JP2003087244A - Network control device and automatic report system using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network control device enabling communication between a report device such as a meter-reading device and a management device for managing the meter-reading device or the like to be surely performed and an automatic report system using the control device. SOLUTION: Data from the meter-reading device are transmitted to a protocol conversion part 35 through a terminal connection part 37 and a communication speed conversion part 36. The protocol conversion part 35 converts IP packet data to be meter-reading data into X.25 packet data and then transmits the converted data from a 1st frame control part 33 to a network to be a U-point 5a side. A protocol conversion part receiving the X.25 packet data to be data of the network side from the 1st frame control part 33 converts the received data into IP data, discriminates whether the IP data are the data of the meter- reading device or the data of a false U-point 5b side, i.e., NCTE side and transmits the data of the meter reading device to the terminal connection part 37 or transmits the data of the NCTE side to a 2nd frame control part 34.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ISDN basic interface (speech channel) for a notification device used in an automatic notification system for providing additional services such as an automatic meter reading system and an automatic alarm system, together with a desk line connection device. The present invention relates to a network control device connected to an ISDN line having two B channels and one D channel which is a control channel, and an automatic notification system using the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as such an automatic reporting system, an automatic meter reading system using an ISDN line has been proposed. The conventional automatic meter reading system will be described below.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional automatic meter reading system.

As shown, a conventional network control device 3a
Is a subscriber line 5 having an ISDN basic interface from an ISDN 9 office line terminating unit (OCU) 1a.
It is connected to the. The network controller 3a receives the IS according to the ISDN basic interface received from the subscriber line 5.
A DN signal (hereinafter referred to as an ISDN signal) is branched and output to a home line connection device (NCTE) 2 and a meter reading device 4 which is a meter reading terminal for performing automatic meter reading of a gas meter and the like. The ISDN signal is output to the OCU 1a. Note that NCTE2 is ISDN.
In some cases, the terminal adapter (hereinafter referred to as TA) 7 is built in.

Further, the network control unit 3a terminates the call received from the OCU 1a, discriminates the callee from the caller number of the caller or the subaddress added to the callee number, and receives the ISDN signal (this If it is an incoming call to the meter-reading device 4, it is distributed to the meter-reading device 4, and to any other incoming call to the NCTE 2.

Here, reference numeral 5a is G. of ITU-T recommendation.
960 and G.I. It is the U point defined in 961.
The network control device 3a acts as if it were NC for the OCU 1a.
It operates as if TE2 is connected, and the NCTE
2 operates as if the OCU 1a is connected. Therefore, the network control device 3a and NC
A pseudo U point 5b is also formed between TE2 and TE2.

Further, when a call from the OCU 1a is received via the network control device 3a, the meter reading device 4 confirms the caller number of this call or a subaddress added to the callee number, and the caller number is confirmed. Is the telephone number of the meter-reading center 6 and only when the subaddress added to the called party number matches, the call is answered. That is, if the caller number of the call is not the telephone number of the meter-reading center 6 or if the call does not accompany the caller number, the call is not answered, so the call is sent to the NCTE 2 side and the NC
It is processed on the TE2 side.

With the above configuration, the meter reading center 6 is
By issuing a call with a caller number to the subscriber line 5 via U1b, ISDN9 and OCU1a,
Communication with the meter-reading device 4 can be performed, and by receiving the meter-reading result from the meter-reading device 4, it is possible to perform automatic meter-reading using the B channel of the circuit exchange in the ISDN 9.

Further, the TA 7 is provided with a general telephone 8a and a power telephone.
A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 8b is connected, and the telephone 8a and the PC 8b perform normal communication with the terminal device 13 and a public telephone of a public network via the TA 7, the network control device 3a and the ISDN 9. It is configured so that the B channel can be used.

[0010]

By the way, in FIG. 9, when the network control device 3a receives a call origination request from the NCTE 2 when the subscriber line 5 has no available call channel,
This is processed during the call. For example, the meter reading device 4 and the PC 8b connected to the TA 7 are connected to the TA 7 while the subscriber line 5 is in use (two B channels are being used) and the subscriber line 5 does not have an empty call channel. When the telephone 8b is off-hook, the network control device 3a processes the call during the call.

In addition, the telephone set 8a and P connected to the TA7
When an incoming call from the meter-reading center 6 enters the network control device 3 while C8b is communicating, the network control device forcibly disconnects the communication of the telephone 8a or the PC 8b, and the meter-reading center 6
Communication with the meter-reading device 4 is ensured (meter-reading data priority processing). That is, in the conventional network control device 3a, when the meter-reading device 4 and the meter-reading center 6 are communicating, the telephone 8a and the PC 8b connected to the TA 7 cannot be used at the same time. In addition, the communication priority of the meter-reading device 4 is high, and communication of devices such as a telephone connected to the NCTE 2 side is forcibly cut off and the communication of those connected devices is not considered at all.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to establish communication between a reporting device such as a meter reading device and a management device such as a meter reading center that manages the communication device.
The B channel, which is the call channel of the DN basic interface, is not used, but the D channel, which is the control channel, is used, and the PC etc. connected to the NCTE side are allowed to use the B channel to affect the mutual communication. An object is to provide a network control device that enables automatic notification without giving and an automatic notification system using the device.

Further, in recent years, while the utilization rate of circuit switching has increased due to the spread of the Internet, in the communication industry,
Packet-type data communication that can always be connected is becoming mainstream. However, since the line connection type contract between the TA and the communication carrier is set to either one of the line switching connection and the packet switching connection for all channels of the ISDN line, these services are shared. A network control device that can be used as a result has not been proposed yet.

Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to make communication between the reporting device and the management device D channel packet data and B channel data.
Either the channel packet data or the B channel circuit switching data is used, and the communication between the TA and the ISDN is performed by using the D channel packet data, the B channel packet data and the B channel circuit switching data. The communication will be performed by either of them, and the combination of the use of those communication channels will result in reliable notification data.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a network control device that can ensure efficient communication and ensure efficient use of lines in communication between a notification device and a management device and communication between TA and ISDN, and an automatic notification system using the device.

Further, as a desirable communication channel usage mode, the communication between the reporting device and the management device managing it is
The IP packet communication using the D channel via the P network is performed, and the IP packet communication using the D channel or the B packet is also performed in the communication between the device such as the PC on the NCTE side and the ISDN 9.
It is preferable to perform the circuit switching communication using the channel.

[0016]

The first invention of the present invention is as follows:
I according to the ISDN basic interface between the station line terminating device and the home line connecting device and the reporting device.
A network control device for controlling the relay of SDN signals, comprising:
DN station line terminating device, first interface means for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal, the home line connection device, and second interface for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal.
Means, a third interface means for transmitting and receiving the ISDN signal to and from the reporting device, and the first interface.
Interface means and protocol conversion means for relaying the data received from the second interface means and the third interface means after the protocol conversion, and the protocol conversion means includes the ISDN signal. If the data in the packet is packet data, the IP packet data and X. 25
It is characterized by performing mutual conversion with packet data.

