JP2009200940A - Call control system, communication control apparatus, and call control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recover subscriber information, disposed distributively over a plurality of communication control apparatuses, while ensuring consistency thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A call control system 1 includes: a storage means for storing a profile to be divided and flag information in association with each other at each of a plurality of communication control apparatuses; a first updating means for updating the flag information stored at each communication control apparatus into "Not Confirmed" in a case where one communication control apparatus is activated again; a determination means for determining, based on the flag information, whether a profile to be divided of a called terminal MR is synchronized or not in a case where a call termination request signal is accepted; a re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of the called terminal MR in a case where the profile to be divided is not synchronized; and a second updating means for updating the profile to be divided of the called terminal MR and updating the flag information into "Confirmed" at each communication control apparatus, on the basis of the acquired subscriber information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a call control system, a communication control apparatus, and a call control method for performing call control using subscriber information distributed and arranged in a plurality of communication control apparatuses.

  In a conventional third generation circuit switched network (3G-CS network), an exchange that performs call control by storing subscriber information including location information of a mobile communication terminal in an HLR (Home Location Register) corresponding to a subscriber database. A copy of the subscriber information stored in the HLR is stored in a VLR (Visitor Location Register) in the own device. The exchange executes call control for communication connection between mobile communication terminals based on subscriber information in the VLR.

  When the exchange is restarted due to a failure or maintenance work, subscriber information stored in the VLR may be lost. When an incoming call request (call establishment request) signal is transmitted to a mobile communication terminal located in a network managed by the exchange in a state where subscriber information in the VLR is lost, the exchange first sends the subscriber from the HLR to the subscriber. Information is acquired, and incoming processing (call processing) is executed based on the acquired subscriber information. As a result, it is possible to rescue the incoming call processing while restoring the subscriber information on the VLR.

  On the other hand, recently, an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network is being developed as a core network technology for mobile communication networks. The IMS network is a network that uses a communication protocol called SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) and can provide a multimedia service that realizes not only data communication but also real-time communication of voice and moving images. The following Patent Document 1 describes a mobile communication system including an IMS network.

In the IMS network, the function of the exchange of the 3G-CS network is distributedly processed by a plurality of communication control devices such as a CSCF (Call / Session Control Function), an AS (Application Server), and a gateway node (CS-GW). The subscriber information is stored in an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) having the same function as the HLR. The CSCF sets up a call or session or activates a predetermined service. The AS determines whether various services such as an answering machine service can be executed. The gateway node connects the IMS network, which is a core network, and an access network (for example, a third generation wireless network) in which the mobile communication terminal is located. Each of these CSCF, AS, and gateway node has a VLR and distributes and stores a copy of the subscriber information stored in the HSS.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-60181

  In the IMS network, as in the 3G-CS network, the CSCF, AS, or gateway node may be restarted, and subscriber information may be lost from the VLR in the restarted device. At this time, when the restarted device acquires a part of the subscriber information from the HSS in the same manner as the conventional 3G-CS network method in order to restore the subscriber information, it can communicate with other communication control devices. It is conceivable that an inconsistency of subscriber information occurs, and an abnormality that cannot be assumed at the time of incoming call processing occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is a call control system and communication control capable of restoring subscriber information distributed and arranged in a plurality of communication control devices while maintaining consistency. An object is to provide an apparatus and a call control method.

  The call control system of the present invention includes a plurality of communication control devices that divide and store subscriber information related to users of communication terminals, and based on the divided subscriber information stored in each communication control device, A call control system for performing call control for communication connection with a receiving terminal, wherein each of a plurality of communication control devices includes divided subscriber information and the divided subscriber information transmitted to another communication control device. A storage unit that associates and stores flag information indicating whether or not the stored divided subscriber information is synchronized, and stores when one of the plurality of communication control devices is restarted. First update means for updating flag information stored in each of the plurality of communication control devices to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state by means, and when an incoming call request signal is received from the calling terminal, the incoming call A determination means for determining whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information included in the solicitation signal is synchronized based on flag information associated with the divided subscriber information; Re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of a called terminal indicated by the called terminal information when it is determined that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the called terminal information is not synchronized, and a plurality of communication control devices In each of the above, the split subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired by the re-acquisition means, and the flag information corresponding to the split subscriber information is in a synchronized state. And second update means for updating the information to be indicated.

  The call control method of the present invention includes a plurality of communication control devices that divide and store subscriber information related to a user of a communication terminal, and makes a call based on the divided subscriber information stored in each communication control device. A call control method in a call control system for performing call control for communication connection between a terminal and a receiving terminal, wherein each of a plurality of communication control devices includes divided subscriber information and the divided subscriber information. Is stored in association with flag information indicating whether or not is synchronized with the divided subscriber information stored in another communication control device, and one communication control device among the plurality of communication control devices includes A first update step for updating flag information stored in each of the plurality of communication control devices to information indicating an asynchronous state in the storage step when the computer is restarted; Based on the flag information associated with the divided subscriber information, whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information included in the incoming request signal is synchronized when the request signal is received. When the determination step and the determination step determine that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information is not synchronized, the subscriber information of the receiving terminal indicated by the receiving terminal information is reacquired. In each of the re-acquisition step and each of the plurality of communication control devices, the split subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired in the re-acquisition step, and the split subscriber information is supported. And a second update step for updating the flag information to information indicating that the flag information is in a synchronized state.

