JP2008258963A - Call tariff suppressing device, call tariff suppressing method, and call tariff suppression program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a call tariffs suppressing device or the like capable of using an optional telephone as a caller device. <P>SOLUTION: The call tariffs suppressing device is provided with an incoming call processing part for receiving a connection request from the caller device and putting the line into a speech communication state, a line disconnection processing part for disconnecting the speech communication state with the caller device, a caller device telephone number analyzing part for acquiring the telephone number of the caller device, a called telephone number analyzing part for acquiring the telephone number of the called device, a transmission processing part for transmitting a connection request to the caller device and the called device through a VoIP network and putting the line into a speech communication state, and a routing processing part for transmitting data received from the caller device to the called device, and data received from the called device to the caller device, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for suppressing a call charge, and more particularly, to a call charge suppressing device and the like for suppressing a call charge using VoIP.

  In recent years, voice over IP (hereinafter referred to as “VoIP”), which is a technology for realizing a voice call on an IP (Internet Protocol) network, has become widespread. When using VoIP, it is generally possible to make a call at a lower price than when using a public line network such as a fixed telephone network or a mobile phone network.

  Patent Document 1 describes a home phone device that can use a long-distance telephone at low cost from the outside using a home phone device and a VoIP line at a place where the home phone device is installed. In this home telephone apparatus, when a call is received from a fixed telephone line to a fixed telephone NCU (Network Control Unit), a connection request is transmitted to the data communication line. In response, when a push sound corresponding to the telephone number of the called device is sent from the calling device, the called device is called through the telephone through the data communication line.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-229311

However, the in-home telephone device described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
The first problem is that since the telephone number notification from the exchange and the telephone number registered in advance are used for authenticating the caller, it can be used only from a specific telephone.
Since the telephone number notification from the exchange is required, the telephone number cannot be received and used in an environment where the telephone number notification cannot be used. In addition, since it is necessary to register the caller telephone number in advance, it cannot be used from a telephone number that is not registered.

The second problem is that a general telephone line is used for a call from the caller to the home phone device.
Since a general telephone line is used for a call from the caller to the home phone device, an inexpensive VoIP line cannot be used for this section. In addition, since the call charge varies depending on the distance for calls on general lines, the range in which the caller can be installed is limited.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a call charge control device and the like that solve the above problems.

  The call charge control device of the present invention includes an incoming call processing unit that receives a connection request from a calling side device and places a line in a calling state, a line disconnection processing unit that cuts a call state with the calling side device, Calling the line by sending a connection request to the calling side device and the receiving side device via the VoIP network, the source phone number analysis unit for obtaining the phone number, the destination phone number analyzing unit for obtaining the phone number of the receiving side device And a routing processing unit for transmitting data received from the transmission side device to the reception side device and data received from the reception side device to the transmission side device.

  According to the call charge control device, when an incoming call is received from the calling side device, the line is once connected, the telephone number of the calling side device is acquired, and then the line is disconnected. Then, the calling side device is called back via the VoIP network, the telephone number of the receiving side device is acquired, and a connection request is transmitted to the receiving side device via the VoIP network to connect the line. After the lines between the two devices are connected, the data received from one device is transmitted to the other device, so that the calling device and the receiving device can talk over the VoIP network.

  The above problem can be solved by the call charge suppressing program and the call charge suppressing method of the present invention as well as the call charge suppressing device.

  According to the present invention, since the VoIP line is used for communication between the telephone charge control device and the transmission side device and between the telephone charge control device and the reception side device, the transmission side device and the reception side device can be inexpensively charged. You can make calls between.

The configuration and operation of the call charge suppression system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a call charge suppression system 10.
The call charge control system 10 includes a transmission side device 1, a public line network 2, a VoIP network 3, a home phone device 4, and a reception side device 5.
The in-home telephone device 4 is a telephone device installed in the user's home, and is connected to the VoIP network 3 and, as indicated by the dotted line arrow, through the public line network 2 and the VoIP network 3, the transmitting side device 1 and the incoming side It is comprised so that a telephone call can be performed between the apparatuses 5. For example, a telephone device compatible with VoIP such as a fixed telephone and a personal computer can be used as the home telephone device 4.
The transmission side device 1 is a normal telephone such as a fixed telephone, a mobile phone, and a PHS terminal, and is connected to the public meridian network 2.
The public line network 2 is a telephone line network such as a normal fixed telephone network or a mobile phone network.
The VoIP network 3 is a normal VoIP network using the Internet. The public line network 2 and the VoIP network 3 are connected via a gateway device (not shown).
The receiving side device 5 is a normal telephone such as a fixed telephone, a mobile phone, and a PHS terminal, and is connected to the public meridian network 2.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the home telephone device 4.
The home telephone device 4 includes a data transmission / reception unit 41, a routing control unit 42, a VoIP control unit 43, a voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44, and a voice data analysis unit 45.
The data transmitting / receiving unit 41 transmits data to the routing control unit 42 when receiving data from the VoIP network 3. When data is received from the routing control unit 42, the data is transmitted to the VoIP network 3.

