JP2001251440A - Calling system, terminal adapter, calling device, server, and calling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a calling system, a terminal adapter, a calling device, a server, and a calling system which perform automatic switching between calling by line switching and VoIP calling according to the connection state of a calling device at a calling destination in the dial-up connection. SOLUTION: The server 12 registers VoIP calling availability information in a database through steps T2 to T7 when the received signal from the terminal adapter is a registration request signal. When the calling device connected to the terminal adapter inquires whether the calling-destination device is in a dial-up connection state, the VoIP calling availaiblity information on the calling destination is taken out of the database and sent to the terminal adapter through T8 to T12. The terminal adapter checks the received VoIP calling availiability information and enables VoIP calling between a communication- source calling device and the communication-destination calling device when the VoIP calling is possible, but allows calling by line connection when not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone call (hereinafter referred to as VoIP) through circuit-switched connection and VoIP (packet-switched).
Call) technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An Internet telephone (VoIP: Voice) for exchanging voice data using an Internet network.
over IP) technology. In the case of the Internet network, transmission data is divided into predetermined lengths, an address (IP address) of the communication device on the receiving side on the Internet network is added, and the data is packetized and transmitted. In addition, as a connection method between the Internet network and the communication device, there are a connection method using a dedicated line and a connection method using dial-up.

In the dial-up connection, when a dialing number of a receiving device is dialed from a transmitting device to connect to the Internet network, a server (access server,
A router or the like relays this (in the role of an exchange (exchange) in the case of telephone communication) to connect the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0004] VoIP devices generally used today are always used in a dedicated line connection environment with the Internet (also in a dedicated IP network) or temporarily used in a dial-up environment. Therefore, it is not always available in a dial-up environment (that is, in a dial-up environment, when dialing, the sending device cannot connect unless the receiving device is connected to the Internet network. (Dialing (calling out) does not mean that connection (incoming call) is established and communication becomes possible).

[0005] An idea for making an Internet telephone always available like a normal telephone in a dial-up environment is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-168033.
Call from a server like the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.
JP-A-10-322391 or JP-A-10-1
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55040, for example, in which prior notification is performed via a telephone network before dial-up. Further, as in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-136286, in addition to the connection with the IP network (not dial-up), it is also connected to the subscriber line network, so that both the call by the circuit switching and the call by the VoIP are available. There was an idea for an adapter terminal that would allow the connection to be made from the same telephone connected to the adapter.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, in order to establish a call, a mechanism on the called side and standby preparation are required, and a call cannot be made with a party without the mechanism. was there.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the calling side unilaterally determines whether to use the PSTN circuit switching or the VoIP packet switching, it is inexpensive for a long time and many calls (communication). ) Is a fixed-rate communication service (for example, N
TT (company name) Telehodai, flat-rate IP service, etc.)
It is not suitable for a dial-up connection environment in which the connection is not always completely established, such as when using a telephone line shared with a general telephone.

[0008] Further, since the usability of circuit switching and packet switching is not sufficiently unified only by combining the conventional methods, for example, (a) a call using a normal line connection and a call using VoIP can be performed with the same operational feeling. There is a problem that it is not possible to make a call or (b) that every time a call occurs, it is not possible to select which of a call using a line connection and a cheaper VoIP call via dial-up should be used to make a call.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a telephone call for automatically switching between a telephone call by circuit switching and a VoIP telephone call depending on the connection state of a destination device at the time of dial-up connection. A method, a terminal adapter, a communication device, a server, and a communication system are provided.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system in which each of the communication devices connected to a network is set to a dial-up IP connection or a VoIP reception enabled state at an arbitrary timing. When set, the VoIP connection availability information of the communication device is registered in a server that manages this network, and when a call is made from one of the communication devices to another communication device, the communication device is called from the server. If the VoIP connection availability information obtained from the server indicates that the communication device of the call destination is capable of VoIP communication, the communication device of the call source will perform VoIP communication with the communication device of the call destination. Initiates a call and the dial-up IP connection information obtained from the server indicates that the call device of the call destination cannot perform VoIP calls. If, the call source of the call device initiates a call by circuit-switched connection with the call destination communication device, and wherein the.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication system, each of the communication devices connected to the network is connected or not at the time of dial-up IP connection or when a VoIP reception enabled state is set. The information is registered in a line connection control terminal that controls the line connection of the communication device, and when a call is made from one of the communication devices to another communication device, the VoIP of the communication device of the call destination is transmitted from the line connection control terminal. When the connection availability information is obtained and the VoIP connection availability information obtained from the line connection control terminal indicates that the communication device of the call destination can perform the VoIP communication, the communication device of the call source can perform the VoIP communication with the communication device of the call destination.
Starts an IP call and sends the V
When the oIP connection availability information indicates that the call device of the call destination cannot perform the VoIP call, the call device of the call source starts a call by a circuit switching connection with the call device of the call destination. .

A terminal adapter according to a third aspect of the present invention is configured so as to be connectable to a communication device provided with dial input means, and to transmit and receive communication data to and from the communication device.
A second input / output unit configured to be connectable to a communication line, for transmitting and receiving call data to and from the communication line, and when identification information of a call destination device is input from the call device, This call destination is a dial-up IP
Connection method switching means for switching the connection method of the telephone device between dial-up IP connection and circuit switching connection depending on whether or not the telephone device is connected;
A: IP connection control means for establishing a dial-up IP connection of the communication device when switched to the P connection; b:
After the dial-up IP connection is established by the IP connection control means, a packet generation means for converting the call data input from the communication device via the first input / output means to generate a VoIP packet, and c: Packet transmitting means for transmitting the generated VoIP packet to the communication line via the second input / output means;
After the dial-up IP connection is established by the IP connection control means, when the data received from the communication line via the second input / output means is a VoIP packet, the VoIP packet is disassembled to restore the call data; e: first call data sending means for sending the call data restored by the restoration means to the call apparatus via the first input / output means, and f: connection method of the call apparatus by the connection method switching means. When switched to a circuit-switched connection, a circuit-switched connection control means for establishing a circuit-switched connection of the telephone device, and g: a first input / output from the telephone device after the circuit-switched connection is completed by the circuit-switched connection control device. Call data transmitting means for transmitting the call data input via the means to the communication line via the second input / output means; and h: After circuit-switched connection ends that is a second call data sending means for sending from the communication line to the communication device call data input via the second input means, comprising the.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the terminal adapter further comprises a registration unit for registering VoIP connection availability information of the communication device in a server for accessing the IP network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the terminal adapter further comprises registration means for storing VoIP connection availability information of the communication device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter of the fourth aspect, the connection method switching means obtains VoIP connection availability information of the call destination of the call destination from the server, and the call destination of the call destination receives the dial-up IP address. Dial-up IP when connecting
Switching to connection is characterized.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connection method switching means obtains VoIP connection availability information of the destination communication device from the terminal adapter connected to the communication device. The method is characterized in that when the communication device is connected by dial-up IP, the connection method of the communication device is switched to dial-up IP connection.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the connection means for the external data terminal and the VoIP when the communication volume with the data terminal exceeds a certain standard. It is characterized by comprising a resetting means for resetting the connection availability information to be disabled.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the terminal adapter according to any of the fourth to eighth aspects, wherein the VoIP
The connection availability information includes information indicating whether or not dial-up IP connection of the communication device is available, and a dial-up IP connection valid period or a dial-up IP connection invalid period.

According to a tenth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect, when the incoming call non-answer time exceeds a predetermined time, the recording means records the recording data transmitted from the caller. It is characterized by having.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to the tenth aspect, when the recording data transmitted from the calling communication device is the communication data, the recording means records the data in a compressed or uncompressed state. In the case of a VoIP packet, compressed call data extracted from the packet is stored.

The twelfth invention is directed to the tenth or eleventh aspect.
In the terminal adapter according to the invention, the recording sound means includes:
In the case where the data transmitted from the source communication device is a VoIP packet, the communication device includes means for controlling the second input / output means so as to extend the maximum allowable delay time of the received packet within a predetermined time range.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect, an idle call is made among the communication devices connected to the first input / output means for an access made via a communication line. The sum of the call device allocating means for allocating devices in a predetermined order and the access and access request by dial-up IP connection and circuit switching connection to the call device connected to the first input / output means is the first.
When the number of intercoms connected to the input / output means of
Access restricting means for restricting predetermined access to a telephone device to be accessed thereafter.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect, the number of people who can use the communication device connected to the first input / output means can be set at any time. If the sum of the access and access request by dial-up IP connection and circuit switching connection to the communication device connected to the input / output means exceeds the number set by the number setting input means, the external communication device which requests access thereafter. And an access restricting means for performing a predetermined access restriction on the access control.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the fourteenth aspect, the access by the facsimile apparatus out of the access by the dial-up IP connection and the circuit switching connection is excluded from the sum of the access and the access request. I do.

The sixteenth invention is directed to the thirteenth or first aspect.
In the terminal adapter according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the terminal adapter is provided with a detecting means for detecting a forced recording instruction from the communication device, and when the forced recording instruction is detected from the data received through the first input / output means, the forced recording instruction is provided. When the subsequent call data is packetized together with the compulsory recording instruction and transmitted via the second input / output means to the destination communication device, and when the packet received via the second input / output means includes the compulsory recording instruction,
Recording means for recording the call data of the packet.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the terminal adapter according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the time data of the reference time of the call obtained from the call device of the call destination via the communication line is converted to the time of the call reference. It is provided with time data conversion means for outputting data, and the reference time outputted by the time data conversion means is transmitted to the communication apparatus of the caller via the first input / output means.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal adapter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the time data output means and the call source reference time from the time data output means are converted to output a call destination reference time. And time data conversion means, wherein the reference time output by the time data conversion means is transmitted to the call device of the caller via the first input / output means.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the fourth aspect, the terminal adapter further comprises encoding means for encoding identification information of the communication device, and the V of the communication device is registered by the registration means.
In the oIP connection availability information registration operation, the identification number encoded by the encoding means is registered as the identification information of the communication device.

According to a twentieth aspect, in the terminal adapter according to the fifth aspect, the VoIP registered in the registration means in response to a VoIP connection availability information transmission request from the server.
A means for transmitting the connection availability information to the server is provided.

A terminal according to a twenty-first aspect is a terminal connected to a network, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a packet from the network; Control means for controlling the receiving means so as to extend the maximum allowable delay time of the received voice packet within a predetermined time range,
Recording means for recording the audio data extracted from the audio packet received by the receiving means under the control of the control means.

A communication apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect is characterized in that the communication apparatus includes two-way communication means, display means, and display control means for displaying received time information on the display means.

Also, the communication apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus for bidirectional communication means, time data output means, display means and time data output means. It is characterized by comprising time data conversion means for outputting a time, and display control means for displaying, on the display means, the reference time output by the time data conversion means.

The twenty-fourth invention is the twenty-second or the twenty-third.
In the communication device according to the invention, the display control means displays the time by discriminating the time according to the time zone.

The twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects.
In the communication device according to any one of the aspects of the invention, when the communication device is under dial-up IP connection, the display control means displays the fact on the display means.

