JP2009049820A - Ip telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IP telephone system achieving power consumption of speech apparatuses, by reducing the number of times of communication that are conducted among the speech apparatuses, according to their states. <P>SOLUTION: The IP telephone system is provided with several speech apparatuses 4a and 4b which can communicate with each other via a network, information acquisition devices 1AP, 2AP and 3AP which acquire information indicating the status of the speech apparatuses 4a and 4b and establish communication with the speech apparatuses 4a and 4b at that time and a server 6 which controls the presence information of the speech apparatuses 4a and 4b, according to the information acquired by the information acquisition devices 1AP, 2AP and 3AP. The server 6 updates the presence information to be controlled to the latest one and extracts a speech apparatus whose status of presence in the presence information has not changed for a predetermined time, and sets the time interval for communication between the extracted speech apparatus and the information acquisition devices 1AP, 2AP and 3AP to be longer than that for communication at the updating of the presence information to the latest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IP telephone system for reducing power consumption of a telephone device (for example, an IP telephone) in voice communication using an IP (Internet Protocol) network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for transmitting and receiving voice data using an IP network (IP network) such as the Internet or an intranet is known. Such a voice communication technique is, for example, a call device using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) ( It is practically used as a so-called IP phone). In an IP phone, voice is converted into digital data by a telephone, divided into units called packets, and then sent to the other party via the IP network. Compared with a circuit switching method that occupies a circuit path, there are advantages in that the use efficiency of the circuit is high and services can be provided at low cost.

For example, in the case of a system (IP phone system) in which an IP phone is used as a call device and the IP phones are connected to each other via a wireless LAN (IP phone system), the IP phone to be called is a BSS (Basic Service Set) group or ESS (Extended
By belonging to the (Service Set) group, a wireless LAN communication session is established with the access point.

In such an IP phone system, every time an IP phone belongs to a BSS or ESS group of a predetermined access point, the location registration (registration) of the IP phone is performed, and wireless communication with the access point is possible. Become.
In addition, an IP address is dynamically assigned to the IP phone from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server (for example, a DHCP server function provided in a dedicated DHCP server or a broadband router with a built-in wireless LAN access point function). Assigned (leased) to enable connection to the Internet.

  At that time, the DHCP server determines the validity period (lease period) of the IP address assigned to the IP phone, the time from when the IP phone as the client acquires the IP address to the request for re-extension of the lease, or the IP phone ( It is possible to set a period until the client) acquires the IP address and updates it, and to notify the IP phone. In addition, the DHCP server issues an echo request to an IP address assigned at an arbitrarily set time interval for each IP telephone system (such as sending an ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) echo request packet). Whether or not the IP address is being used depending on whether or not there is a response (in other words, whether or not the IP telephone still belongs to the BSS (ESS) group of the predetermined access point. ) Is confirmed (life and death confirmation).

  As a result, even if the IP phone in the area accessible to the BSS (ESS) group of the access point is used after the IP address assignment from the DHCP server is terminated and the power is turned off, The IP address assigned to the IP phone can be released. Similarly, after an IP address is assigned from the DHCP server, if the IP phone is moved out of the accessible area to the BSS (ESS) group of the access point that established the communication session (for example, at the time of handover, etc.) The IP address assigned to the phone can be released.

  Since there is an upper limit to the number of IP addresses that can be assigned by the DHCP server, as described above, IP telephones that no longer need to be assigned IP addresses are freed. Thus, the shortage of IP addresses is effectively prevented and the effective use thereof is attempted.

  In addition, the access point accesses an IP phone that has once established a wireless LAN communication session at a predetermined time interval, and determines whether the IP phone responds to the access by checking whether the IP phone responds to the BSS (ESS) group. Communication to confirm whether or not it still exists in the access area (confirm life or death). This makes it possible to quickly re-establish a communication session with such an IP phone.

  As described above, IP phones belonging to a predetermined BSS (ESS) group frequently communicate with the DHCP server and an access point that controls the BSS (ESS) (a communication session is established). ).

Even if the IP phone is out of the access area of the predetermined BSS (ESS) group and enters the access area of another BSS (ESS) group (for example, during handover), the connection to the Internet or the other party Various measures have been conventionally taken to continue the communication without disconnecting the communication with the IP telephone.
For example, in Patent Document 1, when the BSS (ESS) is changed by a handover, when the subnet is the same, the connection to the Internet can be continued without interrupting data transmission / reception as usual, Even if the subnets are different, the series of processing time at the time of handover can be shortened without interrupting data transmission / reception, and a new IP address can be automatically acquired and transferred to the Internet. A configuration of an IP phone (wireless IP terminal) that enables connection is disclosed as an example.
JP 2005-1224087 A

  By the way, in general, an IP phone that performs communication via a wireless LAN has a short battery (battery) consumption and a short continuous communication time. In addition to the battery being consumed during a call, communication for location registration and life / death confirmation is frequently performed with a DHCP server or an access point as described above, even when not in a call. Since a communication session is established each time, as a result, the fact that the battery is consumed according to the number of times the communication session is established has a great influence.

  In this way, if the battery (battery) is exhausted at a time other than during an IP phone call, the amount of battery that can be used during the original call will decrease, and a good call environment will be maintained over a long period of time. There is a possibility that it cannot be done. Therefore, when constructing an IP phone system, there is a concern that the usage mode and usage conditions of the IP phone battery (power consumption) are greatly restricted, and the degree of freedom in system construction is greatly reduced. is there.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of communications performed with the call device according to the state of the call device, thereby reducing the call device. An object of the present invention is to provide an IP telephone system with reduced power consumption.

In order to achieve such an object, an IP telephone system according to a first aspect of the present invention shows a plurality of communication devices (for example, IP phones) capable of communicating via a network and the state of the communication device. Based on the information acquisition device (for example, an access point or an antenna for reading RF-ID) that acquires information and communicates with the call device at that time, and the information acquired by the information acquisition device And a server that manages presence information of the call device, and the server updates the presence information to be managed to the latest contents, and the presence status of the presence information is based on the update history. A call device that has not changed for a predetermined time is extracted, and a time interval for performing communication between the extracted call device and the information acquisition device is set as the presence information. Also be extended than the time interval at which the communication at the time of the new update.
According to the first invention, when the presence state of the call device has not changed for a predetermined time (for example, the position of the call device has not moved), the time for performing communication between the call device and the information acquisition device By extending the interval, for example, the number of communications per unit time at the time of location registration can be reduced. Thereby, the power consumption of the telephone device can be reduced.