  The routing control unit 42 analyzes the data passed from the data transmission / reception unit 41, performs appropriate data processing, and passes the data to the VoIP control unit 43. Similarly, the data transferred from the VoIP control unit 43 is analyzed, subjected to appropriate data processing, and then transferred to the data transmission / reception unit 41.

The VoIP control unit 43 includes an incoming call processing unit 431, a line connection processing unit 432, a transmission processing unit 433, and a line disconnection processing unit 434.
The incoming call processing unit 431 analyzes the VoIP data sent from the routing control unit 42 and performs incoming call processing as necessary.
The line connection processing unit 432 connects the lines between the home telephone device 4 and the calling side device 1 and between the home phone device 4 and the receiving side device 5 to make a call state.
The transmission processing unit 433 performs VoIP transmission to the transmission side device 1 or the reception side device 5.
The line disconnection processing unit 434 disconnects a line that is in a call state between the home telephone device 4 and the calling side device 1 and between the home phone device 4 and the receiving side device 5.

  The voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44 converts the VoIP data sent from the VoIP control unit 43 into voice data and sends it to the voice data analysis unit 45. The voice data sent from the voice data analysis unit 45 is converted into VoIP data and sent to the VoIP control unit 43.

The voice data analysis unit 45 includes a password analysis unit 451, a transmission source telephone number analysis unit 452, and a destination telephone number analysis unit 453.
The password analysis unit 451 requests the sender device 1 to input a password, acquires the password from the voice data sent from the voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44 by a push sound, and authenticates the user.
The caller telephone number analysis unit 452 acquires the caller telephone number from the VoIP control unit 43.
The destination telephone number analysis unit 453 requests the calling side device 1 to input the telephone number of the receiving side device 5, and obtains the destination phone number from the voice data sent from the voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44 by a push sound. To do.

Next, the operation of the home phone device 4 will be described in detail with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and the flowchart of the home phone device shown in FIG.
The calling side device 1 makes a phone call to the home phone device 4.
The data transmission / reception unit 41 receives the transmission from the transmission side device 1 as VoIP data via the public line network 2 and the VoIP network 3. The data transmitter / receiver 41 sends the received VoIP data to the routing controller 42.
When the routing control unit 42 recognizes that the received VoIP data is data addressed to the home telephone device 4, the routing control unit 42 sends the data to the VoIP control unit 43.

  When the VoIP control unit 43 receives a VoIP connection request addressed to the in-home telephone device 4 (Yes in S1), the incoming call processing unit 431 performs an incoming call process, and the line connection unit 432 makes a call with the calling side device 1. A state is set (S2). When the communication state is established, the VoIP control unit 43 transmits the VoIP data sent from the transmission side device 1 to the voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44. The voice-VoIP data conversion unit 44 converts the VoIP data sent from the VoIP control unit 43 into voice data and transmits the voice data to the voice data analysis unit 45.

The password analysis unit 451 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the transmission side device 1 to input a password by voice guidance, for example. When the password input by the push sound from the transmission side device 1 is performed, the password analysis unit 451 determines whether or not the received password is a correct password depending on whether or not the password stored in advance matches the received password. Determine whether. If the correct password is not obtained (No in S3), the line with the originating device 1 is disconnected (S15), and the process is terminated (S16).
Note that password input is not limited to push sounds. For example, the user may input a password by voice to the calling-side device 1, and the password analysis unit 451 may recognize the voice and acquire the password.

If the correct password has been entered (Yes in S3), the process proceeds to the caller telephone number analysis unit 452.
The caller telephone number analysis unit 452 of the voice data analysis unit 45 analyzes the caller telephone number notification sent from the exchange (S4). If a valid telephone number is obtained, the process is transferred to the VoIP control unit 43 (Yes in S4, S5). If a valid telephone number is not obtained, the process proceeds to the destination telephone number analysis unit 453 (No in S4, S10).

When a valid telephone number is obtained in S4, the line disconnection processing unit 434 of the VoIP control unit 43 disconnects the call state with the originating device 1 (S5).
The transmission processing unit 433 of the VoIP control unit 43 performs VoIP transmission to the telephone number of the transmission side device 1 acquired by the transmission source telephone number analysis unit 452 (S6).

