JP2009194586A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a user during performing transmission by a portable terminal. <P>SOLUTION: This communication system includes a first portable terminal, a second portable terminal and a connection control device for performing connection control of the portable terminals, wherein the first portable terminal includes a transmission requesting means for performing short range radio connection to the other portable terminal to request the other portable terminal to perform transmission to another communication terminal, the second portable terminal includes a relaying means for performing short range radio connection to the second portable terminal to perform relay connection of the first portable terminal and the connection control device, and the connection control device includes a relay transmitting means for performing transmission to the other communication terminal to be the transmission destination with the first portable terminal as a transmission source in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal connected by relaying the second portable terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a communication system that controls communication of a mobile terminal.

  In recent years, mobile phones have become widespread and can be used in various places. However, the mobile phone communication area is not covered nationwide, and may be out of service area depending on the location. And since the communication area is the range where radio waves for mobile phones by each mobile phone carrier (carrier) can reach, depending on the location, even if one mobile phone carrier is outside the service area, another mobile phone carrier There is a case in the area.

  And if your mobile phone is out of service area, you cannot of course make a call or data communication. However, if you really want to communicate, you need to borrow another mobile phone that is in communication range. is there. However, in such a case, if the incoming call is rejected by identifying the number at the communication destination, there arises a problem that the incoming call cannot be made. There is also a problem with the burden of communication charges.

JP 2003-61136 A

  Here, in Patent Document 1, when the own mobile station is out of the service area, information is transmitted to another mobile station that can communicate with the alternative wireless communication unit, and the other mobile station receiving the information receives the information. Disclosed is a system for transmitting information to a base station. However, the above technique only shows communication with the base station and does not disclose a technique for performing communication with another mobile station via the base station. For this reason, as described above, if the incoming call is rejected by identification of the number at the communication destination, there arises a problem that the incoming call cannot be made, and the convenience of the user cannot be improved.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can improve the convenience of the user at the time of outgoing call by a portable terminal, which is the above-described problem.

Therefore, a communication system according to one aspect of the present invention is
A first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device for controlling connection of these mobile terminals,
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second portable terminal includes a relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relay-connects the first portable terminal and the connection control device,
In response to a transmission request from the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal, the connection control device sends the first portable terminal to another communication terminal as a transmission destination. As a relay transmission means to transmit as
The structure is taken.

In addition, a communication system according to another aspect of the present invention is
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal And comprising
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal-side relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal and relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the second connection control device,
A connection control device in which the second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device connected via the second mobile terminal via the second mobile terminal. Side relay means,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control device via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, another communication terminal serving as the call destination In addition, a relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source is provided.
The structure is taken.

In addition, a communication method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
A communication method in a communication system comprising a first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device for controlling connection of these mobile terminals,
The first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to make a call to another communication terminal;
A relay step in which the second mobile terminal performs short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal and relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the connection control device;
In response to a transmission request from the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal, the connection control device sends the first portable terminal to another communication terminal as a transmission destination. Relay transmission process to send as,
It has the configuration of having.

In addition, a communication method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal A communication method in a communication system comprising:
The first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests a call from another communication terminal to the other mobile terminal;
The second portable terminal performs a short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relays the first portable terminal and the second connection control device, a portable terminal side relay step,
A connection control device in which the second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device connected via the second mobile terminal via the second mobile terminal. Side relay process,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control device via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, another communication terminal serving as the call destination And a relay transmission step of transmitting the first portable terminal as a transmission source;
It has the configuration of having.

Moreover, the program which is the other form of this invention is:
A connection control device in a communication system including a first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device that performs connection control of these mobile terminals,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the second portable terminal by short-range wireless connection and relaying the second portable terminal, another communication terminal serving as the call destination A relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source;
To achieve the above.

Moreover, the program which is the other form of this invention is:
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal In a first connection control device in a communication system comprising:
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal that is connected to the second portable terminal via the short-range wireless connection and relayed through the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, the call is transmitted. A relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source to another communication terminal;
To achieve the above.

  By configuring the present invention as described above, even when the first mobile terminal is in a state where wireless communication is impossible, the first mobile terminal makes a call from the connection control device as a source. It is possible to make a call with the caller notified of the caller. As a result, it is possible to perform more reliable communication, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the user.

  The present invention is a communication system that allows a mobile terminal to make a call via a mobile phone in another area even when the mobile terminal is out of the service area. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that the mobile terminal is notified of the number of the mobile terminal, an e-mail address, and the like, and the mobile terminal is transmitted from the mobile terminal.

And the communication system which is one form of the present invention,
A first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device for controlling connection of these mobile terminals,
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second portable terminal includes a relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relay-connects the first portable terminal and the connection control device,
In response to a transmission request from the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal, the connection control device sends the first portable terminal to another communication terminal as a transmission destination. As a relay transmission means to transmit as
The structure is taken.