Further, the communication apparatus according to the twenty-sixth aspect provides a two-way communication means, a timing data output means, a dial signal automatic output means, whether or not a dial-up IP connection is available and a valid or invalid period of the dial-up IP connection. Monitoring the time data from the dial-up IP connection condition setting means for inputting the setting and the clock data output means.
When the validity period set by the P connection condition setting means arrives or the invalid period elapses, the dial signal automatic output means is controlled to start the dial-up IP connection operation, and the dial-up IP connection condition setting means starts the dial-up IP connection operation. IP connection control means for disconnecting the dial-up IP connection when the valid period elapses or the invalid period comes.

When the server of the twenty-seventh aspect receives a connection request from a first terminal connected to a managed IP network to a second terminal connected to the IP network or another network, A server which assigns a retained IP address as an address of a second terminal and provides the first terminal with identification information of a primary terminal connected to an IP network and identification information of a secondary terminal managed by the primary terminal Terminal information registration means for registering connection information of the secondary terminal, and registration means for registering the connection information in the terminal information registration means when a request for registration of connection information of the managed secondary terminal is made from the primary terminal. Search for terminal information registration means when there is a request or inquiry for connection information of a secondary terminal under the control of a primary terminal connected to the IP network from another primary terminal connected to the IP network or the Internet network. Inspection Means, characterized in that and a search result transmission means for the transmission request or transmitting of a primary terminal addressed query search result by the search means.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, in the server according to the twenty-seventh aspect, the connection information is information indicating whether a secondary terminal has a dial-up IP connection.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, in the server according to the twenty-eighth aspect, the connection information further includes information indicating a valid period or an invalid period of the dial-up IP connection of the secondary terminal.

The thirtieth aspect of the present invention relates to the twenty-seventh or the second aspect.
A registration request from the primary terminal,
Receiving the transmission request or inquiry and transmitting the search result to the primary terminal are performed by an IP packet when the primary terminal is connected to the IP network, and an ISDN call control packet when the primary terminal is not connected to the IP network. It is characterized in that it is performed by the information element in.

The thirty-first aspect of the present invention relates to the twenty-seventh or the twenty-eighth aspect.
In the server of the invention, the management information registration means for registering the management information of the primary terminal connected to the IP network, and the identification information of the primary terminal having made the registration request or the transmission request or the primary terminal having made the inquiry are registered in the management information registration. Means for checking whether or not the information is registered in the means, and if not registered, means for prohibiting registration of connection information to the management information registration means by the registration means or prohibiting search of the management information registration means by the search means. And characterized in that:

According to a thirty-second aspect, in the server according to the thirty-first aspect, the management information registered in the management information registration means includes charging information for each primary terminal, and another primary terminal connected to an IP network or the Internet. The search result of the terminal information registration means performed by the search means based on the transmission request or inquiry of the connection information of the secondary terminal under the control of the primary terminal connected to the IP network from the secondary terminal indicates that the dial-up IP connection A charging information registration unit that updates the charging information of the primary terminal registered in the management information registration unit when it means that the primary terminal is registered.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention provides a method for transmitting and receiving data between a server and a terminal, wherein the transmission and reception of data between the server and the terminal are performed by using an IP packet when the terminal is connected to an IP network managed by the server. When the terminal is not connected to the IP network, the operation is performed by an information element in an ISDN call control packet.

When the 34th telephone system receives a connection request from a primary terminal connected to a managed IP network to a terminal connected to the IP network or another network,
It comprises a server that assigns the P address as the address of the terminal to be connected and gives it to the primary terminal, a plurality of terminal adapters connected to the IP network, and a plurality of communication devices connected to the terminal adapter, and connects to the IP network. Each terminal adapter is connected to a dial-up IP connection or V
When the VoIP reception enabled state is set, the VoIP connection availability information of the communication device is registered in the server, and when a call is started from a communication device connected to a certain terminal adapter to a communication device connected to another terminal adapter, The terminal adapter for connecting the caller of the caller obtains the connection information of the caller of the callee from the server. When the connection information obtained from the server indicates that the caller of the callee can perform VoIP communication, the terminal adapter is used. Initiates a VoIP call between the calling device and the called device via the IP network, and when the connection information obtained from the server indicates that the called device cannot perform the VoIP call. , The terminal adapter initiates a call through a circuit-switched connection between the calling device and the called device. And it features.

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is the communication apparatus according to the thirty-fourth aspect, wherein the terminal adapter transmits and receives data between the server and the terminal adapter under the control of the server.
When the terminal adapter is not connected to the IP network, it is performed by the IP packet.
It is characterized in that it is performed by the information element in the DN call control packet.

[0045]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Overview of Calling System] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a calling system of the present invention (the entirety of FIG. 1 consisting of a portion surrounded by a bold line). A server computer (or router, gateway) 11 (hereinafter, a server 11) that connects to the Internet 1 and exchanges data with the Internet 1 and a telephone server computer (hereinafter, a server 12) that connects to the server 11 and the IP network 3. Provided network (operated by provider A), communication lines such as Internet 1 and IP network 3 (managed and operated by provider A) 3 and ISDN exchange network 3 ', ISDN exchanges 4, 4', and the terminal adapter of the present invention 5 and 5 'and a telephone device connected to the terminal adapters 5 and 5' (fixed telephone, facsimile device with telephone function, mobile telephone, P S, etc.) 51, 51 ', the information terminal (e.g., a personal computer without a communication function with or call function (Personal Computer)) 52, 52' consists of a user terminal such.

Although only one exchange 4 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of exchanges 4 are connected in practice. The same applies to the terminal adapters 5 and 5 ', and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) communication devices 51 can be connected to the terminal adapters 5 and 5'. Reference numeral 51 "indicates a normal analog telephone, and reference numeral 52" indicates an information terminal.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 ′ denotes another server (operated by the provider B) connected to the Internet 1, and reference numeral 3 ′ denotes a network (other than an IP network) not connected to the server 12 operated by the provider A In the example of FIG.
N network (not limited to ISDN network))
Is a conventional terminal adapter (that is, a TA (termination device) function + NT1 (so-called DSU (digital service
Unit)) with terminal adapter).

In FIG. 1, provider A uses IP network 3 under a contract with a communication line facility operator (eg, NTT) (provider A may be a communication line facility operator). Further, the user of the terminal adapter 5 (5 ′) (owner in the case of purchase, occupant in a lease contract in the case of lease or rental) has concluded a service contract with the provider A by the communication system of the present invention (for example, , Contract by applying for a service member, automatic subscription by connecting the terminal adapter of the present invention (whether paid or free).

(Basic Features of Communication System) The communication device 51 connected to the terminal adapter 5 is the communication device of the caller, and the communication device 51 ′ connected to the terminal adapter 5 ′ is the communication device of the communication destination. When the call is made, the caller 51 of the caller can perform a VoIP (Internet telephone) call or a connection standby state in accordance with the connection state (whether or not dial-up IP connection is established) of the callee's caller by dialing only by the user. Becomes That is, in FIG. 1, when the communication device 51 ′ of the communication destination is in the VoIP communication enabled state (= dial-up IP connection is being performed), the communication device 51 of the call source performs the VoIP communication by the dial-up IP connection via the IP network 3. Can be performed with the communication device 51 ′ of the communication destination. When the communication device 51 ′ of the communication destination is in a normal call (= circuit-switched connection) connection state, the communication device 51 of the calling source and the communication device 51 of the communication destination are connected. 'Can make a call via the ISDN switching network 3'. Further, in this case, the user uses the state (VoI) of the destination device 51 ′ in the destination communication device 51.
It is also possible to know the IP connection validity period (invalidity period information) such as when the connection is possible and when the connection is possible or not, and the time information of the communication destination device 51 '.

Further, reference numeral 100 ′ denotes the communication system 100.
In the case of a communication system having the same configuration as that described above (not limited to providers in Japan, it may be installed in foreign countries), the communication device 5 connected to the terminal adapter 5
When 1 is the caller of the caller and the caller connected to the terminal adapter of the call system 100 ′ is the callee, the caller 51 of the caller can connect the caller only by the user's dial operation. IP according to the status
It is possible to perform the communication via the network 3 or the Internet 1 without paying attention to the communication by the circuit switching connection or the communication by the VoIP. Also, in this case, the user of the caller device 51 of the caller can determine whether the connection destination device can be connected or not (= whether or not a VoIP call can be made). Such as IP
In addition to the connection validity period (invalid period) information and the time information of the called device, the reception time is calculated based on the standard time (date and time) of the installation location (region or country) of the called device (location Or the time of the country (country) and can be notified (at the same time, based on the standard time (date and time) of the installation location (region or country) of the calling side communication device, the outgoing time is set at the location (region or country) ) May be converted to the standard time and notified.)

Further, in a dial-up environment, the dial number is stored in the terminal adapter 5 for user protection.
The server 12 may be configured to perform the control operation of the communication system using the encoded dial number.

[Terminal Adapter] The terminal adapter (terminal device) 5 (5 ') has an ISDN line interface and an analog telephone interface, and is a commercially available IS.
DN terminal adapter product (voice data and unrestricted digital data sent from the ISDN line are separated and supplied to the analog communication device and the personal computer, and voice data from the analog communication device and digital data from the personal computer are transmitted to the ISDN line. It has the same appearance (has a function of 15cm x 17cm x 5cm), and has a power supply, telephone connection, PC connection,
The lamp indicating the state of transmission / reception and the like is a box type having a terminal portion for electrically connecting to a communication terminal or a communication line such as a communication device or a personal computer on the back surface. Is VoIP in a dial-up environment
(Internet phone) Equipped with an automatic switching function.

Here, the VoIP function is for transmitting and receiving voice in real time bi-directionally through the IP protocol, and performs digital compression functions such as voice compression calculation function, compressed voice decompression calculation function, echo removal calculation, and compressed voice. A packet or an IP packet, and a function of transmitting and receiving a call control message such as connection establishment / disconnection / release with a communication partner through an IP protocol before and after the transmission / reception of the compressed voice, by a circuit or software. (Fig. 2) shows software (program) by DSP and CPU
This is realized by the execution control of).

The terminal adapter 5 (5) 'has an answering machine message recording function. If all of the connected communication devices are in a call or the call cannot be connected to the communication device, the terminal adapter 5 (5)' records the data as it is (compressed data). Even in this case, the data is compressed as it is without decompression processing), reproduced according to a reproduction instruction from the telephone device, and transmitted to the telephone device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of the terminal adapter.
(5 ') CPU 61, RAM connected to bus 60
62, ROM 63 for storing a control program, serial port interface 64, clock data output means 76, ROM 65 for storing a program, dual port RAM 6
6. Program storage ROM 67, D channel I / O buffer 68, B1 and B2 channel I / O buffers 69, and S / T connected to I / O buffers 68, 69
Point receiver driver 70, ROM 65 and RAM 6
DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 7 connected to 6
1. A / D and D / A converters 72 and 74 and analog telephone interfaces 73 and 75 are provided. Note that FIG.
In the above example, two sets of the A / D, D / A converter and the analog telephone interface are used, but three or more communication devices can be connected by configuring the DSP 71 to perform time-division processing. Also, dual port RA
The M-DSP-A / D, D / A converter-analog telephone interface may have three or more systems so that three or more communication devices can be connected.

The CPU 61 is connected to the terminal adapter 5
(5 ′) The entire operation is controlled, and the ISDN layer stored in the control program storage ROM 63 is controlled.
r2, 3 control program, AT command control program, TCP / IP control program, and VoIP control program.
In the case of a line connection), voice (analog) data and digital data received from the ISDN line are sorted (that is, separated and separated) and supplied to an analog communication device and an external data terminal (information processing device) such as a personal computer. The voice data from the analog communication device and the digital data from an external data terminal such as a personal computer are transmitted to the ISDN line (FIGS. 3 to 5).

