JP2002176438A - VoIP GATEWAY AND BAND MANAGEMENT METHOD AT DATA COMMUNICATION IN THE VoIP GATEWAY - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for VoIP(Voice Over Internet Protocol) communication where a communication error of a facsimile communication call and an error such as voice interruption in voice communication or the like do not take place. SOLUTION: A VoIP gateway 1 that contains communication terminals and makes VoIP communication with an opposed terminal, is provided with an operating band capacity detection means 151 that detects an operating band capacity of a communication form used by a communication call, an operating band capacity detection means storage means 152 that stores a communication channel band capacity available by the VoIP gateway and an operating band capacity by each communication call in cross-reference with each other, a communication availability discrimination means 153 that decides whether or not the band capacity is a communication available capacity, and a communication form decision means 154 that decides a communication form by negotiating a communication speed of the facsimile communication with the opposite terminal and decreases the speed of the facsimile communication when the band capacity does not satisfy the operating band capacity for the communication so as to indicate it to the communication availability decision means 153.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a VoIP (Voice) which is an Internet telephone adapter device for managing a band of a communication path in a VoIP communication system for performing voice communication and facsimile communication with an opposite device. Over
Internet Protocol) gateway device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vo for performing voice communication and facsimile communication
Conventionally, in an IP gateway device, as shown in FIG. 20, a voice terminal device 31-1-1-1 to 31-1-3 and a facsimile transmission / reception device 32-1 connected to an opposite VoIP gateway device 1-1. Voice terminal device 31-2-connected to VoIP gateway device 1-2
1-31-2-3 and facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus 32-
2 is connected via the network 4-1, the router 52-1, the communication line 51, the router 52-2, and the network 4-2, and the bandwidth of the communication path is divided into a plurality of communication calls for use. However, the bandwidth of the line to the opposing device is managed using the gatekeepers 53-1 and 53-2.

When performing facsimile communication via such a VoIP gateway device, an initial call connection is established as a compressed voice communication mode having a small data transfer capacity, and thereafter, a data transfer capacity is larger than that of the voice communication mode. Since the switching to the facsimile communication mode is often performed, the switching to the facsimile communication mode may increase the data transfer capacity beyond the initial data transfer capacity secured by the gate keeper 53. In this case, the available bandwidth capacity of the line Will be exceeded.

[0004] That is, in the conventional VoIP gateway device, when switching from the VoIP voice communication mode to the facsimile communication mode, if the connection is made at a high data communication speed, the bandwidth of the line secured at the start of communication is reduced. The required data cannot be transferred, and a communication error such as an image error in facsimile communication by the communication call or a break in voice in voice communication by another communication call occurs.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a VoIP communication system, for example, in which a call communicating in a voice mode is changed to a facsimile mode which requires a large bandwidth in the middle. And a VoIP gateway device capable of determining whether or not the bandwidth used in the changed communication mode can be secured on a communication path when the communication mode is changed to a new communication mode after setting a communication call. To provide a bandwidth management method in a VoIP gateway device, and to set a changed communication bandwidth capacity within a range of a bandwidth capacity that can be secured on a communication path when a required bandwidth capacity on a communication path cannot be secured. An object of the present invention is to provide a VoIP gateway device and a bandwidth management method in the VoIP gateway device. To.

Further, the present invention provides a VoIP communication system in which the bandwidth capacity of a communication channel becomes insufficient at the time of changing from a voice communication mode having a small used bandwidth capacity to a data communication mode such as a facsimile communication mode having a large used bandwidth capacity. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system which does not cause a communication error of a facsimile communication call (data communication call) or an error such as interruption of voice in voice communication.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention connects a VoIP gateway device with an opposing VoIP gateway by a communication path and sets a communication format with the VoIP gateway device. Accordingly, in a VoIP gateway device accommodating a plurality of communication terminal devices that perform VoIP communication by dividing the bandwidth of a communication channel into a plurality of communication calls, the bandwidth capacity of the communication channel available to the VoIP gateway device and the Used band capacity storage means for storing used band capacity; used band capacity detecting means for detecting used band capacity of a communication call from information exchanged between devices facing each other when setting an arbitrary communication call; When the communication mode shifts to a new communication mode during communication in a predetermined communication mode, the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call stored in the used bandwidth capacity storage means is newly updated. Between the communication-possible determining means for determining whether or not the sum of the used bandwidth capacity using the new used bandwidth capacity by rewriting to the used bandwidth capacity of the communication mode falls within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path; Communication format determining means for setting a communication format in which communication is possible with the communication path, and the communication possibility determining means determines that the sum of the used bandwidth capacity using the new used bandwidth capacity is not within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path. At this time, the used bandwidth capacity for each communication call in the used bandwidth capacity storage unit is rewritten to a value smaller than the used bandwidth used for the determination, and it is determined again whether communication is possible.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned VoIP gateway apparatus, the used band capacity detecting means detects a used band capacity of a new communication mode from information for changing a communication mode issued during communication, or A means for monitoring a call to detect the used bandwidth capacity, or a means for monitoring a communication call to detect a communication speed, and referring to a table in which a communication speed and a used bandwidth capacity for each communication format are referred to. For detecting the used bandwidth capacity of the.