  According to such a call control system and call control method, in each of the plurality of communication control devices, the divided subscriber information and flag information indicating whether or not the divided subscriber information is in a synchronized state. Associated and stored. When one communication control device is restarted, flag information stored in each of the plurality of control devices is updated to information indicating an asynchronous state. Thereafter, when an incoming call request signal is received from the calling terminal, it is determined whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the called terminal is synchronized between the communication control devices, and if the information is not synchronized, In the communication control apparatus, the divided subscriber information is updated based on the newly acquired subscriber information of the receiving terminal, and the flag information is updated to information indicating the synchronization state. In this way, when the incoming request signal is received, the consistency of the divided subscriber information is checked, and if the consistency is not achieved, all the divided subscriber information is updated with the latest subscriber information, and further matching is performed. As a result, the distributed subscriber information can be restored while maintaining its consistency.

  The call control system of the present invention further comprises call control means for executing call control for communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal based on each divided subscriber information updated by the second updating means. Is preferred.

  In this case, since the call control is executed only after the divided subscriber information is synchronized, it is possible not only to restore the subscriber information but also to relieve the incoming request (avoid call loss). Become.

  In the call control system of the present invention, the re-acquisition means stores the subscriber information stored in the core network including a plurality of communication control devices without accessing the receiving terminal and the access network in which the receiving terminal is located. It is preferable to reacquire.

  In this case, since re-acquisition of subscriber information is executed only by communication within a core network including a plurality of communication control devices, it is possible to restore subscriber information in a shorter time.

  The communication control device according to the present invention stores subscriber information related to a user of a communication terminal separately from other communication control devices, and is used for communication connection between a calling terminal and a receiving terminal based on divided subscriber information. A communication control device that performs call control, and indicates whether or not the divided subscriber information and the divided subscriber information are synchronized with the divided subscriber information stored in another communication control device. When the storage unit that associates and stores the flag information and the communication control device or another communication control device is restarted, the flag information stored in the storage unit is updated to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state. 1 update means, receiving means for receiving an incoming request signal from the calling terminal, and whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information included in the incoming request signal received by the receiving means is synchronized The divide The determination means for determining based on the flag information associated with the subscriber information, and when the determination means determines that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the reception terminal information is not synchronized, Re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of the receiving terminal shown, updating the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal based on the subscriber information acquired by the re-acquisition means, and the divided subscriber And second update means for updating flag information corresponding to the information to information indicating that the information is in a synchronized state.

  According to such a communication control apparatus, divided subscriber information and flag information indicating whether or not the divided subscriber information is in a synchronized state are stored in association with each other. When the communication control device or another communication control device is restarted, the flag information is updated to information indicating an asynchronous state. Thereafter, when an incoming request signal is received from the calling terminal, it is determined whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the called terminal is synchronized between the communication control devices, and the information is not synchronized. The split subscriber information is updated based on the newly acquired subscriber information of the receiving terminal, and the flag information is updated to information indicating the synchronization state. In this way, when the incoming request signal is received, the consistency of the divided subscriber information is checked, and if the consistency is not achieved, all the divided subscriber information is updated with the latest subscriber information, and further matching is performed. As a result, the distributed subscriber information can be restored while maintaining its consistency.

  Also, the communication control device of the present invention stores subscriber information related to the user of the communication terminal separately from other communication control devices, and establishes communication connection between the calling terminal and the receiving terminal based on the divided subscriber information. Communication control apparatus for executing call control for the communication, and whether or not the divided subscriber information and the divided subscriber information are synchronized with the divided subscriber information stored in another communication control apparatus When the communication control device or another communication control device is restarted, the flag information stored in the storage device is updated to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state. If the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information is determined not to be synchronized by the first updating means and the other communication control device that has received the incoming request signal from the outgoing terminal, the incoming terminal information Wear indicated Re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of the terminal, and updating the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal based on the subscriber information acquired by the re-acquisition means, and corresponding to the divided subscriber information Second update means for updating the flag information to be updated to information indicating that the flag information is in a synchronized state.

  According to such a communication control apparatus, divided subscriber information and flag information indicating whether or not the divided subscriber information is in a synchronized state are stored in association with each other. When the communication control device or another communication control device is restarted, the flag information is updated to information indicating an asynchronous state. After that, when another communication control device accepts the incoming request signal from the calling terminal, it is determined whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the called terminal is synchronized between the communication control devices, and the information is synchronized. If not, the split subscriber information is updated based on the newly acquired subscriber information of the receiving terminal, and the flag information is updated to information indicating the synchronization state. In this way, when the incoming request signal is received, the consistency of the divided subscriber information is checked, and if the consistency is not achieved, all the divided subscriber information is updated with the latest subscriber information, and further matching is performed. As a result, the distributed subscriber information can be restored while maintaining its consistency.

  According to such a call control system, communication control device, and call control method, when an incoming call request signal is received, the synchronization status of subscriber information is determined based on flag information. Since all the divided subscriber information is updated with the subscriber information, the distributed subscriber information can be restored while maintaining its consistency.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the overall configuration of the call control system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the call control system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a distributed arrangement of profiles (subscriber information).

