JP2011250064A - Voip line control system, voip communication device, voip communication control method, and voip communication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a VoIP line control system which can continue VoIP communication.SOLUTION: A VoIP line control system comprises a VoIP communication device 100 which is a communication terminal controlling VoIP communication and includes: as a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for VoIP communication in addition to a PSTN communication circuit for a PSTN line, for example, an IP network interface part 203 and an IP network transmission/reception circuit part 211 for a IP line; and a WiMAX network interface part 204 and a WiMAX network transmission/reception circuit part 214 for a WiMAX line. A main control part 208 continues the VoIP communication by switching to the WiMAX line when, for example, a VoIP speech quality in using the IP line is degraded lower than a first threshold value predetermined and registered in an IP network quality threshold value storage part 209; and does not switch to the telecommunication using the PSTN line unless the quality becomes degraded lower than a second threshold value predetermined and registered as a quality level showing difficulty in continuity of the VoIP communication using any VoIP line.

Description

  The present invention relates to a VoIP line control system, a VoIP communication apparatus, a VoIP communication control method, and a VoIP communication control program.

  VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication based on a packet switching system is inferior to a conventional circuit switching PSTN telephone via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) public line network.

  For example, when traffic increases due to an increase in traffic in an IP (Internet Protocol) network for relaying VoIP communication or traffic congestion due to a failure of a part of a route, a voice packet is delayed or lost. There are drawbacks that the quality deteriorates and it becomes difficult to hear the voice and the call is interrupted.

  Recently, due to advances in communication line capacity and voice compression technology, such shortcomings have been gradually eliminated, but voice packet delay and loss due to traffic congestion have been completely solved. It ’s hard to say.

  In order to solve the problem as described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-176495 of Patent Document 1 discloses a telephone system that can maintain a call quality without interrupting a call in VoIP communication. It is disclosed in “Telephone System”.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 relates to a VoIP line control technique using an internet network based on a conventional packet switching system. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 5, the internet network or the IP network and the PSTN public line. VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 (communication terminals that control VoIP communication), which are also gateway devices to the network, constantly monitor analog voice signals on the receiving side in VoIP communication over the Internet network or IP network. FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a conventional VoIP line control system. VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 to which telephones 108 and 109 having a VoIP communication function are connected, respectively, and wired VoIP communication. The network includes an IP network 106 constituting a network and a PSTN public line network 105 that handles circuit-switched telephone calls.

  As a monitoring result, voice packets are delayed or lost due to traffic congestion in the IP network 106, and the call quality of the analog voice signal on the receiving side is deteriorated so that the call quality is lower than a preset call quality standard. If it becomes, the telephone number in the PSTN public line network 105 of the communication partner registered in correspondence with the IP address is used as a telephone call via the PSTN public line network 105, and voice is automatically generated. Switch the line. Thus, it is possible to maintain the call quality and continue the call with the other party.

JP 2002-176495 A (page 4-5)

  However, the conventional VoIP line control technique described in Patent Document 1 only presents a switching method between the IP network 106 and the PSTN public line network 105, and has the following problems.

  The first problem is that when there is only one line capable of VoIP communication and the call quality of VoIP communication in the IP network 106 is deteriorated, the call immediately uses the PSTN public line network 105 that is charged. There is no choice but to switch.

  The second problem is that there is only one VoIP line in the IP network 106, and there is no option to select a VoIP line with good call quality from a plurality of VoIP lines.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to select one of a plurality of VoIP communication lines capable of performing VoIP communication and continue VoIP communication as much as possible. The object is to provide a possible VoIP line control system, VoIP communication apparatus, VoIP communication control method, and VoIP communication control program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the VoIP line control system, VoIP communication apparatus, VoIP communication control method, and VoIP communication control program according to the present invention mainly adopt the following characteristic configuration.

  (1) A VoIP line control system according to the present invention is a VoIP line control system for controlling a VoIP communication line between VoIP communication apparatuses, which are communication terminals for managing VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication. The apparatus includes a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for performing VoIP communication in addition to a PSTN communication circuit for performing telephone communication using a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line, and includes a plurality of the VoIP communication circuits. It is characterized by comprising switching means for selecting and switching any VoIP communication circuit from among them as a communication line for VoIP.

  (2) A VoIP communication apparatus according to the present invention is a VoIP communication apparatus that is a communication terminal for managing VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication, and is a PSTN for performing telephone communication using a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line. In addition to the communication circuit, a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for performing VoIP communication are provided, and one of the plurality of VoIP communication circuits is selected for use as a communication line for VoIP. And switching means for switching.

  (3) A VoIP communication control method according to the present invention is a VoIP line control method for controlling a VoIP communication line between VoIP communication apparatuses which are communication terminals for managing VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication. The apparatus includes a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for performing VoIP communication in addition to a PSTN communication circuit for performing telephone communication using a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line. From the above, any of the VoIP communication circuits can be selected and switched for use as a communication line for VoIP.

