JP6291320B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, CALL CONNECTION CONTROL DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a call connection control device, and a communication method.

  SRVCC (Single Radio Voice Call Continuity) is known as a technology for inheriting voice communication from a VoIP voice call (VoLTE) based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) to a 3G network circuit switched voice call. Further, aSRVCC (alerting-SRVCC) is known as a method for continuing communication when one communication terminal shifts from the VoIP system to the circuit switching system during outgoing or incoming calls. This aSRVCC is defined from Release 10 in the 3GPP standardization standard as described in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 below.

3GPP TS 23.237 6.3.2.1.4d PS-CS Access Transfer: PS to CS-Single Radio, outgoing voice or video call in pre-alerting state or in alerting phase 3GPP TS 24.237 12.2.3B.3.2 Originating call in alerting phase

  However, if the user of the other communication terminal attempts to respond by operating the communication terminal during the processing related to aSRVCC activated when the communication terminal that is calling changes the connection destination from the LTE network to the 3G network, the core network If the call state of the communication terminal on the transmission side is not succeeded from the LTE network to the 3G network, it is possible that aSRVCC cannot be executed properly and communication cannot be continued.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a communication system, a call connection control device, and a communication that can continue communication more reliably when a communication terminal that is making a call changes a communication network of a connection destination It aims to provide a method.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is connectable to a first communication network and a second communication network, and transmits to a second communication terminal via the first communication network. A communication system for controlling a call connection between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal connectable to the first communication network, wherein the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal are connected to each other in the first communication network. A first call connection control device that performs call connection control of the communication terminal; and a second call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network, the first call connection control. When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the device transmits the connection to the second call connection control device. Notifying the call state information indicating that the call state of the first communication terminal is outgoing Call state notifying means, wherein the second call connection control device manages call state management means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information; Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the first communication terminal, and in the call state management means, the first communication And holding means for putting a response request from the second communication terminal in response to an outgoing call to the second communication terminal until the call state management of the terminal is started.

The call connection control device according to an aspect of the present invention is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network, and transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. the performing communication terminal, and the second communication terminal connectable to the first communication network, the included in the communication system for controlling a call connection, the call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network A two-call connection control device, wherein when the first communication terminal changes a connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the first communication network Based on call state information that is notified from the first call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal and indicates that the call state of the first communication terminal is outgoing. Call state management means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal; Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting management of the call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the management means; and the call state Holding means for putting a response request from the second communication terminal in response to a call to the second communication terminal until the management means starts managing the call state of the first communication terminal. And

A communication method according to an aspect of the present invention is a first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network and transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. And the second communication terminal connectable to the first communication network, and control call connection between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal in the first communication network. A communication method in a communication system, comprising: a call connection control device; and a second call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network, wherein the first call connection control device includes: When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during the transmission to the second communication terminal, the first call connection control device is informed of the first Notify the call status information indicating that the call status of the communication terminal is outgoing A call state notifying step, a call state managing step of managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the second call connection control device, and a call state management step of the second call connection control device. A connection step of starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the state management step; In the two-call connection control device, the response request from the second communication terminal to the outgoing call to the second communication terminal is set in the hold state until the call state management of the first communication terminal is started in the call state management step. And a holding step.

  According to the communication system, the call connection control device, and the communication method, the second call connection control device receives a response request from the second communication terminal until the management related to the call state of the first communication terminal is started. Even if a response is made, the response request is put on hold. For this reason, it is possible to prevent inappropriate processing in response to a response request from the second communication terminal, and the first communication terminal changes the connection destination communication network from the first communication network to the second communication network. Even if it is a case, communication can be continued reliably.

A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network, and transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. , the said second communication terminal connectable to a first communication network, a communication system for controlling a call connection, call connection control of the first communication terminal in a first communication network and the second communication terminal A first call connection control device that performs a call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network, and the first call connection control device includes the second call connection control device When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the communication terminal, the call of the first communication terminal is sent to the second call connection control device. Call state notification means for notifying call state information indicating that the state is outgoing The second call connection control device requests the first call connection control device to start communication related to the change of the connection destination of the first communication terminal in response to the change of the connection destination of the first communication terminal. A communication start request transmitting means for transmitting a communication start request; a call state managing means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information; and based on the call state information in the call state managing means. Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting management of the call state of the first communication terminal; and the call state notification means of the first call connection control device Is configured to transmit the call status information to the second call connection control device when responding to the communication start request transmitted from the second call connection control device.

