JP2002171292A - Ip phone system, ip phone server, and method for providing ip phone service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable each information terminal 22 to easily implement IP phone. SOLUTION: An IP phone server 21 stores an IP phone module 26, by which each information terminal implements IP phone, and routing information 28 for each information terminal in a database 24 and determines a routing path to a speech destination information terminal in accordance with stored routing information 28 in response to a connection request from each information terminal 22 and performs IP phone exchange between a speech source information terminal and the speech destination information terminal. Each information terminal 22 is provided with hardware 38, which is used to implement IP phone of a voice input/output device and a GUI device, and an IF program 50 which operates hardware, and each information terminal sends a transmission request of the IP phone module 26 to the IP phone server through the Internet 1 and stores and holds the received IP phone module and uses this stored IP phone module, hardware, and the IF program to implement IP phone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IP telephone system for making an IP telephone call among a plurality of information terminals via the Internet, and for making an IP telephone call to each information terminal for carrying out an IP telephone via the Internet. And a method for providing an IP telephone service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CTI (Computer Te1ephony I) is an influential technology for conducting mail-order sales, market research and opinion polls.
ntegration) has been put to practical use. In the CTI, for example, a telephone terminal or a PC (Personal Computer) terminal of a customer or a surveyee is connected to a computer of a provider (call center) of mail-order sales, market research, and opinion polling via a communication line including the Internet. And collects orders and opinions of customers or surveyed persons from telephone terminals and PC terminals by computers of the service provider (call center).

In this case, a computer of an execution company (call center) has a data communication protocol, IP.
(Voice for transferring audio data on Internet Protocol)
IP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is built in, and the operator who operates the computer by responding to the customer or the surveyee of the executing company (call center) can order or investigate by voice from the customer or the surveyee if necessary. Listening to the results, the order or survey results are entered into a computer.

[0004] As described above, by adopting the VoIP technology on the CTI, the computer of the practitioner can automatically call the customer or the person to be surveyed, automatically identify the customer or the person to be investigated, and In addition to the basic function of automatically receiving orders or survey results and automatically summarizing, if necessary,
The operator can respond to the customer or the survey subject by voice.

As described above, in order to simultaneously perform data communication and voice communication, it is necessary to incorporate the above-mentioned VoIP not only in the computer of the operator (call center) but also in the PC terminal of the customer or the surveyee. .

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned CTI has the following problems to be improved.

[0007] That is, while the above-mentioned VoIP is employed on the computer side of the mail-order sales, market research, and opinion polling providers, the information terminal of the customer or the surveyee is of the conventional type. Telephones (analog telephones) are still mainstream. Even when a PC is used as an information terminal, a voice input / output device or a GUI (graphical
It has not yet reached the point of replacing existing telephone networks because of the need to incorporate hardware such as User Interface) and the installation of dedicated terminal software.

Therefore, at present, it is impossible to use CTI on the premise of VoIP with the same ease and ease as using a telephone in an existing telephone network.

[0009] In many cases, it is necessary to install dedicated software and to incorporate hardware even in order to realize “two-party communication” which is the minimum level of IP telephone technology using VoIP. However, an increase in cost becomes a problem, and the existing telephone network cannot be replaced.

[0010] For software developers,
Application programs that are highly dependent on the computer architecture and the network environment are repeatedly developed, which causes problems such as poor development efficiency.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an IP telephone server on the Internet transmits an I
By supplying various programs necessary for the P telephone to each information terminal, each information terminal connected to the Internet can easily carry out an IP telephone with another information terminal via the Internet at a small cost. , An IP telephone system, an IP telephone server, and an IP telephone service providing method.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an IP telephone between a plurality of information terminals via the Internet based on a connection instruction of an IP telephone server provided on the Internet. This is an IP telephone system that performs

A database for storing an IP telephone module, which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to execute an IP telephone call, and routing information to each information terminal to the IP telephone server; A routing path to the destination information terminal is determined from the routing information stored in the database in response to the connection request specifying the destination information terminal, and an IP telephone exchange between the source information terminal and the destination information terminal is performed. Exchange means is added.

Further, for each information terminal, hardware for realizing an IP telephone of a voice input / output device and a GUI device, an IF program for operating this hardware, and an IP telephone server via the Internet To I
An IP that sends a transmission request from the P telephone module and stores and holds the IP telephone module received from the IP telephone server
Using the phone module acquisition means and the stored IP phone module, hardware, and IF program,
An IP telephone execution means for executing an IP telephone is added.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, each information terminal is provided with a minimum hardware for realizing an IP telephone such as a voice input / output device and a GUI device, and for operating this hardware. Only need to be installed in advance and further installed. Then, the IP phone module required for the actual IP phone may be downloaded from the IP phone server as needed.

