JP2004070750A - Communication media selection method and device, communication media selection program, and storage medium storing the communication media selection program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to automatically select a medium to be used when the user wants to communicate with another user. <P>SOLUTION: Usable media by the user are registered in a media list. When a transmission using a logic number is performed, a media list of arrival designation having the priority is acquired based on the logic number in reference to the media list of an arrival user and a logic number management database for storing its attribute information in conformation to the logic number. A medium for performing the communication is determined from the usable media of the media list of arrival designation. When the determined medium has not been started, it is started, and the address of the medium of the arrival designation for the application is transmitted to the transmitter user terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

なら、ｓｉｐアプリケーション）、そのアプリケーションが現在起動されてアクティブであるかどうかをアプリケーションリスト１８０に対して、アプリケーション状態問い合わせの形で送信する（ステップ２０８）。
【００８９】
アプリケーションリスト１８０の当該アプリケーションがアクティブであるかどうかを、アプリケーション状態通知としてＵＲＩ選択部１５０に通知する（ステップ２０９）。
【００９０】
ＵＲＩ選択部１５０では、実アドレスであるＵＲＩを通信メディアに対して通知する。これにより当該メディアアプリケーションは通知されたＵＲＩを用いて、通信相手との通信パスの確立を試みる（ステップ２１０）。
【００９１】
次に、通信メディア起動選択処理について説明する。
【００９２】
以下、第１の実施例のシステムの動作の通信メディア起動選択処理について説明する。
【００９３】
図９は、本発明の第１の実施例の通信メディア起動選択処理のシーケンスチャートである。
【００９４】
以下では、メディアＡとメディアＢの２つのアプリケーションが端末１０に存在し、現在アクティブであるメディアＢから発信することを考える。
【００９５】
メディアＢからの発信処理（ステップ３０１）から、メディア選択要求（ステップ３０７）までの処理は、前述の通信メディア選択処理と全く同じであるとする。
【００９６】
このとき、論理番号管理データベース３０から返却されたＵＲＩリストを調べた結果、発信（ステップ３０１）により、通信を確立しようと試みたメディアＢを、通信相手が利用することができず、メディアＡのアプリケーションしか利用できない場合が考えられる。
【００９７】
ＵＲＩ選択部１５０は、アプリケーションリスト１８０に対して、メディアＡの現在の状態を問い合わせる（ステップ３０８）。
【００９８】
アプリケーションリスト１８０は、現在、メディアＡのアプリケーションが起動されていないならば、アプリケーション状態通知として、現在メディアＡのアプリケーションが起動されていないということを、ＵＲＩ選択部１５０に通知する（ステップ３０９）。
【００９９】
ＵＲＩ選択部１５０は、メディアＡのアプリケーションの起動パスを、アプリケーション起動部１６０に対して通知する（ステップ３１０）。
【０１００】
アプリケーション起動部１６０は、通知されたアプリケーションの起動パスに基づいて、メディアＡに対してあるアプリケーション起動要求を送信し（ステップ３１１）、メディアＡのアプリケーションの起動を試みる。
【０１０１】
メディアＡのアプリケーションは、起動要求を受信し、起動され、起動に成功したならば、アプリケーション起動結果として、通信メディア選択装置１００に通知する（ステップ３１２）。
【０１０２】
アプリケーション起動結果により、メディアＡがアプリケーションの起動を確認したら、実アドレス通知として、メディアＡアプリケーションに対して実アドレスであるＵＲＩを通知し、通信パスの確立を試みる（ステップ３１３）。
【０１０３】
次に、通信メディア登録処理について説明する。
【０１０４】
図１０は、本発明の第１の実施例の通信メディア登録処理のシーケンスチャートである。
【０１０５】
通信メディア選択装置１００のアプリケーション監視部１７０は、タイマなどで設定された一定間隔毎に、状態監視によりメディアが現在アクティブであるかどうかを検査する（ステップ４０１）。この状態監視の処理は、アプリケーションリスト１８０に登録されたメディアについて行う。
【０１０６】
また、メディア自身が起動されたときは、状態通知処理（ステップ４０２）により、アプリケーション監視部１７０に対して明示的にアクティブな状態を通知することも考えられる。
【０１０７】
メディアの状態を把握したアプリケーション監視部１７０は、状態登録処理として、アプリケーションリスト１８０を更新する。この処理により、アプリケーション１８０上で、当該メディアがアクティブであるかどうかについての情報が更新される（ステップ４０３）。
【０１０８】
［第２の実施例］
前述の第１の実施例では、特にインターネット上の論理番号を利用したアドレス変換方式について説明したが、これについては、プライベートな企業内の閉域ネットワーク等で実現してもよい。
【０１０９】
また、上記の実施の形態及び実施例における動作をプログラムとして構築し、通信メディア選択装置として利用されるコンピュータにインストールする、または、ネットワークを介して流通させることも可能である。
【０１１０】
また、構築されたプログラムを通信メディア選択装置として利用されるコンピュータに接続されるハードディスク装置や、フレキシブルディスク、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ等の可搬記憶媒体に格納しておき、本発明を実施する際にインストールすることも可能である。
【０１１１】
なお、本発明は、上記の実施の形態及び実施例に限定されることなく、特許請求の範囲内において、種々変更・応用が可能である。
【０１１２】
【発明の効果】
上述のように、本発明では、複数の通信メディアを持った端末において、各メディアアプリケーションで共通の論理番号を使用し、メディアアプリケーションの状態を自動的に監視し、あるメディアで通信ができない場合には、別のメディアのアプリケーションを自動的に起動することにより、より確実に通信を行え、また、その際にユーザがアプリケーションを起動したり、論理番号を入力したりといった、煩わしい操作をしなくてもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の原理を説明するための図である。