In a second aspect of the present invention, when the protocol conversion means receives IP packet data from the notification device or the home line connection device side, each of the I
Source IP address and source port in P packet data
After converting the port number into a source IP address and a source port number managed by the network control device as a source, X.X. It is characterized in that it is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the ISDN side.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the protocol converting means converts the ISDN to X.X. When 25 packet data is received, the X. 25 packet data is
While converting to P packet data, the destination IP address in the IP packet data is identified from the destination port number in the IP packet data, and the destination port number is that of the notification device. If so, the destination IP address is converted to the IP address of the notification device and transmitted to the notification device. If the destination port number is that of the home network connection device side, then the home network connection device side After conversion to the IP address, X. It is characterized in that it is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the home line connection device side.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first interface means and the second interface means have means for separating and synthesizing the ISDN signal into B channel data and D channel data. The separated D channel data
It is characterized by comprising line control means for discriminating between the communication on the side of the home line connection device and the communication on the side of the notification device from the protocol conversion means which has received the data.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the line control means performs packet data communication from the D channel data received by the protocol conversion means to the notification device and the home line connection device side communication. It is characterized by identifying whether there is a line switching communication.

A sixth invention of the present invention is the case where the notification device is performing D-channel packet communication with the management device, and when a failure occurs in a packet line of the ISDN. The protocol conversion means causes the reporting device and the management device to communicate with each other using the circuit switched line of the ISDN in the communication procedure of the B channel circuit switched communication.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a system in which a reporting device connected to a network control device communicates with a management device via ISDN, wherein the network control device is connected to a station line terminating device and a home line connection. Between the device and the reporting device,
A network control device for controlling the relay of an ISDN signal according to an ISDN basic interface, the station line termination, a first interface means for transmitting and receiving the ISDN signal, and the home line connection device. Second interface means for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal, third interface means for transmitting / receiving the reporting device and the ISDN signal, the first interface means, and the second interface. Protocol means for relaying the data received from the interface means and the third interface means after the protocol conversion, the protocol converting means comprising the second interface and the third interface. If the data received from IP packet data is X. Frame conversion into 25 packet data, and the first interface
The data transmitted to the first interface means is the X.X. 25 packet data addressed to the reporting device, converted to IP packet data, transmitted to the third interface means, and received from the first interface means. X. 25 packet data
If the packet is addressed to the home network connection device side, it is transmitted to the second interface means.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, the protocol converting means receives the data received from the second interface means.
If the data is circuit-switched data, it is transmitted to the first interface means without data conversion and the first interface is used.
When the data received from the communication means is circuit switched data and is addressed to the in-home circuit connection device side, it is transmitted to the second interface means without data conversion.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, an ISDN-compatible communication device is connected to the network control device, and the management device has a function of an internet provider.
A communication system in which a DN-compatible communication device is capable of accessing the Internet, and whether the management device is to send data to the management device or to the Internet from the IP address of the received packet data. Is provided with an identification means for identifying.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the management device is provided with an IP network connection means so that communication between the management device and the notification device can be performed using an IP network. .

[0026]

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first automatic notification system using a network control device of the present invention. (In contrast to the conventional network control device 3a, the network control device of the present invention is denoted by reference numeral 3.) As illustrated, a reporting device (in the present embodiment, described as a "meter reading device") 4 and TA
The PC 8b, etc. connected to the network controller 7 and the network controller 3 and the OCU 1
a, ISDN9, and OCU1b, commonly referred to as an Internet provider (Internet Serv).
ice provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) 11 is connected to the Internet 12. In the present invention,
This ISP 11 has a function of a management device (which will be described as a "meter reading center" in the present embodiment) 6 and the meter reading device 4 uses a data format like an ordinary personal computer as an example. A description will be given on the assumption that the network control device 3 has a communication function for the communication.

In the system configuration shown in the figure, as in the case of FIG. 9, the network control device 3 receives from the subscriber line 5,
ISDN signals according to the ISDN basic interface,
Branches to NCTE2 and meter reading device 4, and outputs N
The ISDN signal from the CTE2 and the meter reading device 4 is OCU
Output to 1a.

Further, the network control device 3 terminates the call received from the OCU 1a, discriminates the called party from the calling party number or the destination subaddress of the called party, and if the call is received by the meter reading apparatus 4, it goes to the meter reading apparatus 4. For other incoming calls, IS to NCTE2
The DN signal (call control information in this case) is distributed.

Further, as in FIG. 9, reference numeral 5a is ITU-T.
Recommendation G. 960 and G.I. U specified in 961
It is a point. The network control device 3 operates by making it appear as if the NCTE 2 is connected to the OCU 1a,
Further, it operates as if the OCU 1a is connected to the NCTE 2. Therefore, a pseudo U point 5b is also formed between the network control device 3 and the NCTE 2.

When the call from the OCU 1a arrives, the network control device 3 identifies the caller number of this call or the subaddress added to the caller number, and this caller number is the telephone number of the meter reading center 6. The call is answered only in some cases and when the subaddress added to the called number matches.

ISP1 via ISDN9 as described above
The network controller 3 having a function of connecting to the
From the OCU 1a, which is connected to the subscriber line 5 having the ISDN basic interface.

When the network control device 3 and the ISP 11 communicate with each other, a big difference from the normal dial-up connection is that the network control device 3 makes a contract with ISDN 9 (a contract with a communication carrier providing ISDN) a B channel. It is to connect as circuit switching and D channel packet switching. The automatic meter reading of the present invention is performed using this D channel packet.

Thus, in terms of a system, when the PC 8b communicates with the terminal device 13 or accesses the Internet 12, the B channel of circuit switching is used as usual, and the meter reading device 4 is used by the meter reading device 4 in the ISP 11. When communicating with the ITU-T
Recommended by X. Communication is performed according to 25 communication methods (communication method between DTE and DCE in the packet switching network). In this case, the PC 8b may be connected to the TA 7 that can use the packet-switched D channel and packet communication may be performed on the D channel.

Here, the outline of the data format of the communication between the meter-reading device 4 and the meter-reading center 6 in the ISP 11 will be described. The data format of the meter-reading data transmitted from the meter-reading device 4 is asynchronous. This is called IP packet data described later. The network control device 3, which has received this data, transmits the X. X.25 frame, which will be described later. 25 packet data is sent to ISDN 9 (packet exchange). Next, this X. The ISP 11, which has received 25 packet data, has a built-in packet control unit 1
11, X. The 25 packet data is converted into IP packet data and transmitted to the meter-reading center 6.

Similarly, from the PC 8b, the X.X. Even when 25 packet data are transmitted to the ISP 11, after being converted back to IP packet data, the packet control unit 111 causes the data from the destination IP address to the meter reading center 6 or the data to the Internet 12. I try to identify and deliver it.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the network control device 3 according to the present invention.

In this figure, the direction toward the ISDN 9 side is assumed to be upward and the direction toward the NCTE 2 side is assumed to be downward.

In the network control device 3, a first switching unit 31,
Second switching unit 32, first frame control unit 33, second frame control unit 34, protocol conversion unit 35, communication speed conversion unit 36, terminal connection unit 37, line control unit 38, Bch
A branching section 39 and a Bch coupling section 40 are provided. A power supply detection unit (not shown) monitors the power supply to the network control device 3, and when a power failure is detected, gives a switching instruction to the first switching unit 31 and the second switching unit 32, and the line is pulled in. Switching from the (first and second frame control units) to the bypass line 41 side.