  (4) The VoIP communication control program according to the present invention is characterized in that at least the VoIP line control method described in (3) is implemented as a program executable by a computer.

  According to the VoIP line control system, VoIP communication apparatus, VoIP communication control method, and VoIP communication control program of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  The first effect is that a plurality of VoIP communication circuits, for example, two VoIP communication circuits for IP calling and WiMAX calling are built in the VoIP communication apparatus, so that switching between a plurality of VoIP calls, for example, IP calling And switching between two VoIP calls of a WiMAX call can be realized only by exchanging a switching request frame between End to End VoIP communication apparatuses.

  The second effect is that switching between a plurality of VoIP calls, for example, switching between two VoIP calls of an IP call and a WiMAX call, can continue the VoIP call without interrupting the VoIP call. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the switching to the PSTN call that involves charging as much as possible, and to suppress the occurrence of charging for the call.

  The third effect is that the call quality of a plurality of VoIP calls, for example, the call quality of two VoIP calls of an IP call and a WiMAX call are constantly monitored, and the order of lines with good call quality is determined for the communication partner of the VoIP communication. Since the line priority order shown is stored in a one-to-one correspondence, the next time VoIP communication is performed with the communication partner, or the call quality of the VoIP line in use deteriorates and other VoIP lines are When switching, it is possible to reliably select a line with good call quality.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a VoIP line control system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of a block configuration of one VoIP communication device in the VoIP line control system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of a block configuration of the other VoIP communication device in the VoIP line control system of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the VoIP line control system of FIG. 1. It is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a conventional VoIP line control system.

  Preferred embodiments of a VoIP line control system, a VoIP communication apparatus, a VoIP communication control method, and a VoIP communication control program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a VoIP line control system, a VoIP communication apparatus, and a VoIP communication control method according to the present invention will be described. However, the VoIP communication control method is implemented as a VoIP communication control program executable by a computer. Needless to say, the VoIP communication control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

(Features of the present invention)
Prior to the description of the embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the features of the present invention will be described first. The present invention provides, as a VoIP line control system, at least two VoIP communication circuits capable of VoIP communication in an oIP communication apparatus that is a communication terminal that manages VoIP communication processing, and the receiving side of the VoIP line in use When the call quality in the network drops below a preset communication quality standard, the VoIP communication circuit of another VoIP line is switched to, and the switch to the PSTN public line network to be charged is made except for abnormal quality deterioration. It is characterized by not doing it as much as possible.

  More specifically, for example, in addition to an IP VoIP communication circuit for connecting to a plurality of VoIP communication circuits, for example, an IP network constituting a wired VoIP communication network, a wireless VoIP communication network is provided in the VoIP communication apparatus. A WiMAX VoIP communication circuit for connection to a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network is provided, and switching means between a plurality of, for example, two VoIP communication devices is provided. The VoIP communication device also includes a PSTN communication circuit for connecting to the PSTN public line network in case VoIP communication becomes difficult.

  In addition, when the VoIP communication apparatus includes two VoIP communication circuits, for example, a VoIP communication circuit for an IP network and a VoIP communication circuit for a WiMAX network, as an example of a plurality of VoIP communication circuits, an IP call Monitoring means (quality detection means) for constantly monitoring the call quality during the VoIP call in each of the WiMAX call and a line quality storage unit for storing the monitoring result, and for each VoIP call partner, an IP call and a WiMAX call Is stored, and the priority of which one of the IP call and the WiMAX call is better is assigned, and one-to-one correspondence is performed as the line priority for each VoIP call partner. In the VoIP call, the line quality storage unit stores the line to be selected for each VoIP call partner. Thus, the next time VoIP communication with the VoIP call partner is performed, the line priority for each VoIP call partner stored in the line quality storage unit is referred to and a line with good call quality is always selected. Thus, it is possible to perform VoIP communication.

  That is, according to the present invention, in the VoIP line control system, a plurality of, for example, two VoIP communication circuits are built in the VoIP communication apparatus, and the VoIP communication circuit having the best call quality checked in advance for each VoIP communication partner. It is characterized by comprising switching means for use. Here, two kinds of threshold values (threshold values) are provided as call quality standards set in advance for determining whether or not to switch the communication circuit of the VoIP communication currently used, and the first threshold value is provided. Is defined as a quality level that has a slight influence on continuing a VoIP call using the current VoIP communication circuit, and the second threshold value is difficult to continue a VoIP call using any VoIP communication circuit. Define as a quality level. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are provided as quality threshold value storage units provided for each of a plurality of VoIP communication circuits, for example, for IP networks and WiMAX networks as two VoIP communication circuits. If it is registered, it is registered in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit and the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit respectively, and the deterioration of the call quality of the currently used VoIP communication is constantly monitored.