In the second invention, the communication device is provided with a communication adjustment unit, and the communication adjustment unit extends a time interval for communicating with the information acquisition device based on a command signal from the server. .
According to the second invention, it is possible to collectively adjust the extension of the time interval for performing communication between the call device and the information acquisition device at the server. This makes it possible to efficiently adjust the extension of the time interval for performing communication for each call device.

In a third invention, the server manages, as presence information, a result comprehensively determined based on information indicating the state of the call device acquired from a plurality of information acquisition devices.
According to the third invention, the accuracy of presence information can be improved and more accurate presence information can be displayed.
In the fourth invention, the operation mode of the call device is switched based on an instruction from the server.
According to the fourth invention, on the basis of the presence information, for example, the telephone device is automatically switched from a normal state (normal mode) to a state in which power consumption is reduced (power saving mode), and vice versa. Switching can be performed automatically, and consumption of the battery (battery) of the communication device can be more effectively suppressed.

  According to the IP telephone system of the present invention, for example, the number of communication for location registration and life / death confirmation performed between an access point or a DHCP server and a communication device (IP telephone) is reduced and consumed for the communication. The battery amount (battery amount) of the communication device used can be reduced. As a result, the power consumption of the telephone device can be reduced, and the telephone environment can be maintained well over a long period of time, and the degree of freedom in constructing the IP telephone system can be improved. .

Hereinafter, an IP telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The IP telephone system according to the present embodiment uses a communication device using the Internet communication technology and a server having a function of communicating (wireless communication) between the communication devices according to a predetermined communication protocol (protocol) via the IP network. Are constructed as communication systems connected to each other. The IP network is a general term for the Internet or a network having the same mechanism as the Internet, and the call device can be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN laid in the IP network.

  Further, the server has a function of realizing call setting of the telephone device in conformity with a communication form such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) or P2P (Peer to Peer). In this case, for example, an IP phone, an income that functions as an IP phone, a fixed personal computer, a mobile PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or the like can be applied as a call device.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example in which the IP telephone system as described above is constructed in a game hall (for example, pachinko hall). In this configuration example, only the system constructed on the first floor 1F of the game hall is shown in order to clarify the basic configuration of the IP telephone system. In addition, a plurality of gaming islands 1PL and 2PL on which a plurality of types of gaming machines (pachinko machines) PM are installed are arranged in the floor 1F, and each gaming machine 1PL and 2PL has one gaming machine. One call lamp unit 2 is provided corresponding to each.

  In this case, the IP telephone system constructed in the first floor 1F is a communication device (for example, income) 4a, which is carried by a plurality of (two persons in the drawing) store clerks A and B who circulate in the floor 1F. 4b and a plurality of (three as an example in the drawing) access points 1AP, 2AP for wirelessly communicating with each of the communication devices 4a, 4b and connecting the communication devices 4a, 4b to an IP network (not shown) 3AP and a server 6 (for example, installed in a management room) connected to each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP via an IP network. The server 6 is connected to a call lamp unit 2 provided for each gaming machine 1PL, 2PL.

  Here, in order to ensure the mobility, the communication devices 4a and 4b wirelessly communicate with the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP at regular intervals (for example, once every few seconds and once every minute). It is set to repeat communication and register the location of its own terminal. In wireless communication between each of the communication devices 4a and 4b and each of the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP, various signals are transmitted / received according to standards such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, and IEEE802.11g. At this time, when each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP receives a radio signal from each communication device 4a, 4b, it measures the radio field intensity for each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, and the measurement result is sent to each access point. The server 6 is notified via 1AP, 2AP, 3AP.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of such communication devices 4a and 4b. The communication devices 4a and 4b convert a sound into an electric signal and a microphone 8 that converts the electric signal into sound. The analog signal output from the speaker 10 and the microphone 8 is converted into a digital signal, the digital signal is converted into an analog signal, and the voice processing circuit 12 that drives the speaker 10 with the analog signal is generated and transmitted. Wireless communication between the user agent client unit 14 that receives the response, the user agent server unit 16 that receives and processes the SIP request and generates a response, and the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP. In addition, a wireless LAN interface 18 for transmitting and receiving various data and a wireless chip 19 having an RF-ID are provided.

  In this case, each of the communication devices 4a and 4b can communicate (wireless communication) with each other via the server 6 having a function as an SIP server via the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP within the communicable range. At the same time, each clerk A and B can talk with each other as an extension telephone terminal. In addition, by providing the telephone devices 4a and 4b with the SIP phone function, one-to-many calls (for example, simultaneous reports from managers to all store clerk) and many-to-many calls (for example, multipoints where all store employees participate) It is also possible to execute (conference). Further, by connecting the server 6 having a function as a SIP server to a server (not shown) of another game hall, it is possible to communicate between the call devices assigned to a plurality of game halls.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP. The access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is a server for the communication devices 4a, 4b, which are wireless LAN terminals as described above. 6 has a function of relaying radio waves for connection to the radio. Thereby, all the communication devices 4a, 4b within the communicable range of each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, and the communication devices 4a, 4b and the server 6 are connected to each other in the communication system (network) of the present embodiment. Can be connected to each other via

As shown in FIG. 3, the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP automatically measure the intensity of radio waves received from the wireless chip 19 having the RF-ID provided in each communication device 4a, 4b, and the measurement results Is acquired and stored as radio wave intensity measurement data corresponding to information indicating the states of the communication devices 4a and 4b, and the radio wave intensity measurement unit 20 that transmits the stored radio wave intensity measurement data to the server 6 and each call device 4a. , 4b, a wireless communication unit 22 for performing wireless communication, a calculation unit 24 connected to the wireless communication unit 22, and a network communication control unit 26 connected to the calculation unit 24.
Here, the wireless communication unit 22 transmits / receives data (wireless communication) according to a modulation / demodulation function for transmitting / receiving data (wireless communication) to / from each of the communication devices 4a and 4b, and a predetermined communication protocol (protocol). For example, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit.