The first frame controller 33 uses the ISDN 9
Terminates the subscriber line 5 to NCU to NCU1a
Works as 2. When the downlink data is received from the ISDN 9 via the first switching unit 31, the 2-line ping-pong transmission method data is converted into the transmission path data unique to the device.

The first frame control unit 33 has a channel separation unit 331 and a channel synthesis unit 332, and two B
The channel data and one D channel data are separated / combined. The data transmitted from the U point 5a side is processed by the channel separating unit 331 into the B channel data and the D channel data.
B channel data is separated into Bch branch unit 39
The D channel data is transmitted to the first Dch control unit 351 in the protocol conversion unit 35.

On the contrary, the channel synthesizing unit 332 makes the B
The B channel data from the channel coupling unit 40 and the upstream data, which is the D channel data from the second Dch control unit 352 in the protocol conversion unit 35, are received, and the transmission line data unique to the device is received. The B channel data and the D channel data, which are the data, are combined and then converted into 2-line ping-pong transmission system data.

The second frame control unit 34 has the NCTE2
On the other hand, it operates as the OCU 1a, and when receiving the upstream data from the NCTE 2, converts the 2-wire ping-pong transmission method data into the transmission path data unique to the device.

In the second frame control section 34, there are a channel separation section 341 and a channel combination section 342.
The channel data and one D channel data are separated / combined. The data transmitted from the pseudo U point 5b side is separated into the B channel data and the D channel data by the channel separation unit 341, and the B channel data is sent to the Bch coupling unit 40 and the D channel data is sent. It is transmitted to the second Dch control unit 352 in the protocol conversion unit 35.

On the contrary, in the channel synthesizing unit 342, the B channel data from the Bch branching unit 39 and the downlink data, which is the D channel data from the first Dch control unit 351 in the protocol converting unit 35. At the time of reception, B channel data and D channel data, which are transmission line data unique to the device, are received.
After combining the data, the data is converted into 2-line ping-pong transmission system data.

The above-mentioned protocol conversion unit 35 uses the ISD
Data for data between the N9 side data and the meter reading device 4
The mat is converted, and the data on the ISDN 9 side and the data on the pseudo U point b side are also relayed.

In the protocol converter 35, a downlink first Dch controller 351 and an uplink second Dc controller 351 are provided.
h control unit 352 and first Bch control unit 353 for downlink
And a second upstream Bch control unit 354, and each control unit includes a line switching processing unit a and a packet switching processing unit b. (The numbers of the circuit switching processing unit and the packet switching processing unit will be written at the end of each control unit number as a for the circuit switching processing unit and as b for the packet switching processing unit.)

First Dch control section 351 for downlink data
Identifies the D channel data received from the channel separation unit 331 in the first frame control unit, and is the call control data for circuit switching, and if it is an incoming call to the meter reading device 4, When the line switching processing unit 351a performs the connection operation according to the call control procedure and the incoming call is other than the meter reading device 4, the call control data is relayed to the channel synthesis unit 342 in the second frame control unit 34. To do.

Further, the received D channel data is X.264 for packet exchange. If the packet data is 25 packet data, the packet exchange processing unit 351b transmits the X.25 packet. 25 packet data is converted into IP packet data, and the IP address number derived from the port number stored in the IP packet data to determine whether the data is to the meter-reading device 4 or not. Then, the data is transmitted to the meter reading device 4 or the second frame control unit 34. However, when transmitting to the second frame control unit 34, the IP packet data is transmitted again as X.X. It is transmitted after being converted into 25 packet data.

Next, the second Dch control unit 3 for upstream data
Reference numeral 52 denotes a case where D channel data is received from the channel separation unit 341 in the second frame control unit 34 on the TA7 side, which is the call control data for terminating and circuit switching. The circuit switching processor 352a relays the data to the first frame controller 33. If the received D channel data is IP packet data, the packet exchange processing unit 352b transmits the IP packet data as X.X. It is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the channel synthesizing unit 332 in the first frame control unit.

When the circuit control call control data is received from the meter-reading device 4, the circuit switching processing unit 352a connects to the other party by the call control procedure and receives the received data.
If the data is IP packet data, the packet exchange processing unit 352b sends the IP packet data to X. It is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the channel synthesizing unit 332 in the first frame control unit.

Next, the first Bch control unit 353 for downlink data identifies the B channel data received from the Bch branching unit 39, is the circuit switching data, and is the meter reading device 4 If it is data for the packet switching, the line switching processing unit 353a relays the data to the meter reading device 4 side, and the received B channel data is the X. If the packet data is 25 packet data, the packet exchange processing unit 353b transmits the X.25 packet. After converting 25 packet data into IP packet data, the data to the meter reading device 4 or other data is derived from the port number stored in the IP packet data I
If the data of the meter reading device 4 is identified by the P address, the data is transmitted to the meter reading device 4 side.

If the device other than the meter reading device 4 is used, the X. It is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the second frame control unit 34 via the Bch branching unit 39. That is, the downstream B channel packet data toward the TA7 side is terminated, but the downstream B channel circuit switching data is not terminated.

Next, the second Bch control unit 3 for upstream data
54 is sent out from the channel separation unit 341 in the second frame control unit 34 on the TA7 side, and the Bch coupling unit 40.
When the B channel data is received via the B channel data and the received B channel data is IP packet data,
The packet exchange processing unit 354b sends the IP packet data to the X. Converted to 25 packet data, the Bch combiner 40
Via the channel combining unit 3 in the first frame control unit 33
32 to 32.

When the B channel data is received from the meter reading device 4 side, the data is terminated, and if it is the data for circuit switching, the circuit switching processing unit 354a transmits the data to B.
If the B channel data transmitted to the ch coupling unit 40 and received is IP packet data, the packet switching processing unit 35.
4b transmits the IP packet data to X. It is converted to 25 packet data and similarly transmitted to the Bch combining unit 40. That is, the upstream B channel packet data from the TA 7 side is terminated, but the upstream B channel circuit switching data is not terminated.

Next, Bc, which is arranged between the channel separating unit 331 and the channel synthesizing unit 342, which are downlink data lines.
The h branch 39 sends the B channel data to the first Bch control section in the protocol conversion section 35 and the channel combination section 34 in the second frame control section 34 according to an instruction from the line control section 38.
Branch output to 2. However, if the B channel has a contract for packet switching, that is, if it is packet data, all packet data is temporarily terminated.
It is transmitted to the first Bch control unit 353.

Here, when the B channel has a contract for circuit switching, that is, when it is data for circuit switching, only the data to the meter reading device 4 is transferred to the first Bch control unit 3.
Although it is transmitted to 53, if it is the data to the TA7 side, it is not transmitted to the first Bch control section 353 but is transmitted to the second frame control section 34. This operation is performed based on the information because the communication of the meter-reading device 4 or the communication of the TA7 side is recognized during the connection procedure because all the D channels are terminated.