  The IP network quality detection unit and the WiMAX network quality detection unit, which are monitoring units (quality detection units) that constantly monitor the call quality of a plurality of, for example, two VoIP calls, are included in the voice frames received from the IP network and the WiMAX network, respectively. Based on the sequence number, the reception order is constantly monitored and the quality of each call is detected. When the call quality of the IP network becomes a call quality lower than the first threshold value registered in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit as a detection result, the VoIP communication apparatus performs overall control and a communication line. The main control unit having switching means for controlling the switching of the switching without switching the communication from the IP communication to the WiMAX communication. When the call quality of the WiMAX network becomes a call quality lower than the first threshold value registered in the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit, the main control unit in the VoIP communication apparatus changes from WiMAX communication to IP communication. Switch without disconnecting communication.

  Furthermore, when the call quality of the IP network deteriorates to a call quality lower than the second threshold value registered in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit, the main control unit in the VoIP communication apparatus performs the IPTN communication to the PSTN communication. Switch without disconnecting communication. Further, when the call quality of the WiMAX network deteriorates to a call quality lower than the second threshold value registered in the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit, the main control unit in the VoIP communication apparatus performs the communication from the WiMAX communication to the PSTN communication. Switch without disconnecting communication.

  Thus, in the present invention, since a plurality of, for example, two VoIP communication circuits are built in the VoIP communication device, except for an abnormal deterioration of the VoIP quality, for example, by switching between the IP line and the WiMAX line, for example. VoIP communication can be continued without switching to PSTN communication where charging is generated.

(Configuration example of embodiment)
Next, an example of the system configuration of the VoIP line control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a VoIP line control system according to the present invention, and an IP network as a VoIP communication network with respect to the conventional VoIP line control system shown in FIG. In addition to 106, a VoIP communication apparatus 100, 101 that further includes a WiMAX network 107 and manages VoIP communication is shown having two VoIP communication circuits for connecting to the respective VoIP communication networks. Yes. In the present invention, the number of VoIP communication networks is not limited to two networks, but a plurality of VoIP communication networks are provided to connect to each of the VoIP communication networks. A VoIP communication circuit may be provided in the VoIP communication device.

  As described above, the VoIP line control system shown in FIG. 1 includes an IP network 106 and a WiMAX network as VoIP communication networks in addition to the PSTN public line network 105 for connecting ordinary telephone calls for public communication. In order to use the VoIP communication as a call for the telephone 108, the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 are provided as communication terminals for managing the VoIP communication, the telephone 108 is connected, and the telephone 108 is connected. The VoIP communication apparatus 100 and the VoIP communication apparatus 101 for connecting the telephone 109 and using the VoIP communication as a call of the telephone 109 via the IP line 103 via the IP network 106 or the WiMAX network 107 Communication path for making a VoIP call using the WiMAX line 104 and the PSTN public line The communication path that performs PSTN call using the PSTN line 102 through 105, and has a system configuration capable of selecting a total of three types of communication paths.

  Here, the inside of each of the VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 has a block configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a block configuration of one VoIP communication apparatus 100 in the VoIP line control system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the other VoIP communication apparatus 101 in the VoIP line control system of FIG. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of a block structure. The VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 have exactly the same block configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 are used for easy understanding of the following description. 3, the blocks in the VoIP communication apparatus 100 to which the telephone 108 is connected and the blocks in the VoIP communication apparatus 101 to which the telephone 109 is connected are indicated by different reference numerals.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 have telephone interface units 201 and 301 and PSTN public lines connected to the telephone lines with the telephones 108 and 109 shown in FIG. PSTN interface units 202 and 302 connected to the PSTN line 102 with the network 105, IP network interface units 203 and 303 connected to the IP line 103 with the IP network 106, and a WiMAX network interface connected to the WiMAX line 104 with the WiMAX network 107 At least an interface unit for connecting to a total of four external lines of the units 204 and 304 is provided.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 each convert an analog signal into a digital signal and convert the digital signal into an analog signal, respectively. , 305, the telephone number storage units 206 and 306 for registering and managing each of the IP telephone number, WiMAX telephone number, and PSTN telephone number of the VoIP communication partner, and a function of performing PSTN transmission to the PSTN public line network 105 The PSTN peripheral circuit units 207 and 307 and the overall operation of the VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 are controlled, and at least main control units 208 and 308 that control switching of communication lines are provided as line switching means.

  Further, the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 are IP network interfaces as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to the IP network interface units 203 and 303, as VoIP communication circuits for the IP network. IP network transmission / reception circuit units 211 and 311 that are connected to the units 203 and 303 to transmit and receive voice frames for the IP network 106, and IP network quality detection units 210 and 310 that constantly monitor the communication quality of the IP network transmission / reception circuit units 211 and 311. IP network quality threshold value storage units 209 and 309 for registering in advance first and second threshold values (threshold values) as two types of call quality standards for determining whether or not to switch VoIP communication by the IP network 106. At least.

