JP2010273198A - Communication system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a traffic by limiting terminals capable of contacting with suffered persons and to inhibit a network congestion. <P>SOLUTION: A communication system for inhibiting the network congestion generated when a large-scale disaster or a large-scale event occurs, includes: an area setting section for setting an area where the large-scale disaster or the large-scale event occurs; a communication device specification section for specifying communication device located in the set area; a representative communication device setting section for setting representative communication device which is located in other than the set area and performs communication instead of the communication device predetermined by the communication device specification section; and a transfer section for transferring to the representative communication device a call from the communication device located in other than the set area to the communication device predetermined by the communication device specification section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system that suppresses congestion of a network in a disaster area by controlling a communication call and makes it easy to connect a call of a mobile phone or a communication terminal in the disaster area when using a mobile phone or a communication terminal in a disaster. About.

  It is now possible to communicate the status of disaster victims outside the disaster area by various methods such as disaster message boards and disaster message dials. In addition, the performance of base stations has been improved, and infrastructures such as satellite telephones and mobile base stations have been strengthened.

  However, at present, network congestion due to a sudden increase in traffic at the time of a disaster cannot be suppressed even if the above method is used.

JP 2007-6238 A JP 2007-13648 A JP 2007-18229 A JP 2007-19788 A

  The following methods have been proposed as a method for suppressing network congestion due to sudden increase in traffic during a disaster.

  It has been proposed to suppress network congestion due to a call by using a communication means as mail (packet) communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the communication means is mail, it is not suitable for bidirectional communication. In addition, it is not a mechanism to reduce the number of traffics, but a technology that saves traffic per communication, so it does not provide a fundamental solution to the concentration of communication calls due to disasters.

  Further, it has been proposed to perform communication using a detour route (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, only a specific communication terminal having a plurality of communication systems can be supported.

  In addition, it has been proposed to confirm safety at the time of a disaster (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, it is not a means for dealing with network congestion due to concentration of communication calls.

  In addition, it has been proposed to improve the reliability of telephone calls in an emergency (see, for example, Patent Document 4). However, this is to improve the reliability of a communication call after being connected, and is not a method for relieving a communication call that newly requests a connection. Since it is not a method for relieving a communication call that requires a new connection, it is not possible to prevent the network from being congested due to the concentration of communication calls.

  In addition, disaster victims make recordings on the disaster message dial. A person other than the disaster area can hear the recording. However, the disaster message dial is not compulsory for calls from outside the disaster area. Since there is no compulsory force for calls from outside the disaster area, the effect at the time of congestion is left to the user's operation.

  Thus, the conventional method cannot cope with the sudden increase in traffic.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a communication system and method that can control traffic by limiting terminals that can contact a disaster victim and suppress network congestion. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the communication system
In a communication system in which a user can speak and / or receive a call using a communication device, the communication system suppresses network congestion that occurs when a large-scale disaster or event occurs,
A region setting unit for setting a region where the large-scale disaster or event has occurred;
A communication device specifying unit for specifying a first communication device located in the region set by the region setting unit;
A representative communication device setting unit that is located outside the region set by the region setting unit and sets a representative communication device that performs communication in place of the first communication device specified by the communication device specifying unit;
And a transfer unit that transfers a call from the second communication device located outside the region set by the region setting unit to the first communication device to the representative communication device.

This method
A method in a communication system that allows a user to speak and / or receive a call using a communication device, the method in a communication system suppressing network congestion that occurs when a large-scale disaster or event occurs,
A region setting step for setting a region where the large-scale disaster or event has occurred;
A communication device specifying step for specifying a first communication device located in the region set by the region setting step;
A representative communication device setting step for setting a representative communication device that is located outside the region set by the region setting step and performs communication instead of the first communication device specified by the communication device specifying step;
A transfer step of transferring a call from the second communication device located outside the region set in the region setting step to the first communication device to the representative communication device.

  According to the disclosed communication system and method, it is possible to control the traffic by limiting the terminals that can contact the disaster victim, and to suppress network congestion.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication system according to this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication system according to this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the method in the communication system according to this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the method in the communication system according to this embodiment.

Next, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description will be omitted.

<First Embodiment>
<System>
FIG. 1 shows a communication system according to the present embodiment.

The communication system is a system that can suppress network congestion. The communication system includes a plurality of terminal devices 100 (100 ₁ , 100 ₂ , 100 ₃ ,..., 100 _n ) (n is an integer satisfying n> 0) and a network control device 200. The plurality of terminal devices 100 and the network control device 200 are connected to the communication network 300. The communication network 300 may be a communication network owned by a communication carrier. For example, the communication network may be a mobile communication network.