A call connection control device according to another aspect of the present invention is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network, and transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. 1 and the communication terminal, the said second communication terminal connectable to a first communication network, included in the communication system for controlling a call connection, wherein the first communication network a first communication terminal and the second communication terminal A first call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal when the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal. In addition, call state information indicating that the call state of the first communication terminal is being transmitted is sent to a second call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network. Call state notifying means, wherein the call state notifying means is connected to the first communication terminal. When responding to the communication start request for requesting the start of communication related to the change of the connection destination of the first communication terminal transmitted from the second call connection control device in response to the change of the second call connection control device, It transmits to a call connection control apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

The communication method according to another aspect of the present invention is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network and transmits the first communication to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. the performing the terminal, and the second communication terminal connectable to the first communication network, of controlling the call connection, the call connection control of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal in said first communication network A communication method in a communication system, comprising: a first call connection control device; and a second call connection control device that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network, the first call connection control device When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the second call connection control apparatus Notify call status information indicating that the call status of one communication terminal is calling In the call state notification step, and in the second call connection control device, the connection destination of the first communication terminal is changed with respect to the first call connection control device when the connection destination of the first communication terminal is changed. A communication start request transmitting step for transmitting a communication start request for requesting the start of communication, a call state managing step for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information, and the call state managing step. A connection step of starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the management of the call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information, In the status notification step, the call status information is transmitted to the second call connection control device when responding to the communication start request transmitted from the second call connection control device.

  According to the communication system, the call connection control device, and the communication method, the response signal to the communication start request from the second call connection control device is transmitted from the first call connection control device to the second call connection control device. At this time, by transmitting the call state information of the first communication terminal, the transmission of the communication start request to the first call connection control device, which has occurred in the conventional communication method, and the second call connection control device The time lag between the start of management of call state information relating to the first communication terminal in FIG. Therefore, since it is possible to further prevent inappropriate processing in response to a response request from the second communication terminal, the first communication terminal changes the connection destination communication network from the first communication network to the second communication network. Even if it is a case where it changes, communication can be continued reliably.

  Here, the second call connection control device responds to the transmission to the second communication terminal from the second communication terminal until the call state management means starts managing the call state of the first communication terminal. It can be set as the aspect further provided with the holding means which puts a request into a holding state.

  Thus, until the management related to the call state of the first communication terminal is started, the second communication terminal has a configuration in which the response request is put on hold even when the response request from the second communication terminal is received. Inappropriate processing can be prevented in response to a response request from the user.

Furthermore, the communication system according to another aspect of the present invention is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network, and transmits the first communication to the second communication terminal via the first communication network. A communication system for controlling call connection between a terminal and the second communication terminal connectable to the first communication network, wherein the second communication terminal performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network. A call connection control device, wherein the second communication terminal transmits a response request for requesting response to an incoming call from the first communication terminal to the second call connection control device; Communication means for notifying call state information indicating that the call state of the first call is outgoing, and the second call connection control device manages a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information. State management means, and said call state information in said call state management means After start managing call state of the first communication terminal based on, characterized in that it comprises a connecting means for starting the voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal.

  According to the above communication system, when the first communication terminal transmits a response request to the second call connection control device, the call state information of the first communication terminal is notified, so that the conventional communication Reducing the time lag between the transmission of the communication start request to the first call connection control device generated in the method and the management start of the call state information related to the first communication terminal in the second call connection control device it can. In addition, since the response request and the call state information of the first communication terminal are transmitted from the second communication terminal, the second communication is performed in a situation where the second call connection control device does not grasp the call state of the first communication terminal. It is possible to prevent a response request from being received from the terminal. Therefore, even when the first communication terminal changes the connection destination communication network from the first communication network to the second communication network, the communication can be reliably continued.

  According to the present invention, a communication system, a call connection control device, and a communication method are provided that can continue communication more reliably when a communicating communication terminal changes a connection destination communication network.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of each apparatus which comprises a communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the MSC server and IMS which comprise a communication system. It is a figure which shows the information stored in the call state management part of a MSC server. It is a sequence diagram explaining the conventional aSRVCC. It is a sequence diagram explaining the process in the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the hold determination in an MSC server. It is a sequence diagram explaining the process in the communication system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the process in the communication system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating each device constituting the communication system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) 10, an MME (Mobile Management Entity) 20, an E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) 30, an MSC server (MSC Server) 40, a UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio). (Access Network) 50, UE (User Equipment) -A60, and UE-B70. Among these, the IMS 10 (first call connection control device), the MME 20, and the E-UTRAN 30 are devices on the core network side that control the LTE network N1 (first communication network). The MSC server 40 (second call connection control device) and the UTRAN 50 are devices on the core network side that controls the 3G network N2 (second communication network). Moreover, UE-A60 (1st communication terminal) and UE-B70 (2nd communication terminal) are terminals carried (possessed) by a user, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone or a tablet-type terminal. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the UE-A 60 can be connected to both the LTE network N1 and the 3G network N2. Further, it is assumed that the UE-B 70 can be connected to at least the LTE network N1.

