JP2006080673A - Service providing system and service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service providing system wherein terminals can enjoy services without caring about a type of line. <P>SOLUTION: The service providing system 10 provides services to the terminal 30 via a communication network 20 including a PS domain 21 and a CS domain 22. The service providing system 10 includes: a use line discrimination section 11 for discriminating which of packet connection and line connection is to be used for the communication with the terminal 30 by each providing service; and a session management server 14 for transmitting a connection request to either of the PS domain 21 and a CS domain 22 depending on the discrimination by the use line discrimination section 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing system and a service providing method for providing a service to a terminal device.

  Conventionally, there is a case in which the terminal device 30 switches connection to circuit-switched communication by using a service provided by an Internet site or a provider during packet communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that a Web server 112 and a streaming server 115 that distributes video in real time are arranged in a service providing system 110 on a network provided by a content provider. The Web server 112 is connected by a PS domain 121 (packet switching network), and the streaming server 115 is connected by a CS domain 122 (circuit switching network). The PS domain 121 and the CS domain 122 include charging management units 123 and 125, session management units 124 and 126, a guidance unit 127, and the like, respectively.

  The terminal device 30 accesses the Web server 112 by packet communication via the PS domain 121 as shown in step S301, and transmits a connection request as shown in step S302. Thereafter, the terminal device 30 acquires the telephone number of the streaming server 115 disclosed in the Web server 112. Next, as shown in step S303, the terminal device 30 performs circuit-switched communication via the CS domain 122, accesses the streaming server 115, and receives video.

  Further, by displaying a telephone number on the Web server 112 and instructing the telephone number by a web operation of the terminal device 30, the terminal device 30 transmits the telephone number while disconnecting or holding the Internet communication. There is a case of phone-to-service (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, there are cases where an Internet terminal manages the telephone numbers and Internet addresses of a plurality of connection partners, and switches the connection by selecting an appropriate telephone number when accessing the Internet.
JP 2004-23491 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, it is necessary for the terminal device to perform line recognition and a connection request even when the content provider changes the line used for each service.

  For this reason, during the packet communication by the PS bearer, the telephone number is transmitted from the terminal device without the user being aware of it. The offer could not be realized.

  Further, since the telephone number is transmitted by the terminal device, even when the content provider is used, if the calling user does not know the telephone number, the connection cannot be established.

  Further, conventionally, only a system in which a caller or a callee bears a line usage fee has been provided, and it has been difficult to provide a service in which a third party bears a charge.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a service providing system and a service providing method that allow a terminal device to enjoy a service without being aware of the line type.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the present invention is a service providing system for providing a service to a terminal device via a communication network having a packet switching network and a circuit switching network. For each service to be performed, a used line discriminating unit that discriminates whether to use packet connection or line connection to communicate with the terminal device, and (b) according to the discrimination of the used line discriminating unit, The gist of the present invention is a service providing system including a session management unit that transmits a connection request to one of circuit switched networks.

  According to the service providing system according to the first feature, the terminal device can enjoy the service without being aware of the line type.

  The service providing system according to the first feature may further include a billing management unit that manages a line usage fee for each terminal device.

  According to this service providing system, the service providing provider can perform billing management on behalf of the user. For this reason, not only the caller or the callee but also a third party can bear the line usage fee.

  The service providing system according to the first feature may further include an inquiry unit that makes an inquiry to a DNS server that converts the IP address of the terminal device into an identification number unique to the terminal device.

  According to this service providing system, only the IP address of the terminal device is known, and even a partner who does not know the telephone number can be connected.

  A second feature of the present invention is a service providing method for providing a service to a terminal device via a communication network having a packet switching network and a circuit switching network, and (a) a packet connection for each service to be provided. And (b) transmitting a connection request to either the packet-switched network or the circuit-switched network according to the determination. The gist is that the service providing method includes.

  According to the service providing method according to the second feature, the terminal device can enjoy the service without being aware of the line type.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a service providing system and a service providing method that allow a terminal device to enjoy a service without being aware of the line type.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic.