  According to the above invention, first, the first portable terminal performs short-range wireless connection to the second portable terminal, which is another portable terminal existing in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication means, and performs another communication. Request outgoing calls to the terminal. Receiving this, the second portable terminal establishes a short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relay-connects the first portable terminal and the connection control device. As a result, the first portable terminal is connected to the connection control device via the second portable terminal by the short-range wireless communication means, and notifies the connection control device of a call request from the first portable terminal. be able to. Then, in response to a call request from the first portable terminal, the connection control device makes a call to the other communication terminal serving as the call destination using the first portable terminal as the caller. Thereby, even if the first portable terminal is in a state where wireless communication is impossible, the first portable terminal is connected to the connection control apparatus via the second portable terminal by short-range wireless communication, and the first connection terminal is connected to the first portable terminal. It is possible to make a call by using a mobile terminal as a sender. Therefore, it is possible to make a call in a state in which the caller is informed to the callee, so that more reliable communication is possible and the convenience of the user can be improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention,
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal A communication system comprising:
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal-side relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal and relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the second connection control device,
A connection control device in which the second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device connected via the second mobile terminal via the second mobile terminal. Side relay means,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control device via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, another communication terminal serving as the call destination In addition, a relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source is provided.
The structure is taken.

  And the relay transmission means of said 1st connection control apparatus is portable terminal information which specifies the 1st portable terminal which is a transmission origin with respect to another portable terminal used as a transmission destination, for example, a 1st portable terminal The telephone number and / or the e-mail address that can be used in the first portable terminal are notified and transmitted.

  According to the above invention, first, the first mobile terminal is another mobile terminal that is within the range of another mobile network that exists in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication means when the terminal is out of range. A short-distance wireless connection is made to the portable terminal and a call is requested to another communication terminal. The second mobile terminal that has received this establishes a short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal, and also performs a connection control between the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal. And relay connection. The second connection control device relay-connects the first portable terminal to the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal. As a result, the first portable terminal is connected to the first connection control device via the short-range wireless communication means and another portable network, and the call request from the first portable terminal is connected to the first connection terminal. The control device can be notified. Then, in response to a call request from the first portable terminal, the first connection control device makes a call to the other communication terminal that is the call destination using the first portable terminal as the caller. For example, the telephone number or e-mail address of the first portable terminal is notified as information representing the caller and is sent.

  Thereby, even if the first portable terminal is in a state where wireless communication is impossible, the first portable terminal is connected to the connection control apparatus via the second portable terminal by short-range wireless communication, and the first connection terminal is connected to the first portable terminal. It is possible to make a call by using a mobile terminal as a sender. Therefore, it is possible to make a call in a state where the caller is notified to the callee, so that more reliable communication is possible, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In the communication system, the relay transmission unit of the first connection control device includes another communication terminal that responds to the transmission performed in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, A configuration is adopted in which a connection is established with the first mobile terminal connected via the second connection control device.

  As a result, the first portable terminal can make a call with another portable terminal that is the destination via the second portable terminal connected by the short-range wireless connection and the second connection control device. It becomes. That is, it is possible to make a call even when the first portable terminal is out of the service area, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In the communication system, the first connection control device makes an authentication request to the first mobile terminal connected via the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device. The first portable terminal transmits authentication information in response to an authentication request from the first connection control device, and the relay transmission means of the first connection control device transmits from the first portable terminal. A configuration is adopted in which authentication is performed based on the authenticated authentication information, and transmission is performed using the first mobile terminal that has been successfully authenticated as a transmission source. Thereby, since the transmission is performed only in response to the transmission request from the authenticated first portable terminal, the security at the time of transmission can be improved.

  Further, in the communication system, the first mobile terminal includes search means for searching for another mobile terminal existing in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication means equipped in the first mobile terminal, and The transmission request means of the first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to the other mobile terminal searched by the search means and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal. Take the configuration. This makes it possible to automatically search for other portable terminals that are relayed by short-range wireless communication, and to improve user convenience.

  Further, in the communication system, the first mobile terminal that transmits the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device from the first connection control device and the second connection control device via the second mobile terminal is called A configuration is adopted in which communication information acquisition means for acquiring communication information representing the relay status is provided. Furthermore, in the communication system, the first mobile terminal relays the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device based on the communication information acquired by the communication information acquisition unit. The communication fee calculation means for calculating the communication fee charged to the terminal is provided.

  Thereby, the usage status of the line of the second portable terminal and the second connection control device used when the first portable terminal makes a call is acquired, and the usage fee is calculated. Therefore, the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device that have used the line for the first mobile terminal can collect the line usage fee from the first mobile terminal.

In addition, a communication method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal A communication method in a communication system comprising:
The first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests a call from another communication terminal to the other mobile terminal;
The second portable terminal performs a short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relays the first portable terminal and the second connection control device, a portable terminal side relay step,
A connection control device in which the second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device connected via the second mobile terminal via the second mobile terminal. Side relay process,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control device via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, another communication terminal serving as the call destination And a relay transmission step of transmitting the first portable terminal as a transmission source;
It has the configuration of having.

