JP2000312229A - Voice gateway device an its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice gateway device that attains continuity of voice communication and also attains voice communication with a node without any voice gateway device even when communication quality via the Internet or an intranet is deteriorated. SOLUTION: The gateway device 100 is provided with a public network interface section 180 that controls a call connection to a public network 163, and connects a call to a corresponding speech opposite party via the public network 163 when detecting deteriorated communication quality via the Internet or an intranet and switches voice communication with the speech opposite party via the Internet or the intranet into voice communication via the public network 163. Furthermore, the gateway 100 is provided with a memory section 150 storing frame header information corresponding to a selection number from telephone sets 160, 161, connects a call of the corresponding speech opposite party via the public network 163 when the memory section 150 has no frame header information corresponding to the selection number and conducts voice communication with the speech opposite party via the public network 163.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to ITU-TH. 3
VoIP (Voice over Internet Pr.
In particular, the present invention relates to a voice gateway device for transmitting and receiving voice data via the Internet or an intranet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional voice gateway device.

The voice gateway device 500 shown in FIG.
Is a technology disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-312663, and is referred to as a frame relay transmission device in the same document.

In FIG. 4, a conventional voice gateway device 500 includes telephones 560, 5 accommodated in the same node.
Off-hook of telephones 560, 561 and
A telephone interface 520 that detects on-hook and converts audio signals to PCM audio data and converts PCM audio data to audio signals, and performs encoding and decoding of PCM audio data, A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that converts audio compressed data and converts audio compressed data to PCM audio data.
ssor) unit 510 and assembles and disassembles frames transmitted on the Internet / Intranet (Internet or Intranet) 562, and also executes Internet / Intranet
A frame control unit 530 serving as an interface for accessing the 562; a memory unit 550 for storing information of a frame header corresponding to a selection number dialed from the telephones 560 and 561;
0, a DSP unit 510, a frame control unit 530, and a control unit 540 for controlling the operations of the memory unit 550, respectively.

[0005] The DSP unit 510 includes telephones 560 and 561.
A selection number processing unit 512 for detecting a selection number from
An audio compression processing unit 511 that generates compressed audio data, which is compressed audio data by encoding and compressing the CM audio data, and decodes the audio compressed data to generate PCM audio data; And a voice quality detection unit 513 that detects the voice quality of the voice data.

In FIG. 4, the telephone interface unit 5
20 illustrates a configuration in which two telephones 560 and 561 are connected, but one or more telephones may be connected to the telephone interface unit 520, and instead of the telephones, a plurality of telephones may be used. May be connected to one or more automatic telephone exchanges.

Next, as an example, a call is made using the telephone 560 of the two telephones 560 and 561.
The operation of the conventional voice gateway device will be described.

When the telephone 560 is turned off-hook by the user and the selected number of the communication partner is dialed, the signal is transmitted to the DSP unit 510 via the telephone interface unit 520.
Is transmitted to the selection number processing unit 512.

[0009] The selection number processing unit 512 determines the dialed selection number, and transmits information on the selected number to the control unit 540.
Transfer to Upon receiving the information of the selection number, the control unit 540 searches for and reads out the frame header information corresponding to the selection number from the memory unit 550, and transfers the read frame header information to the frame control unit 530.

An audio signal transmitted from telephone 560 is converted into PCM audio data by telephone interface unit 520 and is output to audio compression processing unit 5 of DSP unit 510.
12 is transferred. The audio compression processing unit 512 converts the received PCM audio data into audio compressed data, and transfers it to the frame control unit 530.

The frame control unit 530 assembles a data frame which is a frame of audio data using the frame header information corresponding to the selection number transferred from the control unit 540 and the audio compression data transferred from the DSP unit 510. , Via the Internet / Intranet 562 to the opposite node that accommodates the telephone of the other party.

On the other hand, when a data frame is received from the opposite node via the Internet / Intranet 562, the frame control unit 530 extracts the audio compression data from the received data frame, and extracts the audio compression data from the audio compression processing unit 5 of the DSP unit 510.
Transfer to 11.

[0013] The voice compression processing section 511 decodes the received voice compression data, converts it into PCM voice data, and transfers it to the telephone interface section 520. The telephone interface unit 520 reproduces an audio signal from the PCM audio data and sends it to the telephone 560.

By performing the processing described above, a telephone call using the telephone 560 using the Internet or an intranet is enabled.

[0015]

However, since the conventional voice gateway device as described above does not have means for continuing communication by bypassing a network other than the Internet or an intranet, a data frame due to congestion or the like is not provided. When the communication quality of the Internet or the intranet is deteriorated due to the discard of the communication or the fluctuation of the transmission time, the communication may not be able to be continued.

