JP2006014250A - Ip phone adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a telephone adapter capable of surely notifying, to a caller of a fixed telephone set, about calling on a general telephone line having risk that a call charge becomes comparatively high, or a call on the general telephone line. <P>SOLUTION: An adapter 1 accommodating a general telephone line 5 and an IP telephone line 4a is installed between a telephone set 2 and a network (IP communication network 14 and a telephone network 15), the adapter 1 comprises a control section 7 for executing a calling operation via the IP telephone line 4a if it is determined that destination calling request information received from the telephone set 2 is a calling request preferential for the IP telephone line 4a and when calling via the IP telephone line 4a is failed for a predetermined time or longer, the control section 7 transmits, to the telephone set 2, about switching notification information indicating switching from a calling operation via the IP telephone line 4a to a calling operation via the general telephone line 5, and automatically executes the switching operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication interface apparatus that accommodates a general telephone line and an IP line, and an IP telephone capable of making a call using the general telephone line and the IP line with a general telephone connected to the communication interface. Regarding the adapter.

Accommodates general telephone lines included in the telephone network and access lines included in communication networks other than the telephone network, and converts the telephone number input information from the calling telephone to destination information other than the telephone number. A telephone adapter (VoIP adapter) installed between the two types of lines and the telephone that relays the incoming telephone and the outgoing telephone through an access line is known as a publicly known matter.
A typical example of a general telephone line (hereinafter simply referred to as a telephone line) is a subscriber line (suspension line) connecting a telephone office (switch) and a subscriber's house in a telephone exchange network (public network). . In this specification, an access line is a communication line other than a telephone exchange network, and is a line that connects a user's home (terminal device) and a network (eg, the Internet). A typical example of an access line is a line included in an IP network, and specifically includes, for example, an ADSL or an optical fiber line. Hereinafter, the access line is also referred to as an IP line.
The telephone adapter is a communication interface device that accommodates a telephone line and an IP line and can be electrically connected, that is, can communicate with at least a telephone (a fixed telephone, a so-called cordless telephone or the like). In addition to the telephone, the telephone adapter may be configured to be electrically connected to a terminal such as a facsimile machine or a personal computer. Various terminals connected to the telephone adapter so as to be electrically communicable can access the telephone network and the Internet (IP network). The present specification discusses the problems that arise when a telephone is connected to such a telephone adapter.

By the way, a calling side equipped with a telephone adapter and a telephone (for example, a fixed telephone) connected to the telephone adapter calls the other party (incoming side) via the Internet to make a call as follows. As a matter of course, it is assumed that both the public network and the Internet are subscribed to the incoming side, and the incoming side can be a general telephone or an IP telephone.
When the telephone number of the other party wishing to call (the telephone number of the called party, ie, the telephone number of the called party) is dialed by the telephone on the calling side, the dial number information is temporarily stored in the telephone adapter. The telephone number is transmitted to the server via the IP line, and destination information (for example, IP address) corresponding to the telephone number is obtained (stored). The telephone adapter transmits the destination information to the Internet via the IP line. That is, the called telephone is called via the Internet. Due to the function of the telephone adapter of the other party (incoming side), the ringing tone of the incoming side telephone rings, the handset is off-hook, and when the incoming side telephone answers the call, the incoming side and the outgoing side Since a call path is formed between the two, both can talk.
In addition to the above conversion from telephone number information to other destination information, this telephone adapter can be used to call other parties via the IP line. When the other party does not answer due to, for example, there is a function of automatically switching from calling via the IP line to calling via the telephone line. Alternatively, the telephone adapter monitors the communication quality of the IP network when performing voice communication using the IP network, and switches the call to the public telephone network used for backup when the communication quality of the IP network deteriorates. It has a function.
When switching between two telephone sets (between a calling telephone and a receiving telephone) using a single line selected from a plurality of communication networks, that is, a technology for automatically switching a communication path or a telephone network in a telephone adapter. Regarding telephone adapter devices (VoIP adapters) that switch lines appropriately between a plurality of communication networks, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2000-354071, 2003-258998, 2003-319067, and 2004 Disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 80483.