When the circuit switching communication is performed, the B channel is used so that the B channel data to the meter reading device 4 is prioritized.

This operation is based on the principle that one B-channel communication is one circuit-switched communication and that the meter-reading data is prioritized in this system.
At the time of communication, one of the B channels is connected to the first Bch control unit 353 to ensure the communication path, and the other one B channel is branched so that the TA 7 side uses it.

Next, Bc arranged between the channel separating unit 341 and the channel synthesizing unit 332 which are the upstream data lines.
The h-coupling unit 40 receives the B channel data from the second Bch control unit 354 in the protocol conversion unit 35 and the channel separation unit 341 in the second frame control unit 34 according to an instruction from the line control unit 38. It is combined with the B channel data and sent to the channel combining section 332 in the first frame control section 33.

However, when the B channel has a contract for packet switching, that is, when it is packet data and the data from the TA 7 side is received, the second Bch control section 354 is notified. The second Bch control unit 354 transmits the IP packet data in the X. 25 packet data
The channel synthesis unit 33 receives the converted data again and
Send to 2. When the IP packet data from the meter reading device 4 is received, the second Bch control unit 354 transmits the X. Receive the converted 25 packet data,
Similarly, it transmits to the channel synthesizing unit 332.

Here, when the B channel has a contract for circuit switching, that is, when it is data for circuit switching, only the data from the meter-reading device 4 is input to the channel synthesizing unit 33.
However, if the data is from the TA 7 side, it is not transmitted to the second Bch control unit 354 but is directly transmitted to the channel synthesis unit 332 in the first frame control unit 33. This operation is performed based on the information because the communication of the meter-reading device 4 or the communication of the TA7 side is recognized during the connection procedure because all the D channels are terminated.

Further, as in the case of the Bch branching unit, when performing circuit switching communication, the B channel is used so that the B channel data to the meter-reading device 4 is prioritized.

Further, even if the telephone 8a on the TA7 side and the PC 8b are communicating by circuit switching, one B channel disconnection message on the TA7 side is transmitted from the first Dch control unit 351 and the second channel is transmitted. Dch control unit 352 to ISDN9
The above-mentioned one B channel disconnection message is transmitted, and the B channel branching unit 39 and the Bch coupling unit 40 disconnect the above one B channel line so that the meter reading device 4 can be forcibly used. Can be secured.

Next, the protocol conversion unit 35 in the network control device 3 passes through the communication speed conversion unit 36 and then the terminal connection unit 37.
It is connected to the meter-reading device 4 via. The communication speed conversion unit 36 performs speed conversion under the control of the line control unit 38 so as to match the speed with the meter reading device 4. Further, the terminal connecting section 37 is a part for matching a physical interface with the meter-reading device 4, and for example, an interface such as RS-232C corresponds to this.

Finally, the line control unit 38 controls the protocol conversion unit 35, the communication speed conversion unit 36, the Bch branching unit 39 and the Bch coupling unit 40 as described above, and also controls the entire device by controlling the CPU, ROM, It is composed of a RAM and a CPU peripheral circuit.

Next, the operation of the system including the network control device 3 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (case 1) showing a sequence when both the meter-reading device 4 and the TA 7 perform communication using D-channel packet switching. In the meter reading system of this embodiment, it is assumed that the meter reading device 4 periodically transmits the meter reading data to the meter reading center 6 in the ISP 11 and the PC 8b connected to the TA 7 is accessing the internet 12. .

Addresses in the internet access will be described. Only one IP address is given from the Internet 12 to the network control device 3. This Internet connection address is called a global address. Next, there is an address to which the network control device 3 temporarily assigns an IP address to the meter-reading device 4 and TA7 connected to the network control device 3, and this will be referred to as a local address.

First, the meter-reading device 4 transmits a start signal to the network control device 3 (S300), and then the network control device 3 which receives it sends a D channel packet to the ISP 11 via the ISDN 9. The link is established (S30
1). When the meter-reading device 4 transmits the meter-reading data (IP packet data described later) which is the result of the meter-reading to the network control device 3 (S302), the second Dch control unit 3 in the network control device 3
Reference numeral 52 converts a source IP address in IP packet data, which will be described later, which is meter reading data, from a local address of the meter reading device 4 to a global address, and further, the meter reading device 4
The port number of the transmission source given by the above is converted into the port number managed by the network control device (S303). Then, an X.X. 25
Converted to a frame of packet data (S304), I
It transmits to ISP11 via SDN9 (S306). At this time, X. The sequence number in the 25 header is given.

The port number and sequence number will be described. In the present embodiment, the network control device 3 includes
The meter-reading device 4 and TA7 are connected. The number of the physical interface of the physically connected device is called a port number, and the IP packet data transmitted from the meter-reading device 4 or TA7 includes the P connected to the meter-reading device 4 or TA7.
C8b uniquely determines and assigns a port number. Upon receiving this, the network control device 3 receives the port assigned by the meter-reading device 4 or the like.
Since it is expected that the port numbers will be duplicated, the port numbers unique to the network control device 3 are reassigned so that the network control device 3 can manage them. Further, the network control device 3 distributes the data received from the ISDN 9 side to the meter reading device 4 and the TA 7 side by converting the IP address based on this port number.

Next, the sequence number will be described. When transmitting data by ISDN9 (packet switching), a sequence number indicating the order of the data must be added. The device connected to this ISDN9
When sending, the number indicating the order of the data is
It is called a Kens number. In this embodiment, TA7 is PC8
The data received from X.b. It is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the network control device 3.

However, at that time, X. A sequence number has already been assigned in the 25 header portion. Since the meter reading device 4 and the TA 7 are connected to the network control device 3 and the data is received from both of them, the ISDN 9
When transmitting the data to the device, the data received from the meter-reading device 4 and the data received from the TA7 must be integrated to give consecutive sequence numbers. That is, the network control device 3 has a function of reassigning the sequence number of the data from the TA 7.

Now, return to the description of the sequence shown in FIG. The packet control unit 111 in the ISP 11 receives the received X. The 25 packet data is converted into IP packet data (S307), the destination IP address of the data is identified (S308), and if the destination IP address is the address of the meter reading center 6, the meter reading center 6 is selected. Send. Thereafter, the meter reading data is taken in at the meter reading center 6 (S3
10). The destination IP address is the meter reading center 6 in S308.
If the address is other than the above, it is transmitted to the Internet 12 (S311).

The IP packet data from the PC 8b is T
After the sequence number is given by A7, X. 25
It is packetized and transmitted to the network controller 3 (S
312). The X. Upon receiving the 25 packet data, the second Dch control unit 352 in the network control device 3 converts the IP packet data into the source IP address in the IP packet data from the local address of the PC 8b. A port that is converted into a global address and that the network controller manages the port number of the transmission source given by the PC 8b.
(Step S313).

Then, a data frame compatible with packet switching is provided.
X. It is converted again into a frame of 25 packet data (S314), and ISP1 is sent via ISDN9.
1 to S1 (S315). At this time, the X. 25 The sequence number in the header is reassigned. The transmitted data is S3 by the ISP 11.
The processing is performed from 07 to S311.