Further, communication is possible only with a node having a voice gateway device that generates a data frame having the same voice compression method and the same structure, and a subscriber having no voice gateway device (for example, a general public network, etc.) Call was not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and enables continuation of voice communication even when communication quality via the Internet or an intranet is deteriorated. It is another object of the present invention to provide a voice gateway device that enables voice communication with a node having no voice gateway device and a control method thereof.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, a voice gateway device according to the present invention is provided in a node including at least one telephone set or an automatic telephone exchange accommodating the telephone set. A voice gateway device for performing voice communication with another node via the Internet or an intranet according to a method conforming to Recommendation H.323, which is connected to the telephone or the automatic telephone exchange and converts voice signals to PCM voice data. And a telephone interface unit for converting the PCM audio data into an audio signal, a DSP unit for encoding and decoding the PCM audio data, and assembling a frame transmitted via the Internet or the intranet. And a frame control unit serving as an interface for accessing the Internet or an intranet, a public network interface unit for controlling a call connection to a public network, and either the DSP unit or the public network interface unit. When A time-division switch unit for connecting the telephone interface unit and transmitting and receiving the PCM voice data, and when detecting a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or the intranet, the public network interface unit A control unit for instructing a call connection via a public network and connecting the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit to the time division switch unit.

At this time, there is provided a memory unit in which frame header information corresponding to the selection number from the telephone is stored, and the control unit searches the memory unit and stores the frame header information corresponding to the selection number. If not, the DSP may instruct the PSTN interface unit to perform a call connection via the PSTN, and may connect the telephone interface unit and the PSTN interface unit to the time division switch unit. A voice compression processing unit configured to decode the data transferred from the frame control unit to generate the PCM voice data; and a voice quality detection unit configured to detect a voice quality of the decoded PCM voice data. The control unit may determine a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or an intranet from the detection result.

On the other hand, the control method of the voice gateway apparatus according to the present invention is provided in a node including at least one telephone set or a telephone automatic exchange which accommodates the telephone set.
-TH. A method of controlling a voice gateway device for performing voice communication with another node via the Internet or an intranet according to a method conforming to Recommendation H.323, comprising a public network interface for controlling a call connection to a public network in advance. Unit, and when a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or the intranet is detected, a call to a corresponding communication partner is connected via the public network by the public network interface unit, and the communication partner is connected. And switching voice communication via the Internet or the intranet to voice communication via the public network.

At this time, there is provided a memory section in which frame header information corresponding to the selected number from the telephone is stored in advance, and the memory section is searched to determine whether there is no frame header information corresponding to the selected number. May connect a call to a corresponding communication partner via the public network by the public network interface unit, and perform voice communication with the communication partner via the public network, and may communicate via the Internet or an intranet. Then, the voice quality of the PCM voice data decoded from the data in the received frame may be detected, and a decrease in the communication quality via the Internet or the intranet may be determined from the detection result.

The voice gateway device as described above connects a public network interface unit for controlling call connection to the public network, one of the DSP unit and the public network interface unit to the telephone interface unit, and transmits and receives PCM voice data. And a time-division switch unit for causing the control unit to instruct the public network interface unit to perform a call connection via the public network when a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or an intranet is detected. At the same time, by connecting the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit to the time division switch unit, even if the quality of voice communication via the Internet or intranet deteriorates and communication becomes difficult, voice communication via the public network is performed. Communication can be continued.

Further, the apparatus has a memory section in which frame header information corresponding to the selection number from the telephone and the telephone number information of the public network are stored, and when there is no frame header information corresponding to the selection number in the memory section, The control unit instructs the public network interface unit to make a call connection via the public network, and connects the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit to the time division switch unit, so that it is accommodated only in a general public network. A call is connected via a public network to a communication partner such as a subscriber who does not have a voice gateway device including a frame control unit that generates a data frame having the same voice compression scheme and the same structure.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the voice gateway device of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a voice gateway device 100 according to the present invention includes a telephone 160 accommodated in the same node,
A telephone interface 120 connected to the PCM 161 for detecting off-hook and on-hook of the telephones 160 and 161 and converting voice signals to PCM voice data and PCM voice data to voice signals; Encodes and decodes data, converts PCM audio data to audio compressed data, and converts audio compressed data to PCM
DSP (Digital Signal Pro) that converts audio data
cessor) unit 110, assembling and disassembling a frame transmitted by Internet / Intranet (Internet or Intranet) 162,
a frame control unit 130 serving as an interface for accessing t162, a public network interface unit 180 for controlling a call connection to the public network 163, and a DSP unit 1
30 or a public network interface unit 180 and a time division switch unit 170 for connecting the telephone interface unit 120, frame header information corresponding to a selection number dialed from the telephones 160 and 161 and a telephone number of the public network 163 Memory unit 150 in which information is stored
And a control unit 140 for controlling operations of the telephone interface unit 120, the DSP unit 110, the frame control unit 130, the time division switch unit 170, the public network interface unit 180, and the memory unit 150, respectively.