The CPU 61 also controls the communication device 51 (5
When receiving a VoIP call enable / disable registration signal (for example, a specific code or dial number data for a dial-up connection IP) from the server 1), the server 12 issues a VoIP call enable / disable registration request to the server 12 (FIG. 3: S3 to S7).

The CPU 61 monitors a communication charge (amount of digital data) with an external data terminal such as a personal computer via the serial port interface 64. If the communication charge exceeds a certain standard, the VoIP connection is permitted. In order to reset the information to be disabled, a VoIP call permission / inhibition registration request including data indicating that VoIP connection is disabled is performed. When the terminal adapter 5 (5 ') is configured to register the VoIP connection availability information, the VoIP connection availability information column of the VoIP call management table (FIG. 9) of the terminal adapter 5 (5') is set to VoIP. Update (re-set) to mean that connection is not possible.

In the VoIP call mode (dial-up connection mode), the CPU 61 sorts VoIP packets and other data packets from digital data received from the ISDN line, and converts compressed voice data from VoIP packets through a path after the DSP. Then, the voice data (analog) is restored and supplied to the analog communication device, and data from other data packets is supplied to an information processing device such as a personal computer. Further, the voice data from the analog communication device is digitized and compressed by a path after the DSP, packetized, and transmitted to the ISDN line, thereby enabling a two-way communication (FIG. 3: S14).
To S19).

In the case where the CPU 61 is configured to store dial encoding means (program) in the ROM 67, when the dial-up IP connection or the VoIP
When the call receiving state is set, the dial number (identification information) of the communication device to be dial-up IP connected is encoded and transmitted to the server 12 (FIG. 3: S9).

When the time conversion means (program) is stored in the ROM 67, the CPU 61 uses the time information of the installation area or country of the destination device received from the server 12 on the basis of the standard time of the caller. It can also be converted and sent to the connected communication device 51 (FIG. 3:
S18-5, S18-6).

A RAM 62 is a ROM for storing a control program.
The storage of the control program read from 63, the commands and constants necessary for executing the control program, the information from the server 12, and the like are stored. The RAM 62 is stored in a DS described later.
The P RAM 66 may also be used.

The control program storage ROM 63 has an IS
DN Layer 2 and 3 call control program, AT command control program, TCP / IP control program, Vo
A control program such as an IP call control program is stored. In the case of a normal line connection, an ISDN Layer2, 3 control program, an AT command control program, a TCP / I
The P control program is read into the RAM 62, and in the case of a dial-up connection, the VoIP control program and the TC
The P / IP control program is read into the RAM 62.

The serial port interface 64 transmits and receives data to and from an information processing device such as the personal computer 52 (that is, transfers the sorted digital data to the personal computer 5).
2 and receives digital data from the personal computer 52).

The time data output means 76 always counts the time and outputs the current time data (year / month / date / hour / minute / second) of the terminal adapter under the control of the CPU 61.

The program storage ROM 65 is a DSP 71
(Analog telephone call control program, analog telephone input / output program, voice compression / decompression program, etc.) are stored. Note that the program storage R
These programs may be stored in the control program storage ROM 63 without providing the OM 65.

The dual port RAM 66 has a DSP 71
Each program executed by R
Data (for example, control information, mode setting information) and uncompressed (μ law) voice data required to execute an analog telephone call control program, analog telephone input / output program, voice compression / expansion program, etc. stored in the OM65 ,
Stores compressed audio data and the like. In addition, dual port R
These data can be stored in the RAM 6 without providing the AM66.
2 may be stored.

The program storage ROM 67 stores the VoIP
Stores programs other than the control program and additional programs, such as a dial encoding program, a time conversion program, etc., in addition to the callable information transmission program. Note that these programs may be stored in the control program storage ROM 63 without providing the program storage ROM 65 (in this case, the VoIP reception possible information transmission program is a part of the VoIP call control program (V
Program module included in oIP program))
It may be.

The S / T point receiver / driver unit 70 has the IS
This is a connection point with the DN line, and data transmission with the ISDN line is performed via the S / T point receiver / driver unit 70. Specifically, the S / T point receiver / driver unit 7
0 has a function of converting the difference between the voltage and digital signal format between the S / T point, the ISDN S / T point, and the internal signal.

The DSP 71 appropriately executes a program stored in the program storage ROM 65 under the control of the CPU 61. In the normal mode, the DSP 71 executes analog telephone call control to perform a telephone call (for a facsimile apparatus, image data transmission / reception). ), And in the VoIP communication mode, the packet data received from the bus 60 is disassembled, the compressed audio data is expanded, the audio data (digital data) is restored, and the data is supplied to the D / A converter 72 or 74. Further, the audio signal (digital data) from the A / D converter 72 or 74 is subjected to compression processing, and an audio data packet is assembled and transmitted to the bus 60. Also, the DSP 71 executes the recording mode when the transmission / reception is not started even when the calling device is called or during the call, decompresses the voice packet (VoIP packet) taken in from the bus 60, and decompresses the compressed data. Without dual port RAM6
6 is stored in the voice data storage area for the communication device provided in the communication device 6 (the packet may be stored in the dual port RAM 66). Also, when there is a reproduction instruction from the communication device, the compressed audio data is expanded to restore the audio data (digital data) and supplied to the D / A converter 72 or 74.

The DSP 71 can control the communication (communication) with a plurality of (two or more) communication devices (and facsimile devices). In this case, the A / D and D / D A plurality of A converters are connected, and access to the communication device (and the facsimile device) is performed in a time sharing manner. The number of interface systems below the DSP, A / D and D / A converters may be the same as the number of communication devices (and facsimile devices) capable of simultaneous communication (communication).

Further, the terminal adapter 5 (5 ') may be provided with a communication function (that is, the function and configuration of the communication device). Further, VoIP call availability information of the communication device connected to the terminal adapter may be stored.

(Operation of Terminal Adapter) As described above, in order to make a VoIP call between the calling device and the called device, the called device must have a dial-up IP connection. In the call system of the present invention, each call device can register VoIP call propriety information with the server via the terminal adapter of the present invention by a user's operation. Note that the condition of the VoIP call is that the communication device of the call destination has a dial-up IP connection (registered as “Dial-up IP connection“ OK ”in the server and is in the valid period), and The state of the VoIP call availability information registration does not matter.

1. Basic Operation of Terminal Adapter FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the basic operation of the terminal adapter 5 (5 '). The following description is the same even when the communication device is replaced with a facsimile device. In the following description, the terminal adapter 5 (5 ')
Is configured to have a call function, the same applies even if the call device is replaced with a call mechanism (circuit) of the terminal adapter.

Step S1: (Determination of Received Signal) When the user operates an input key (numerical keys or special keys arranged on the communication device) of the communication device 51, a signal (key input signal and transmission source identification number (implementation) In the example, the dial number)) is transferred to the CPU 61 via the DSP 71 or the like. When there is analog call control (calling) by circuit switching from the telephone device 51 ', a calling signal (analog voice signal) is transferred from the ISDN line via the S / T point receiver / driver unit 70, and the server 12 From VoIP
When there is a call control by a call, a VoIP call control signal is transferred from the ISDN line via the S / T point receiver / driver unit 70. The CPU 61 checks a signal from the DSP 71 or the ISDN line. If the signal is a signal received from the communication device 51, the process proceeds to S2.
Transition to 5.

Step S2: (call dial or VoIP)
The CPU 61 checks the key input data of the digital data input from the communication device 51, and determines whether the dial signal is V.
If it corresponds to a dial number meaning registration of oIP call availability information (for example, a dial number for registering VoIP call availability information specified by a provider), the above step S
After storing (storing) the transmission source identification number received in step 1 in the RAM 62, the processing proceeds to step S3 where another dial signal (that is,
In the case of a call dial signal), the process proceeds to S8. In addition,
Instead of dialing a specific dial number from the calling device, a specific code indicating VoIP call permission information registration (for example, if the VoIP call permission information registration operation is configured to input a specific code, the specific code If the signal is a dial signal, the process proceeds to S8.

Step S3: (Sending of VoIP call availability information registration guide message) The CPU 61 sends the VoIP call to the communication device 51 via the DSP 71 or the like.
An IP call availability information registration guide message is sent to urge the user to register. The registration guidance is, for example, "From now on,
To enter a dial-up connection, enter ####. "To cancel the dial-up connection, enter ***." To register a dial-up connection start time , Please enter HHMM ### "," To specify the dial-up connection end time, enter HHMM *** "," Please key in 999 at the end of the operation " Can be performed.

Step S4: (Reception of VoIP call enable / disable information registration data) The CPU 61 receives the VoIP call enable / disable information registration data from the communication device 51 via the DPS 71 or the like and sends it to R.
The operation stored in the AM 62 is repeated until an operation end code is received.

Step S5: (Sending of Registration Confirmation Message and Registration Confirmation Determination) When the CPU 61 receives the operation end code from the communication device 51 via the DSP 71 or the like, the CPU 61 stores the Vo stored in the RAM 62.
Confirmation messages corresponding to the IP telephone call propriety information registration data are sequentially transmitted to the telephone device 51 via the DSP 71 and the like, and when a confirmation code (for example, #) or an on-hook signal is received from the telephone device 51, the process transits to S6 and other codes Is received, the process returns to S3 to redo the VoIP call availability information registration operation. That is, when the user presses a key other than the confirmation key (# in this example), registration is retried.

Step S6: (Dial-up IP connection when VoIP call is possible) The CPU 61 checks the registered contents of the user, and when this means that "it is now possible to make a dial-up connection" (for example, ####) Is entered), TCP / IP
The control program is executed and controlled to establish a protocol with the IP network 3, and after a dial-up IP connection is established, S7
Transitions to. If the content is other than "meaning that dial-up connection is now possible", the process immediately transits to S7.

Step S7: (Transmission of VoIP call propriety information data to server) CPU 61 determines the identification number of terminal adapter 5, RAM
Based on the identification number (identification number encoded by the encoding means) of the communication device 51 held in the RAM 62 and the VoIP communication availability information registration data stored in the RAM 62 in step S7, a VoIP communication availability information registration request signal (VoIP connection A request information registration request signal is generated and transmitted to the server 12 via the ISDN line, and the control returns to S1.

Step S8: (ISDN Call Control, etc.) The CPU 61 establishes ISDN Layer 2/3 call control and negotiates communication conditions using the ISDN call control program and the AT command control program.

Step S9: (Encoding of Dial Number) When the CPU 61 receives the identification information of the call destination and the call source (the dial number is used in the embodiment, but is not limited to this) in parallel with the operation of step S8. They are encoded by an encoding program. As an encoding method, data obtained by encoding a dial number from a calling device (for example, the calling device 51) by a one-way function (an algorithm such as MD5 or DES) can be used. Note that this step may not be provided, but if provided, the server uses the encoded dial number as the identification number of the communication device. It is preferable for the user in terms of security and privacy.

Step S10: (Transmission of VoIP Call Availability Information Transmission Request) Next, when the operations of steps S9 and S10 are completed, the CPU 61 sets the encoded dial number data of the call destination device and the identification number of the communication source device ( V)
It generates an oIP permission / inhibition information transmission request, transmits the request to the server 12 via the ISDN line, and waits for reception of the VoIP call permission / inhibition information (the operation of the server will be described later (FIG. 11)).