Therefore, using each information terminal, the IP
It is possible to reduce the cost burden of the above-mentioned customer or the person to be surveyed who intends to make a telephone call.

In addition, an IP telephone module that does not depend on hardware is collectively stored in a database of an IP telephone server, and each information terminal downloads it as needed, so that an IP telephone module is created for each device. You do not need to install it every time you upgrade.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an IP telephone system for performing an IP telephone call between a plurality of information terminals via the Internet based on a connection instruction of an IP telephone server provided on the Internet. A plurality of I / Os for each hardware for realizing an IP telephone of a voice input / output device and a GUI device, which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to execute an IP telephone to a server.
A database storing a P telephone module and routing information to each information terminal, and routing from the routing information stored in the database to the destination information terminal in response to a connection request specifying the destination information terminal from each information terminal An exchange means for determining a path and exchanging IP telephones between a caller information terminal and a callee information terminal is added.

[0019] Also, a transmission request of hardware for realizing an IP telephone and a transmission request of an IP telephone module corresponding to its own hardware to an IP telephone server via the Internet to each information terminal, An IP telephone module acquisition unit for storing and holding an IP telephone module received from a telephone server, and an IP telephone execution unit for executing an IP telephone using the stored IP telephone module and hardware are added.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, each information terminal can obtain an IP telephone module corresponding to its own hardware from the IP telephone server. Program) is not required. In addition, hardware performance can be maximized.

Another aspect of the present invention is the IP telephone system according to the above-described invention, wherein the IP telephone server stores a plurality of telephone application programs for performing various tasks using the IP telephone in a database. Each information terminal sends a transmission request of a telephone application program designated for operation to the IP telephone server via the Internet, and stores the received telephone application program, and obtains the telephone application program. -It has a task execution means for executing the corresponding task using the program.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, each information terminal downloads from the IP telephone server a plurality of telephone application programs for performing various tasks using the IP telephone, and executes the relevant tasks. Can be implemented. That is, each information terminal does not need to prepare a telephone application program for business use in advance. Also, the same business telephone application program can be distributed to a plurality of information terminals.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the IP telephone system of the invention described above, the IP telephone server stores a plurality of telephone additional programs for performing additional functions for performing the IP telephone in a database. Information terminals are
A telephone additional program acquisition unit for transmitting a transmission request of the specified telephone additional program to the IP telephone server via the Internet, and storing and holding the received telephone additional program;
Run the phone.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, each information terminal performs a specific operation other than the basic functions of a general home telephone, such as a two-party call and a hold, among many telephone functions. It is possible to acquire a telephone additional program that provides telephone functions required for call center operations from an IP telephone server and use it. That is, each information terminal transmits the necessary telephone addition program to the IP.
Since it is only necessary to download from the telephone server and clear it when it is no longer needed, the storage capacity required by the information terminal can be suppressed.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the IP telephone system according to the invention described above, each information terminal operates from a recording medium storing a plurality of telephone additional programs for performing additional functions for implementing an IP telephone. A telephone additional program acquisition means for reading and storing and storing the specified telephone additional program;
Try to run the phone.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, a telephone additional program for performing a passing function other than the basic functions of a general home telephone such as a two-party call and a hold is provided by an IC card or a CD-ROM. It is provided to each information terminal on a recording medium such as a ROM.

Another aspect of the present invention is the IP telephone system according to the above-described invention, wherein the IP telephone server has a telephone addition function corresponding to the telephone addition program in response to a transmission request of the telephone addition program from the information terminal. Information exchange is performed with the information terminal to determine whether or not it is compatible with the operating environment of the information terminal of the transmission request source. If not, a negotiation means for inhibiting transmission of the telephone additional program is added.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, in each information terminal, the acquisition of the telephone additional program requires the CPU, hardware limitation, storage capacity, memory, and other functional limits, and security. If it is determined that the operating environment does not conform to the operating environment for some reason, it is possible to notify the user or disable the function. Can be avoided.

Another aspect of the present invention is the IP telephone system according to the above-described invention, wherein the corresponding telephone addition program is already stored in the corresponding information terminal in response to a transmission request of the additional telephone program from the information terminal to the IP telephone server. Negotiation means for prohibiting the transmission of the telephone additional program when it is unnecessary to determine whether or not the stored telephone additional program is the latest program.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, for each information terminal, the already stored telephone addition program is downloaded redundantly, or the old version of the telephone passage program is erroneously downloaded. Is prevented beforehand.

Still another aspect of the present invention is an IP telephone server provided on the Internet and providing an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals that make IP telephone calls via the Internet.