  In addition to the WiMAX network interface units 204 and 304, the VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 shown in FIG. 1 each have a WiMAX network interface as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as VoIP communication circuits for the WiMAX network. WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit units 214 and 314 that transmit and receive voice frames for the WiMAX network 107 connected to the units 204 and 304, and WiMAX network quality detection units 213 and 313 that constantly monitor the communication quality of the WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit units 214 and 314. WiMAX network quality threshold value storage units 212 and 312 for registering first and second threshold values (threshold values) in advance as two types of call quality standards for determining whether to switch VoIP communication by the WiMAX network 107 or not. At least. Furthermore, in order to determine which of the VoIP communication circuit for the IP network or the VoIP communication circuit for the WiMAX network is used, it is monitored whether the communication quality of the IP call or the WiMAX call is good during the VoIP communication. Then, for each communication partner, the communication priority is stored in a one-to-one correspondence as a line priority, and a line having a good call quality is stored in the next VoIP communication or when switching the VoIP communication line. Line quality storage units 215 and 315 having a function referred to for selection are provided at least.

(Description of operation of embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the VoIP line control system shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the VoIP line control system of FIG. 1, and an operation for switching a communication line for VoIP call to another communication line based on a monitoring result of call quality of VoIP call. An example is shown.

  Here, during a VoIP call by the IP network 106, a time stamp is assigned to the RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) header portion in the voice frame, and the IP network quality detection units 210 and 310 check the reception time of the voice frame. Is calculated. At the same time, the sequence number in the audio frame is also monitored, and the quality degradation state is detected when the reception order of the audio frame is changed or a reception omission occurs based on the received sequence number.

  The VoIP communication apparatus 100 (communication terminal that controls VoIP communication) connected to the telephone 108 is assigned with an IP telephone number 100A, a WiMAX telephone number 100B, and a PSTN telephone number 100C. VoIP communication apparatus 101 (communication terminal that manages VoIP communication) 109 connected to IP address 101A, WiMAX telephone number 101B, and PSTN telephone number 101C are assigned to VoIP communication apparatus 100. It is assumed that VoIP transmission is made to the communication apparatus 101 via the IP network 106.

  Also, two types of threshold values (threshold values) are registered in advance in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit 309 of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP incoming side as a call quality standard for determining whether or not to switch VoIP communication. . Of the two types of threshold values (threshold values), the first threshold value (threshold value) is a value defined as a quality level that has a slight influence on continuing VoIP communication by the IP network 106. The threshold value (threshold value) is a value defined as a quality level at which it is very difficult to continue VoIP communication.

  The VoIP communication apparatus 100 makes a VoIP call to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 using the IP telephone number 101A to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 via the IP network interface unit 203 and the IP network 106 (step S400), and the VoIP communication apparatus 100 and the VoIP The communication device 101 shifts to a VoIP call state via the IP network interface unit 203, the IP network 106, and the IP interface unit 303 (step S401).

  When the VoIP call by the IP network 106 is established, the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP caller side assigns its own IP phone number 100A, WiMAX phone number 100B, and PSTN phone number 100C to the outgoing frame, and sets the IP network interface unit 203. Then, the data is transmitted to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the VoIP incoming side via the IP network 106 (step S402). When the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP incoming side receives the outgoing frame via the IP network interface unit 303, the IP telephone number 100A of the VoIP communication device 100 of the communication partner assigned to the outgoing frame, WiMAX phone The number 100B and the PSTN telephone number 100C are registered in the telephone number storage unit 306.

  Further, after the establishment of the VoIP call by the IP network 106, the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiver side adds its own IP telephone number 101A, WiMAX telephone number 101B, and PSTN telephone number 101C to the incoming frame, and the IP network interface The data is transmitted to the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the IP transmission side via the IP network 106 via the unit 303 (step S403). When the VoIP communication device 100 on the IP transmission side receives the incoming frame via the IP network interface unit 203, the IP telephone number 101A of the VoIP communication device 101 of the communication partner assigned to the incoming frame and the WiMAX phone The number 101B and the PSTN telephone number 101C are registered in the telephone number storage unit 206.

  When the voice frame from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP origination side is received by the IP network transmission / reception circuit unit 311 of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP destination side after transitioning to the VoIP call state by the IP network 106, the VoIP communication on the VoIP destination side is received. The IP network quality detection unit 310 of the apparatus 101 confirms whether or not the call quality of the received voice frame has deteriorated, and if the call quality has deteriorated, notifies the main control unit 308 to that effect. (Step S404).

  Receiving the notification, the main control unit 308 confirms whether or not to continue the call with the call partner VoIP communication apparatus 100, and when determining that the call is to be ended (No in step S405), Although the call with the VoIP communication apparatus 100 is terminated (step S422), when it is determined that the call is continued (Yes in step S405), the process proceeds to step S406.