Step S11: (Determining VoIP call availability information) The CPU 61 receives the VoIP call availability information from the server 12, examines the contents thereof, and if VoIP call is possible, shifts to S12. Is S1
Transition to 4.

When the VoIP call availability information includes the period information, the period information is compared with the time information from the time data output means 76. Is VoIP call unavailable and S
Transition is made to 14. Even if the VoIP call is not possible, if the period is out of the period, the VoIP call is permitted and the process proceeds to S12.

Step S12: (establishment of call setting and protocol) The CPU 61 executes the VoIP call control program to set up the call with the server 12, and when the TCP / IP protocol is established, the call destination and the caller of the call source are identified. The information (dial number (encoded)) is transmitted to the server 12, and the IP address and the like of the transmission destination (terminal adapter) acquired from the server 12 are held (stored) in the dual port RAM 66, and the communication source (in this example, After turning on the access flag of the communication device 51), the process proceeds to S13.

Step S13: (VoIP call (transmission)
Processing) The CPU 61 transitions to the VoIP communication (transmission) processing (steps S13-1 to S13-6) shown in FIG. 4 for the transmission data received from the analog communication device. When the call ends, the control returns to S1 to wait for the next signal input.

Step S14: (Call by Circuit Switching) If VoIP communication is not possible in step S12, the terminal adapter 5 performs a line connection process for switching to a call by office line switching by the DSP 71 to enable two-way communication. When the call ends, the control returns to S1 to wait for the next signal input. The line connection process is executed by the CPU 6
1 using the D channel input / output buffer 69
A D / A, A / D converter which performs call control and converts voice communication data transmitted / received via a B channel input / output buffer 68 through a dual port RAM in an uncompressed format (μ-law format = logarithmic compression format) This is performed by transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication device 51 (51 ') via the communication 72 (or 74). It should be noted that a separate exchange circuit (not shown) is provided in the terminal adapter 5 (5 ') so that
SDN buffer and D / A, A / D converters 72 and 74
May be directly connected, and the CPU 61 may switch the switching circuit.

Step S15: (Determination of Received Signal) The CPU 61 receives a call control message signal by circuit switching from the D channel via a normal ISDN line (for example, the analog communication device 5).
1), the process proceeds to S16, where the VoIP is determined by the information element such as the UUI of the ISDN call control message.
If the received signal is a signal for starting the call control, the process proceeds to S17. In the case of packet data, S
Transition is made to 18.

Step S16: (Call Processing by Circuit Switching) If VoIP communication is not possible in step S15, the terminal adapter 5 performs a line connection processing for switching to a communication by circuit switching by the DSP 71 to enable two-way communication. When the call ends, the control returns to S1 to wait for the next signal input.

In the line connection processing, the DSP 71 controls the execution of the telephone call control program to perform a calling operation (sending of a ringing tone signal) to the communication device 51, and after receiving a call, executes the analog communication input / output program. Execution control is performed to enable a call between the communication device 51 and the communication device 51 ′. If there is no response even after the calling operation to the communication device 51 is repeated for a predetermined period of time, it is regarded as an absence and a recording process is performed.

Step S17: (Call Setup and Protocol Establishment) The CPU 61 executes the VoIP call control program to set up a call with the server 12, and establishes the TCP / IP protocol. The information (the dial number (encoded) in the embodiment), the IP address of the terminal adapter of the other party, etc. are acquired and held (stored) in the dual port RAM 66, and the access flag of the communication source (the communication device 51 in this example) is obtained. Is turned on, and the process proceeds to S18.

The serial port interface 6
When a personal computer or the like is connected via the PC 4, the personal computer or the like is first notified of a dial-up start request, and the personal computer or the like detects the start request (by a request detecting means such as a monitoring program) and executes a dial-up procedure. It may be offensive to execute via a personal computer dial-up PPP and AT command control driver.

Step S18: (Distribution of Packet) The CPU 61 checks the type of the packet, and
If the packet is a P packet (audio data packet), the process proceeds to S19. If the packet is another data packet (character data packet, image data packet), the information processing device connected to the terminal adapter via the serial port interface. (Such as a personal computer).

Step S19: (VoIP call (receiving)
Processing) The CPU 61 makes a transition to the VoIP call (reception) processing (FIG. 5) shown in FIG. 5, and performs processing of transmission data (voice data packets) received via the ISDN. When the call ends, the control returns to S1 to wait for the next signal input.

With the operation of the terminal adapter as shown in FIG. 3, the user simply dials the dial number of the called device from the calling device without having to be aware of whether the called device can perform VoIP communication. So, VoIP
When a call is possible, a call can be made using an inexpensive Internet phone, and when a VoIP call cannot be made, a call can be made using a normal telephone line.

In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the VoIP call permission / inhibition information registration request signal is generated and transmitted to the server 12 in step S7, and the VoIP call permission / inhibition information is registered in the server 12. Is dialed, a request for transmitting the VoIP call permission / inhibition information of the callee is sent to the server 12 in step S10, and based on the VoIP callability information received from the server in step S10, the callee's VoIP call is made in step S11. Although it is configured to determine whether or not it is in the possible state, the invention is not limited to this. For example, in step S7, the identification number of the terminal adapter 5 and the identification number of the communication device 51 are transmitted to the server 12, and the terminal adapter stores the VoIP communication availability information of the communication device connected to the terminal adapter. In step S10, a VoIP call enable / disable information transmission request of the callee's communication device is sent to the terminal adapter (the other terminal adapter) for connecting the callee's communication device. , Step S
In step 11, it may be configured to determine whether or not the destination communication device is in a VoIP communication enabled state.

2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the terminal adapter during a VoIP call (sending).

Step S13-1: (Capture of transmission data, etc.) The DSP 71 inputs from the connected communication device (or may input simultaneously from a plurality of communication devices), and sets the analog telephone interface 73 (75). A / D converter 7 via
The transmission data (voice data) converted into digital data in 2 (74) is once fetched (stored) in the dual port RAM for each communication device.

Step S13-2: (Call Termination Determination) When the DSP 71 receives a call termination signal (on-hook signal) from any of the connected communication devices, or when the access flag of any of the communication devices is turned off. The process proceeds to S13-5 assuming that the communication by the communication device has ended.

Step S13-3: (Compression and Packetization of Transmission Data) When the size of the transmission data exceeds a predetermined size, the DSP 71 compresses the transmission data using a compression program and converts the data into compressed transmission data. The time information (month / date / hour / minute) output from the time information output means 76, the packet type code, the identification information (dial number in the embodiment) of the communication device of the communication destination, and the information obtained in step S12 of FIG. The packet is added with the IP address of the transmission destination (the terminal adapter 5 ′ in this example) or the like, and transmitted to the bus 60. Step S
13-1 to S13-3 are processed by the DSP 71 for each communication device.

Step S13-4: (Transmission of Transmission Data Packet) The CPU 61 sends this transmission packet to the ISDN line, returns to S13-1, and passes control to the DSP 71 (DS
P71 operates independently even during the packet transmission operation of the CPU 61).

Step S13-5: (Call Termination Processing) When the DSP 71 receives the call termination signal (on-hook signal) from the communication device or detects that the access flag is off in step S13-4, the remaining speech is transmitted without being compressed. The data (the last transmission data) is compressed, the type code of the packet, the identification information of the communication device of the communication destination, and the IP of the transmission destination
An address or the like is added to the packet to add a type code of the packet and an IP address of the server, and the packet is sent to the bus 60. Further, the access flag of the communication device of the communication device which has issued the communication end signal is turned off.

Step S13-6: (Transmission of End Information Data to Server, etc.) The CPU 61 sends the last data packet and this transmission packet to the ISDN line. Further, it transmits the dial number (encoded) of the call device and the call end code to the server 12. Note that the DSP 71 continues the processing of the other communication device while another communication device connected to the terminal adapter 5 is talking. The packet transfer control is performed in parallel by the CPU 61.

3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal adapter during a VoIP call (receive call).

Step S18-1: (Determination of Acceptability of Call) The DSP 71 checks the dial number included in the received packet, and if the access flag of the dial number is on, determines that the telephone is busy and calls busy data. Into a packet with the packet type code, the identification information of the communication device of the communication destination (the dial number of the communication device 51 'in this example), the IP address of the transmission destination (the terminal adapter 5' in this example), and the like. To the bus 60, and the process goes to S13-4 in FIG.

Step S18-2: (Call Termination Judgment (1)) The DSP 71 checks the dial number included in the received packet, and if the VoIP packet for the currently connected communication device is not received within the predetermined time, When it is determined that the call has ended, the access flag of the call device is turned off, the transmission process ends, and the flow shifts to S18-12.

Step S18-3: (Disassembly of Received Packet) When a VoIP packet is captured from the ISDN line,
The DSP 71 disassembles the data and compresses the received data (voice data), the identification information (dial number) of the calling device 51, and the time information (month, date,
Hours / minutes) are taken out and stored in the dual RAM 66.

Step S18-4: (Determination of whether or not it is answering machine recording data) If the disassembled packet is a packet storing the answering machine recording voice data, the DSP 71 shifts to S18-11.

Step S18-5: (Conversion of Call Time) The DSP 71 executes and controls the time conversion program, and sets the call time extracted in step S18-3 to the standard time (month or month) of the installation location (region or country) of the own device.・ Date / hour / minute) The time conversion program does not perform the time conversion or converts the time to the same time when the called party and the calling party are both set in an area (country) to which the same standard time is applied.

Step S18-6: (Paging of the communication device and transmission of time information after conversion) The DSP 71 sends a call signal to the communication device (51) of the dial number extracted from the packet disassembled in step S18-4 and a call signal. The call time data obtained in step S18-5 is sent out (this causes the call device 51 to emit a ringtone and display the call time of the other party on the liquid crystal display. In the case of a facsimile device, Can display the sender's time). Note that the DSP 71 does not send the call time data if the calling device does not have a display unit (the presence or absence of the display unit of the calling device is set by a setting operation on the terminal adapter or the like).

Step S18-7: (Absent Judgment) The DSP 71 checks whether or not an off-hook signal (call start signal) has been received from the calling device to which the call signal is transmitted in step 18-5, and the off-hook signal is determined If it is not sent from, it is determined that there is no answer, and S18-
Transition is made to 10.

Step S18-8: (Reproduction of audio data and transmission to voice communication device) If the off-hook signal is received within a predetermined time in step S18-6, the DSP 71 controls the execution of the decompression program, and The compressed audio data extracted in 18-3 is expanded, the expanded audio data is converted into analog audio data by the D / A converter 72 or 74, and transmitted to the communication device via the analog telephone interface unit 73 or 75. (This enables reception by the communication device).

Step S18-9: (Call Termination Judgment (2)) The DSP 71 receives a call end signal (on-hook signal) from the talking device during reception (that is, when the user hangs up the telephone during reception (receiver) Is placed on the cradle)
Then, it is determined that the call has ended, the access flag of the communication device is turned off, the transmission process ends, and the flow shifts to S18-12. Otherwise, the process directly transits to S18-12.

Step S18-10: (Transmission of Recording Guidance Message During Answering Machine) The DSP 71 creates a message including a message prompting recording of an answering machine, a destination terminal adapter, a telephone number of the called party, and a packet type code. And S13- in FIG.
Transition to 4.

Step S18-11: (Storing of Answering Machine Recording Message) The DSP 71 stores the dial number, time information and compressed voice data extracted in step S18-3 in the answering machine data area of the dual port RAM 66,
Stored by time.

