JP2005012714A - Call quality control system, call quality management method and management control program used for the system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration in the quality of a voice call by changing the quality of the call during the call over an IP (Internet Protocol) network. <P>SOLUTION: A voice packet of a user B is non-preferential rather than the other voice packet, so that when an IP network NA has a high load, the quality of a voice call is deteriorated. The deterioration in the quality of the voice call is detected by a gateway 21, and a QoS information automatic switching request is sent from the gateway 21 to a gateway controller 22. In the gateway controller 22, it is confirmed whether or not the user B makes the contract of QoS automatic switching, and a QoS information automatic switching answer is sent to the gateway 21. The QoS information of the voice packet of the user B is changed into information with high priority by the gateway 21, the voice packet of the user B is transferred with priority similar to the other voice packet by a router 24, and high-quality and expensive services are temporarily provided to the user B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a call quality management system, a call quality management method and a management control program used in the system, and particularly suitable for use when making a call via an IP (Internet Protocol) network. The present invention relates to a call quality management method and a management control program used in the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, IP traffic has increased more than voice traffic on IP networks. For this reason, rather than allocating individual equipment for each traffic, it is possible to increase the operating rate of the equipment and reduce the overall cost by implementing both data communication and telephone calls using equipment for IP networks. High nature. As a result, VoIP (Voice over IP), which is a technology for realizing a voice call on an IP network, has become widespread. When a call is made using this VoIP, when the call data passes through a route whose bandwidth is not guaranteed, if the IP network becomes heavily loaded, the call data is lost or delayed, and the quality of the voice call is reduced. May decrease. In this case, the user may mistakenly assume that the cause of the deterioration in the quality of the voice call is not the route but a failure of the user terminal. For this reason, a call quality management system that detects a load state of an IP network and notifies the user of the load state has been proposed.
[0003]
Conventionally, as this type of technology, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, “traffic monitor” is described as a call quality management system.
As shown in FIG. 8, the traffic monitor described in Patent Document 1 includes an IP adapter 1 and an ISP (Internet Service Provider) 2, and a telephone 3 is connected to the IP adapter 1, and the ISP 2 Is connected to the IP network NW. The traffic monitor includes an IP adapter 4 and an ISP 5, and a telephone 6 is connected to the IP adapter 4, and the ISP 5 is connected to the IP network NW. The IP adapter 1 includes an LCD monitor 11, a digital packet input / output processing unit 12, a delay data totaling unit 13, a fluctuation data totaling unit 14, a packet loss totaling unit 15, a totaling processing unit 16, and an LCD driver 17. , A / D, and D / A processing unit 18. The IP adapter 4 is configured in the same manner as the IP adapter 1. A number of IP adapters (not shown) are connected to the IP network NW via the ISP, and a telephone is connected to each IP adapter.
[0004]
In this traffic monitor, the delay of the voice packet is measured by the delay data totaling unit 13, and the jitter is measured by the fluctuation data totaling unit 14. Further, the packet loss is measured by the packet loss totaling unit 15, and the measurement results are totaled by the totaling processing unit 16 and displayed on the LCD monitor 11. For this reason, the load state of the IP network NW is notified to the user of the telephone 3 through the LCD monitor 11. Then, by grasping the state of the IP network NW, the user recognizes whether the deterioration of the quality of the voice call is due to the failure of the telephone 3 or the IP network NW is in a high load state. Similarly, the user of the telephone set 6 recognizes whether the deterioration of the quality of the voice call is due to the failure of the telephone set 6 or the IP network NW is in a high load state.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-232475 (first page, FIG. 3)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional call quality management system has the following problems.
That is, since the voice packets of all users belonging to the IP network NW have the same priority, when the IP network NW is in a high load state, the voice packets are sent to all users belonging to the IP network NW. Delay, jitter, and packet loss occur uniformly, and the quality of voice calls for all users decreases. The quality of the voice call is greatly affected by the load state of the IP network NW, but this load state cannot be predicted by the user and is constantly changing, so that a stable voice call quality is always provided. There is a problem that there is no guarantee. Further, since it is not considered that the user can select the quality of the voice call, there is a problem that even if the quality of the voice call is deteriorated, it cannot be changed automatically or manually.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A call quality management system capable of obtaining a certain voice call quality even when the IP network is in a high load state, and a call quality management method used in the system. And to provide a management control program.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 relates to a call quality management system for managing the quality of a voice call performed on an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and the degree of load on the IP network. And storage means for storing in advance quality of service for the voice call according to the contents of each user's contract for each user terminal, and storage means for storing in advance, when a call is made from the user terminal, A service that detects a load state of an IP network, reads the detection result and the service quality information corresponding to the user terminal from the storage unit, adds the call quality data transmitted from the user terminal, and transmits the service data to the IP network. Quality information adding means and the service quality information adding means via the IP network Receiving the serial call data, it is characterized by comprising a transfer means for transferring quality of voice call based on the quality of service information added to vent talk data to the destination.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 relates to the call quality management system according to claim 1, wherein the service quality information includes a call charge contracted by the user, the quality of the voice call according to the call charge, It is characterized in that the priority is the transfer priority of the call data in accordance with the automatic / manual distinction of the quality change and the load level of the IP network.