  And the said relay transmission process WHEREIN: The portable terminal information which identifies the 1st portable terminal which is a transmission origin with respect to another portable terminal used as a transmission destination, for example, the telephone number of a 1st portable terminal, and / or A configuration is adopted in which an e-mail address that can be used by the first portable terminal is notified and transmitted.

  Further, the relay transmission step of the first connection control device includes another communication terminal that responds to the transmission performed in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control. A configuration is adopted in which a connection is established with the first portable terminal connected via the device.

  In the relay transmission step, the first connection control device makes an authentication request to the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, and this authentication is performed. In response to the request, the first mobile terminal transmits authentication information, and the first connection control device performs authentication based on the authentication information transmitted from the first mobile terminal, and the authentication is successful. A configuration is adopted in which a mobile terminal is used as a transmission source.

  Furthermore, before the said transmission request | requirement process, a 1st portable terminal has a search process which searches the other portable terminal which exists in the communication range of the near field communication means with which the said 1st portable terminal was equipped. The transmission requesting step adopts a configuration in which a short-distance wireless connection is made to the other mobile terminal searched in the searching step and a request for transmission to another communication terminal is requested to the other mobile terminal.

Moreover, the program which is the other form of this invention is:
The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal In the first connection control device in the communication system comprising:
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal that is connected to the second portable terminal via the short-range wireless connection and relayed through the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, the call is transmitted. A relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source to another communication terminal;
To achieve the above.

  And the said relay transmission means is portable terminal information which specifies the 1st portable terminal which is a transmission origin with respect to another portable terminal used as a transmission destination, for example, the telephone number of a 1st portable terminal, and / or A configuration is adopted in which an e-mail address that can be used by the first portable terminal is notified and transmitted.

  The relay transmission means relays and connects another communication terminal that responds to the transmission performed in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device. A configuration is adopted in which a connection is established with the first mobile terminal.

  Further, the relay transmission means makes an authentication request to the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, and from the first portable terminal in response thereto A configuration is adopted in which authentication is performed based on the transmitted authentication information, and transmission is performed using the first mobile terminal that has been successfully authenticated as a transmission source.

  Even the invention of the method and program having the above-described configuration has the same operation as that of the above-described communication system, and thus the above-described object of the present invention can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, specific configurations and operations of the present invention will be described in the embodiments. In the embodiment, a mobile phone is described as an example of the first and second mobile terminals described above. However, the first and second mobile terminals are not limited to mobile phones. In the embodiment, the case where the call from the first portable terminal is a call call is illustrated, but the call is not limited to a call call, and is a call in data communication such as transmission of an e-mail or the like. Also good. Accordingly, the first and second portable terminals may be any terminals as long as they are wirelessly communicable terminals such as PHS, PDA, and data communication card.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the entire communication system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the mobile phone. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the connection control device and the management device. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the entire communication system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state in the communication system. 7 to 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the communication system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system in the modification, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation thereof.

[Constitution]
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to the present embodiment includes a mobile phone A and a mobile phone G that are subscribed to a mobile phone service provided by a first communication operator, and a first communication operator. A connection control device E that manages and controls connection of the subscribed mobile phone; and a radio base station F for radio transmission and reception managed by the first communication carrier. In addition, the mobile phone B subscribed to the mobile phone service provided by the second communication carrier, the connection control device D managed by the second communication carrier and performing connection control of the subscribed mobile phone, the first And a radio base station C for radio transmission / reception managed by a telecommunications carrier.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone A, which is a subscriber terminal of the first telecommunications carrier, is located outside the range where the radio wave from the radio base station F reaches (see the dotted line). On the other hand, the mobile phone G is located in the area. In addition, the mobile phone B, which is a subscriber terminal of the second telecommunications carrier, is located within the range (see the dotted line) within which radio waves from the radio base station C can reach. And in this embodiment, each terminal and apparatus are comprised as follows so that the said mobile telephone A located out of service area can transmit with respect to the mobile telephone G. FIG.

(Mobile phone A)
First, the configuration of the mobile phone A (first mobile terminal) will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone A is a terminal operated by a user who subscribes to the mobile phone service provided by the first communication carrier. The mobile phone A has a call function and a data communication function that a general mobile phone has. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to access the mobile phone network, A wireless communication unit 11 that performs wireless communication is provided. In addition, the mobile phone A includes a short-range wireless communication unit 12 that performs short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication unit 12 is configured by a communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with other information processing terminals by, for example, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, infrared communication, or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone A includes a search processing unit 13 and a transmission processing unit 14 that are constructed by incorporating a predetermined program into an installed arithmetic device.

  The transmission processing unit 14 has a normal call / communication function for transmitting to a communication destination via the wireless communication unit 11. In other words, make a call to the phone number that is the destination, access the mail server, send an e-mail to the e-mail address that is the destination, and then connect to the website that is the destination Perform data communication.

  Further, the call processing unit 14 (call request means) is close to the search processing unit 13 when the mobile phone A cannot perform wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 11 and is out of service area. The wireless communication unit 12 requests a search for another mobile phone that can be connected. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a screen on which a “start” button for requesting another “search for in-range phone” is displayed is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone A. When pressed, the search processing unit 13 actually searches for another mobile phone via the short-range wireless communication unit 12 as described later.