  The terminal device 100 has a function capable of performing communication by wire and / or wireless. The terminal device 100 includes a mobile phone, a fixed phone, a mobile terminal, and the like. In a mobile terminal, connection, change, and termination between users are defined by a session establishment protocol (SIP).

A plurality of portable terminal 100 is the one located in the affected areas 50 _1, and those located in the disaster area outside 50 _2. Affected areas 50 _1, for example, shows the disaster area. Affected areas outside the 50 ₂ shows regions other than the affected areas 50 _1, other than the region a disaster in other words has occurred. In this embodiment, a case where the mobile terminal 100 ₁ is located in the disaster area 50 ₁ will be described. Hereinafter referred to as a mobile terminal 100 ₁ and the victims terminal 100 _1.

The predetermined terminal is set to the representative terminal of the terminal apparatus 100 located disaster area outside 50 _2. The representative terminal, when a disaster occurs, a terminal device that communicates on behalf of the victims terminal 100 ₁ is located in the affected areas which the disaster. Call from the terminal apparatus 100 located disaster area outside 50 ₂ victims terminal 100 ₁ is transferred to the representative terminal. Representatives terminal 100 _2, when a disaster occurs, it is possible to communicate with the victims terminal 100 _1. In this embodiment, the case where the mobile terminal 100 ₂ is set to the representative terminal. Hereinafter referred to as a mobile terminal 100 ₂ with representatives terminal 100 _2. Representatives terminal 100 ₂ may be a victim terminal 100 ₁ and the same type of terminal device may be a server for providing a particular service.

The predetermined terminal of the terminal apparatus 100 located disaster area outside 50 ₂ is specified for a particular service providing terminal that provides a particular service. The specific service providing terminal and the representative terminal may be the same terminal device. In this embodiment, the case where the mobile terminal 100 ₃ is specified for a particular service providing terminal. Hereinafter referred to as a mobile terminal 100 ₃ with a specific service providing terminal 100 _3. Certain service providing terminal 100 _3, when a disaster occurs, communicates with victims terminal 100 terminal ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n for calling _1. For example, when a call is made from the terminal apparatus ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n victims terminal 100 _1, emitting a call is forwarded to a specific service providing terminal 100 _3. On behalf of the victims terminal 100 _1, specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ provides a service to explain the disaster situation in the affected areas. For example, the disaster situation of a disaster area is demonstrated with respect to the telephone call etc. for the safety confirmation which goes to a disaster area at the time of a disaster occurrence. The service may be provided by a disaster message dial or a service provided by a communication carrier having the communication network 300.

The network control device 200 is a device that controls and maintains the communication network 300. Network controller 200, when a disaster occurs, defining the affected areas 50 ₁ to which the disaster. For example, the network control device 200 may be configured by an operator's operation terminal dedicated to the communication network 300, may be configured by a device that can automatically detect the occurrence of a disaster, or activates a communication network owned by a communication carrier. It may be an operation device.

In this communication system, if a disaster occurs, the terminal device ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n other than the representative terminal 100 ₂ and a specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ is located in the disaster area outside 50 _2, calling victims terminal 100 ₁ Then, the communication network 300, and transfers it to the representative terminal 100 _2. Accordingly, the terminal devices 100 _{4 to} 100 _n can communicate with only the representative terminal 100 ₂ . Representatives terminal 100 ₂ is able to communicate with the victims terminal 100 _1. By transferring the call from the terminal apparatus ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n to the representative terminal 100 _2, for communication to the affected area 50 ₁ is suppressed, thereby suppressing the congestion in the affected area 50 _1.

<Details of communication network 300>
FIG. 2 shows details of the communication network 300 of FIG.

The communication network 300 of the communication system includes a base station 400 (400 ₁ , 400 ₂ , 400 ₃ , 400 ₄ ), an exchange 500 (500 ₁ , 500 ₂ , 500 ₃ ), and a subscriber database (DB: database). (Hereinafter referred to as a subscriber DB) 600 and a representative terminal setting device 700 are included. FIG. 2 shows four base stations, but it may be 3 or less or 5 or more. Further, FIG. 2 shows three exchanges, but it may be 2 or less or 4 or more.

