JPH1098494A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the communication system in which rational charge imposition is conducted with respect to the use of a communication channel. SOLUTION: In the communication system that has a transmission station 2 receiving speech data sent from a caller telephone set 1 and sending the data to a called telephone set 8 via an Internet B and a reception station 5 receiving the speech data sent from the transmission station 2 via the Internet B and sending the speech data to the called telephone set 8, the transmission station 2 measures a substantial speech time between the caller telephone set 1 and the called telephone set 8 to avoid the charging resulting from the required time for line connection. Furthermore, the station 2 measures a communication time between the caller telephone set 1 and the transmission station 2 and a communication time between the reception station 5 and the called telephone set 8 and integrates the imposition on the communication above into a communication channel utility charge between the transmission station 2 and the reception station 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a dedicated network such as a CATV network and the Internet, a telephone network, and an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).
rk) and a communication system connected via a plurality of communication networks such as a public network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by connecting a computer such as a personal computer having a voice mail function to a public network such as a telephone network or ISDN, transmission and reception of voice mail with a computer similarly connected to the public network via the Internet. There is a call system that can be used. In such a call system, in particular, when voice mail communication is performed overseas, the public line usage fee is only a local telephone charge from the user terminal to the connection provider (provider),
It is becoming widespread because telephone calls can be made at lower cost than when using the international telephone network.

FIG. 13 is a system diagram of a telephone connection between telephones of the above-mentioned telephone system proposed at present. In the communication system shown in FIG.
2 to the relay station 103, while the telephone 104
Is connected to the relay station 106 by the public telephone network 105.
Then, the relay station 103 and the relay station 106 are connected for communication via the Internet 107.

[0004]

However, for a call between the telephone set 101 and the telephone set 104 in such a communication system, a charge for using the public telephone network 102, a charge for using the public telephone network 105, and a relay station are provided. 103, 1
06 and a fee for using the Internet 107.

Therefore, when a call is made from the telephone set 101 to the telephone set 104, billing for the call is made over a plurality of times, and it becomes not only unclear how much the call charge is necessary, but also it becomes unclear. There is a possibility that payment of the call fee may be complicated.

[0006] In addition, since communication connection between the relay station 103 and the relay station 106 usually requires a fixed time, if a call is charged from the time when the calling telephone 101 accesses the relay station, the telephone 101 and the telephone There is also a problem that the user is charged for the time during which a substantial call is not made with the terminal 104.

When communication terminals are connected via a plurality of communication lines or communication networks as described above, it is difficult to charge a reasonable fee for the use of the communication lines between the communication terminals. There is a problem that is. Further, such a problem is caused not only in the above-mentioned telephone system but also in the telephone 10.
This is a problem that also holds when 1, 104 are other general communication terminals, and improvement has been desired in a wide range of communication systems in general.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a communication system capable of making a reasonable charge for use of a communication line.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to a receiving terminal via a communication network. Relay means, second relay means for receiving communication data transmitted from the first relay means via a communication network and transmitting the communication data to a receiving terminal, and a communication line between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal In the communication system including the charge calculation means for calculating the usage fee data, the first relay means, the transmission terminal and the reception terminal from the time when a communication path between the transmission terminal and the reception terminal is established A first communication time measuring means for measuring a time until the communication path is disconnected between the first communication time and the charging calculation means, based on the communication time measured by the first communication time measuring means. Communication times between the terminal and the receiving terminal And calculates the use fee data.

[0010] In the present invention, communication data transmitted from the transmitting terminal is first received by the first relay means. Then, the first relay unit transmits the received communication data to the second relay unit via the communication network. The second relay unit transmits the received communication data to the receiving terminal. Thus, the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are communicatively connected.