  The call control system 1 includes a calling terminal (mobile phone) MS, a calling side network (access network) NS where the calling terminal MS is located, a receiving terminal (mobile phone) MR, and a called side where the receiving terminal MR is located. A network (access network) NR and a core network NC that connects the originating network NS and the terminating network NR are provided. The originating network NS and the terminating network NR are both third generation wireless networks. However, the configuration of the access network is not limited.

  The core network NC includes a calling side gateway 10, a subscriber database (HSS) 20, a calling side CSCF 30, a called side CSCF 40, an AS 50, and a called side gateway 60.

  The calling side gateway 10 is a communication control device connected to the calling side network NS. The originating gateway 10 receives the incoming request signal from the originating terminal MS and transmits it to the originating CSCF 30. The incoming call request signal includes a user identifier that is identification information of the incoming call destination terminal MR.

  The subscriber database 20 is a database server that stores profiles (subscriber information) related to users of the receiving terminal MR. The profile is identified by a user identifier, and is information including limit plus information, personal identification number, roaming out identification information, authentication information, location information, AS address information, CSCF address information, and gateway address information. The profile is updated as needed based on the location information of the mobile phone at that time when the mobile phone is connected to the CSCF.

  Information included in the profile will be described. The limit plus information is information indicating an excess state of a subscriber who has set a call charge upper limit. The personal identification number is information stored for verification with the personal identification number input by the user when the contract state of the additional service is changed based on the user operation. The roaming out identification information is information indicating whether the user is accessing from an overseas network. The authentication information is information necessary for user authentication when the mobile phone connects to the access network. The position information is information indicating the current position of the mobile phone (user). The AS address information, CSCF address information, and gateway address information are information indicating the addresses of the AS, CSCF, and gateway currently used by the mobile phone, respectively.

  The originating CSCF 30 is a communication control device that performs call control to establish communication connection between the originating terminal MS and the terminating terminal MR. The originating CSCF 30 extracts the user identifier of the terminating terminal MR from the received incoming request signal, and obtains a profile including the extracted user identifier from the subscriber database 20. Subsequently, the calling side CSCF 30 outputs an incoming call request signal to the called side CSCF 40 based on the CSCF address information included in the acquired profile.

  The called-side CSCF 40 is a communication control device that performs call control in order to establish communication connection between the calling terminal MS and the called terminal MR. The destination CSCF 40 stores a user identifier, roaming out identification information, location information, AS address information, and gateway information among the profiles stored in the subscriber database 20.

  When the incoming request signal is received from the originating CSCF 30, the called CSCF 40 extracts the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR from the incoming request signal, and reads the AS address information corresponding to the extracted user identifier. Subsequently, the destination CSCF 40 transmits a determination request signal for inquiring whether the call service of the receiving terminal MR can be executed to the AS 50 indicated by the read AS address information. Subsequently, the destination CSCF 40 acquires the service determination result transmitted from the AS 50 in response to the determination request signal, and determines whether or not a call can be established between the originating terminal MS and the terminating terminal MR based on the result. Judgment. If it is determined that the call can be established, the terminating CSCF 40 transfers the incoming request signal to the terminating gateway 60 indicated by the gateway address information corresponding to the user identifier of the terminating terminal MR.

  The AS 50 is a communication control device that provides various services that can be executed via a network. The AS 50 stores a user identifier, limit plus information, personal identification number, CSCF address information, and gateway address information among the profiles stored in the subscriber database.

  The AS 50 extracts the profile of the receiving terminal MR based on the determination request signal received from the destination CSCF 40, and generates a service determination result indicating what service the receiving terminal MR can execute based on the extracted information. To do. Then, the AS 50 transmits the service determination result to the destination CSCF 40.

  The destination gateway 60 is a communication control device connected to the destination network NR. The destination gateway 60 stores a user identifier, authentication information, location information, AS address information, and CSCF address information among the profiles stored in the subscriber database. The destination gateway 60 receives the incoming request signal from the incoming CSCF 40 and transmits the incoming request signal to the incoming terminal MR via the incoming network NR. Thereby, the incoming call processing (call processing) for the incoming call terminal MR is completed.

  As described above, the destination CSCF 40, the AS 50, and the destination gateway 60 divide and store the profiles stored in the subscriber database. In other words, each communication control device stores a divided profile (divided subscriber information). The information stored in each communication control device is summarized in FIG. In the table shown in FIG. 2, a circle indicates that the information is stored in the corresponding device.

  Subsequently, the functional configuration of the destination CSCF 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the destination CSCF 40. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the destination CSCF 40. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating the split profile.

  The callee CSCF 40 includes, as functional components, a VLR (storage unit) 41, a restart detection unit 42, a notification reception unit 43, a first update unit (first update unit) 44, an incoming request reception unit (reception unit) 45, A determination unit (determination unit) 46, a position acquisition unit 47, a second update unit (re-acquisition unit, second update unit) 48, and a call control unit (call control unit) 49 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the destination CSCF 40 includes a CPU 401, a main storage unit 402 configured by a ROM and a RAM, an auxiliary storage unit 403 configured by a hard disk, an AS 50, and a destination gateway 60. A communication interface 404 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a communication device, an input unit 405 configured with operation keys and the like, and an output unit 406 configured with a monitor and the like are provided. Each function of the destination CSCF 40 shown in FIG. 3 reads predetermined computer software on the CPU 401 or the main storage unit 402, operates the communication interface 404, the input unit 405, and the output unit 406 under the control of the CPU 401. This is realized by reading or writing data to the main storage unit 402 or the auxiliary storage unit 403.