The subscriber DB 600 holds a subscriber profile (PF: Profile) 650 _{1 to} 650 _l (l is an integer satisfying l> 0) for each terminal device. The subscriber PF holds subscriber information. For example, the subscriber information includes the subscriber number and the information of the exchange in which the subscriber is accommodated. In addition, the subscriber DB 600 manages services provided to the terminal device. The subscriber DB 600 may be a home subscriber information server / home location register (HSS / HLR) defined by 3GPP.

Base station 400 communicates with a mobile phone included in terminal apparatus 100. For example, the base station 400 may be a BTS (Base Transceiver Station) defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or an eNB (eNode B). In FIG. 2, the base station 400 ₁ is wirelessly connected to the victim terminals 100 ₁ and 100 _n , the base station 400 ₂ is wirelessly connected to the terminal device 100 ₄ , and the base station 400 ₃ is wirelessly connected to the terminal device 100 _n−1. connected, the base station 400 ₄ examples typified terminal 100 ₂ and the wireless connection is shown.

Exchange 500 connects base station apparatuses 400. Further, the exchange 500 is connected to a fixed telephone included in the terminal device 100 by wire. The exchange 500 is connected to the subscriber DB 600, identifies the exchange in which the communication partner terminal device is accommodated from the subscriber DB 600, and connects the call to the exchange. The base station 400 may be a multimedia multicast session management (MMS) or an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) defined by 3GPP. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the exchange 500 ₁ is connected to the base station 400 ₁ , the exchange 500 ₂ is connected to the base station 400 _2, and the exchange 500 ₃ is connected to the base stations 400 ₃ and 400 ₄ . FIG. 2 shows an example in which the exchange 500 ₃ is connected to the specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ . Further, in FIG. 2, exchange 500 ₂ is connected to the exchange 500 ₁ and 500 _3.

  The network control device 200 is connected to the exchange 500 and the subscriber DB 600. Further, the network control apparatus 200 may be connected to the base station 400. The representative terminal setting device 700 is connected to the network control device 200 and the subscriber DB 600. The network control device 200 defines a disaster area when a disaster occurs. Then, the network control device 200 notifies the exchange 500 and the representative terminal setting device 700 that the disaster area has been defined and information indicating the defined disaster area.

The representative terminal setting device 700 sets a representative terminal. Representatives terminal setting device 700 is activated when the disaster area 50 ₁ is defined by the network controller 200. In other words, the representative terminal setting device 700 starts the by the network controller 200 of the affected area 50 ₁ is defined as a trigger. Then, the representative terminal setting device 700, as can be transferred to the representative terminal 100 _2, to change the subscriber PF650 victims terminal 100 ₁ and 100 _n.

As an example, after the occurrence of disaster, a case will be described in which the terminal apparatus 100 ₄ makes a call to the affected terminal 100 _1. Representatives terminal corresponding to the victims terminal 100 ₁ is assumed to be a representative terminal 100 _2. In addition, subscribers PF of victims terminal 100 ₁ is a subscriber PF650 _1, subscriber PF representatives terminal 100 ₂ is assumed to be a subscriber PF650 _2. Before a disaster occurs, the subscriber PF650 _1, the subscriber number of victims terminal 100 _1, the information of the victim terminal 100 ₁ switch 500 are housed ₁ is stored. Disaster occurs and the affected areas 50 ₁ is defined, representative terminal setting device 700, to change the subscriber PF650 _1. For example, the subscriber PF650 _1, as the transfer destination, to specify the subscriber number of the representative terminal 100 _2.

When the terminal device 100 ₄ makes a call to the disaster victim terminal 100 ₁ , the exchange 500 ₂ that accommodates the terminal device 100 ₄ requests the subscriber DB 600 for the subscriber PF 650 ₁ of the disaster victim terminal 100 ₁ . For example, to request the information exchange victims terminal 100 ₁ is accommodated. Subscriber DB600 refers to subscriber PF650 _1, to the subscriber PF650 _1, designated subscriber number to verify that differ from the originating subscriber number as a transfer destination. If the specified subscriber number as a transfer destination is different from the originating subscriber number, the subscriber DB600 is included in the subscriber PF650 ₂ corresponding to the subscriber number of the designated representative terminal 100 ₂ as a transfer destination and it notifies the information to the exchange 500 _2. For example, the subscriber DB600 informs the exchange 500 ₃ information representative terminal 100 ₂ contained in the subscriber PF650 ₂ is accommodated.