  When the originating device 1 receives an incoming call (Yes in S7), the line connection processing unit 432 enters a call state (S8). If the incoming call from the transmission side device 1 cannot be confirmed (No in S7), the process ends (S17).

  The password analysis unit 451 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the password input from the transmission side device 1 again by voice guidance, for example. The password analysis unit 451 receives the password input by the push sound from the transmission side device 1, determines whether or not the password is correct in the same manner as S3, and if the correct password is not obtained (in S9) The determination is no), the line is disconnected (S15), and the process is terminated (S16).

If the correct password is entered (Yes in S9), or if a valid telephone number is not obtained in S4, the process proceeds to the destination talk number analysis unit 453.
The destination telephone number analysis unit 453 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the transmission side apparatus 1 to input the destination telephone number by voice guidance, for example. The input of the destination telephone number by the push sound from the transmission side device 1 is received (S10), and the processing is transferred to the VoIP control unit 43. The destination telephone number is input via the line connected at S8 when a valid telephone number is obtained and a callback is made at S4, and via the line connected at S2 otherwise. .
Note that the destination telephone number can also be input by a method other than the push sound, like the password.

  The call processing unit 433 of the VoIP control unit 43 makes a VoIP call to the telephone number of the receiving side device 5 acquired by the destination telephone number analysis unit 453 (S11). When the incoming device 5 receives an incoming call (S12), the line connection processing unit 432 enters a call state (S13).

The routing control unit 42 transmits the VoIP call data addressed to the home phone device 4 from the calling side device 1 to the receiving side device 5, and the VoIP call data addressed to the home phone device 4 from the receiving side device 5. Is transmitted to the calling side device 1 and the receiving side device 5 (S14).
In any of the above steps, if the line is disconnected from the public line network 2 side or the VoIP network 3 side, the process ends.

The call charge control system 10 has the following effects.
The VoIP control unit 43 temporarily connects the line with respect to the incoming call from the calling side device 1 to establish a call state, and disconnects after acquiring the telephone number of the calling side device 1. Then, the line between the transmission side device 1 and the reception side device 5 is brought into a call state via the VoIP network 3. The routing control unit 42 transmits the data received from the originating side device 1 to the terminating side device 5 and the data received from the terminating side device 1 to the originating side device 5, thereby transmitting the originating side device 1 and the receiving side device. 5 can make a call via the VoIP network 3.
Therefore, it is possible to always make a call between the transmission side device 1 and the reception side device 5 at a low price.
Further, even if the telephone number of the calling side device 1 cannot be acquired, the processing from S10 onward is performed using the line connected in S2 of FIG. They are connected via the VoIP network 3.
Therefore, even when the calling side device 1 cannot be called back, the calling side device 1 and the receiving side device 5 can make a call at a lower cost than when the call is made directly via the public line network 2.

  Since the user is authenticated by the password, only the authorized user can use the home telephone device 4. In addition, unlike the case where authentication is performed using the telephone number of the transmission side device 1, any telephone device installed at an arbitrary location can be used as the transmission side device 1. For example, a public telephone or a fixed telephone installed overseas can be used as the transmission side device 1. Further, technically, the in-home telephone device 4 can be used even from a telephone / line for which another person (a person other than the user) bears the charge (the charge paid by the other person starts from S1 in FIG. 3). This is a call charge until S5).

Next, the configuration and operation of the call charge suppression system 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, components common to the call charge suppression system 10 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an overall view showing the configuration of the call charge suppression system 11.
The call charge control system 10 includes a transmission side device 1, a public line network 2, a VoIP network 3, a home phone device 6, and a reception side device 5.
In the telephone system 11, the in-home telephone device 6 is connected to the public line network 2 in addition to the VoIP 3, and it is possible to receive a connection request from the calling side device 1 through a general analog line. 10 and different.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the home phone device 6.
The home phone device 6 includes an analog line control unit 66 in addition to the configuration of the home phone device 4 of FIG.
The analog line control unit 66 includes an incoming call processing unit 661, a caller telephone number acquisition unit 662, a line connection processing unit 663, and a line disconnection processing unit 664.
The incoming call processing unit 661 detects the outgoing call from the outgoing device 1.
The caller telephone number acquisition unit 662 acquires the caller telephone number notification transmitted from the exchange.
The line connection processing unit 663 closes the analog line so as to place a call between the home telephone device 6 and the calling-side device 1.
The line disconnection processing unit 664 disconnects the call state established by the line connection processing unit 663.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the home telephone device 6. The outline of the operation is the same as that in FIG. 3, but is different from that in FIG. 3 in that a sender number acquisition process (S118) is added.
The transmission side device 1 makes a telephone call to the home telephone device 6 via the public line network 2.
When the incoming call processing unit 661 of the analog line processing unit 66 detects a call from the transmission side device 1 (Yes in S101), the caller phone number notification sent from the exchange by the caller phone number acquisition unit 662 is notified. After the acquisition (S118), the line connection processing unit 663 closes the line, and a call state is established between the home telephone device 6 and the calling side device 1 (S102).