  The arithmetic unit 24 has a function of causing the CPU 28 to execute predetermined processing according to a program stored in the ROM 32 using the RAM 30 as a work area. Here, the ROM 32 is provided with, for example, two banks B1 and B2, and at least one bank (for example, B1) stores a program for functioning as the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP. It has become. Program data is exchanged among the CPU 28, RAM 30 and ROM 32 via the bus 34, and the bus 34 is connected to the server 6 via the network communication control unit 26. In this case, the access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is realized by the CPU 28 executing the program stored in the bank B1 of the ROM 32 using the RAM 30 as a work area. Further, for example, when trouble occurs in the bank B1 or when the program is updated, the CPU 28 may be operated by switching to the spare bank B2 so as not to stop the communication.

  At this time, the server 6 receives the radio field intensity measurement data transmitted from the radio field intensity measurement unit 20 of each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, and based on the radio field intensity measurement data, the position of each communication device 4a, 4b. A position specifying process for specifying is executed. In this case, when the call lamp unit 2 of a certain gaming machine PM (FIG. 1) is operated by a player, a store clerk, or the like and a call signal is transmitted to the server 6, the server 6 receives each result obtained as a result of the position specifying process. Based on the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b, a specific communication device (for example, 4a) is selected, and a message is reported to the communication device 4a. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to dispatch the clerk A (FIG. 1) carrying the call device 4a to the corresponding gaming machine PM.

  The server 6 is a SIP entity having a function as a SIP server (a function for processing a SIP request), and resolves the next transfer destination of the SIP request from the communication devices 4a and 4b operating as a user agent. , The proxy server that forwards the request, the next forwarding destination of the SIP request, the redirect server that sends the request in response, the REGISTER request is received, and the contact addresses of the communication devices 4a and 4b that are user agents are It not only functions as a user agent server including the server to be registered, but also functions as a user agent client.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the internal configuration of such a server 6. The server 6 includes a communication device position specifying unit 36, a communication device position storage unit 38, a communication device selection unit 40, and a selection. And a communication device reporting unit 42.
The call device position specifying unit 36 specifies the positions of the call devices 4a and 4b based on the radio field intensity measurement data received from the call devices 4a and 4b via the access points 1AP, 2AP and 3AP. At this time, since the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b change according to the movement of the store clerks A and B (FIG. 1) carrying the communication devices, the communication device position specifying unit 36 receives the radio field intensity measurement data every time it receives the radio field intensity measurement data. The positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b are updated to the latest one. The positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b do not necessarily have to be set to one point as in the coordinates. For example, the first floor 1F (FIG. 1) of the game hall is divided into a plurality of small areas and corresponds to each area. The positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b may be specified.

  Here, as a method of specifying the position of the communication device 4a, 4b, for example, based on the radio field strength of the received radio field strength measurement data, between the communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP The distance may be calculated, and the intersection of virtual circles around each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP with the distance as the radius may be obtained. As another method, for example, a position detection method of a wireless mobile terminal disclosed in JP-A-2002-159041 may be used.

  The call device position storage unit 38 stores the positions of the call devices 4a and 4b specified by the call device position specifying unit 36, and is updated to the latest one each time the radio field intensity measurement data is received. Memorize the position of 4b.

  When the calling lamp unit 2 of a certain gaming machine PM (FIG. 1) is operated and a calling signal is transmitted, the calling device selection unit 40 is connected to the gaming machine PM corresponding to the calling signal (hereinafter referred to as a calling gaming machine PM). ) Position. Subsequently, the position of the call gaming machine PM is compared with the position of each of the call devices 4a and 4b stored in the call device position storage unit 38, and is located at a position suitable for dispatching to the call gaming machine PM. The communication devices 4a and 4b to be selected are selected. In this case, as a method for selecting the communication devices 4a and 4b, for example, the communication devices 4a and 4b located at the position closest to the call gaming machine PM may be selected, or the call gaming machines PM of the clerk A and B The telephone devices 4a and 4b carried by the most appropriate store clerks A and B may be selected according to the experience and knowledge of the user.

  The selected call device notification unit 42 notifies the call devices 4a and 4b (hereinafter referred to as the selected call devices 4a and 4b) selected by the call device selection unit 40 that the call signal has been received from the call gaming machine PM. . In this case, as a notification method, for example, a voice message may be transmitted to the speaker 10 (FIG. 2) of the selected call device 4a, 4b, or a simple sound may be generated from the speaker 10. good. In short, there is no particular limitation as long as it is a method capable of notifying the store clerk A, B carrying the selected call device 4a, 4b that the call signal has been received.

  As an example, the selected call device reporting unit 42 has a function as a caller terminal (user / agent / client) of a SIP phone (IP phone), and the selected call device reporting unit 42 and the selected call devices 4a, 4b. Assume that session management is performed between In this case, the destination information (for example, URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), telephone number) of each communication device 4a, 4b is recorded in the selected communication device notification unit 42 in advance, based on the corresponding destination information. The session is executed. Then, when a session is established between the two parties, for example, a voice message such as “There was a call from the game machine of the XX series. Please respond.” Is sent to the selected call device (for example, 4a), and the speaker 10 Play from and report. As a result, it becomes possible to dispatch the clerk A carrying the selected call device 4a to the calling gaming machine PM.

  Note that the server 6 (FIG. 4) having such various functions is configured as an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a workstation, and a program for causing the ROM 44, which is an internal memory thereof, to execute the above various functions. This is stored and executed by the CPU 48 using the RAM 46 as a work area, whereby the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b can be specified. In this case, the program is not necessarily stored in the ROM 44, and may be provided from an external device such as an ASP (Application Service Provider).