According to the present invention, in the VoIP gateway device, the VoIP gateway device stores the VoIP gateway device with the VoIP gateway device.
The bandwidth capacity of a communication path available to the gateway device and the used bandwidth capacity of each communication call are stored for each path of the communication path.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides
used bandwidth capacity storing means for storing the bandwidth capacity of the communication path available to the oIP gateway device and the used bandwidth capacity for each communication call; and a communication call based on information exchanged between the opposing devices when setting an arbitrary communication call. A used bandwidth capacity detecting means for detecting a used bandwidth capacity, and a use of the communication call stored in the used bandwidth capacity storage means when an arbitrary communication call shifts to a new communication mode during communication in a predetermined communication mode. A communication capability determining unit that rewrites the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth capacity of the new communication mode and determines whether the sum of the bandwidth capacity using the new bandwidth capacity falls within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path; A VoIP gateway device having communication format determining means for setting a communication format capable of communicating with a device that performs communication is connected to a VoIP gateway device that is opposed to the VoIP gateway device by a communication path. In a VoIP communication band management method for dividing a band of a communication path into a plurality of communication calls by setting a communication format with a VoIP gateway device to perform VoIP communication, the used bandwidth capacity is set when an arbitrary communication call is generated. The used bandwidth capacity of the communication call detected by the detection means is stored in the used bandwidth capacity storage means, and when the communication mode shifts to a new communication mode during communication, the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call in the used bandwidth capacity storage means is stored in the storage unit. Rewrite to the used bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode detected by the used bandwidth capacity detection means, determine whether communication is possible in the new communication mode, and if there is a bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode, Start communication in the new communication mode with the capacity, and if there is no bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode, use the new communication mode Whether the communication amount again lowering the new communication mode has bandwidth capacity available was to determine the whether.

According to the present invention, in the bandwidth management method when the communication mode of the VoIP gateway device is changed, the arbitrary communication call is set in a voice communication mode, and the new communication mode is a facsimile communication mode.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of a communication system using a VoIP gateway device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
VoI using the oIP gateway devices 1-1 and 1-2
The P communication system includes a plurality of telephones (voice terminal devices) 31
-1-1-13-1-3 and facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32
-1, VoIP gateway device 1-1 accommodating other data terminal devices and the like not shown, and a plurality of telephones 31-2-1 to 31-2-3 and facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32-2, not shown. The gateway device 1-2 accommodating other data terminal devices and the like is connected via the network 4-1, the router 52-1, the communication line (communication path) 51, the router 52-2, and the network 4-2. The communication channel bandwidth is divided and used by a plurality of communication calls. The bandwidth capacity used on the communication path 51 is managed by the gateway devices 1-1 and 1-2.

The hardware configuration of the VoIP gateway device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing the hardware configuration of the VoIP gateway device. VoI
The P gateway device 1 includes: a VoIP communication control unit 10;
Extension interface (IF) circuits 11-1 to 11-4
And a voice / facsimile (FAX) data processing circuit 12
, A LAN interface circuit 16 and a power supply circuit 17.

Extension interface circuits 11-1 to 11-
Reference numeral 4 denotes a circuit for transmitting / receiving a voice band signal to / from the voice terminal device 31 and the facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32. V
The oIP communication control unit 10 is responsible for VoIP communication control, and is a part that performs management of VoIP connection procedures (call control, protocol management), state management of IP packet transfer, band management according to the present invention, and the like. The voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 is a circuit for compressing / expanding voice data for the voice terminal device 31 and encoding / decoding facsimile communication data for the facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32. The LAN interface circuit 16 is a circuit that transmits and receives compressed voice data and encoded facsimile data over a network. The VoIP communication control unit 10 includes a data memory 101 and a program memory 1
02 and a main control unit (CPU) 103 for controlling each functional unit.

In the data memory 101, bandwidth management information storage areas 131a to 131e for storing bandwidth management information indicating the used (used) bandwidth capacity shown in FIG. A bandwidth management storage unit (used bandwidth capacity storage unit) 131 in which a bandwidth capacity setting occurrence information storage area 131f in which the set value information is stored is formed.

The program memory 102 stores, for example, a correspondence table (a bandwidth capacity for voice communication) between a voice compression format and a used bandwidth capacity shown in FIG. Table) 132 is formed. The voice communication band capacity table 132 includes, for example, a voice compression format 723.1 (5.3 kb
ps), the bandwidth used is 18.1 kbps, but the audio compression format G. In the case of 723.1 (6.3 kbps), the used bandwidth capacity is 19.2 kbps, but the audio compression format G. 72
In the case of 9A (8.0 kbps), the used bandwidth capacity is 46.4.
kbps is set.

