JPH0951379A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a communication system enabling a desired communication service if reserving by providing the reserving means of communication services, which is obtained by combining terminals and a network organically. SOLUTION: The communication system obtained by connecting the plural terminals 2a and 2b to the network 1 is provided with means 1-1, 2a-2, 2b-2, 2a-4 and 2b-4 receiving the reserving register of the resource utilization of a related terminal to realize the communication service among the plural terminals and the reserving register of the time desired to utilize the service and the terminal of the communication opposite party. In addition the communication system is equipped with means 1-1, 2a-1 and 2b-1 calling the terminal of the reserve-registered communication opposite party when it becomes the time desired to utilize the service based on these reserving register, and means 1-1, 2a-1 and 2b-1 securing reserve-registered resources to enable communication by this calling.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system configured by connecting a plurality of terminals to a network, and particularly to providing a communication service reservation means in which the terminals and the network are organically linked, and , A communication system that facilitates the development of such communication services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of computer system technology, communication technology, and multimedia technology, not only data communication in the field of computer communication,
It has become possible to communicate using various media such as voice and images (moving images and still images). However, it is necessary that each media that oneself wants to use is also available to the other side, and the problem is that when communicating, each media that the self requesting source uses Resources that can be used (hardware resources and software resources for operating them)
That is, the requesting party cannot know whether or not the other party has also, and whether or not it is available.

A conventional communication system is shown in FIG.

In order to explain the conventional technique, an ISDN network will be taken as an example of a communication network as an example.
A communication system constructed by connecting SDN terminals will be taken up.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of an ISDN network, showing a state in which a plurality of ISDN terminals 2 are connected to the ISDN network 1. In the ISDN network 1, I
When connecting a call between SDN terminals, a call setting message is issued to set communication between two ISDN terminals 2. FIG. 9 shows an example of the ISDN basic call control procedure when a call is rejected by the network in FIG.

Upon receiving the "call setup" message ("SETUP ()") 10 from the ISDN terminal 2, the network receives the IS
The DN terminal 2 checks the vacancy of the communication channel and the vacancy of the resource in the network desired by the DN terminal 2, and if the request cannot be met, the reason number (# 34 in FIG. : Available line / no channel) is set, and this is issued to the ISDN terminal 2.

Even if the resources of the ISDN network 1 are secured, if the resources of the receiving ISDN terminal 2 are not secured,
Similarly, the call is rejected. For example, a terminal such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation that uses a terminal resource for communication by an application other than communication can be connected, but such a terminal may not communicate with the terminal. , Does not mean that the terminal resource is currently available,
In addition, it is often the case that the terminal resource is blocked while communication is not being performed.

Although ISDN can also reserve a connection or a trunk line, it does not have a means for reserving resources (for example, conference means) provided on the other network side.

[0009]

In order to perform communication between terminals connected to the ISDN network, the calling side terminal sends a call connection message to the network, and the network side sends the call connection message to the terminal as desired. It checks the available communication channels and the available resources in the network, and if they are available, it makes an incoming call to the destination terminal.
If it is not available, as a matter of course, it will not be possible to connect, so the call procedure will be repeated. However, it is a random operation because it is not possible to know the availability of terminal resources of the connection partner unless you actually make a call.
It is troublesome when the other party is communicating for a long time and is communicating with another party, or when the other party is busy and cannot communicate as expected.

In order to establish the connection between the terminals without delay even in such a case, it is effective to secure network resources and resources of the partner terminal or the terminal group constituting the communication service in advance.

However, the current communication services include
There is a problem that there is no effective way to reserve resources.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a reservation means for a communication service in which a terminal and a network are organically linked in a communication system including a network and a plurality of terminals connected to the network. It is to obtain a communication system that enables a desired communication service if provided and reserved.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system of the present invention intends to realize a communication service among the plurality of terminals in a communication system in which a plurality of terminals are connected to a network. Means for accepting communication resources of a related terminal, a desired time, and reservation registration of a communication partner terminal; and a call generating means for generating a call to the reserved communication partner terminal when the desired time comes based on these reservation registrations. , Means for securing the reserved communication resources and enabling communication by the call from the call generating means.