(Service provision system)
In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the PS domain 21 and the CS domain 22 are linked in a communication network 20 provided by a telecommunications carrier. The PS domain 21 includes a charging management unit 23 that manages a line usage fee for each terminal device 30 and a session management unit 24 that manages a connection status of the line. Further, the CS domain 22 sets up a billing management unit 25 that manages the line usage fee for each terminal device 30, a session management unit 26 that manages the connection status of the line, and a two-party call between the terminal devices. And a guidance unit 27 that transmits guidance until connection is completed.

  The terminal device 30 has a telephone communication function, a mail communication function, a web browsing function, and the like.

  The service providing system 10 according to the present embodiment provides a service to the terminal device 30 via the communication network 20 having a packet switching network (PS domain 21) and a circuit switching network (CS domain 22). As shown in FIG. 1, the service providing system 10 includes a used line determination unit 11, a Web server 12, a charging management unit 13, a session management server 14 (session management unit), a guidance unit 15, and a multi-trunk unit. 16, a data transmission / reception unit 17, an inquiry unit 18, and a DNS (Domain Name System) server 19. Here, the service providing system is a system that provides some function or data, and examples thereof include a content distribution system provided by a content provider.

  The Web server 12 stores a database such as an HTML document or an image, and transmits information in response to a request from the terminal device 30.

  The used line determination unit 11 determines whether to use the packet connection or the line connection to communicate with the terminal device 30 for each type of service to be provided (for example, document provision, image provision, mail delivery service, etc.). To do. The used line determination unit 11 has a table indicating the correspondence between the service type and the connection type, and may determine the packet connection or the line connection by referring to this table.

  The charge management unit 13 manages a line usage fee for each terminal device 30 in the service providing system 10.

  The session management server 14 manages the connection status of the line, and transmits a connection request to either the packet switching network or the circuit switching network according to the determination by the used line determination unit 11. The session management server 14 can function as a SIP server, for example.

  The guidance unit 15 performs guidance transmission until the connection is completed when setting a two-party call between the terminal devices 30 by transmission from the service providing system 10. This guidance transmission may include an advertisement of a service providing system (for example, a content provider).

  The multi-trunk unit 16 connects the lines of a plurality of terminal devices 30 connected from the service providing system 10 when setting a two-party call between the terminal devices 30 by calling from the service providing system 10.

  The data transmission / reception unit 17 exchanges data with the terminal device 30 via the communication network 20. In addition, since all data for the telecommunications carrier is connected via the data transmitter / receiver 17, the interface is common.

  The inquiry unit 18 makes an inquiry to the DNS server 19.

  The DNS server 19 mutually converts the IP address of the terminal device 30 and an identification number (for example, a telephone number) unique to the terminal device 30.

(Service provision method)
Next, a service providing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, a case where the service providing system 10 provides a two-party call service will be described. First, the user of the terminal device 30 uploads an image such as his own photograph to the Web server 12. The Web server 12 is set so that an image uploaded by a registered user can be viewed.

  First, when the user A wishes to make a call with the user B, in step S101, the terminal device A used by the user A is set on the Web server 12 in the service providing system 10 by packet communication via the PS domain 21. Access an image browsing page of a registered user. At this time, the screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the screen of the terminal device A.

  Next, when a call with the user C is desired among the displayed registered users, the terminal device A clicks on the image of the user C and makes a videophone call as shown in FIG. .

  Next, in step S102, the used line determination unit 11 determines a used bearer. Here, since it is a two-party call, a CS bearer is used instead of a PS bearer.

  Next, in step S103, the Web server 12 instructs the session management server 14 to perform line connection. The session management server 14 transmits a connection request by the CS domain 22 to the communication network 20.