  Hereinafter, an operation example of the IP telephone system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the explanation of the operation, two store clerks A and B (FIG. 1) circulate in the first floor 1F of the amusement hall, and each call device (income) 4a, 4b carried by each store clerk A, B. Are all turned on. Then, each communication device (income) 4a, 4b performs wireless communication with each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP at regular intervals, and repeats location registration of its own terminal.

  In this state, the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP transmit radio waves to the communication devices 4a, 4b in the area (S1). The radio wave at this time may be a beacon periodically transmitted by each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, or may be a radio wave transmitted for other purposes.

  The radio waves transmitted from the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP to the communication devices 4a, 4b are received by the radio field intensity measuring unit 20 (FIG. 3) of the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP via the wireless LAN interface 18. The At this time, the radio wave intensity measuring unit 20 of the access point measures the radio wave intensity for each of the communication devices 4a and 4b (S2), stores the measurement result as radio wave intensity measurement data, and stores the stored measurement data as a server. 6 (S3).

  Each radio wave intensity measurement data transmitted from each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP to the server 6 is received by the communication device position specifying unit 36 (FIG. 4). At this time, the communication device position specifying unit 36 calculates the distance between the communication devices 4a and 4b that transmitted the radio field intensity measurement data and the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP based on the radio field intensity measurement data. (S4). This distance calculation is executed for each of the communication devices 4a and 4b.

  Further, the call device position specifying unit 36 calculates the position of the call device 4a, 4b based on the calculated distance (the distance between each call device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP) (S5). ). This position calculation is executed for each of the communication devices 4a and 4b. As described above, by performing the distance calculation (S4) and the position calculation (S5), the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b are specified.

  Subsequently, the call device position storage unit 38 (FIG. 4) stores the positions of the call devices 4a and 4b specified by the distance calculation (S4) and the position calculation (S5) (S6). In this case, the processes from the distance calculation (S4) and the position calculation (S5) to the position storage (S6) described above are executed every time radio wave intensity measurement data is received, and the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b are always updated. It is preferable to update to a new one. Note that the processes from (S1) to (S6) described above are repeated at regular intervals. Furthermore, considering the communication traffic, the measurement data is transmitted from the access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP to the server 6 only when the radio field intensity measurement data measured by each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is changed. The server 6 may perform the processes from (S1) to (S6) described above.

  In this state, when a certain player operates the calling lamp unit 2 (FIG. 1) of the gaming machine PM (S7), a calling signal is transmitted from the calling gaming machine PM to the server 6 (S8). Then, the call signal transmitted from the call gaming machine PM to the server 6 is received by the communication device selection unit 40 (FIG. 4). At this time, the call device selection unit 40 determines the positions of the call devices 4a and 4b stored in the call device position storage unit 38 in the process (S6) and the position of the call gaming machine PM that is the transmission source of the call signal. In comparison, the communication devices 4a and 4b located at a position suitable for dispatching to the calling game machine PM are selected (S9). Subsequently, the call device selection unit 40 transmits information specifying the selected call device (for example, 4a) to the selected call device notification unit 42.

  Based on the information specifying the selected call device (for example, 4a), the selected call device reporting unit 42 performs a connection start process for calling the selected call device (for example, 4a) and attempting a call connection (S10). ). In the connection start process, a SIP request transmission / reception process (signaling process) according to a predetermined communication protocol (protocol) is executed between the selected call device reporting unit 42 and the selected call device (for example, 4a) (S11). . Specifically, according to the procedure of the SIP message, first, “INVITE (invite)” is transmitted from the selected call device notification unit 42 to the selected call device (for example, 4a). When “100 Trying (provisional response)”, “180 Ringing (during 0 ringing)”, and “200 ok (success response)” are received, the selected call device notification unit 42 sends “ACK ( Acknowledgment) "is sent. Thereby, the call connection is established (S12).

  When the call connection is established, the selected call device notification unit 42 notifies the selected call device (for example, 4a) that the call signal has been received from the call gaming machine PM. For example, a voice message such as “There was a call from the game machine in the XX series. Please respond.” Is transmitted to the selected call device (for example, 4a) (S13), and it is reproduced from the speaker 10 and notified (S14). ). As a result, it becomes possible to dispatch the clerk A carrying the selected call device 4a to the calling gaming machine PM. The voice message is transmitted based on an arbitrary communication protocol such as RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) for each voice packet.

  In the above-described embodiment, each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is configured to perform measurement of radio wave intensity for calculating the distance between each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP. However, a configuration may be adopted in which each of the communication devices 4a and 4b performs measurement of radio field intensity for calculating the distance. In this case, each communication device 4a, 4b measures the radio field strength for each of the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP located in the receivable area, and transmits the radio field strength measurement data to the server 6. At this time, the server 6 calculates the distance between each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP based on the received radio field intensity measurement data.

  By the way, the IP telephone system of the present embodiment manages the state of each communication device 4a, 4b with respect to each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP at the time of location registration of each communication device 4a, 4b performed at regular intervals. And it is comprised so that the change with the passage of time may be monitored. Then, when the state (that is, the presence state) of each communication device 4a, 4b has not changed for a predetermined time (for example, when the position of each communication device 4a, 4b has not moved), the time interval for repeating position registration ( That is, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust (extend) the time interval (communication between each call device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP). As a result, the number of times position registration per unit time is repeated (that is, the number of times communication is performed between each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP per unit time) can be arbitrarily reduced.

  In this case, for example, in the communication devices 4a and 4b whose position does not change for a predetermined time, since the position is specified and clarified, it is not always necessary to repeat the position registration frequently, but the position registration is repeated at regular intervals. In the meantime, useless communication is repeated between the communication devices 4a and 4b and the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP. In this case, the batteries of the communication devices 4a and 4b are consumed (electric power is consumed), and as a result, it may be difficult to continuously use the communication devices 4a and 4b for a long time.

  Therefore, when the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b have not changed for a predetermined time, the time interval for repeating position registration (the time interval for performing communication) is extended from the current time interval as described above, and the unit time The occurrence of useless communication can be reduced by reducing the number of times of repeated location registration (number of times of communication). As a result, battery consumption (power consumption) of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b can be suppressed, so that the communication devices 4a and 4b can be used continuously for a long period of time.