Step S18-12: (Determination of Presence or Absence of Recorded Message Playback Instruction) The DSP 71 checks whether or not there is a recorded message playback instruction from the connected communication device. If there is a recorded message playback instruction, the DSP 71 proceeds to S18-13. Transition, otherwise, transition to S1.

Step S18-13: (Playback of Recorded Message, etc.) The DSP 71 searches the answering machine data area of the dual port RAM 66, and if data for the communication device instructed to play back the recorded message is stored, Controlling the execution of a decompression program to decompress the compressed voice data stored in the answer phone data area, convert the decompressed voice data into analog voice data by the D / A converter 72 or 74, and convert the voice data into analog voice data. 73 or 75
To the communication device via the communication device (this allows the communication device to receive the other party's message). After the end of the reproduction (when there is an instruction such as replaying, canceling, and the like, after executing those processes), the process proceeds to S1. If the data for the communication device for which the recording message reproduction instruction has been issued is not recorded in the answering machine data area, message data to that effect is sent to the communication device and S1
Transitions to.

According to the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, the terminal adapter transmits the V
It can receive the oIP packet and send out voice data to the dialed telephone device. In addition, since the time of the area (country) where the standard time is different is converted to the time of the area (country) where the communication device is installed and transmitted to the communication device, the communication time of the other party is determined by the communication device. You can know by time.

Also, when answering machine recording is performed on the terminal adapter side, the compressed data is recorded as it is, and expansion processing is performed at the time of reproduction. Good.

Note that the maximum allowable delay time of the VoIP packet (normally, the delay time is suppressed for real-time communication and the delayed packet is discarded) at the time of recording the VoIP recording message in step S18-11 of FIG. It may be configured so as to eliminate the interruption of the sound (for this purpose, for example, the type data of the packet is determined before the step S18-1 to increase the maximum allowable delay time in the case of a recorded message. It may be configured as follows).

The VoIP connection and the circuit switching connection are sequentially allocated to the vacant communication devices (or the facsimile device, the terminal adapter with the communication function, and the information processing terminal with the communication function) before the step S18-1 in FIG. When the sum of the number of VoIP connections and the number of circuit-switched connections reaches the number of communication devices, an access restriction (disconnection (during a call as a disconnection reason) is returned or a call waiting operation) for a new connection request beyond that. Or a step of performing an answering machine operation). In this case, the number of access flags may be set to be the same as the number of connectable communication devices, and allocation to a free communication device may be performed by referring to the access flag and allocated to a communication device for which the access flag is off.

Also, in advance, the terminal adapter 5
In (5 '), the number of users on the spot who can use the communication device is set, or a means for obtaining the information (for example, a key input means) is added as necessary, and step S1 in FIG.
If the sum of the number of VoIP connections and the number of circuit-switched connections exceeds the number of users on the spot at the previous stage of 8-1, access restriction (disconnection (during a call as a disconnection reason) is returned or a call waiting Operation or an answering machine operation).

Further, as the above access restriction, a message prompting the input of a recording message may be sent to the communication device to be subjected to the access restriction (that is, if the number of recordings increases, the access to the communication device is consequently restricted. Decrease).

Further, the number of access flags is set according to the number of users set or obtained by the terminal adapter 5 (5 '), and a communication device which can be used according to the number of access flags and the number of users is set. In association with this, it is possible to refer to the access flag for the assignment to a vacant communication device, and to assign it to the communication device with the access flag turned off.

Further, in the above-mentioned example of the limitation of the number of employees,
If the currently connected device is a facsimile device, the communication result is automatically output even if no human responds, and the number of callers is not restricted.
Even if an IP connection is established, the current connection number may not be counted.

Further, the stage before S13-1 in FIG.
An input means capable of inputting an instruction indicating that the transmitted transmission message is a recording message by an operation on the communication device (“### 1 is a combination of a # key and a number key provided on the communication device. "Start recording message,"###
Key and procedure for setting “9” to end the recording message)
S13-3 may be configured so that the above-mentioned recorded message can be determined, and a packet type code indicating a recording message packet may be added to the determined recorded message. With such a configuration, an absence determination step during reception (S18-7 in FIG. 5).
And without going through the recording inquiry step (S18-10), the called user dials and performs a specific key operation and then "calls back in n minutes".
If a request message such as "call again at m" or "want to call at P" is input (by voice or text), it is possible to record on the routes of S18-4 and S18-11 in FIG. 5 ( Then, reproduction (voice output or display) can be performed in response to a reproduction instruction from the receiving user (steps S18-12, S18-13).

In the example of FIG. 5, when the standard time of the communication source and that of the destination (country) are different, the time information of the destination is received by the terminal adapter of the source and converted into the time information of the source. The terminal adapter of the called party also receives the time information of the calling party, converts the time information of the called party to the time information of the called party, and transmits the information to the talking apparatus of the called party. You may.

As a modified example of the terminal adapter of the present invention, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port is provided in place of the serial port interface 64 of the terminal adapter 5 described above, and a dial-up capable of connecting a plurality of IP terminals. A router may be configured.

In addition, the packet distribution in step S18 in FIG. 3 is performed not by the type of the packet but by the distinction of the client-side IP address and the port number.
Packets controlled by the P control program (VoIP packets) and packets controlled by other personal computer applications may be sorted.

[Talking Device] As a talking device that can be connected to the terminal adapter of the present invention to talk, for example, a telephone,
A facsimile device, a facsimile device with a call function, an information processing device with a call function (such as a personal computer), and an information home appliance with a call function can be given. When a wireless communication function is added to the terminal adapter, the mobile phone, P
In addition to HS and cordless telephones, an information processing device with a call function and an information home appliance with a call function to which a wireless function is added can be connected.

Display means (for example, a liquid crystal display) capable of displaying time information, VoIP connection availability information, billing information, an operation guide message, a function display message, a status display (VoIP connection possible status display) message, and the like on the communication device. May be provided. Further, display means such as a display lamp for notifying that VoIP connection is possible may be provided. Further, input means such as a VoIP connection permission / prohibition setting button for outputting a corresponding signal (code) in response to a user's operation, and a recording message input setting button for sending and recording a message when the other party is busy when calling. May be provided.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the terminal adapter is provided with time conversion means for performing time conversion and transmitting the conversion result to the communication device (communication device 51). When the standard time of the area (country) of the communication source and the called party is different, the time information of the called party is received and converted to the time information of the calling party (or the time information of the calling party is received and converted to the time information of the called party) The communication device may be configured to perform conversion, or exchange the time information of the caller and the callee with each other) and display them.

When displaying the time on the communication device, the time may be classified according to the time zone (night, day) and displayed differently by color or the like. By doing so, when the callee is in a foreign country, it is possible to visually grasp the sense shift due to the time difference (the caller is in the daytime, but the callee is at midnight). In addition, when the communication device is in a dial-up IP connection, that effect may be displayed (screen display or lamp display).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of an embodiment of a communication device provided with time conversion means. The communication device 60 includes an A / D converter 61, a time memory 62, a time conversion unit 63,
A time display system including a display memory 64 and a display unit 65 including a display element such as a liquid crystal screen; a communication unit 66;
7, a communication system including a microphone 68 is shown.

In FIG. 6, the time signal of the analog signal output from the terminal adapter 5 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 61 at the time of the VoIP call and the circuit switching connection. After being stored, the time is converted to the standard time of the installation location of the terminal adapter 5 by the time conversion unit 63 and displayed on the display unit 65 via the display memory 64 (the time signal and the audio signal can be identified by timing, and A Can be separated at the stage before the / D converter 61).
Since the header of the time signal stores an area (country) standard time identification code (or absolute time based on Greenwich), the time information from the communication device of the area (country) of the same standard time is converted. The time is displayed as is.

Note that the time information extracted from the packet by the terminal adapter 5 during the VoIP call may not be converted into an analog signal, and a digital signal (time information) from the terminal adapter 5 may be input to the communication device. . In this case, the time information is stored in the time memory 62.
Is temporarily stored in the display memory 6 and converted to the standard time of the installation location of the terminal adapter 5 by the time conversion unit 63.
4 is displayed on the display unit 65. In FIG. 6, an input key and a dial signal automatic output means (not shown) are provided in the communication device 60, and whether or not a dial-up IP connection is enabled and a valid or invalid period of the dial-up IP connection are set by key input. In addition, the time data from the timing data output means is monitored, and when the set validity period comes or the invalidity period elapses, the dial signal automatic output means is controlled to start the dial-up IP connection operation, and the setting is started. It is also possible to provide a control means configured to disconnect the dial-up IP connection when the valid period elapses or the invalid period comes.

The communication device of the present invention can also be used as a normal communication device to which a terminal adapter is not connected, that is, a communication device that performs only a call through a normal public telephone line without performing a VoIP call. That is, a time output means such as a timer is provided in the communication device, and a time signal is transmitted from the time output means to the line at a certain timing (at the start of transmission, etc.) during a call, and the analog signal received from the line is transmitted. Among the signals, a circuit (means) for separating the time signal at a stage preceding the A / D converter may be provided.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a communication device provided with time conversion means. The communication device 60 ′ includes a time counting means 71, a time memory 62, and a time conversion section 6.
3, a time display system including a display memory 64 and a display unit 65, a communication system 69 and a dial device 72 are shown.

In FIG. 7, the communication device 60 'receives the time data from the timer 71 at regular time intervals (normally, the communication device 6).
The time based on the standard time in the area where 0 'is located) is overwritten (stored) in the time memory 62. When the user performs a dial operation, a dial signal is sent from the dial device 72 to the time conversion unit 63, and the time conversion unit 63 takes out the time data from the time memory 62 by using the dial signal as a trigger, and includes the time data and the dial data. Based on the country-specific and regional-specific codes, the reference time data of the called party extracted from the built-in country / region-based standard time table is converted into the standard time reference time of the called party, and displayed in the display memory 64. Is displayed on the display unit 65 via the. This allows
When dialing, the standard time of the place where the other party's communication device is installed can be displayed, so bother with the time difference (for example, call Tokyo at 10 am Japan time from Tokyo and call at 2 pm Berlin time) ) Or make a phone call when there is no other party (I called from Tokyo at 9:00 pm Japan time, but at 1:00 pm in Berlin time, I am away at work). . Further, the time based on the standard time of the own device at the time of dialing and the time based on the standard time of the partner device can be displayed in parallel. Note that the communication device 6 shown in FIGS.
A communication device combining the configurations and functions of 0 and 60 'may be configured.

[Server] In the example of FIG. 1, the server 11 for information exchange with the Internet 1 and the server 12 for communication may be integrally formed as server computers of the provider. The server 12 may share a database with the server 11, but it is desirable to connect a database dedicated to the call system.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the call server 12.
The call server 12 is composed of a computer device, has a database 12 ', and has a database 11', and is connected to the Internet 1 to be connected to the Internet 1 and exchanges data with the Internet 1 via a network. The call server 12 connects to the IP network 3 (FIG. 1) managed and operated by the provider A, and manages packet exchange between a plurality of terminal adapters connected to the IP network 3. Further, when the terminal adapters connected to the IP network 3 are the terminal adapters of the present invention, registration that VoIP reception from those terminal adapters is available (or impossible) (VoIP call availability information registration). Is received and registered in the VoIP call management table 80 (FIG. 9) of the database 12 ′.