  When the process proceeds to step S406, the main control unit 308 determines the second speech quality of the received voice frame registered in advance in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit 309 based on the detection result of the IP network quality detection unit 310. Whether the voice quality of the received voice frame is lower than the second threshold value and it is difficult to continue the VoIP communication. When it is detected that the quality has deteriorated to the level (Yes in step S406), it is determined that it is difficult to continue the VoIP communication not only in the IP network 106 but also in the WiMAX network 107, and the VoIP call Switching to the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the other party's VoIP transmission side to switch to the PSTN transmission by the PSTN public line network 105 To seek (PSTN call switch for) switch request frame, via the IP network interface unit 303, and transmitted via the IP network 106 (step S407).

  When the VoIP communication device 100 on the VoIP originating side receives the switching request frame (for PSTN call switching) from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiving side via the IP network interface unit 203, the main control of the VoIP communication device 100 The unit 208 terminates the VoIP call over the IP network 106 and instructs the PSTN peripheral circuit unit 207 to perform PSTN transmission using the PSTN public line network 105. The PSTN peripheral circuit unit 207 that has received the PSTN call instruction reads the PSTN telephone number 101C of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiver side that is registered in the telephone number storage unit 206, and the PSTN interface unit 202 via the PSTN interface unit 202 reads the PSTN telephone number 101C. A PSTN call is sent to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that has been the VoIP destination on the IP network 106 via the public network 105 (step S408).

  When the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that has been the VoIP incoming side by the IP network 106 receives a PSTN call from the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that has been the VoIP outgoing side via the PSTN interface unit 302 as the PSTN incoming information, the received PSTN incoming call is received. The PSTN telephone number 100C of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the PSTN transmission side included in the information is registered in advance in the telephone number storage unit 306 at the start of the previous VoIP call, and the PSTN telephone number of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP transmission side If they match with 100C, a response signal is transmitted to the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that is the source of PSTN transmission via the PSTN interface unit 302 and the PSTN public line network 105.

  When receiving a response signal from the VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the PSTN receiving side via the PSTN public line network 105 via the PSTN interface section 202, the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that is the originator of the PSTN transmission receives the PSTN peripheral circuit section. In step 207, the PSTN interface 202 is shifted to a call state, so that the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the PSTN call origination side is charged with the PSTN public with the PSTN call VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the call receiving side. A PSTN call by the network 105 is started (step S409).

  On the other hand, in step S406, the main control unit 308 of the VoIP communication device 101 on the receiving side of the VoIP call determines that the call quality of the received voice frame is the IP network quality threshold value based on the detection result of the IP network quality detection unit 310. When it is detected that the second threshold value registered in the storage unit 309 is not lower than the second threshold value registered in advance (No in step S406), the second registered in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit 309 in advance. It is confirmed whether or not the threshold value is lower than 1 (step S410). If it is detected that the call quality of the received voice frame is not lower than the first threshold value (No in step S410), the quality deterioration of the VoIP call by the IP network 106 is within the allowable range in the VoIP call. The VoIP call by the IP network 106 is continued as it is (step S423).

  On the other hand, if the call quality of the received voice frame is lower than the first threshold value (Yes in step S410), the quality that has some influence on continuing the VoIP communication by the IP network 106 A switching request frame (for switching the WiMAX call) that is determined to be a level and requests the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP caller side of the VoIP call partner to switch to WiMAX call by the WiMAX network 107, The data is transmitted via the IP network 106 via the IP network interface unit 303 (step S411).

  When the VoIP communication device 100 on the VoIP originating side receives the switching request frame (for switching the WiMAX call) from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiving side via the IP network interface unit 203, the main control of the VoIP communication device 100 The unit 208 terminates the VoIP call over the IP network 106 and instructs the WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 214 to perform WiMAX transmission using the WiMAX network 107. Upon receiving the WiMAX transmission instruction, the WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 214 reads out the WiMAX telephone number 101B of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP incoming side registered in the telephone number storage unit 206, and passes through the WiMAX network interface unit 204. Then, via the WiMAX network 107, WiMAX transmission is performed to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 which is the VoIP receiving side by the IP network 106 (step S412).

  When the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that has been the VoIP incoming side by the IP network 106 receives the WiMAX transmission from the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that has been the VoIP outgoing side via the WiMAX interface unit 304 as WiMAX incoming information, the received WiMAX incoming call is received. The WiMAX telephone number 100B of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the WiMAX calling side included in the information, and the WiMAX telephone number of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP calling side previously registered in the telephone number storage unit 306 at the start of the previous VoIP call When 100B is matched and matched, the Ack (Acknowledge) signal, which is a response signal, is sent to the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that is the source of WiMAX transmission via the WiMAX interface unit 304 and the WiMAX network 107. To send.