In the communication connection between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, in the first relay means, the first communication time measuring means includes:
The time from when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is established to when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is disconnected is measured. Here, the point in time when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is established is, for example, the point in time corresponding to the timing of receiving the protocol exchange end signal, and the transmission and reception of the target communication contents can be performed thereafter. It is time to become. In addition, the point in time when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is disconnected is, for example, a point in time when a line disconnection signal is transmitted to the first or second relay unit by the transmitting terminal or the receiving terminal, This is the point in time when transmission and reception of the target communication contents become impossible.

When the communication time is measured by the first communication time measurement means, the charge calculation means is multiplied by the communication time based on the communication time, for example, by multiplying the line usage fee per time by the communication time. Calculates usage fee data of the communication line between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal.

With this configuration, it is possible to charge only for the time during which substantial communication is performed between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, and it is possible to make a reasonable charging for the use of the communication line. It becomes possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided first relay means for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to the receiving terminal via a communication network, and a communication network provided by the first relay means. Second relay means for receiving communication data transmitted via the and transmitting to the receiving terminal, and charging calculation means for calculating usage fee data of the communication line between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means, A communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means from a point in time when a communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is established. And a second communication time measuring means for measuring a time until the time when the communication terminal is disconnected, wherein the billing calculation means includes a transmitting terminal and the first communication time based on the communication time measured by the second communication time measuring means. Data of communication line between the relay point Calculation, characterized in that.

In the present invention, the communication data transmitted from the transmitting terminal is first received by the first relay means. Then, the first relay unit transmits the received communication data to the second relay unit via the communication network. The second relay unit transmits the received communication data to the receiving terminal. Thus, the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are communicatively connected.

At the time of the communication connection between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, the first relay means, the second communication time measuring means,
The time from when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is established to when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is disconnected is measured. Here, the point in time at which the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is established means the point in time at which the line connection operation between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means ends, such as the end of the communication This is the point at which content can be sent and received. Also, the point in time when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay unit is disconnected is the timing at which the transmission terminal transmits a line disconnection signal and the first relay unit receives the signal, This is a point in time when transmission / reception of the target communication content becomes impossible thereafter, such as a point in time corresponding to the timing when the line disconnection signal is issued by the relay means.

In this way, when the communication time is measured by the second communication time measuring means, based on the communication time, for example, the communication line usage fee between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is reduced. By multiplying the communication time or the like, the billing calculation means calculates usage fee data of the communication line between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means.

With this configuration, it is possible to charge for communication between the transmitting terminal and the first relay unit. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform a reasonable accounting especially when a public telephone network is used as a line between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means. In other words, if the called party temporarily charges the telephone number of the first relay means as a toll-free number and the temporary burden is calculated according to the present invention, the first relay means and the It is possible to make a payment together with the communication line usage fee between the second relay means and the communication line usage fee between the second relay means and the receiving terminal. Reasonable billing for both the claimant and the demandee. Further, if the telephone number of the first relay means is toll-free, even if there is no money, a cheap telephone communication system can be used from a public telephone.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided first relay means for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to the receiving terminal via a communication network, and a communication network provided by the first relay means. Second relay means for receiving communication data transmitted via the and transmitting to the receiving terminal, billing calculation means for calculating the usage fee data of the communication line between the second relay means and the receiving terminal, And the communication between the second relay means and the receiving terminal from the time when a communication path between the second relay means and the receiving terminal is established. A third communication time measuring means for measuring a time until the route is disconnected, wherein the billing calculation means includes a second relay means based on the communication time measured by the third communication time measuring means. Data on the communication line between the Internet and the receiving terminal Calculation, characterized in that.

In the present invention, the communication data transmitted from the transmitting terminal is first received by the first relay means. Then, the first relay unit transmits the received communication data to the second relay unit via the communication network. The second relay unit transmits the received communication data to the receiving terminal. Thus, the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are communicatively connected.