  The search processing unit 13 (search means) is located in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication unit 12 and can perform short-range wireless communication when there is a search request for another mobile phone as described above. In addition, a search signal is transmitted by short-range wireless communication so as to search for another mobile phone located within the mobile phone network. Then, other mobile phones that have received this search signal respond only when they are located within the mobile phone service area. Upon receiving such a response, the search processing unit 13 notifies the transmission processing unit 14 to that effect. Here, it is assumed that the mobile phone B is located within the range of its own mobile phone network and has been searched as another mobile phone that can be connected to the mobile phone A in a short-range wireless connection.

  Then, when the call processing unit 14 receives a notification from the search processing unit 13 that another mobile phone capable of short-range wireless connection has been found, it establishes a short-range wireless connection to the searched mobile phone B. Then, the destination telephone number and its own telephone number are transmitted to the mobile phone B. At this time, for example, since a screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone A, the user inputs the destination telephone number. Then, the mobile phone A transmits the input destination telephone number and its own phone number stored in the mobile phone A to another mobile phone B by short-range wireless communication. Thereby, the connection request of the first communication carrier to which the mobile phone A is subscribed based on the telephone number of the mobile phone A, as will be described later, from the mobile phone A via the short-range wireless communication The device E is notified via the mobile phone B and the connection control device D.

  Here, it is assumed that another mobile phone serving as a destination is a mobile phone G. At this time, in the case of sending an e-mail, the mobile phone A transmits the e-mail address of the callee instead of the callee's phone number and sends it to the phone number of the mobile phone A itself. Change and send your own email address. However, the information of the mobile phone A that is the sender that is transmitted together with the telephone number of the destination is not limited to the phone number and the e-mail address as long as it is mobile terminal information that can identify the mobile phone A itself, Any information may be used.

  Further, when the call processing unit 14 makes a call request to the connection control device E via the mobile phone B by the short-range wireless communication as described above, the request processing unit 14 receives the authentication request from the connection control device E. Authentication information is sent according to Also at this time, the authentication information is transmitted to the connection control device E via the mobile phone B by short-range wireless communication. The authentication information is, for example, identification information for identifying the mobile phone A itself such as an “IMSI number” (international mobile phone subscriber identification number) set in the mobile phone A in advance, and this information is the connection control device E. Is also remembered.

  Thereafter, the call processing unit 14 is connected to the mobile phone B by short-range wireless communication, relays the mobile phone B, the connection control device D, and the connection control device E, and the connection control device E (to be described later) When a session with the mobile phone G to be established is established, a call connection is established with the mobile phone G.

(Mobile phone B)
Next, the configuration of the mobile phone B (second mobile terminal) will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone B is a terminal operated by a contract user of a communication service provided by the second communication carrier. The mobile phone B has a call function and a data communication function that a general mobile phone has, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to access the mobile phone network, A wireless communication unit 21 that performs wireless communication is provided. In addition, the mobile phone B includes a short-range wireless communication unit 22 that performs short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication unit 22 is configured by a communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with other information processing terminals by, for example, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, infrared communication, or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone B includes a search processing unit 23 and a relay processing unit 24 that are constructed by incorporating a predetermined program into an installed arithmetic device.

  When the search processing unit 23 receives the search request transmitted from the mobile phone A by the short-range wireless communication as described above, the mobile phone B itself is in a short-range wireless communication if the mobile phone B is located in the area. To respond. Then, the relay processing unit 24 is notified to that effect.

  Also, the relay processing unit 24 (relay unit, portable terminal side relay unit) accepts a short-range wireless connection request from the mobile phone A, performs mutual preset authentication, and if the authentication is successful, Make a short-range wireless connection. Then, the call request information transmitted from the mobile phone A is received through the short-range wireless connection, and the call request information is connected as a call request from the mobile phone A, not a call request from the mobile phone B which is itself. Transmit to control device D. At this time, the call request information includes the phone number of the mobile phone G specified by the mobile phone A as the call destination and the phone number of the mobile phone A itself as the caller. Here, since the mobile phone B is located within the communication service to which the mobile phone B is subscribed, the mobile phone B is connected to the connection control device D from the radio communication unit 21 through the radio base station C and the mobile phone network to which the mobile phone B is subscribed.

  Note that the relay processing unit 24 maintains the relay connection between the mobile phone A and the connection control device D thereafter. That is, when the connection control device E, which will be described later, authenticates the mobile phone A, and also during a call with the mobile phone G, the mobile phone A and the connection control device D are maintained. Relay the connection. Then, the relay processing unit 24 transfers communication data and voice data transmitted and received between the mobile phone A and the connection control device E and the mobile phone G between them.

(Connection control device D)
Next, the configuration of the connection control device D (second connection control device) will be described with reference to FIG. The connection control device D is a server computer managed by a second telecommunications carrier that provides mobile phone service. As shown in FIG. 4, the connection control device D includes a connection control unit 31 and a communication history management unit 32 by incorporating a predetermined program into the equipped arithmetic device. The equipped storage device includes a communication history storage unit 33.