  The password analysis unit 451 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the transmission side device 1 to input a password by voice guidance, for example. If the correct password is not obtained when the password is input by the push sound from the calling side device 1, the line is disconnected by the line disconnection processing unit 663 and the call state is disconnected (S115). The process is terminated (S116).

If the correct password has been entered (Yes in S103), the process proceeds to the source telephone number acquisition unit 662.
The caller telephone number analysis unit 452 of the voice data analysis unit 45 analyzes the caller telephone number notification acquired by the caller telephone number acquisition unit 662 (S104). If a valid telephone number is obtained (Yes in S104), the process proceeds to the analog line control unit 66. If a valid telephone number is not obtained (No in S104), the process proceeds to the destination telephone number analysis unit 453 (No in S104, S110).

When a valid telephone number is obtained in S104, the line disconnection processing unit 664 of the analog line control unit 66 disconnects the call state with the originating device 1 (S105).
The transmission processing unit 433 of the VoIP control unit 43 performs VoIP transmission to the telephone number of the transmission side device 1 acquired by the transmission source telephone number analysis unit 452 (S106).

  When the calling side device 1 receives an incoming call (Yes in S107), the line connection processing unit 432 enters a call state (S8). If the incoming call from the transmission side device 1 cannot be confirmed (No in S107), the process is terminated (S117).

  The password analysis unit 451 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the password input from the transmission side device 1 again by voice guidance, for example. The password analysis unit 451 receives the password input by the push sound from the transmission side device 1, determines whether or not the password is correct in the same manner as in S103, and if the correct password is not obtained (in S109) The determination is no), the line is disconnected (S105), and the process is terminated (S116).

If the correct password is entered (Yes in S109), or if a valid telephone number is not obtained in S104, the process proceeds to the destination talk number analysis unit 453.
The destination telephone number analysis unit 453 of the voice data analysis unit 45 requests the transmission side device 1 to input the telephone number of the reception side device 5 by voice guidance, for example. The input of the destination telephone number by the push sound from the transmission side device 1 is received (S110), and the processing is transferred to the VoIP control unit 436.

  The outgoing call processing unit 433 of the VoIP control unit 43 makes a VoIP call to the telephone number of the receiving side device 5 acquired by the destination telephone number analysis unit 453 (S111). When the incoming device 5 receives an incoming call (S112), the line connection processing unit 432 enters a call state (S113).

The routing control unit 42 transmits the VoIP call data addressed to the home telephone device from the calling side device 1 to the receiving side device 5 and transmits the VoIP call data addressed to the home phone device from the receiving side device 5 to the calling side device 1. As a result, the calling device 1 and the receiving device 5 are in a call state (S114).
In any of the above steps, if the line is disconnected from the public line network 2 side or the VoIP network 3 side, the process ends.

  The same effect as the call charge control system 10 can be obtained by the call charge control system 11.

1 is a configuration diagram of a telephone charge suppression system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the home telephone apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the subscriber | terminal telephone apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram of the telephone fee suppression system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the home telephone device of FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the subscriber | terminal telephone apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Originating side apparatus 2 Public line network 3 VoIP network 4 and 6 Home telephone apparatus 5 Incoming side apparatus 10 and 11 Call charge control system 41 Data transmission / reception part 42 Routing control part 43 VoIP control part 431 Incoming process part 432 Line connection process part 433 Transmission processing unit 434 Line disconnection processing unit 44 Voice-VoIP data conversion unit 45 Voice data analysis unit 451 Password analysis unit 452 Source telephone number analysis unit 453 Destination telephone number analysis unit 66 Analog line control unit 661 Incoming call processing unit 662 Source telephone Number acquisition unit 663 Line connection processing unit 664 Line disconnection processing unit

Claims (24)