Hereinafter, an example for realizing such an effect will be described.
In the server 6 (FIG. 4) of the present embodiment, the radio field intensity measurement data (each call device (for example, income) 4a transmitted from the radio field intensity measurement unit 20 of each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP for each location registration is stored. , 4b), a presence management function for automatically updating and managing the presence information of the call devices 4a, 4b is provided. In the presence management function, changes in the presence information of each communication device 4a, 4b (for example, information indicating the status of each communication device 4a, 4b, etc.) over time are monitored, and this changes for a predetermined time. If not, a predetermined command (command signal) is transmitted to the communication devices 4a and 4b. It should be noted that the time for monitoring the change of the presence information can be set arbitrarily (for example, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) according to the purpose and environment of use of the IP telephone system. Not limited.

More specifically, the server 6 specifies each of the communication devices 4a and 4b registered at regular intervals and is specified by the communication device position specifying unit 36 and stored in the communication device position storage unit 38. The update history of the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b is monitored. For example, when the position of a certain communication device 4a, 4b has not changed for a predetermined time, the corresponding communication device 4a, 4b is selected by the communication device selection unit 40, and information to that effect is transmitted to the selected communication device notification unit 42. Is done. At this time, a predetermined command (command signal) is transmitted from the selected call device notification unit 42 to the call devices 4a and 4b.
In such presence management, a program (for example, presence management program) stored in the ROM 44 is executed by the CPU 48 using the RAM 46 as a work area. In this case, instead of installing the program in the server 6, for example, a circuit system for executing a similar procedure may be newly added to the server 6.

  On the other hand, each communication device 4a, 4b is provided with a communication adjustment unit 21, and a command (command signal) transmitted from the selected communication device notification unit 42 is transmitted to the wireless LAN interface 18 of the communication device 4a, 4b. Via the communication adjustment unit 21. At this time, the communication adjustment unit 21 adjusts the communication state between the communication devices 4a and 4b and the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP based on the received command (command signal). In this case, the communication adjustment unit 21 sets the current time interval (ie, the time interval for performing communication between each of the communication devices 4a and 4b and each of the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP) for the next location registration. The number of times the location registration per unit time is repeated longer than the time interval (that is, at the time of update) (i.e., the number of times communication is performed between each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP per unit time) Adjustments are made to reduce).

  Here, as an example of adjusting the communication state in the communication adjustment unit 21, when attention is paid to the number of times of position registration per unit time (number of times of communication), for example, the position registration that was initially repeated once every few seconds or once every minute. The time interval for performing communication between the communication devices 4a, 4b and the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is adjusted stepwise so that the number of times is, for example, once every few minutes or once every few hours. In this case, the time interval for performing communication is arbitrarily set according to, for example, the use purpose or use environment of the IP telephone system, and is not particularly limited here.

  As described above, by performing adjustment to reduce the number of times position registration is repeated (number of times of communication) according to the state of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b, occurrence of useless communication can be reduced. As a result, battery consumption (power consumption) of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b can be suppressed, so that the communication devices 4a and 4b can be used continuously for a long period of time. In particular, when the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b have not changed over a long period of time, the time interval for performing position registration can be increased step by step accordingly, so that the communication devices 4a and 4b The occurrence of useless communication can be significantly reduced according to the current state. As a result, the effect of suppressing the battery consumption (power consumption) of the communication devices 4a and 4b becomes very high, and the merit is great.

  In the present embodiment as described above, the IP telephone system is constructed on the first floor 1F (FIG. 1) of a game hall (pachinko hall), and the server 6 is constructed in a management room or the like. For this reason, the presence information can be defined as the position of each communication device 4a, 4b on the first floor 1F and the operation of each communication device 4a, 4b at that time. In this case, the location of each communication device 4a, 4b is, for example, as position information of each communication device 4a, 4b corresponding to the distance from each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, and each communication device 4a at that time , 4b is received by the server 6 via each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP as operation information of each communication device 4a, 4b, for example, power ON / OFF, talking, patrol, standby, etc. .

  The received presence information (position / operation information) is automatically updated by the presence management function of the server 6, and the update history is managed. The server 6 is provided with a presence display function as well as a presence management function, and the presence information (position / operation information) managed by the presence display function is monitored by the server 6 and the communication devices 4a and 4b. It can be automatically updated and displayed on M (FIG. 1). Instead of providing the server 6 with a presence management function and a presence display function and configuring the server 6 as a presence server, a presence management server and a presence display server may be newly constructed separately from the server 6. .

  Further, as a method for updating such presence information (location / operation information), for example, the call device is synchronized with the location registration of each call device 4a, 4b repeated at a predetermined timing (ie, every predetermined time). The position information and operation information of 4a and 4b may be automatically updated. More specifically, each communication device 4a, 4b performs wireless communication with each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP at regular intervals, and repeats location registration of its own terminal. In this location registration, the location of each communication device 4a, 4b corresponding to the distance from each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is specified and stored by the processing from (S1) to (S6) shown in FIG. Updated).

  At this time, the server 6 executes the presence management function in synchronization with the location registration at regular time intervals, and automatically updates the location information and operation information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b. Here, updating refers to a processing procedure for rewriting and displaying the immediately preceding (current) information with the latest information.

  First, in the update process of the location information of each communication device 4a, 4b, for example, the server 6 stores each of the communication devices 4a, 4b and each access point stored (specified) by the above processes (S1) to (S6). Calculate the distance from 1AP, 2AP, 3AP. Next, the intersection of virtual circles around each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP with the calculated distance as the radius is obtained. Subsequently, the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b are specified based on the obtained intersection. Then, the specified position is updated as new position information.

  On the other hand, in the update processing of the operation information of each communication device 4a, 4b, the server 6 stores each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point 1AP stored (identified) by the above processes (S1) to (S6). Based on changes in communication status with 2AP, 3AP, changes in distance, etc., what operating state each telephone 4a, 4b is currently in (for example, power ON / OFF, talking, patrol, waiting) The result of the determination is updated as new operation information.