Also, when a dial-up connection is attempted from the calling device via the calling terminal adapter, the VoIP call management table 80 is referred to, and if the called device is capable of VoIP communication, the called device is called. The IP address of the terminal adapter that connects the communication device of the communication device is passed to the terminal adapter that connects the communication source device, and the IP network 3
To enable VoIP calls over the Internet.

If the communication device of the communication destination cannot perform the VoIP communication, the fact is notified to the terminal adapter connected to the communication source device, and the communication through the circuit switching network (normal analog communication) is transmitted to the terminal adapter. System).

FIG. 9 shows VoIP secured in the database.
It is a figure showing the composition of one example of a call management table. In FIG. 9, the VoIP call management table 80 indicates the provider A
The identification information storage field 81 of the communication terminal adapter connected to the IP network 3 managed and operated by the user, the identification information of the communication device that has registered the VoIP communication availability information among the communication devices connected to the terminal adapter (this embodiment) In the example, the communication device identification information column 82 in which the encoded dial number is registered, the VoIP communication availability flag column 831 and the start time column 8 for each of the communication devices registered in the communication device identification information column 82
32 and a VoIP call permission information column 83 including an end time column 833.

The VoIP call availability flag column 831 contains V
Either oIP communication enabled (ON = 1) or disabled (OFF = 0) is stored. In the start time column 832 and the end time column 833, date and time (month / day / hour / minute) are stored.

The date and time stored in the start time column 832 and the end time column 833 mean the period during which the VoIP call is possible (the VoIP call start time and the VoIP call end time) when the VoIP call availability flag column 831 is on. , VoI
When the P call availability flag field 831 is off, it means a period during which VoIP communication is disabled.

If the VoIP call availability flag field 831 is turned on and the date and time are not stored in the start time field 832 and end time field 833, the VoIP call availability flag field 831
31 indicates that a VoIP call is possible. If the VoIP call permission flag column 831 is off and the date and time are not stored in the start time column 832 and end time column 833, the VoIP call permission flag column 831 Means that VoIP call is not possible while is off. Similarly,
Even when the date and time are stored in only one of the start time column 832 and the end time column 833, meaning can be given.

If the terminal adapter is configured not to acquire the VoIP call connection availability information from the server but to manage the VoIP call connection availability status of the communication device connected to the terminal adapter, the VoIP communication connection availability is not maintained. VoIP call connection availability column 83 of management table 80
Is not provided.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the terminal adapter management table secured in the database 12 '. In FIG. 10, a terminal adapter management table 90 stores an IP address and a name of an IP network user.
Network user column 91, terminal adapter identification information storage column 9
2, a charging condition column 93, a basic charging fee column 94, an additional charge column 95, a total charging column 96, a use period division column 97,... The charge according to the charge condition in the condition column 93 is calculated,
It is stored in the total charge column 96.

The charge calculation is calculated by the server 12. The billing calculation is usually performed in a variable system such as a fixed charge (= basic billing fee) based on the billing conditions in the billing condition column 93, or a basic billing fee + additional fee = total billing fee, or additional fee = total billing fee. The additional charge is determined by use time × unit price, but in the call system of the present invention, additional charge = the number of VoIP calls that can be made during dial-up connection × unit price. With such a billing method,
The server 12 can calculate the charge only by adding the unit price when possible in the inquiry about the VoIP call availability information state performed at the time of dial-up or by counting the number of possible answers. Further, according to this billing method, billing can be performed for each terminal adapter.

(Operation Example of Call Server) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the call server. Step T1: (Determining Received Signal) When the server 12 receives a signal from the terminal adapter 5, it checks the signal. If the received signal is a VoIP call enable / disable information registration request signal, the server 12 transitions to T2 and inquires about VoIP call enable / disable information (VoIP). In the case of a call enable / disable information transmission request signal), the process proceeds to T7, and in the case of a call control signal, the process proceeds to T13.

Step T2: (Retrieval of Terminal Adapter Identification Information) The server 12 uses the terminal adapter identification information included in the VoIP call availability information registration request signal as a key and identifies the terminal adapter identification information in the VoIP call management table 80 of the database 12 '. The column 81 is searched, and if the two match, the process goes to T4.

Step T3: (Registration of terminal adapter identification information) If there is no matching terminal adapter identification information in the search in step T2, the terminal adapter identification information included in the VoIP call enable / disable information registration request signal is replaced with the terminal adapter identification information. It is registered in the terminal adapter identification information column 81 of the VoIP call management table 80 of the database 12 '.

Step T4: (retrieval of communication device identification information) The server 12 uses the communication device identification information (in this embodiment, the encoded dial number) included in the VoIP communication possibility information registration request signal as a key to the database 12 '. VoI
The communication device identification information column 82 of the P call management table 80 is searched, and when they match, the process proceeds to T6.

Step T5: (Registration of communication device identification information) If there is no matching communication device identification information in the search in step T4, the communication device identification information included in the VoIP communication enable / disable information registration request signal is replaced. Call device identification information column 8 of VoIP call management table 80 of database 12 '
Register in 2.

Step T6: (Registration of VoIP call enable / disable flag) The server 12 stores the VoIP call enable / disable flag field 831 of the VoIP call management table 80 of the database 12 'in the VoIP call enable / disable flag field 831.
VoIP included in the IP call availability information registration request signal
Register the value of the call availability flag.

Step T7: (Registration of Period Data) The server 12 starts the start time column 832 and the end time column 833 of the VoIP call management table 80 of the database 12 '.
The start information and the end information included in the VoIP call permission / inhibition information registration request signal are registered in, and control is returned to T1. If the start information is invalid (blank or zero) and the end information is valid, all “0” s are registered in the start time column 832,
When the start information is valid and the end information is invalid, the maximum value, for example, all “9” is registered in the start time column 832.

Step T8: (Search of VoIP Call Management Table) The server 12 searches the VoIP call management table 80 of the database 12 'by using the call device identification information included in the VoIP call availability information transmission request signal as a key. If there is a match, the process transits to T9.
T1 as oIP call availability flag = off, period = none
Transition to 2.

Step T9: (Reading of availability flag and period data) The server 12 reads the terminal adapter identification number (= identification number of the other terminal adapter), the VoIP availability flag and the period data (start time) from the VoIP communication management table 80. (Month / day / hour / minute) and end time (month / day / hour / minute)). With this operation, VoIP
The partner terminal adapter of the terminal adapter that has issued the call permission / prohibition information registration request signal is identified, and the VoIP call permission / prohibition information of the partner communication device is acquired.

Step T10: (Charge Determination) The server 12 checks the value of the read VoIP callability flag, and if it is off, the process goes to T12. Due to this operation, no charge is made when the VoIP call is not possible.

Step T11: (Charging) The server 12 uses the terminal adapter identification information (identification information of the terminal adapter that has issued the VoIP callability information registration request signal) of step T8 as a key, and the terminal adapter management table 90 of the database 12 '. Is added to the unacceptable charge column 95 of the matching table data (a count column may be provided in the terminal adapter management table 90, and 1 may be added to the count column).

Step T12: (Transmission of availability flag and period data) The server 12 transmits the availability flag and the period data read in step T9 to the terminal adapter that has issued the VoIP communication availability information transmission request, and controls T1. return.

Step T13: (Call Setting) The server 12 tries to set up a call with the terminal adapter that has made a call to the server 12 or a terminal adapter that makes a call from the server 12.

Step T14: (Protocol Establishment Judgment) When the TCP / IP protocol is established by the above-mentioned call setting, the server 12 transfers control to T1 (the establishment of the TCP / IP protocol causes the source terminal adapter to communicate with the other terminal adapter). IP address is passed).

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, each time a registration request is transmitted from the terminal adapter in steps T2 to T7, the VoIP call connection availability information is changed to VoIP.
Although registered in the call management table 80, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server 12 may periodically inquire (transmit request) terminal data under management to obtain VoIP call connection availability information and update the VoIP call management table 80.

If the terminal adapter is configured to manage the VoIP call connection availability information of the communication device connected to the terminal adapter without acquiring the VoIP call connection availability information from the server, 11
Inquiry of VoIP call availability information in step T1 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, VoIP call flag registration in step T16, registration of period data in step T7, and step T8
-T12 (response processing to VoIP call availability inquiry)
Becomes unnecessary.

[Overall Operation of Call System] FIG. 12 shows the path of data (control signal, voice signal, VoIP packet) during call control and call, and FIG. 13 shows VoIP to the server.
Data for registration / inquiry of call availability information (request signal,
(Response data) (not shown, but each terminal is assumed to be connected to the terminal adapter of the present invention).

In FIG. 12, a route a indicated by a dotted line on the left indicates a route during a call between the communication terminals A and B by circuit switching, and a route b indicated by a dotted line on the right indicates the VoI of the terminals A and B.
This is the route during the P call. Solid lines indicate lines.

In the present call system, a call by circuit switching is always possible, and when both terminal A and terminal B are dialing up, a VoIP call indicated by a route indicated by a dotted line b is possible.

At the time of a telephone call in the circuit exchange between the terminal A and the terminal B,
The voice signal (analog signal) transmitted from the terminal A to the terminal B is switched by the telephone (ISDN) exchange 123 through the inter-station connection line with the telephone (ISDN) exchange 124 by the circuit exchange. The line is further switched at the station 124 and received by the terminal B. The audio signal transmitted from the terminal B to the terminal A is received by the terminal A by following the above-described route a in reverse. Thus, a two-way call (a call via a normal line) is performed.

When terminal B is in a dial-up connection (that is, when terminal B is in a VoIP call-enabled state), dialing up with terminal A establishes a dial-up connection, and terminal A transmits to terminal B. The voice data is converted into digital data (with the terminal adapter of the present invention), then packetized and transmitted to a line, and transmitted over a telephone (IS
An IP network (Privat) under the management and operation of a provider that manages and operates the server 120 by circuit switching at the DN) exchange 123.
e IP network 122), the packet is sent to the terminal B side by the circuit switching in the telephone (ISDN) switching center 124 (by the terminal adapter of the present invention), and the terminal B is passed through the analog conversion of the digital voice data. Is received.

Further, during the VoIP call, the terminal B sends the terminal A
Is received by the terminal A by following the above-mentioned route b in reverse. This allows a two-way call (V
oIP call) is performed.

Further, in this communication system, as means for knowing whether a call should be made using a circuit-switched call or a VoIP call, registration / inquiry to a server using a route as shown in FIG. Means are provided.

In FIG. 13, a path a 'indicated by a dotted line on the left side indicates a communication path by a circuit exchange between the communication terminal B and the server 120 by circuit exchange, and a path b' indicated by a dotted line on the right side indicates a terminal B.
And a communication path by an IP connection between the server 120 and the server 120. Solid lines indicate lines.

In FIG. 13, when the terminal B dials up, the VoIP including the identification number and the expiration date is transmitted to the server 120.
Register the connection availability information. The other terminal A is the server 120
A VoIP connection availability information search query (transmission of a VoIP connection availability information transmission request signal) based on the identification number, and if the other party terminal B is in a VoIP communication enabled state (that is, if dialing up is performed), the route b Vo using '
Communication by IP is performed and VoIP communication is disabled (that is,
If the terminal B has not dialed up, the call is originated by normal circuit switching using the route a '.

In addition to the IP connection as shown in FIG. 13 for communication between the terminal and the server, an ISD used for circuit switching is used.
An N Layer 3 call control message may be used.