Further, the program memory 102 stores, for example, the facsimile communication speed and the used bandwidth capacity shown in FIG. (A facsimile communication bandwidth capacity table) 133 is formed. Facsimile communication bandwidth capacity table 133
For example, when the fax communication speed is 2400 bps, the used bandwidth capacity is 17.6 kbps, but the fax communication speed 480
In the case of 0 bps, the used bandwidth capacity is 20.0 kbps,
When the AX communication speed is 7200 bps, the used bandwidth capacity is 2
When 2.4 kbps and FAX communication speed are 9600 bps, the used bandwidth is 24.8 kbps, and when FAX communication speed is 12000 bp, the used bandwidth is 27.2 kbp.
When s is the fax communication speed of 14400 bps, the used bandwidth capacity is set to 29.6 kbps.

The functional configuration of the VoIP communication control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The VoIP communication control unit 10 includes a band management control unit 121 shown in FIG. 14 described below, a communication control unit 122 that executes communication control processing shown in FIGS.
VoIP using H.323 Internet telephone protocol
A protocol management unit 123 for managing a connection procedure;
/ IP and UDP / IP packets are assembled / disassembled and IP
An IP packet protocol control unit 124 for managing the state of packet transfer, and extension interface circuits 11-1 to 11-1
An extension interface control driver 125 for activating / detecting outgoing / incoming calls and activating / detecting an end call for 1-4,
A VFC command control driver 126 for setting operating conditions for the facsimile data processing circuit 12;
VFC event control driver 127 for reading / writing voice and facsimile data from / to facsimile data processing circuit 12 and LAN transmission driver 128 for writing / reading to / from LAN interface circuit 16
And a LAN reception driver 129.

The band management control unit 121 of the VoIP communication control unit 10 includes a band management storage unit 131 stored in the data memory 101, a voice communication band capacity table 132 stored in the program memory 102, and a facsimile communication band management. It has a table 133 and a band management program.

The configuration of the VoIP gateway device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The VoIP gateway device 1 includes an extension interface (I / F) circuit 11
-1 to 11-4, a voice / facsimile (FAX) data recognition unit 141, a voice compression processing unit 142, a voice decompression processing unit 143, a facsimile (FAX) protocol control unit 144, and a band management control unit 121. , And a LAN interface circuit 16. The bandwidth management control unit 121 includes a used bandwidth capacity detecting unit 151 for detecting a used bandwidth capacity for each communication call, and a used bandwidth capacity for storing the used bandwidth capacity and the contracted bandwidth capacity of the line (communication channel bandwidth capacity) for each communication call. Storage means 152 and the sum of the communication is the contracted bandwidth capacity
(Communication path bandwidth capacity), and a communication format determining means 154 for determining a communication format (communication mode) between the device and the opposite device.

The used band capacity detecting means 151 is a means for detecting the used band capacity of a communication call from information exchanged between the opposing devices when setting an arbitrary communication call. Further, the used band capacity detecting means 151 can monitor the communication call and detect the used band capacity, and detect the used band capacity of the new communication mode from the information for changing the communication mode issued during the communication. It is a means that can be done. Further, the used band capacity detecting means 151 detects the communication speed by monitoring the communication call, and for example, a voice communication band capacity table 132 indicating the correspondence between the voice compression format of the voice communication and the used band capacity shown in FIG. A means for detecting the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call by referring to the bandwidth capacity table describing the communication speed and the used bandwidth capacity for each communication format, which is composed of the facsimile communication bandwidth capacity table 133 shown in FIG.

The used bandwidth detecting means 151 is used by the CPU 103 of the VoIP communication control unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 to monitor data transmitted from the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 to the LAN interface circuit 16 or to check the packet header. The bandwidth capacity used by the communication call may be analyzed to directly store the bandwidth capacity in the bandwidth management information areas 131a to 131d of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 illustrated in FIG.

The band management storage unit 131 shown in FIG. 7 formed by the used band capacity storage means 152 stores band management information indicating the used band capacity in the areas 131a to 131d, the total value in the area 131e, and the line contract. The available bandwidth capacity setting (communication channel bandwidth capacity) value determined at time
The bandwidth management information areas 131a to 131d stored in f and storing the used bandwidth capacity, and the area 131e storing the total value thereof are sequentially rewritten according to the use status of the line.

The communication possibility determination means 153 is a means for referring to the used bandwidth capacity storage means 152 to determine whether or not new facsimile communication switched from voice communication is possible. Further, the communication possibility determination means 153
Has a function of rewriting a later-described “DIS” message within the communicable bandwidth capacity based on the determination result.

The communication format determining means 154 determines the format of facsimile communication with the opposing facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus, and when the determination result of the communication availability determining means 153 indicates "there is no available bandwidth capacity for communication". This is a means for determining a new communication format and rewriting the contents of the used bandwidth capacity storage means 152.

A call connection procedure and a voice data transfer procedure during voice communication in the VoIP gateway device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the VoIP gateway device 1, the “call operation” from the voice terminal device 31 is transmitted via the extension interface circuit 11 to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 1.
2 (S101), the main control unit 103 generates a "SETUP" message for calling the other party (S101).
102), this "SETUP" message is transmitted from the LAN interface circuit 16 to the network 4 (S103). Here, the operation for transferring data on the network 4 is based on the procedure conforming to IEEE802.3, and the description is omitted.