In such a configuration, when the reservation registration of the resource use of the related terminal that intends to realize the communication service among the plurality of terminals and the reservation registration of the desired time and the communication partner terminal are made, the reception means makes the reservation registration. To do. Then, the means for calling the communication partner terminal calls the communication partner terminal that has made the reservation registration when the desired time is reached based on these reservation registrations. By this call, the reserved resources are secured to enable communication.

More specifically, it is a communication system composed of a network and a plurality of terminals connected to the network.
First to implement communication service among multiple terminals
First reservation means for reserving one or more resources of the network according to a request from the terminal to give a first reservation identifier, and reservation contents reserved by the first reservation identifier and the first reservation identifier (reservation time , Reserved resources), and first connection control means for realizing a communication service by connecting reserved network resources to a plurality of terminals. Is a second reservation means for a terminal related to a communication service including the first terminal to reserve the terminal resource by a request from the first terminal directly or through the network, and at least the first reservation identifier and the terminal. The second storage means for storing the relationship between the reserved terminal resource and the first reserved identifier and the reserved terminal resource, and the terminal resource is reserved with the first reserved identification. The second connection control means for connecting to the existing network resource. Obtain.

In the communication system having such a structure, resources are reserved when communication is attempted. Reservation of network resources is performed by the following procedure.

When a communication reservation request is issued from the terminal, the network accepts the communication reservation request from this terminal by the first connection control means, and issues a resource reservation instruction to the first reservation means. Upon receiving the instruction, the first reservation means reserves the instructed resource, issues a first reservation identifier, and creates a table for managing the reserved resource corresponding to the first reservation identifier, Saved in the first storage means.

After that, the first reservation means notifies the first connection control means of the first reservation identifier.

Upon receiving the first reservation identifier, the first connection control means extracts the address of the terminal associated with the reservation communication from the communication reservation request message, creates a table for managing the first reservation identifier, and 1 is stored in the storage means. After that, the first reservation identifier is set in the reservation request completion message to the requesting terminal and transmitted.

The first reservation means passes through one or more second connection control means for notification of notifying the second connection control means of the first reservation identifier via the first connection control means. There may be children who do.

Reservation of terminal resources is performed in the following procedure. The terminal that is going to make a reservation, based on its own request,
The other terminals, based on the communication reservation request from the terminal or the network to make the reservation, the second connection control means of each terminal instructs the second reservation means to reserve the resource. The second reservation means that has received the instruction reserves the instructed resource, manages the reserved resources, creates a table that is associated with the first reservation identifier, and stores the table in the second storage means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication service reservation means that organically connects the terminal and the network in order to reserve the network resource and the terminal resource independently.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The system of the present invention is a communication system in which a plurality of terminals are connected to a network. A first reservation means for reserving one or more resources of the network according to the request to provide a first reservation identifier;
The first storage means for storing the relationship between the first reservation identifier and the reservation content (reservation time, reservation resource) reserved by the first reservation identifier, and the reserved network resource First to connect to multiple terminals to implement communication services
Connection control means of the terminal, and the terminal related to the communication service including the first terminal reserves the terminal resource in response to a request from the first terminal directly or through the network. Second reservation means, second storage means for storing at least the relationship between the first reservation identifier and the terminal resource reserved for the terminal, and the first reservation identifier and the reserved terminal A second connection control means is provided, which corresponds to resources and connects the terminal resources with the network resources reserved by the first reservation identification.

In such a communication system, reservation of network resources is performed by the following procedure. The network accepts a communication reservation request from the terminal by the first connection control means and gives a resource reservation instruction to the first reservation means. Upon receiving the instruction, the first reservation means reserves the instructed resource, issues a first reservation identifier, and creates a table for managing the reserved resources corresponding to the first reservation identifier. Save in storage means.