【図２】本発明の原理構成図である。
【図３】本発明の一実施の形態におけるシステム構成図である。
【図４】本発明の一実施の形態におけるメッセージシーケンスチャートである。
【図５】本発明の第１の実施例のシステム構成図である。
【図６】本発明の第１の実施例のアプリケーションリストのテーブルの例である。
【図７】本発明の第１の実施例の論理番号管理データベースのレコードの例である。
【図８】本発明の第１の実施例の通信メディア選択処理のシーケンスチャートである。
【図９】本発明の第１の実施例の通信メディア起動選択処理のシーケンスチャートである。
【図１０】本発明の第１の実施例の通信メディア登録処理のシーケンスチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０　発信ユーザ端末
２０　着信ユーザ端末
３０　論理番号管理データベース
１００　通信メディア選択装置
１０１　メディアリスト取得手段
１０２　メディア選択手段
１０３　アドレス通知手段
１１０　メディア対向部
１２０　問い合わせ形式変換部
１３０　論理番号管理データベース対向部
１４０　ＵＲＩ変換部
１５０　ＵＲＩ選択部
１６０　アプリケーション起動部
１７０　アプリケーション監視部
１８０　アプリケーションリスト[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication medium selection method and apparatus, a communication medium selection program, and a storage medium storing the communication medium selection program, and more particularly to a communication medium selection method for using logical numbers for various media on the Internet. And a storage medium storing the communication medium selection program and the communication medium selection program.
[0002]
More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication medium selection method and apparatus for automatically selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user, a communication medium selection program, and a storage medium storing the communication medium selection program.
[0003]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a communication application on the Internet uses a URI to specify a resource address or a medium of a communication partner, and a name is resolved by using a DNS (Domain Name System) or the like to associate the URI with an IP address that is a real address. are doing.
[0004]
In addition, there is a mechanism such as ENUM (RFC2916) -DNS that manages correspondence between E164 numbers and URIs in order to be able to handle media that can only enter numbers.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when using the above-described conventional DNS mechanism using a URI, there is a problem that a call cannot be transmitted from a medium that can only input numbers, such as a general fixed telephone terminal.
[0006]
Also, if ENUM-DNS is used, it is possible to make a call even from a medium that can only enter numbers. However, in an application using ENUM-DNS, it is used according to the priority given to the record returned from ENUM-DNS. Since the media to be used is determined, there is a problem that the media that the calling user wants to use cannot be used.
[0007]
Also, if the destination media does not correspond to the media for which communication was attempted to start, even if the same available media as the other party's available media exists on the terminal, communication will be performed using that media. There are situations that do not start.
[0008]
In addition, when the medium with the highest priority cannot be used, the medium with the next highest priority cannot be started.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a communication medium selection method and apparatus capable of automatically selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user, and a communication medium selection. It is an object to provide a storage medium storing a program and a communication medium selection program.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.
