JP4155850B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a communication system for transferring a communication call from a mobile terminal during a call to a fixed terminal.
In recent years, the mobile communication market including mobile phones has been dramatically developed, and the number of subscribers is expected to increase in the future.
[0002]
However, while the mobile communication market has developed dramatically, the number of subscribers of fixed terminals (fixed telephones) in the general public telephone network has been stagnant, and before the spread of fixed terminals, it was the center of communication means. In the street-mounted public telephones, even the significance of their existence is fading.
[0003]
On the other hand, in an area where a communication network is not developed, a WLL (Wireless Local Loop) system is used in order to install a fixed terminal faster, cheaper and more easily.
This WLL system is a system that provides a function equivalent to communication between fixed terminals in a conventional general public telephone network by connecting to a fixed terminal using a mobile communication network via a wireless line. Usually, a semi-permanent power supply is performed to a fixed terminal in the WLL system.
[0004]
[Prior art]
FIG. 9 shows a conventional communication system, which is composed of a mobile terminal 1, a mobile communication network 2, a general public telephone network 3, and a fixed terminal 4.
The mobile communication network 2 includes a base station 21 connected to the mobile terminal 1 via a radio channel, and a mobile switching center 22 and a relay switching center 23 connected in cascade to the base station 21. A subscriber database 23 is connected to the exchanges 22 and 23, and an announcement device 24 is connected to the mobile exchange 22.
[0005]
Further, the general public telephone network 3 includes a relay switching center 31 connected to the relay switching center 23 of the mobile communication network 2 by a wired line, and a subscriber switching center connected between the relay switching center 31 and the fixed terminal 4. Includes 32 and more.
The general public telephone network 3 further includes a subscriber database 33 connected to the exchanges 31 and 32 and an announcement device 34 connected to the subscriber exchange 32.
[0006]
In this communication system, since the mobile terminal 1 connected to the mobile communication network 2 places importance on portability, a battery with limited capacity is used, and a wireless line is used as a communication medium up to the base station 21. Therefore, communication call disconnection may occur due to battery capacity consumption or communication quality degradation.
[0007]
On the other hand, the fixed terminal 4 in the general public telephone network 3 is not portable and is used by being fixed at a certain position, so a wired line with little deterioration in communication quality is used as a communication medium up to the subscriber exchange 32. In addition, since power is supplied semipermanently by a telephone line, there is no need to worry about communication time.
[0008]
Then, the subscriber database 23 in the mobile communication network 2 and the subscriber database 33 in the general public telephone network 3 both indicate to each subscriber its telephone number and whether it is idle or in communication And a table for storing location information indicating the installation location, accounting information indicating the communication time and charging fee, transfer source information indicating whether or not the current communication has been transferred, and the like.
[0009]
Accordingly, the mobile communication network 2 and the general public telephone network 3 are connected to each other via the mutual relay exchanges 23 and 31, whereby the communication call to the mobile terminal 1 can be appropriately transferred to the fixed terminal 4. It is like that.
A specific transfer operation of such a conventional communication system will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 and the sequence shown in FIG.
[0010]
In this system, as described above, in the mobile terminal 1, the communication call is transferred from the mobile terminal 1 to the fixed terminal 4 in order to avoid disconnection of the communication call due to battery capacity consumption or communication quality deterioration. At this time, transfer based on the telephone number is performed, which is the same as the transfer procedure from the fixed terminal to the fixed terminal performed in the general public telephone network.
[0011]
Now, assume that the mobile terminal 1 is in a call with the terminal A (step S71 in FIGS. 10 and 11). The terminal A in this case is not shown, and may be either a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal.
Thereafter, after the mobile terminal 1 which is the transfer source terminal during a call performs hooking (step S72 in FIG. 10), the user of the mobile terminal 1 presses down the telephone number of the fixed terminal 4 desired to be transferred as a transfer request. (Step S73 in FIGS. 10 and 11). Thereafter, the terminal A is put on hold (step S92 in FIG. 11), and the state of the fixed terminal 4 is confirmed (step S74 in FIG. 10).
[0012]
This can be executed by the mobile switching center 22 inquiring of the relay switching center 31 or the subscriber switching center 32 regarding the subscriber database 33 of the general public telephone network 3.
As a result, it is determined whether transfer is possible (step S75 in FIG. 10). If transfer is possible, a route to the fixed terminal 4 is set based on the telephone number (step S76 in FIG. 10).