A database storing an IP telephone module, which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to carry out an IP telephone, and routing information to each information terminal, and a database in response to a transmission request from each information terminal IP telephone module transmitting means for reading out the IP telephone module stored in the database and transmitting it to the request source information terminal, and calling from the routing information stored in the database in response to a connection request from each information terminal designating the destination information terminal An exchange means for determining a routing path to the destination information terminal and exchanging IP telephones between the caller information terminal and the destination information terminal.

The IP telephone server configured as described above has substantially the same operation and effect as the IP telephone system of the above invention.

Further, in the IP telephone server of another invention, the IP operation of the voice input / output device and the GUI device is a basic operation program for each information terminal to execute an IP telephone.
A database storing a plurality of IP telephone modules for each hardware for realizing a telephone and routing information to each information terminal, and a transmission request of an IP telephone module designating hardware from each information terminal, IP corresponding to the hardware stored in the database
I to read out the telephone module and send it to the requesting information terminal
P telephone module transmitting means, and a routing path to the destination information terminal is determined from the routing information stored in the database in response to a connection request designating the destination information terminal from each information terminal. Exchange means for exchanging IP telephones with a destination information terminal.

The IP telephone server configured as described above has substantially the same operation and effect as the IP telephone system of the above invention.

Still another aspect of the present invention is an IP telephone service providing method for providing an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals making IP telephone calls via the Internet via the Internet.

A step of writing, in a database, an IP telephone module which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to carry out an IP telephone and routing information to each information terminal, in response to a transmission request from each information terminal. Transmitting the IP telephone module stored in the database to the request source information terminal, and routing information stored in the database in response to a connection request from each information terminal designating the destination information terminal And a switching path for determining a routing path from the calling party to the called party information terminal and exchanging IP telephones between the calling party information terminal and the called party information terminal.

In the IP telephone service providing method configured as described above, the IP telephone system and I
It has almost the same operation and effect as the P-phone production server.

In the IP telephone service providing method according to still another invention, each hardware for realizing the IP telephone of the voice input / output device and the GUI device, which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to execute the IP telephone. Writing a plurality of IP telephone modules for each piece of hardware and routing information to each information terminal into a database; and responding to the transmission request of the IP telephone module designating hardware from each information terminal, the corresponding information stored in the database. An IP telephone module transmitting step of reading an IP telephone module corresponding to the hardware and transmitting the IP telephone module to the request source information terminal; and a routing information stored in a database in response to a connection request designating a destination information terminal from each information terminal. Determine the routing path to the destination information terminal, and determine the And a replacement step of performing an IP telephone exchange with distribution terminal.

In the IP telephone service providing method configured as described above, the IP telephone system and I
It has almost the same operation and effect as the P-phone production server.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an I-type power supply according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire multimedia communication system to which a P telephone system, an IP telephone server and an IP telephone service providing method are applied.

For the Internet 1, ISDN2,
A CATV network 3, a PSTN (public switched telephone network) 4, and the like are connected. Further, a VoIP gateway 5 of a mail order system using CTI is connected to ISDN2. VoIP is provided on the transmission line 6 of the mail order system.
Gateway 5, CTI server 7, IP phone 8, PC
A telephone 9 and the like are connected. The CATV network 3 has:
An STB (Set Top Box) 11 in each home is connected via a transmission cable 10, and each STB 11
, A dedicated terminal 12 and a TV 13 are connected.

Further, a general analog telephone 14 and a modem 15 are connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 4, and a dedicated terminal 16, a PC telephone 17, and a game machine 18 are connected to the modem 15. An analog telephone 19 is directly connected to the Internet 1 via a VoIP gateway 20. Further, an IP telephone server (CTI + WWW server) 21 is connected to the Internet 1.

FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention in the multimedia communication system shown in FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which extracts and shows the part relevant to the IP telephone system of embodiment. A plurality of information terminals 22 are connected to the IP telephone server 21 via the Internet 1. The information terminal 22 is finally connected to the IP via the Internet 1.
The multimedia communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal having an information processing function that can be connected to the telephone server 21. Each of the PC telephones 9.17, the IP telephone 8, the dedicated terminal 12,
16, the game machine 18, the analog telephone 19 connected to the VoIP gateway 20, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the IP telephone server 21. The IP telephone server 21 incorporates an information processing unit 23, a database 24, and hardware 25.

Each information terminal 22 is stored in the database 24.
, An IP telephone module 26 which is a basic operation program for performing an IP telephone, a plurality of telephone additional programs 27 for performing an additional function when each information terminal 22 performs an IP telephone, routing information to each information terminal 22 2
8. A plurality of telephone application programs 48 and the like are stored.