Next, the case of receiving the data transmitted from the ISP 11 will be described. The packet control unit 111 in the ISP 11 assigns the port number of the meter-reading device 4 to the IP packet data received from the meter-reading center 6 as the destination port number, and then X. 25 packet data is formed and transmitted to the network control device 3 (S316). Also, the IP packet data received by the ISP 11 from the Internet 12 is
X. 25 packet data is formed (S324) and transmitted to the network controller 3. At this time, the data from the meter-reading center 6 and the data from the internet 12 are given consecutive sequence numbers in the order in which they are sent to the ISDN 9 by the ISP 11.

X. 25 packet data
The network control device 3 which has received the digitized data via the ISDN 9 transmits the X. While converting 25 packet data to IP packet data, the destination IP address is globally I based on the destination port number.
Conversion from the P address to the local IP address is performed (S317). In this destination IP address conversion, if the port number of the physical port to which the meter reading device 4 is connected, it is converted to the source local IP address given by the meter reading device 4, and the port number is If it is other than the port number of the physical port to which the meter-reading device 4 is connected, PC8 on the TA7 side
The source local IP address assigned by b is converted.

Next, the destination IP address which is the converted local IP address is identified (S318), and if it is the IP address of the meter-reading device 4, IP packet data is transmitted to the meter-reading device 4 (S320). If the destination IP address is an IP address other than the meter reading device 4 in S318, the sequence number is reassigned and X. After being converted into 25 packet data (S321), it is transmitted to TA7 (S
322). As a result, the data from the internet 12 is transmitted to the TA 7 and the data from the meter-reading center 6 is transmitted to the meter-reading device 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (case 2) showing a sequence when the meter-reading device 4 performs communication using D-channel packet switching and the TA 7 performs communication using B-channel circuit switching. . The meter reading system of the present embodiment is also performed by using the system configuration of FIG. 1 as in FIG. 3, and the meter reading system periodically transmits the meter reading data to the meter reading center 6 in the ISP 11 and the PC 8b connected to the TA7. Let's take as an example the case of communicating with the terminal device 13 connected to the ISDN 9.

First, the meter-reading device 4 transmits an activation signal to the network control device 3 (S400), and then the network control device 3 receiving it sends a D channel packet to the ISP 11 via the ISDN 9. The link is established (S40
1). When the meter-reading device 4 transmits the meter-reading data which is a meter-reading result to the network control device 3 (S402), the second Dch control unit 352 in the network control device 3 causes the IP packet data, which will be described later, to be the meter-reading data. The source IP address in the meter is converted from the local address of the meter-reading device 4 into a global address, and the port number of the source sent by the meter-reading device 4 is managed by the network controller. Convert to a number (S4
03). Then, an X.X. It is converted into a frame of 25 packet data (S404) and transmitted to the ISP 11 via ISDN9 (S406). At this time, X. The sequence number in the 25 header is given.

The packet control unit 111 in the ISP 11 receives the X. The 25 packet data is converted into IP packet data (S407), the destination IP address of the data is then identified (S408), and if the destination IP address is the address of the meter reading center 6, the meter reading center 6 is selected. Send. Then, the meter reading data is taken in by the meter reading center 6 (S410). If the destination IP address is an address other than the meter-reading center 6 in S408, it is transmitted to the Internet 12 (S411).

The sequence of data transmitted from the meter-reading center 6 in the ISP 11 to the meter-reading device 4 is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the sequence from the terminal device 13 to the PC 8b connected to the TA 7 for incoming call and communication will be described.

A call setting message (S) from the terminal device 13 is sent.
ET UP) is transmitted to ISDN 9 (circuit switched) using the D channel (S412). SET UP Messe
Upon receiving the message, the ISDN 9 similarly transmits a SET UP message to the network control device 3 (S413), and sends a call setting acceptance message (CALL) to the terminal device 13.
(PROC) is returned (S417). Then, the network control device 3 that received it is the first Dch control unit 351
The meter reading device 4 or the other incoming call is identified from the caller number or the subaddress added to the called number, and if the incoming call is to the meter reading device 4, it operates to communicate with the meter reading device 4, and the other incoming calls. If so, the SETUP message is transferred to the TA 7 side via the second frame control unit 34.

In this embodiment, since the communication is between the terminal device 13 and the TA7 side, the SET UP message is transferred to TA7 (S414).

At TA7, in response to the SET UP message, a call setting acceptance message (CALL PROC) is transmitted to the network control unit 3 (S415), and at the same time, a call message (ALERT) (S418) and a response message are sent. -Di (C
ONN) is transmitted (S421).

Upon receipt of this, the network controller 3 receives the second Dc
h Terminating at the control unit 352, the CALL PROC, A
Generates LERT and CONN messages to ISDN9
(S416, S419, S422). ISD
N9 receives these and sends ALERT and C to the terminal device 13.
An ONN message is transmitted (S420, S423).

When the ISDN 9 sends a CONN message to the terminal device 13, the ISDN 9 sends a response message (CON
NACK) to the network controller 13 (S424),
A CONN ACK message is received from the terminal device 13 (S426).

Upon receiving the CONN ACK message (S424) from the ISDN 9, the network control device 3 transfers the CONN ACK message to the TA 7 (S42).
5).

With the sequence so far, the terminal device 13 and the T
The negotiation with the A channel by the D channel is completed, and then the communication with the B channel is started (S42).
7).

Downstream data from the terminal device 13 of the B channel is transmitted to the TA 7 via the first frame control section 33, the Bch branch section, and the second frame control section 34.
Upstream data from TA7 is sent to the second frame control unit 3
4, the Bch coupling section, and the first frame control section 33 to transmit the signal to the terminal device 13.

In the case of the present embodiment, since none of the two B channels is used by the meter-reading device 4, the Bch branch section 39 and the Bch coupling section operate to interrupt the line,
The TA 7 does not disconnect the line under communication except for the case described later with reference to FIG. 5, which is the next diagram.

FIG. 5 shows that when the meter-reading device 4 performs communication using D-channel packet switching and some trouble or the like occurs in ISDN 9 (packet switching) during communication, circuit switching using the B-channel (circuit switching). 6 is a diagram (case 3) showing a sequence when switching to communication of FIG.

The meter reading system of the present embodiment is also performed by using the system configuration of FIG. 1 as in FIG. 3, and the meter reading system periodically transmits the meter reading data to the meter reading center 6 in the ISP 11 and the meter reading in the ISP 11 is performed. An example will be described in which the center 6 detects an abnormality on the side of the meter reading device 4 that does not regularly send the meter reading data and enters an incoming call due to circuit switching into the meter reading device 4.

First, the meter-reading device 4 transmits an activation signal to the network control device 3 (S500), and then the network control device 3 receiving it sends a D channel packet to the ISP 11 via the ISDN 9. The link is established (S50
1). When the meter-reading device 4 transmits the meter-reading data which is a meter-reading result to the network control device 3 (S502), the second Dch control unit 352 in the network control device 3 stores in the IP packet data which is the meter-reading data. The source IP address of the
Converts from a Cal address to a Global address, and
The source port number given by the meter-reading device 4 is converted into a port number managed by the network control device (S503). Then, an X.X. Converted to a frame of 25 packet data (S5
04), and transmits to ISP11 via ISDN9 (S5)
06, S507). At this time, X. The sequence number in the 25 header is given.

