Communication system and test method

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables efficient construction of a facility for providing communication services.SOLUTION: A communication device functions as a transmitting-side communication device in a communication system in which the transmitting-side communication device and a receiving-side communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received. The communication device includes: conversion means for acquiring a media signal input from the outside and transmitted to the receiving-side communication device based on an instruction from a monitoring device, and converting the media signal into a packet; and transmitting means for transmitting the packet as media data to the monitoring device. The media data stored in the monitoring device is viewed by an operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for constructing a communication facility. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Services are provided for transmitting video, audio, or video and audio (which may be collectively referred to as media) from, for example, a shooting point to a broadcasting station or the like.

[0003] To transmit media, it is necessary to build a line for media transmission. For example, to install new communication equipment for transmitting media and build a line between that communication equipment and a communication equipment at another point, the following work is required, assuming that the lower layer transmission lines (IP lines, Ethernet (registered trademark) lines, etc.) have already been opened. Note that "setting information" may be called "Config", which is an abbreviation of Configuration.

[0004] (1) Designing the configuration information for communication devices (2) Installation of communication devices and packaging (3) Inputting configuration information into communication devices (4) Line opening test Regarding (3) above, inputting the configuration information is generally done by an operator at the installation site of the communication device. Regarding (4), basically, an on-site operator uses measuring equipment to perform the test. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-106682 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional setup of communication equipment and opening of lines, the above-mentioned steps (1), (3), and (4) are basically done manually by on-site workers, which is inefficient and takes a lot of time.

[0007] This problem is not limited to the setting of communication equipment and the opening of lines for transmitting media, but can occur in all cases of setting of communication equipment and the opening of lines for providing communication services. The setting of communication equipment and the opening of lines may be collectively called the construction of facilities.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a technique that enables efficient construction of facilities for providing communication services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the disclosed technique, there is provided a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network to transmit and receive media signals, comprising: Based on instructions from the monitoring device, The transmitting communication device, A media signal input from an external source and transmitted to the receiving communication device is acquired, and the media signal is converted into packets. and transmitting the packet as first media data to the monitoring device; the receiving communication device receives packets converted from the media signal from the transmitting communication device, acquires the media signal converted from the packets based on an instruction from the monitoring device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as second media data; The information stored in the monitoring device The first media data and the second media data The media data is viewed by the operator. A communication system is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, it becomes possible to efficiently construct facilities for providing communication services. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a communication device. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of buttons attached to the front surface of a communication device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a reduction in the amount of setting information. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a reduction in the amount of setting information. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication device on the transmitting side and a communication device on the receiving side in Example 2-1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining signal transmission. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 shows an example of an OUS test. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows an example of an INS test. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication device on the transmitting side and a communication device on the receiving side in Example 2-2. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation in Example 2-2. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] Hereinafter, a first embodiment and a second embodiment will be described as examples of a technology that enables efficient construction of facilities for providing communication services. Note that the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be implemented in combination.

[0014] In the following examples, the transmission of media such as video and audio is given as an example of a communication service, but the present invention is applicable to the construction of facilities for various communication services other than media transmission.

[0015] Example 1 First, a description will be given of Example 1. Since Example 1 includes Example 1-1 and Example 1-2, each of them will be described.

[0016] <Example 1-1> <System configuration of Example 1-1> Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of Example 1-1. As shown in Fig. 1, this system has a configuration including a communication device 100, a DHCP server 40, and a file server 20, which are connected to a network 30. The communication device 100 is a communication device newly installed at a certain base for the purpose of transmitting media, for example, and is a communication device into which setting information is to be input.

[0017] The DHCP server 40 is a server that receives a request and returns an IP address, etc. The file server 20 is a server that holds setting information to be input to the communication device 100.

[0018] In Example 1-1, when an operator (construction worker) simply presses a button provided on the communication device 100, the setting information is downloaded from the file server 20 to the communication device 100, and the setting information is set in the communication device 100. Note that this method uses a technology called ZTP (Zero Touch Provisioning), but the mechanism for downloading setting information by simply pressing a button is not present in conventional ZTP.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the communication device 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the communication device 100 has a monitoring control unit 110, a signal processing unit 120, a NW processing unit 130, and a power supply unit 140. The monitoring control unit 110 has a button 111, a button press detection unit 112, and a setting processing unit 113.