  Here, in step S104, a CS line is set between the service providing system 10 and the terminal device A, and between the service providing system 10 and the terminal device B used by the user C, and a response is returned from the terminal device B. Until it comes, the guidance unit 15 sends a guidance to the terminal device A that it is currently connected. At this time, there is an incoming videophone call on the screen of the terminal device B in which the screen shown in FIG. 4D is displayed. When the call button is pressed, a call can be made. Note that the registered image of the user of the terminal device A is D in FIG.

  Next, in step S105, as soon as there is a response from the terminal device B and preparation for opening between the service providing system 10 and the terminal device B is completed, the multi-trunk unit 16 performs a service providing system between the service providing system 10 and the terminal device A. 10 and the terminal device B are connected to each other. Then, a screen shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the screen of the terminal device A, and a screen shown in FIG. 4E is displayed on the screen of the terminal device B. Then, a videophone call between the terminal device A and the terminal device B becomes possible.

  When the service providing system 10 knows only the IP addresses of the terminal devices A and B, the inquiry unit 18 in the service providing system 10 makes a telephone number inquiry to the DNS server 19.

  The charging management unit 13 manages the line usage fee for each terminal device 30 and performs charging processing for the terminal device A, the terminal device B, or a third party specified in advance.

  As a service model, the user receives the service by paying the content usage fee to the content provider, and the content provider gets the advertising fee not only by the advertisement on the Web screen but also by guidance and advertisement for a certain time after connection. It is possible.

  Although an example of communication between terminal devices has been described here, a service is provided in the same procedure when a user connects to a streaming server.

  Next, the two-way call connection between the terminal device A and the terminal device B via the service providing system 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step S201, it is assumed that the terminal device A 30a is communicating with the service providing system 10 using a PS bearer.

  Next, in step S202, the terminal device A 30a notifies the Web server 12 of an access request via the communication network 20 during communication.

  Next, in step S203, the Web server 12 transmits a line information request to the used line determination unit 11, and in step S204, the used line determination unit 11 determines that the service requested by the terminal device A is packet connection and line connection. Is used to communicate with the terminal device 30, and the discrimination information is transmitted to the Web server 12.

  In step S <b> 205, the Web server 12 receives this notification and issues a connection instruction to the session management server 14. Here, it is assumed that the session management server 14 functions as a SIP server.

  Next, in steps S206 and S207, the session management server 14 (SIP server) transmits a session request (INVITE) to the terminal device A 30a via the communication network 20. Here, since the terminal device A 30a is performing PS communication, the terminal device A 30a automatically responds (S208), and connects the CS line (S209). And terminal unit A30a will be in the state which can receive an incoming call from session management server 14 (SIP server). In the CS connection in step S209, the terminal device A 30a and the communication network 20 are CS connections, but the communication network 20, the Web server 12, and the guidance unit 15 are not CS connections.

  Similarly, in steps S210 and S211, the session management server 14 (SIP server) transmits a session request (INVITE) to the terminal device B 30b via the communication network 20. Here, since the terminal device B30b is not always in communication, the terminal device B30b performs the same processing as that of a normal incoming call. That is, the terminal device B30b responds to the session request (S212) and connects the CS line (S213). And terminal unit B30b will be in the state which can receive an incoming call from the session management server 14 (SIP server). In the CS connection in step S213, the terminal device B 30b and the communication network 20 are CS connections, but the communication network 20, the web server 12, and the guidance unit 15 are not CS connections.

  Further, the processes in steps S206 to S209 and the processes in steps S210 to S213 described above are performed in parallel.

  Further, the session management server 14 (SIP server) transmits a session request (INVITE) to the terminal device A 30a and the terminal device B 30b at the same time. Until this is done, the guidance unit 15 is connected.

  When both the terminal device A 30a and the terminal device B 30b connect to the guidance unit 5, the session management server 14 (SIP server) connects the two lines to the multi-trunk unit 16 in step S214. To give instructions. Thereby, in step S215, communication between the terminal device A30a and the terminal device B30b becomes possible.

  By replacing the user B with a streaming server, it is possible to connect not only a two-party call but also live video distribution by content provider transmission.