"ALE" which is a response signal from the partner device
RT ”message (S104), and further receives a“ CONN ”message indicating that the connection has been completed (S104).
105) Then, the main control unit 103 executes the “voice format declaration”
The message is sent to the other party's device (S106), and when the "voice format determination" message is received from the other device, the voice compression format (data transfer speed) used by the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 is determined (S107). . The main control unit 103 notifies the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 of the determined voice compression format, and causes the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 to start operating in the voice compression format determined in the above procedure (S108).

The LAN interface circuit 16 receives the "voice packet" sent from the opposite device (S10).
9) The main controller 103 is notified of the received “voice packet”. The main control unit 103 extracts the audio data from the received "audio packet", performs a smoothing process on the audio data (S110), and notifies the audio / facsimile data processing circuit 12 of the audio data to be expanded.

Voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12
Performs decompression processing on the audio data to be decompressed, (S11
1), extension interface circuit 11 as voice band signal
(S) by outputting to the voice terminal device 31 through
112), voice communication as a VoIP gateway device is realized.

Similarly, the extension interface circuit 11 receiving the voice band signal input from the voice terminal device 31
Transmits the audio data input to the audio / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S113), where the audio data is compressed according to the previously determined audio compression format (S113).
114), and sent to the main control unit 103.

The main control unit 103 assembles the compressed audio data as an “IP packet” (S 115), and
The N interface circuit 16 sends the packet to the partner device as a "voice packet" (S116).

In this way, VoIP communication can be executed via the VoIP gateway device 1. The above negotiation and communication are performed in the voice communication mode, for example, 6.3.
Performed at kbps.

Referring to FIG. 9, a description will be given of communication connection when facsimile communication is performed between facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatuses.
In this communication method, at the beginning of the communication, the connection is established as the voice communication mode (S101 to S116) shown in FIG. 8, and negotiations for shifting to the facsimile communication mode in the voice mode are performed. When it is agreed to shift to the facsimile communication mode, a "CNG" message indicating the start of facsimile communication is transmitted from the calling device (S117 to S117).
S119).

That is, the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 of the calling-side gateway device 1-1, which has received the "CNG" message issued by the calling-side facsimile transmitting / receiving device 31 via the extension interface circuit 11,
A voice compression process is performed on the "CNG" message (S11).
7) Read the compressed audio data and send it to the main control unit 103. The main control unit 103 assembles the voice packet (S1
18) The voice packet is transmitted to the LAN interface circuit 16, and the LAN interface circuit 16 transmits the voice packet to the network 4 (S119).

In this voice communication mode, when receiving the "CED" message from the called facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 which has received the "CNG" message, the called gateway device transmits the voice data in the conventional voice communication mode. Of the facsimile communication mode, the mode is switched to the facsimile communication mode, and the processing shifts to the facsimile communication data encoding processing. "FA" equipped with "CED" message which is a signal
An "X packet" is formed and transmitted to the calling gateway apparatus.

[FAX] equipped with a "CED" message
The calling-side gateway device 1 having received the “packet” by the LAN interface circuit 16 (S120), the “FAX”
"Packet" to the main control unit 103, and the main control unit 103
Extracts the “CED” message from the “FAX packet”, 21 data is transmitted to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S121), and the processing circuit 12 is switched to the facsimile communication mode (S122). The processing circuit 12 outputs a “CED” message to the facsimile transmission / reception device 31 (S123).

Similarly, the LAN interface circuit 16 receives a “FAX packet” carrying a “CSI” message for identifying the called terminal device from the called device (S).
124) The calling gateway apparatus 1 sends a “FAX packet” to the main control unit 103, and the main control unit 103
Extract "CSI" message from "FAX packet"
(S125), V.I. 21 data to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12, which identifies the called terminal device (S126) and outputs a "CSI" message to the facsimile transmitting / receiving device 31 (S127).

Further, the "FA" equipped with a "DIS" message which is communication speed information that can be supported by the called device.
The calling side gateway apparatus 1 having received the “X packet” by the LAN interface circuit 16 (S128),
X packet "to the main control unit 103,
Retrieves the "DIS" message from the "FAX packet", determines whether the bandwidth capacity corresponding to the designated communication speed is a communicable bandwidth capacity, and if the bandwidth capacity is not a communicable bandwidth, stores the used bandwidth capacity storage. The used bandwidth capacity value of the communication call stored in the bandwidth management information areas 131a to 131e of the means 152 is rewritten, and it is determined whether communication is possible again using the rewritten value, and the communicable bandwidth is determined. By rewriting the “DIS” message to the value of the communication speed corresponding to the capacity, 21 data to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S129).
Is V21. The transmission processing is performed based on the data (S130), and a "DIS" message is output to the facsimile transmission / reception device 31 (S131).

The calling VoIP gateway device 1
Indicates the type of “T” indicating the type of the calling terminal device from the calling facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 in the extension interface circuit 11.
When the "SI" message is input (S132), the voice /
The data is sent to the facsimile data processing circuit 12 and 21 data is read (S133), and in the main control unit 103,
"TSI" which is encoded facsimile communication data
The message is assembled into a "FAX packet" carrying the message (S134), and transmitted to the called device via the LAN interface 16 (S135).