[0020] The monitoring control unit 110 monitors each unit in the communication device 100 and downloads setting information based on pressing a button. More specifically, when an operator presses a button 111, a button press detection unit 112 detects the button press and instructs the setting processing unit 113 to start processing for downloading the setting information. Based on the instruction, the setting processing unit 113 performs processing for downloading the setting information and executes setting processing based on the downloaded setting information.

[0021] The signal processing unit 120 performs signal processing such as packetizing the media signal. The NW processing unit 130 performs processing related to connection with the NW. The NW processing unit 130 may be called a NW interface. The power supply unit 140 performs processing for power supply.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an image of communication device 100 as viewed from the front. As shown in Fig. 3, monitoring control unit 110 is provided with button 111. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, each unit is housed in a housing as a package. However, such a configuration of communication device 100 is merely one example.

[0023] <Operation example of Example 1-1> An example of an operation sequence in the embodiment 1-1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] In S101, an operator turns on the power of the communication device 100, and in S102, the operator presses the button 111.

[0025] Thereafter, a DHCP sequence (S103 to S106) is executed, and the communication device 100 acquires information on the access destination (file server 20). In S107, the communication device 100 transmits a request to acquire setting information to the file server 20, and in S108, acquires the setting information.

[0026] <Example 1-2> Example 1-2 is based on Example 1-1. That is, the communication device 100 of Example 1-2 has a function described in Example 1-2 in addition to the function described in Example 1-1. However, Example 1-2 may not be based on Example 1-1.

[0027] In the above-described embodiment 1-1, it is necessary to manually prepare in advance the setting information to be downloaded from the file server 20. In order to prepare the setting information, it is usually necessary to know the mounting state of the package of the communication device 100, which is very time-consuming.

[0028] Therefore, in the embodiment 1-2, when the communication device 100 is started, the monitor control unit 110 grasps the mounting state of the processing unit (i.e., package) in the communication device 100, and reflects the grasped contents in the previously created setting information (downloaded setting information assuming the embodiment 1-1). This makes it possible to reduce the amount of setting information to be created in advance.

[0029] "Reflecting" means, for example, that if the setting information requires information on the mounting location of package A, that information is left blank in the setting information that is prepared in advance, and once the monitoring control unit 110 has confirmed the mounting status, the blank is filled with the relevant information.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the monitor and control unit 110 includes a mounting state acquisition unit 115 and an automatic setting unit 116 as functional units related to reducing the amount of setting information to be created in advance.

[0031] The mounting state acquisition unit 115 grasps (acquires) the packages mounted in the communication device 100 and the states of the packages (insertion position, type, port information, etc.) when the communication device 100 is started up. For example, in the example of Fig. 5, it grasps that two packages A, one package B, and one package C are mounted, and the state of each package, such as the position, etc.

[0032] The automatic setting unit 116 reflects the physical information (such as the position of the package in the communication device 100) that it has grasped about each package in the setting information. Furthermore, the automatic setting unit 116 can automatically generate parts of the logical setting and usage setting (service usage of the physical port and designation of the logical connection) that can be inferred from the package state (type and usage port information) and reflect them in the setting information. Fig. 6 shows the conventional design range for the setting information and the design range for the communication device 100 of the embodiment 1-2.

[0033] Without the function of Example 1-2, the operator of the setting information would need to check the mounting state of the package in the communication device 100 and manually reflect the information of the mounting state in the setting information in advance. On the other hand, by providing the function of Example 1-2, the setting information can be created without including information based on the mounting state of the package, which reduces the amount of setting information and also reduces the effort required to create the setting information.

[0034] Example 2 Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment. The second embodiment is based on the first embodiment. That is, the communication device of the second embodiment has a function described in the second embodiment in addition to the functions of the communication device of the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment may not be based on the first embodiment.

[0035] The second embodiment relates to a test performed when a line is opened after the setting of the setting information using the technique of the first embodiment is completed.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system in Example 2. Fig. 7 is common to Examples 2-1 and 2-2 described later. However, the internal configuration of each device may be different between Example 2-1 and Example 2-2.

[0037] 7, in this system, a plurality of communication devices 200 that transmit and receive media are connected by lines (network). Each communication device 200 is connected to a monitoring device 300 via a network 500. Also, a terminal 400 that an operator (such as a network administrator) uses to perform operations is connected to the monitoring device 300.

[0038] <Outline of Example 2> When the line is opened, at least (A) and (B) below must be confirmed.

[0039] (A) The ability to transmit media without error.

[0040] (B) The content of the media can be verified.