[0013]
Then, a call is made from the mobile switching center 22 in the mobile communication network 2 to the relay switching center 33 and the subscriber switching center 32 in the general public network 3 via the relay switching center 23 (step S93 in FIG. 11). The exchange 32 further calls the fixed terminal 4 (step S94).
[0014]
When the call is received and the fixed terminal 4 is off-hooked (step S77 in FIG. 10), the response signal is sent to the subscriber switching center 32 and the relay switching center 31 (step S95 in FIG. 11). It is sent to the relay switching center 23 and the mobile switching center 22 of the communication network 2 (step S96).
[0015]
As a result, a call can be made between the transfer source mobile terminal 1 and the transfer destination fixed terminal 4 (step S78 in FIGS. 10 and 11), and when the mobile terminal 1 goes on-hook as a disconnection request (step S79 in FIG. 10). Then, a disconnection response is returned from the exchanges 22 and 23 (step S97 in FIG. 11), a call between the terminal A on hold and the fixed terminal 4 as the transfer destination becomes possible, and the transfer of the communication call is completed (step in FIG. 10). S80).
[0016]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S75 in FIG. 10 that transfer is not possible, the announcement device 24 in the mobile communication network 2 notifies the mobile terminal 1 that transfer cannot be performed to the mobile terminal 1 (same step). S81) When the mobile terminal 1 hooks again (step S82), the transfer is stopped and the call returns to the call between the terminal A and the mobile terminal 1 (step S83).
[0017]
In addition, there has been proposed a mobile communication exchange in which the callee makes a call transfer request to a transfer destination that is predetermined for transfer in order to grasp the location information of the caller from the callee (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
Furthermore, a mobile incoming call transfer method has been proposed in which a call is transferred to a mobile terminal according to preset conditions (such as the location of the mobile terminal, the day of the week when receiving an incoming call, the time, etc.) (for example, (See Patent Document 2.)
[0018]
Furthermore, a wireless network device capable of making a call by selecting a facility located on the electronic map by providing the mobile terminal with the current location information combined with the electronic map, and its A method has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
[0019]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-197535 (right column on page 2, Fig. 1)
[0020]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-16640 (summary, Fig. 1)
[0021]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-337879 (right column on page 3, Fig. 1)
[0022]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, in a conventional communication system having a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal, a communication call is transferred from the mobile terminal to the fixed terminal in order to avoid disconnection of communication due to battery capacity exhaustion or communication quality deterioration in the mobile terminal. Is possible.
[0023]
However, in the transfer method based on the conventional telephone number as described above, even if there is a fixed terminal nearby, the transfer cannot be performed if the telephone number is unknown. For example, even if it is desired to transfer to a nearby street-mounted public telephone during a call at a mobile terminal in the city, the telephone number is unknown and cannot be transferred.
[0024]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a communication call to be transferred from a mobile terminal to a desired fixed terminal in a communication system having a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal even if the telephone number of the transfer destination fixed terminal is unknown. And
[0025]
In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal that makes a transfer request including position information during a call, and a network that transfers the communication call to a fixed terminal corresponding to the position indicated by the position information. If, Ru equipped with.
[0026]
That is, in the present invention, the network transfers the communication call to a nearby fixed terminal using the location information from the mobile terminal.
The position information at this time may be position information detected by the moving body itself by GPS or the like, or position information specified by the user, for example, an address.
[0027]
Usually, the position information detected by the mobile terminal itself is the current position information, and the position information specified by the user may be the current position information or position information unrelated to the current position.
The network in this case is a general public telephone network or a mobile communication network, and the fixed terminal is connected to these telephone network and communication network.
[0028]
And in a telephone network or a communication network that allows a fixed terminal, the subscriber database can include the telephone number and position information of the fixed terminal. You can search. At this time, in order to search for a nearby fixed terminal, it is desirable to measure the position information of the fixed terminal using a radio wave received from a GPS (Global Positioning Systems) satellite.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the general public telephone network, a route to the transfer destination can be set according to the searched telephone number of the fixed terminal.
In this way, even when the transfer destination telephone number is unknown, it is possible to realize transfer from the mobile terminal to the desired fixed terminal.
[0030]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above transfer request further includes an allowable distance to the fixed terminal or a time until a transfer process is started upon request from the mobile terminal, and the network receives the allowable distance or a request from the mobile terminal. it is possible to determine the corresponding fixed terminals within the time until the start of transfer processing in.