For the case where the terminal device 100 ₄ representatives terminal 100 ₂ and belong to different operators, the subscriber DB600 is to obtain information exchange representatives terminal 100 ₂ is accommodated, the representative terminal a signal requesting 100 _second subscriber PF transfers to a communication network to which the representative terminal 100 ₂ belongs. Then, the communication network representative terminal 100 ₂ belongs, acquires the subscriber PF representative terminal 100 _2.

When the terminal apparatus 100 ₄ representative terminal 100 ₂ belong to the same wireless service provider, exchange 500 ₂ obtains the information of the exchange 500 _3. When acquiring the information exchange 500 _3, exchange 500 ₂ performs routing to the exchange 500 _3. By exchange 500 ₃ connected to the base station 400 _4, call representative terminal 100 _second subscriber number is performed. In other words, the call addressed to the victim terminal 100 ₁ is transferred to the representative terminal 100 ₂ in accordance with the transfer destination specified by the subscriber PF 650 ₁ . By representative terminal setting device 700 designates the destination to the subscriber PF650 ₁ victims terminal 100 _1, calling the representative terminal 100 from the terminal apparatus ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n-1 to the affected terminal 100 _{1 2} is transferred. After the destination subscriber PF650 ₁ designated by the representative terminal setting device 700, the subscriber PF650 ₁ may be each switch is held. Each switch holds the changed subscriber PF 650 ₁ , so that when the terminal device 100 ₄ makes a call to the victim terminal 100 ₁ , the call can be transferred to the representative terminal 100 ₂ promptly.

After the occurrence of the disaster, after the representative terminal 100 ₂ is specified, the description will be given of a case where the representative terminal 100 ₂ is a call to the victims terminal 100 _1. Exchange 500 ₃ accommodating the representative terminal 100 _2, the subscriber DB 600, and requests the subscriber PF650 ₁ victims terminal 100 _1. Subscriber DB600 refers to subscriber PF650 _1, subscriber number specified as the transfer destination to the subscriber PF650 ₁ to confirm that the subscriber number of the representative terminal 100 _2. When the subscriber number designated as the forwarding destination is the same as the subscriber number of the caller, the subscriber DB 600 stores information on the exchange 500 ₁ that contains the victim terminal 100 ₁ included in the subscriber PF 650 _1. to notify the exchange 500 _3.

Exchange 500 ₃ obtains the exchange 500 ₁ information victims terminal 100 ₁ is accommodated, to route to the exchange 500 _1. Then, the base station 400 ₁ connected to the exchange 500 ₁ calls the subscriber number of the victim terminal 100 ₁ . When a call is made from the representative terminal 100 ₂ to the victim terminal 100 ₁ , information included in the subscriber PF 650 ₁ corresponding to the victim terminal 100 ₁ in the exchange 500 ₃ that accommodates the representative terminal 100 ₂ by notifying, even when the call from the terminal apparatus ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n-1 to the affected terminal 100 ₁ is set to be transferred to the representative terminal 100 _2, the representative terminal 100 ₂ is stricken You can call to the user terminal 100 _1.

  The processing in the exchange 500 described above may be performed by the base station 400.

Also, the specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ may be designated as a transfer destination. By the specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ is designated as the transfer destination, even if the representative terminal 100 ₂ is not specified, it is possible to provide the status of the affected areas 10 ₁ to the terminal device ₁₀₀ 4 -100 _n-1.

<Representative terminal setting method>
A representative terminal setting method in the representative terminal setting device 700 in the communication system will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing in the communication network 300 when a disaster occurs. With this flowchart, the representative terminal setting method in the representative terminal setting device 700 will be described.

  A disaster occurs (step S302).

The network control apparatus 200 when a disaster occurs, the disaster area 50 ₁ is defined (step S304). For example, it is possible to define a disaster area 50 ₁ to the network control apparatus 200 the operator manually, the network control unit 200 detects the disaster, automatically as the disaster define the affected areas 50 ₁ generated May be.

If the affected area 50 ₁ is defined, the affected areas 50 base station 400 ₁ and the switch 500 ₁ is connected to the base station 400 ₁ in ₁ becomes affected areas state (step S306). For example, the network control device 200 sets the base station 400 ₁ and the exchange 500 ₁ to the disaster area state.

The representative terminal setting device 700 uses the terminal devices 100 ₁ and 100 _n located in the area covered by the base station 400 ₁ managed by the exchange 500 ₁ set to the disaster area state by the network control device 200 as the disaster victim terminal. Designate (step S308).

  The following process is performed for each victim terminal (step S310).