[0041] (B) "Being able to confirm the contents of the media" means that if the media is video, a person can view the video and confirm that it was transmitted without problems (no distortion in the video, etc.), and if the media is audio, a person can listen to the audio and confirm that it was transmitted without problems (no interruptions in the audio, etc.). (A) may be called a media continuity test, and (B) may be called a media monitor test.

[0042] In the second embodiment, both (A) and (B) can be confirmed remotely by the terminal 400 shown in FIG. 7. Regarding (A), a mechanism for signal generation and error checking is provided within the communication device 200, making it possible to perform error checking remotely. Regarding (B), the media signal immediately before input / output is, for example, compressed and transmitted to a remote location, so that a remote operator can view the signal and check the status. Note that "viewing" in this specification means only viewing the video, only listening to the sound, or viewing the video and listening to the sound.

[0043] Hereinafter, a technique for realizing (A) will be described as Example 2-1, and a technique for realizing (B) will be described as Example 2-2. Example 2-1 and Example 2-2 are implemented in combination. However, they are not limited to being combined, and only Example 2-1 or only Example 2-2 may be implemented.

[0044] In either case of Examples 2-1 and 2-2, the media signal may be an audio signal, a video signal, or both an audio signal and a video signal.

[0045] <Example 2-1> First, the above-mentioned method (A) will be described as Example 2-1. In the method (A), an input function or a measurement function for a media signal / test signal is provided at a point close to the input / output of the communication device 200, so that a remote terminal 400 can check for transmission errors.

[0046] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication device 200S on the signal transmitting side and a communication device 200R on the signal receiving side in Example 2-1. Fig. 8 has a configuration in which a communication device 200S on the transmitting side and a communication device 200 (assumed to be 200R) on the receiving side are connected via a network 600. Note that, normally, the functional units in the communication device have a working system and a standby system, but Fig. 8 shows one system to easily show the configuration related to the continuity test. The same applies to Fig. 12 in Example 2-2.

[0047] Also, in FIG. 8, communication device 200S on the signal transmitting side and communication device 200R on the signal receiving side have different configurations, but in reality, communication device 200S also includes the functions of communication device 200R, and communication device 200R also includes the functions of communication device 200S.

[0048] 8, a transmitting communication device 200S has an input / output section 201S, a test signal input section 210, a packetizing section 202S, and a transmitting section 203S. The functions of each section are as follows.

[0049] The input / output unit 201S receives a media signal transmitted from an external user equipment or the like, or a test signal (a test signal is a type of media signal) transmitted from the test signal input unit 210, and outputs the media signal or the test signal (referred to as "media signal / test signal") to the packetization unit 202S. The test signal input unit 210 generates a test signal based on an instruction from the monitoring device 300, and inputs the test signal to the input / output unit 201S. Note that the generation and input of the test signal do not have to be based on an instruction from the monitoring device 300.

[0050] The packetizer 202S converts the input media signal / test signal into packets and outputs the packets. The transmitter 203S outputs the packets to the network 600.

[0051] The receiving communication device 200R has an input / output unit 201R, a measurement function unit 211, a packetization unit 202R, and a transmission unit 203R. The functions of each unit are as follows.

[0052] The transmission unit 203R receives packets from the network 600 and outputs the packets to the packetization unit 202R. The packetization unit 202R converts the packets into media signals / test signals and outputs them. The input / output unit 201R outputs media signals transmitted from the user equipment to the outside, and outputs test signals to the measurement function unit 211. The input / output unit 201R can also output media signals transmitted from the user equipment to the outside and to the measurement function unit 211.

[0053] The measurement function unit 211 transmits the results of measuring the received media signal / test signal (eg, error rate, delay) to the monitoring device 300 .

[0054] In the embodiment 2-1, a media signal / test signal is the object of measurement. As an example, when an audio signal is the object of measurement, the signal flows as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, in the configuration of FIG. 8, an audio signal (AES frame) is input to the input / output unit 201S, converted into an RTP packet by the packetizing unit 202S, the RTP packet is transmitted from the transmitting unit 203S, and arrives at the transmitting unit 203R on the receiving side via the network 600. The RTP packet is converted into an audio signal (AES frame) by the packetizing unit 202R, and output from the input / output unit 201R. The output audio signal is input to, for example, the measurement function unit 211, where it is measured.

[0055] Next, the operation of performing a test using a test signal when no media signal is received from the user equipment, such as during an installation test, will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This test may be called an OUS (Out of service) test.

[0056] For example, an operator who operates the terminal 400 inputs information to the terminal 400 to perform a test using a test signal for the section between the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R. The terminal 400 instructs the monitoring device 300 to perform a test using a test signal for the section between the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R.