[0011]
The present invention provides a communication medium selection method for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
The registration of usable media is received from the user and registered in a storage unit for storing an available media list (step 1),
When a call using a logical number is performed directly from the calling user or from an external calling user terminal (step 2),
Based on the logical number, refer to a logical number management database that stores the media list of the called user and its attribute information in association with the logical number, and obtains the media list of the destination to which the priority is assigned (step 3). ,
From the available media in the destination media list, determine the media to communicate with (step 4),
It is determined whether or not an application using the determined media is activated by referring to the available media list (step 5). If not, the application is activated and at the same time, The address of the destination media is passed to the calling user terminal (step 6).
[0012]
Also, the communication medium selection method of the present invention compares the destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database with the media list of the terminal of the calling user, and determines that the media are the same and the media is activated. If so, communication is performed using the media.
[0013]
Also, the communication medium selection method of the present invention compares the destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database with its own media list, and if the media is the same and the media has not been activated. For example, an application using the media is selected from the available media list, and while transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, an attempt is made to start the application. If the application is successfully started, the media of the application is changed. Use it to start communication.
[0014]
Also, the communication media selection method of the present invention uses the available media list of the available media list storage means registered in advance by the user to select the media that the calling user wants to use, and to select the media to be used as the destination media. Make an outgoing call.
[0015]
Further, the communication medium selection method of the present invention tries to connect in order from the highest priority of the available destination media list obtained from the logical number management database.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.
[0017]
The present invention is a communication media selection device on a user terminal or connected to a user terminal for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
Media list storage means 180 for storing available media obtained from the user's terminal;
A logical number management database 30 for storing the media list of the called user and its attribute information in association with the logical number;
When a call is made using a logical number from the terminal of the calling user, a media list of a plurality of available destinations to which priority has been assigned is obtained by referring to the logical number management database 30 based on the logical number. Media list obtaining means 101 to perform
Media selection means 102 for determining a communication medium from available media in a destination media list of the media list storage means;
It is determined whether or not the application using the determined media is activated by referring to the media list 180. If the application is not activated, the application is activated and, at the same time, the address of the destination media is transmitted to the application. And an address notifying unit 103 for transmitting the address to the calling user terminal.
[0018]
The communication media selection device of the present invention, means for periodically monitoring whether or not the media registered from the terminal of the media list is available,
Means for periodically updating available media in the media list.
[0019]
The address notifying means 103 of the communication medium selecting apparatus of the present invention compares the destination media in the list acquired from the logical number management database 30 with the media list of the terminal of the calling user, and determines that the media are the same media. Includes a means for communicating with the medium if is activated.
[0020]
The address notifying means 103 of the communication medium selection device of the present invention compares the destination media in the list acquired from the logical number management database with the media list of the terminal of the calling user, and determines that the media are the same, and the media is the same. If the application has not been started, the application using the media is selected from the available media list, and while transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, the application is attempted to be started. Including means for starting communication using the media of the application.
[0021]
The communication media selection device of the present invention uses the available media list 108 of the media storage means registered in advance by the user to select the media that the calling user wants to use and send the media to the destination media. Having means.
[0022]
The address notifying means of the communication medium selecting apparatus of the present invention includes means for attempting connection in the order of the priority of the available destination media list acquired from the logical number management database 30 in descending order of priority.
[0023]
The present invention is a communication medium selection program for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
A media list registration step of accepting registration of usable media from the user and registering it in storage means for storing an available media list;
When a call using a logical number is performed from the terminal of the calling user, a reference is made to a logical number management database that stores an available media list of the called user and its attribute information in association with the logical number based on the logical number. A media list obtaining step of obtaining a media list of a plurality of available destinations to which priority has been assigned;
A media selection step of determining a communication medium from available media in the destination media list;
It is determined whether or not the application using the determined media is activated by referring to the media list. If the application is not activated, the application is activated, and at the same time, the address of the destination media is transmitted to the application. Performing an address notification step to be transmitted to the calling user terminal.
[0024]
The communication media selection program of the present invention, periodically monitoring whether or not the media registered from the terminal of the media list is available,
Periodically updating the available media in the available media list.
[0025]
Address notification step of the communication medium selection program of the present invention,
Comparing the destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database with the media list of the terminal of the calling user, and if the media is the same and the media has been activated, performing communication using the media including.