An IP telephone module 26, which is a basic operation program for implementing an IP telephone, has a telephone ON / OFF function, which is a general home telephone function such as a two-party telephone call and a hold.
This software realizes OFF control, IP-Voice conversion (VoIP), terminal control, and the like, and operates on a virtual machine, such as a Java VM, which is a program execution environment independent of hardware. More specifically, the IP phone module 26 itself does not depend on hardware,
This is a program for performing NW (network) / HW (hardware) control for realizing the IP telephone function through the above-described virtual machine and an IF (Interface) program described later.

A plurality of telephone additional programs 27 for each information terminal 22 to implement a pass function for implementing an IP telephone are provided with the basic functions of a general household telephone such as the above-described two-party call and hold. This is a program that provides telephone functions required for specific tasks other than the above and the above-mentioned call center operations. Further, the telephone addition program 27 includes special telephone functions such as three-way communication, multi-line communication, and agent state management.

The plurality of telephone application programs 48 are applications to be written on each information terminal 22 side for performing various operations performed by using the IP telephone, such as the above-mentioned mail-order sales, market research, and opinion polls.・ It is a program. Each program of the database 24 is written in advance by the designer of this IP telephone system.

In the information processing section 23, a negotiation processing section 29, an exchange control processing section 30, a data provision processing section 3
1, a network control unit 32, a data access unit 33, and the like are incorporated.

The negotiation processing section 29 sends the above-mentioned IP telephone module 26, telephone addition program 27, telephone application program 4 from each information terminal 22.
When a transmission request for a program for realizing various IP telephone functions, including a transmission request, is received, the information requesting information terminal 22 is transmitted.
And exchange information with the negotiation processing unit. And
It is determined whether or not the information terminal 22 conforms to the operating environment based on the CPU, hardware limitation, storage capacity, functional limitation caused by memory, etc., security reasons, etc. in the information terminal 22 of the transmission request source.

The negotiation processing unit 29 determines whether the relevant program is already stored in the relevant information terminal 22, whether the stored program is the latest version of the program, and whether the relevant information terminal 22 It is determined whether or not it is available.

Then, the negotiation processing unit 29
When it is not necessary to send the program based on the judgment result,
The exchange control processing unit 30 prohibits the transmission of the program to the information terminal 22 and notifies the negotiation processing unit of the information terminal 22 of the transmission request source via the Internet 1 to that effect. The database 24 according to the connection request specifying the callee information terminal 22
A routing path to the destination information terminal 22 is determined from the routing information 28 stored in the destination information terminal, and an IP telephone exchange is performed between the source information terminal and the destination information terminal.

The data provision processing unit 31
From the IP telephone module 25, the telephone addition program 27, and the telephone application program 48 regarding the IP telephone, and a negotiation processing unit 29
And instructs the data access unit 33 to access the program permitted by the data access unit 33. The IP telephone module 25, the telephone addition program 27, and the telephone application program 48 obtained from the data access unit 33 are transmitted to the information terminal 22 of the request source.
Send to

The data access unit 33 is provided with the IP telephone module 26, the telephone addition program 27, the telephone application program 48 specified by the data provision processing unit 31, and the routing of the destination information terminal 22 specified by the exchange control unit 30. The information 28 is retrieved from the database 24 and responded to the data provision processing unit 31 and the exchange control unit 30.

The network control unit 32 has WWW therein.
A browser is incorporated, and various types of information exchange are performed with each information terminal 22 via the Internet 1.

As the hardware 25, the transmitting / receiving unit 34,
A display unit 35, a keyboard 36 and the like are incorporated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of each information terminal 22 connected to the Internet 1. In the information terminal 22, the information processing unit 37 and the hardware 3
8 is incorporated. The information processing unit 37 includes a negotiation processing unit 39, a program memory 40, a program acquisition / execution unit 41, a network control unit 42, an input / output device control unit 43, and the like.

As the hardware 38, a transmitting / receiving unit 44, a display unit 45, a mouse / keyboard 46, and a microphone / speaker 47 as a voice input / output device are incorporated. The display unit 45 and the mouse / keyboard 46 are G
Construct a UI device. More specifically, for example, a dial key of a telephone is displayed on the display unit 45, and the user (operator) clicks the telephone number with a mouse to input the telephone number of the destination.

The negotiation processing unit 39 in the information processing unit 37 is configured to execute the CPU, the hardware limitation, the storage capacity, and the memory of the information terminal 22 based on the request from the negotiation processing unit 29 of the IP telephone server 21. Reply information such as functional limits, security, etc. brought by the etc. In addition, the negotiation processing unit 29 of the IP telephone server 21 receives a notification that the information terminal 22 itself cannot transmit the IP telephone module 26, the telephone addition program 27, or the telephone application program 48, which has requested the transmission to the IP telephone server 21. If this is the case, this is displayed on the display unit 45 together with the reason.