  JP 2000-354071 A   JP 2003-258998 A   JP 2003-319067 A   JP 2004-80483 A

By the way, comparing the call charge per predetermined time on a regular telephone and the call charge per predetermined time on an IP telephone, the longer the call time per call, the more the call charge on a general telephone is. It is normal to be expensive. The reason is that call charges for regular telephones are generally based on a so-called pay-per-hour basis, whereas call charges for IP telephones are mostly flat-rate, It is because it does not depend. It is not uncommon for telephone calls between members of the IP telephone service to be free of charge.
Therefore, conventionally, a user of a telephone call telephone adapter on the calling side (contractor's home of IP telephone service) intends to make a call to the called side using an IP line with a low or free call charge. However, the above-described automatic line switching function of the telephone adapter may actually make a call using a general telephone line. For the user (caller), in order to call the called party, simply dial the phone number into the phone and the call (path) is on a regular telephone line with a high call charge. It is normal for the user (sender) to not know much whether the charge is for a cheap IP (telephone) line. Therefore, the user may be surprised to be charged an unexpectedly high call charge at a later date.
The telephone adapter according to the present invention is made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional technology, and aims to solve the following problems.
Provided is a telephone adapter capable of reliably informing a caller (user of a calling terminal) that a call is made on a general telephone line or a call on a general telephone line.

A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 1 and is as follows.
A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. The interface device has the following configuration requirements.
When the communication interface device determines that the call destination call request information received from the telephone is a call request given priority to the IP telephone line, a control unit that executes a call operation via the IP telephone line is provided. Prepare.
Then, when the call through the IP telephone line fails for a predetermined time or more, that is, when the communication path cannot be established between the calling side and the called side, the control unit The switching notification information for switching from the calling operation via the line to the calling operation via the general telephone line is transmitted to the telephone, and the switching operation is automatically executed.

A second invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 2, and is as follows.
A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. The interface device has the following configuration requirements.
When the communication interface device determines that the call destination call request information received from the telephone is a call request given priority to the IP telephone line, a control unit that executes a call operation via the IP telephone line is provided. Prepare.
When the call through the IP telephone line fails for a predetermined time or more, the control unit switches from the call operation through the IP telephone line to the call operation through the general telephone line. The switching notification information is transmitted to the telephone, and the switching operation is executed when the communication interface receives a predetermined signal input from the telephone as a trigger.

A third invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 3, and is as follows.
A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. An interface device, wherein the communication interface device is connected to the other party through the IP telephone line when the callable state via the IP telephone line fails for a predetermined time or more. The switching notification information for switching to the connection with the other party through the general telephone line is transmitted to the telephone. In addition, the communication interface device is configured to execute the switching operation with a trigger (trigger) when the communication interface receives a predetermined signal input from the telephone or automatically. .

A fourth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 4, and is as follows.
The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the switching notification information is a sound signal or voice guidance output from a handset provided in the telephone.

A fifth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 5 and is as follows.
The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, wherein the IP telephone line is a line including xDSL or ADSL.

A sixth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 6, and is as follows.
The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the call charge for the IP telephone line is a flat rate or free of charge.

A seventh invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 7, and is as follows.
7. The IP telephone adapter according to claim 6, wherein a call charge for the general telephone line is a pay-per-use system.

An eighth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an IP telephone adapter as described in claim 8 and is as follows.
The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7, wherein the communication network is restored to an IP telephone line. Recovery prediction means for predicting the time to be performed, and the recovery prediction time information predicted by the recovery prediction means can be transmitted to the communication interface device, the communication interface device Alternatively, it is configured to output to the telephone.