Here, due to some failure in packet switching,
If the meter-reading data does not reach the meter-reading center 6 in the ISP 11, the meter-reading center 6 recognizes that the meter-reading center 6 is in an abnormal state unless the meter-reading data that is regularly sent is not sent for a predetermined period or longer. A B channel communication request by circuit switching is started.

The call setting message (SET UP) from the meter reading center 6 in the ISP 11 is ISDN 9 (circuit switching).
Are transmitted using the D channel (S508). ISD
At N9, similarly, a SET UP message is transmitted to the network control device 3 (S509) and a call setting acceptance message is sent.
(CALL PROC) to ISP11. Therefore, the network control device 3 which has received the SET UP message
The first Dch control unit 351 identifies whether the meter-reading device 4 or another call is received from the caller number or the sub-address added to the called number. To the TA7 side through the second frame control unit 34 if the incoming call is other than that.
Transfer UP message.

In this embodiment, since the communication between the meter-reading center 6 and the meter-reading device 4 is performed, the SET UP message is processed in the network control device 3.

In the network control device 3, the SET UP message is displayed.
In response to the call setting acceptance message (CALL PRO
C) is transmitted to ISDN 9 (S510), and at the same time, a call message (ALERT) and a response message (CON) are sent.
N) is transmitted (S512, S514). The ISDN 9 receiving this generates an ALERT message and a CONN message and sends them to the ISP 11 (S513, S515).

ISDN9 is a CONN message for IS.
When sent to P11, the response message for the response (CONN
ACK) to the network control device 13 (S516), and I
The CONN ACK message from SP11 is received (S517).

With the above sequence, the negotiation by the D channel is completed between the ISP 11 and the meter-reading device 4, and then the communication using the B channel is started (S5).
18).

Downstream data from the B channel ISP 11
The data is converted into the speed of the meter reading device 4 by the communication speed conversion unit 36 via the first frame control unit 33, the Bch branch unit, and the first Bch control unit 353, and the terminal connection unit. Three
It is transmitted to the meter reading device 4 via 7. In addition, the meter reading device 4
The upstream data from the second Bch control unit 354, B
It is transmitted to the ISP 11 side via the ch coupling unit 40 and the first frame control unit 33.

In the case of this embodiment, since the meter reading device 4 uses one of the two B channels,
The Bch branching unit 39 and the Bch coupling unit 40 operate, and TA
If 7 is communicating and uses two B channels,
The meter-reading data priority operation is performed to disconnect one of the two B channels used by the TA7 side.

If TA7 uses only one B channel and the meter-reading device 4 communicates with the meter-reading center 6 on the B-channel, another TA7 connected to TA7 is used. Even if the device tries to communicate, the network control device 3 processes the TA 7 during a call.

FIG. 6 shows a second example using the network control device of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the communication system structure of.

As shown in the figure, the PC 8b and the like connected to the meter reading device 4 and the TA 7 are connected to the IP network 10 described later via the network control device 3 and the ISDN 9, and further to the ISP 11
Connected to the Internet 12. In the present invention, a case where the ISP 11 is a system having the function of the meter reading center 6 will be described as an example. The difference between FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 is that the ISP 11 and the ISDN 9 are connected via the OCU 1b in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 6, the IP network connected to the ISDN 9 in addition to the connection via the OCU 1b. 1
This is the point where 0 is also connected. The communication between the ISP 11 and the network control unit 3 via the OCU 1b is the same as the operation described with reference to FIGS.
The point is that the net 10 is used.

Next, an IP network using an IP network (hereinafter referred to as an IP network) constructed for each region like each prefecture will be described. In the flat-rate call charge service for internet connection provided by a telecommunications carrier, which is a telecommunications carrier, an ordinary I service is provided from the user's home to the nearest telephone office.
Using a telephone line including an SDN line, the telephone station enters the IP network constructed by the telecommunications carrier and connects to the contracted ISP. This is called an IP network, and unlike the telephone network using an exchange, the IP network can send a plurality of data on one line.

Therefore, even from the user's house to the accommodating station, the line is occupied even during long-time connection, and the line efficiency is good and the cost can be kept low. Instead,
In the IP network, it is a best-effort type in which the transmission speed is not guaranteed.

For normal dial-up connection, ISP
Had to install an access point for each area code, but in case of a flat-rate call charge for internet connection, all you need to do is connect to the IP network 10 at one base in each prefecture. Because of this, the ISP 11 according to the present invention also has an interface.
It is also possible to provide the user with a flat-rate call charge for connecting to the Internet.

In the flat-rate call charge service for connecting to the internet, the IP network 10 is not used and the I
A service connecting to the SP is conceivable. This is the case when the connection form of FIG. 1 allows Internet access at a fixed call charge.

[0111] The ISP 1
The network controller 3 having a function of connecting to the
From the OCU 1a, which is connected to the subscriber line 5 having the ISDN basic interface.

When the network control device 3 and the IP network 10 are connected, a big difference from the normal dial-up connection is that the line from the accommodation station (telephone station) of the communication carrier to the ISP 11 is not the telephone line network, IP network called IP network 10
It is that you are using ku. As a result, by not using the telephone line network that monopolizes one line for one call, it is possible to cope with the situation where the telephone lines are kept connected.

The network control device 3 branches the ISDN signal received from the subscriber line 5 according to the ISDN basic interface to the meter reading device 4 which is an NCTE 2 and ISDN compatible terminal, and also outputs the NCTE 2 and the meter reading device 4.
And outputs the ISDN signal from OCU1a.

Further, the network control device 3 terminates the call received from the OCU 1a, identifies it from the caller number of the callee, the destination subaddress, etc., and if it is an incoming call to the meter-reading device 4, it sends it to the meter-reading device 4, and other than that. If there is an incoming call, the ISDN signal (call control information in this case) is distributed to NCTE2.

With the above configuration, the ISP 11 having the function of the meter-reading center 6 shown in FIG.
By transmitting a call (IP packet data) with a caller number to the subscriber line 5 via the ISDN 9 and the OCU 1a, communication with the meter reading device 4 can be performed via the network control device 3. The ISP 11 can perform automatic meter reading by receiving the meter reading result from the meter reading device 4.

Further, as described above, since the connection to the IP network 10 can handle the condition that the telephone line is left connected, the meter reading device 4 periodically transmits the meter reading information to the ISP 11 which is also the meter reading center 6. You may.

Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to enter into a contract with the ISP 11 for a normal provider and at the same time a contract with the automatic meter reading system, and by using the network control device 3 of the present invention, the provider business and the automatic meter reading business. It is possible to provide a service that fuses the above. The business integrated with the provider business described above can be applied not only to the automatic meter-reading business but also to the fusion with the surveillance and security business, which is a system in which security devices such as security sensors and security cameras are deployed. This is also the case with the system configuration shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the system using the network control device 3 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sequence when performing communication using the D channel packet exchange, which is a constant connection contract (without any connection) with both the meter-reading device 4 and the TA 7. In the meter reading system of this embodiment, it is assumed that the meter reading system periodically transmits the meter reading data to the meter reading center 6 in the ISP 11 and the PC 8b connected to the TA 7 is accessing the Internet 12.