[0010]
A third aspect of the invention relates to the call quality management system according to the first aspect, wherein the service quality information adding unit reads the service quality information from the storage unit for each user based on the operation of the user. The call data is added to the IP network and transmitted to the IP network.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the call quality management system according to the first aspect, wherein the service quality information adding means is composed of a gateway for connecting a telephone network and an IP network.
[0012]
A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the call quality management system according to the first aspect, wherein the call data is a voice packet corresponding to an Internet protocol.
[0013]
A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a call quality management method, which is used in a call quality management system for managing the quality of a voice call performed on an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and the degree of load on the IP network. And service quality information for providing the quality service for the voice call for each user terminal according to the contract contents of each user is stored in the storage means in advance, and a call is made from the user terminal , Load status detection processing for detecting the load status of the IP network, and the call data transmitted from the user terminal by reading out the detection result in the load status detection processing and the service quality information corresponding to the user terminal from the storage means Added to the IP network and sent to the IP network, and the IP network Receiving said call data through the workpiece, and characterized by performing a transfer process of transferring to the destination in the quality of voice communication based on the quality of service information added to vent talk data.
[0014]
A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a management control program, and causes a computer to control the call quality management system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a call quality management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the call quality management system of this form includes a gateway (Media Gateway, MG) 21, a gateway controller (Media Gateway Controller, MGC) 22, a maintenance terminal 23, a router 24, a gateway 25, and the like. It is composed of The gateway 21 is connected to an exchange 31, and a user A terminal 32, a user B terminal 33, a user C terminal 34, and a user D terminal 35 are connected to the exchange 31. The gateway 21 is connected to the router 24 via the IP network NA.
[0016]
The gateway 25 is connected to an exchange 41, and a user terminal 42, a user terminal 43, a user terminal 44, and a user terminal 45 are connected to the exchange 41. The gateway 25 is connected to the router 24 via the IP network NB. The gateway controller 22 controls the gateways 21 and 25. In particular, in this embodiment, the quality service for voice calls is changed for each user terminal according to the load level of the IP networks NA and NB and the contract contents of each user. Service quality information (Quality Of Service, QoS information) to be provided in advance is stored in the database (DB) 22a. This service quality information depends on the call charge contracted by the user, the quality of the voice call according to the call charge, the automatic / manual distinction of the change of the voice call quality, and the degree of load of the IP networks NA and NB. Call data transfer priority. The maintenance terminal 23 is composed of, for example, a personal computer and has a function of inputting or changing the contents of the database 22a of the gateway controller 22.
[0017]
The gateway 21 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21a for controlling the entire gateway 21 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21b in which a management control program for operating the CPU 21a is recorded. The voice data is converted into call data (voice packets) corresponding to the Internet protocol (IP) and vice versa. In particular, in this embodiment, the gateway 21 connects the exchange 31 and the IP network NA, and when a call is made from the user, the gateway 21 detects the load state of the IP network NA, and detects the detection result and the user concerned. Corresponding quality of service information (QoS information) is read from the database (DB) 22a of the gateway controller 22, added to the call data (voice packet) for transmission, and sent to the IP network NA.
[0018]
The router 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24a that controls the entire router 24 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24b in which a management control program for operating the CPU 24a is recorded. A voice packet is received via the network NA, and is transferred to the destination user terminal via the IP network NB and the exchange 41 with quality based on the quality of service information (QoS information) added to the voice packet. The gateway 25 connects the exchange 41 and the IP network NB, and has the same function as the gateway 21.
[0019]
2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of writing quality of service information (QoS information) from the maintenance terminal 23 to the database 22 of the gateway controller 22, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the IP network NA is in a low load state. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation for automatically changing service quality information when the IP network NA is in a high load state, and FIG. 5 is an operation for manually changing the service quality information when the IP network NA is in a high load state. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plan at the time of contract, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between voice call quality and call charge according to the load state of the IP network NA.
With reference to these drawings, a call quality management method used in the call quality management system of this embodiment will be described.