The IP telephone adapter according to the present invention has the following effects.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the telephone adapter notifies the telephone before automatically switching from the IP telephone line to the general telephone line, so that the line is switched without the caller being aware. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a telephone adapter that can reliably notify a caller (a user of a calling terminal) that a call is made on a general telephone line.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when switching from an IP telephone line to a call to a general telephone line, it is not automatically switched, but a signal input by the caller to the telephone and received by the IP telephone adapter is triggered (trigger). The IP telephone adapter switches the calling line. In other words, the line is not switched without the consent of the caller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a telephone adapter that can surely notify the caller (the user of the calling terminal) that the call is on a general telephone line.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the caller side (calling side) and the callee side (called side) are talking, the IP phone adapter on the calling side can make a call from an IP telephone line to a general telephone line. When switching, the telephone set is notified that the line is switched before the switching. The line switching itself may be automatic or manually triggered by a predetermined signal from the telephone. Therefore, it is possible to provide a telephone adapter that can surely notify the caller (the user of the calling terminal) that the call is on a general telephone line.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the IP telephone adapter outputs the switching of the calling line or the telephone line as a sound signal such as voice guidance to the telephone handset. The line switching itself may be automatic or manually triggered by a predetermined signal from the telephone. Therefore, it is possible to provide a telephone adapter that can be surely notified by a caller (a user of a calling terminal) that a call or call is made on a general telephone line.

  The invention of claim 5 is such that the IP telephone line is a line including xDSL or ADSL, and the invention of claim 6 is that the call charge by the IP telephone line is a flat rate system or free of charge. In the invention of No. 7, the call charge on the general telephone line is a pay-as-you-go system, and as in the inventions of the first to fourth aspects, the caller (caller) It is possible to provide a telephone adapter that can be surely notified to the user of the calling terminal.

The invention according to claim 8 is advantageous in that the invention according to claims 1 to 7 has the effect that the recovery predicting means transmits the expected recovery time information to the IP telephone adapter when the call or call on the IP telephone line is not successful. In addition, there is an effect that it can be given to the user who determines whether it is better to continue the call or call as it is, or to call again later.
The installation site of the recovery prediction means is arbitrary. A network (network), an adapter, or a configuration in which the adapter and the adapter work together as recovery prediction means may be used.

Hereinafter, an IP telephone adapter (Internet Protocol telephone adapter) is referred to as an adapter.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention.
A description will be given assuming that 2 is a telephone on the transmission side having a transmission function and a receiver brain. A typical example of the telephone 2 is a fixed telephone (telephone terminal connected to a wired telephone line). Of course, 2 may be a so-called cordless telephone. The calling telephone 2 is connected to a public telephone network, that is, a telephone exchange network (hereinafter referred to as a telephone network 15) via a general telephone line 5, a so-called subscriber line. That is, the telephone 2 side subscribes to the telephone network 15. However, here, between the general telephone line 5 and the telephone 2, an adapter 1 which is a communication interface (device) is installed. The adapter 1 can access an IP communication network 14 such as the Internet via the access point 3. The adapter 1 may be configured to be connected to a terminal other than the telephone 2 such as a personal computer (not shown) or a facsimile machine (not shown).
Thus, by providing the adapter 1 between the telephone and the network, the telephone 2 is a telephone on the receiving side using either the IP telephone line 4a or the ordinary telephone line 5, or one line at a time. A call with the incoming telephone 12 becomes possible. When the telephone number is dialed by the telephone 2, the adapter 1 receives the dial number, and based on the dial number, generally inquires of the access point 3 to search for an IP address and search for the searched IP. It has a function of calling a telephone having the IP address via the IP telephone line 4a and the IP communication network 14 based on the address. Of course, when a telephone number that does not have an IP address is received from the telephone set 2, the adapter 5 sends a request for calling the telephone (phone number) of the call request destination via the general telephone line 5 to the telephone network 15.
Now, the user (caller) off-hooks the handset 6 of the telephone 2, dials the telephone number of the incoming telephone 12 with the telephone 2, and the control unit 7 of the adapter 1 gives priority to the IP telephone line. Suppose that it is a call request. In other words, it is assumed that the incoming telephone 12 has an IP address and the adapter 1 has received it from the telephone 2.
Then, the control unit 7 transmits the IP address to the IP communication network 14 using the IP telephone line 4a. However, when the call through the IP telephone line 4a does not succeed for a predetermined time or more, for example, 30 seconds or more, the control unit 1 starts the call operation through the IP telephone line 4a through the general telephone line 5. Switching notification information for switching to the calling operation is transmitted to the telephone set 2. When the notification information is received by the telephone set 2, for example, a predetermined lamp of the telephone set 2 is turned on or blinks, or a bell of the telephone set 2 rings. More preferably, a predetermined tone signal is heard from the handset of the handset 6 or voice guidance is heard. Voice guidance means, for example, “Automatically switch to calling on a regular telephone line after 10 seconds” or “If you want to call on a regular telephone line, please dial # 19”, etc. Is heard from the handset. Naturally, the control unit 7 stores these voice guidance data in a semiconductor memory (not shown) or the like in advance.
When the user (sender) wants to continue calling, the user may simply go off-hook the handset 6 or press a designated button (dial). On the other hand, when it is desired to cancel the call, the handset 6 may be off-hooked.