The representative terminal setting device 700 identifies the subscriber PF 650 corresponding to the disaster victim terminals 100 ₁ and 100 _n and changes them to the disaster victim state (step S312). Changes are made to the subscriber PF 650 that has been changed to the disaster victim state.

  For each victim terminal, the representative terminal is determined by the following procedure.

  The representative terminal setting device 700 determines whether a representative terminal corresponding to the victim terminal has been set in advance (step S314). It may be determined whether a specific service providing terminal is set instead of or in addition to the representative terminal.

If the representative terminal has been set in advance (Step S314: YES), the representative terminal setting device 700, the representative terminal as a representative terminal candidates, located in the affected areas outside 50 ₂ The representative terminal candidate It is then determined whether communication is possible (step S316).

If the representative terminal candidates located disaster area outside 50 _2, it is determined to be and communicable state (step S316: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, the subscriber PF victims terminal, A representative terminal candidate is set as a transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S318).

Step If representative terminal is not set in advance in S314 (step S314: NO), and representatives if terminal candidate is not the case and / or communicable state not located disaster area outside 50 ₂ (step in step S316 (S316: NO), the representative terminal setting device 700 determines whether there is a terminal device registered in a group contractually related to the victim terminal (step S320). Groups that are contractually relevant include family discounts and designated discounts. With Family Discount, call charges on mobile phones in the group are discounted. In the designated discount, the call charge for the designated landline phone is discounted. Further, it may be determined whether there is a terminal device included in the phone book stored by the phone book keeping service. In the phone book keeping service, the phone book, images, mail, schedule, and ToruCa stored in the mobile phone are saved in the data center, and the data saved when the mobile phone is lost or the model is changed is restored. .

When there is a terminal device registered in a group that is contractually related to the victim terminal (step S320: YES), the representative terminal setting device 700 sets the terminal device as a representative terminal candidate, and the representative terminal candidate is located on the affected area outside 50 _2, and either the determining a communicable state (step S322). When there are a plurality of terminal devices registered in a group contractually related to the victim terminal, the representative terminal candidate may be selected from a higher-level terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices. This is because it is assumed that the upper terminal device is more closely related to the user of the victim terminal than the lower terminal device. Further, when the victim terminal is registered in a plurality of contract-related groups, priority order may be set for the plurality of contracts.

If the representative terminal candidates located disaster area outside 50 _2, it is determined to be and communicable state (step S322: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, the subscriber PF victims terminal, A representative terminal candidate is set as a transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S318).

Step If victims terminal contractually related are some registered in the group terminals exists in S320 (step S320: NO), and when the representative terminal candidate is not positioned in the disaster area outside 50 ₂ and in step S322 If it is not in a communicable state (step S322: NO), the representative terminal setting device 700 determines whether there is a terminal device called from the victim terminal (step S324).

If terminal device calling the victim terminal exists (step S324: YES), the representative terminal setting device 700, a terminal device as a representative terminal candidates, the representative terminal candidates in the disaster area outside 50 ₂ It is determined whether it is located and can communicate. Further, it may be determined whether or not the representative terminal candidate has been approved to be set as the representative terminal (step S326).
This is because it is preferable to set the representative terminal candidate when the representative terminal candidate acknowledges that the representative terminal candidate is set to the representative terminal. In the case where there are a plurality of terminal devices that have made calls from the victim terminal, priority may be given to terminal devices that have a large number of calls, and they may be representative terminal candidates. Further, priority may be given to the terminal device that has made the most recent call.

Representatives terminal candidates located disaster area outside 50 _2, a and communicable state, and if you consent to be set to the representative terminal (step S324: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, Representative terminal candidates are set in the subscriber PF of the victim terminal as the transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S318).

Step If a terminal device calling the affected terminal does not exist in S324 (step S324: NO), and is the case and / or communicable state representative terminal candidates at step S326 is not located in the affected areas outside 50 ₂ If you do not consent to be set when it is not determined and / or representative terminal (step S326: nO), the representative terminal setting device 700 is registered or incoming call from the disaster area outside 50 _2, and victims terminal It is determined whether there is a terminal device approved by (step S328). For example, it may be a terminal device registered on a web basis, or a terminal device approved by operating the victim terminal. Further, the terminal device may be a terminal device on which an intention of approval is displayed by handling an automatic response in a voice call. If the registration from the disaster area outside 50 ₂ or incoming call is a terminal device there are a plurality in favor of calling Most Viewed terminal device may be a representative terminal candidates. Further, priority may be given to the terminal device that has made the most recent call.