That is, registration and inquiry for communication with the server 120 are performed by an IP packet while the terminal adapter is connected to the IP.
It can be performed by an information element (UUI or subaddress) in the DN call control packet.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a call control sequence at the time of circuit switching. When both terminals A and B have not dialed up and terminal A dials terminal B, automatic communication is established between terminal A and the server. 2 shows a sequence of a VoIP call enable / disable information inquiry and a call setup sequence by the terminal A after the VoIP call disable determination. After the protocol between the terminals A and B is established, a telephone call is performed by ordinary circuit switching.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a VoIP call control sequence. As shown in the upper right of FIG. 15, terminal B dials up and terminal A does not dial up. 5 shows a sequence of a VoIP call availability information inquiry automatically performed by the terminal A and the server when the terminal A and the server perform a call, and a call setting sequence by the terminal A after the VoIP call availability determination. After the terminal A dials up, a VoIP call is made. FIG.
5, the solid arrow is ISDN Layer 3, the dotted arrow is T
2 shows CP / IP.

Although not shown, if terminal A is in a dial-up state, T
A server inquiry is made by CP / IP, and if the result indicates that terminal B is dialing up or immediate dial-up is performed, a VoIP call is made; otherwise, a circuit-switched call is made.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0184]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the third to twentieth aspects of the terminal adapter and the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth aspects of the present invention,
By incorporating the VoIP function in the terminal adapter, a line connection call with many connection partners and an inexpensive Internet VoIP call via dial-up can be performed with the same operational feeling at present. In particular, this is effective when the IP network managed by the server operated and managed by the provider is a network based on a fee system such as a flat-rate system or a large discount system for a certain period of time.

The communication system of the first invention, the terminal adapter of the fourth invention, the terminal adapter of the sixth invention, the servers of the twenty-seventh to thirty-second inventions, and the communication systems of the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth inventions. According to the server, the communication device Vo
Since the IP connection availability information (= VoIP call availability information) is registered in the server, the provider can accurately grasp the dial-up IP connection status, and can perform charging according to effective use.

According to the communication system of the second invention, the terminal adapter of the fifth invention, and the terminal adapter of the seventh invention, the VoIP of the communication device is connected to the terminal adapter.
Since the connection availability information (= VoIP call availability information) is registered, the load on the server side is reduced. In addition, since the terminal adapter does not need to be registered in the server, the burden on the user can be reduced (that is, the terminal user only needs to have a contract with some provider, which is the same as connecting a normal personal computer to the Internet). Just connect the terminal adapter with the feeling).

Further, according to the terminal adapter of the eighth aspect, when a data terminal such as a personal computer is connected to the terminal adapter, if the communication volume with the data terminal is large, it is possible to reset the VoIP communication to be impossible. Also, it is possible to cope with a case where it is not desired to take a band for voice data to download a large amount of data.

According to the terminal adapters of the tenth to twelfth aspects, the answering machine function is incorporated in the terminal adapter main body together with the VoIP, so that the connected telephone device does not need to have the answering machine recording function. However, a telephone device other than a telephone, which is not usually provided, can also have an answering machine recording function.

Further, according to the terminal adapter of the eleventh aspect, since the compressed voice data is recorded as it is, when the data is recorded on an external telephone having an answering machine function during reproduction (in particular, the connected telephone is an IC answering machine) In this case, distortion due to re-compression or modulation is not added to voice compression during VoIP communication, so that the quality of messages can be kept high.

Further, according to the terminal adapter of the twelfth aspect, the maximum allowable delay time of the voice data packet of the VoIP call is switched and set to be long when the answering machine function operates, so that even if the Internet delay is large, the voice is interrupted. A high-quality voice message can be recorded without occurrence.

According to the terminal adapter of the thirteenth aspect, since the VoIP communication function is built in the terminal adapter main body, the number of connected ordinary telephones and personal computer telephones is not determined separately as in the prior art. Since any number of telephones connected to the terminal adapter can be connected by an arbitrary combination of circuit switching and VoIP, any more incoming calls are automatically communicated with a valid reason such as "calling" and disconnected. be able to. Further, according to the terminal adapter of the fourteenth aspect, a VoIP call function is incorporated in the terminal adapter body, and a mechanism for acquiring the number of telephones that can be actually taken (by the number of telephones or less) is provided. As a result, when a call is received by the other phone while the other party is using a circuit switching or VoIP service (for example, two or more people), the call does not remain ringing as in the related art. It can automatically tell you the justification for a busy call and disconnect it.

In addition, when the communication is counted as a device that is simply talking, as in the case of the analog port connection of the terminal adapter according to the prior art, if the connection is made by modem communication such as facsimile, the call is made even though it does not occupy human resources. According to the terminal adapter of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of telephones that can be connected can be increased because the connection of modem communication such as facsimile is identified and not included in the number of calls.

According to the terminal adapter of the sixteenth aspect, the forced recording instruction from the communication device is made possible.
A message can be returned on the spot for an incoming call that cannot be connected (for example, busy), thereby improving the convenience between users.

According to the terminal adapter of the seventeenth aspect, the time information transmitted from the communication device of the communication destination is converted into the reference time on the receiving side and transmitted to the communication device of the connected communication source. It is possible to replace the living time of the other party with the living time of the other party, which is convenient when talking with a foreign country with a large time difference.

Further, according to the terminal adapter of the eighteenth aspect, the time at the terminal adapter is changed to the reference time of the communication device of the communication destination and is transmitted to the communication device of the connected communication source. You can replace your living time with that of your own, which is convenient when talking with a foreign country with a large time difference.

Further, according to the terminal adapter of the nineteenth aspect, the identification device of the connected communication device is encoded and sent to the server. Can keep communication secret. In particular, if the method uses a one-way function as the encoding means and compares the results, the user can be assured because the original telephone number cannot be known.

According to the terminal adapter of the twentieth aspect, the VoIP connection availability information of the connected communication device can be transmitted in response to a periodic inquiry from the server, so that the server updates the VoIP connection availability information with the latest information. Can be maintained.

Further, according to the terminal of the twenty-first aspect, since the compressed voice data is recorded as it is in the built-in recording means, when the data is recorded on an external telephone having an answering machine function during reproduction (in particular, the connected telephone (Compared to the case where IC is an answering machine), since distortion due to re-compression and modulation is not added to voice compression during VoIP communication, the quality of the message can be kept high.

Further, according to the communication apparatus of the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects, the time conversion means is built in, so that the time based on the position of the own device can be converted to the time of another area and displayed.
You can know the time in a foreign country where the time difference is large when calling.

According to the communication apparatus of the twenty-third aspect,
Since the displayed time can be displayed in different colors according to the time zone,
Useful when calling with foreign countries.

Further, according to the communication apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect, the fact is displayed during the dial-up IP connection, so that the user can see the display and know whether or not it is an inexpensive VoIP call time zone.

Further, according to the communication apparatus of the twenty-sixth aspect,
Dial-up IP connection is automatically performed when the VoIP call available time comes, and the dial-up IP connection is automatically disconnected after the set validity period elapses, or dial-up IP connection is automatically made when the VoIP call unavailable time comes. Is disconnected and the dial-up I
P connection is disabled, and dial-up IP connection is enabled automatically after the set invalid period. Therefore, for a certain period of time, a user who uses a network providing a remarkably inexpensive service must manually check the time while watching the time. This eliminates the need for a dial-up IP connection and is convenient. Also,
If you do not want to use dial-up IP connection during high hours (that is, circuit-switched connection may be cheaper because dial-up IP connection remains connected to the line)
In this case, a dial-up IP connection is not established due to the invalid setting, so that a disconnection operation is not required, which is convenient.

According to the server of the twenty-ninth aspect, the V
Since the oIP connection availability information (= VoIP call availability information) includes information indicating a valid period or an invalid period, the second
As in the communication device of the invention of the seventh aspect, the user can dial up I
P connection time, dial-up IP connection time,
It is possible to set the time during which dial-up IP connection is not possible, select a time zone according to the fee system of the network to be used, and select dial-up IP connection or circuit-switched connection. Also,
By providing the validity period, there is no need to cancel or register changes, and it is possible to reliably prevent the trouble from continuing.

According to the server of the thirtieth aspect, the method of transmitting and receiving data between the server and the terminal of the thirty-third aspect, and the telephone system of the thirty-fourth aspect, when dialing up, the VoIP packet and the dial When it is not up, the VoIP connection availability information can be transmitted / received using the ISDN call control packet, so that the VoIP connection availability information can be transmitted and received at the highest speed and flexibly in each other's state.

According to the server of the thirty-first aspect, the provider can manage the terminal adapter connected to the network managed by the provider, and a so-called member (provider is a subscriber of the network managed by the provider) ), Or a specific fee structure (for example, a fee lower than others) can be set for the terminal adapter of the member.

Further, according to the server of the thirty-second aspect, it is possible to charge only when a dial-up IP connection is established, so that the provider can use a low-cost flat-rate system for the network and reduce the number of VoIP calls. It is possible to provide an Internet telephone service with a corresponding additional charge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a terminal adapter (terminal device).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a basic operation of the terminal adapter.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a terminal adapter during a VoIP call (transmission).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a terminal adapter during a VoIP call (receiving).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of an embodiment of a communication device including a time conversion unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of an embodiment of a communication device including a time conversion unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a call server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a VoIP call management table secured in a database.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a terminal adapter management table secured in a database.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the call server.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a signal path during call control and communication.

FIG. 13 shows VoIP call availability information registration /
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a signal path at the time of inquiry.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a call control sequence at the time of circuit switching.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a VoIP call control sequence.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet (network) 3 IP network (network) 51, 51 ', 52, 52' Communication device, terminal, secondary terminal 12, 120 server 5, 5 'Terminal adapter (line control terminal, terminal,
Primary terminal) 61 CPU (connection method switching means, IP connection control means, circuit switching connection control means, registration means, resetting means) 80 VoIP call management table (terminal information registration means) 90 Terminal adapter management table (management information registration means) )

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 3/42 H04L 11/20 B 9A001 F term (Reference) 5K024 AA11 AA73 AA76 BB02 5K030 GA19 HA08 HB29 HC01 JA03 JT01 LB02 LB08 LB18 LC06 5K039 BB03 CC01 DD01 JJ01 5K051 AA01 AA02 CC01 CC02 FF02 GG02 5K101 MM06 QQ07 QQ11 SS06 SS08 9A001 BB03 BB04 CC03 CC04 CC06 DD10 EE02 EE03 EE05 FF05 JJ18 JJ25 JJ25 JJ25 JJ25 JJ25

Claims (35)