  The VLR 41 is a means for storing the divided profile in association with flag information indicating whether or not the divided profile is synchronized with the divided profile stored in another communication control apparatus. Either “Confirmed” or “Not Confirmed” is set in the flag information. The value “Confirmed” indicates that the divided profile is synchronized (in a synchronized state) with other communication control devices (AS 50 and destination gateway 60). On the other hand, the value “Not Confirmed” indicates that the profile to be divided is not synchronized with other communication control devices (AS 50 and destination gateway 60) (the asynchronous state where synchronization is not guaranteed).

  The restart detection unit 42 is means for notifying that the destination CSCF 40 has restarted. When the restart detection unit 42 detects the restart, the restart detection unit 42 generates a restart notification indicating that the restart has been performed, and outputs the restart notification to the first update unit 44, and transmits the restart notification to the AS 50 and the destination gateway 60. . The restart notification transmitted to the AS 50 and the destination gateway 60 includes address information for identifying the destination CSCF 40.

  The notification receiving unit 43 is means for receiving a restart notification indicating that another communication control device has restarted from the other communication control device. The notification receiving unit 43 outputs the restart notification received from the AS 50 or the destination gateway 60 to the first updating unit 44.

  The first update unit 44 is a means for updating flag information stored in the VLR 41 to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state when one of the plurality of communication control devices is restarted. .

  When a restart notification is input from the restart detection unit 42, that is, when the called-side CSCF 40 is restarted, the first update unit 44 updates all flag information stored in the VLR 41 to “Not Confirmed”. For example, when the VLR 41 stores the divided profiles A, B, and C, the VLR 41 updates all flag information associated with each of these three profiles to “Not Confirmed”. Depending on the restart method, the profile may disappear from the VLR 41 after the restart. In this case, the first update unit 44 does not perform any processing as a result.

  When the restart notification is input from the notification receiving unit 43, that is, when the AS 50 or the destination gateway 60 is restarted, the first update unit 44 obtains the address information of the AS 50 or the destination gateway 60 from the input restart notification. Extract. Subsequently, the first updating unit 44 updates the flag information associated with the divided profile including the extracted AS address information or gateway address information to “Not Confirmed”. For example, when the split profile stored in the VLR 41 is as shown in FIG. 5 and the address information “AS1” of the AS 50 is included in the restart notification, the notification receiving unit 43 has the user identifier “ The flag information of the divided profiles that are “user A” and “user B” is updated to “Not Confirmed” (see FIG. 5).

  The incoming request receiving unit 45 is means for receiving an incoming request signal transmitted from the originating CSCF 30. The incoming request reception unit 45 outputs the received signal to the determination unit.

  When receiving the incoming request signal from the calling terminal MS, the determination unit 46 determines whether or not the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier (receiving terminal information) included in the incoming request signal is synchronized. This is means for determining based on flag information associated with the division profile. When the incoming request signal is input from the incoming request receiver 45, the determining unit 46 determines whether or not the divided profile is synchronized before the call control process based on the incoming request signal.

  When the incoming request signal is input, the determination unit 46 extracts the user identifier of the incoming terminal MR from the incoming request signal, and determines whether or not the split profile including the user identifier exists in the VLR 41. At this time, if such a divided profile does not exist, the determination unit 46 accesses the subscriber database 20 and acquires a profile including the extracted user identification information as a temporary profile. Subsequently, the determination unit 46 outputs the temporary profile to the position acquisition unit 47. Subsequently, the determination unit 46 generates a waiting signal indicating that the call control cannot be performed, and outputs the input incoming request signal and the generated waiting signal to the call control unit 49.

  On the other hand, when there is a divided profile including the extracted user identifier, the determination unit 46 checks flag information associated with the divided profile. At this time, if the flag information is “Not Confirmed”, the determination unit 46 outputs the divided profile to the position acquisition unit 47, and displays the incoming request signal and the waiting signal as in the case where the divided profile does not exist. The data is output to the call control unit 49. On the other hand, if the flag information is “Confirmed”, the determination unit 46 generates an executable signal indicating that the call control can be executed, and sends the input incoming request signal and executable signal to the call control unit 49. Output.

  The position acquisition unit 47 is a means for acquiring the position information of the receiving terminal MR when the determination unit 46 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized.

  When the split profile or the temporary profile is input from the determination unit 46, the position acquisition unit 47 extracts the gateway address information from the input information, thereby specifying the destination gateway 60 indicated by the address information. Subsequently, the location acquisition unit 47 generates a location acquisition request signal including the input information and outputs it to the destination gateway 60 in order to acquire location information of the receiving terminal MR. Thereafter, the position acquisition unit 47 receives the position signal transmitted from the destination gateway 60 in response to the request signal and transfers it to the AS 50. Although the details of the position signal will be described later, this position signal includes position information indicating the current position of the receiving terminal MR.