Similarly, when the calling side VoIP gateway apparatus 1 receives a "DCS" message indicating the communication speed that can be supported from the calling side facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus 32 to the extension interface circuit 11 (S136), the voice / voice is transmitted. The data is sent to the facsimile data processing circuit 12 and 21
The data is read (S137), and the main control unit 103 encodes "D" which is encoded facsimile communication data.
The message is assembled into a “FAX packet” carrying a “CS” message (S138), and transmitted to the called device via the LAN interface 16 (S139). This "DCS" message is set within the usable bandwidth capacity determined in step S129.

Next, when the “TCF” message, which is a training pattern, is input from the calling side facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 to the extension interface circuit 11 (S 140), the calling side VoIP gateway device 1 performs voice / facsimile data processing. The main control unit 103 reads the high-speed modem data from the processing circuit 12 (S141), and assembles it into a "FAX packet" carrying a "TCF" message, which is encoded facsimile communication data (S142). ), And sends it out to the called device via the LAN interface 16 (S143). The called device receives the "TCF" message and prepares for facsimile reception, and sends a "CFR" message indicating the reception preparation confirmation to the calling gateway device.

When the LAN interface circuit 16 receives a “FAX packet” carrying a “CFR” message from the called device (S 144), 21 data (S145), which is transmitted to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 and the processing circuit 2
Extracts the "CFR" message (S146) and outputs it to the facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 via the extension interface circuit 11 (S147).

The image data “PI” is transmitted from the calling side facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 which has received the “CFR” message.
When the "X" data is received by the extension interface circuit 11 (S148), the "PIX" data is sent to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 to read out the high-speed modem data (S149). It is assembled into a "FAX packet" which is facsimile communication data (S150), and is sent to the called device via the LAN interface 16 (S151).

When the transmission of the “PIX” data for one page is completed in this way, the extension interface circuit 11 sends a “MPS” message indicating “completion of page transmission and next page” from the calling side facsimile transceiver 32. (S152), and sent to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12, where the main control unit 103
(S153), and assembles it into a "FAX packet" carrying an "MPS" message, which is encoded facsimile communication data (S15).
4) Send the message to the called device via the LAN interface 16 (S155).

When the LAN interface circuit 16 receives the "MCF" message indicating that the reception of the page data has been completed from the called facsimile receiving apparatus which has received the "MPS" message (S156), the main control unit 10
V.3 is applied to the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 by V.3. 2
1 data is written (S157), and the main control unit 103
Extract "MCF" message from the processing circuit 12
(S158), an "MCF" message is output from the extension interface 11 to the calling-side facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32, and the transmission of the image data of the next page is prompted (S159).

In FIG. 9, a "DIS" message and a "DCS" message are signals for negotiating the data transfer rate during facsimile communication. Based on the data transfer rate determined by this procedure, the training pattern "TCF" The image data “PIX” is transmitted.

In the present invention, the "TCF" and "PI
It is an object of the present invention that the data transfer rate of a "FAX packet" for transferring "X" may exceed the data transfer rate of a "voice packet" in a voice communication mode set at the beginning of communication.

The VoIP gateway device 1 shown in FIG.
And the operation of the band management function according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the called side, the route of step S45 is taken. Further, the band management function may be performed on both the calling side and the called side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the VoIP gateway device 1 monitors each extension interface circuit 11 in the standby state (S10), and switches from the extension terminal device (voice terminal device 31 or facsimile transmitting / receiving device 32 or data terminal device). When the input of the calling operation is detected (S1
1) comparing the currently used bandwidth capacity with the bandwidth capacity of the communication path by the used bandwidth capacity detection means 151 and the used bandwidth capacity storage means 152 to determine whether there is room for voice communication in the bandwidth capacity of the communication path. Is performed (S12). If it is determined that there is sufficient communication channel bandwidth capacity, processing for storing the used bandwidth in the used bandwidth capacity storage means 152 is performed (S13), and a SETUP signal is transmitted to the opposing device (S14). Transition to the call state (S
15).

When an ALERT signal is received from the opposing device (S16), an RBT transmission is instructed to the extension terminal device (S17), and a transition is made to a calling state (S1).
8). When a CONN signal is received from the partner device (S1)
9), a communication mode negotiation process is executed (S20). The communication mode negotiation process (S20) is a process of voice format declaration (S106) and voice format determination (S107) in FIG.

In step S20, when the communication mode is determined, whether or not the sum of the used bandwidth capacities of all the communications falls within the contracted communication bandwidth capacity (communication path bandwidth capacity) even if the communication is performed according to the determined communication mode. A bandwidth margin determination process is performed to determine whether or not (S21).

When there is room in the communication path band capacity, the used band is stored in the band management storage unit 131 formed in the used low band capacity storage means 152 (S22), and the RB is used.
An instruction is issued to stop the transmission of T (S23), an instruction to start the transfer of the "voice packet" is issued (S24), and a transition is made to a communicating state (S25).