  The connection control unit 31 (connection device side relay means) mainly controls connection of a user who subscribes to a mobile phone service provided by the connection control unit 31, that is, the mobile phone B. In the present embodiment, in particular, the connection control device E that accepts the transmission request from the mobile phone A transmitted from the mobile phone B as described above and controls the connection of the mobile phone A that is the transmission source. The call request is transmitted. Specifically, on the basis of the telephone number of the mobile phone A that is the transmission source included in the received call request information, the connection control device E of the telecommunications carrier to which the mobile phone A is subscribed is specified, and the connection Transmission request information is transmitted to the control device E. At this time, the connection control unit 31 maintains a relay connection between the mobile phone A and the connection control device E that are short-range wirelessly connected to the mobile phone B. That is, at the time of authentication from the connection control device E described later to the mobile phone A, and further at the time of a call with the mobile phone G, the mobile phone A is connected via the mobile phone B that maintains a short-range wireless connection with the mobile phone A. And the connection control device E are maintained in a relay connection state. Thereafter, the connection control unit 31 transfers communication data and audio data transmitted and received between the mobile phone A and the connection control device E and the mobile phone G between them.

  In addition, the communication history management unit 32 acquires communication information indicating the state of relay connection by the connection control unit 31 and stores the communication information in the communication history storage unit 33. Specifically, when the mobile phone A is relay-connected to the connection control device E, the communication history management unit 32 specifies information for specifying the mobile phone B that relays the mobile phone A through a short-range wireless connection ( The telephone number of the mobile phone A that is the transmission source is associated with the telephone number and stored as communication information. Further, when the mobile phone A makes a call with the mobile phone G while maintaining the relay of the communication history management unit 32 and the mobile phone A, the call time or the relay connection time is included in the communication information and stored. deep. The communication history management unit 32 also has a function of transmitting communication information stored in the communication history storage unit 33 to the management device H in response to a request from the management device H described later.

(Connection control device E)
Next, the configuration of the connection control device E (first connection control device) will be described with reference to FIG. The connection control device E is a server computer managed by a first communication carrier that provides mobile phone service. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection control device E includes a connection control unit 41 and a communication history management unit 42 by incorporating a predetermined program into the arithmetic device provided. The equipped storage device includes a communication history storage unit 43.

  The connection control unit 41 (relay transmission unit) mainly controls connection of a user who subscribes to the mobile phone service provided by the connection control unit 41, that is, the mobile phone A. In the present embodiment, in particular, when the connection control device D is relay-connected as described above and the call request information from the mobile phone A is accepted, the mobile phone A is based on the call request information. Is transmitted to the mobile phone G of the transmission destination.

  Specifically, when receiving connection request information, the connection control device 41 first makes an authentication request to the mobile phone A that is the transmission source (authentication request means). At this time, the connection control device 41 makes an authentication request to the mobile phone A along the route through which the mobile phone A is relay-connected. That is, identification information such as “IMSI information” is requested as authentication information from the mobile phone A via the connection control device D, the radio base station C, and the mobile phone B, and further via short-range wireless communication. In response to this, when “IMSI information” is transmitted from the mobile phone A, the connection control unit 41 compares the IMSI information of the subscriber in the user DB 44 stored in the connection control device E in advance, and matches. If it is determined that the authentication is successful. Then, in response to a call request from the mobile phone A that has been successfully authenticated, the telephone number of the mobile phone A is set as the caller and a call is made to the mobile phone G that is the callee. When the cellular phone G responds to this call, the connection control unit 41 communicates with the cellular phone G and the cellular phone A that is connected by relaying the cellular phone B and the connection control device D through the short-range wireless connection. Establish a session, and make a call connection. When the transmission request is transmission of an e-mail, the e-mail address of the mobile phone A is set as the source address and the e-mail is transmitted to the mobile phone G.

  In addition, the communication history management unit 42 acquires communication information indicating the state of relay connection by the connection control unit 41 and stores the communication information in the communication history storage unit 43. Specifically, the communication history management unit 42 stores, as communication information, telephone numbers and communication times between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone G that have made a call. The communication history management unit 42 also has a function of transmitting communication information stored in the communication history storage unit 43 to the management device H in response to a request from the management device H described later.

(Management device H)
Next, the configuration of the management apparatus H will be described with reference to FIG. The management device H is a server computer managed by a first telecommunications carrier and / or a second telecommunications carrier that provides a mobile phone service, and performs billing processing using a mobile phone. In addition, the function of the management apparatus H demonstrated below may be equipped in each connection control apparatus D and E. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the management device H includes a communication history management unit 51 and a billing processing unit 52 by incorporating a predetermined program into the equipped arithmetic device. The equipped storage device includes a communication history storage unit 53 and a billing information storage unit 54.

  The communication history management unit 51 (communication information acquisition means) acquires communication information from the connection control devices D and E described above and stores them in the communication history storage unit 53. Note that the communication information to be acquired includes the call time between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone G, information on the mobile phone B and the connection control device D that are relay-connected to the mobile phone A at this time, as described above. That is, the mobile phone A includes information for specifying a line used when making a call.