  When receiving the Ack signal from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiving side by the WiMAX network 107 via the WiMAX network 107 via the WiMAX network interface unit 204, the VoIP communication device 100 that is the originator of the WiMAX transmission receives the WiMAX network 107. In the network transmission / reception circuit unit 214, the WiMAX network interface unit 204 shifts to a call state, so that the VoIP communication device 100 on the WiMAX call origination side communicates with the VoIP communication device 101 on the call reception side of the WiMAX call. Without interrupting the VoIP call by the IP network 106, the VoIP call by the WiMAX network 107 is switched to continue the VoIP call (step S413).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 that manage the VoIP call are respectively connected to the VoIP communication circuit units (IP network transmission / reception circuit units 211 and 311, for performing the VoIP call by the IP network 106. IP network interface units 203 and 303, IP network quality detection units 210 and 310, and IP network quality threshold value storage units 209 and 309) and a VoIP communication circuit unit (WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 214) for performing a VoIP call using the WiMAX network 107 , 314, WiMAX network interface units 204 and 304, WiMAX network quality detection units 213 and 313, and WiMAX network quality threshold value storage units 212 and 312).

  Thus, even when VoIP call quality degradation occurs in any one of the VoIP lines (in the above example, VoIP call quality degradation by the IP network 106), there are two types of VoIP call quality levels. As long as it does not deteriorate to a quality level lower than a second threshold value (threshold value) set in advance as a quality level that makes it difficult to continue a VoIP call using any of the VoIP communication line corresponding parts, the other VoIP By switching to the line, the VoIP call can be continued without interruption. As a result, even when the quality level of a VoIP call during a call is deteriorated, use of the PSTN public line network 105 that generates a charge can be suppressed.

  Next, following step S413, the quality monitoring operation when the VoIP communication apparatus 100 performs VoIP transmission via the WiMAX network 107 to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 will be further described.

  When the voice frame from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP calling side is received by the WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 314 of the VoIP receiving side VoIP communication device 314 after shifting to the VoIP call state by the WiMAX network 107, the VoIP communication on the VoIP receiving side is received. The WiMAX network quality detection unit 313 of the apparatus 101 checks whether or not the call quality of the received voice frame has deteriorated, and if the call quality has deteriorated, notifies the main control unit 308 to that effect. (Step S414).

  Receiving the notification, the main control unit 308 confirms whether or not to continue the call with the call partner VoIP communication apparatus 100, and when determining that the call is to be ended (No in step S415), Although the call with the VoIP communication apparatus 100 is terminated (step S424), when it is determined that the call is continued (Yes in step S415), the process proceeds to step S416.

  When the process proceeds to step S416, the main control unit 308, based on the detection result of the IP network quality detection unit 310, the call quality of the received voice frame is registered in advance in the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit 312. It is confirmed whether the voice quality of the received voice frame is lower than the second threshold value and it is difficult to continue the VoIP communication. If it is detected that the quality has deteriorated to the level (Yes in step S416), it is determined that it is difficult to continue the VoIP communication not only in the WiMAX network 107 but also in the IP network 106, and the VoIP call Switch to PSTN transmission by PSTN public network 105 for VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the other party's VoIP transmission side Requesting preparative (PSTN call switch for) switch request frame, via a WiMAX network interface unit 304, and transmits via the WiMAX network 107 (step S417).

  When the VoIP communication device 100 on the VoIP originating side receives the switching request frame (for PSTN call switching) from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP terminating side via the WiMAX network interface unit 204, the main control of the VoIP communication device 100 The unit 208 terminates the VoIP call using the WiMAX network 107 and instructs the PSTN peripheral circuit unit 207 to make a PSTN call using the PSTN public line network 105. The PSTN peripheral circuit unit 207 that has received the PSTN call instruction reads the PSTN telephone number 101C of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP receiver side that is registered in the telephone number storage unit 206, and the PSTN interface unit 202 via the PSTN interface unit 202 reads the PSTN telephone number 101C. A PSTN call is sent to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that has been the VoIP destination on the IP network 106 via the public network 105 (step S418).

  When the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that has been the VoIP incoming side by the WiMAX network 107 receives a PSTN call from the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that has been the VoIP outgoing side via the PSTN interface unit 302 as the PSTN incoming information, the received PSTN incoming call is received. The PSTN telephone number 100C of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the PSTN transmission side included in the information is registered in advance in the telephone number storage unit 306 at the start of the previous VoIP call, and the PSTN telephone number of the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP transmission side If they match with 100C, a response signal is transmitted to the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that is the source of PSTN transmission via the PSTN interface unit 302 and the PSTN public line network 105.

  When receiving a response signal from the VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the PSTN receiving side via the PSTN public line network 105 via the PSTN interface section 202, the VoIP communication apparatus 100 that is the originator of the PSTN transmission receives the PSTN peripheral circuit section. In step 207, the PSTN interface 202 is shifted to a call state, so that the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the PSTN call origination side is charged with the PSTN public with the PSTN call VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the call receiving side. A PSTN call by the line network 105 is started (step S419).