In the used bandwidth storage process of step S22, the determined data transfer rate in the voice communication mode is obtained from the voice communication bandwidth capacity table 132, and provided in the data memory 101 in the bandwidth management storage unit shown in FIG. 131
Is stored in the corresponding extension IF circuit corresponding area (one of the band management information areas 131a to 131d), the sum thereof is calculated, and the area 131e is rewritten. The function of calculating the used channel bandwidth is stored in the program memory 102.

At this time, the upper limit value of the communication channel bandwidth capacity that can be used for connection with the partner device is set in advance in the bandwidth capacity setting value information area 131f that stores the available communication channel bandwidth capacity according to the present invention.

In FIG. 11, in the state where the communication has been performed,
In a voice call, the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12
The voice compression data is read out from the device (S41), a "voice packet" is transmitted to the opposite device (S42), and the communication state is maintained (S43).

In the communicating state after the transition to the facsimile communication, the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 outputs 2
1 data is read (S45), and the read signal is "D
It is determined whether the message is an "IS" message (S46).
If the message is a "DIS" message, after performing the bandwidth management process (S47), a "FAX packet" is transmitted (S48), and facsimile communication is maintained (S4).
3). If it is not a "DIS" message in step S46, the process proceeds to step S48.

At the time of facsimile communication, high-speed modem data is read out from the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S51), a "FAX packet" is formed and transmitted to the opposing device (S52), and facsimile communication is maintained (S53). ).

When a voice packet is received from the opposing device during voice communication (S55), voice data to be expanded is written into the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S56). Maintain (S
43).

When a "FAX (V.21) packet" is received from the opposite device (S61), it is determined whether or not the received "FAX packet" is a "DIS" message (S62). , A band management process is executed (S63), and the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 21 data is written (S6
4) The facsimile communication state is maintained (S43).

When a "FAX (high-speed modem data) packet" is received from the opposite device (S65), the received high-speed modem data is written into the voice / facsimile data processing circuit 12 (S66), and the facsimile communication state is maintained (S66). S43).

FIG. 12 shows the flow of the call termination process. In all states (S70), when the end of the call is detected (S71), "REL" After transmitting a “COMP” message (S72) and restoring the line port (S73), the system enters a standby state (S10). On the other hand, "RE
L Upon receipt of the "COMP" message (S74), disconnection is instructed (S75), and BT is transmitted (S76).
Thereafter, the process enters a state of waiting for a call (S80).

FIG. 13 shows the flow of the call waiting process. When the end call is detected in the state of waiting for the end call (S80) (S8)
1) Instruct BT to stop (S82), and wait (S1)
Enter 0).

As described with reference to FIG. 9, the processing S61 and the processing S62 indicate that the "DIS" message for negotiating the data transfer rate at the time of facsimile communication has been received. S47, S6
According to 3), by analyzing the signal for negotiating the data transfer rate at the time of facsimile communication according to the present invention, the bandwidth capacity used for the designated communication rate designated by the negotiation is obtained (S91).

Next, the value obtained in step S91 is stored in any of the bandwidth management information areas 131a to 131d of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 corresponding to the target extension IF circuit (S92). The sum of the bandwidth management information areas 131a to 131d of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 is calculated, and the value of the total bandwidth capacity used including communication at the designated communication speed is assigned to the area 131e (S93).

The “sum of used bandwidth capacity” assigned to the area 131e is subtracted from the “available communication channel bandwidth capacity” preset in the bandwidth capacity set value storage area 131f of the bandwidth management storage unit 131. It is determined whether the value is negative (S94). As a result of the determination in step S94,
If the difference is negative, the specified communication speed exceeds the available communication channel bandwidth, so the signal re-editing means for negotiating the data transfer speed during facsimile communication requires the The data coding in the "DIS" message is edited so that the speed becomes slow, and the specified speed of the "DIS" message is rewritten to a low speed (S95), and whether or not the speed specified value of the "DIS" message is the minimum set value To confirm the appropriateness of the reedited data transfer speed (S96). If the specified speed value does not reach the minimum set value, the flow returns to step S91 to calculate a new used bandwidth capacity, and the previous bandwidth capacity is calculated. Is rewritten, and a "DIS" message is transmitted to the calling facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus in step S64 of FIG. Or later,
According to the re-edited "DIS" message, the calling facsimile transceiver sets the data rate,
Advance the facsimile communication procedure.

If the minimum set value has been reached in step S96, the process is terminated. In step S94, when the determination result is not negative (positive or 0), it is determined that the data is within the range of the available communication channel bandwidth, and the "DIS" message for negotiating the data transfer speed at the time of facsimile communication is relayed as it is. The communication is started with the specified value, and the process ends.

The present embodiment will be described using specific numerical values. Gateway device 1-1 and gateway device 1-2
The communication path (line) 51 connecting the INS (registered trademark)
In the case of a 64 dedicated line, the available bandwidth capacity is 64
kbps, and the available bandwidth capacity of the communication path (numeric value 64.
0) is registered in the area 131f of the bandwidth management storage unit 131. Also, between the gateway device 1-1 and the gateway device 1-2, G723.1 (6.3 kbps) has already been set.
It is assumed that the voice communication according to s) is call-connected.