  In the following description, in a situation where UE-A 60 makes a call connection to UE-B 70 and makes an incoming call to UE-B 70, UE-A 60 causes the LTE network due to the movement of the user or the like. A method for continuing communication between the UE-A 60 and the UE-B 70 when the connection destination is changed from the N1 to the 3G network N2 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the IMS 10, MME 20, E-UTRAN 30, MSC server 40, UTRAN 50, UE-A 60, and UE-B 70 included in the communication system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, each of these apparatuses physically includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102 and a ROM 103 as main storage devices, a communication module 104 as a data transmission / reception device, a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like. 105, a computer system including an input device 106 exemplified by a touch panel and a keyboard as input devices, an output device 107 such as a display, and the like. In the IMS 10, MME 20, E-UTRAN 30, MSC server 40, UTRAN 50, UE-A 60 and UE-B 70, by reading predetermined computer software on the hardware such as the CPU 101 and the RAM 102 shown in FIG. Originally, the communication module 104, the input device 106, and the output device 107 are operated, and a series of functions in each device is realized by reading and writing data in the RAM 102 and the auxiliary storage device 105. Hereinafter, returning to FIG. 1, the function of each device will be described in detail.

  The IMS 10 is a device that performs call control of VoLTE (Voice over LTE). VoLTE refers to a voice service using the LTE network N1. In VoIP, VoIP voice communication is performed. When the UE-A 60 and the UE-B 70 perform voice communication in the LTE network N1, the IMS 10 generates an incoming call on the other side according to the outgoing call on one side, and starts the voice communication between the two when the called side answers Let In this way, the IMS 10 performs control related to voice communication. Therefore, the IMS 10 appropriately stores information (call state information) related to the call state of the terminal that the IMS 10 is controlling. The call state information includes, for example, information identifying a communication terminal such as “UE-A 60 is transmitting”, “UE-B 70 is receiving”, “UE-A 60 and UE-B 70 are talking”, and the like This is information associated with information indicating the call connection status of the communication terminal.

  The MME 20 has a function of controlling movement of the communication terminal in the LTE network N1. The MME 20 also has a function of performing an authentication management function of the communication terminal. Further, the MME 20 functions as an exchange that also performs transmission / reception of a signal for switching a communication bearer (communication path) established between the communication terminal and the IMS 10 when the communication terminal moves.

  The E-UTRAN 30 is realized as a wireless network based on LTE. The E-UTRAN 30 includes an eNodeB (not shown) that is a base station, and a communication terminal can communicate with the E-UTRAN 30 to perform communication via the LTE network N1. In addition, the E-UTRAN 30 has a function of acquiring information related to wireless communication quality from subordinate communication terminals and determining whether or not to perform handover. Specifically, in the wireless communication quality information periodically transmitted from the communication terminal, when it is recognized that the quality is deteriorated, the change from the E-UTRAN 30 to the communication terminal is made to the other connection destination. Instruct. Examples of the connection destination to be changed include a base station different from the base station to which the communication terminal is currently connected in the LTE network N1, and a communication network (here, the 3G network N2) different from the LTE network N1.

  The MSC server 40 has a function of performing call connection control and movement control of communication terminals in the 3G network N2. The MSC server 40 appropriately stores information (call state information) related to the call state of the terminal controlled by the MSC server 40.

  The UTRAN 50 is realized as a 3G wireless network. The UTRAN 50 includes a base station (not shown), and a communication terminal can communicate with the UTRAN 50 to perform communication via the 3G network N2.

  The UE-A 60 includes communication means connectable to both the LTE network N1 and the 3G network N2. Moreover, UE-B70 is provided with the communication means which can be connected with respect to the LTE network N1 at least.

  Next, functions of the IMS 10 and the MSC server 40 that characterize the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The IMS 10 and the MSC server 40 communicate when the UE-A 60 changes the connection destination from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2, and transmit / receive information related to the UE-A 60. Communication performed between the two includes exchange of information relating to the call connection status of the UE-A 60.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the IMS 10 includes a message transmission / reception unit 11, a call state management unit 12, and a call state notification unit 13 (call state notification means). The message transmission / reception unit 11 has a function of transmitting / receiving information to / from the MSC server 40. The message transmitted / received here is a message that needs to be transmitted / received when the UE-A 60 changes the connection destination while maintaining communication with the UE-B 70.