The DSP unit 110 includes telephones 160 and 161
A selection number processing unit 112 for detecting a selection number from
An audio compression processor 111 that encodes and compresses CM audio data to generate audio compression data, decodes the audio compression data to generate PCM audio data, and detects the audio quality of the decoded PCM audio data. And a voice quality detection unit 113 that performs the processing.

In FIG. 1, the telephone interface unit 1
20 shows a configuration in which two telephones 160 and 161 are connected. However, one or more telephones may be connected to the telephone interface unit 120. Instead of the telephones, a plurality of telephones may be used. May be connected to one or more automatic telephone exchanges.

The telephones connected to the voice gateway device 100 can communicate with different parties, and the time-division switch unit 170 controls the DSP unit 130 or the public network interface unit 180 according to the communication quality of each telephone.
And the telephone interface unit 120 are connected in a time-division manner.

Next, the operation of the voice gateway device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2, taking as an example a case where a call is made between two nodes each having the voice gateway device shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network composed of two nodes each having the voice gateway device shown in FIG.

The network shown in FIG. 2 has a first voice gateway device 200 that accommodates a first telephone 260 and a second telephone 261 and a second audio gateway device that accommodates a third telephone 360 and a fourth telephone 361. Of the Internet / Intranet 262 and the public network 26
3.

The first voice gateway device 200 has the same configuration as the voice gateway device 100 shown in FIG.
It has a P unit 210, a telephone interface unit 221, a frame control unit 230, a control unit 240, a memory unit 250, a time division switch unit 270, and a public network interface unit 280. The configuration includes a number processing unit 212 and a voice quality detection unit 113.

The second voice gateway device 300
Similarly to the voice gateway device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the DSP unit 310, the telephone interface unit 321, the frame control unit 330, the control unit 340, the memory unit 350,
The DSP unit 310 includes a time-division switch unit 370 and a public network interface unit 380.
1, selection number processing unit 312, and voice quality detection unit 313
It is a structure which has.

As in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which two telephones are connected to the telephone interface unit. Further, instead of the telephone, one or more telephone automatic exchanges each accommodating a plurality of telephones may be connected to the telephone interface unit.

In such a configuration, for example, when the first telephone 260 is off-hook and the selected number of the other party (here, the third telephone 360) is dialed, the signal is transmitted to the first telephone. Telephone interface unit 220 and time-division switch unit 270 of the voice gateway device 200 of FIG.
Is transmitted to the selection number processing unit 212 of the DSP unit 210 via the.

The selection number processing section 212 discriminates the dialed selection number and sends the information of the selection number to the control section 240.
Transfer to When the control unit 240 receives the information of the selection number, the control unit 240 searches and reads out the frame header information corresponding to the selection number from the memory unit 250, and reads out the read out frame header information and control information necessary for call connection (for example, a call partner). (Selection number information and CODEC information used in the DSP) are transferred to the frame control unit 230.

The frame control unit 230 generates a control frame for controlling call connection based on the received frame header information and control information, and generates a control frame for Internet / Intranet2.
The data is transmitted to the frame control unit 330 of the second voice gateway device 300 accommodating the third telephone 360 which is the other party of the call via 62.

The frame control section 330 extracts control information from the received control frame and transfers the control information to the control section 340. The control unit 340 recognizes that the third telephone 360 is a connection destination of the call based on the control information, and receives a call to the third telephone 360 via the telephone interface unit 320.

When the third telephone 360 responds to the incoming call, a control frame including the response signal is returned to the first voice gateway device 200, and the call connection between the first telephone 260 and the third telephone 360 is completed. .

First telephone 260 and third telephone 360
Is completed, the voice signal transmitted from the first telephone set 260 is converted into PCM voice data by the telephone interface unit 220, and the time division switch unit 27
0 to the audio compression processing section 212 of the DSP section 210. The audio compression processing unit 211 receives the received PCM
The audio data is converted into audio compression data and transferred to the frame control unit 230.