  The second updating unit 48 is means for reacquiring the profile of the receiving terminal when the determining unit 46 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized. Further, the second updating unit 48 updates the split profile corresponding to the receiving terminal MR based on the reacquired profile, and sets the flag information corresponding to the split profile to information indicating that it is in a synchronized state. It is a means to update.

  The second updating unit 48 receives (re-acquires) the profile of the receiving terminal MR transmitted from the AS 50 and extracts a divided profile to be stored in the VLR 41. Subsequently, the second update unit 48 stores the extracted divided profile and the flag information “Confirmed” in the VLR 41 in association with each other. As a result, the split profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated to the latest information in the destination CSCF 40. Subsequently, the second updating unit 48 outputs the divided profile to the call control unit 49 and transfers the profile of the receiving terminal MR to the destination gateway 60.

  The call control unit 49 is means for executing call control for communication connection between the calling terminal MS and the called terminal MR based on the divided profile updated by the second updating unit 48.

  When the incoming request signal and the executable signal are input from the determination unit 46, the call control unit 49 executes the incoming processing as described above. That is, the call control unit 49 determines whether or not a call can be established. If it is determined that the call can be established, the call control unit 49 transfers an incoming call request signal to the destination gateway 60. On the other hand, when an incoming request signal and a waiting signal are input from the determination unit 46, the call control unit 49 waits for the split profile to be input from the second update unit 48. When a split profile is input from the second update unit 48, an incoming call process (call control process) is executed based on the split profile. In this way, the call control unit 49 executes the incoming call processing after the synchronization of the divided profile is guaranteed.

  Next, the functional configuration of the AS 50 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the AS 50.

  The AS 50 includes, as functional components, a VLR (storage unit) 51, a restart detection unit 52, a notification reception unit 53, a first update unit (first update unit) 54, a position acquisition unit 55, and a second update unit (re-acquisition). Means, second updating means) 56 and a service control unit 57.

  The hardware configuration of the AS 50 is the same as that of the destination CSCF 40 shown in FIG. 4, and how each function of the AS 50 is realized on hardware is the same as that described for the destination CSCF 40.

  The VLR 51 associates the segmented profile with flag information indicating whether or not the segmented profile is synchronized with the segmented profile stored in the other communication control device (the destination CSCF 40 and the destination gateway 60). It is a means to memorize. The type of value set in the flag information is the same as in the case of the destination CSCF 40.

  The restart detection unit 52 is a means for notifying that the AS 50 has restarted. When the restart detection unit 52 detects the restart, the restart detection unit 52 generates a restart notification indicating that the restart has been performed and outputs the restart notification to the first update unit 54, and also notifies the receiving side CSCF 40 and the receiving side gateway 60 of the restart notification. Send. The restart notification transmitted to the destination CSCF 40 and the destination gateway 60 includes address information for identifying the AS 50.

  The notification receiving unit 53 is a means for receiving a restart notification indicating that another communication control device has restarted from the other communication control device. The notification receiving unit 53 outputs the restart notification received from the receiving side CSCF 40 or the receiving side gateway 60 to the first updating unit 54.

  The first update unit 54 is a means for updating flag information stored in the VLR 51 to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state when one of the plurality of communication control devices is restarted. .

  When a restart notification is input from the restart detection unit 52, that is, when the AS 50 is restarted, the first update unit 54 updates all flag information stored in the VLR 51 to “Not Confirmed”. Depending on the restart method, the profile may disappear from the VLR 51 after the restart. In this case, the first update unit 54 does not perform any processing as a result.

  When a restart notification is input from the notification receiving unit 53, that is, when the destination CSCF 40 or the destination gateway 60 is restarted, the first updating unit 54 receives the destination CSCF 40 or the destination gateway 60 from the input restart notification. Address information for. Subsequently, the first update unit 54 updates the flag information associated with the split profile including the extracted CSCF address information or gateway address information to “Not Confirmed”.

  The position acquisition unit 55 is a means for acquiring the position information of the receiving terminal MR when the determination unit 46 of the destination CSCF 40 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized. is there.

  When the location acquisition unit 55 receives a location signal from the destination CSCF 40, the location acquisition unit 55 transfers the location signal to the subscriber database 20, thereby requesting the subscriber database 20 to update the profile.

  The second updating unit 56 re-acquires the profile of the receiving terminal MR when the determining unit 46 of the destination CSCF 40 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized. It is. Further, the second update unit 56 updates the divided profile corresponding to the receiving terminal MR based on the re-acquired profile, and information indicating that the flag information corresponding to the divided profile is in a synchronized state. It is a means to update to.

  The second update unit 56 receives (re-acquires) the updated profile transmitted from the subscriber database 20 in accordance with the position signal transmitted by the position acquisition unit 55. In other words, the second update unit 56 receives a profile including position information indicating the current position of the receiving terminal MR. Subsequently, the second update unit 56 extracts a divided profile to be stored in the VLR 51 from the received profile. Subsequently, the second update unit 56 stores the extracted divided profile and the flag information “Confirmed” in the VLR 51 in association with each other. As a result, the split profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated to the latest information in the AS 50. Subsequently, the second update unit 56 transfers the received profile to the destination CSCF 40.