  In the determination of power ON / OFF, for example, if the communication devices 4a and 4b are not turned on, the location registration cannot be performed with respect to the server 6. Therefore, when the location registration is performed, It is only necessary to determine that the communication devices 4a and 4b are in the power ON state and update the determination result as new operation information.

  In determining whether or not a call is in progress, session management (establishment / change / disconnection) is executed by the SIP server function of the server 6 when, for example, communication is performed between the communication devices 4a and 4b. What is necessary is just to determine that 4a and 4b are talking and to update the determination result as new operation information.

  In determining whether or not the patrol is in progress, for example, while the processes from the above (S1) to (S6) are repeated at the time of location registration of each communication device 4a, 4b, each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP Changes in the location information of the communication devices 4a and 4b over time are monitored, and when the location information changes, the store clerks A and B carrying the communication devices 4a and 4b are traveling. It may be determined and the determination result is updated as new operation information.

  Further, in the determination of whether or not it is in standby, for example, while the processes from the above (S1) to (S6) are repeated at the time of location registration of each communication device 4a, 4b, each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP Changes in the location information of the communication devices 4a and 4b over time are monitored, and when the location information has not changed, the store clerks A and B carrying the communication devices 4a and 4b are waiting. It may be determined and the determination result is updated as new operation information.

  In the server 6 (FIG. 4), the processing procedure for automatically updating the location information and the operation information of each communication device 4a, 4b by the presence management function is, for example, a program for executing the processing procedure (that is, each program) The location information update processing program of the communication devices 4a, 4b and the operation information update processing program of the communication devices 4a, 4b) are stored in the ROM 44, and the stored program is executed by the CPU 48 using the RAM 46 as a work area. In this case, instead of installing the program in the server 6, for example, a circuit system for executing a similar processing procedure may be newly added to the server 6.

  FIGS. 6A to 6C show an example of the update history of the automatic update display of the position information and operation information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b as described above. In FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the first floor 1F of the amusement hall, the telephone device 4a (FIG. 1) carried by the store clerk A is located closest to the access point 1AP. Location information display mode when it is specified that the communication device 4b (FIG. 1) carried by B is located closest to the access point 2AP, and display of operation information of each communication device 4a, 4b at this time Embodiments are shown.

  In FIG. 6A, as an example of the display mode of the latest position information, the clerk A's call device 4a is currently located near the access point 1AP on the first floor 1F, and the clerk B's call device 4b is The fact that it is currently located near the access point 2AP on the first floor 1F is displayed on the monitor M so as to be visible. In addition, as an example of the display mode of the operation information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b at this time, the communication devices 4a and 4b of the clerks A and B are currently in the power-on state, and the clerk A who carries the communication device 4a accesses. It is displayed on the monitor M so that it can be visually confirmed that it is traveling around the point 1AP and that the store clerk B carrying the communication device 4b is waiting near the access point 2AP.

  In FIG. 6 (b), as an example of the display mode of the operation information of the immediately preceding call devices 4a and 4b, the call devices 4a and 4b of the clerk A and B are currently in the power-on state, and the clerk A and the clerk B Are displayed on the monitor M so as to be visible through the communication devices 4a and 4b. The display mode of the position information is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6C, as an example of the display mode of the operation information of each of the previous call devices 4a and 4b, the call device 4b of the clerk B is currently in the power-on state, while the call device 4a of the clerk A is currently It is displayed on the monitor M so as to be visible that the store clerk B who is in the power OFF state and is carrying the call device 4b is waiting near the access point 2AP. At this time, the display mode of the location information of the communication device 4b is executed in the same manner as in FIG. 6A. However, since the power supply of the communication device 4a is in the OFF state, the location registration is currently performed with respect to the server 6. I can't do it.

  In this case, the server 6 can visually recognize the positions of the communication devices 4a and 4b with respect to the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP at the time of the last location registration on the monitor M as the position information of the communication devices 4a and 4b. Auto update display. In the automatic update display process, for example, a program for executing the process (that is, a program for automatically updating and displaying the positions of the call devices 4a and 4b that have performed the last position registration) is stored in the ROM 44. The program is executed by the CPU 48 using the RAM 46 as a work area. In this case, instead of installing the program in the server 6, for example, a circuit system for executing the same processing may be newly added to the server 6.

  Thereafter, when the power of the communication device 4a is turned on again (power ON state), when the location registration of the communication device 4a is performed in synchronization therewith, the server 6 performs the above (S1) to (S6). Through the above processes, the position of each communication device 4a with respect to the nearest access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP is automatically updated and displayed on the monitor M as visible position information. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, on the monitor M, the call device 4a is currently in the power-on state and the store clerk A carrying the call device 4b is traveling around the access point 1AP. Is displayed.

  6 (a) to 6 (c) show an example of the display mode using characters, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each call device 4a, Arbitrary display modes can be set according to the usage purpose and usage environment of the game hall side that manages the position information and operation information of 4b.

  In this case, the server 6 manages the update history of the presence information (position / operation information) of the communication devices 4a and 4b received via the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP for each location registration. In the management of the update history, the server 6 calculates a change in the presence information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b based on the update history (FIGS. 6A to 6C), and the position information and operation information are predetermined. A call device (for example, 4b) that has not changed in time is extracted (selected). Here, the call device (for example, 4b) is communicating (extension call) with another call device 4a, but its position has not changed (moved) for a predetermined time from the vicinity of the access point 2A. It is managed as “standby” where the information does not change.

  Next, according to such management, the server 6 transmits a predetermined command (command signal) to the call device (for example, 4b) via the access point (that is, 2AP). At this time, the communication adjustment unit 21 of the call device (for example, 4b) sets a time interval for performing communication between the call device (for example, 4b) and the access point 2AP based on the received command (command signal). Adjustment is performed so as to be longer than the most recent time interval (for example, FIG. 6A) and to reduce the number of times of position registration per unit time (the number of communication). In this case, since it is possible to reduce the occurrence of useless communication, it is possible to suppress battery consumption (power consumption) of the communication device (for example, 4b), and as a result, the communication device (for example, 4b) ) Can be used continuously over a long period of time.