After that, the first reservation means notifies the first connection control means of the first reservation identifier. Upon receiving the first reservation identifier, the first connection control means extracts the address of the terminal related to the reservation communication from the communication reservation request message, creates a table for managing the first reservation identifier, and stores the first storage. Save to means. After that, the first reservation identifier is set in the reservation request completion message to the requesting terminal and transmitted.

The procedure for reserving terminal resources will be described below. However, the procedure for reserving terminal resources is slightly different depending on the terminal that is trying to make a communication service reservation and other terminals.

First, the procedure for reserving the terminal resources of the terminal attempting to reserve the communication service will be described. The second connection control means of the terminal making the reservation issues a resource reservation instruction to the second reservation means.

At this point, if the first reservation identifier has already been received from the network, it is sent to the second reservation means at the same time when the reservation is supported. The second reservation means that has received the instruction reserves the instructed resource, creates a table for managing the reserved resources, and holds the table in the second storage means.

At this time, when the first reservation identifier is received, the correspondence between the first reservation identifier and the reserved terminal resource is also held in the second storage means to complete the reservation. Next, the other terminals receive the communication reservation request from the terminal or the network which is going to reserve the communication service by the second connection control means, and give the resource reservation instruction to the second reservation means. At this time, if the first reservation identifier is set in the communication reservation request, it is sent to the second reservation means at the same time when the reservation is supported.

Upon receipt of the instruction, the second reservation means reserves the instructed resource, creates a table for managing the reserved resources, and stores the table in the second storage means. At this time, when the first reservation identifier is received, the correspondence between the first reservation identifier and the reserved terminal resource is also stored in the second storage means to complete the reservation.

After this, the reservation completion notice may or may not be sent.

There are the following two methods for realizing communication.

(1) One is a method of transmitting a call setup message from the network side to all the related terminals when the reserved time is reached, which is used for communication to be realized from the first connection control means. The first reservation identifier is included in the communication setting request to all related terminals, and the terminals that have received the communication setting request each seek the resource reserved for the first reservation identifier from the second storage means and set the communication. Connect to the requested network resource.

(2) Another is a method of transmitting a call setup message from the terminal side at an arbitrary time when the communication reservation is valid. Each terminal having the first reservation identifier makes a first reservation to the network. When the communication setting request is issued by designating the identifier, the network accepts the request by the first connection control means, and the first connection control means receives the request.
A communication service that allocates a network resource corresponding to the first reservation identifier from the storage means, connects the network resource to the terminal resource of the terminal that issued the communication setting request, and realizes the service other than the terminal that issued the communication setting request. First terminal related to
The first reservation identifier is set and issued in the communication setting request for them.

According to the present invention, the reservation of network resources and the reservation of terminal resources can be independently performed, so that a communication service reservation means that organically connects the terminal and the network can be provided.

(More Specific Embodiment) Hereinafter, a specific example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is a specific example of a communication system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a communication network that provides communication services, 2a, 2b, and 2c are terminals that request communication services,
1-1 refers to one or more resources of the network 1 to a plurality of terminals 2a, 2
It is a first connection control means for realizing communication by connecting to b and 2c.

Further, 1-2 is a first reservation means for reserving the resources of the network 1 in response to a communication reservation request from the terminals 2a, 2b, 2c and giving a first reservation identifier, and 1-3 is the network 1 Network resource management means for managing the resources on the side, 1-4 is a first storage means for storing the relationship between the first reservation identifier and the reservation content reserved by the first reservation identifier, 2a-1, 2b
-1, 2c-1 (not shown) are second connection control means for connecting terminal resources reserved by the terminals 2a, 2b, 2c to network resources reserved by the first reservation identifier.

Reference numerals 2a-2, 2b-2, 2c-2 (not shown) are second reservation means for the terminals 2a, 2b, 2c to secure resources relating to communication services, respectively, and 2a-
3, 2b-3, 2c-3 (not shown) are terminals 2a, 2
It is a terminal resource management means for managing the resources on the side of b and 2c.