[0026]
Address notification step of the communication medium selection program of the present invention,
Compares the destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database with its own media list. If the media is the same and the media is not activated, an application that uses the media can be used. Selecting from the media list, transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, attempting to start the application, and starting the application successfully using the media of the application when the application is successfully started.
[0027]
The communication medium selection program of the present invention uses the available media list of the storage means registered in advance by the user to select the media that the transmitting user wants to use and transmit the selected media to the destination media. Have.
[0028]
Address notification step of the communication medium selection program of the present invention,
Trying to connect in the order of the highest priority of the available destination media list obtained from the logical number management database.
[0029]
The present invention is a storage medium storing a communication medium selection program for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
The above communication medium selection program is stored.
[0030]
As described above, according to the present invention, the communication media selection device always grasps the status of the media on its own terminal, and always tries to make a call using available media, so that communication with the called party can be performed more reliably. It becomes possible.
[0031]
In addition, it is possible to automatically select the available media on the own terminal and the available media on the destination and activate the media on the own terminal, thereby reducing the trouble of the user's operation. .
[0032]
Furthermore, by transmitting the media one after another using the media available on the own terminal in the descending order of the priority of the media list of the other party, it is possible to more reliably communicate with the other party.
[0033]
Thus, in a terminal where a plurality of media applications using logical numbers are available, it is automatically determined whether or not the media application on the terminal is active, and if active, the logical numbers are transmitted in order of priority. Inactive media applications with high priority are automatically activated and routed using the real address returned from the logical number management database, allowing the user to enter a logical number only once on a certain medium. By simply selecting the media that can be used on both the calling side and the called side and making a call, the burden on the user can be reduced.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
FIG. 3 shows a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036]
The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a calling user terminal 10 having a plurality of communication media and a communication medium selection device 100, a called user terminal 20, and a logical number management database 30.
[0037]
The communication media selection device 100 is a device connected to the user terminal 10 in the form of software or hardware.
[0038]
Further, each of the communication media A, B, and C on the user terminal 10 communicates with the communication media selection device 100 to notify the current state of each media.
[0039]
The logical number management database 30 is a database that holds media associated with logical numbers such as telephone numbers. The logical number has a unique name space composed of only numerals, and the logical number management database 30 that manages the correspondence between the logical number, the type of the application of the communication partner, and the information that can identify the resource address of the partner is provided. Although necessary, this follows a scheme such as ENUM (RFC2916) and is described, for example, in E.I. It can be realized by ENUM-DNS or the like in which a 164 name space and a URI are associated with each other.
[0040]
As described above, the communication medium selecting apparatus 100 is provided on the terminal 10 of the calling user, and performs the media that actually performs communication based on the media list of the calling user and its attribute information, and the media list of the called user and its attribute information. Select
[0041]
The media list of the calling user and its attribute information are held in the communication media selection device 100, and the media list of the called user and its attribute information are provided in the logical number management database 30.
[0042]
Therefore, the calling user uses a logical number as an identifier for specifying the called user at the time of calling, and the communication medium selecting apparatus 100 transmits the media list of the called user corresponding to the logical number and its attribute information from the logical number management database 30. collect.
[0043]
Next, a basic operation in the above configuration will be described.
[0044]
FIG. 4 shows a message sequence chart in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0045]
Each of the terminal media A, B, and C notifies the communication media selection device 100 that each media is currently active (step 101). This notification is performed asynchronously. Thereby, the communication media selection device 100 registers the notification as an application list.
[0046]
Next, when the user inputs a logical number of the called party to a certain terminal medium and makes a call, the information is notified to the communication medium selecting apparatus 100 (step 102).
[0047]
The communication medium selection device 100 transmits the logical number as a name resolution inquiry to the logical number management database 30 in order to resolve the correspondence between the logical number and the real address such as the URI (Step 103).
[0048]
When the logical number is received as a name resolution inquiry in the logical number management database 30, the database managed by itself is searched by using the logical number as a key, a list of real addresses associated with the key is searched, and a destination media list response is received. Is returned to the communication medium selection device 100 (step 104).