  As a result, the store clerk A and B traveling around the amusement hall (first floor 1F) are relieved from the trouble of frequently charging the portable communication devices 4a and 4b and carrying spare batteries. For that reason, for example, it is possible to concentrate on patrols of game halls and other duties according to charge. Thereby, it is possible to improve the service for the player who has visited the game hall. In addition, the degree of freedom in constructing an IP telephone system using the communication devices 4a and 4b can be improved. Further, the server 6 can collectively and efficiently adjust the communication state (for example, extension of the time interval for performing communication) between the communication devices 4a, 4b and the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP. it can.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a wireless chip (not shown) having RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) is installed in each of the communication devices 4a and 4b, so that more detailed presence information (position / operation information) is provided. Can be obtained. In this case, for example, an RF-ID that can be read over a long distance such as UHF (Ultra-High Frequency: 300 MHz to 3000 MHz) is used, and an antenna for reading the RF-ID (not shown) is used. Are installed on each of the game islands 1PL and 2PL (FIG. 1). As a result, not only the location information of each communication device 4a, 4b corresponding to the distance from each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP, but also the location information of RF-ID via each antenna, It is possible to obtain detailed presence information such as “where each gaming device 4a, 4b is located near which gaming machine PM on the gaming islands 1PL, 2PL”.

As a result, it becomes possible to manage the current detailed and detailed update history of the presence information (position / operation information) of each communication device 4a, 4b, and based on this, each communication device 4a, 4b and each access point It is possible to effectively adjust the time interval for performing communication with 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP by gradually increasing the number of times of repeating position registration (number of times of communication) step by step.
For example, in FIG. 7, as an example of the display mode of the normal position information, the call device 4a of the clerk A is currently located near the access point 1AP on the first floor 1F, and the call device 4b of the clerk B is currently 1 The fact that it is located near the access point 2AP of the floor 1F is displayed on the monitor M so as to be visible.

  Furthermore, as an example of the display mode of the detailed location information at this time, the call device 4a of the store clerk A is located in the vicinity of the No. XX series game machine of the CRxxx model currently installed on the game island 1PL. It is displayed on the monitor M that the caller 4b of the store clerk B is located in the vicinity of the CRxxx model game machine currently installed on the amusement island 2PL.

  As an example of the display mode of the operation information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b at this time, the communication devices 4a and 4b of the clerks A and B are currently in the power-on state, and the clerk A who carries the communication device 4a accesses. Near the point 1AP (in detail, the vicinity of the CRXXX model No. XX series game machine), and the clerk B carrying the communication device 4b near the access point 2AP (in detail, the model of the CRxxx model) It is displayed on the monitor M so as to be visible that each of the passengers in the vicinity of the No. XX machine).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the server 6 has an IP-PBX (Private Branch eXchange) in addition to the location / operation information of the communication devices 4a, 4b and the location information of the RF-ID for each access point 1AP, 2AP, 3AP. Can be obtained as extremely accurate presence information (position / operation information) based on the comprehensive determination from the position information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b obtained from. As a result, it is possible to manage the update history of the current extremely detailed and detailed presence information (position / operation information) of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b, and based on this, it is possible to manage each of the communication devices 4a and 4b and each access. It is possible to more effectively perform adjustment to gradually reduce the number of times position registration is repeated (communication count) by gradually increasing the time interval for performing communication with the points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP.

  The IP-PBX is a device and software for performing circuit exchange between terminals (calling devices 4a and 4b) as IP phones in the IP network, and an extension network between IP phones (calling devices 4a and 4b). And a function of realizing relay between a normal public line network and an IP network. There are two types, one that performs circuit switching with dedicated hardware and the other that operates as software on a general-purpose server. Both of them use IP-PBXs to construct dedicated lines by using the IP network. You can build without having to.

  In the embodiment described above, the server 6 is given instructions (commands) to the call devices 4a and 4b according to the presence information of the call devices 4a and 4b, and these calls are made based on the contents of the instructions. A function of switching operation modes of the devices 4a and 4b may be provided. For example, when the store clerk A, B carrying each communication device 4a, 4b enters the conference room, the communication device 4a, 4b is automatically switched to silent mode (silence, turn off, etc.) and left. A configuration that automatically switches to the normal mode (returns), or when the store clerk A or B is in a playground where the surrounding noise is high, the volume of the communication devices 4a and 4b is automatically increased, and a quiet conference room When in a car or elevator, the volume is automatically reduced.

  In this case, the server 6 is provided with a table (hereinafter, referred to as an instruction table) indicating instruction contents to the communication devices 4a and 4b, and when the presence information of each of the communication devices 4a and 4b to be managed is updated, The presence (position / operation) of the communication devices 4a and 4b is collated with the contents of the instruction table. Then, based on the collation result, an instruction (command) corresponding to the contents of the instruction table is given to the communication devices 4a and 4b, and based on the content of the instruction, the operation mode of these communication devices 4a and 4b is switched. Yes.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the instruction table. The location of the communication device (in the office, conference room, toilet, elevator area, shared passage, etc.) at each location (head office, branch, factory, etc.) and Correspondence relations of various conditions of type (customer, in-house meeting, normal business, etc.) and operation modes (manner and normal) and volume (large, medium, and small) of the communication device under the conditions are preset.

  In the case where such an instruction table is constructed, when the presence information of the communication devices 4a and 4b is updated, for example, the communication devices 4a and 4b arranged in the main office are connected to the server 6 at the game hall (in the office). When the presence information is updated in the waiting state (visitor) while moving to the conference room during the tour (normal business), the updated content is collated with the content of the instruction table. As a result of the collation, the communication devices 4a and 4b meet the condition that they are located in the head office and serve customers in the conference room. Under these conditions, the optimum operation mode of the communication devices 4a and 4b is the manner mode. The volume is selected to be low. Then, the server 6 gives an instruction (command) for changing the operation mode from the normal mode to the manner mode and setting the volume from medium to low for the communication devices 4a and 4b, and the operation of the communication devices 4a and 4b. Switch modes as instructed.

