Communication control system, communication control terminal, communication control method and program

Abstract

To provide a communication control system, communication control terminal, communication control method, and program that prevent communication delay when a web conference is used during telework.SOLUTION: A control application 110 of a communication control system includes: a communication route identifying unit 111 that identifies a communication route from a first terminal to a web conference server; a notification unit 112 that presents a user with a notification promoting a change to a communication route that does not go through a second terminal when the communication route identified by the communication route identifying unit is a communication route that goes through the second terminal; and a route control unit 113 that changes to a communication route instructed by the user when the user instructs to change the communication route in response to the presentation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control system, a communication control terminal, a communication control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of web conferences has increased due to the increase in teleworking, etc. Also, a technology called remote desktop, etc. is known (for example, Non-Patent Document 1), and in teleworking, etc., work is often carried out by connecting from a home terminal to a company terminal using remote desktop, etc. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] MagicConnect, Internet<URL:https: / / www.magicconnect.net / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when using web conferences during teleworking, communication delays may occur depending on the communication path and communication conditions. For example, if a web conference application is available on a home terminal during teleworking, but a web conference application on a remote desktop is used, the web conference will be held over an unnecessarily redundant communication path, and communication delays may occur depending on the communication conditions.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to prevent communication delays when using web conferences during telework. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a communication control system according to one embodiment is a communication control system that includes a first terminal operated by a user and a second terminal that can be remotely used from the first terminal, and has an identification unit that identifies a communication path from the first terminal to a Web conference server, a notification unit that, if the communication path identified by the identification unit is a communication path that passes through the second terminal, presents a notification to the user encouraging the user to change to a communication path that does not pass through the second terminal, and a route control unit that, if the user instructs the user to change the communication path in response to the suggestion, changes the communication path to the one instructed by the user. Effect of the Invention

[0007] This can prevent communication delays when using web conferences during telework. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a communication control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control application according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processes executed by a control application of a home terminal when participating in a Web conference as a host. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification that prompts a change of a communication path. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processes executed by a control application of a company terminal when participating in a Web conference as a participant. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processes executed by a control application of a home terminal when participating in a Web conference as a participant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, a communication control system 1 that can prevent communication delays by prompting a change of a communication path to a Web conference server when using a Web conference during teleworking if the communication path is unnecessarily redundant will be described. Although the term "teleworking" is used, this embodiment can be similarly applied to a case where a Web conference is used when performing work using a remote desktop or the like in a remote location different from the place where the work is performed during non-teleworking. Therefore, this embodiment can be similarly applied even if terms such as remote work, telecommuting, and mobile work are used instead of the term "teleworking."

[0010] <Overall configuration of communication control system 1> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication control system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a home terminal 10, a company terminal 20, and an address management server 30.

[0011] The home terminal 10 is a PC (personal computer) or the like used by a user during teleworking, and can use the company terminal 20 via remote desktop or the like. On the other hand, the company terminal 20 is a PC or the like present at a place (e.g., a company, etc.) where work is performed during non-teleworking, and is connected to an internal network N1. A GW (gateway) 40 is installed in the internal network N1, which serves as a connection point with an external network environment such as the Internet. In addition, the user has a contract with an ISP (Internet Service Provider), and when using the company terminal 20 on the home terminal 10 via remote desktop or the like, the company terminal 20 is used via the ISP network N2 and the GW 40. Note that, since a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is generally used when using a remote desktop, in this embodiment, the home terminal 10 uses a VPN when using the company terminal 20 via remote desktop. In addition, if there is a server for using the remote desktop (for example, a server that establishes a session between the home terminal 10 and the company terminal 20 and transmits and receives operation information, a VPN server, etc.), when the home terminal 10 uses the company terminal 20 via remote desktop, these servers are also used.

[0012] In this embodiment, a remote desktop is assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a technology or service called a virtual desktop, DaaS (Desktop as a Service), etc. may be used. In other words, the present embodiment is similarly applicable even if a term such as a virtual desktop or DaaS is used instead of the term remote desktop.

[0013] Here, the home terminal 10 and the company terminal 20 have a control application 110 and a Web conference application 120. The home terminal 10 and the company terminal 20 can use the Web conference application 120 to connect to a Web conference server 50, thereby holding a Web conference with a counterpart terminal 60 such as a customer's PC, for example. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a user operates the home terminal 10 to hold a Web conference during teleworking. At this time, the user can hold a Web conference in the following three ways.

[0014] Method 1: Using the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10, connect to the Web conference server 50 via communication path R1. This is a method for directly connecting from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 via the ISP network N2, and in communication path R1, a global IP (Internet Protocol) address is used from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50.