An incoming call processing unit that receives a connection request from the calling side device and places the line in a call state;
A line disconnection processing unit for disconnecting a call state with the originating device;
A caller telephone number analysis unit for obtaining the telephone number of the caller device;
A destination phone number analysis unit for obtaining the phone number of the receiving device;
A call processing unit that sends a connection request to the calling side device and the receiving side device via a VoIP network to place the line in a call state;
A routing processing unit for transmitting data received from the transmission side device to the reception side device and data received from the reception side device to the transmission side device;
Call charge control device with   2. The call charge control device according to claim 1, wherein the incoming call processing unit is connected to the VoIP network and receives the connection request via the VoIP network and a public line network.   2. The call charge suppressing device according to claim 1, wherein the incoming call processing unit is connected to a public line network and receives the connection request via the public line network.   The line disconnection processing unit does not operate when the caller telephone number acquisition unit cannot acquire a valid telephone number of the caller device. Call charge control device described in 1.   The call according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the caller telephone number acquisition unit analyzes the caller telephone number notification received from an exchange and acquires the caller telephone number. Charge control device.   6. The call charge suppression device according to claim 1, wherein the destination telephone number acquisition unit receives an input of the telephone number of the receiving device by a push sound from the transmitting device. . It has an authentication processing unit that authenticates users,
2. The source telephone number acquisition unit, the destination telephone number acquisition unit, the line connection processing unit, and the routing unit operate when the authentication processing unit succeeds in the authentication. Item 7. The call charge restraint device according to any one of items 6.   8. The call charge suppressing device according to claim 7, wherein the pre-authentication processing unit receives a password input from the calling side device by a push sound and performs the authentication based on the password. On the computer,
An incoming call process for receiving a connection request from the calling device and placing the line in a call state;
A line disconnection process for disconnecting a call state with the originating device;
A caller telephone number analysis process for obtaining a telephone number of the caller device;
Destination phone number analysis processing to obtain the phone number of the receiving device,
A calling process for sending a connection request to the calling side device and the receiving side device via a VoIP network and setting the line in a call state;
A routing process for transmitting data received from the originating device to the receiving device and data received from the receiving device to the originating device;
Call charge control program to execute.   10. The call charge suppression program according to claim 9, wherein, in the incoming call processing, the connection request is received via the VoIP network and a public line network.   10. The call charge suppressing program according to claim 9, wherein in the incoming call processing, the connection request is received via a public line network.   12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the computer is not allowed to execute the line disconnection process when a valid telephone number of the calling side device cannot be acquired in the source telephone number acquisition process. Call charge control program as described in one.   The call according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, in the caller telephone number acquisition process, the caller telephone number notification received from an exchange is analyzed to acquire the caller telephone number. Charge control program.   14. The telephone call charge suppressing program according to claim 9, wherein in the destination telephone number acquisition process, an input of a telephone number of the receiving side device is received from the calling side device by a push sound. . Causing the computer to execute an authentication process for authenticating a user;
10. The computer according to claim 9, further comprising: causing the computer to execute the source telephone number acquisition process, the destination telephone number acquisition process, the line connection process, and the routing process when the authentication process is successful. The call charge control program according to claim 14.   16. The call charge suppression program according to claim 15, wherein in the pre-authentication process, a password is input from the caller side device by a push sound, and the authentication is performed based on the password. An incoming call process for receiving a connection request from the calling device and placing the line in a call state;
A source telephone number analysis step of obtaining a telephone number of the calling side device;
A line disconnecting step for disconnecting a call state with the originating device;
A callback step of transmitting a connection request to the calling side device via a VoIP network and setting the line in a call state;
Destination phone number analysis step for obtaining the phone number of the receiving device,
A sending step of sending a connection request to the receiving side device via the VoIP network to place the line in a call state;
A routing step of transmitting data received from the originating device to the receiving device and data received from the receiving device to the originating device; and
Call charge control method with   The call charge control method according to claim 17, wherein, in the incoming call process, the connection request is received via the VoIP network and a public line network.   The call charge control method according to claim 17, wherein, in the incoming call process, the connection request is received via a public line network.   20. The line disconnecting step and the callback step are not executed when a telephone number of the calling side device that is effective in the calling source telephone number acquiring step cannot be acquired. Call charge control method according to any one of the above.   21. The call according to claim 17, wherein, in the caller telephone number acquisition step, the caller telephone number notification received from an exchange is analyzed to acquire the caller telephone number. Charge control method.   The method for suppressing a call charge according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein, in the destination telephone number acquisition step, the telephone number of the receiving side device is received from the calling side device by a push sound. . It has an authentication process to authenticate users,
23. The method according to claim 17, wherein the source telephone number acquisition step, the destination telephone number acquisition step, the transmission step, and the routing step are executed when the authentication is successful in the authentication step. Call charge control method according to any one of the above.   24. The call charge control method according to claim 23, wherein in the pre-authentication step, a password is input by a push sound from the transmission side device, and the authentication is performed based on the password.

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