[0049]
The communication media selection device 100 selects the media to be used for communication from the received destination media list, the own terminal media list managed by itself, and the status (active / inactive) of the media whose status is constantly monitored. Is selected (step 105), and a real address such as a URI is passed to the selected medium (step 106).
[0050]
In the media selection in step 105,
The priority associated with the destination media;
-Whether the media is on the media list managed by the user;
-Whether the media on the media list managed by itself is active;
-Is the media time of the terminal managed by itself valid?
The determination conditions can be specified by the user, or the communication media selection device 100 can automatically negotiate.
[0051]
If the media application managed by itself is inactive, the communication application is started by a start request from the communication medium selection device 100.
[0052]
Note that whether or not each medium is active may or may not be checked. In addition, when checking whether or not the media is active, those checks may be performed by inquiring each medium at regular intervals, or when an application of each medium is started, a start notification is notified as an event. Good, but it is desirable to use a method that can grasp the status of each medium in real time as much as possible.
[0053]
The selected media application makes a call to the real address passed from the communication media selection device 100 (step 107), and attempts to establish a communication path (step 108).
[0054]
If the communication medium selection device 100 is not located on the terminal 10 itself, but exists outside the terminal 10 as a server device, for example, the communication medium selection device and the terminal device 100 communicate with each other, and the management of the communication medium selection device 100 is performed. Update the available media list.
[0055]
Also, when the communication medium selection device 100 is not located on the terminal itself, and is present outside the terminal 10 as a server device, for example, when the application program of each medium is started, a start notification is transmitted to the server device as an event. It is also conceivable to do so.
[0056]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0057]
FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0058]
The system of the present embodiment assumes, as communication applications, for example, a Web browser using HTTP, an e-mail application, an IP telephone application using IP, and the like, and a personal computer that can use these media. It is realized by software on a computer or hardware used by connecting to a personal computer.
[0059]
The system is used in an open network such as the Internet, or a private network used in a company. However, both networks require a logical number management database that manages logical numbers, and this database must exist on the networks.
[0060]
A logical number has a unique name space consisting of numbers only, and a logical number management database that manages the correspondence between the logical number, the type of application of the communication partner, and information that can specify the resource address of the partner is required. However, this follows a scheme such as ENUM (RFC2916), for example, It can be realized by ENUM-DNS or the like in which a 164 name space and a URI are associated with each other.
[0061]
It is assumed that the logical number management database 30 has a search function, a registration function, a communication medium selection device facing function, and the like.
[0062]
Hereinafter, the communication medium selection device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0063]
The communication medium selecting apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a medium facing unit 110, an inquiry format converting unit 120, a logical number management database facing unit 130, a URI converting unit 140, a URI selecting unit 150, an application starting unit 160, an application monitoring unit 170, And an application list 180.
[0064]
The media facing unit 110 is a function for exchanging information with a Web browser, a mail client, a SIP terminal, and the like. These functions are provided for each medium in the form of an API (Application Program Interface) or the like.
[0065]
When the medium facing unit 110 uses the function of each medium, it uses an API provided by each medium. The media facing unit 110 provides a function of inputting each medium from the communication medium selection device 100 and a function of inputting each medium to the communication medium selection device 100.
[0066]
The inquiry format conversion unit 120 provides a function of converting a logical number input from each medium into an inquiry format for the logical number management database 30. With this function, the logical number input on each medium is converted into a name space format managed by the logical number management database 30 that makes an inquiry.
[0067]
The logical number management database opposing unit 130 shapes the logical number converted into the inquiry format for the logical number management database 30 into a format such as a communication protocol and transmits the logical number as an inquiry to the logical number management database 30. It has a function of receiving a response from the management database 30 and extracting data from a format such as a communication protocol.
[0068]
The URI conversion unit 140 provides a function of converting a response from the logical number management database 30 into information expressing media (service) and resources (address) of the communication partner such as a URI, for example. When the communication partner can use a plurality of media, the URI information is considered to be a list including a plurality of records. The URI selecting unit 150 selects a medium to be used for communication from both the available media list of the communication partner in the response from the logical number management database 30 and the available media list on its own terminal. The logic for selecting media is
The priority associated with the destination media;
-Whether the media is on the media list that it manages;
-Whether the media on the media list managed by itself is active;
-The media of the terminal that it manages is a valid time;
There are various types of logic such as, for example, the logic can be specified by the user, and the communication medium selection device 100 can automatically negotiate.