  As described above, the call state management unit 12 has a function of holding a call state relating to a communication terminal (including UE-A 60 and UE-B 70) that controls call connection by the IMS 10.

  The call state notification unit 13 provides information (call state information) related to the call state of a specific communication terminal stored in the call state management unit 12 based on a request from another device such as the MSC server 40. Have

  The MSC server 40 includes a message transmission / reception unit (UE) 41 (connection unit), a message transmission / reception unit (IMS) 42 (communication start request transmission unit), a message holding unit 43 (holding unit), and a call state management unit 44 (call state management). Means) and a call state receiving unit 45.

  The message transmission / reception unit (UE) 41 has a function of transmitting / receiving a message to / from a communication terminal. The message transmission / reception unit (IMS) 42 has a function of transmitting / receiving a message to / from the IMS 10. This message includes communication such as location registration when the communication terminal is handed over, and communication for the communication terminal to start a voice call.

  The message holding unit 43 is managed by the call state management unit 44 when a response request is sent from the communication terminal (here, UE-B 70) to respond to an incoming call (want to start a call). Based on the information, it is determined whether or not the response request is to be handled as a hold, and when it is determined that the response request is to be held, a function for holding the process related to the response request until it is in an appropriate state is provided. The situation where the response request should be suspended in the MSC server 40 includes, for example, a case where the MSC server 40 has not acquired call state information indicating the call state of the UE-A 60 from the IMS 10. Processing related to the hold will be described later.

  The call state management unit 44 has a function of holding a call state relating to a communication terminal (including the UE-A 60) that controls call connection by the MSC server 40. Further, the call state accepting unit 45 has a function of acquiring call state information of a communication terminal such as UE-A 60 notified from the IMS 10.

  An example of information managed by the call state management unit 44 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, information indicating the owner (user A) of UE-A 60 corresponding to the information specifying UE-A 60 is associated with information indicating the operation of UE-A 60 and call state information. Specifically, as information indicating the operation of the UE-A 60, it is indicated that the UE-A 60 is in SRVCC. In SRVCC, that is, it indicates that the communication terminal is executing processing related to changing the connection destination from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2 while maintaining communication with other communication terminals. Moreover, the information which shows the call state of UE-A60 (user A) is not described in FIG. This indicates that the MSC server 40 has started processing related to the change of the connection destination of the UE-A 60 but has not yet acquired the call state information of the UE-A 60 from the IMS 10. On the other hand, as for user C, it is shown that it is in SRVCC and the call state is outgoing. This indicates that the call state of the user C has already been notified from the IMS 10. As described above, the call state management unit 44 updates the information related to the call connection status related to each communication terminal based on the information transmitted from the IMS 10. Note that the call state management unit 44 may also manage call state information related to a communication terminal that is not in SRVCC (for example, a communication terminal that has been in the 3G network N2 since the start of communication).

  Next, a communication method in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, referring to FIG. 5, communication between devices including a conventional aSRVCC (alerting-SRVCC) will be described, and then problems with the related art will be described. Here, what is described as a prior art is a process standardized in 3GPP.

  Thereafter, a communication method by the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the sequence diagrams used in the following description, for communication by UE-A 60, wireless communication (wireless unit), packet switching (PS) via LTE network N1, and circuit switching via 3G network N2 (PS) Communication using the CS (Circuit Switching) method is shown separately.

  First, a conventional communication method will be described with reference to FIG. As a premise, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that UE-A 60 and UE-B 70 are in the LTE network N1 and are calling from UE-B 70 to UE-A 60 and calling UE-A 60. (S101). At this time, in the IMS 10, information indicating that the UE-A 60 is calling and information indicating that the UE-B 70 is receiving are stored in the call state management unit 12 as call state information.