[0031]
The network can also distribute a map up to the fixed terminal to the mobile terminal.
In addition, when the fixed terminal cannot be found or cannot be transferred, the above network notifies the mobile terminal to that effect, and the mobile terminal can send a transfer cancellation request to the network in response to the notification. .
[0032]
Further, the network can charge the mobile terminal for the charge generated at the fixed terminal.
Further, the network has a table including the position information of the fixed terminal, and based on this table, the fixed terminal closest to the position information received from the mobile terminal can be determined.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention having a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal. The difference between this embodiment and the conventional configuration example shown in FIG. 9 is that a map providing device 25 connected to the mobile switching center 22 is provided in the mobile communication network 2 and the general public telephone network 3 is relayed. The search device 35 connected to the exchange 31 and the subscriber database 33 is provided.
[0034]
The transfer operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of the transfer procedure shown in FIG. 2 and the sequence diagrams shown in FIGS.
First, like step S71 in the conventional transfer procedure shown in FIG. 10, now a certain terminal A (not shown, whether it is a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal) and the mobile terminal 1 are Assume that you are talking (step 1 in Figure 2).
[0035]
Then, the transfer of the communication call from the mobile terminal 1 to the fixed terminal 4 starts when the mobile terminal 1 first transmits a transfer request including location information (step S2 in FIGS. 2 and 3). At this time, in addition to the position information, an allowable distance or time to the fixed terminal desired to be transferred may be included.
[0036]
At this time, terminal A is put on hold (step S21 in FIG. 3).
When the transfer request is sent from the mobile switching center 22 and the relay switching center 23 to the searching device 35 via the relay switching center 31 of the general public telephone network 3 (step S22 in FIG. 3), the searching device 35 is sent. The location information is compared with the location information of the fixed terminal 4 in the subscriber database 33, and for example, the nearest fixed terminal 4 is selected (step S3 in FIG. 2). In this case, the above-described allowable distance or time until the transfer process is started upon request from the mobile terminal may be taken into account.
[0037]
If there is a fixed terminal 4 that can be selected, the state of the fixed terminal 4 (whether or not a call is in progress) is checked in the subscriber database 33 (step S5). A transfer response (that transfer is possible and the telephone number and location information of the fixed terminal 4) is sent to the relay switching center 23 and the mobile switching center 22 in the mobile switching network 2, and in response thereto, these switching stations 22 and 23 distribute the map from the map providing device 25 provided in the mobile communication network 2 to the fixed terminal 4 to the transfer source mobile terminal 1 (step S7 in FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0038]
Further, a route is set for the fixed destination terminal 4 as a transfer destination in the same manner as the conventional transfer procedure based on the telephone number (step S8 in FIG. 2).
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the mobile switching network 2 calls the general public telephone network 3 (step S23), the general public telephone network 3 calls the fixed terminal 4 (step S24). And in response to this, when the fixed terminal 4 is off-hooked (step S9 in FIG. 2), the response (step S25) is given to the general public telephone network 3 and further moved from the general public telephone network 3 When a response (step S26) is given to the mobile communication network 2, the mobile terminal 1 and the fixed terminal 4 enter a call state (step S10 in FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0039]
Thereafter, when the mobile terminal 1 goes on-hook (step S11 in FIG. 2), a disconnection request (step S27) is given from the mobile terminal 1 to the mobile communication network 2, so that the mobile switching center in the mobile communication network 2 22 and the relay switching center 23 send a disconnection response (step S28), and the terminal A and the fixed terminal 4 enter a call state (step S12 in FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0040]
The above description describes an example of successful transfer of a communication call as shown in FIG. 3, but in the case where the fixed terminal 4 is not selectable in step S4 shown in FIG. The sequence is shown in FIG.
That is, when a transfer inquiry is made from the mobile communication network 2 to the general public telephone network 3 (step S22 in FIG. 4), the general public telephone network 3 is in a state where the fixed terminal 4 is busy and cannot be transferred, for example. If there is, a response to that effect (step S23), and the mobile communication network 2 notifies the mobile terminal 1 that the announcement device 24 cannot transfer (step S13 in FIGS. 2 and 4).
[0041]
Alternatively, even when there is a fixed terminal that can be transferred, if the allowable distance described above is not satisfied, a notification that transfer is not possible is similarly made.
In response to this, the mobile terminal 1 transmits a transfer cancellation request (step S14), and returns to the call between the mobile terminal 1 and the terminal A (step S15).