Registered or incoming call from the disaster area outside 50 ₂ at step S328, and if the is a terminal device acknowledge the victims terminal is determined to exist (step S328: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, victims terminal The terminal device approved in step S328 is set to the subscriber PF as the transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S318).

In step S328 are registered or incoming call from the disaster area outside 50 _2, and the victim if the note is a terminal device by the terminal does not exist (step S328: NO), the representative terminal setting device 700, representative of the specific service providing terminal (Step S330). The representative terminal setting device 700 sets a specific service providing terminal in the subscriber terminal PF of the victim terminal as a transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal.

  The processing of steps S312 to S330 is performed for each victim terminal (step S332).

The subscriber PF corresponding to victims terminal, as a transfer destination of the call to the victims terminal, by the representative terminal candidates are set, a call from the disaster area outside 50 ₂ victims terminal, It is transferred to the representative terminal 100 _2. Since the representative terminal 100 ₂ is located in the affected areas outside the 50 _2, it is possible to reduce the traffic to the affected areas 50 _2.

Note that some of the determination conditions indicated in steps S314, S320, S324, and S328 may be omitted as necessary. Further, as the determination condition, a mechanism that can refer to data related to the victim terminal may be added. Further, the network control unit 200, from the terminal device of the disaster area outside 50 ₂ (independently) may specify a representative terminal.

In this embodiment, a call from a terminal device located disaster area outside 50 ₂ victims terminal has described the case to be transferred to the representative terminal. Furthermore, it is also possible to restrict the call from victims terminal to the terminal device located in victims terminal outside 50 _2. For example, the call from the victim terminal may be limited to only the representative terminal.

  In this embodiment, the case where a plurality of devices are included in the communication network 300 has been described. However, the functions may be integrated to realize the communication network 300 with fewer devices.

  According to the present embodiment, when a disaster occurs, the surrounding area where the disaster has occurred is set as the “stricken area” by the operation of the operator or the system that detects the occurrence of the disaster. Then, when the “stricken area” is set, a “representative terminal” that can contact the victim located in the stricken area is set. After setting the representative terminal, the person who wants to contact the victim terminal is transferred to the representative terminal. When the representative terminal is set, the disaster victim terminal can contact only the representative terminal.

  According to the present embodiment, congestion of the network in the disaster area can be suppressed by setting a representative terminal and transferring a call from a user outside the disaster area to the representative terminal.

  According to the present embodiment, it is necessary to modify the base station and the mobile phone by adding a function for transferring a call to a disaster area terminal to a subscriber DB, for example, a home location register (HLR). Even if necessary, it can be realized at low cost because it requires minimal modification.

<Second Embodiment>
The communication system according to the present embodiment is the same as the system described with reference to FIG.

The communication network of this communication system is the same as the communication network described with reference to FIG. In this communication system, event information such as festivals and live performances is reserved in advance in the network control device 200. Network control device 200, to the specified date and time when the pre-reserved, to define the affected areas 50 _1. In this embodiment, in order to match the expression with the first embodiment, it is called a disaster area, but may actually be called an event (holding) area.

<Representative terminal setting method>
A representative terminal setting method in the representative terminal setting apparatus 700 of the communication system will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in the communication network 300 when an event occurs. With this flowchart, the representative terminal setting method in the representative terminal setting device 700 will be described.

  An event is reserved (step S402).

It becomes a reserved time specified by the network control device 200, the disaster area 50 ₁ is defined (step S404).

If the affected area 50 ₁ is defined, the affected areas 50 base station 400 ₁ and the switch 500 ₁ is connected to the base station 400 ₁ in ₁ becomes affected areas (step S406). For example, the network control device 200 sets the base station 400 ₁ and the exchange 500 ₁ to the disaster area state.

The representative terminal setting device 700 uses the terminal devices 100 ₁ and 100 _n located in the area covered by the base station 400 ₁ managed by the exchange 500 ₁ set to the disaster area state by the network control device 200 as the disaster victim terminal. Designate (step S408).

  The following process is performed for each victim terminal (step S410).

The representative terminal setting device 700 identifies the subscriber PF 650 corresponding to the disaster victim terminals 100 ₁ and 100 _n and changes the status to the disaster victim state (step S412). Changes are made to the subscriber PF 650 that has been changed to the disaster victim state.

  For each victim terminal, the representative terminal is determined by the following procedure.

  The representative terminal setting device 700 determines whether a representative terminal corresponding to the victim terminal is set in advance (step S414). It may be determined whether a specific service providing terminal is set instead of or in addition to the representative terminal.