The frame control unit 230 assembles a data frame using the frame header information corresponding to the selection number transferred from the control unit 240 and the voice compression data transferred from the DSP unit 210, and creates an Internet / Intranet
262 to the second voice gateway device 300.

The frame control unit 330 of the second voice gateway device 300 that has received the data frame from the first voice gateway device 200 extracts the voice compression data from the received data frame, and the voice compression processing unit of the DSP unit 310. Transfer to 311.

The voice compression processing section 311 decodes the received voice compression data, converts it into PCM voice data, and transfers it to the telephone interface section 320 via the time division switch section 370. The telephone interface unit 320 is P
The third telephone 3 reproduces an audio signal from the CM audio data.
60.

From the third telephone 360 to the first telephone 26
0 is also processed in the same manner as above,
The telephone between the first telephone 260 and the third telephone 360 becomes possible.

Here, when a frame is discarded or the transmission time fluctuates greatly in the Internet / Intranet 263 network, a drop in voice quality is detected by the voice quality detection unit 313 of the second voice gateway device 300. The detection result is notified to the control unit 340.

The control unit 340 determines that the Inte
The communication quality through the rnet / Intranet 263 is determined to be low, and the memory unit 350 is searched to obtain the selected number information of the other party (here, the first telephone 260) of the call whose communication quality is low, and A calling instruction is given to the unit 280. The public network interface unit 280 performs a calling process via the public network 263 to the first voice gateway device 200 that accommodates the first telephone set 260 as the other party according to the selection number information.

[0048] The first one that detects an incoming call via the public network 263
The public network interface unit 280 of the voice gateway device 200 executes a call connection process with the public network 263 according to the instruction of the control unit 240.

When the call connection via the public network 263 is completed by the incoming call response from the first voice gateway device 200, the control unit 34 of the second voice gateway device 300
0 sends a switching instruction to the time division switch unit 370,
The PCM voice data from the telephone interface unit 320 is transferred to the public network interface unit 380.

Also, the first voice gateway device 200
Also sends a switching instruction to the time-division switch unit 270 to transfer PCM voice data from the telephone interface unit 220 to the public network interface unit 280. Thus, the first telephone 260 and the third telephone
Voice communication with the telephone 360 is continued via the public network 263.

Therefore, even when the quality of voice communication via the Internet / Intranet 262 is reduced and communication becomes difficult, the voice communication can be continued via the public network 263, and the communication cannot be performed. Things can be avoided.

Next, the voice communication operation between the telephone housed in the voice gateway device shown in FIG. 1 and the telephone connected only to the public network will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of a network including a node having the voice gateway device shown in FIG. 1 and a telephone connected only to the public network.

In the network shown in FIG. 3, the Internet / Intranet 462 and the public network 463 are connected to the voice gateway device 400 to which the first telephone 460 and the second telephone 461 are connected, respectively, and the third is connected to the public network 463. In this configuration, a telephone 464 is connected.

The voice gateway device 400 is similar to the voice gateway device 100 shown in FIG.
10, telephone interface unit 421, frame control unit 4
30, a control unit 440, a memory unit 450, a time division switch unit 470, and a public network interface unit 480,
The DSP unit 410 includes a voice compression processing unit 411, a selection number processing unit 412, and a voice quality detection unit 413.

In such a configuration, for example, when the first telephone 460 is off-hook and the selected number of the other party (here, the third telephone 464) is dialed, the signal is transmitted to the voice gateway. The data is transmitted to the selection number processing unit 412 of the DSP unit 410 via the telephone interface unit 420 and the time division switch unit 470 of the device 400. The selection number processing unit 412 determines the dialed selection number and transfers the information of the selection number to the control unit 440.

Upon receiving the information of the selection number, the control section 440 searches the memory section 250 for frame header information corresponding to the selection number. However, since the third telephone 464 is not connected to the Internet / Intranet 462, there is no corresponding frame header information. For this reason, the control unit 440 controls the public network interface unit 4
A calling process is performed to the public network 463 via 80, and the third telephone 464 is called.

Here, when the third telephone 464 is taken off-hook, the call connection between the first telephone 460 and the third telephone 463 via the public network 463 is completed, and the first telephone 46 is turned off.
0 and the third telephone 464 can perform voice communication.

Therefore, for a communication partner who does not have a voice gateway device provided with a frame control unit for generating a data frame having the same voice compression method and the same structure as a subscriber connected only to a general public network. Also, it is possible to make a call by transferring the PCM voice data to the public network.