[0015] Method 2: Using the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10, connect to the Web conference server 50 via communication route R2. In this method, the home terminal 10 accesses the in-house network N1 via VPN, and connects to the Web conference server 50 via the in-house network N1. In communication route R2, a local IP address is used from the home terminal 10 to the GW40 because the connection is via VPN, and a global IP address is used from the GW40 to the Web conference server 50. Note that, unlike the above method 1, this method makes it possible to use, for example, a file server in the in-house network N1 during a Web conference.

[0016] Method 3: Using the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 from the home terminal 10 via remote desktop, connect to the Web conference server 50 via communication path R3. This is a method in which the home terminal 10 uses the company terminal 20 via remote desktop, and the company terminal 20 connects to the Web conference server 50. In communication path R3, a local IP address is used from the home terminal 10 to the GW40 because a VPN is used to connect, and a global IP address is used from the GW40 to the Web conference server 50. Note that the area between the GW40 and the company terminal 20 is within the company network N1, so a local IP address is used. With this method, as with method 2 above, for example, it is possible to use a file server or the like within the company network N1 during a Web conference.

[0017] Here, communication route R1 is expected to be the most efficient route with the least communication delays, etc., since it is the shortest route from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50. On the other hand, communication routes R2 and R3 are considered to be inefficient routes (i.e., unnecessarily redundant routes) with larger communication delays, etc., compared to communication route R1. In particular, communication route R3 is considered to have the largest communication delays, etc., since it needs to connect to the company terminal 20 (and a server for using remote desktop, etc.). However, as described above, communication routes R2 and R3 have the advantage that they can use a file server, etc., in the company network N1.

[0018] In consideration of the above, in this embodiment, when a Web conference is to be held on communication route R3, the system encourages the user to hold the Web conference on communication route R1 or R2. This makes it possible to hold a Web conference on a more efficient communication route with less communication delay.

[0019] When a Web conference is held, the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 identifies which of the communication paths R1 to R3 is used, and if the communication path is R3, the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 notifies the user to prompt the user to change the communication path. In addition, when the user performs an operation to change the communication path, the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 also changes the communication path in response to this operation.

[0020] On the other hand, when the control application 110 of the company terminal 20 participates in a Web conference as a participant, the control application 110 stores a participation URL (uniform resource locator) in the address management server 30. Generally, there are cases where a person participates in a Web conference as a host and cases where a person participates as a participant, and when a person participates in a Web conference as a participant, the person generally uses a participation URL to participate in the Web conference.

[0021] The address management server 30 is a server accessible from the home terminal 10, and manages the participation URL stored by the company terminal 20. For example, when the communication path is changed from R3 to R1, the participation URL input to the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 needs to be input to the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10, so that the home terminal 10 can obtain the participation URL from the address management server 30. Generally, the participation URL is often a complex and long character string, making it difficult to input directly by hand, and it is often not possible to copy and paste from the company terminal 20 to the home terminal 10 in a remote desktop. Therefore, by making it possible to obtain the participation URL from the address management server 30, it becomes unnecessary to input the participation URL directly by hand. It is also possible to send the participation URL from the company terminal 20 to the home terminal 10 by e-mail or the like, but by using the address management server 30, the trouble of creating and opening e-mail or the like can be eliminated.

[0022] <Functional configuration of the control application 110> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control application 110 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control application 110 according to this embodiment includes a communication path identification unit 111, a notification unit 112, a path control unit 113, and an address management unit 114. Each of these units is realized by a process executed by the control application 110 in a calculation device such as a processor.

[0023] The communication path identifying unit 111 identifies whether the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 is any one of the communication paths R1 to R3.

[0024] When the communication path specification unit 111 specifies that the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 is communication path R3, the notification unit 112 presents the user with a notification urging the user to change to communication path R1 or R2.

[0025] When a change in the communication path is instructed by the user in response to a notification by the notification unit 112, the path control unit 113 changes the communication path to the one instructed by the user.

[0026] When a user participates in a Web conference as a participant using the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20, the address management unit 114 stores the participation URL in the address management server 30. At this time, the address management unit 114 stores the participation URL in the address management server 30 in association with identification information (e.g., a user ID) that identifies the user.

[0027] <Processing flow> The following describes the flow of processing executed by the control application 110 when participating in a Web conference as a host and when participating as a participant, assuming that the user is using the home terminal 10 during telework. Generally, a participation URL is used when participating in a Web conference as a participant, whereas a participation URL is not used when participating as a host. Although this may differ depending on the type of Web conference application 120, when participating in a Web conference as a host, it is common for a user to log in to the Web conference server 50 and then perform operations such as starting the Web conference that the user is hosting.