At the time of the communication connection between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, the second relay means, the third communication time measuring means,
The time from when the communication path between the receiving terminal and the second relay means is established to when the communication path between the receiving terminal and the second relay means is disconnected is measured. Here, the point in time at which the communication path between the receiving terminal and the second relay means is established is the time at which the line connection operation between the receiving terminal and the second relay means ends, such as the end of the target communication. This is the point at which content can be sent and received. Also, the point in time when the communication path between the receiving terminal and the second relay unit is disconnected is the timing at which the line disconnection signal is transmitted by the receiving terminal and the second relay unit receives the signal, This is a point in time when transmission / reception of the target communication content becomes impossible thereafter, such as a point in time corresponding to the timing when the line disconnection signal is issued by the relay means.

In this way, when the communication time is measured by the third communication time measuring means, the charge calculating means multiplies the line usage fee per time by the communication time on the basis of the communication time, for example. The usage fee data of the communication line between the receiving terminal and the second relay means is calculated.

With this configuration, it is possible to charge for communication between the receiving terminal and the second relay means. Also, for communication between the receiving terminal and the second relay means, a line usage fee is normally charged to the receiving terminal or the second relay means. Thus, it becomes possible to impose the communication line usage fee between the receiving terminal and the second relay means imposed on the user of the transmitting terminal, and the calling side is the same as the charging for the ordinary use of the public telephone network. Reasonable billing in accordance with the principle of burden can be made.

[0024] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the communication system according to any one of the above, charging information storage means for storing usage fee data calculated by the charging calculation means, and usage information for transmitting the usage fee data calculated by the charging calculation means to the charging information storage means. Charge data transmitting means.

According to the present invention, the charge calculation means calculates the usage fee data based on the communication time measured by any one of the first to third communication time measurement means. The usage fee data is transmitted to the charging information storage unit by the usage fee data transmission unit, and is stored by the charging information storage unit.

In this way, a reasonable charge can be made by centrally managing the charges based on the respective communication times measured by the first to third communication time measuring means.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, an example in which the communication system according to the present invention is applied to a communication system will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the telephone system will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a calling telephone connected to a telephone network A, which is a kind of public network. Reference numeral 2 denotes a transmitting station connected to both the telephone network A and the Internet B, and a client unit 3 and a server. Part 4 is included. 5 is Internet B
And a receiving station connected to both the telephone network C and includes a server unit 6 and a client unit 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a called telephone connected to the telephone network C. R1 is a router on the transmitting station side that determines a communication path on the Internet B, and R2 is a router on the receiving station side that determines a communication path on the Internet B.

In this embodiment, the telephone network A and the telephone network C, which are public networks, are shown as examples, but a CATV network or the Internet, which is a dedicated network, may be used instead. Also, B indicates the Internet which is a private network, but a telephone network which is a public network or a CATV network which is a private network may be used instead.

Next, the client section 3 of the transmitting station 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the client unit 3. The client unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 31 having an automatic calling / receiving function,
NCU control unit 33 having a control program for controlling CU 31, voice guidance storage unit 3 for storing messages
4, a communication interface control unit 36 that controls communication between the client unit 3 and the server unit 4 using a communication interface such as an RS232C interface, and a CODE that encodes and decodes data such as voice.
C32, and includes a CODEC control unit 35 that controls the CODEC 32.

Here, the telephone network A is a digital network (for example,
In the case of ISDN, the CODEC 32 compresses or decompresses data such as voice from a digital signal to a digital signal and encodes or decodes the data.

Next, the server section 4 of the transmitting station 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the server unit 4. A server unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication interface control unit 41 that controls communication between the client unit 3 and the server unit 4 using a communication interface such as an RS232C interface, and each member who can use the communication system. The member information storage unit 43 in which the member information including the member number and the password of the member is stored in advance, and the member number and the password transmitted from the calling telephone 1 and the member information stored in the member information storage unit 43 are stored. An authentication unit 42 for collating with a member's membership number or PIN, a packet communication unit 44 for packetizing outgoing information and voice information and transferring them to the receiving side, and a call time between the calling telephone 1 and the transmitting station 2. A first communication time measuring unit 45 for measuring a call charge based on the call time measured by the first communication time measurement unit 45; Incoming and called party telephone 8 to be transmitted station 5
First charge calculation unit 47 for adding a call charge between the first and second units, and a network control unit 4 for controlling communication with the Internet B
6 is included.