  As a result, the operation mode of the call devices 4a and 4b can be automatically switched according to the presence state by an instruction (command) from the server 6 based on the presence information, and the low consumption of the call devices 4a and 4b. Electricity can be easily and effectively achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IP telephone system constructed in the first floor 1F of the game hall (pachinko hall) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is composed of a plurality of floors. By constructing the IP telephone system of the present invention at the game hall as well, presence information of the IP telephone (calling device) carried by the store clerk traveling around each floor can be automatically updated and managed. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made assuming the IP telephone system constructed in one game hall (pachinko hall), but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. A similar system may be constructed in each of the game halls, and these systems may communicate with each other (wireless communication) via the Internet INT. FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a communication system in which an IP telephone system is constructed. However, the system is not limited to such a configuration example. For example, the purpose and environment of use of the system It can be arbitrarily configured according to.

  In the communication system of FIG. 9, the main store LAN of the game arcade is constructed so as to be able to communicate with a plurality of (three in the drawing) A, B, and C branch LANs via the Internet INT. As an example, each amusement hall is composed of third floors 1F, 2F, 3F, and three access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP are installed on each floor 1F, 2F, 3F. Further, a store clerk (not shown) traveling around each floor 1F, 2F, 3F carries a telephone device (for example, intercom) 4 as an IP phone having the same function as the above-described embodiment. Since the main store LAN and each branch LAN have the same system configuration, the system configuration of the main store LAN will be described below, and the description of the system configuration of each branch LAN will be omitted.

  In this case, in addition to the server 6 having the same function as that of the above-described embodiment, the main store LAN further has a function of dynamically assigning an IP address when the call device 4 is activated and collecting the IP address when the call device 4 is finished. A DHCP server 50, a DNS server 52 for managing domain names and IP addresses in association with each other, and a PoC server 54 having a function for realizing a call system (Push To Talk) for switching a plurality of calls by button operation with an IP phone. And a location information management server 56 having a function of storing data acquired from the RF-ID, and these servers constitute a DMZ (DeMilitarized Zone).

Further, the head office LAN composed of such DMZ and the access points 1AP, 2AP, 3AP connected thereto can be relayed from the firewall FW to the Internet INT via the router R.
According to such a system configuration, the main store LAN and the server 6 of the branch office LAN, for example, manage the update histories of the presence information of the communication devices 4 on the other side, and based on this, It is possible to adjust the time interval for performing communication with the access points 1AP, 2AP, and 3AP to be long and to reduce the number of times position registration is repeated (communication count).

  In the above-described embodiment, the time interval for repeating location registration (communication time interval) is lengthened, and the number of times position registration is repeated (number of times communication is performed) is reduced. Although the case of suppressing (power consumption) has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the communication system as shown in FIG. 9, the number of communication sessions established between each call device 4 and the DHCP server 50 (for example, Further, by reducing the number of times of confirmation of life and death of each communication device 4, battery consumption (power consumption) of each communication device may be suppressed.

  In this case, a calculation result of the presence information change of each call device 4 (extraction result of the call device 4) is given from the server 6 to the DHCP server 50, and the extracted call device 4 (that is, its position and operation are determined for a predetermined time). The transmission interval of the echo request from the DHCP server 50 for the IP address assigned to the communication device 4) that has not changed is adjusted to be longer than the current transmission interval. As a result, the number of communication session establishments between each call device 4 and the DHCP server 50, which is the number of responses of the call device 4 per unit time (for example, the number of times of confirmation of life and death of each call device 4) can be reduced stepwise. it can. As a result, battery consumption (electric power consumption) of each communication device can be suppressed. In this case, it is possible to simultaneously reduce the number of responses of the call device 4 to the life / death confirmation from the DHCP server 50 as well as the number of times the location registration of the call device 4 is repeated. ) Can be greatly reduced. As a result, the communication device 4 can be continuously used for a longer period of time.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the IP telephone system is constructed in a game hall (for example, pachinko hall), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, accommodation facilities (hotels), hospitals, department stores, By applying the IP telephone system of the present invention to other commercial and industrial facilities, presence information of a telephone device carried by an employee can be automatically updated and displayed.

The figure which shows the structural example by which the IP telephone system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention was constructed | assembled in the game hall. The figure which shows the internal structure of a communication apparatus. The figure which shows the internal structure of an access point. The figure which shows the internal structure of a server. The flowchart which shows the example of an update display operation of presence information in an IP telephone system. (a) is a diagram showing a display example of presence information of a call device, (b) is a diagram showing another display example of presence information of the call device, and (c) is another table of presence information of the call device. The figure which shows an example. The figure which shows the example of a display of the presence information of the telephone apparatus with which the radio | wireless chip which has RF-ID was installed. The figure which shows the example of an instruction | indication table to the telephone apparatus of a server. The figure which shows the structural example by which the IP telephone system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention was mutually connected via the internet.

Explanation of symbols

1AP, 2AP, 3AP information acquisition device
4a, 4b Communication device 6 Server M Display means (monitor)

Claims (4)

A plurality of communication devices capable of communicating via a network;
An information acquisition device that acquires information indicating the state of the communication device and communicates with the communication device at that time;
A server that manages presence information of the call device based on the information acquired by the information acquisition device;
The server updates the presence information to be managed to the latest content, extracts a call device whose presence status of the presence information has not changed for a predetermined time based on the update history, and extracts the call device The IP telephone system is characterized in that the time interval for performing communication between the information acquisition device and the information acquisition device is made longer than the time interval for performing communication at the time of the latest update of the presence information.   The communication device includes a communication adjustment unit, and the communication adjustment unit extends a time interval for performing communication with the information acquisition device based on a command signal from the server. Item 2. The IP telephone system according to Item 1.   3. The IP telephone according to claim 1, wherein the server manages, as presence information, a result comprehensively determined based on information indicating the state of the communication device acquired from a plurality of information acquisition devices. system.   4. The IP telephone system according to claim 1, wherein an operation mode of the call device is switched based on an instruction from the server.

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