Each user A, B, C, D selects, for example, the plan shown in FIG. 6 when making a VoIP service contract. Then, by selecting the plans of the users A, B, C, and D, automatic switching / manual switching of voice call quality, call charge, and voice call quality is selected. In this case, for example, user A contracts with plan A, user B contracts with plan B, user C contracts with plan C, and user D contracts with plan D. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the initial contract content of QoS information for each user is written in the gateway controller 22 by the operator's operation from the maintenance terminal 23 at the time of contract ((1) in FIG. 2). This QoS information is stored in advance together with the user ID in the database 22A ((2) in FIG. 2, storage process).
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, when a call is made from the user A terminal 32 in this state ((1) in FIG. 3), the gateway 21 detects the load state of the IP network NA (load state detection process). At the same time, a QoS information read request for reading out the QoS information of the user A from the gateway 21 is sent to the gateway controller together with the ID of the user A. ((2) in FIG. 3). Then, the QoS information of the user A is read from the gateway controller 22 and transferred to the gateway 21 ((3) in FIG. 3, QoS information read response). QoS information is added to the voice packet at the gateway 21 and sent to the router 24 via the IP network NA (service quality information addition processing). In the router 24, the transfer order is determined based on the QoS information of the transmitted voice packet, and the transfer is performed. Here, since the router 24 performs transfer based on the QoS information, a voice packet having a higher priority is transferred first. For this reason, a voice packet with a high priority arrives first at the user terminal of the transmission destination. When the IP network NA is in a low load state, even if there is a slight reversal of the transfer order of voice packets in the router 24, the overall traffic is low, so that users of any plan can make a stable quality call.
[0021]
However, when the IP network NA is in a high load state, the quality of the voice call deteriorates, such as transmission delay of voice packets, generation of jitter, and interruption due to packet loss. When this high load state is reached, a response is made based on the contract plan shown in FIG. That is, in Plan A, a high priority is set as QoS information from the beginning. In the plan B, a standard priority is initially set as QoS information, and is set to automatically change to a high priority when the IP network NA is in a high load state during a call. In Plan C, a low priority is initially set as the QoS information, and is set to be manually changed to a high priority by the user's terminal operation when the IP network NA is in a high load state during a call. ing. In the plan D, a low priority is set from the beginning, and the priority is set not to be changed even when the IP network NA is in a high load state.
[0022]
Since the user A contracts with the plan A in which the priority of the voice packet is higher than that of the other users, the voice packet of the user A is compared with the voice packet of the user who has contracted with the other plan by the router 24. Are also preferentially transferred (transfer processing). For this reason, even when the IP network NA is heavily loaded, the voice packet of the user A has less delay, jitter, and packet loss than those of other users, and high voice call quality can be obtained. Thereby, the quality of the voice call according to the call charge is provided.
[0023]
In addition, the user B has a contract with the plan B in which a function for automatically switching the quality of the voice call is set. Since the voice packet of user B is not prioritized over other high priority voice packets (voice packets of user A), transmission load of voice packets, occurrence of jitter, and packets when the IP network NA is heavily loaded Voice call quality deteriorates, such as interruptions due to loss. As shown in FIG. 4, the deterioration of the quality of the voice call is detected by the gateway 21 ((1) in FIG. 4), and a QoS information automatic switching request is sent from the gateway 21 to the gateway controller 22 (FIG. 4). (2) inside). The gateway controller 22 confirms whether or not the user B has a contract for QoS automatic switching. If the user B has contracted, a QoS information automatic switching response is sent to the gateway 21 ((3) in FIG. 4).
[0024]
Then, the QoS information of the voice packet of the user B is changed to one having a high priority at the gateway 21 ((4) in FIG. 4), and the voice packet of the user B is given the same priority as the voice packet of the user A by the router 24. (5 in FIG. 4, transfer process), and a high quality and high price service is temporarily provided to the user B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the user B pays a call charge with variable priority, thereby making a call having a constant quality regardless of the load state of the IP network NA.
[0025]
In addition, the user C has a contract with the plan C in which a function for manually switching the quality of the voice call is set. Since the voice packet of user C is not prioritized over other high priority voice packets (voice packets of user A), transmission load of voice packets, occurrence of jitter, and packets when the IP network NA is heavily loaded Voice call quality deteriorates, such as interruptions due to loss. In response to this situation, the user C selects whether to continue the low quality call or switch to the high quality call. When the user C selects the latter, the user C operates the user terminal ((1) in FIG. 5) to make a QoS information switching request, and the gateway 21 sends a QoS information manual switching request to the gateway controller 22. It is sent out ((2) in FIG. 5). The gateway controller 22 confirms whether or not the user B has a contract for QoS manual switching. If the user B has contracted, a QoS information manual switching response is sent to the gateway 21 ((3) in FIG. 5).