Next, the server section 6 of the receiving station 5 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server unit 6.
The server unit 6 shown in the figure includes a network control unit 61 for controlling communication with the Internet B, a packet communication unit 62 for receiving a packet transmitted from the calling station 2, and a connection between the called telephone 8 and the called station 5. A communication interface such as a second communication time measurement unit 63 for measuring the communication time of the second communication time, a second charge calculation unit 65 for calculating the communication charge based on the communication time measured by the second communication time measurement unit 63, and an RS232C interface. It includes a communication interface control unit 64 for controlling communication between the client unit 7 and the server unit 6 used.

Next, the client section 7 of the receiving station 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the client unit 7. A client unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication interface control unit 71 that controls communication between the client unit 7 and the server unit 6 using a communication interface such as an RS232C interface, an NCU 74 having an automatic calling / receiving function, and the NCU 74. An NCU control unit 72 having a control program for controlling the same; a CODEC 75 for encoding and decoding data such as voice;
It comprises a CODEC control unit 73 for controlling the DEC 75 and a voice guidance storage unit 76 for storing messages.

Although illustration is omitted for convenience of explanation, if the transmitting station 2 and the receiving station 5 have a symmetrical configuration, the calling station 1 and the receiving station 8 can send a call from any telephone. It is possible to make a call.

Next, the operation of the communication system will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present call system when the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 are connected to a line. In implementing this communication system, the power of each device of the calling station 2 and the receiving station 5 is turned on in advance, and the NCUs 31 and 74 are turned on.
Is set to the automatic call answering mode.

First, the caller goes off-hook on the calling telephone 1 and dials the telephone number of the calling station 2 (S
1) A calling signal is sent to the calling telephone by the switching center (not shown) of the telephone network A, and also sent to the calling station 2, and the NCU controller 33 of the client unit 3 receives the calling signal via the NCU 31 (S2). ). Then, the NCU control unit 33 transmits the RING signal to the server unit 4 twice via the communication interface control unit 36 (S3). When the packet communication unit 44 of the server unit 4 receives the RING signal via the communication interface control unit 41, it transmits an ATH signal to the client unit 3 so as to go off-hook (S4). Upon receiving the ATH signal, the NCU control unit 33 of the client unit 3 instructs the NCU 31 to go off-hook. The NCU 31 inverts the polarity of the telephone network A (S5), and the NCU control unit 33 sends an OK signal to the server unit 4 via the communication interface control unit 36.
(S6). Then, when the packet communication unit 44 of the server unit 4 receives the OK signal, the server unit 4 notifies the client unit 3 of the reception, and the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 are connected by the telephone network A.

Next, the NCU control unit 33 extracts a message "Please enter your member number" from the voice guidance storage unit 34 of the client unit 3,
Calling telephone 1 of the caller via CU 31 and telephone network A
(S7). Upon receiving this message, the caller inputs a pre-assigned member number using the dial key of the calling telephone 1 or a device that transmits a separate dial tone signal, and the member number becomes the telephone network A, NCU 31, NCU control unit 3 of client unit 3 of transmitting station 2
3, the authentication unit 4 via the communication interface control unit 36 and the communication interface control unit 41 of the server unit 4.
2 (S8). The authentication unit 42 determines whether the member number transmitted from the calling telephone 1 matches the member number already stored in the member information storage unit 43, and determines the member number received from the calling telephone 1. Is temporarily stored in a buffer (not shown). Here, the member information storage unit 43 stores a member number, a password, a name, an address, a telephone number, a telephone charge withdrawal bank and an account number in advance.