  The service control unit 57 is means for executing call control for communication connection between the calling terminal MS and the called terminal MR based on the divided profile updated by the second updating unit 56. Specifically, when receiving the determination request signal from the destination CSCF 40 as described above, the service control unit 57 generates a service determination result based on the divided profile stored in the VLR 51 and transmits the service determination result to the destination CSCF 40. This process is part of call control.

  Next, the functional configuration of the destination gateway 60 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the destination gateway 60.

  The destination gateway 60 includes a VLR (storage unit) 61, a restart detection unit 62, a notification reception unit 63, a first update unit (first update unit) 64, a position acquisition unit 65, and a second update unit as functional components. (Re-acquisition means, second update means) 66 and a wireless control unit 67 are provided.

  The hardware configuration of the destination gateway 60 is the same as that of the destination CSCF 40 shown in FIG. 4, and how each function of the destination gateway 60 is realized in hardware is the same as that described for the destination CSCF 40. It is.

  The VLR 61 associates and stores the divided profile and flag information indicating whether or not the divided profile is synchronized with the divided profile stored in the other communication control devices (destination CSCF 40 and AS 50). Means. The type of value set in the flag information is the same as in the case of the destination CSCF 40.

  The restart detection unit 62 is means for notifying that the destination gateway 60 has restarted. When the restart detection unit 62 detects a restart, the restart detection unit 62 generates a restart notification indicating the restart and outputs the restart notification to the first update unit 64, and transmits the restart notification to the destination CSCF 40 and the AS 50. The restart notification transmitted to the destination CSCF 40 and the AS 50 includes address information for identifying the destination gateway 60.

  The notification receiving unit 63 is a means for receiving a restart notification indicating that another communication control device has restarted from the other communication control device. The notification receiving unit 63 outputs the restart notification received from the receiving side CSCF 40 or the AS 50 to the first updating unit 64.

  The first updating unit 64 is means for updating the flag information stored in the VLR 61 to information indicating that it is in an asynchronous state when one of the plurality of communication control devices is restarted. .

  When a restart notification is input from the restart detection unit 62, that is, when the destination gateway 60 is restarted, the first update unit 64 updates all the flag information stored in the VLR 61 to “Not Confirmed”. Depending on the restart method, the profile may disappear from the VLR 61 after restart. In this case, the first update unit 64 does not perform any processing as a result.

  When a restart notification is input from the notification receiving unit 63, that is, when the called-side CSCF 40 or AS 50 is restarted, the first updating unit 64 extracts address information of the called-side CSCF 40 or AS 50 from the input restart notification. . Subsequently, the first updating unit 64 updates the flag information associated with the divided profile including the extracted CSCF address information or AS address information to “Not Confirmed”.

  The position acquisition unit 65 is a means for acquiring the position information of the receiving terminal MR when the determination unit 46 of the destination CSCF 40 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized. is there.

  When receiving the position acquisition request signal from the destination CSCF 40, the position acquisition unit 65 acquires position information indicating the current position of the receiving terminal MR from a base station (not shown) in the destination network NR. Subsequently, the position acquisition unit 65 generates a position signal including the acquired position information and transmits it to the destination CSCF 40.

  The second updating unit 66 re-acquires the profile of the receiving terminal MR when the determining unit 46 of the destination CSCF 40 determines that the divided profile corresponding to the user identifier of the receiving terminal MR is not synchronized. It is. Further, the second update unit 66 updates the split profile corresponding to the receiving terminal MR based on the reacquired profile, and also indicates that the flag information corresponding to the split profile is in a synchronized state. It is a means to update to.

  The second update unit 66 receives (re-acquires) the updated profile transmitted from the destination CSCF 40 in accordance with the position signal transmitted by the position acquisition unit 65, and extracts the divided profile to be stored in the VLR 61. . Subsequently, the second update unit 66 associates the extracted divided profile with the flag information “Confirmed” and stores them in the VLR 61. As a result, the split profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated to the latest information in the destination gateway 60.

  The radio control unit 67 is means for executing call control for communication connection between the calling terminal MS and the called terminal MR based on the divided profile updated by the second updating unit 66. Specifically, the radio control unit 67 receives the incoming request signal from the incoming CSCF 40 as described above, and determines the incoming network NR based on the incoming request signal and the divided profile stored in the VLR 61. Call the receiving terminal MR via This process is part of call control.

  Next, processing of the call control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 and a call control method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when one communication control device is restarted. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the incoming call processing based on the flag information. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the synchronization processing of the profile to be divided.

  First, the restart process will be described with reference to FIG. The processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed by each of the receiving side CSCF 40, the AS 50, and the receiving side gateway 60. Here, it is assumed that each communication processing apparatus stores the divided profile and flag information “Confirmed” in association with each other (storage step).

  The process of updating the flag information to “Not Confirmed” is executed when a restart notification is received from another communication control device or when the own device is restarted. When the restart notification is received (step S11; YES), the address information of the restarted communication control device is extracted from the notification, and the flag information associated with the split profile including the address information is “Not”. Updated to “Confirmed” (step S14, first update step). When the own device is restarted (step S12; YES), a restart notification including the address information of the own device is transmitted to another communication control device (step S13), and the flag information is set to “Not Confirmed”. It is updated (step S14).