At this time, the respective areas 131a to 131f of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 are stored in the G723.1 (6.3 kbps) from the voice communication bandwidth capacity table 132 shown in FIG.
Bandwidth capacity used by the audio compression format (19.2 kb)
ps), and as shown in FIG. 15A, each area of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 has 131a = 19.2, 131
b = 19.2, 131c = 0.0, 131d = 0.0,
131e = 38.4, 131f = 64.0.

Next, when an attempt is made to add communication between facsimile transmission / reception apparatuses having a data transfer rate of a maximum of 14400 bps, as shown in FIG. It is connected as voice communication according to 723.1 (6.3 kbps). At this time, as shown in FIG.
Each area of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 has 131a = 19.
2,131b = 19.2,131c = 19.2,131
d = 0.0, 131e = 57.6, 131f = 64.0
Is stored as In this state, “area 131f” −
"Area 131e" indicates a positive number, which indicates that the available bandwidth capacity is not exceeded.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the maximum data communication rate is 14400 b from the called facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus.
When the “DIS” message indicating the ps is transmitted and received by the gateway 1 on the calling side, steps S61 and S62 in FIG. 11 and processing S63 shown in FIG. 14 are executed.

When the process S63 shown in FIG. 14 is executed,
By the subsequent processing S91, the facsimile communication speed 14400 is obtained from the facsimile communication bandwidth capacity table 133 shown in FIG.
The used band (29.6 kbps) for the bps is extracted, and by steps S92 and S93,
As shown in FIG. 15C, each area of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 has 131a = 19.2, 131b = 19.2, 1
31c = 29.6, 131d = 0.0, 131e = 6
8.0, 131f = 64.0.

In the step S94, the "area 131
f "-" region 131e "= 64.0-68.0 = -4.
0, indicating a negative number. This indicates that the available bandwidth capacity of the communication path has been exceeded, and step S9
5, the data communication speed code in the “DIS” message is changed to a lower data communication speed 96 as shown in FIG.
00 bps = rewrite to 24.8 kbps bandwidth capacity.

Next, when steps S91 to S93 are executed according to the rewritten data communication speed,
As shown in FIG. 15D, each area of the bandwidth management storage unit 131 has 131a = 19.2, 131b = 19.2, 1
31c = 24.8, 131d = 0.0, 131e = 6
3.2, 131f = 64.0, and “memory 13
1f "-" memory 131e "= 64.0-63.2 =
At 0.8, the number becomes a positive number, and does not exceed the available bandwidth of the communication path.

Thereafter, in step S64 of FIG. 11, the "DIS" message whose data transfer speed has been lowered is sent to the facsimile transmitting / receiving apparatus on the calling side, and facsimile data transfer at that speed or less is started.

An example in which the management function according to the present invention is applied to a plurality of connection routes (routes) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the route division. Here, a route connecting the gateway device 1-1 and the gateway device 1-2 is defined as a route 1, and a route connecting the gateway device 1-1, the gateway device 1-3, and the gateway device 1-4 is defined as a route 2. It has established.

As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of gateway devices may be connected to each route, and the gateway devices belonging to each route are stored in the band management storage unit 1.
It is managed as a correspondence table as shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an information table 131-2 in which the used band management information and the band management storage unit 131 shown in FIG. 7 are configured for each route. Is managed. By managing the information in this figure under the same control as in the previous embodiments, it can be realized for each of a plurality of connection routes (routes).

[0079]

According to the present invention, in VoIP communication via a VoIP gateway device, even if the mode is switched from the voice communication mode to the facsimile communication mode, stable facsimile communication can be performed without exceeding the available bandwidth of the communication path. Thus, it is possible to prevent the influence of a communication error or the like on other communication due to the excess of the band.

Further, by providing the gateway device with the band management function, an external gate keeper device is not required or its function can be supplemented, so that the cost for configuring the communication system can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the above configuration, stable voice and facsimile communication can be performed without using an external gatekeeper, and the cost of configuring the system can be reduced.

According to the present invention having the above configuration, the load on communication data transfer to the same line (route) can be reduced by arbitrarily setting the available communication channel band capacity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a VoIP gateway device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system using a VoIP gateway device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a VoIP gateway device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a relationship between an audio compression format and a used bandwidth capacity.