  Here, when the E-UTRAN 30 receives a radio quality report (“Measurement reports”) (S102) periodically transmitted from the UE-A 60, it is determined that a handover to the 3G network L2 is necessary. (S103). In this case, an instruction related to the handover of the UE-A 60 is from the E-UTRAN 30 to the MME 20 (“Handover Required”: S104), from the MME 20 to the MSC server 40 (“PS to CS Req”: S105), and from the MSC server 40 It is transmitted to the UTRAN 50 ("HO Request / Ack": S106), and preparation processing related to the handover of the UE-A 60 is performed in each device. The result is transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the MME 20 ("PS to CS Rsp": S107), and from the MME 20 to the E-UTRAN 30 ("Handover Command": S108). Completes the preparation process related to the handover of the UE-A 60. Then, a handover instruction (“HO from EUTRAN command”: S109) is transmitted from the E-UTRAN 30 to the UE-A 60, and the UE-A 60 changes the connection destination from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2 based on the handover instruction. (Transition) is performed (S110). In the handover preparation process so far, the IMS 10 does not hold information related to the handover of the UE-A 60 and does not perform communication related to the handover with another device. Not sent to. For this reason, the MSC server 40 cannot grasp the call state of the UE-A 60.

  Next, processing related to aSRVCC is started. Specifically, a process of taking over the call state information of UE-A 60 from IMS 10 to MSC server 40 is performed. At this time, since the MSC server 40 that also performs movement control of the communication terminal in the 3G network N2 knows that the UE-A 60 performs the handover, the MSC server 40 provides the information of the UE-A 60 to the IMS 10. And the IMS 10 provides the call information to the MSC server 40. The process related to aSEVCC is started when the process in the MSC server 40 related to the change of the connection destination of the UE-A 60 is completed (S107).

  Specifically, first, a communication start request (“SIP INVITE”) is transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the IMS 10 (S111: communication start request transmission step). Thereby, the process (aSRVCC) related to the change of the connection destination of the UE-A 60 is started. At the same time, the call state management unit 44 of the MSC server 40 stores call state information related to the UE-A 60. At this stage, the UE-A 60 is in SRVCC, but since the specific call state cannot be grasped by the MSC server 40, the call state is left blank as "User A" shown in FIG. In this state, information related to the UE-A 60 is stored in the call state management unit 44.

  In response to the communication start request from the MSC server 40, a response signal (“SIP 183”) is transmitted from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 (S 112), and communication related to aSRVCC is performed between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10. ("SIP PRACK": S113, "SIP 200 (OK)": S114). Thereafter, call state information of the UE-A 60 (here, information indicating that the UE-A 60 is transmitting) is notified from the call state notification unit 13 of the IMS 10 ("SIP INFO": S115, call state notification) Step), this is accepted by the call state acceptance unit 45 of the MSC server 40. Further, the MSC server 40 responds to the IMS 10 that the call state information related to SRVCC has been taken over (“SIP 200 (OK)”: S116). Based on the call state information from the IMS 10, information indicating that the UE-A 60 is transmitting is stored in the MSC server 40 by updating the information in the call state management unit 44 of the MSC server 40 ( S117, call state management step) From this stage, management of the call state of the UE-A 60 is started in the MSC server 40. Through the above processing, it is understood that the UE-A 60 is transmitting and is waiting for a response from the UE-B 70 also on the core network side of the 3G network N2.

  Thereafter, when the user of the UE-B 70 responds by operating the terminal (S121), a response request is transmitted from the UE-B 70 to the IMS 10 and from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 via the LTE network N1 ( "SIP 200 (OK) INVITE": S122, response request receiving step), the MSC server 40 notifies the MME 20 that the user has responded ("SIP 200 (OK) INVITE": S123). Further, the MME 20 notifies the UE-A 60 that there has been a response from the UE-B 70, and the UE-A 60 performs a call start process ("CC: CONNECT": S124, "CC: CONNECTACK"). ": S125). Thereafter, notification is performed from the MME 20 to the MSC server 40 (“SIP ACK”: S126), and an instruction to start voice communication is transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the UE-70 (“SIP ACK”: S127). Thereafter, a voice call is performed between the UE-A 60 and the UE-B 70 (S128). The process from the transmission of the response request from the UE-B 70 to the MSC server 40 (S122) to the response to the UE-B 70 (S127) is a process (connection step) for starting a voice call. In this way, after UE-A 60 transitions to 3G network N2, until UE-A 60 and UE-B 70 start a voice call, the UE-A 60 performs processing related to the handover, and UE-A 60 It is necessary for the MSC server 40 to grasp the call state. In the conventional communication method, among the communications related to aSRVCC (S111 to S117) performed between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10, the call state information of the UE-A 60 from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 in "SIP INFO" (S115). After that, the MSC server 40 updates the call state related to the UE-A 60 of the call state management unit 44 (S117). That is, even if the communication related to aSRVCC is started, the MSC server 40 updates the call state related to the UE-A 60 of the call state management unit 44 and starts the call state management in the call state management unit 44 (S117). The MSC server 40 cannot grasp that the UE-A 60 is transmitting and waiting for a response from the UE-B 70. That is, a plurality of communications between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 are performed between the start of communication related to aSRVCC (S111) and the start of management of call state information related to the UE-A 60 in the call state management unit 44 (S117). This causes a time lag. Therefore, even if there is a response request (S122) to the incoming call from UE-B 70 during this period (S111 to S117), the MSC server 40 does not grasp the call state of UE-A 60, so the response from UE-B 70 There was a possibility that appropriate processing including notification to the UE-A 60 could not be performed for the request. When appropriate processing cannot be performed in response to a response request from the UE-B 70, communication between the UE-A 60 and the UE-B 70 may be interrupted.