The program acquisition / execution unit 41 performs an IP call for executing an IP telephone call to the IP telephone server 21 via the Internet 1 based on an instruction of an operator (user).
The transmission request of the telephone module 26, the telephone addition program 27, and the telephone application program 48 is sent, and the IP telephone module 26, the telephone addition program 27, and the telephone application program 48 downloaded from the IP telephone server 21 are stored in the program memory 40.
Write to

Since the telephone addition program 27 and the telephone application program 48 are not essential items for implementing an IP telephone, they need not necessarily be downloaded from the IP telephone server 21 and are executed by the own information terminal 22. What is necessary is just to download from the IP telephone server 21 according to business.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which not only the IP telephone module 26 but also the telephone addition program 27 and the telephone application program 48 have been downloaded to the information terminal 22. The telephone addition program 27 and the telephone application program 48 are written in the program memory 40.

In FIG. 4, the program acquisition / execution unit 41 further communicates with another information terminal 22 via the Internet 1 using each program including the IP telephone module 26 written in the program memory 40. In IP
Make a phone call.

The network control unit 42 has WWW therein.
A browser is incorporated, and various types of information exchange are performed between the IP telephone server 21 and another information terminal 22 via the Internet 1.

In the input / output device control unit 43, a display unit 45 in the hardware 38, a mouse / keyboard 46,
A power supply circuit and a control circuit for driving and controlling a microphone / speaker 47 as an audio input / output device are incorporated.

In the program memory 40, as shown in FIG. 5, an IF program 50 for operating the hardware 38 in consideration of the input / output device control unit 43, a virtual machine 49 such as Java VM described above, an IP Phone module 26, one or more phone applications
A program 48 is stored and held.

In the IP telephone system of this embodiment, the virtual machine 49 and the IF program 50 are pre-installed on the information terminal 22, and the IP telephone module 26 and a plurality of telephone application programs 48 are required. Accordingly, it is downloaded from the IP telephone server 21 and written.

In the IP telephone system configured as described above, one information terminal 22 is first used by another information terminal 22.
The operation of each unit when making an IP phone call will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. In this case, it is assumed that a necessary program has already been downloaded from the IP telephone server 21 to the program memory 40 of the information terminal 22 on the receiving side.

First, the information terminal 22 on the calling side transmits the IP telephone server 21 via the Internet 1 based on the URL of the IP telephone server 21 and the server information registered in advance.
Is accessed (S1). The IP telephone server 21
The telephone module 26, the additional telephone program 27 and the telephone application program 48 that have requested transmission are read from the database 24 and downloaded to the information terminal 22 that has requested transmission (Q1).

The information terminal 22 on the calling side stores the downloaded IP telephone module 26 and the like in the program memory 40 and displays the fact on the screen page (S2).
Thereafter, the information terminal 22 on the calling side requests the IP telephone server 21 to start a call through the downloaded application (S3). IP phone server 2
1 determines the routing to the information terminal 22 on the receiving side based on the routing information 28 of the database 24 (Q2), and calls the information terminal 22 on the receiving side (Q3).

Then, a link between the information terminals 22 on the calling side and the called side is established (S4, R1), and a call is made (S5, R2). When the call is finished, one of the calling side and the called side may cut off the link (call line) (S6, R3).

As described above, the IP of the first embodiment
In the telephone system, an IP including an IP telephone module 26 which is a basic program for performing an IP telephone call to an IP telephone server 21 installed on the Internet 1
It stores various programs related to telephone calls. Then, at the time of actually performing the IP telephone, the user accesses the URL of the IP telephone server 21 from the Web browser screen of the information terminal 22 operated by each user, and the IP telephone including the IP telephone module 26 is transmitted from the IP telephone server 21. Various programs related to the telephone are stored in its own program memory 40.
Download it to

In particular, the telephone addition program 27 and the telephone application program 48 other than the IP telephone module 26 are provided by the user of the information terminal 22 as necessary.
What is necessary is just to download from the telephone server 21 to the own information terminal 22. Therefore, the storage capacity required by each information terminal 22 can be suppressed to a minimum, and the traffic between the IP telephone server 21 and each information terminal 22 can be suppressed.

Therefore, each information terminal 22 is provided with the minimum hardware 38 for making a telephone call, such as a voice input / output device such as a microphone and a speaker, and a GUI device for inputting a telephone number and the like. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the financial burden on the user side, and it is not necessary to prepare various programs related to the IP telephone and install them in advance.

Further, the developer of this IP telephone system
Using Java or HTML, a telephone application program 48 including a complicated user interface can be developed and provided to the user. Also,
As long as the application is resident on dedicated hardware having a user interface of the conventional telephone itself, it is sufficient to provide an application that operates mainly by button operation, similarly to the conventional telephone.