The description of the embodiment so far has been about the calling operation. That is, the conversation is not yet established between the telephone 2 and the incoming telephone 12, and the conversation is not in progress.
The adapter 1 according to the present invention can also notify the line switching when the call is unsuccessful via the IP telephone line 4a, that is, notify the line switching.
When the adapter 1 fails to maintain a call-enabled state via the IP telephone line 4a for a predetermined time or longer, the adapter 1 changes from the connection with the other party (incoming telephone 12) via the IP telephone line 4a to the general telephone line. 5 is transmitted to the telephone set 2 to notify the switching to the connection with the communication partner via 5.
In addition, in this application, when it fails in maintaining a call-enabled state for a predetermined time or more, it means that the call is literally impossible, and the data transmission speed becomes lower than a predetermined level, and the call is not made. It also means when it becomes difficult, in other words, when the audio delay becomes large.
The adapter 1 transmits the notification information to the telephone set 2 when it fails to maintain a call-enabled state via the IP telephone line 4a for a predetermined time or more. It is the same. The adapter 1 can also be configured to automatically switch the line after the notification. Alternatively, after the notification, when the user dials a predetermined signal from the telephone 2 or speaks a predetermined word to the handset of the handset 6, the adapter 1 detects that and uses it as a trigger. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that switches from calling on the IP telephone line 4a to calling and calling on the general telephone line 5.
If the communication environment of the telephone 2 is a flat-rate call over the IP telephone line 4a and each call is free regardless of time, before switching the calling line from the IP telephone line 4a to the general telephone line 5, By adopting a configuration in which the adapter 1 notifies the telephone 2 of the fact, the user (the caller of the telephone 2) charges a large amount of telephone charges at a later date by making a telephone call without knowing the telephone line 5 with the call charge metering system. It will be appreciated that an adapter 1 has been provided that can be prevented. In particular, it can be said that the adapter 1 having a method for notifying the line switch 6 of the telephone 2 of the telephone 2 by voice guidance or the like has a high level of warning reliability.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention in which the IP telephone line is ADSL.
In FIG. 1, the general telephone line 5 and the IP telephone line 4a are shown as separate lines. The IP telephone line in the present invention may be a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) or an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). FIG. 2 shows an example in which ADSL 4b is used as an IP telephone line. In this case, the ADSL 4b is connected to the telephone station and the access point 10, and the ADSL 4b physically serves as a general telephone line. Further, the adapter 11 on the incoming telephone 12 side is not shown in FIG. 2, but may be configured to accommodate a general telephone line that also serves as ADSL. The configuration and operation itself of the adapter 1 shown in FIG. 2 are exactly the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an adapter that receives the expected recovery time.
The access point 3 accommodates and has jurisdiction over many IP telephone lines 4c in addition to the access line with the subscriber home of the IP communication network 14 having the telephone 2 and the adapter 1 discussed so far.
Further, the access point 3 of the IP communication network 14 includes the recovery predicting means 9, and when the IP telephone line 4a becomes unsatisfactory, that is, when the connection fails or when the call state cannot be maintained, For example, an inquiry signal can be transmitted to the access point 13 and the response time can be examined to predict the time until the IP communication network 14 is restored.
In a communication environment in which a communication path between the adapter 1 and the adapter 11 can be established, the access point 3 indicates the estimated time until the IP communication network 14 is restored (the estimated recovery time 8 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure). Send to. Then, the information is received and interpreted by the adapter 1 (the control unit 7). The adapter 1 (the control unit 7) transmits the information to the telephone 2. For example, a voice is output from the handset of the handset 6 of the telephone 2 such as “the estimated time to restore the IP telephone line is 8 minutes”. Of course, the recovery expected time 8 may be output to the adapter 1 itself, for example, displayed.
The user (caller) of the telephone 2 knows the estimated recovery time and allows connection from the TP telephone line 4a to the general telephone line 5 or switching of the telephone call, or once calling the incoming telephone 12 or the incoming telephone 12 It is possible to select whether or not to cancel the call and make another call on the IP telephone line 4a later.