[0060]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

A public network interface unit for controlling call connection to the public network, a DSP unit or a public network interface unit and a telephone interface unit are connected,
A time-division switch for transmitting and receiving PCM voice data, and when a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or an intranet is detected, the control unit controls the public network interface via the public network. By instructing call connection and connecting the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit to the time-division switch unit, even if the quality of voice communication via the Internet or intranet deteriorates and calls become difficult, Since voice communication can be continued via the network, a situation in which a call cannot be made can be avoided.

Further, when a memory section storing frame header information corresponding to the selection number from the telephone and the telephone number information of the public network is stored, and there is no frame header information corresponding to the selection number in the memory section, The control unit instructs the public network interface unit to make a call connection via the public network, and the time division switch unit connects the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit, so that only the general public network is connected. Calls can also be made to other parties such as subscribers who do not have a voice gateway device equipped with a frame control unit that generates data frames of the same voice compression scheme and the same structure by transferring PCM voice data to the public network. It becomes possible to do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a voice gateway device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of a network including two nodes each having the voice gateway device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a network including a node having the voice gateway device shown in FIG. 1 and a telephone connected only to a public network.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional voice gateway device.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 400 voice gateway device 110, 210, 310, 410 DSP unit 111, 211, 311, 411 voice compression processing unit 112, 212, 312, 412 selection number processing unit 113, 213, 313, 413 voice quality detection unit 120, 220, 320, 420 Telephone interface unit 130, 230, 330, 430 Frame control unit 140, 240, 340, 440 Control unit 150, 250, 350, 450 Memory unit 160, 161 Telephone 162, 262, 462 Internet / Intranet 163, 263, 463 Public network 170, 270, 370, 470 Time division switch unit 180, 280, 380, 480 Public network interface unit 200 First voice gateway device 260, 460 First telephone 261, 461 Second telephone 300 Second voice gateway device 360, 464 Third telephone 361 Fourth telephone

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) MM01 QQ01 QQ08 QQ11 SS08 VV04 9A001 BB02 BB03 BB04 EE02 EE04 HH16 HH18 JJ18 JJ25 KK46 KK56 LL08 LL09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system comprising: a node provided with at least one telephone or an automatic telephone exchange accommodating the telephone;
TU-TH. A voice gateway device for performing voice communication with another node via the Internet or an intranet according to a method conforming to Recommendation H.323, which is connected to the telephone set or the telephone automatic exchange, and converts voice signals to PCM voice data. A telephone interface unit for converting the PCM audio data into an audio signal and a DSP for encoding and decoding the PCM audio data
And assembling and disassembling a frame transmitted via the Internet or the intranet;
A frame control unit serving as an interface for accessing the Internet or an intranet; a public network interface unit for controlling a call connection to a public network; and either the DSP unit or the public network interface unit and the telephone interface unit. Connect and P
A time-division switch unit for transmitting and receiving CM voice data, and instructing the public network interface unit to make a call connection via the public network when detecting a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or the intranet. A control unit that connects the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit to the time division switch unit;
An audio gateway device having: 2. A control device comprising: a memory unit storing frame header information corresponding to a selection number from the telephone; and the control unit searching the memory unit, and there is no frame header information corresponding to the selection number. 2. The voice gateway according to claim 1, wherein in the case, a call connection via the public network is instructed to the public network interface unit, and the telephone interface unit and the public network interface unit are connected to the time division switch unit. apparatus. 3. The DSP section decodes the data transferred from the frame control section to generate the PCM audio data, and detects the audio quality of the decoded PCM audio data. And a voice quality detection unit, wherein the control unit determines a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or an intranet from the detection result.
The voice gateway device according to the above. 4. A system comprising: a node provided with at least one telephone or an automatic telephone exchange accommodating the telephone;
TU-TH. A method for controlling a voice gateway device for performing voice communication with another node via the Internet or an intranet according to a method conforming to Recommendation H.323, comprising a public network interface for controlling a call connection to a public network in advance. When a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or the intranet is detected, the public network interface unit connects a call with a corresponding communication partner via the public network, and the communication partner A method for controlling a voice gateway device that switches voice communication via the Internet or the intranet to voice communication via the public network. 5. A memory unit in which frame header information corresponding to a selection number from the telephone is stored in advance, and the memory unit is searched, and if there is no frame header information corresponding to the selection number, 5. The control method for a voice gateway device according to claim 4, wherein the public network interface unit connects a call with a corresponding communication partner via the public network, and performs voice communication with the communication partner via the public network. . 6. Detecting voice quality of decoded PCM voice data from data in a frame received via the Internet or an intranet, and determining a decrease in communication quality via the Internet or an intranet from the detection result. Claim 4 or 5
A method for controlling a voice gateway device as described in the above.