Further, in this IP telephone system, as shown in FIG. 1, various communication infrastructures such as ISDN 2, PSTN 4, LAN, and CATV network 3 can be integrated via the Internet 1. Therefore, naturally, a telephone call can be performed between the PC telephone application via the modem 15 from the PSTN 4 and the telephone terminal using an Internet-compatible TV connected to the CATV network 3 without considering the intervening network. .

Hereinafter, a specific example in which the IP telephone system is applied will be described. (A) This IP telephone system can be applied to a home call center system. In other words, with the change in working style, it is necessary to consider a call center system using a “remote agent” that performs a response task while staying at home. When an operator uses a home telephone and a PC (personal computer) to perform business, application distribution, data sharing, collaboration between operators, and the like are issues. Therefore, when the IP telephone system is applied, there are the following advantages. In addition,
In this case, the information terminal 22 may be a PC or an Internet-compatible TV connected to a CATV network.

(!) Since the latest telephone application program 48 on the PC telephone server 21 is downloaded and used by accessing the PC telephone server 21 at the start of business, the cost of distributing the telephone application program 48 is reduced. Can be reduced. Also,
Since the telephone application program 48 suppresses the dependence of the information terminal 22 on the hardware 38, the physical condition of the user (operator) of the information terminal 22 only needs to be provided in an environment that can access the PC telephone server 21. A system that is transparent to the position can be constructed.

(2) Cooperation with the application on the IP telephone server 21 and the database 24 is easy. For example, a search for customer information at the time of an incoming call is performed on the IP telephone server 21, and a URL is transmitted to a Web page displaying the corresponding data, or only the data is displayed on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 22. be able to.

(3) When transferring to another operator (remote agent or operator at the center),
URL transfer, user interface is Java
And HTML, so that the entire screen can be transferred.

(B) According to this IP telephone system,
A game device, a device connected to an STB or a cable modem, or the like can be used as an IP telephone terminal.

That is, in recent years, game machines that can access the Internet, CATV Internet connection services, and the like have become widespread. By downloading the IP telephone module 26 from the IP telephone server 21 to its own device (the information terminal 22) using the functions of these devices, these devices can be used as telephones.

When it is desired to use such a terminal device (information terminal) as an additional telephone function such as a three-way telephone call or a call transfer, an IC recording a component program for providing only these functions is provided. By inserting a storage medium such as a card into a slot of the main body of the information terminal 22 or obtaining the additional telephone program 27 from the IP telephone server 21, the terminal device (information terminal) can be enhanced.

(C) This IP telephone system can be applied to a dedicated terminal of a type that has a shape and a user interface similar to those of a home telephone and is always turned on.

That is, the address of the IP telephone server 21 to be accessed is stored in the dedicated terminal (information terminal) as operating environment setting information. When the power is turned on, access is made to the IP telephone server 21 at this address,
Download the IP telephone module 26. This IP
The telephone module 26 does not need a screen, and performs a call control process (calling process) according to a physical operation of the device.
For example, when the receiver of the device is picked up and the telephone number of the other party is dialed, a portion for performing the calling process of the IP telephone module 26 is executed, and when the handset is put down during a call, the call disconnection process is executed. is there.

If the dedicated terminal (information terminal) wants to use the additional telephone function described above, a component program (a telephone additional program m27 and a telephone application program 4) that provides only these functions is provided.
8) Inserting a storage medium, such as an IC card, recording the information into the slot of the dedicated terminal (information terminal) or acquiring the storage medium from the IP telephone server 21 to enhance the function of the dedicated terminal (information terminal) Can be.

(D) A method of using the IP telephone module 26 and the telephone application program 48 in the IP telephone system in the information terminal 22 will be described. The information terminal 22 may be a device such as a computer capable of storing a large amount of data using a hard disk or the like, or a device having a limited storage capacity such as a PDA or a game device. In order to use the functions of the present IP telephone system in various devices, programs for various IP telephones can be used in the following manner.

(1) A method of downloading the program on the IP telephone server 21 as necessary ((download type) (2) Permanent storage such as a hard disk from an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or an IC card Copying a program to a device or a volatile storage device such as a flash memory and using it as needed (installation type) (3) Using a program stored in an external storage medium such as an IC card (Add-in type).

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows an information terminal 22a in an IP telephone system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment.

The same portions as those of the information terminal 22 in the IP telephone system of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the overlapping portions will be omitted. Also, I
The overall configuration of the P telephone system and the configuration of the IP telephone server 21 are almost the same as those of the above-described IP telephone system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the information terminal 22 shown in FIG. Therefore, only different portions will be described here.