[Claims] When a dial-up IP connection is made at an arbitrary timing or when a VoIP reception enabled state is set, each communication device connected to a network transmits VoIP connection availability information of the communication device to a server managing the network. Registering, when making a call from one of the communication devices to another communication device, VoIP connection availability information of the communication device of the communication destination is obtained from the server, and the VoIP connection availability information obtained from the server is When the call device of the call destination indicates that VoIP call is possible, the call device of the call source starts a VoIP call with the call device of the call destination, and the VoIP connection availability information obtained from the server is When the call destination communication device indicates that the VoIP call is not possible, the call source call device sets the call destination A telephone call through a circuit-switched connection with another telephone device. 2. When a dial-up IP connection is performed at an arbitrary timing or when a VoIP reception enabled state is set, each communication device connected to the network transmits VoIP connection availability information of the communication device to the line connection control of the communication device. When a call is made from one of the communication devices to another communication device, the VoIP connection availability information of the communication device of the communication destination is obtained from the line connection control terminal. If the VoIP connection availability information obtained from the line connection control terminal indicates that the call device of the call destination can perform VoIP call, the call device of the call source starts a VoIP call with the call device of the call destination. The VoIP connection availability information obtained from the line connection control terminal indicates that the communication device of the communication destination cannot perform VoIP communication. Wherein the caller's calling device initiates a call through a circuit-switched connection with the called device. 3. A first input / output unit configured to be connectable to a communication device having dial input means, for transmitting and receiving communication data to and from the communication device, and configured to be connectable to a communication line. And second input / output means for transmitting and receiving communication data to and from the communication device. When identification information of the communication device of the communication destination is input from the communication device, the communication device of the communication destination is dial-up IP.
Connection method switching means for switching the connection method of the telephone device to either dial-up IP connection or circuit switching connection depending on whether or not the connection is established; A: IP connection control means for establishing a dial-up IP connection of the communication device, and b: after the dial-up IP connection is established by the IP connection control means, the first input from the communication device. Packet generation means for converting the call data input via the output means to generate a VoIP packet; c: VoIP generated by the packet generation means
A packet transmitting means for transmitting a packet to the communication line via the second input / output means; d: after establishing a dial-up IP connection by the IP connection control means, transmitting the second input / output means from the communication line If the data received via the VoIP packet is a VoIP packet, the VoIP packet is disassembled to restore the call data; and e: the call data restored by the restore means is transmitted through the first input / output means. The first to be sent to the communication device
F: circuit switching connection control means for establishing circuit switching connection of the communication device when the connection method of the communication device is switched to circuit switching connection by the connection method switching device; : After the circuit switching connection is completed by the circuit switching connection control means, a call for transmitting the call data input from the communication device via the first input / output means to the communication line via the second input / output means. H: a second call data transmission for transmitting the call data input from the communication line via the second input / output means to the communication device after the circuit switching connection is completed by the circuit switching connection control means. Means, and a terminal adapter. 4. The terminal adapter according to claim 3, further comprising a registration unit for registering VoIP connection availability information of the communication device in a server that accesses the IP network. 5. The terminal adapter according to claim 3, further comprising registration means for storing VoIP connection availability information of the communication device. 6. The connection method switching means retrieves VoIP connection availability information of the communication device of the communication destination from the server, and the communication device of the communication destination is dial-up IP.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the connection is established, the connection method of the communication device is switched to a dial-up IP connection.
Terminal adapter as described. 7. The connection method switching means obtains VoIP connection availability information of the communication device of the communication destination from a terminal adapter connected to the communication device, and when the communication device is dial-up IP connected. The terminal adapter according to claim 5, wherein a connection method of the communication device is switched to a dial-up IP connection. 8. A connection means for connecting to an external data terminal, and resetting means for resetting the VoIP connection permission / prohibition information to be disabled when the communication traffic with the data terminal exceeds a certain standard. The terminal adapter according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: 9. The VoIP connection availability information includes information indicating availability of a dial-up IP connection of the communication device, a dial-up IP connection validity period, and a dial-up IP
9. The terminal adapter according to claim 4, wherein the terminal adapter includes a connection invalidation period. 10. The terminal according to claim 3, further comprising a recording means for recording the recording data transmitted from the calling telephone device when the non-answering time of the telephone device exceeds a predetermined time. adapter. 11. The recording means records compressed or uncompressed data when the recording data transmitted from the calling communication device is communication data, and compresses the compressed communication data extracted from the packet when the recording data is a VoIP packet. The terminal adapter according to claim 10, wherein is stored. 12. When the data transmitted from the caller of the caller is a VoIP packet, the recording means causes the second input / output means to extend the maximum allowable delay time of the received packet within a predetermined time range. 12. The terminal adapter according to claim 10, further comprising control means. 13. A communication device allocating means for allocating, in a predetermined order, vacant communication devices among communication devices connected to the first input / output means in response to access performed via the communication line, When the sum of access and access request by dial-up IP connection and circuit switching connection to the communication device connected to the first input / output means exceeds the number of communication devices connected to the first input / output means, 4. The terminal adapter according to claim 3, further comprising: access restriction means for restricting predetermined access to a communication device accessed thereafter. 14. A number setting input means capable of setting at any time the number of persons who can use the communication device connected to the first input / output means, and a dial for the communication apparatus connected to the first input / output means. When the sum of the access and the access request by the up IP connection and the circuit switching connection exceeds the number of persons set by the number of persons setting input means, the access restriction means for restricting a predetermined access to the external telephone device to which access is requested thereafter. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
Terminal adapter as described. 15. The terminal adapter according to claim 14, wherein an access by a facsimile device out of the access by the dial-up IP connection and the circuit switching connection is excluded from the sum of the access and the access request. And a detecting means for detecting a compulsory recording instruction from the communication device, wherein when the compulsory recording instruction is detected from the data received via the first input / output means,
The communication data following the compulsory recording instruction is packetized together with the compulsory recording instruction and transmitted to the communication device of the communication destination via the second input / output means. The packet received via the second input / output means 15. The terminal adapter according to claim 13, further comprising recording means for recording the call data of the packet when the forced recording instruction is included. 17. A time data conversion means for converting time data based on a call destination reference obtained from a call device of a call destination via the communication line and outputting time data based on a call source, and 4. The terminal adapter according to claim 3, wherein the call destination reference time output by the conversion means is transmitted to the call source communication device via the first input / output means. 18. Time data output means, and time data conversion means for converting a caller reference time from the time data output means and outputting a callee reference time, the time data conversion means comprising: 4. The terminal adapter according to claim 3, wherein the output call destination reference time is transmitted to the caller of the caller via the first input / output means. 19. An encoding device for encoding identification information of the communication device, wherein when the registration device registers the VoIP connection availability information of the communication device, an identification number encoded by the encoding device is used. The terminal adapter according to claim 4, wherein the terminal adapter is registered as identification information of the communication device. 20. The terminal adapter according to claim 5, further comprising means for transmitting VoIP connection availability information registered in said registration means to the server in response to a VoIP connection availability information transmission request from the server. 21. A terminal connected to a network, comprising: receiving means for receiving a packet from the network; and a maximum delay tolerance of the received voice packet when the packet received by the receiving means is a voice packet comprising voice data. Control means for controlling the receiving means so as to lengthen the time within a predetermined time range, and recording means for recording audio data extracted from the audio packet received by the receiving means under the control of the control means, A terminal comprising: 22. A communication device comprising: two-way communication means; display means; and display control means for displaying received time information on the display means. 23. A two-way communication means, a time data output means, a display means, and a time data conversion means for converting a caller reference time from the time data output means and outputting a callee reference time. And a display control means for displaying, on the display means, a reference time of the call destination output by the time data conversion means. 24. The communication apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the display control means displays the time by discriminating the time according to a time zone. 25. The telephone call according to claim 22, wherein the display control means displays the fact on the display means when the telephone device is in a dial-up IP connection. apparatus. 26. Two-way communication means, timing data output means, dial signal automatic output means, availability of dial-up IP connection, and dial-up IP
A dial-up IP connection condition setting means for setting and inputting a connection validity period or an invalidity period; and monitoring time data from the clock data output means, and checking whether the validity period set by the dial-up IP connection condition setting means arrives or becomes invalid When the period has elapsed, the dial signal automatic output means is controlled to control the dial-up I
IP connection control means for starting a P connection operation, and disconnecting the dial-up IP connection when the validity period set by the dial-up IP connection condition setting means elapses or when the invalid period comes.
A communication device comprising: 27. When receiving a connection request from a first terminal connected to a managed IP network to a second terminal connected to the IP network or another network, the held IP address is stored in the second terminal. A server assigned to the first terminal as an address of the terminal, and identification information of a primary terminal connected to the IP network, identification information of a secondary terminal managed by the primary terminal, and the secondary terminal Terminal information registration means for registering the connection information of, when there is a request for registration of connection information of the managed secondary terminal from the primary terminal, registration means for registering the connection information in the terminal information registration means, When another primary terminal connected to the IP network or the Internet network receives a request or inquiry for connection information of a secondary terminal managed by the primary terminal connected to the IP network, the terminal information registration unit is searched. A server comprising: a search unit; and a search result transmission unit that transmits a search result obtained by the search unit to the primary terminal that has made the transmission request or inquiry. 28. The server according to claim 27, wherein the connection information is information indicating whether a secondary terminal has a dial-up IP connection. 29. The server according to claim 28, wherein the connection information further includes information indicating a valid period or an invalid period of the dial-up IP connection of the secondary terminal. 30. Receiving a registration request, transmission request, or inquiry from the primary terminal and transmitting a search result to the primary terminal are performed by an IP packet when the primary terminal is connected to an IP network, 29. The server according to claim 27, wherein the connection is performed by an information element in an ISDN call control packet when the server is not connected to an IP network. 31. Management information registration means for registering management information of a primary terminal connected to the IP network, and identification information of the primary terminal which has made the registration request or the transmission request or the primary terminal which has made an inquiry, has the management information. Investigate whether or not it is registered in the registration means, and if not registered, prohibit registration of connection information to the management information registration means by the registration means or prohibition of search of the management information registration means by the search means 29. The server according to claim 27, further comprising: means. 32. The management information registered in the management information registration means includes charging information for each primary terminal, and is managed by the primary terminal connected to the IP network from the IP network or another primary terminal connected to the Internet. When the search result of the terminal information registration unit performed by the search unit based on the transmission request or inquiry of the connection information of the secondary terminal in the above means that the secondary terminal is connected by dial-up IP 32. The server according to claim 31, further comprising a charging information registration unit that updates charging information of the primary terminal registered in the management information registration unit. 33. Data transmission / reception between a server and a terminal is performed when the terminal is connected to an IP network managed by the server.
A method for transmitting and receiving data between a server and a terminal, wherein the method is performed by a P packet, and when the terminal is not connected to the IP network, by an information element in an ISDN call control packet. 34. When a connection request from a primary terminal connected to a managed IP network to a terminal connected to the IP network or another network is received, an IP address held is used as an address of the terminal to be connected. A server assigned to the primary terminal, a plurality of terminal adapters connected to the IP network, a plurality of communication devices connected to the terminal adapter,
Each of the terminal adapters connected to the IP network is provided with VoIP connection availability information of the communication device at the time of dial-up IP connection or when a VoIP reception enabled state is set by each communication device connected at an arbitrary timing. Is registered in the server, and when a call is started from a communication device connected to a certain terminal adapter to a communication device connected to another terminal adapter, the terminal adapter connecting the communication device of the caller transmits the call from the server. If the connection information obtained from the server indicates that the communication device of the communication destination is capable of VoIP communication, the terminal adapter transmits the connection information of the communication device of the communication device via the IP network. A VoIP call between the communication device and the communication device of the communication destination is started, and the VoIP call is obtained from the server. If the connection information indicates that the call device of the call destination is not VoIP-capable and dial-up is not possible, the terminal adapter starts a call through a circuit-switched connection between the call device of the call source and the call device of the call destination. , A call system. 35. Data transmission and reception between the server and the terminal adapter are performed by IP packets when the terminal adapter is connected to an IP network managed by the server, and when the terminal adapter is connected to the IP network. 35. The communication system according to claim 34, wherein when not performed, the communication is performed by an information element in the ISDN call control packet.