2a-4, 2b-4, 2c-4 (not shown) are the first reservation identifier and their own terminals 2a, 2b, 2c.
Terminal local reservation identifier and its own terminals 2a, 2b, 2c
It is a second storage means for storing the relationship between the reservation content reserved by the terminal local reservation identifier of the.

FIG. 1 also shows the procedure for making a communication reservation. Here, it is assumed that the terminal 2a has a three-party conference with the terminals 2b and 2c, and an example of what kind of network and resource of the terminal to reserve is illustrated.

[Communication Service Reservation Operation] [Operation of Terminal 2a] If a reservation operation from the terminal 2a is used to make a reservation for a network-initiated tripartite conference, network resources for the tripartite conference are first provided. A series of operations necessary for making a reservation is performed by operating the terminal 2a.

As a result, the terminal 2a issues a communication reservation request message to the network 1 in order to reserve network resources for holding a three-party conference (1). In the communication reservation supply message, the service type (in this case, the type is three-party conference), "communication setting start absolute time / relative time /
Resource holding time (communication setting start absolute time xx: yy: z
z), communication setting initiative request (in this case, network initiative), and address (telephone number) information of the communication partner.

[Operation of Network 1] In the network 1, the communication reservation request message is accepted by the first connection control means 1-1, and the communication that the request issuing terminal is trying to realize from the request content (in this case, three (1) requesting the first reservation means to issue the first reservation identifier by designating the required network resource (2).

The first reservation means 1-2 in the network 1 refers to the network resource management means 1-3 to (3) secure the network resources,
Issue a first reservation identifier. Next first reservation means 1-
2 creates a table for managing the resources secured corresponding to the issued first reservation identifier and stores it in the first storage means 1-4 (4).

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the data string stored in the first storage means 1-4. Also, the first reservation means 1-2
Notifies the first reservation identifier to the first connection control means 1-1 (5). Next, the first connection control means 1-1 refers to the parameters of the communication reservation request message and creates a list of members who participate in the three-party conference corresponding to the first reservation identifier. Save it in 1-4 (6).

FIG. 3 shows an example of a data string stored in the first storage means 1-4. Also, the first connection control means 1-
1 is a reservation acceptance completion notification message for the terminal 2a,
The first reservation identifier is set and issued (7).

[Operation of Terminal 2a] Next, the second connection control means 2a-1 of the terminal 2a has the necessary resources for securing the resources of its own terminal required for the three-party conference and the first resource. A reservation identifier is designated and a reservation is requested from the second reservation means 2a-2 (8).

As a result, the second reservation means 2a-2
Secure resources by referring to the terminal resource management means 2a-3 (9)
Then, a reservation identifier local to the terminal is issued, a terminal resource table is created corresponding to this identifier, and the second storage means 2
Save in a-4 (10).

Further, the second reservation means 2a-2 creates a table for managing the first reservation identifier corresponding to the terminal local reservation identifier of the own terminal 2a, and the second storage means 2a-
It is stored in 4 (10).

Further, the terminal 2a secures the resources of the other terminals 2b and 2c participating in the conference by the following procedure. Terminal 2a
The connection control means 2a-1 of 1 specifies the first identifier and sends a communication reservation message to the terminals 2b and 2c (1
2).

The operation of the terminal 2b will be described below.
In c, resources are secured by the same operation. The second connection control means 2b-1 of the terminal 2b uses the resources necessary to secure the resources of the own terminal required for the three-party conference and the first
The reservation identifier is designated to request the reservation from the second reservation means 2b-2 (13).

As a result, the second reservation means 2b-2 is
Secure resources by referring to the terminal resource management means 2b-3 (1
4) Then, a terminal local identifier is issued, a terminal resource table is created corresponding to this identifier, and the second storage means 2b
Save in -4 (15).