[0069]
In the communication medium selected by the URI selection unit 150, if the communication medium on the own terminal has not been started yet, the application activating unit 160 activates an application that uses the communication medium and specifies the URI of the communication partner. Has the function of passing. The application list 180 is searched to determine whether the application is active or inactive. The application monitoring unit 170 periodically monitors whether the state of the application registered by the user is active. If the application registered by this monitoring is active, the state is registered in the application list 180.
[0070]
As for the monitoring of the application, the application monitoring unit 170 may periodically monitor the application. Alternatively, when the application is activated, the application monitoring unit 170 notifies the communication media selection device 10 of its own activation, and based on the notification. Alternatively, the fact that the application is active may be recorded in the application list 180.
[0071]
FIG. 6 is an example of application list data according to the first embodiment of this invention. The application list 180 includes fields of a field name, a logical number, a service, a current state, a priority, and an application start path.
[0072]
The current state field is a field indicating whether or not the corresponding application is currently running, and is constantly updated information.
[0073]
The service field indicates a service (media) used by the application, and is expressed, for example, as “http” as in the example.
[0074]
The priority field indicates the priority of the record, and is used from the one with the highest priority. The priority is determined by the user inputting it in advance, but may be automatically determined based on fluid parameters such as time, day of the week, and communication fee.
[0075]
A path for starting the application is registered in the application start path field. The media to be used is determined according to the priority or the like, and if the current state field is not started, the application is attempted to be started based on the application start path. If there is no information in this field, it is possible that the application cannot be started from the outside.
[0076]
FIG. 7 is an example of a record in the logical number management database according to the first embodiment of this invention. All field data in the logical number management database 30 is read-only from the communication medium selection device 100 and cannot be written.
[0077]
The logical number field is a part indicating the logical number of the destination transmitted from the communication medium selecting apparatus 100, and data is searched using this field as a key. Various forms of the logical number are conceivable, but a case of taking a domain name form as in this example is also conceivable.
[0078]
The priority field is the use priority of the media specified by the receiving side (communication partner), and the communication medium selection device 100 selects the communication medium also using this priority.
[0079]
The actual address field records the address of the actual communication partner and is associated with the logical number. This address represents, for example, an address of a communication partner medium and resource such as a URI. In some cases, a plurality of addresses are associated with one logical number as in the example.
[0080]
Further, it is assumed that the communication media selection device 100 includes a Web browser, a mail client, a SIP terminal, and the like as each medium.
[0081]
Hereinafter, the operation of the communication medium selection processing in the system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence chart of a communication medium selection process according to the first embodiment of this invention.
[0082]
First, a call is made from the media to the media facing unit 110 of the communication media selection device 100 using a logical number (step 201). In this case, the logical number may be a number consisting of only numbers.
[0083]
The media facing unit 110 that has received the logical number transmits the logical number to the inquiry format conversion unit 120 (Step 202). The inquiry format conversion unit 120 converts the received logical number into an inquiry format for the logical number management database 30, and transmits it to the logical number management database opposing unit 130 (step 203).
[0084]
The logical number management database opposing unit 130 requests the logical number management database 30 to resolve the name as a logical number inquiry with the logical number converted into the inquiry format (step 204).
[0085]
The logical number management database 30 searches its own database using the logical number converted to the inquiry format as a key, and finds a list of information indicating service and resource addresses associated with the logical number. It is returned to the management database opposing unit 130 (step 205).
[0086]
The logical number management database opposing unit 130 transmits the resource list to the URI conversion unit 140 (step 206), and the URI conversion unit 140 converts the resource information into a form that can be easily used by an Internet application such as a URI, for example. The data is transmitted to the URI selection unit 150 (step 207).
[0087]
The URI selection unit 150 determines a URI of a service to be used from a priority list or the like assigned to the URI from a URI list including a plurality of URIs, and determines an application to be used from the URI (for example,
[0088]
(Equation 1)

If so, a sip application) sends whether the application is currently activated and active to the application list 180 in the form of an application status inquiry (step 208).
[0089]
Whether the application in the application list 180 is active or not is notified to the URI selection unit 150 as an application status notification (step 209).
[0090]
The URI selection unit 150 notifies the URI that is the real address to the communication medium. Accordingly, the media application attempts to establish a communication path with the communication partner using the notified URI (step 210).