[0028] <When participating in a web conference as the host> 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 when participating in a Web conference as a host. In the following, it is assumed that the user has performed operations such as starting a Web conference using the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10 or the company terminal 20. When performing operations such as starting a Web conference using the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20, it is assumed that the user operates the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 from the home terminal 10 using remote desktop, as described above.

[0029] First, the communication path identification unit 111 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 identifies which of the communication paths R1 to R3 the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 is (step S101). This can be identified, for example, by the activation status of the Web conference application 120 and the type of IP address used on the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50.

[0030] That is, for example, if the entire communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 is a global IP address, the communication path is identified as R1. In this case, the Web conference application 120 is running on the home terminal 10.

[0031] On the other hand, if the connection from the home terminal 10 to the GW40 is a VPN (i.e., a local IP address) and the connection from the GW40 to the Web conference server 50 is a global IP address, when the Web conference application 120 is launched on the home terminal 10, the communication route is identified as R2, and when the Web conference application 120 is launched on the company terminal 20, the communication route is identified as R3.

[0032] The above method of identifying the communication path is merely an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the communication path may be identified only from the IP address, or the communication path may be identified based on the type of IP address and whether or not a remote desktop is used. Or, for example, the communication path may be identified based on whether or not a VPN is used and whether or not a remote desktop is used.

[0033] If the communication route is identified as R3 (that is, the communication route via the company terminal 20 by remote desktop) in step S101 above (YES in step S102), the notification unit 112 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 presents a notification to the user to prompt the user to change to the communication route R1 or R2 (step S103). Here, an example of the notification by the notification unit 112 is shown in FIG. 4. For example, the notification 1000 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed as a pop-up on the screen of the home terminal 10, and includes a "Change to a direct connection communication route" button 1001, a "Change to a VPN route not via the company terminal" button 1002, and a "Do not change" button 1003. The "Change to a direct connection communication route" button 1001 is a button for instructing a change to the communication route R1, and the "Change to a VPN route not via the company terminal" button 1002 is a button for instructing a change to the communication route R2. On the other hand, the "Do not change" button 1003 is a button for instructing not to change the communication route.

[0034] If the user instructs in the notification presented in step S103 above to change the communication path (YES in step S104), the route control unit 113 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 changes the communication path to the one instructed by the user (step S105). For example, if the user selects the "Change to direct connection communication path" button 1001 in the notification 1000 shown in Fig. 4, the route control unit 113 changes to communication path R1. On the other hand, for example, if the user selects the "Change to VPN path not passing through company terminal" button 1002 in the notification 1000 shown in Fig. 4, the route control unit 113 changes to communication path R2.

[0035] To change from communication path R3 to communication path R1, for example, the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 is terminated, and the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10 is started, and the Web conference server 50 is connected to using a global IP address. To change from communication path R3 to communication path R2, for example, the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 is terminated, and the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10 is started, and the Web conference server 50 is connected to via the in-house network N1 by a VPN connection.

[0036] On the other hand, if the communication path is identified as R1 or R2 in step S101 (NO in step S102), the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 does nothing. If the user does not instruct a change in the communication path in the notification presented in step S103 (NO in step S104), the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 does nothing. Note that a case in which a change in the communication path is not instructed is, for example, a case in which the user selects the "Do not change" button 1003 in the notification 1000 shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] <When joining a web conference as a participant> Processing executed by the control application 110 of the company terminal 20 When a user participates in a Web conference using the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 via remote desktop, the process shown in Fig. 5 is executed. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the control application 110 of the company terminal 20 when participating in a Web conference as a participant.

[0038] When the participation URL for the Web conference is pressed by the user (YES in step S201), the address management unit 114 stores this participation URL in the address management server 30 (step S202). At this time, the address management unit 114 stores the participation URL in the address management server 30 in association with identification information that identifies the user. Note that this is not limited to when the participation URL is pressed by the user, but is also stored in the address management server 30 when, for example, the participation URL is input into a Web browser or the like by copy and paste.

[0039] On the other hand, when the Web conference application 120 of the company terminal 20 is not used, the control application 110 of the company terminal 20 does nothing in particular.

[0040] Processing executed by the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 when participating in a Web conference as a participant. In the following, it is assumed that the user presses the participation URL on the home terminal 10 or the company terminal 20. This starts up the Web conference application 120 on the home terminal 10 or the company terminal 20. Note that when the participation URL is pressed on the company terminal 20, the processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

[0041] First, the communication path identification unit 111 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 identifies which of the communication paths R1 to R3 is the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50, similar to step S101 in FIG. 3 (step S301).

[0042] If the communication path is identified as R3 in step S301 above (YES in step S302), similar to step S103 in FIG. 3, the notification unit 112 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 presents a notification to the user urging them to change to communication path R1 or R2 (step S303).