[0026]
Then, the QoS information of the user C is changed to one having a high priority at the gateway 21 ((4) in FIG. 5), and the voice packet of the user C is transferred by the router 24 with the same priority as the voice packet of the user A. (5 in FIG. 5, transfer processing), the user C is temporarily provided with a high quality and high price service. For this reason, the user C manually rewrites the QoS information and pays a call charge with a higher priority as shown in FIG. 7 (* 2 in FIG. 7), so that the load state of the IP network NA is reached. Regardless, make a call that maintains a certain quality.
[0027]
As described above, in this embodiment, since the quality of the voice call is differentiated by giving priority to the transmission of the voice packet based on the QoS information when the IP network NA is in a high load state, Users A, B, C, and D can make a quality call according to the call charge. In addition, since the users A, B, C, and D can operate the terminal during the call and rewrite the QoS information, the quality of the voice call can be changed during the call according to the intention of the users A, B, C, and D. . For this reason, users A, B, C, and D can make a call with a constant quality regardless of the load state of the IP network NA.
[0028]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a design change without departing from the gist of the present invention, Included in the invention.
For example, the contents of the database 22A in FIG. 1 may be created after being installed on another personal computer or the like. In addition, the IP networks NA and NB in FIG. 1 can obtain substantially the same operations and effects as the above-described embodiment even if they are a single IP network.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the service quality information adding means reads out the service quality information corresponding to the load state of the IP network from the storage means when a call is made from the user terminal, and Since it is added to the call data sent from the terminal and sent to the IP network, and the transfer means transfers the call data to the destination with the quality of the voice call based on the service quality information, each user can It is possible to make a call with a constant quality regardless of the load state of the IP network. In addition, when the IP network is in a high load state, priority is given to the transmission of call data based on the service quality information, so that the quality of the voice call is differentiated. Can make quality voice calls. Further, since each user can manually rewrite the service quality information during a call, the quality of the voice call can be changed during the call according to the intention of each user. Therefore, each user can make a call with a constant quality regardless of the load state of the IP network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a call quality management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation of writing service quality information from the maintenance terminal 23 to the database 22 of the gateway controller 22;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the IP network NA is in a low load state.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of automatically changing service quality information when the IP network NA is in a high load state.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of manually changing service quality information when the IP network NA is in a high load state.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plan at the time of contract.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between voice call quality and call charge according to the load state of the IP network NA.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional call quality management system.
[Explanation of symbols]
21, 25 Gateway (MG, service quality information addition means)
21a, 24a CPU (central processing unit, computer)
21b, 24b ROM (read-only memory, management control program)
22 Gateway controller (MGC)
22a Database (DB, storage means)
23 maintenance terminal 24 router (transfer means)
31 Switchboard (part of telephone network)
32, 33, 34, 35 User terminal (part of telephone network)
NA, NB IP network

Claims (7)

A call quality management system for managing the quality of voice calls made on an IP (Internet Protocol) network,
Storage means for storing in advance service quality information for changing and providing a quality service for the voice call for each user terminal according to the load level of the IP network and the contract contents of each user;
When a call is made from the user terminal, a load state of the IP network is detected, and the detection result and the service quality information corresponding to the user terminal are read from the storage unit and transmitted from the user terminal Quality of service information adding means for adding to data and sending it to the IP network;
Transfer means for receiving the call data from the service quality information adding means via the IP network and transferring the call data to a destination with the quality of the voice call based on the service quality information added to the call data. A call quality management system characterized by The quality of service information is
Call charge contracted by the user, quality of the voice call according to the call charge, automatic / manual distinction of change of the quality of the voice call, and transfer of the call data according to the degree of load on the IP network The call quality management system according to claim 1, wherein the call quality management system is a priority. The service quality information adding means includes
2. The service quality information according to claim 1, wherein the service quality information is read from the storage unit for each user based on an operation of the user, added to the call data, and sent to the IP network. Call quality management system. The service quality information adding means includes
2. The call quality management system according to claim 1, comprising a gateway for connecting the telephone network and the IP network. The call data is
2. The call quality management system according to claim 1, wherein the call quality management system is a voice packet corresponding to an Internet protocol. Used in a call quality management system for managing the quality of voice calls made on an IP (Internet Protocol) network,
Service quality information for changing and providing a quality service for the voice call for each user terminal according to the load level of the IP network and the contract contents of each user is stored in a storage unit in advance.
A load state detection process for detecting a load state of the IP network when a call is made from the user terminal;
Service quality information addition processing for reading out the detection result in the load state detection processing and service quality information corresponding to the user terminal from the storage means, adding the call quality data transmitted from the user terminal to the IP network, ,
Call quality, comprising: receiving the call data via the IP network, and performing transfer processing to transfer to a destination with a quality of voice call based on the quality of service information added to the call data Management method. A management control program for causing a computer to control the call quality management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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