[0057] The monitoring device 300 instructs the test signal input unit 210 of the communication device 200S to generate a test signal and input it to the input / output unit 201S. The monitoring device 300 also instructs the measurement function unit 211 of the communication device 200R to measure the test signal sent from the communication device 200S and report the measurement result to the monitoring device 300.

[0058] Then, the test signal input unit 210 generates a test signal and inputs it to the input / output unit 201S. The test signal is not limited to a specific signal. As an example, in the case of voice, a pseudorandom pattern (PN pattern) can be used as the test signal.

[0059] The test signal arrives at the measurement function unit 211 of the receiving communication device 200R. The communication device 200R measures the test signal and notifies the monitoring device 300 of the measurement result. The monitoring device 300 transmits the measurement result to the terminal 400. The measurement result is displayed on the terminal 400, allowing the operator to check whether an error has occurred.

[0060] Regarding the delay, for example, by attaching a timestamp to the test signal on the transmitting side (test signal input section 210), the receiving side (measurement function section 211) can measure the delay from the difference between the current time and the timestamp.

[0061] Next, the operation of a test using a media signal transmitted from a user equipment during a service will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This test is assumed to be performed without interrupting the service. This test may be called an INS (In service) test.

[0062] For example, an operator who operates the terminal 400 inputs information to the terminal 400 to the effect that a test using a media signal transmitted from a user equipment is to be performed on the section between the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R. The terminal 400 instructs the monitoring device 300 to perform a test using a media signal transmitted from the user equipment on the section between the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R.

[0063] The monitoring device 300 instructs the input / output unit 201R of the communication device 200R to output the received media signal to the outside and also to the measurement function unit 211. The monitoring device 300 also instructs the measurement function unit 211 of the communication device 200R to report the measurement results of the media signal to the monitoring device 300.

[0064] In accordance with the above instructions, the measurement function unit 211 measures the received media signal and notifies the monitoring device 300 of the measurement result. The monitoring device 300 transmits the measurement result to the terminal 400. The measurement result is displayed on the terminal 400, allowing the operator to check whether an error has occurred.

[0065] 8, a portion for inputting a test signal (for example, a portion in the input / output unit 201S that receives a signal from the test signal input unit 210) may be called an Insert point. Also, the measurement function unit 211 of the communication device 200R may be called a Monitor point (when a media signal / test signal is measured and passed through) or a Drop point (when a media signal / test signal is measured and terminated).

[0066] Note that the configuration shown in Fig. 8 is just an example, and test configurations such as those shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are also possible. In these figures, I indicates an Insert point (I point), M indicates a Monitor point (M point), and D indicates a Drop point (D point).

[0067] In Fig. 10, a test signal is input to communication device 200-1, and the test signal is measured at points M and D shown in the figure. In the example of Fig. 10, the test signal is looped back in communication device 200-3. This makes it possible to measure round trip delay in addition to error rate and the like.

[0068] FIG. 11 shows an example in which a media signal input from the user equipment 250 to the communication device 200-4 is measured at each of M points.

[0069] <Example 2-2> Next, the above-mentioned method (B) will be described as Example 2-2. In the method (B), the media signal immediately before input / output is transmitted to a remote monitoring device 300, and an operator can view the media data to check the status.

[0070] 12 is a diagram showing the configurations of a signal transmitting communication device 200S, a signal receiving communication device 200R, and a monitoring device 300 in Example 2-2. In FIG. 12, the transmitting communication device 200S and the receiving communication device 200R are connected to each other via a network 600.

[0071] In addition, in FIG. 12, communication device 200S on the signal transmitting side and communication device 200R on the signal receiving side have different configurations, but in reality, communication device 200S also includes the functions of communication device 200R, and communication device 200R also includes the functions of communication device 200S.

[0072] 12, a transmitting communication device 200S includes an input / output unit 201S, a packetization unit 202S, a transmission unit 203S, a monitor compression processing unit 220S, and a monitor signal packetization unit 230S. The input / output unit 201S, the packetization unit 202S, and the transmission unit 203S are the same as those in the embodiment 2-1.

[0073] The transmitting communication device 200S transmits a media signal input from a user facility or the like to an input / output unit 201S, and also has a branching function (which may be called a branching unit) for transmitting the media signal to a monitor compression processing unit 220S.

[0074] The monitor compression processor 220S compresses the received media signal and outputs the compressed signal to the monitor signal packetizer 230S. Note that compression is not essential, and compression may not be performed.