  On the other hand, in step S416, the main control unit 308 of the VoIP communication device 101 on the receiving side of the VoIP call determines that the call quality of the received voice frame is the WiMAX network quality threshold value based on the detection result of the WiMAX network quality detection unit 313. If it is detected that the second threshold value is not lower than the second threshold value registered in advance in the storage unit 312 (No in step S416), then the second threshold value registered in advance in the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit 312. It is confirmed whether or not the threshold value is lower than 1 (step S421). If it is detected that the call quality of the received voice frame is not lower than the first threshold value (No in step S421), the quality degradation of the VoIP call by the WiMAX network 107 is within the allowable range in the VoIP call. The VoIP call by the WiMAX network 107 is continued as it is (step S425).

  On the other hand, if the call quality of the received voice frame is lower than the first threshold value (Yes in step S421), the quality that has a slight influence on the VoIP communication by the WiMAX network 107 is continued. A switching request frame (for IP call switching) for determining that the level is a level and requesting the VoIP communication apparatus 100 on the VoIP calling side of the VoIP calling party to switch to IP transmission by the IP network 106, The data is transmitted via the WiMAX network 107 via the WiMAX network interface unit 304 (step S420).

  When the VoIP communication device 100 on the VoIP origination side receives a switching request frame (for IP call switching) from the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP destination side via the WiMAX network interface unit 204, the main control of the VoIP communication device 100 The unit 208 terminates the VoIP call using the WiMAX network 107 and instructs the IP network transmission / reception circuit unit 211 to perform IP transmission using the IP network 106. The IP network transmission / reception circuit unit 211 that has received the IP transmission instruction reads the IP telephone number 101A of the VoIP communication device 101 on the VoIP incoming side registered in the telephone number storage unit 206, and then passes through the IP network interface unit 203. Then, the process returns to the operation of step S400 in which IP transmission is performed to the VoIP communication apparatus 101 that was the VoIP incoming side by the WiMAX network 107 via the IP network 106.

  As described above, the VoIP communication apparatus 101 on the receiving side of the VoIP call receives the first and second VoIP communication quality on the respective VoIP communication lines in the IP network quality threshold value storage unit 309 and the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit 312. A threshold value (threshold value) is set and registered in advance.

  The call quality such that the IP network quality detection unit 310 and the WiMAX network quality detection unit 313 are lower than the corresponding first quality threshold value (threshold value) as the call quality of the VoIP call monitored on each VoIP line. VoIP with less quality degradation by repeatedly switching from the currently used IP call to the other WiMAX call or from the currently used WiMAX call to the other IP call. It is possible to select communication. Such a switching operation can be performed only by exchanging End to End frames (switching request frames) between the VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101 without interrupting the VoIP call.

  During a VoIP call using the IP line (IP network 106) and during a VoIP call using the WiMAX line (WiMAX network 107), the voice frame received from each VoIP line is monitored, and the frame error rate is calculated. For each VoIP call partner, a line priority order indicating which call quality is better between an IP call and a WiMAX call is calculated. The calculated line priority order is stored in the line quality storage units 215 and 315 in a one-to-one correspondence with the telephone number of the VoIP communication partner. Next time, when performing VoIP communication or switching VoIP lines, it is possible to refer to the line quality storage units 215 and 315 to always select a line with better call quality and perform VoIP communication. . The process of calculating and registering the line priority order as described above is particularly effective when selecting not only two VoIP lines but also two or more VoIP lines.

  Also, the first and second threshold values registered in the IP network quality threshold value storage units 209 and 309 and the WiMAX network quality threshold value storage units 212 and 312 of the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101 are stored in the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101, respectively. Can be used as a VoIP line control system of a call quality priority type or as a VoIP line control system of a charge suppression priority type, depending on the user's preference. It is also possible to freely decide whether to use.

(Explanation of effect of embodiment)
As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The first effect is that a plurality of VoIP communication circuits, for example, two VoIP communication circuits for IP calls and WiMAX calls are built in the VoIP communication devices 100 and 101, so that switching between a plurality of VoIP calls is possible. For example, switching between two VoIP calls of an IP call and a WiMAX call can be realized only by exchanging a switching request frame between the end-to-end VoIP communication apparatuses 100 and 101.

  The second effect is that switching between a plurality of VoIP calls, for example, switching between two VoIP calls of an IP call and a WiMAX call, can continue the VoIP call without interrupting the VoIP call. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the switching to the PSTN call that involves charging as much as possible, and to suppress the occurrence of charging for the call.

  The third effect is that the call quality of a plurality of VoIP calls, for example, the call quality of two VoIP calls of an IP call and a WiMAX call are constantly monitored, and the order of lines with good call quality is determined for the communication partner of the VoIP communication. Since the line priority order shown is stored in a one-to-one correspondence, the next time VoIP communication is performed with the communication partner, or the call quality of the VoIP line in use deteriorates and other VoIP lines are When switching, it is possible to reliably select a line with good call quality.