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a data string stored in the second storage means. Furthermore, the second reservation means 2b-2
Corresponds to the terminal local reservation identifier of its own terminal 2b, and
A table for managing the reservation identifier of is created and stored in the second storage means 2b-4 (15).

FIG. 5 shows an example of a data string stored in the second storage means 2b-4.

After that, the second connection control means 2b-1
The reservation completion message is returned to the terminal 2a (16).

The reservation is completed as described above.

In the above description, the terminal resource is reserved from the service initiating terminal, but it is also possible to reserve the terminal resource from the network.

[Operation at Startup of Reserved Communication Service] Next, the operation at startup of the reserved communication service will be described.

The contents of the reservation communication set by the above operation are
"It's a tripartite conference, and the appointment time is absolutely" xx:
yy: zz ”, which is“ setting of “network initiative” ”.

Therefore, when the network 1 knows that the absolute time "xx: yy: zz" has arrived from the clock function of the network 1 itself, it is associated with the three-party conference from the first storage means 1-4. The addresses of the terminals 2a, 2b, 2c are read, the first reservation identifier is set, and the communication setting request is sent to each of the target terminals 2a, 2b, 2c.

When a communication setting request is received from the network 1, these terminals 2a, 2b, 2c are stored in the second storage means 2a-4, 2b-4, 2c-4 (not shown) of the respective terminals. Each terminal resource reserved for the corresponding first reservation identifier is connected to the network resource.

In this case, each reserved terminal resource is forcibly secured halfway, and even if that resource is being used for non-reserved communication at that time, Reserves reserved resources by forcibly terminating or releasing and forcibly giving up. Also, if it is used for communication based on reservation, if it has passed the reserved usage time,
In the same way, force the delivery. For that purpose, it is natural to have a function of checking the reservation contents so that the reservations do not overlap and accepting the reservations when there is no problem.

As a result, when the reserved time arrives, the terminal 2
a, 2b, and 2c are capable of three-way communication via the network 1,
Moreover, this communication can be performed under the reserved conditions (time condition, resource condition).

FIG. 6 shows the operation at the time of network initiative connection. A "call setting" message ("SETUP") is sent from the network 1 side to each of the terminals 2a, 2b, 2c, and this message is issued at the designated time.

Therefore, each terminal 2 participating in the tripartite conference
In a, 2b, and 2c, if the reserved resources are released and wait at this time, the terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected immediately when a call from the network occurs, and the necessary resources are used. Then you will be able to communicate.

In the above description, absolute time is used for starting communication, but it is also possible to specify a relative time such as minutes. In addition, it is possible to specify the desired time for which you want to reserve network resources, and the terminal side takes the initiative in setting communication settings within that time.

[Operation When Terminal Is Initiated] FIG. 7 shows an operation when the terminal is initiating.

In the case of this example, the case where the call connection is started under the initiative of the terminal 2a is shown. Terminal 2 at the reserved time
a designates the first reservation identifier and sends a communication setting request to the network 1
Send to The network 1 accepts this request by the first connecting means 1-1, and the first connecting means 1-which accepts this request.
1 reads out the network resource stored corresponding to the first reservation identifier from the first storage unit 1-4 and connects it with the resource of the terminal 2a.

Further, the first connection means 1-1 of the network 1 has read all the associated terminal addresses stored in correspondence with the first reservation identifier from the first storage means 1-4 and has set the communication. The first reservation identifier is set for the other terminals 2b and 2c other than the terminal 2a, and the communication setting request is sent.

The communication reservation request message for securing the resources of the terminals may be transmitted in sequence for each terminal or may be transmitted at once.

The above is the network 1 and each terminal 2a, 2b, 2
It is premised that c knows the resources necessary for the communication service, but of course there is another database DB that knows these resources, and this may be used.

