. However, embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and replacements may be made.