[0091]
Next, a communication media activation selection process will be described.
[0092]
Hereinafter, the communication media activation selection process of the operation of the system according to the first embodiment will be described.
[0093]
FIG. 9 is a sequence chart of the communication media activation selection processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.
[0094]
In the following, it is assumed that two applications, media A and media B, are present on terminal 10 and originate from media B that is currently active.
[0095]
It is assumed that the processes from the transmission process from the medium B (step 301) to the media selection request (step 307) are exactly the same as the above-described communication media selection process.
[0096]
At this time, as a result of examining the URI list returned from the logical number management database 30, as a result of the transmission (step 301), the communication partner cannot use the medium B that has attempted to establish communication, and There may be cases where only applications can be used.
[0097]
The URI selection unit 150 inquires of the application list 180 about the current state of the medium A (step 308).
[0098]
If the application of the medium A is not currently activated, the application list 180 notifies the URI selection unit 150 that the application of the medium A is not currently activated as an application status notification (step 309).
[0099]
The URI selection unit 150 notifies the application start unit 160 of the start path of the application of the medium A (step 310).
[0100]
The application activation unit 160 transmits an application activation request to the medium A based on the notified application activation path (step 311), and attempts to activate the application of the medium A.
[0101]
The application of the media A receives the activation request, is activated, and, if the activation is successful, notifies the communication medium selection device 100 as an application activation result (step 312).
[0102]
When the media A confirms the activation of the application based on the application activation result, the real address is notified to the media A application as a real address notification, and an attempt is made to establish a communication path (step 313).
[0103]
Next, a communication media registration process will be described.
[0104]
FIG. 10 is a sequence chart of the communication media registration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.
[0105]
The application monitoring unit 170 of the communication medium selection device 100 checks at regular intervals set by a timer or the like whether the medium is currently active by status monitoring (step 401). This status monitoring process is performed on the media registered in the application list 180.
[0106]
Further, when the medium itself is started, it is conceivable to explicitly notify the application monitoring unit 170 of the active state by the state notification processing (step 402).
[0107]
The application monitoring unit 170 that has grasped the state of the media updates the application list 180 as state registration processing. By this processing, information on whether or not the media is active is updated on the application 180 (step 403).
[0108]
[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, an address conversion method using a logical number on the Internet has been particularly described. However, this may be realized by a closed network in a private company or the like.
[0109]
Further, it is also possible to construct the operations in the above-described embodiments and examples as a program and install the program in a computer used as a communication media selection device, or distribute the program via a network.
[0110]
In addition, the constructed program is stored in a hard disk device connected to a computer used as a communication medium selecting device, or in a portable storage medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and is installed when implementing the present invention. It is also possible.
[0111]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples, and various changes and applications are possible within the scope of the claims.
[0112]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a terminal having a plurality of communication media, a common logical number is used for each media application, and the status of the media application is automatically monitored. Automatically launches an application on another media to ensure more reliable communication, and at that time, eliminates the need for the user to launch an application or enter a logical number, which would be a cumbersome operation. Is also good.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an example of a table of an application list according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 7 is an example of a record of a logical number management database according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 8 is a sequence chart of a communication medium selection process according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 9 is a sequence chart of a communication medium activation selection process according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 10 is a sequence chart of a communication media registration process according to the first embodiment of this invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Outgoing user terminal
20 Incoming user terminal
30 Logical number management database
100 Communication media selection device
101 Media list acquisition means
102 Media selection means
103 Address notification means
110 Media facing part
120 Query format converter
130 Logical Number Management Database Counterpart
140 URI conversion unit
150 URI selector
160 Application launcher
170 Application Monitor
180 Application List

Claims (18)

In a communication medium selection method for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
Accepting registration of usable media from the user, registering it in a storage unit for storing an available media list,
When a call using a logical number is performed directly from the calling user or from an external calling user terminal,
Based on the logical number, refer to the available media list of the called user and the logical number management database storing the attribute information in association with the logical number, and obtain the media list of the destination to which the priority is given. ,
From the available media in the destination media list, determine the media to communicate with,