In the IP telephone system according to the second embodiment, the database 24 of the IP telephone server 21 stores the hardware 38 including the voice input / output device and the GUI device incorporated in each information terminal 22a in advance. A plurality of IP telephone modules 26a are stored for each. Therefore, the IP telephone module 26a has a one-to-one correspondence with the display unit 45, the mouse / keyboard 46, and the microphone / SP included in the hardware 38 of the corresponding information terminal 22a, as shown in FIG. In addition, a virtual machine 49 such as a Java VM is not required for each information terminal 22a.

Therefore, the program acquisition / execution control unit 41 of the information processing unit 37 in the information terminal 22a of FIG.
Sends a transmission request of the IP telephone module 26a corresponding to its own hardware 38 to the IP telephone server 21 via the Internet 1. IP phone server 2
1 transmits only the IP telephone module 26a requested to be transmitted to the information terminal 22a of the transmission request source among the plurality of IP telephone modules 26a stored in the database 24.

The information terminal 22a that has received the IP telephone module 26a corresponding to its own hardware 38 stores the received IP telephone module 26a in its own program memory 40. Then, the stored IP
The IP telephone is implemented using the telephone module 26a.

The IP of the second embodiment configured as described above
In the telephone system, each information terminal 22a has an IP corresponding to the hardware 38 pre-installed in its own terminal.
IP telephone module 26a via Internet 1
Since the information can be obtained from the telephone server 21, the virtual machine (program) 4 independent of the OS used by the information terminal 22 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
9 is unnecessary, and the performance of the hardware 38 can be maximized.

[0096]

As described above, according to the IP telephone system, the IP telephone server and the IP telephone service providing method of the present invention, various programs necessary for the IP telephone are supplied from the IP server on the Internet to each information terminal. are doing. Therefore, each information terminal connected to the Internet can easily make an IP call with another information terminal via the Internet at a low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire multimedia communication system to which an IP telephone system, an IP telephone server, and an IP telephone service providing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention are applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an IP telephone system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an IP telephone server incorporated in the IP telephone system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information terminal incorporated in the IP telephone system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing contents stored in a program memory formed in the information terminal;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing information exchange between each information terminal and the IP telephone server in the IP telephone system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information terminal similarly incorporated in the IP telephone system;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information terminal incorporated in an IP telephone system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Internet 21 ... IP telephone server 22 ... Information terminal 23, 37 ... Information processing part 24 ... Database 25, 38 ... Hardware 26, 26a ... IP telephone module 27 ... Telephone addition program 28 ... Routing information 29, 39 ... Negotiation processing Unit 30 Exchange control processing unit 31 Data provision processing unit 32, 42 Network control unit 33 Data access processing unit 41 Program acquisition / execution control unit 43 Input / output device control unit 45 Display unit 46 Mouse / keyboard 47: microphone / SP 48: telephone application program 49: virtual engine 50: IF program

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/00 302 H04L 11/20 102D F-term (Reference) 5K015 AB01 5K024 CC10 DD01 5K030 GA17 HA08 HB19 HC01 HD03 JT01 JT02 JT06 KA05 KA07 KA13 LB02 LB05 5K051 BB01 5K101 KK16 RR05 RR11