  The configuration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, it should be noted that such examples are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 VoIP communication apparatus 101 VoIP communication apparatus 102 PSTN line 103 IP line 104 WiMAX line 105 PSTN public line network 106 IP network 107 WiMAX network 108 Telephone 109 Telephone 201 Telephone interface part 202 PSTN interface part 203 IP network interface part 204 WiMAX network interface part 205 VoIP control circuit unit 206 Telephone number storage unit 207 PSTN peripheral circuit unit 208 Main control unit 209 IP network quality threshold value storage unit 210 IP network quality detection unit 211 IP network transmission / reception circuit unit 212 WiMAX network quality threshold value storage unit 213 WiMAX network Quality detection unit 214 WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 215 Line quality storage unit 301 Telephone interface unit 302 PSTN interface unit 30 IP network interface unit 304 WiMAX network interface unit 305 VoIP control circuit unit 306 Telephone number storage unit 307 PSTN peripheral circuit unit 308 Main control unit 309 IP network quality threshold value storage unit 310 IP network quality detection unit 311 IP network transmission / reception circuit unit 312 WiMAX Network quality threshold value storage unit 313 WiMAX network quality detection unit 314 WiMAX network transmission / reception circuit unit 315 Line quality storage unit

Claims (10)

  A VoIP line control system that controls a VoIP communication line between VoIP communication apparatuses that are communication terminals that control VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication, wherein the VoIP communication apparatus uses a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line. In addition to the PSTN communication circuit for performing telephone communication, a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for performing VoIP communication are provided, and any one of the plurality of VoIP communication circuits is used for VoIP. A VoIP line control system comprising switching means for selecting and switching for use as a communication line.   When the VoIP communication device detects a deterioration in call quality during a VoIP call using the VoIP communication circuit, the VoIP communication device is configured to switch the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call to a plurality of the VoIP communication. 2. The VoIP line control system according to claim 1, wherein the VoIP line control system is switched to any one of the VoIP communication circuits selected from the communication circuits.   The VoIP communication apparatus uses two types of quality threshold values, a first threshold value and a second threshold value, as a call quality standard for determining whether or not to switch the VoIP communication circuit used for VoIP calls. And when the call quality of the VoIP call by the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call is degraded from the first threshold value, the switching means includes a plurality of the VoIP communication circuits. When the call quality of the VoIP call by the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call is deteriorated from the second threshold value, it is switched to one of the VoIP communication circuits selected from It is difficult to continue VoIP communication using any of the VoIP communication circuits, and the switching means , VoIP line control system according to claim 1, characterized in that switching to telephone communication using the PSTN line.   The VoIP communication apparatus includes a storage unit that stores, as a line priority order, in order of good call quality at the time of a past VoIP call for each call partner for each of the plurality of VoIP communication circuits. When selecting any VoIP communication circuit from among the VoIP communication circuits, the VoIP communication circuit with the best call quality is referred to by referring to the line priority for each call partner stored in the storage means The VoIP line control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the VoIP line control system is selected.   A VoIP communication device, which is a communication terminal that manages VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication, and performs VoIP communication in addition to a PSTN communication circuit for performing telephone communication using a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line A plurality of VoIP communication circuits, and switching means for selecting and switching any VoIP communication circuit from among the plurality of VoIP communication circuits for use as a VoIP communication line. A featured VoIP communication apparatus.   A VoIP line control method for controlling a VoIP communication line between VoIP communication apparatuses, which are communication terminals that control VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) communication, wherein the VoIP communication apparatus uses a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Network) line. In addition to the PSTN communication circuit for performing telephone communication, a plurality of VoIP communication circuits for performing VoIP communication are provided, and any one of the plurality of VoIP communication circuits is connected to a VoIP communication circuit. A VoIP line control method characterized in that it can be selected and switched for use as a communication line.   When the VoIP communication apparatus detects a deterioration in call quality during a VoIP call using the VoIP communication circuit, the VoIP communication apparatus uses the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call as a plurality of the VoIP communication circuits. 7. The VoIP line control method according to claim 6, wherein the VoIP communication circuit is switched to any one of the VoIP communication circuits.   The VoIP communication apparatus uses two types of quality threshold values, a first threshold value and a second threshold value, as a call quality standard for determining whether or not to switch the VoIP communication circuit used for VoIP calls. And when the call quality of the VoIP call by the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call is deteriorated from the first threshold value, it is selected from the plurality of VoIP communication circuits. When the call quality of the VoIP call by the VoIP communication circuit currently used for VoIP call is deteriorated from the second threshold value, the VoIP communication is switched to one of the VoIP communication circuits. It is difficult to continue VoIP communication using any of the circuits. VoIP line control method according to claim 6, characterized in that switching to the communication.   The VoIP communication device stores, for each of the plurality of VoIP communication circuits, as a line priority in order of good call quality at the time of the past VoIP call for each call partner, and from among the plurality of VoIP communication circuits 9. When selecting the VoIP communication circuit, the VoIP communication circuit having the best call quality is selected by referring to the stored line priority for each call partner. The VoIP line control method described in 1.   10. A VoIP communication control program, wherein the VoIP line control method according to claim 6 is implemented as a program executable by a computer.

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