[0042]
5 and 6 show a disconnection sequence from the transfer destination fixed terminal 4, and in particular show a sequence of sending accounting information from the transfer destination to the transfer source at the time of disconnection.
First, in order to charge the transfer source mobile terminal 1 to the transfer destination mobile terminal 1, when transferring from the mobile terminal 1 to the fixed terminal 4, the subscriber database of the transfer destination fixed terminal 4 is used. The transfer source information is stored in 33 (step S61 in FIG. 6).
[0043]
Now, as shown in step S12, when the destination fixed terminal 4 and the terminal A are in a call and then the call ends and the fixed terminal 4 goes on-hook (step S62 in FIG. 6), the fixed terminal 4 A disconnection request (step S31 in FIG. 5) is given to the general public telephone network 3, and in response to this, a disconnection request (step S32) is sent from the general public telephone network 3 to the mobile communication network 2.
[0044]
In response to this, the mobile communication network 2 sends a disconnection response (step S33), which is given as a disconnection response (step S34) from the general public telephone network 3 to the fixed terminal 4. If the transfer source information has been written in the subscriber database 33 of the fixed terminal 4 (step S63 in FIG. 6), this billing information is transferred to the subscriber database 23 of the transfer source mobile terminal 1 (step S64). .
[0045]
FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a mobile terminal used in the communication system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the data transmitting / receiving unit 11, the GPS receiving unit 12, the control unit 13, and the memory Unit 14, microphone unit 15, speaker unit 16, key input unit 17, and screen display unit 18, and an example of the screen display unit 18 is shown in FIG.
[0046]
First, when the mobile terminal 1 is in a standby state, the user can perform transfer service settings such as transfer settings and notification settings using the key input unit 17 and the screen display unit 18.
The transfer service setting screen in this case is shown in FIG. 8 (1), and this screen is a transition from the standby screen ((4) in FIG. 8) (steps S45 and S46 in FIG. 8). Also, on this transfer service setting screen, transfer settings and notification settings can be selected. For example, when the transfer setting is selected by the key input unit 17 (step S41 in the figure), it is shown in (2) in the figure. Transition to the transfer setting screen.
[0047]
In this transfer setting screen, it is possible to set the positional information used when a transfer request is made from the mobile terminal 1, the allowable distance to the fixed terminal 4 as the transfer destination, the time until the transfer process is started, and the like. If “return” or “confirm” is selected by the key input unit 17 (step S42 in the figure), the screen returns to the transfer service setting screen in FIG.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the notification setting is selected (step S43 in the same figure), a transition is made to the notification setting screen shown in FIG. On this notification setting screen, it is possible to set a threshold value such as a battery capacity and a radio wave intensity used when the mobile terminal 1 notifies the user of transfer guidance for a communication call. Also in this case, when “return” or “confirm” is selected by the key input unit 17 (step S44), the screen returns to the transfer service setting screen of FIG.
[0049]
These transfer service settings are stored in the storage unit 14.
When the mobile terminal 1 is busy, the user can make a transfer request using the key input unit 17 and the screen display unit 18. That is, when “Transfer” is selected by the key input unit 17 on the call screen shown in FIG. 5 when the call is changed from the standby screen shown in FIG. 4 to the time of the call (step S47) (step S51). When the transfer request instruction is given to the control unit 13 from the key input unit 17 of the mobile terminal 1, and the transfer request instruction is received, the control unit 13 calculates the current position based on the position information signal from the GPS receiving unit 12. .
[0050]
Then, a transfer request signal including the location information and the transfer service setting stored in the storage unit 14 is transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving unit 11. The data transmitter / receiver 11 converts this transfer request signal into a wireless section signal and transmits it to the network side.
The transfer request by the user can also be made on the notification screen shown in FIG. That is, when the mobile terminal 1 is in a call ((5) in the figure), when the control unit 13 determines that the notification setting stored in the storage unit 14 is satisfied (step S49), the screen display unit 18 is A transition is made from the in-call screen shown in FIG. 5 to the notification screen shown in FIG. On this notification screen, guidance for prompting transfer is displayed together with a radio wave intensity display DP1 and a battery remaining amount display DP5. The same guidance is also given from the speaker unit 16. The radio wave intensity display DP1 and the battery remaining amount display DP5 may be displayed on any screen.
[0051]
When the “transfer” button is selected on the notification screen (step S50), a similar transfer request signal is transmitted from the mobile terminal 1.