When the authentication unit 42 determines that the membership numbers match, the server unit 4 notifies the client unit 3 of the coincidence, and the NCU control unit 33 of the client unit 3 reads the "your personal identification number" from the voice guidance storage unit 34. Please input a message. "And notify the message to the caller via the NCU 31 and the telephone network A (S
9).

When it is determined by the authentication unit 42 that the caller is not a member, the NCU control unit 33 is sent to the NCU control unit 33 via the communication interface control unit 41 of the server unit 4 and the communication interface control unit 36 of the client unit 3. A determination result signal to that effect is transmitted. Then, the NCU control unit 33 states, "The member numbers do not match. This service cannot be used.
Is retrieved from the voice guidance storage unit 34, and the message is notified to the caller via the NCU 31 and the telephone network A. Then, the NC of the client unit 3
U31 sets the communication line connected to the caller to the on-hook state (line open state), and deletes the member number stored in the buffer.

Next, when the caller determines that the membership numbers match, the caller is prompted to input a personal identification number. When the caller inputs a previously registered personal identification number in the same manner as described above, the personal identification number data is transmitted to the authentication unit. 42 (S10). The authentication unit 42 determines whether or not the received personal identification number data is a personal identification number corresponding to the member number temporarily stored in the buffer as described above with reference to the member information storage unit 43.

As a result, if it is determined that the passwords do not match, a message saying "Password does not match. This service is not available." Notified. Then, the communication line connected between the calling side telephone set 1 and the calling station 2 is brought into an on-hook state (line open state), and the member number stored in the buffer is deleted as described above.

If it is determined that the caller is a member based on the coincidence of the passwords, the NCU controller 33 prompts the user to input the telephone number of the called party from the voice guidance storage 34. The message to the effect is taken out and notified to the caller (S11). When the caller receives this message and dials the telephone number of the other party from the calling telephone 1, the telephone number is stored in the telephone network A, the NCU 31, the NCU control unit 33, and the communication interface control unit 36 of the client unit 3. Is transmitted to the server unit 4 via the server (S12). Then, in order to request the caller to wait for connection with the called telephone 8, the client unit 3 sends a message "Please wait" to the calling telephone 1 (S13).

Next, the originating station 2 in this communication system,
The line connection between the receiving station 5 and the called telephone 8 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the line connection between the calling station 2 and the receiving station 5 and the line connection between the receiving station 5 and the called telephone 8.

As described above, when the telephone number data of the communication partner is transmitted to the server unit 4, the network control unit 46 establishes a communication path with the network control unit 61 (S14). Next, the telephone number data of the other party is transmitted to the packet communication unit 44 via the communication interface control unit 41, and the other party's telephone number data is packetized in the packet communication unit 44. And
The packetized telephone number data of the other party is transmitted from the network control unit 46 to the router R1, and transmitted to the receiving station 5 via the Internet B and the router R2 (S15).

When transmitting the telephone number data of the other party, the NCU controller 33 of the client unit 3 adds a connection signal ("CONECT") indicating that the connection is being made to the telephone number of the other party as shown in FIG. And sends it to the receiving station 5. The transmission data has a total length of 26 bytes, and is composed of 6 bytes of "CONECT" indicating that the connection is in progress and 20 bytes of the telephone number of the communication partner, and the remaining portion is filled with "0".

In the receiving station 5 that has received the telephone number data of the other party, the telephone number data of the other party is transmitted from the network control unit 61 of the server unit 6 to the packet communication unit 6.
Send to 2. The packet communication unit 62 unpacks the packetized telephone number data of the called party and transmits it to the client unit 7 via the communication interface control unit 64 (S16). In the client unit 7, the telephone number of the call partner is transmitted to the NC via the communication interface control unit 71.
It transmits to U control section 72. Then, the NCU control unit 72 automatically transmits the received telephone number of the called party from the NCU 74 to an exchange (not shown) of the telephone network C (S17), and as a result, an exchange (not shown) of the telephone network C ) Is transmitted to the called telephone 8 and the client unit 7 (S18).