Here, the difference between the operations of FIGS. 1 and 6 will be briefly described. ISDN9 in FIG. Although 25 packet data was transferred bidirectionally without being processed, the ISDN 9 shown in FIG. 7 has a part of the protocol conversion function of the network controller 3 and the ISP 11 with the built-in meter reading center 6 in the exchange. The case is assumed. Some of the functions are X. Mutual conversion of 25 packet data and IP packet data, and if it is IP packet data, IP
The communication with the network 10 is performed.

First, the meter-reading device 4 transmits an activation signal to the network control device 3 (S700), and then the network control device 3 which receives the activation signal establishes a D channel packet link with the ISDN 9. (S701). Meter reading data obtained by the meter reading device 4 (IP packet data described later)
When the message is transmitted to the network control device 3 (S702), the second Dch control unit 352 in the network control device 3 sends the source IP address in the IP packet data, which is the meter reading data, to the meter reading device 4 as a log. The local address is converted from the local address to the global address, and the port number of the transmission source provided by the meter reading device 4 is converted into the port number managed by the network control device (S7).
03). Then, an X.X. It is converted into a frame of 25 packet data (S704) and transmitted to the ISP 11 via the ISDN 9 (S706). At this time, X. The sequence number in the 25 header is given.

ISDN 9 receives the received X. 25 packet data is converted into IP packet data (S707), and I
It is transmitted to the ISP 11 via the P network 10 (S715).

The packet control unit 111 in the ISP 11 identifies the destination IP address of the received IP packet data (S708), and if the destination IP address is the address of the meter-reading center 6, it is sent to the meter-reading center 6. Thereafter, the meter reading data is taken in at the meter reading center 6 (S71
0). If the destination IP address is an address other than the meter-reading center 6 in S708, it is transmitted to the Internet 12 (S711).

The IP packet data from the PC 8b is T
A7 is assigned a sequence number, and X. It is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the network control device 3 (S71).
2). The X. Upon receiving the 25 packet data, the second Dch control unit 352 in the network control device 3 converts the IP packet data into the source IP address in the IP packet data from the local address of the PC 8b. -The port number of the transmission source given by the PC 8b is converted into the port number managed by the network control device (S713). Then, an X.X. 25 packet data
It is converted again to the data frame (S714) and ISDN9
It transmits to ISP11 via. At this time, the X. 25 The sequence number in the header is reassigned.

The transmitted data is ISDN9 and ISP.
11, the processing is performed from S707 to S711.

Next, the case of receiving the data transmitted from the ISP 11 will be described. The packet control unit 111 in the ISP 11 assigns the port number of the meter-reading device 4 to the IP packet data received from the meter-reading center 6 as the destination port number, and then X. ISD with 25 packet data
It is transmitted to N9 (S716).

Further, the IP packet data received by the ISDN 9 from the Internet 12 is the ISDN 9 as it is.
Sent to.

The IP packet data received by the ISDN 9 from the meter-reading center 6 and the Internet 12 is X.
25 packet data (S717) Network controller 3
To (S718). At this time, the data from the meter-reading center 6 and the data from the internet 12 are IS.
Sequential sequence numbers are assigned in the order in which P11 sends them to ISDN9.

According to ISDN9, X. 25 packet data
The network control device 3 which has received the digitized data sets the first D
X control by the ch control unit 351. In addition to converting the 25 packet data to the IP packet data, the destination IP address is converted from the global IP address to the local IP address based on the destination port number (S719). In this destination IP address conversion, if the port number of the physical port to which the meter reading device 4 is connected, it is converted to the source local IP address given by the meter reading device 4, and the port number is If it is other than the port number of the physical port to which the meter-reading device 4 is connected, the source local IP address assigned by the PC 8b on the TA 7 side is converted. Next, the destination IP address which is the converted local IP address is identified (S720), and if it is the IP address of the meter-reading device 4, IP packet data is transmitted to the meter-reading device 4 (S72).
1). If the destination IP address is an IP address other than the meter reading device 4 in S720, the sequence number is reassigned and X. After converting to 25 packet data (S72
2), it transmits to TA7 (S723). As a result, the data from the Internet 12 is transferred to TA7 and the meter reading center 6
Data is transmitted to the meter reading device 4.

FIG. 8 shows the IP packet data and X. The format of 25 packet data is shown.

FIG. 8A shows the format of IP packet data, and FIG. It is a 25 packet data format. Further, (c) shows the format of the IP header part in the IP packet data, and (d) shows the format of the TCP / UDP header part in the IP packet data.

The IP packet data from the meter-reading device 4 and the PC 8b is generally called asynchronous PPP frame data and has a format as shown in (a). The IP packet data has a data part which is an information part, a TCP / UDP part and an IP header part indicating that it is an IP packet are added to the sending side of the data part, and further, LCP / NCP and the like. A type section indicating the type, a control section, an address section, and a flag section are arranged at the beginning, an FCS section is added behind the data section, and a flag section is added at the end. this is,
Generally, it is the same as the HDLC frame format.

The TCP / UDP section indicates the type of the transport layer protocol in the TCP / IP protocol as T.
It indicates CP or UDP.

Next, in X. 25 packet data will be explained. From the IP packet data in (a), the flag part, F
The CS section is deleted, and X. X.25 indicating that the data is 25. 25 header parts are added, and an FCS part and a flag part are added to the rear. X. The 25 header section has a P (S) / P (R) section, a control section, an address section, and a flag section, and the P (S) / P (R) section transmits / receives data.
The reception sequence number, X. It is a sequence number of 25 packet layers.

However, although the data portion of the IP packet data can store 1494-byte data, The data portion of 25 packet data can store only 256 bytes of data. When converting the data into 25 packet data, the data of the IP packet data is divided into a plurality of X. It is necessary to transmit 25 packet data.

As described above, this IP packet data and X. The conversion work of 25 packet data is performed by the protocol conversion unit 35 in the network control device 3 (strictly speaking, the packet processing unit therein).
In addition, the ISP 11 and ISDN 9 other than the network control device 3 perform the same operation.

Further, the TA 7 and the network control device 3 transmit the asynchronous IP packet data to the X. To describe in detail the operation of converting to 25 packet data, when the TA 7 and the network control device 3 receive the asynchronous IP packet data, the TA. It is converted into 25 packet data. Asynchronous IP packet data and synchronous IP packet data have different detailed data formats (start bit and stop bit are added to the asynchronous data), but the IP header part, T
The actual data useful as the transmission data such as the CP / UDP section and the data section does not change at all.

Further, in the network control device 3 of the above embodiment,
The case where communication is performed using the D channel of the constant connection contract has been described, but it is also possible to easily support the constant connection contract of the B channel. That is, the call control information is processed by the upstream and downstream Dch control units in the protocol conversion unit 35, and the B channel packet data using the B channel is processed.
The packet processing unit in the upstream / downstream Bch control unit uses the asynchronous IP packet data X.X. It can be realized by converting 25 packet data in the same manner as the D channel data.