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An IP telephone system for performing an IP telephone call between a plurality of information terminals via the Internet based on a connection instruction of an IP telephone server provided on the Internet, wherein the IP telephone server comprises: A database storing an IP telephone module, which is a basic operation program for each information terminal to carry out an IP telephone, and routing information to each information terminal; Switching means for determining a routing path to the called information terminal from the routing information stored in the database in accordance with the information, and performing an IP telephone exchange between the called information terminal and the called information terminal. The terminal has hardware for realizing an IP telephone of a voice input / output device and a GUI device, and operates the hardware. Program for connecting to the IP telephone server via the Internet
I which sends a transmission request of the telephone module and stores and holds the IP telephone module received from the IP telephone server
P phone module acquisition means, the stored IP phone module, the hardware,
That executes an IP telephone by using an IP program and an IF program
An IP telephone system comprising: telephone execution means. 2. An IP telephone system for performing an IP telephone call among a plurality of information terminals via the Internet based on a connection instruction of an IP telephone server provided on the Internet, wherein the IP telephone server comprises: The IP of voice input / output device and GUI device is a basic operation program for each information terminal to carry out IP telephone.
A database storing a plurality of IP telephone modules for each hardware for realizing a telephone and routing information to each information terminal; and a connection request specifying a destination information terminal from each of the information terminals. A switching unit that determines a routing path to the destination information terminal from the routing information stored in the database, and performs an IP telephone exchange between the source information terminal and the destination information terminal; Hardware for realizing the IP telephone; and an IP telephone module that sends a transmission request for an IP telephone module corresponding to its own hardware to the IP telephone server via the Internet and receives the IP telephone module from the IP telephone server. IP phone module obtaining means for storing and holding the IP phone module, and the stored IP phone module and the hardware Used, IP telephone system and having an IP telephone execution means for executing an IP phone. 3. The IP telephone server stores a plurality of telephone application programs for performing various tasks using an IP telephone in the database, and the information terminals communicate with each other via the Internet.
Phone application specified for operation to P phone server
A telephone application program acquiring unit that sends out a program transmission request and stores the received telephone application program, and a business execution unit that performs a corresponding business using the telephone application program. 3. The IP telephone system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The IP telephone server stores a plurality of telephone additional programs for performing an additional function for performing an IP telephone in the database, and each of the information terminals communicates via the Internet. I
It has a telephone addition program acquisition unit that sends a transmission request for the operation-designated telephone addition program to the P telephone server, and stores the received telephone addition program, and executes the IP telephone using this telephone addition program. The IP according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
Phone system. 5. The information terminal reads an operation-specified telephone addition program from a recording medium storing a plurality of telephone addition programs for implementing an additional function for implementing an IP telephone, and stores and reads the program. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a telephone addition program acquisition unit, wherein said IP telephone is executed by using said telephone addition program.
The IP telephone system according to claim 1. 6. The IP telephone server, in response to a transmission request for a telephone addition program from the information terminal, a telephone addition function corresponding to the telephone addition program being adapted to the operating environment of the information terminal of the transmission request source. 5. The IP telephone system according to claim 4, further comprising negotiation means for judging whether the information is exchanged with the information terminal, and prohibiting transmission of the telephone addition program when the information is not compatible. 7. The IP telephone server according to claim 1, wherein said telephone addition program is already stored in said information terminal in response to a transmission request of said telephone addition program from said information terminal. 5. The IP telephone system according to claim 4, further comprising negotiation means for judging whether the latest program is the latest program, and prohibiting transmission of the additional telephone program when transmission is unnecessary. 8. An IP telephone server which is provided on the Internet and provides an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals which make IP telephone calls via the Internet. A database storing an IP telephone module, which is a basic operation program for executing a telephone call, and routing information to each information terminal; and an IP telephone module stored in the database in response to a transmission request from each information terminal. IP telephone module transmission means for reading and transmitting to the request source information terminal; routing from the routing information stored in the database to the destination information terminal in response to a connection request specifying the destination information terminal from each of the information terminals Exchange means for determining a path and exchanging IP telephones between the caller information terminal and the callee information terminal; IP telephone server, characterized in that it includes. 9. An IP telephone server which is provided on the Internet and provides an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals which make IP telephone calls via the Internet. IP of voice input / output device and GUI device, which is a basic operation program for implementing a telephone call
A database storing a plurality of IP telephone modules for each hardware for realizing a telephone and routing information to each information terminal; and responding to a transmission request of the IP telephone module designating hardware from each of the information terminals. An IP telephone module transmitting means for reading an IP telephone module corresponding to the corresponding hardware stored in the database and transmitting the IP telephone module to the request source information terminal; and responding to a connection request from each of the information terminals designating a destination information terminal. Switching means for determining a routing path to the called information terminal from the routing information stored in the database, and performing an IP telephone exchange between the calling information terminal and the called information terminal. IP phone server. 10. An IP connection between each other via the Internet
An IP telephone service providing method for providing an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals making telephone calls via the Internet, wherein each of the information terminals is a basic operation program for performing an IP telephone call. Writing a telephone module and routing information to each information terminal in a database; reading an IP telephone module stored in the database in response to a transmission request from each information terminal and transmitting the IP telephone module to a request source information terminal A telephone module transmitting step; determining a routing path from the routing information stored in the database to the destination information terminal in response to a connection request specifying the destination information terminal from each of the information terminals; And an exchange step for exchanging IP telephones with the destination information terminal. IP telephone service providing method. 11. An IP connection between each other via the Internet
An IP telephone service providing method for providing an IP telephone service to a plurality of information terminals making a telephone call via the Internet, wherein the information terminal is a basic operation program for performing an IP telephone call. Voice input / output device and GUI device IP
A step of writing a plurality of IP telephone modules for each hardware and a routing information to each information terminal for realizing a telephone in a database; An IP telephone module transmitting step of reading an IP telephone module corresponding to the corresponding hardware stored in the database and transmitting the IP telephone module to the requesting information terminal, and a connection request specifying a destination information terminal from each of the information terminals. An exchange step of determining a routing path to the destination information terminal from the routing information stored in the database according to the above, and performing an IP telephone exchange between the source information terminal and the destination information terminal. IP telephone service providing method.