  On the other hand, in the communication method in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, processing as shown in FIG. 6 is performed. Specifically, the processing (S101 to S110) related to the handover of the UE-A 60 from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2 is the same as the conventional method.

  Thereafter, the MSC server 40 starts communication related to the aSRVCC of the UE-A 60 with the IMS 10 (S111), and the MSC server 40 also receives the response request when receiving a response request from the UE-B 70. The “hold state” in which the process is not performed is started (S141: hold step). Here, when the user's operation is earlier than before (S121) and the response request from the UE-B 70 is transmitted before the call state of the UE-A 60 is updated in the MSC server 40 (S117) ( Even in S122), the MSC server 40 holds the response request from the UE-B 70 and temporarily stores the response request in the message holding unit 43. Then, as usual, communication between the IMS 10 and the MSC server 40 (S111 to S116), and in the MSC server 40, the call state of the UE-A 60 is updated (S117). 43, and processes (S123 to S128) related to the voice call with the UE-A 60 based on the response request (S122) from the UE-B 70 are executed.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not the response request from the communication terminal should be put on hold in the MSC server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the MSC server 40 receives a response request ("SIP 200 (OK) INVITE": refer to S122 in FIG. 6) from the UE-B 70 (S201), it is determined whether or not SRVCC has been activated (S201). S202). This is determined based on whether the information indicating “in SRVCC” is stored in the call state management unit 44 in association with the information specifying the UE-A 60. If it is determined that the UE-A 60 is not in SRVCC (after activation), normal processing (S203) related to the start of a voice call between the UE-A 60 and the UE-B 70 is performed. Next, when it is determined that SRVCC is in progress (after startup), it is determined whether the call state has been set (S204).

  The call state is not set until the call state information stored in the call state management unit 44 is updated based on the information from the IMS 10 in the MSC server 40 (S117). Therefore, this determination is made based on whether information indicating the call state is stored in the call state management unit 44 in association with the information specifying the UE-A 60. Until the call state information stored in the call state management unit 44 is updated based on information from the IMS 10 in the MSC server 40 (S117), as shown in “User A” in FIG. Is not described, it is determined that the call state is not set, and the subsequent processing is put on hold (S206). On the other hand, when the call state has already been set, that is, as shown in “User C” in FIG. 4, information related to the call state is described, processing corresponding to the call state is performed ( S205). Thus, since the information stored in the call state management unit 44 of the MSC server 40 is updated based on the call state information of the UE-A 60 notified from the IMS 10, the information stored in the call state management unit 44 is updated. Based on this, it is determined whether to hold the response request from the UE-B 70.

  As described above, in the communication system 1 and the communication method according to the present embodiment, the MSC server 40 receives the response request from the UE-B 70 until the management related to the call state of the UE-A 60 is started (S117). Even in the case (S122), the state is put on hold (S141). For this reason, since it is possible to prevent improper processing from being performed in response to the response request from the UE-B 70, the UE-A 60, which is the originating communication terminal, changes the connection destination communication network from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network. Even if it is a case where it changes to N2, communication can be continued reliably.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The communication method according to the second embodiment can be realized by a communication system similar to the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, in the conventional communication method, between the communication start related to aSRVCC (S111) and the call state information management start related to UE-A 60 in the call state management unit 44 (S117). Since a plurality of times of communication between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 are performed, a time lag occurs. For this reason, when a response request (S122) is received from the UE-B 70 during this time lag (S111 to S117), there is a possibility that subsequent processing cannot be performed appropriately.

  Therefore, in the communication method according to the second embodiment, the communication content between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 is changed in order to shorten the time lag (S111 to S117). Specific processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processing (S101 to S110) related to the handover of the UE-A 60 from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2 is the same as the conventional method. Thereafter, as a process related to aSRVCC, a communication start request (“SIP INVITE”) is transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the IMS 10 (S111). Thereby, the process (aSRVCC) related to the change of the connection destination of the UE-A 60 is started.