It should be noted that the above description is about the meter reading system, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to all automatic notification systems such as an alarm system, a security system, and a monitoring system, which are provided with a notification device and a management device that manages the information automatically for reporting some information.

[0140]

As described above, according to the present invention, the communication between the notification device and the management device does not use the B channel which is the communication channel of the ISDN basic interface, but the D channel which is the control channel.
PC connected to the NCTE side by using the channel
It is possible to construct a network control device and an automatic notification system using this device that enable automatic notification without affecting each other's communication by using the B channel.

Further, communication between the reporting device and the management device is carried out by using either D channel packet data, B channel packet data or B channel circuit switching data, and TA and I
Communication with SDN is performed by using either D-channel packet data, B-channel packet data, or B-channel circuit switching data, and a combination of the use of these communication channels ensures reliable notification data communication. By doing so, it is possible to construct a network control device capable of efficiently using a line for communication between the notification device and the management device and communication between the TA and ISDN, and an automatic notification system using this device.

In a more desirable communication channel usage mode, communication between the notification device and the management device is performed by IP packet communication using the D channel via the IP network, and communication between the device such as the PC on the NCTE side and the ISDN 9 is performed. Also, it becomes possible to perform IP packet communication using the D channel.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (Embodiment 1) of an automatic meter-reading system using a network control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of a network control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the automatic meter-reading system using the network control device of the present invention. (Embodiment 1: Case 1)

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the automatic meter-reading system using the network control device of the present invention. (Embodiment 1: Case 2)

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the automatic meter-reading system using the network control device of the present invention. (Actual form 1: Case 3)

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram (Embodiment 2) of an automatic meter reading system using the network control device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the automatic meter-reading system using the network control device of the present invention. (Embodiment 2: Case 1)

FIG. 8 shows IP packet data and X. 25 packet data
It is a figure which shows the frame format of a computer.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an automatic meter-reading system using a conventional network control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Station line terminating device (OCU) 2 ... Home line connection device (NCTE) 3 ... Network control device 4 ... Meter reading device (reporting device) 5 ... Subscriber line 6 ...・ Meter reading center (management device) 7 ... Terminal adapter (TA) 8 ... Telephone (8a), Personal computer (P)
C: 8b) 9 ... ISDN 10 ... IP network 11 ... ISP (Internet provider) 12 ... Internet 13 ... Terminal device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Teiji Yamazaki             Fukushima Prefecture, Koriyama City, Senba 94, Japan             Within Tate Telecom Technology (72) Inventor Kazunori Katagiri             Fukushima Prefecture, Koriyama City, Senba 94, Japan             Within Tate Telecom Technology F-term (reference) 5K030 GA08 HA02 HA08 HC02 JA08                       JL08 LA09 LA10 LB14                 5K034 AA10 AA14 DD03 EE11 FF06                       HH01 HH02 HH61                 5K101 KK12 LL00 LL03 MM06 QQ12                       SS07 UU19 UU20

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A network control device for controlling relay of an ISDN signal according to an ISDN basic interface between a station line terminating device, a home line connection device and a reporting device, wherein the ISDN station is for the station. A line terminating device, a first interface means for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal, the home line connection device, a second interface means for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal, the transmitting / receiving device and the ISDN signal Third interface means, the first interface means, and the second interface means
Protocol conversion means for relaying the data received from the interface means and the third interface means after the protocol conversion, and the protocol conversion means includes data in the ISDN signal.
If the packet data is the packet data, the IP packet data and the X. A network control device characterized by performing mutual conversion with 25 packet data. 2. The protocol converting means, when receiving the IP packet data from the reporting device or the home network connection device side, each of the IP packet data.
After the source IP address and source port number in the network are converted into the source IP address and source port number managed by the network control device as the source, X.X. 25. The packet data is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the ISDN side.
The described network control device. 3. The protocol conversion means is further provided for converting the ISDN to X.X. When 25 packet data is received, the X. 25 packet data is converted into the IP packet data, and the destination IP address in the IP packet data is identified from the destination port number in the IP packet data to obtain the destination port number. Is a reporting device, the destination IP address is converted to the IP address of the reporting device and transmitted to the reporting device. If the destination port number is that of the home network connection device side, then After converting to the IP address of the home network connection device side,
X. 25. The packet data is converted into 25 packet data and transmitted to the home network connection device side.
The described network control device. 4. The first interface means and the second interface means further include means for separating and combining the ISDN signal into B channel data and D channel data, and the separation is performed. 4. The network control according to claim 3, further comprising line control means for discriminating between the communication on the side of the in-home line connection device and the communication on the side of the notification device, from the protocol conversion means having received the D channel data. apparatus. 5. The line control means further comprises, based on the D channel data received by the protocol conversion means, whether the communication on the notification device side or the home line connection device side is packet data communication or circuit switched communication. 5. The network control device according to claim 4, wherein the network control device identifies whether or not 6. The protocol conversion means further comprises: when the notification device is performing D-channel packet communication with the management device, and when a failure occurs in a packet line of the ISDN. 6. The network control device according to claim 5, wherein communication is performed between the reporting device and the management device by using a circuit switching line of the ISDN in a communication procedure of B channel circuit switching communication. 7. The reporting device connected to the network control device is an IS.
In a system for communicating with a management device via a DN, the network control device relays an ISDN signal between an office line terminating device, a home line connection device and a reporting device in accordance with the ISDN basic interface. A network control device for controlling, the station line termination, a first interface means for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal, the home line connection device, and a second interface for transmitting / receiving the ISDN signal. Means, a third interface means for transmitting and receiving the ISDN signal to and from the reporting device, the first interface means, the second interface means and the third interface means. Protocol conversion means for relaying data after protocol conversion, wherein the protocol conversion means comprises the second interface and the third interface. Et al received de - data is IP Pakettode - when was the data, X. The frame is converted into X.25 packet data, sent to the first interface means, and the data received from the first interface means is X.25. 25 packet data addressed to the reporting device, converted to IP packet data, transmitted to the third interface means, and received from the first interface means. X. If the packet data is 25 packet data and is addressed to the home network connection device side, the second interface
An automatic notification system that is characterized by transmitting to an automatic means. 8. The protocol conversion means further comprises a circuit-switched data received from the second interface means.
If it is data, the first interface is used without data conversion.
If the data transmitted to the first interface means and received by the first interface means is circuit switching data and is addressed to the in-home line connection device side, the second interface without data conversion. 8. The automatic notification system according to claim 7, wherein the automatic notification system transmits the information to a communication means. 9. An ISDN compatible communication device is connected to the network control device, the management device has a function of an internet provider, and the ISDN compatible communication device is capable of internet access communication. In the system, the management device is provided with an IP of the received packet data.
9. The automatic notification system according to claim 8, further comprising an identification means for identifying whether the data is addressed to the center or the internet based on an address. 10. The management device further comprises an IP network connection means so that the management device and the notification device can communicate with each other using an IP network.
The automatic notification system described.