If the representative terminal has been set in advance (Step S414: YES), the representative terminal setting device 700, the representative terminal as a representative terminal candidates, located in the affected areas outside 50 ₂ The representative terminal candidate It is then determined whether communication is possible (step S416).

If the representative terminal candidates located disaster area outside 50 _2, it is determined to be and communicable state (step S416: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, the subscriber PF victims terminal, A representative terminal candidate is set as a transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S418).

Step If representative terminal is not set in advance in S414 (step S414: NO), and representatives if terminal candidate is not the case and / or communicable state not located disaster area outside 50 ₂ (step in step S416 (S416: NO), the representative terminal setting device 700 prompts the victim terminal to register the representative terminal (step S420). For example, the representative terminal setting device 700 may transmit an email urging registration of the representative terminal to the victim terminal. The registration of the representative terminal may be performed by an incoming call by automatic voice.

  The representative terminal setting device 700 determines whether or not the registration has been performed after a certain period of time after prompting the victim terminal to register the representative terminal in step S420 (step S422).

When registration of the representative terminal is performed by the victim terminal (step S422: YES), the representative terminal setting device 700 sets the set representative terminal as a representative terminal candidate, and the representative terminal candidate is located in the disaster area outside 50 _2, and either the determining a communicable state (step S424).

If the representative terminal candidates located disaster area outside 50 _2, were determined to be communicable state (step S424: YES), the representative terminal setting apparatus 700, the subscriber PF victims terminal, the A representative terminal candidate is set as a transfer destination of the call to the victim terminal (step S418).

If the registration of the representative terminal in step S422 has not been performed (step S422: NO), and representatives if terminal candidate is not the case not located in the affected areas outside 50 ₂ and / or communicable state (step by step S424 S424: NO), the representative terminal setting device 700, a specific service providing terminal 100 _3, the representative terminal (step S426). Representatives terminal setting apparatus 700, the subscriber PF victims terminal, as a transfer destination of the call to the affected terminal, to set a specific service providing terminal 100 ₃ (step S418).

  The processing of steps S412-S426 is performed for each victim terminal (step S428).

The subscriber PF corresponding to victims terminal, as a transfer destination of the call to the victims terminal, by the representative terminal candidates are set, a call from the disaster area outside 50 ₂ victims terminal, It is transferred to the representative terminal 100 _2. Since the representative terminal 100 ₂ is located in the affected areas outside the 50 _2, it is possible to reduce the traffic to the affected areas 50 _2.

  According to the present embodiment, when the designated time for an event is reached, the surrounding area where the event is held is set as a “stricken area”. Then, when the “stricken area” is set, a “representative terminal” that can contact the victim located in the stricken area is set. When the representative terminal is set, the disaster victim terminal can contact only the representative terminal. After setting the representative terminal, the person who wants to contact the victim terminal is transferred to the representative terminal.

  According to the present embodiment, congestion of the network in the disaster area can be suppressed by setting a representative terminal and transferring a call from a user outside the disaster area to the representative terminal.

  According to the present embodiment, by adding a function to transfer a call to a disaster area terminal to a subscriber DB, for example, a home location register (HLR) to a representative terminal, there is no need to modify a base station or a mobile phone. Even if necessary, it can be realized at low cost because it requires minimal modification.

  In the embodiment described above, the functions of the network control device 200, the subscriber DB 600, and the representative terminal setting device 700 may be realized by two or less devices.

  According to the present embodiment, in a communication system that allows a user to speak and / or receive a call using a communication device, there is provided a communication system that suppresses network congestion that occurs when a large-scale disaster or event occurs. Provided.

  The communication system specifies a region setting unit as the network control device 200 that sets a region where the large-scale disaster or event has occurred, and a first communication device located in the region set by the region setting unit. A communication device specifying unit as the exchange 500 and a representative communication device that is located outside the region set by the region setting unit and performs communication in place of the first communication device specified by the communication device specifying unit is set. The representative communication device setting unit 700 serving as the representative terminal setting device 700 and a call from the second communication device located outside the region set by the region setting unit to the first communication device are transmitted to the representative communication device. A transfer unit serving as the subscriber DB 600 for transfer.

  By transferring the transmission from the second communication device to the first communication device to the representative communication device, it is possible to limit the persons who can contact the victim. Since the number of people who can contact the victims can be limited, the congestion of traffic in the disaster area can be suppressed. In addition, the number of people who can contact the users who are coming to the event venue can be limited. Since it is possible to limit the number of people who can contact the users who are coming to the event venue, traffic congestion at the event venue can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the representative communication device setting unit sets a communication device related to the first communication device in the representative communication device. By setting a communication device related to the first communication device, it is possible to reduce the processing load when setting the representative communication device.