[0075] The monitor signal packetizing unit 230S packetizes the compressed media signal and inputs it to the transmitting unit 203S.

[0076] The transmission unit 203S transmits the packet received from the monitor signal packetization unit 230S to the monitoring device 300. In the monitoring device 300, the media data storage unit 310 stores the data of the packet as media data.

[0077] The receiving communication device 200R includes an input / output unit 201R, a packetizer 202R, a transmitter 203R, a monitor compression processor 220R, and a monitor signal packetizer 230R. The input / output unit 201R, the packetizer 202R, and the transmitter 203R are the same as those in the embodiment 2-2.

[0078] The communication device 200R has a branching function (which may also be called a branching unit) that transmits the media signal output from the input / output unit 201R (the media signal output from the user equipment and passed through the communication device 200S and the network 600) to the outside and also transmits it to the monitor compression processing unit 220R.

[0079] The monitor compression processor 220R compresses the received media signal and outputs the compressed signal to the monitor signal packetizer 230R. Note that compression is not essential, and compression may not be performed.

[0080] The monitor signal packetizing unit 230R packetizes the compressed media signal and inputs it to the transmitting unit 203R.

[0081] The transmission unit 203R transmits the packet received from the monitor signal packetization unit 230R to the monitoring device 300. In the monitoring device 300, the media data storage unit 310 stores the packet as media data. That is, the media data storage unit 310 stores media data corresponding to the media signal immediately before it is input to the input / output unit 201S on the transmitting side, and media data corresponding to the media signal immediately after it is output from the input / output unit 201R on the receiving side.

[0082] The control unit 320 of the monitoring device 300 operates in accordance with the operator's instructions sent from the terminal 400 .

[0083] An example of an operation related to the measurement in the embodiment 2-2 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. An operator who operates the terminal 400 instructs the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R on the terminal 400 to monitor a media signal transmitted from the user equipment 250 in order to check the state of the line between the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R.

[0084] In S201, a monitoring start instruction for the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R is transmitted from the terminal 400 to the monitoring device 300. In S202, the control unit 320 of the monitoring device 300 transmits a monitoring start instruction to each of the communication device 200S and the communication device 200R.

[0085] Each of the communication devices 200S and 200R compresses and packetizes the media signal using the method described above, and transmits the packets as media data to the monitoring device 300 (S203). The media data is stored in the media data storage unit 310.

[0086] Thereafter, for example, when the operator issues an instruction on the terminal 400 to view the input side media and the output side media, the instruction is sent to the monitoring device 300 as an instruction to acquire the media data.

[0087] The control unit 320 of the monitoring device 300 acquires the transmitting side media data and the receiving side media data from the media data storage unit 310, and transmits them to the terminal 400. An operator can, for example, check whether the line has been normally opened by viewing the transmitting side media data and the receiving side media data, respectively.

[0088] (Hardware configuration) The communication device 100 and the communication device 200 described in the first and second embodiments can each be realized by using a dedicated hardware circuit for each internal functional unit. Also, the communication device 100 and the communication device 200 described in the first and second embodiments can each be realized by software using a general-purpose computer. When the communication device is realized by software using a general-purpose computer, the "package" described in the first embodiment can be treated as a virtual package.

[0089] In the case of realizing the functions of the communication device by software using a general-purpose computer, the functions of the communication device can be realized by executing a program corresponding to the processing performed by the communication device using hardware resources such as a CPU and memory built into the computer. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as a portable memory) and stored or distributed. The program can also be provided via a network such as the Internet or email.

[0090] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device. The device in Fig. 14 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, and an input device 1007, which are mutually connected via a bus B. Note that each of the communication devices (communication device 100, communication device 200) described above may not include the display device 1006 and the input device 1007.

[0091] A program for implementing processing in the communication device is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, and the like.

[0092] The memory device 1003 reads out and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes functions related to the communication device in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to a program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard and mouse, buttons, a touch panel, or the like, and is used to input various operational instructions.

[0093] The monitoring device 300 can also be realized by the above-mentioned computer and program.

[0094] (Effects of the embodiment) The technology according to the present embodiment described above allows efficient construction of facilities. For example, the method of pressing the button on the front of the device described in the first embodiment shortens the time required for pre-construction training. Also, the work required for creating configuration information in advance can be reduced. Furthermore, the technology according to the second embodiment allows shortening the time required for pre-opening training and on-site work.