(Function and effect)
According to the service providing apparatus and the service providing method according to the first embodiment, the communication network having the packet switching network and the circuit switching network uses either packet connection or circuit connection for each service to be provided. It is possible to determine whether to communicate with the terminal device.

  For this reason, the CS / PS bearer provided by the telecommunications carrier is used simultaneously, and the service providing system provided by the content provider uses the terminal device by switching the line domain used and connecting the line between users. The user can enjoy the service without being aware of the line type. For example, by transmitting a telephone number from a terminal device during packet communication using a PS bearer, it is possible to shorten the time required for re-establishing the CS bearer and setting up the line again, thereby realizing seamless service provision Can do.

  Also, by providing a charge management unit on the service providing system 10 side, the content provider can perform charge management on behalf of the user. For this reason, not only the caller or the callee but also a third party can bear the line usage fee.

  Further, for the content provider, not only the content usage fee of the main income, but also a supplementary income can be expected by putting an advertisement in the guidance section 15 and putting an advertisement in the connection request page.

  Further, the service providing system includes an inquiry unit 18 that makes an inquiry to the DNS server 19 that converts the IP address of the terminal device 30 into an identification number unique to the terminal device 30, so that the user can connect to a partner who does not know the telephone number Is possible.

  In addition, in the conventional connection method for switching from the PS domain to the CS domain, improvement in network usage frequency cannot be expected due to an increase in user terminal operation and complexity, but according to the service providing system 10 and the service providing method according to the present embodiment. And the service provider system provided by the content provider can switch the used domain without the user's awareness by switching the used line domain or connecting the line between users, and the user's usage frequency can be expected to increase. .

  As described above, in the service providing system 10 and the service providing method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a network connection service by calling a content provider, CS connection between those who do not know a telephone number, and charging by a content provider This makes it possible to perform a CS connection without worrying about security and cost.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present invention has been described according to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that the inquiry unit 18 is arranged in the service providing system 10. However, the inquiry unit 18 may be arranged on the communication network 20 and communicate with the DNS server 19. Although the DNS server 19 has been described as being disposed in the service providing system 10, it may be disposed in another system and connected to the inquiry unit 18 via the Internet or the like.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

It is a block diagram of a service providing system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining the communication exchange of the service provision system which concerns on this embodiment (the 1). It is a flowchart which shows the service provision method which concerns on this embodiment. It is an example of a screen of the terminal device in the service providing method according to the present embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the service provision method which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the exchange of communication of the service provision system which concerns on this embodiment (the 2). It is a configuration block diagram of a conventional service providing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,110 ... Service provision system 11 ... Used line discrimination | determination part 12, 112 ... Web server 13 ... Charge management part 14 ... Session management server 15 ... Guidance part 16 ... Multi trunk part 17 ... Data transmission / reception part 18 ... Inquiry part 19 ... DNS Server 20 ... Communication network 21 ... PS domain 22 ... CS domain 23 ... Accounting management unit 24 ... Session management unit 25 ... Accounting management unit 26 ... Session management unit 27 ... Guidance unit 30 ... Terminal device 30a ... Terminal device A
30b ... Terminal device B

Claims (4)

A service providing system for providing a service to a terminal device via a communication network having a packet switching network and a circuit switching network,
For each service to be provided, a used line determination unit that determines whether to use the packet connection or the line connection to communicate with the terminal device;
A service providing system comprising: a session management unit that transmits a connection request to either the packet-switched network or the circuit-switched network according to the determination by the used-line determining unit.   The service providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a billing management unit that manages a line usage fee for each terminal device.   3. The service providing system according to claim 1, further comprising an inquiry unit that makes an inquiry to a DNS server that converts an IP address of the terminal device into an identification number unique to the terminal device. A service providing method for providing a service to a terminal device via a communication network having a packet switching network and a circuit switching network,
Determining for each service to be provided, whether to use packet connection or line connection to communicate with the terminal device;
And a step of transmitting a connection request to either the packet-switched network or the circuit-switched network in accordance with the determination.

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