  In the conventional communication method, after a response signal (“SIP 183”: S112) is transmitted, communication is performed between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 (“SIP PRACK”: S113, “SIP 200 (OK). ) ": S114), and thereafter, the call state information of the UE-A 60 was transmitted from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 (" SIP INFO ": S115).

  In contrast, in the communication method according to the present embodiment, when a response signal ("SIP 183": S112) is transmitted from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 in response to a communication start request transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the IMS 10. In addition, the call state notification unit 13 transmits the call state information of the UE-A 60 to the MSC server 40. In this case, information indicating that the UE-A 60 is receiving is stored in the MSC server 40 by updating the information in the call state management unit 44 of the MSC server 40 based on the call state information from the IMS 10. (S117). In this case, after the communication related to the aSRVCC (“SIP PRACK”: S113, “SIP 200 (OK)”: S114) is performed between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10, in the call state management unit 44 of the MSC server 40 Management of call state information related to the UE-A 60 is started (S117). That is, communication (S115, S116) related to notification of call state information that has been conventionally performed can be omitted.

  As described above, when the response signal for the communication start request is transmitted, the call state notification unit 13 notifies the MSC server 40 of the call state information, so that the aSRVCC generated in the conventional communication method can be prevented. The time lag between the communication start (S111) and the call state information management start (S117) related to the UE-A 60 in the call state management unit 44 can be shortened. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent inappropriate processing for the response request of the UE-B 70 from being performed, the UE-A 60, which is a communication terminal that is transmitting, changes the communication network of the connection destination from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network. Even if it is a case where it changes to N2, communication can be continued reliably.

  In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, from the start of communication related to aSRVCC (S111) to the start of management related to the call state of UE-A60 (S117), Although the processing in the case of a hold state (S141) in which a response request is received is shown, the hold state is not essential. That is, it is good also as a structure similar to the conventional communication method. However, it is preferable to set the hold state (S141) during the time lag (S111 to S117) because the possibility of performing inappropriate processing in response to a response request from the UE-B 70 can be further reduced.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a communication method according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The communication method according to the third embodiment can be realized by a communication system similar to the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  In the communication method according to the third embodiment, similarly to the communication method according to the second embodiment, the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 are configured to shorten the time lag (S111 to S117) that has occurred in the conventional communication method. It was set as the structure which changes the information contained in the response request | requirement from UE-B70 instead of communication between. Specific processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processing (S101 to S110) related to the handover of the UE-A 60 from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2 is the same as the conventional method. Thereafter, as a process related to aSRVCC, a communication start request (“SIP INVITE”) is transmitted from the MSC server 40 to the IMS 10 (S111). Thereby, the process (aSRVCC) related to the change of the connection destination of the UE-A 60 is started.

  In the conventional communication method, after a response signal (“SIP 183”: S112) is transmitted, communication is performed between the MSC server 40 and the IMS 10 (“SIP PRACK”: S113, “SIP 200 (OK). ) ": S114), then, the call state information of the UE-A 60 is transmitted from the IMS 10 to the MSC server 40 (" SIP INFO ": S115), and then the UE-A 60 in the call state management unit 44 is sent to the UE-A 60. Management of the call state information has been started (S117).

  On the other hand, in the communication method according to the third embodiment, when the user operates the UE-B 70 (S121) and transmits a response request from the UE-B 70 to the MSC server 40 via the IMS 10 (S122). The UE-B 70 notifies the call state of the UE-A 60. Since the UE-B 70 knows that the incoming call from the UE-A 60 is being received, the UE-B 70 notifies the MSC server 40 of this. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, even when a response request is transmitted from the UE-B 70 before the call state information is notified from the IMS 10, Since the call state information of A60 is notified from the UE-B 70 to the MSC server 40, the MSC server 40 can start managing the call state information in the call state management unit 44 (S117).

  As described above, when the communication terminal (UE-B 70) transmits a response request, the call state information of the communication terminal (UE-A 60) of the other party is notified, which occurs in the conventional communication method. In addition, the time lag between the start of communication related to aSRVCC (S111) and the start of management of call state information related to UE-A 60 in the call state management unit 44 (S117) can be shortened. Further, since the response request and the call state information are transmitted from the UE-A 60, the MSC server 40 prevents the response request from being received from the UE-B 70 in a situation where the call state of the UE-A 60 is not grasped. Can do. Therefore, even when UE-A 60, which is a transmitting communication terminal, changes the connection destination communication network from the LTE network N1 to the 3G network N2, the communication can be reliably continued.