  Then, the billing processing unit 52 (call charge calculating means) calculates the call charge of the mobile phone A based on the call information acquired by the communication history management unit 51 and stored in the communication history storage unit 53. At this time, in addition to the call charge charged to the mobile phone A, the mobile phone A uses the line of the mobile phone B or the connection control device D (second communication operator), so The line usage fee to be charged and the line lending fee returned to the mobile phone B and / or the second communication carrier are also calculated, and the calculation result is stored in the charging information storage unit 54. Thereafter, based on the information stored in the billing information storage unit 54, a call charge billing process is performed for the user of the mobile phone A, or the line lending fee is charged to the user of the mobile phone B or the second telecommunication carrier. Refund processing is performed.

[Operation]
Next, operations in the communication system will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 to 9. Here, an operation when the mobile phone A located outside the service area makes a voice call to the mobile phone G will be described.

  First, if a call is made to the mobile phone G when the mobile phone A is out of service area, the call cannot be made by wireless communication via the mobile phone network. In this case, the screen of the mobile phone A is displayed on the screen. The “out-of-service call service” screen shown in FIG. 3A is displayed. This screen may be displayed when the user performs a predetermined operation to start an application that performs the service.

  Then, the user of the mobile phone A presses the “start” button for searching for the in-range phone, so that the mobile phone A can communicate with other mobile phones within the communication range of the short-range wireless communication by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Is searched (search) (step S1 in FIG. 5, arrow Y1 in FIG. 7, search step). At this time, it is assumed that the mobile phone B is located in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication. When the mobile phone B that has received the search signal by the short-range wireless communication from the mobile phone A is located within the mobile phone service to which the mobile phone A subscribes and can relay the mobile phone A Then, information indicating that it is possible to respond is responded by short-range wireless communication (step S2 in FIG. 5, arrow Y1 in FIG. 7). Thereby, the mobile phone A can recognize that the mobile phone B exists in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication. After that, login authentication is performed by transmitting predetermined information to each other, and when authentication is OK according to a predetermined standard, a short-range wireless connection is established between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B (FIG. 7). Arrow Y1).

  Note that the above-described search operation (search process) of another mobile phone by the mobile phone A is not necessarily executed. For example, when the user of the mobile phone A recognizes that another mobile phone B exists within the communication range by the short-range wireless communication, the user can carry the mobile phone by the manual operation of one or both users. Login authentication may be performed between the telephone A and the mobile telephone B to establish a short-range wireless connection.

  Subsequently, the mobile phone A makes a call request to the mobile phone G through the short-range wireless connection to the mobile phone B that has established the short-range wireless connection (step S3 in FIG. 5, arrow Y2 in FIG. 7, Call request process). Then, the cellular phone B that has received the call request connects to the connection control device D via the radio base station C of the cellular phone service to which the cellular phone B is subscribed by wireless communication. Is transmitted to the connection control device D (step S4 in FIG. 5, arrow Y3 in FIG. 7, portable terminal side relay process (relay process)). At this time, the cellular phone B maintains the cellular phone A and the connection control device D in a relay connection. Then, the cellular phone B transfers communication data and audio data transmitted and received between the cellular phone A and the connection control device E and the cellular phone G between them.

  Next, the connection control device D notifies the call request from the mobile phone A to the connection control device E of the communication carrier to which the mobile phone A requesting the call has subscribed via the IP network or the like. (Step S5 in FIG. 5, arrow Y4 in FIG. 7, connection control device side relay step). At this time, the connection control device D maintains the mobile phone A and the connection control device E in a relay connection. Then, the connection control device D transfers communication data and voice data transmitted and received between the mobile phone A and the connection control device E and the mobile phone G between them.

  Subsequently, the connection control device E confirms whether or not the mobile phone A that has made a call request is a subscriber user of its own mobile phone service. At this time, the connection control device E follows the path through which the mobile phone A is relayed, that is, via the connection control device D, the mobile phone B, and the short-range wireless connection, the IMSI number to the mobile phone A. And so forth (step S6 in FIG. 5, arrow Y5 in FIG. 7). If the identification information is received from the cellular phone A in response to this (step S7 in FIG. 5, arrow Y5 in FIG. 7), the data stored in the user DB is authenticated and the user who subscribes to his service Make sure that

  As described above, the cellular phone A can be connected to the connection control device E of the telecommunications carrier to which the mobile phone A is subscribed (arrow Y6 in FIG. 8). That is, in the above case, the mobile phone A is out of service area, but the mobile phone B connected by short-range wireless communication and the connection control device D of the communication carrier of the mobile phone B are connected to the connection control device. E is connected. When this state is shown in FIG. 6A, the mobile phone A is connected to the connection control device E through a tunnel passing through the mobile phone B and the connection control device D. When the call is connected, the state of being connected through the mobile phone B and the connection control device D is maintained. As a matter of course, when the mobile phone A is located within the service area, it can be directly connected to the connection control device E via the radio base station F as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, in response to a call request from the mobile phone A, the connection control device E sets the phone number of the mobile phone A as the caller and makes a call to the mobile phone G as the callee (step in FIG. 5). S8, arrow 7 in FIG. 8, relay transmission step). When the mobile phone G responds to the call (step S9 in FIG. 5), the connection control device E relays the connection control device D and the mobile phone B connected by the short-range wireless connection. A session is established between the telephone A and the mobile telephone G, and a call connection is established (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 5, arrow Y8 in FIG. 9).