[0095] (Summary of the embodiment) This specification describes at least the communication device, communication system, test method, and program described in the following sections. (Section 1) A communication device that functions as a transmitting communication device in a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising: a test signal generating means for generating and outputting a test signal based on an instruction from a monitoring device; A conversion means for converting the test signal into packets; a transmitting means for transmitting the packet, In the receiving communication device that receives the packet, a test signal converted from the packet is measured, and the measurement result is reported to the monitoring device. Communications equipment. (Section 2) A communication device that functions as a receiving communication device in a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising: a receiving means for receiving from the transmitting communication device a packet converted from a test signal generated based on an instruction from a monitoring device; a conversion means for converting the packets into a test signal; a measuring means for measuring the test signal converted by the converting means and reporting the measurement result to the monitoring device; A communication device comprising: (Section 3) A communication device that functions as a transmitting communication device in a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising: a conversion means for acquiring a media signal that is input from an external source and transmitted to the receiving communication device based on an instruction from a monitoring device, and converting the media signal into packets; a transmitting means for transmitting the packets as media data to the monitoring device, The media data stored in the monitoring device is viewed by an operator. Communications equipment. (Section 4) A communication device that functions as a receiving communication device in a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising: a receiving means for receiving a packet transmitted from the transmitting communication device; a conversion means for acquiring a media signal converted from the packets based on an instruction from a monitoring device, and converting the media signal into packets; a transmitting means for transmitting the packet converted by the converting means to the monitoring device as media data, The media data stored in the monitoring device is viewed by an operator. Communications equipment. (Section 5) A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The communication device further includes a monitoring control means for acquiring setting information from a file server when the communication device detects that a button provided on the communication device is pressed. Communications equipment. (Section 6) 6. A communication device according to claim 5, The monitoring and control means acquires a mounting state of a package in the communication device, and reflects information based on the mounting state in the setting information. Communications equipment. (Section 7) A communication system comprising the communication device according to claim 1 and the communication device according to claim 2. (Section 8) A communication system comprising the communication device according to claim 3 and the communication device according to claim 4. (Section 9) A test method for a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising the steps of: the transmitting communication device generates a test signal based on an instruction from a monitoring device, converts the test signal into a packet, and transmits the packet; The receiving communication device receives the packet from the transmitting communication device, converts the packet into a test signal, measures the test signal, and reports the measurement result to the monitoring device. Test method. (Section 10) A test method for a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising the steps of: based on an instruction from a monitoring device, the transmitting communication device acquires a media signal that is input from an external source and transmitted to the receiving communication device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as first media data; the receiving communication device receives packets converted from the media signal from the transmitting communication device, acquires the media signal converted from the packets based on an instruction from the monitoring device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as second media data; The first media data and the second media data stored in the monitoring device are viewed by an operator. Test method. (Section 11) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means in the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0096] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 20 File Server 30 Network 40 DHCP Server 100 Communication equipment 110 Monitoring and control section 111 Button 112 Button press detection unit 113 Setting processing section 115 Mounting status acquisition unit 116 Automatic setting section 120 Signal Processing Section 130 Network Processing Unit 140 Power supply section 250 User Equipment 200 Communication equipment 201 Input / output section 202 Packetization Unit 203 Transmission Unit 210 Test signal input section 211 Measurement function section 220 Monitor compression processing unit 230 Monitor signal packetization unit 310 Media Data Storage Unit 320 Control Unit 300 Monitoring equipment 400 terminals 500 Network 600 Network 1000 Drive Device 1001 Recording media 1002 Auxiliary storage device 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input Device

Claims

1. A communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network to transmit and receive media signals, based on an instruction from a monitoring device, the transmitting communication device acquires a media signal that is input from an external source and transmitted to the receiving communication device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as first media data; the receiving communication device receives packets converted from the media signal from the transmitting communication device, acquires the media signal converted from the packets based on an instruction from the monitoring device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as second media data; The first media data and the second media data stored in the monitoring device are viewed by an operator. Communication systems.

2. A test method for a communication system in which a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device are connected via a network and media signals are transmitted and received, comprising the steps of: based on an instruction from a monitoring device, the transmitting communication device acquires a media signal that is input from an external source and transmitted to the receiving communication device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as first media data; the receiving communication device receives packets converted from the media signal from the transmitting communication device, acquires the media signal converted from the packets based on an instruction from the monitoring device, converts the media signal into packets, and transmits the packets to the monitoring device as second media data; The first media data and the second media data stored in the monitoring device are viewed by an operator. Test method.

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