Further, when the fixed terminal 4 as the transfer destination is determined, the map up to that point is transferred from the network side. When the data transmitter / receiver 11 converts the received wireless section signal into a wired section signal and transmits it to the control section 13, the control section 13 converts the received wired section signal into image data, and the screen display section 18 Display the forwarding information screen shown in (7). A map including the current location and the transfer location is displayed on the transfer destination information screen.
[0052]
It is also possible to shift to the transfer destination information screen of FIG. 7 (7) by selecting “Transfer” from the in-call screen of FIG.
(Appendix 1)
A mobile terminal making a transfer request including location information during a call;
A network for transferring the communication call to a fixed terminal corresponding to the position indicated by the position information;
A communication system comprising:
(Appendix 2) In Appendix 1,
A communication system, wherein the position information is position information detected by the mobile terminal itself or position information specified by a user.
(Appendix 3) In Appendix 1,
The transfer request further includes an allowable distance to the fixed terminal or a time until a transfer process is started in response to a request from the mobile terminal, and the network transfers the request in response to the allowable distance or the mobile terminal. A communication system, wherein a corresponding fixed terminal is determined within a time range until processing is started.
(Appendix 4) In Appendix 1,
The communication system characterized in that the network distributes a map up to the fixed terminal to the mobile terminal.
(Appendix 5) In Appendix 1 or 4,
When the fixed terminal cannot be found or cannot be transferred, the network notifies the mobile terminal to that effect, and the mobile terminal receives this and sends a transfer cancellation request to the network.
(Appendix 6) In Appendix 1,
The communication system characterized in that the network charges the mobile terminal for a charge generated at the fixed terminal.
(Appendix 7) In any one of Appendices 1 to 6,
A communication system, wherein the mobile terminal comprises means for generating the position information by GPS.
(Appendix 8) In any one of Appendices 1 to 7,
A communication system, characterized in that the network previously measures position information of the fixed terminal by GPS and records it in a subscriber database.
(Appendix 9) In any one of Appendices 1 to 8,
A communication system characterized in that the network has a table including position information of fixed terminals, and determines a fixed terminal closest to the position information received from the mobile terminal based on the table.
(Appendix 10) In any one of Appendices 1 to 9,
A communication system, wherein the network is a general public telephone network or a mobile communication network.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
According to the communication system according to the present invention described above, during communication in the mobile terminals, to avoid cleavage by wear and deterioration of the communication quality of the battery capacity, it is possible to realize the communication continues, Since the system is based on the location information in the existing subscriber database, it is possible to transfer to a fixed terminal whose telephone number is unknown, such as a public telephone set on the street, without providing a new subscriber database. .
[0054]
Furthermore, if you want to use a public telephone set on the street but you do not have a telephone card or change, you can use it by communicating with the mobile terminal and then transferring it to the mobile telephone. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for transferring a communication call according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram when transfer is successful in the transfer procedure shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when transfer fails in the transfer procedure shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a novel cutting sequence diagram based on position information in the present invention.
6 is a flowchart when charging is performed in the sequence shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile terminal used in the communication system according to the present invention.
8 is a diagram showing screen transition of a screen display unit in the mobile terminal shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional communication system.
10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for transferring a communication call in the conventional example shown in FIG.
11 is a diagram showing the transfer procedure shown in FIG. 10 in a sequence. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Mobile terminal
2 Mobile communication network
3 Public telephone network
4 Fixed terminal
21 Base station
22 Mobile switching center
23, 31 Relay exchange
24, 34 Announcement device
25 Map provider
26,33 Subscriber database
32 Subscriber Exchange
35 Search device
11 Data transceiver
12 GPS receiver
13 Control unit
14 Memory
15 Microphone section
16 Speaker section
17 Key input section
18 Screen display part In the figure, the same code | symbol shows the same or an equivalent part.

Claims (3)

A mobile terminal making a transfer request including location information during a call;
A network for transferring the communication call to a fixed terminal corresponding to the position indicated by the position information ,
The transfer request further includes an allowable distance to the fixed terminal or a time until transfer processing is started in response to a request from the mobile terminal, and the network receives the allowable distance or a request from the mobile terminal. And determining a corresponding fixed terminal within a time range until a transfer process is started . In claim 1,
A communication system, wherein the position information is position information detected by the mobile terminal itself or position information specified by a user. In claim 1 or 2,
A communication system, wherein the network is a general public telephone network or a mobile communication network.

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