[0043] If the user instructs the communication route to be changed in the notification presented in step S303 above (YES in step S304), the route control unit 113 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 changes the communication route to the one instructed by the user, similar to step S105 in FIG. 3 (step S305).

[0044] If the communication path is changed to a direct connection path (i.e., communication path R1) in step S305 above (YES in step S306), the address management unit 114 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 obtains the participation URL associated with the user's identification information from the address management server 30 (step S307).

[0045] On the other hand, if the communication path was not changed to a direct connection in step S305 above (NO in step S306), the address management unit 114 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 acquires the participation URL from the company terminal 20 (step S308). This corresponds to the case where the communication path was changed from R3 to R2 in step S305 above, and the company terminal 20 can be accessed from the home terminal 10.

[0046] Then, the address management unit 114 of the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 passes the participation URL acquired in step S307 or step S308 to the Web conference application 120 (step S309). This starts up the Web conference application 120 of the home terminal 10, and it becomes possible to participate in the Web conference as a participant using the participation URL.

[0047] On the other hand, if the communication route is identified as R1 or R2 in step S301 (NO in step S302), the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 does nothing. Also, if the user does not instruct a change in the communication route in the notification presented in step S303 (NO in step S304), the control application 110 of the home terminal 10 does nothing.

[0048] <Summary> As described above, when a Web conference is held on the home terminal 10 during telework, if the communication path to the Web conference server 50 is unnecessarily redundant (i.e., communication path R3), the communication control system 1 according to this embodiment presents a notification to the user urging the user to change the communication path. This enables the user to hold a Web conference on a more efficient communication path, and makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a Web conference is held at a low quality due to communication delays or the like.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the communication path from the home terminal 10 to the Web conference server 50 is the communication path R3, the communication path is changed to the communication path R1 or R2 by the user's selection, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the communication path may be automatically changed to the communication path R1 or R2. In this case, it is considered that the communication path to be changed to, for example, R1 or R2, is set in advance.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments specifically disclosed, and various modifications, changes, combinations with known technologies, etc. are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Communication Control System 10 Home terminal 20 Company terminal 30 Address Management Server 40 GW 50 Web conference servers 60 Opposing Terminal 110 Control Applications 111 Communication path identification unit 112 Notification Department 113 Route control unit 114 Address Management Department 120 Web conferencing applications N1 Internal network N2 ISP Network

Claims

1. A communication control system including a first terminal operated by a user and a second terminal remotely accessible from the first terminal, An identification unit that identifies a communication path from the first terminal to a Web conference server; a route control unit that changes the communication route identified by the identification unit to a communication route that does not pass through the second terminal when the communication route identified by the identification unit is a communication route that passes through the second terminal; A communication control system having the above configuration.

2. A communication path identified by the identification unit is a communication path that passes through the second terminal, the communication path identifying unit having a notification unit that presents the user with a notification urging the user to change to a communication path that does not pass through the second terminal, The route control unit includes: The communication control system according to claim 1 , wherein, when the user instructs to change the communication path in response to the presentation, the communication path is changed to the communication path instructed by the user.

3. the second terminal exists in a local network that can be connected from the first terminal via a VPN; The identification unit is Identifying whether a communication path from the first terminal to a Web conference server is a first communication path that does not pass through the local network, a second communication path that passes through the local network but does not pass through the second terminal, or a third communication path that passes through the second terminal; The notification unit is The communication control system according to claim 2 , wherein when the communication path identified by the identification unit is the third communication path, a notification is presented to the user urging the user to change to the first communication path or the second communication path.

4. The identification unit is The communication control system of claim 3, further comprising: determining whether the communication path from the first terminal to the Web conference server is the first communication path, the second communication path, or the third communication path based on an IP address used in the communication path from the first terminal to the Web conference server.

5. The identification unit is The communication control system of claim 3 or 4 further determines whether the communication path from the first terminal to the Web conference server is the first communication path, the second communication path, or the third communication path based on either a startup status indicating whether a Web conference application is started on the first terminal or the second terminal, or a usage status of an application for remotely using the second terminal from the first terminal.

6. A communication control terminal capable of communicating with a remotely available terminal, An identification unit that identifies a communication path from the communication control terminal to a Web conference server; a route control unit that changes the communication route identified by the identification unit to a communication route that does not pass through the terminal when the communication route identified by the identification unit is a communication route that passes through the terminal; A communication control terminal having the above configuration.

7. A communication control system including a first terminal operated by a user and a second terminal remotely accessible from the first terminal, A procedure for identifying a communication path from the first terminal to a Web conference server; a route control procedure for changing the communication route identified by the identification procedure to a communication route that does not pass through the second terminal, when the communication route identified by the identification procedure is a communication route that passes through the second terminal; A communication control method for performing the above.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as the communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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