  Thereafter, at an arbitrary timing, the management device H requests a communication history to the connection control devices D and E. Then, the management device H calculates a call charge for the mobile phone A based on the communication information acquired from the connection control devices D and E. At this time, in addition to the call charge charged to the mobile phone A, the mobile phone A uses the line of the mobile phone B or the connection control device D (second communication operator), so A line usage fee to be charged, a line lending fee returned to the mobile phone B and / or the second communication carrier, etc. are also calculated. Thereafter, based on the calculated information, a call charge process for the user of the mobile phone A is performed, or a line loan charge refund process is performed for the user of the mobile phone B and the second communication carrier.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mobile phone A is connected to the connection control device E via the other mobile phone B through the short-range wireless communication even when wireless communication is impossible. The connection control device E can make a call using the mobile phone A as a caller. Therefore, it is possible to make a call in a state in which the caller is informed to the callee, so that more reliable communication is possible and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Here, the mobile phone B described above is based on the mobile phone B even if the mobile phone A is being relayed when the multi-call function or use of two lines is provided by the second communication carrier. Allows incoming and outgoing calls and mail transmission / reception.

  Further, in the above, the case where the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B are subscribed to mobile phone services of different communication carriers is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where they are subscribed to the same service. For example, there may be a case where the mobile phone A becomes out of service area due to a mechanical failure of one mobile phone A or the influence of surrounding buildings. An example of such a case will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the example of FIG. 10, mobile phones A, B, and G all subscribe to the service of the first communication carrier, and connection control is performed by the connection control device E. When the mobile phone A is located within the range of the radio base station F, it can normally communicate with the mobile phone G via the radio base station F and the connection control device E. Therefore, it is assumed that the mobile phone A is out of service area.

  In this case, as described above, the mobile phone A is first connected to the mobile phone B by short-range wireless communication, and then connected to the radio base station F and the connection control device E via the mobile phone B. Then, the mobile phone A requests the connection control device E to make a call to the mobile phone G. Then, the connection control device E sets the telephone number of the mobile phone A as a caller and makes a call to the mobile phone G. As a result, the mobile phone A can communicate with the mobile phone G via the mobile phone B connected by short-range wireless communication, as shown in FIG.

  The present invention can be applied to a connection control device or a mobile phone provided by a telecommunications carrier that provides a mobile phone service, and has industrial applicability.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a mobile telephone. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a connection control apparatus and a management apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the whole communication system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection state in a communication system. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a communication system. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a communication system. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole communication system in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the communication system in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

11, 21 Wireless communication unit 12, 22 Near field communication unit 13, 23 Search processing unit 14 Transmission processing unit 24 Relay processing unit 31, 41 Connection control unit 32, 42, 51 Communication history management unit 33, 43, 53 Communication history Storage unit 44 User DB
52 charging processing unit 54 charging information storage unit A, B, G mobile phone C, F wireless base station D, E connection control device H management device

Claims (22)