The calling signal is provided with a calling signal by the NCU control unit 72 of the client unit 7, and is transmitted from the communication interface control unit 71 to the server unit 6.
Then, the calling signal is packetized by the packet communication unit 62 and transmitted to the transmission station 2 via the network control unit 61, the router R2, the Internet B, and the router R1 (S19). In the transmitting station 2, the packet communication unit 44
Is unpacked and transmitted from the communication interface control unit 41 to the client unit 3 (S20).

In the client unit 3, the call-in-progress signal transmitted from the communication interface control unit 36 is transmitted from the NCU 31 to the calling telephone 1 via the telephone network A as a ringing tone in the NCU control unit 33 (S21).

Thereafter, when the other party (recipient) goes off-hook on the called telephone 8, an exchange (not shown) of the telephone network C is provided.
Sends a response signal to the client unit 7 (S2
2). When the client unit 7 receives the response signal from the NCU 74, the NCU control unit 72 extracts a message "Please wait for a while" from the voice guidance storage unit 76 and transmits it to the telephone network C and the called telephone 8 (S2).
3). The NCU control unit 72 of the client unit 7 transmits a response signal from the communication interface control unit 71 to the server unit 6 (S24). The response signal is packetized by the packet communication unit 62 of the server unit 6,
The data is transmitted to the transmitting station 2 via the network control unit 61, the router R2, the Internet B, and the router R1 (S25). In the transmitting station 2, the response signal transmitted from the network control unit 46 of the server unit 4 is unpacked by the packet communication unit 44, and transmitted from the communication interface control unit 41 to the client unit 3 (S26).

When the client unit 3 receives the response signal via the communication interface control unit 36,
The control unit 33 notifies the CODEC control unit 35 of the start of the call, and transmits a confirmation signal to the communication interface control unit 3.
6 to the server unit 4 (S27). In the server unit 4, the acknowledgment signal is packetized in the packet communication unit 44 and transmitted to the receiving station 5 via the router R1, the Internet B, and the router R2 in the same manner as described above (S2).
8). In the receiving station 5, the packet is unpacked by the packet communication unit 62 of the server unit 6, and a confirmation signal is transmitted to the NCU control unit 72 (S29). In the NCU control unit 72, COD
The start of communication is notified to the EC control unit 73.

As described above, the CODEC control unit 35 of the transmitting station 2 and the CODEC control unit 73 of the receiving station 2
The DEC audio connection is started.

At this time, the first communication time measuring unit 45 is started by the packet communication unit 44 in the server unit 4 of the calling station 2 and the measurement of the call time between the calling station 2 and the calling telephone 1 is illustrated. This is performed by a clock pulse that is not applied (see arrow A in FIG. 7).

On the other hand, in the server section 6 of the receiving station 5, similarly, the second communication time measuring section 63 is started by the packet communication section 62, and the communication time between the called telephone 8 and the receiving station 5 is measured. The measurement is performed by a clock pulse (not shown) (see arrow B in FIG. 7). The first and second communication time measuring units 45 and 63 are initialized before time measurement.

When the measurement of the call time is started, the telephone network A is connected to the CODEC 32 of the client unit 3, and the telephone network C is connected to the CODE of the client unit 7.
C75 is connected, and a call between the caller and the other party (receiver) is started.

The voice of the caller is transmitted to the telephone network A, the CODEC 32 of the client unit 3 of the calling station 2, the communication interface control unit 36, the communication interface control unit 41, the packet communication unit 44, the network control unit 46, and the router R.
1, transmitted to the receiving station 5 via the Internet B and the router R2. Note that, when the voice is encoded by the CODEC 32, a busy signal "SPEECH" indicating that the voice is busy is added by the CODEC control unit 35 as shown in FIG.