It is determined whether or not the application using the determined media is activated by referring to the available media list. If the application is not activated, the application is activated and at the same time, A method for selecting a communication medium, comprising passing an address of a medium to the calling user terminal. The destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database is compared with the media list of the terminal of the calling user. If the media are the same and the media is activated, communication is performed with the media. The communication medium selection method according to claim 1. The destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database is compared with the media list of the originating user terminal. If the media is the same media and the media is not activated, an application using the media is executed. Requesting to start the application while selecting from the available media list and transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, and, if the application is successfully started, starting communication using the media of the application; Item 2. The communication medium selection method according to Item 1. 2. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the user selects a medium to be used by the calling user by using an available media list in the available media list storage means registered in advance by the user, and transmits the selected medium to the destination medium. Communication media selection method. 2. The communication medium selection method according to claim 1, wherein connection is attempted in the order of the highest priority of the available destination media list acquired from the logical number management database. A communication media selection device on a user terminal or connected to a user terminal for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
Media list storage means for storing usable media obtained from a user terminal;
A logical number management database for storing the media list of the called user and its attribute information in association with the logical number,
When a call using a logical number is performed from the terminal of the calling user, the logical number management database is referred to based on the logical number, and a media list of a plurality of available destinations assigned priority is obtained. Media list obtaining means for
From the available media of the destination media list of the media list storage means, media selection means for determining the media to communicate,
It is determined whether or not the application using the determined media is activated by referring to the media list of the media list storage means. If the application is not activated, the application is activated. Communication medium selecting apparatus, comprising: an address notifying unit that transmits an address of a destination medium to the calling user terminal. Means for periodically monitoring whether the media registered from the terminal of the media list is available,
7. The communication medium selection apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: means for periodically updating usable media in the media list. The address notifying means,
Means for comparing the destination media in the list obtained from the logical number management database with the media list of the terminal of the calling user, and communicating with the media if the media is the same and the media is activated The communication media selection device according to claim 6, comprising: The address notifying means,
The destination media in the list obtained from the logical number management database is compared with the media list of the terminal of the calling user. If the media is the same and the media is not activated, an application that uses the media is executed. Select from the available media list, attempt to start the application while transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, and if the application is successfully started, start communication using the media of the application. 7. The communication media selection device according to claim 6, including means. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting a medium that the calling user wants to use by using the available media list of the media storage means registered in advance by the user, and sending the selected medium to the destination medium. Communication media selection device. The address notifying means,
7. The communication medium selection apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that attempts to connect in order from the highest priority of the available destination media list acquired from the logical number management database. A communication medium selection program for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
A media list registration step of accepting registration of usable media from the user and registering it in storage means for storing an available media list;
When a call using a logical number is performed from the terminal of the calling user, a reference is made to a logical number management database that stores an available media list of the called user and its attribute information in association with the logical number based on the logical number. A media list obtaining step of obtaining a media list of a plurality of available destinations to which priority has been assigned;
A media selection step of determining a communication medium from available media in the destination media list;
It is determined whether or not the application using the determined media is activated by referring to the media list. If the application is not activated, the application is activated, and at the same time, the destination media for the application is transmitted to the application. An address notifying step of transmitting an address to the calling user terminal. Periodically monitoring whether the media registered from the terminal of the media list is available,
13. The communication medium selection program according to claim 12, further comprising: periodically updating available media in the available media list. The address notification step includes:
The destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database is compared with the media list of the terminal of the calling user. If the media are the same and the media is activated, communication is performed with the media. The communication medium selection program according to claim 12, comprising a step. The address notification step includes:
The destination media in the list returned from the logical number management database is compared with the media list of the terminal of the calling user. If the media is the same media and the media is not activated, an application using the media is used. Selecting from the available media list, attempting to start the application while transmitting the address of the destination resource to the application, and, if the application is successfully started, starting communication using the media of the application. 13. The communication medium selection program according to claim 12, comprising: 13. The communication according to claim 12, further comprising the step of: selecting a medium that the calling user wants to use by using the available media list in the storage unit registered in advance by the user, and sending the selected medium to the destination medium. Media selection program. The address notification step includes:
13. The communication medium selection program according to claim 12, further comprising the step of trying to connect in order from the highest priority of the available destination media list acquired from the logical number management database. A storage medium storing a communication medium selection program for selecting a medium to be used when a user attempts to communicate with another user,
18. A storage medium storing a communication medium selection program, wherein the storage medium stores the program according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

Images