FIG. 5 is a table showing a relationship between a facsimile communication speed and a used band.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a VoIP communication control unit of the VoIP gateway device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a bandwidth management storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a voice communication procedure in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a procedure at the time of transition from voice communication to facsimile communication in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart (1) illustrating the flow of communication control in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart (2) illustrating the flow of communication control in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (3) illustrating the flow of communication control in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (4) illustrating the flow of a communication control process in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of facsimile communication band management in the VoIP gateway device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the bandwidth management storage unit is rewritten.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an example of rewriting a DIS message.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a route of a data memory.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of band management information for a plurality of routes in the data memory.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system having a plurality of routes using a VoIP gateway device according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system using a conventional VoIP gateway device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 VoIP gateway apparatus 4 Network 5 Communication line (communication path) 10 VoIP communication control unit 11 Extension interface (I / F) circuit 12 Voice / facsimile (FAX) data processing circuit 16 LAN interface 17 Power supply circuit 31 Telephone (voice terminal device) 32 Facsimile transmission / reception apparatus 51 Communication line (communication path) 52 Router 53 Gatekeeper 101 Data memory 102 Program memory 103 Main control unit (CPU) 110 Band management unit 121 Band management control unit 122 Communication control unit 123 Protocol management unit 124 IP packet protocol Control unit 125 Extension interface control driver 126 VFC command control driver 127 VFC event control driver 128 LAN transmission driver 129 LAN reception driver 131 Band management record Unit 132 Voice communication bandwidth capacity table 133 Facsimile communication bandwidth capacity table 141 Voice / FAX data recognition unit 142 Voice compression processing unit 143 Voice expansion processing unit 144 FAX protocol control unit 151 Used bandwidth capacity detection unit 152 Used bandwidth capacity storage unit 153 Communication availability determination means 154 Communication format determination means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA27 AA35 AB42 AB44 AC25 AE02 AE11 AE14 BA00 5C075 AB90 CD07 CD25 CE04 CE11 FF90 5K030 HA08 HB01 HB04 HD03 KA04 LB02 LB17 LC03 LC09 5K101 KK01 SS0505

Claims (7)

[Claims] An VoIP gateway device is connected to an opposing VoIP gateway device via a communication path, and a communication format is set between the VoIP gateway device and the opposing VoIP gateway device. In a VoIP gateway device accommodating a plurality of communication terminal devices for performing communication, used bandwidth capacity storage means for storing the bandwidth capacity of a communication path usable by the VoIP gateway device and the used bandwidth capacity for each communication call; A used bandwidth capacity detecting means for detecting a used bandwidth capacity of a communication call from information exchanged between devices facing each other at the time of setting a communication call, and shifting to a new communication mode while an arbitrary communication call is communicating in a predetermined communication mode Sometimes, the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call stored in the used bandwidth capacity storage unit is replaced with the used bandwidth capacity of a new communication mode, and a new used bandwidth is used. Communication availability determination means for determining whether the sum of the used bandwidth capacity using the capacity falls within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path, and communication format determination means for setting a communication format capable of performing communication with the opposite device When the communication availability determination means determines that the sum of the used bandwidth capacity using the new used bandwidth capacity is not within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path, VoIP characterized by rewriting the used bandwidth capacity to a value smaller than the used bandwidth used for the determination and re-determining whether communication is possible.
Gateway device. 2. The VoIP gateway apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the used bandwidth capacity detecting means detects a used bandwidth capacity of a new communication mode from information for changing a communication mode issued during communication. 3. The VoIP gateway device according to claim 1, wherein the used bandwidth capacity detecting means is means for monitoring a communication call and detecting the used bandwidth capacity. 4. The used band capacity detecting means monitors a communication call to detect a communication speed, and refers to a table describing a communication speed and a used band capacity for each communication format, and uses the used band of the communication call. 3. The VoIP gateway device according to claim 1, wherein the VoIP gateway device is means for detecting a capacity. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the used bandwidth storage means stores the Vo
The VoIP according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a bandwidth capacity of a communication path usable by the IP gateway device and a used bandwidth capacity of each communication call are stored for each path of the communication path. Gateway device. 6. A used bandwidth capacity storing means for storing a bandwidth capacity of a communication path usable by a VoIP gateway device and a used bandwidth capacity for each communication call, and is exchanged between devices facing each other when an arbitrary communication call is set. A used bandwidth capacity detecting means for detecting a used bandwidth capacity of the communication call from the information, and a communication bandwidth stored in the used bandwidth capacity storage means when an arbitrary communication call shifts to a new communication mode during communication in a predetermined communication mode. Rewriting the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call to the used bandwidth capacity of the new communication mode and performing communication that determines whether or not the sum of the used bandwidth capacities using the new used bandwidth capacity falls within the bandwidth capacity of the communication path. Vo that includes a determination unit and a communication format determination unit that sets a communication format in which communication is possible with an opposing device.
A communication path is connected between the IP gateway apparatus and the opposing VoIP gateway apparatus, and a communication format is set between the IP gateway apparatus and the opposing VoIP gateway apparatus to divide the band of the communication path into a plurality of communication calls and perform VoIP communication. In the VoIP communication band management method, the used band capacity of the communication call detected by the used band capacity detection unit when an arbitrary communication call is generated is stored in the used band capacity storage unit,
When shifting to a new communication mode during communication, the used bandwidth capacity of the communication call in the used bandwidth storage means is rewritten to the used bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode detected by the used bandwidth capacity detection means, and a new bandwidth is used. It is determined whether communication is possible in the communication mode. If there is a bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode, communication is started in the new communication mode with the used bandwidth capacity as it is, and there is no bandwidth capacity in the new communication mode. In some cases, the bandwidth used in the new communication mode is reduced, and it is determined again whether there is a bandwidth available for communication in the new communication mode.
A bandwidth management method when the communication mode of the oIP gateway device is changed. 7. The bandwidth management method according to claim 6, wherein the arbitrary communication call is set in a voice communication mode, and the new communication mode is a facsimile communication mode.