  Next, the incoming call process will be described with reference to FIG. When the incoming request signal is received by the incoming request receiver 45 of the destination CSCF 40 (step S21), the determination unit 46 determines whether or not there is a divided profile of the incoming terminal MR (step S22). Here, if the divided profile exists (step S22; YES), the flag information associated with the profile is checked (step S23, determination step). At this time, if the flag information is “Confirmed” (step S23; YES), the incoming call processing is executed by the cooperation of the above-mentioned destination side CSCF 40, AS 50 and destination side gateway 60 (step S28).

  On the other hand, when the split profile of the receiving terminal MR does not exist (step S22; NO), the determination unit 46 acquires a temporary profile from the subscriber database 20 (step S24). Then, after acquiring the temporary profile, or when the flag information associated with the split profile is “Not Confirmed” (step S23; NO), the position acquisition from the position acquisition unit 47 of the destination CSCF 40 is performed. Based on the request signal, the position acquisition unit 65 of the destination gateway 60 acquires the position information of the receiving terminal MR (step S25).

  Thereafter, the profile stored in the subscriber database 20 is updated based on the acquired position information (step S26). Subsequently, in each of the called-side CSCF 40, the AS 50, and the called-side gateway 60, the split profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated based on the latest profile (re-acquired profile) and the flag associated with the split profile The information is updated to “Confirmed” (step S27, reacquisition step, second update step). After the divided profiles of the respective communication control devices are synchronized by such processing, the incoming call processing is executed (step S28).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be given of synchronization processing of the profile to be divided. When the location acquisition request signal is transmitted from the destination CSCF 40 to the destination gateway 60 (step S31), the location information of the receiving terminal MR is acquired in the destination gateway 60 (step S32), and the location including the acquired location information A signal is transmitted from the destination gateway 60 to the subscriber database 20 via the destination CSCF 40 and the AS 50 (step S33). Subsequently, the profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated in the subscriber database 20 based on the location information of the receiving terminal MR (step S34).

  Subsequently, the updated profile is transmitted from the subscriber database 20 and received (re-acquired) by the AS 50 (step S35, re-acquisition step). Subsequently, in AS50, the split profile of the receiving terminal MR is updated, and the flag information associated with the split profile is updated to “Confirmed” (step S36, second update step). Thereafter, the same processing as in steps S35 and S36 is executed in the destination CSCF 40 and the destination gateway 60 (steps S37 to 40, re-acquisition step, second update step). It is updated in the communication control device. Finally, the incoming call processing is executed based on the updated split profile (step S41).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the consistency of the divided profile is checked when the incoming request signal is received, and if the consistency is not achieved, all the profiles are determined based on the latest profile of the incoming terminal MR. By updating the divided profile and further ensuring the consistency, it is possible to restore the distributed profile while maintaining the consistency.

  In the present embodiment, since the incoming call processing (call control processing) is executed only after the divided profiles are synchronized, not only the profile is restored, but also the incoming request is relieved (call loss is avoided). Is possible).

  The present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be modified in various ways as described below without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the above embodiment, the synchronization processing of the profile to be divided is performed among the callee CSCF 40, the AS 50, and the callee gateway 60. However, the number of communication control devices that perform the above-described synchronization processing is not limited to three. Any number is acceptable. Also, the type of communication control device is not limited.

  In the above embodiment, the call control system 1 executes call control between mobile phones, but the types of communication terminals included in the call control system 1 are not limited. For example, the call control system 1 may execute call control between IP phones and call control between a mobile phone and an IP phone.

  In the above embodiment, the subscriber database 20 updates the profile based on the location information acquired by the destination gateway 60, and the split profile and flag information are updated based on the updated profile. The method for updating the flag information is not limited to this.

  Specifically, the destination gateway 60 requests a profile of the destination terminal MR from the subscriber database 20 via the destination CSCF 40 and the AS 50 without making an inquiry to the destination terminal MR or the communication device in the destination network NR. To do. Subsequently, the AS 50, the destination CSCF 40, and the destination gateway 60 receive (re-acquire) the profile transmitted by the subscriber database 20 in response to the request. Subsequently, these communication control apparatuses update the divided profile based on the received profile, and update the flag information to “Confirmed”.

  In this way, each communication control device in the core network NC re-acquires the profile stored in the core network NC (subscriber database 20) without accessing the receiving terminal MR or the destination network NR. The split profile and flag information may be updated. In this case, since profile reacquisition is executed only by communication within the core network NC, the profile can be recovered in a shorter time.