A communication system comprising a first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device for controlling connection of these mobile terminals,
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second portable terminal includes a relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relay-connects the first portable terminal and the connection control device;
In response to a transmission request from the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal, the connection control device sends the first portable terminal to another communication terminal serving as a transmission destination. It has a relay transmission means to send as a sender,
A communication system characterized by the above. The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal A communication system comprising:
The first mobile terminal includes a transmission request unit that performs short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal,
The second portable terminal includes a portable terminal-side relay unit that performs short-range wireless connection with the first portable terminal and relay-connects the first portable terminal and the second connection control device,
The second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device, which are connected by relaying the second mobile terminal, via the second mobile terminal. Connection control device side relay means to
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control apparatus via the second portable terminal and the second connection control apparatus, the first connection control apparatus is another destination. The communication terminal comprises a relay transmission means for transmitting the first mobile terminal as a transmission source.
A communication system characterized by the above. The relay transmission means of the first connection control device transmits to the other mobile terminal that is a transmission destination by notifying mobile terminal information that identifies the first mobile terminal that is a transmission source,
The communication system according to claim 2. The relay transmission means of the first connection control device, with respect to the other mobile terminal serving as a transmission destination, the telephone number of the first mobile terminal that is the transmission source and / or the first mobile terminal Notify and send e-mail addresses that can be used on the device,
The communication system according to claim 2. The relay transmission unit of the first connection control device includes the second communication terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second communication terminal that responds to a call made in response to a call request from the first portable terminal. Establishing a connection with the first portable terminal connected via the connection control device of
The communication system according to claim 2, 3 or 4. The first connection control device includes an authentication request unit that makes an authentication request to the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device,
The first portable terminal transmits authentication information in response to an authentication request from the first connection control device,
The relay transmission unit of the first connection control device performs authentication based on authentication information transmitted from the first mobile terminal, and transmits the call using the first mobile terminal that has been successfully authenticated as a transmission source. Do,
6. The communication system according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5. The first portable terminal includes search means for searching for another portable terminal existing in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication means equipped in the first portable terminal,
The transmission request unit of the first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to the other mobile terminal searched by the search unit and requests the other mobile terminal to transmit to another communication terminal. To
The communication system according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. The relay status at the time of transmission of the first mobile terminal that is transmitted from the first connection control device and the second connection control device by relaying the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device. Communication information acquisition means for acquiring communication information to represent,
The communication system according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Based on the communication information acquired by the communication information acquisition means, the first mobile terminal charges the first mobile terminal by relaying the second mobile terminal and the second connection control device. Provided with a communication fee calculation means for calculating the communication fee
The communication system according to claim 8. A communication method in a communication system comprising a first mobile terminal, a second mobile terminal, and a connection control device for controlling connection of these mobile terminals,
The first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to make a call to another communication terminal;
A relay step in which the second mobile terminal performs short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal, and relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the connection control device;
In response to a transmission request from the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal, the connection control device sends the first portable terminal to another communication terminal serving as a transmission destination. A relay transmission process for transmitting as a transmission source;
A communication method characterized by comprising: The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal A communication method in a communication system comprising:
The first mobile terminal makes a short-range wireless connection to another mobile terminal and requests the other mobile terminal to make a call to another communication terminal;
The mobile terminal side relay step in which the second mobile terminal performs short-range wireless connection with the first mobile terminal, and relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the second connection control device;
The second connection control device relay-connects the first mobile terminal and the first connection control device, which are connected by relaying the second mobile terminal, via the second mobile terminal. A connection control device side relay process to perform,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the first connection control apparatus via the second portable terminal and the second connection control apparatus, the first connection control apparatus is another destination. A relay transmission step of transmitting to the communication terminal using the first portable terminal as a transmission source;
A communication method characterized by comprising: In the relay transmission step, the mobile terminal information that identifies the first mobile terminal that is the transmission source is notified and transmitted to the other mobile terminal that is the transmission destination.
The communication method according to claim 11. In the relay transmission step, the telephone number of the first mobile terminal that is the transmission source and / or an e-mail that can be used in the first mobile terminal is sent to the other mobile terminal that is the transmission destination. Address and call,
The communication system according to claim 11. The relay transmission step relays the other communication terminal responding to the transmission performed in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device. Establishing a connection with the connected first mobile terminal;
The communication method according to claim 11, 12 or 13. In the relay transmission step, the first connection control device makes an authentication request to the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, In response to the authentication request, the first portable terminal transmits authentication information, and the first connection control device performs authentication based on the authentication information transmitted from the first portable terminal, and the authentication is performed. Make a call with the first mobile terminal that succeeded as the caller,
15. The communication method according to claim 11, 12, 13, or 14. Before the call origination request step, the first mobile terminal has a search step of searching for another mobile terminal existing in the communication range of the short-range wireless communication means equipped in the first mobile terminal,
The call request step performs a short-range wireless connection to the other mobile terminal searched in the search step and requests a call to another communication terminal with respect to the other mobile terminal.
16. The communication method according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. The connection control device in the communication system including the first mobile terminal, the second mobile terminal, and a connection control device that performs connection control of these mobile terminals,
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the second portable terminal via a short-range wireless connection and relaying the second portable terminal, Relay transmission means for transmitting to the communication terminal using the first portable terminal as a transmission source;
A program to realize The first portable terminal, the first connection control device that performs connection control of the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device that performs connection control of the second portable terminal In the first connection control device in a communication system comprising:
In response to a call request from the first portable terminal connected to the second portable terminal via a short-range wireless connection and relayed through the second portable terminal and the second connection control device , A relay transmission means for transmitting to the other communication terminal as the transmission destination using the first portable terminal as a transmission source,
A program to realize The relay transmission means notifies the other mobile terminal that is the transmission destination of the mobile terminal information that identifies the first mobile terminal that is the transmission source, and transmits the information.
The program according to claim 18, wherein: The relay transmission means sends the telephone number of the first mobile terminal that is the transmission source and / or an e-mail that can be used by the first mobile terminal to the other mobile terminal that is the transmission destination. Address and call,
The program according to claim 18, wherein: The relay transmission means relays the other communication terminal responding to the transmission performed in response to the transmission request from the first portable terminal, the second portable terminal, and the second connection control device. Establishing a connection with the connected first mobile terminal;
21. The program according to claim 18, 19 or 20. The relay transmission means issues an authentication request to the first portable terminal connected via the second portable terminal and the second connection control device, and in response thereto, the first portable terminal Authentication is performed based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal, and the first mobile terminal that has succeeded in the authentication is transmitted as a transmission source.
The program according to claim 18, 19, 20, or 21.

Images