Further, the voice data is sent to the network control unit 61, the packet communication unit 62,
It is transmitted to the called telephone 8 via the communication interface control units 64 and 71, the CODEC control unit 73, the CODEC 75, and the telephone network C. Here, the packet communication unit 62 unpacks the voice packet, and the CODEC 75 decodes the coded voice data. Similarly, the opposite transmission is performed for the voice of the other party (recipient).

Next, the operation at the end of a call in the present call system will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the calling system at the time of terminating the call due to the on-hook of the calling telephone 1.

The calling party ends the call and the calling telephone 1
Is on-hook, an on-hook (line disconnection) signal is transmitted to the calling station 2 via the telephone network A (S30). The transmitting station 2 transmits the message “ONHOO” to the NCU controller 33 via the NCU 31 and discriminates that the telephone is busy during the call.
"K" is added to the signal to indicate a line disconnection signal. Then, the packet communication unit 4 is transmitted via the communication interface control units 36 and 41.
4 and packetized by the packet communication unit 44,
The data is transmitted to the receiving station 5 via the network control unit 46, the router R1, the Internet B, and the router R2 (S31). The transmitted line disconnection signal is unpacked by the packet communication unit 62 in the server unit 6 and transmitted to the NCU control unit 72 via the communication interface control units 64 and 71. Thereafter, the NCU control unit 72 instructs the NCU to release the line (S32). Similarly, when the called telephone 8 is hooked on, the line disconnection processing is performed in the reverse procedure.

In the call system according to the present embodiment,
In particular, at the end of the call, calculation processing of the billing information and storage in the memory are performed. That is, when the packet communication unit 44 of the transmitting station 2 receives the line disconnection signal as described above (see the arrow C in FIG. 10), the packet communication unit 44 stops the first communication time measuring unit 45 and sets the communication time (clock pulse). The measurement of the added value is terminated. Then, the call time is calculated by the first billing calculator 47.
Send to The first billing calculator 47 multiplies the unit time of the line usage fee between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 by the talking time to thereby make a call between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2. A fee is calculated.

The calculation processing of the billing information and the storage in the memory are performed in the receiving station 5 as well. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present call system when the called telephone 8 is off-hook. That is, upon receiving the line disconnection signal (see arrow D in FIG. 11), the packet communication unit 62 of the receiving station 5 stops the second communication time measurement unit 63 and transmits the call time to the second charge calculation unit 65. The second charging calculation section 65 multiplies the unit time of the line usage fee between the called telephone 8 and the receiving station 5 by the call time, thereby obtaining the calling charge between the called telephone 8 and the receiving station 5. Is calculated. When the call charge is calculated in the receiving station 5 in this way, the packet communication unit 62 packetizes the charging charge information by attaching [KAKINN] indicating the charging information of the receiving station 5 as shown in FIG.
The data is transmitted to the transmitting station 2 via the router R2, the Internet B, and the router R1.

The transmitting station 2 unpacks the packet received by the packet communication section 44 and transmits the charging information to the first charging calculation section 47. The first billing calculation unit 47 adds the billing amount transmitted from the receiving station 5 to the already calculated billing for the call between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2, and adds it to the member information storage unit 43. Write to.

Note that the telephone number of the called telephone 8 may be further added to the packet shown in FIG. 12, and the telephone number of the destination (recipient) may be written in the member information storage unit 43. In this way, it is possible to record in the member information storage unit 43 which of the other party is charged for the call.

In the present embodiment, the call charge between the transmitting station 2 and the receiving station 5 is set as a basic charge. In this case, if the member's call charge is billed on a monthly basis, the sum of the call charge for the current month calculated as described above and the basic charge is the billed amount. Note that the transmitting station 2 and the receiving station 5
The call charge between and may not be a basic charge system but may be a pay-as-you-go system.