It is a figure showing the whole call control system composition concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the distribution arrangement | positioning of a profile. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the callee CSCF shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the callee CSCF shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an update of a to-be-divided profile. It is a figure which shows the function structure of AS shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the arrival side gateway shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process when one communication control apparatus restarts. It is a flowchart which shows the incoming call process based on flag information. It is a sequence diagram which shows the synchronous process of a to-be-divided profile.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Call control system, 40 ... Calling side CSCF (communication control apparatus), 41 ... VLR (storage means), 42 ... Restart detection part, 43 ... Notification receiving part, 44 ... 1st update part (1st update means) 45... Incoming call request reception unit (reception unit) 46. Determination unit (determination unit) 47. Position acquisition unit 48. Second update unit (re-acquisition unit and second update unit) 49. Call control means), 50... AS (communication control apparatus), 51... VLR (storage means), 52... Restart detection section, 53. Position acquisition unit 56 ... second update unit (re-acquisition unit, second update unit) 57 ... service control unit 60 ... destination gateway (communication control device) 61 ... VLR (storage unit) 62 ... restart Detection unit, 63 ... notification receiving unit, 64 ... first update unit (first update means), 65 ... Acquisition unit, 66 ... second update unit (re-acquisition unit, second update unit), 67 ... radio control unit, MR ... mobile phone (receiving terminal), MS ... mobile phone (transmitting terminal), NC ... core network, NR ... Destination side network (access network), NS ... Originating side network

Claims (6)

A plurality of communication control devices that divide and store subscriber information related to users of communication terminals, and based on the divided subscriber information stored in each communication control device, for communication connection between the calling terminal and the receiving terminal A call control system for executing the call control of
In each of the plurality of communication control devices, the split subscriber information and a flag indicating whether the split subscriber information is synchronized with the split subscriber information stored in another communication control device Storage means for associating and storing information;
When one of the plurality of communication control devices restarts, the flag information stored in each of the plurality of communication control devices is updated to information indicating that the communication control device is in an asynchronous state by the storage unit. First updating means;
When receiving an incoming request signal from the calling terminal, whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information included in the incoming request signal is synchronized is associated with the divided subscriber information Determination means for determining based on flag information;
Re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of the receiving terminal indicated by the receiving terminal information when it is determined by the determining means that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information is not synchronized;
In each of the plurality of communication control devices, the split subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired by the reacquisition means, and a flag corresponding to the split subscriber information Second updating means for updating the information to information indicating that the information is in a synchronized state;
A call control system comprising:   The call control means for executing call control for communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal based on each divided subscriber information updated by the second updating means. Item 4. The call control system according to Item 1. The reacquisition means reacquires the subscriber information stored in a core network including the plurality of communication control devices without accessing the receiving terminal and an access network in which the receiving terminal is located.
The call control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A communication control device that stores subscriber information related to a user of a communication terminal separately from other communication control devices, and executes call control for communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal based on the divided subscriber information Because
Storage means for storing the divided subscriber information in association with flag information indicating whether the divided subscriber information is synchronized with the divided subscriber information stored in the other communication control device When,
First update means for updating flag information stored in the storage means to information indicating an asynchronous state when the communication control device or the other communication control device is restarted;
Receiving means for receiving an incoming call request signal from the calling terminal;
Based on the flag information associated with the divided subscriber information, whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information included in the incoming request signal received by the receiving means is synchronized. Determination means for determining;
Re-acquisition means for re-acquiring subscriber information of the receiving terminal indicated by the receiving terminal information when it is determined by the determining means that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information is not synchronized;
Information indicating that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired by the re-acquisition means, and flag information corresponding to the divided subscriber information is in a synchronized state A second updating means for updating to
A communication control apparatus comprising: A communication control device that stores subscriber information related to a user of a communication terminal separately from other communication control devices, and executes call control for communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal based on the divided subscriber information Because
Storage means for storing the divided subscriber information in association with flag information indicating whether the divided subscriber information is synchronized with the divided subscriber information stored in the other communication control device When,
First update means for updating flag information stored in the storage means to information indicating an asynchronous state when the communication control device or the other communication control device is restarted;
When it is determined by another communication control device that has received the incoming request signal from the outgoing terminal that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information is not synchronized, the subscription of the incoming terminal indicated by the incoming terminal information Re-acquisition means for re-acquisition of person information
Information indicating that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired by the re-acquisition means, and flag information corresponding to the divided subscriber information is in a synchronized state A second updating means for updating to
A communication control apparatus comprising: A plurality of communication control devices that divide and store subscriber information related to users of communication terminals, and based on the divided subscriber information stored in each communication control device, for communication connection between the calling terminal and the receiving terminal A call control method in a call control system for executing call control of
In each of the plurality of communication control devices, the split subscriber information and a flag indicating whether the split subscriber information is synchronized with the split subscriber information stored in another communication control device A storage step for storing information in association with each other;
When one of the plurality of communication control devices restarts, the flag information stored in each of the plurality of communication control devices is updated to information indicating that the communication control device is in an asynchronous state in the storing step. A first update step;
When receiving an incoming request signal from the calling terminal, whether or not the divided subscriber information corresponding to the incoming terminal information included in the incoming request signal is synchronized is associated with the divided subscriber information A determination step for determining based on flag information;
A reacquisition step of reacquiring subscriber information of the receiving terminal indicated by the receiving terminal information when it is determined that the divided subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal information is not synchronized in the determining step;
In each of the plurality of communication control devices, the split subscriber information corresponding to the receiving terminal is updated based on the subscriber information acquired in the reacquisition step, and a flag corresponding to the split subscriber information A second update step for updating the information to information indicating that the information is in a synchronized state;
A call control method comprising:

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