  Further, the representative communication device setting unit sets a communication device designated in advance as the representative communication device. By setting the communication device designated in advance, the processing load when setting the representative communication device can be reduced.

  Further, the representative communication device setting unit sets, as the representative communication device, a communication device belonging to a group contractually related to the first communication device among the second communication devices.

  By setting a second communication device belonging to a group contractually related to the first communication device as a representative communication device, a user more related to the user of the victim terminal can be set as the representative communication device. .

  Further, the representative communication device setting unit sets the second communication device as the representative communication device among the communication devices that are the destinations of the first communication device.

  By setting the second communication device as the representative communication device among the communication devices that are the destinations of the first communication device, a user who is more related to the user of the victim terminal can be set as the representative communication device.

  Further, the representative communication device setting unit, when the second communication device that is the transmission destination of the first communication device is approved to be set as the representative terminal in the second communication device. The second communication device is set as the representative communication device.

  By setting the second communication device as the representative communication device among the communication devices that are the destinations of the first communication device, a user who is more related to the user of the victim terminal can be set as the representative communication device.

  Further, the representative communication device setting unit prompts the first communication device to designate a representative communication device when the representative communication device is not designated.

  By prompting the first communication device to designate the representative communication device, the user of the first communication device can designate the representative communication device.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, they are merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will appreciate various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. . Although specific numerical examples have been described in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, these numerical values are merely examples and any appropriate values may be used unless otherwise specified. Although specific mathematical formulas have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, these mathematical formulas are merely examples, unless otherwise specified, and any appropriate mathematical formula may be used. The division of the embodiments or items is not essential to the present invention, and the matters described in two or more embodiments or items may be used in combination as necessary. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

50 ₁ Disaster area 50 ₂ Disaster area outside 100 (100 ₁ , 100 ₂ ,..., 100 _n ) Terminal apparatus 200 Network control apparatus 300 Communication network 400 (400 ₁ , 400 ₂ , 400 ₃ , 400 ₄ ) Base station 500 (500 ₁ , 500 ₂ , 500 ₃ ) Exchange 600 Subscriber database 650 (650 ₁ , 650 ₂ ,..., 650 _l ) Subscriber profile (PF: Profile)
700 Representative terminal setting device

Claims (8)

In a communication system in which a user can speak and / or receive a call using a communication device, the communication system suppresses network congestion that occurs when a large-scale disaster or event occurs,
A region setting unit for setting a region where the large-scale disaster or event has occurred;
A communication device specifying unit for specifying a first communication device located in the region set by the region setting unit;
A representative communication device setting unit that is located outside the region set by the region setting unit and sets a representative communication device that performs communication in place of the first communication device specified by the communication device specifying unit;
A communication system comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer a call from the second communication device located outside the region set by the region setting unit to the first communication device to the representative communication device. The communication system according to claim 1,
The representative communication device setting unit is a communication system that sets a representative communication device based on the first communication device. The communication system according to claim 2,
The representative communication device setting unit is a communication system that sets a communication device designated in advance as a representative communication device. The communication system according to claim 2,
The representative communication device setting unit is a communication system that sets a communication device belonging to a group contractually related to the first communication device among the second communication devices as a representative communication device. The communication system according to claim 1,
The representative communication device setting unit is a communication system that sets the second communication device as a representative communication device among communication devices that are destinations of the first communication device. The communication system according to claim 1,
The representative communication device setting unit, when it is approved that the second communication device is set as a representative terminal among the second communication devices that are destinations of the first communication device, A communication system for setting a second communication device as a representative communication device. The communication system according to claim 3,
The representative communication device setting unit is a communication system that prompts the first communication device to designate a representative communication device when the representative communication device is not designated. A method in a communication system that allows a user to speak and / or receive a call using a communication device, the method in a communication system suppressing network congestion that occurs when a large-scale disaster or event occurs,
A region setting step for setting a region where the large-scale disaster or event has occurred;
A communication device specifying step for specifying a first communication device located in the region set by the region setting step;
A representative communication device setting step for setting a representative communication device that is located outside the region set by the region setting step and performs communication instead of the first communication device specified by the communication device specifying step;
A transfer step of transferring a call from the second communication device located outside the region set by the region setting step to the first communication device to the representative communication device.

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