In the communication system described above, the first communication time measuring unit 45 is activated when the voice connection between the CODEC 32 and the CODEC 75 is started (see arrow A in FIG. 7). The server unit 4 may be activated after receiving the OK signal from the client unit 3 (see arrow E in FIG. 6). In this way, the communication path between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 is changed by the first communication time measuring unit 45 from the time when the communication path between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 is established. The time until the disconnection can be measured.

At this time, if the telephone number of the calling station 2 is a so-called toll-free number so that the call charge between the calling telephone 1 and the calling station 2 is charged to the called station, the calling station 2 Side once bears the call charge, and collectively pays for the communication charge between the calling station 2 and the called station 5 and the call charge between the called station 5 and the called telephone 8 at a later date. Can be. In this way, it is possible to unify the billing of communication charges and perform reasonable billing without burdening the user. Then, even if there is no money, the inexpensive call system can be used from a public telephone.

Further, the second communication time measuring section 63 outputs CODE
Although activated at the start of the voice connection between C32 and CODEC 75 (see arrow B in FIG. 7), after the server unit 6 receives a response signal from the client unit 7 in the receiving station 5 (see arrow F in FIG. 7). ) May be started.

In the above communication system, the receiving station 5
The second communication time measurement unit 63 and the second charge calculation unit 65 provided on the side may be omitted, and the charge may be calculated by the server unit 4 of the transmission station 2.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a client unit of a transmitting station.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server unit of a transmitting station.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server unit of a receiving station.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a client unit of a receiving station.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a line is connected between a calling telephone and a calling station.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a line connection between a calling station and a called station and a line connection between a called station and a called telephone.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing packets transmitted and received during line connection.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing packets transmitted and received during a call.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present call system at the end of a call.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present call system at the end of a call.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a packet including billing data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the technical background of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Calling telephone, 2 Calling station, 5 Receiving station, 8 Calling telephone, 43 Member information storage unit, 45 First communication time measuring unit, 47 First billing calculation unit, 63 Second communication time measuring unit, 65 Second billing calculator.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuo Furumura 8-10-16 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo Secom Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first relay unit for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to a receiving terminal via a communication network, and communication transmitted from the first relay unit via the communication network. A second relay unit that receives data and transmits the data to a receiving terminal; and a communication system that includes a charging calculation unit that calculates usage fee data of a communication line between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal. A first communication time measuring a time from a point in time when a communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is established to a point in time when the communication path between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is disconnected; Measuring means, wherein the charge calculating means calculates usage fee data of a communication line between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal based on the communication time measured by the first communication time measuring means. Communications system. 2. A first relay means for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to a receiving terminal via a communication network, and a communication transmitted from the first relay means via the communication network. A second relay unit for receiving data and transmitting the data to a receiving terminal; and a communication system including charging calculation unit for calculating usage fee data of a communication line between the transmitting terminal and the first relay unit, The first relay means is provided for a period from when a communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is established to when a communication path between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means is disconnected. A second communication time measuring means for measuring time, wherein the charging calculation means comprises: a communication line between the transmitting terminal and the first relay means based on the communication time measured by the second communication time measuring means. Calculating usage fee data Communication system. 3. A first relay unit for receiving communication data transmitted from a transmitting terminal and transmitting the data to a receiving terminal via a communication network, and communication transmitted from the first relay unit via the communication network. In a communication system including: a second relay unit that receives data and transmits the data to a receiving terminal; and a charging calculation unit that calculates usage fee data of a communication line between the second relay unit and the receiving terminal. The second relay unit is configured to operate from a point in time when a communication path between the second relay unit and the receiving terminal is established to a point in time when the communication path between the second relay unit and the receiving terminal is disconnected. A third communication time measuring means for measuring time, wherein the charge calculation means performs communication between the second relay means and the receiving terminal based on the communication time measured by the third communication time measuring means. It is characterized by calculating line usage data. Communication system. 4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein charging information storage means stores usage fee data calculated by said charging calculation means, and usage fee calculated by said charging calculation means. A communication data transmitting means for transmitting data to the billing information storage means.