  The block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the adapter which concerns on this invention   It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the adapter which concerns on this invention which used the IP telephone line as ADSL.   It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the adapter which receives a recovery estimated time.

Explanation of symbols

1, 11 Adapter 2 Telephone 3, 13 Access point 4a, 4c IP telephone line 4b ADSL
5 General Telephone Line 6 Handset 7 Control Unit 8 Estimated Recovery Time 9 Recovery Prediction Means 10 Telephone Station and Access Point 12 Incoming Telephone 14 IP Communication Network 15 Telephone Network

Claims (8)

A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. An interface device,
When the communication interface device determines that the call destination call request information received from the telephone is a call request given priority to the IP telephone line, a control unit that executes a call operation via the IP telephone line is provided. Prepared,
The control unit switches from calling operation via the IP telephone line to calling operation via the general telephone line when the call via the IP telephone line fails for a predetermined time or longer. An IP telephone adapter configured to transmit switching notification information to the telephone and automatically execute the switching operation. A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. An interface device,
When the communication interface device determines that the call destination call request information received from the telephone is a call request given priority to the IP telephone line, a control unit that executes a call operation via the IP telephone line is provided. Prepared,
The control unit switches from calling operation via the IP telephone line to calling operation via the general telephone line when the call via the IP telephone line fails for a predetermined time or more. An IP telephone adapter configured to transmit notification information to the telephone and execute the switching operation triggered by reception of a predetermined signal input from the telephone by the communication interface. A communication system that accommodates a general telephone line connected to a telephone exchange network and an IP telephone line connected to an IP communication network, and is connected to a telephone by wire or wireless so as to be electrically communicable, and is installed between the telephone and the network. An interface device,
When the communication interface device fails to maintain a call-enabled state via the IP telephone line for a predetermined time or longer, the communication interface apparatus connects the general telephone line from the connection with the other party via the IP telephone line. Switching notification information for switching to the connection to the other party through the telephone, and also triggered by the reception of the predetermined signal input from the telephone by the communication interface or automatically An IP telephone adapter configured to execute the switching operation.   The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, wherein the switching notification information is a sound signal or voice guidance output from a handset included in the telephone.   The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, wherein the IP telephone line is a line including xDSL or ADSL.   The IP telephone adapter according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, wherein a call charge for the IP telephone line is a flat rate or free of charge.   The IP telephone adapter according to claim 6, wherein a call charge for the general telephone line is a pay-as-you-go system.   The communication network includes a recovery prediction unit that predicts a recovery time of the IP telephone line, and is configured to transmit the recovery recovery time information predicted by the recovery prediction unit to the communication interface device. Is a configuration for outputting the expected recovery time information to itself or to the telephone, according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6. The IP telephone adapter according to claim 7.

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