In the procedure described above, when making a reservation,
First, in order to secure the resource of the network 1 and to be able to specify which reservation it belongs to, obtain the first reservation identifier, and then reserve the resource of each terminal and respond with this reservation identifier. Although it has been added, it is of course possible to use the procedure of first securing resources between terminals.

In this case, the first reservation identifier is the other related terminal 2 after the communication reservation of the terminal 2a to the network 1 is completed.
b, 2c are notified. Also, although each means on the terminal side is provided for each terminal in the present embodiment, it may exist at a single terminal, or each means may be distributed and exist in different terminals. Good.

[0074]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reserve the network resource and the resource of the terminal in advance and guarantee that the communication of the desired content can be realized at the scheduled time. By separately making reservations, it is possible to provide a communication service reservation means that organically connects a terminal and a network, and it is possible to easily develop a communication service that involves reservation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data string stored in a first storage unit. (Table for managing reservation resources corresponding to the first reservation identifier)

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data string stored in a first storage unit. (Table for managing members involved in communication corresponding to the first reservation identifier)

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data string stored in a second storage unit. (Table that manages reservation resources corresponding to the reservation identifier of the own terminal)

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data string stored in a second storage unit. (Table managing first reservation identifier corresponding to reservation identifier of own terminal)

FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of communication setting from the network to all related terminals.

FIG. 7 is an operation diagram of communication setting from the network to the remaining terminals after communication setting from the terminal to the network.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 9 ISDN when call setup is rejected by the network
The figure which shows the example of a basic call control procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network 1-1 ... 1st connection means 1-2 ... 1st reservation means 1-3 ... Network resource management means 1-4 ... 1st storage means 2, 2a, 2b, 2c ... Terminal 2a-1 , 2b-1, 2c-1 ... Second connection means 2a-2, 2b-2, 2c-2 ... Second reservation means 2a-3, 2b-3, 2c-3 ... Terminal resource management means 2a-4 , 2b-4, 2c-4 ... Second storage means 10 ... Call setup message 11 ... Release completion message

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a communication system in which a plurality of terminals are connected to a network, a communication resource of a related terminal that intends to realize a communication service among the plurality of terminals, a desired time, and a reservation registration of a communication partner terminal are accepted. Means, a call generating means for generating a call to the communication destination terminal for which the reservation is registered when the desired time is reached based on the reservation registration, and a communication resource for which the reservation is registered by the call from the call generating means. Means for ensuring communication and enabling communication. 2. A communication system in which a plurality of terminals are connected to a network, wherein one of the plurality of terminals is connected to the network by a request from a first terminal that intends to realize a communication service. Between the first reservation means for reserving the above resources and giving the first reservation identifier, and the reservation contents (reservation time, reservation resource) reserved by the first reservation identifier and the first reservation identifier. And a first connection control means for connecting the resources of the reserved network to the plurality of terminals to realize a communication service. Second reservation means for reserving terminal resources by a terminal related to the communication service including a terminal of (1) in response to a request from the first terminal directly or via a network, and at least the first reservation identifier. Reserved terminal resources for the terminal and Second storage means for storing the relationship between the first reservation identifier and the reserved terminal resource, and connecting the terminal resource with the network resource reserved by the first reservation identification. And a second connection control means for controlling the communication system. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when the communication is realized, the first connection control means responds to the communication setting request to all terminals related to the communication to be realized by the first connection control means. The terminals, including the reservation identifier, that have received the communication setting request each seek the resources reserved for the first reservation identifier from the second storage unit and connect to the network resource that is the target of the communication setting request. A communication system comprising: 4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when communication is realized, each terminal having the first reservation identifier designates the first reservation identifier for the network and sets communication. When the request is issued, the network accepts the request by the first connection control means, allocates the network resource corresponding to the first reservation identifier from the first storage means, and requests the resource and the communication setting request. Is connected to the terminal resource of the terminal that issued the request, and a terminal other than the terminal that issued the communication setting request is associated with the communication service to be realized from the first storage means, A communication system characterized by setting and issuing the first reservation identifier.