  In the present embodiment, since a response request and call state information related to UE-A 60 are simultaneously transmitted from UE-B 70, communication related to aSRVCC is started (S111) and then the call state of UE-A 60 is set. Until such management is started (S117), when a response request from the UE-B 70 is received, it is not necessary to enter a hold state.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the communication system according to the present invention can be variously modified.

  For example, the functions of each device shown in the communication system 1 including the IMS 10 and the MSC server 40 may be included in one device, or may be distributed to different devices. There may be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... IMS, 20 ... MME, 30 ... E-UTRAN, 40 ... MSC server, 50 ... UTRAN, 60 ... UE-A, 70 ... UE-B.

Claims (5)

A first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network , and that transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network; and the first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network . A communication system for controlling call connection between two communication terminals,
A first call connection control device for performing call connection control of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal in the first communication network;
A second call connection control device for performing call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network;
With
The first call connection control device includes:
When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the first communication is performed with respect to the second call connection control device. Call state notifying means for notifying call state information indicating that the call state of the terminal is outgoing,
The second call connection control device includes:
Call state management means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information;
Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the call state management means;
A holding unit that puts a response request from the second communication terminal in response to a call to the second communication terminal until the call state management unit starts managing the call state of the first communication terminal;
A communication system comprising: A first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network , and that transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network; and the first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network . A second call connection control device that is included in a communication system that controls call connection with two communication terminals and that performs call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network,
When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the first communication terminal and the first communication terminal in the first communication network 2 Call state of the first communication terminal based on call state information notified from the first call connection control device that performs call connection control of the communication terminal and indicating that the call state of the first communication terminal is outgoing Call state management means for managing
Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the call state management means;
A holding unit that puts a response request from the second communication terminal in response to a call to the second communication terminal until the call state management unit starts managing the call state of the first communication terminal;
A call connection control device comprising: A first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network, and that transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network; and the first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network. A communication system for controlling call connection between two communication terminals,
A first call connection control device for performing call connection control of the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal in the first communication network;
A second call connection control device for performing call connection control of the first communication terminal in the second communication network;
With
The first call connection control device includes:
When the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the first communication is performed with respect to the second call connection control device. Call state notifying means for notifying call state information indicating that the call state of the terminal is outgoing,
The second call connection control device includes:
A communication start request for transmitting a communication start request for requesting the first call connection control device to start communication related to the change of the connection destination of the first communication terminal when the connection destination of the first communication terminal is changed A transmission means;
Call state management means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information;
Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the call state management means;
The call state notification means of the first call connection control device sends the call state information to the second call connection control device when responding to the communication start request transmitted from the second call connection control device. Send
The second call connection controller, prior Symbol call state management unit to start the management of the call state of the first communication terminal, the response request from the second communication terminal for transmission of the second communication terminal A communication system comprising a holding means for setting a holding state. A first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network , and that transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network; and the first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network . A communication system for controlling call connection between two communication terminals,
A second call connection control device for controlling call connection of the first communication terminal in the second communication network;
When the second communication terminal transmits a response request for requesting response to an incoming call from the first communication terminal to the second call connection control device, the call state of the first communication terminal is being transmitted. A communication means for notifying call state information indicating that there is,
The second call connection control device includes:
Call state management means for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information;
Connection means for starting a voice call between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the call state management means;
A communication system comprising: A first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network and the second communication network , and that transmits to the second communication terminal via the first communication network; and the first communication terminal that is connectable to the first communication network . A first call connection control device that controls call connection between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal in the first communication network, and controls the call connection between the second communication terminal and the second communication network. A communication method in a communication system comprising a second call connection control device that performs call connection control of a first communication terminal,
In the first call connection control device, when the first communication terminal changes the connection destination from the first communication network to the second communication network during transmission to the second communication terminal, the second call connection A call state notifying step for notifying the control device of call state information indicating that the call state of the first communication terminal is being transmitted;
In the second call connection control device, a call state management step for managing a call state of the first communication terminal based on the call state information;
In the second call connection control device, after starting the call state management of the first communication terminal based on the call state information in the call state management step, between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal A connection step for initiating a voice call;
In the second call connection control device, the response request from the second communication terminal for the call to the second communication terminal is suspended until the call state management of the first communication terminal is started in the call state management step A hold step to be in a state;
A communication method comprising:

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